Page 2 of Pomegranate Kiss (Charmed in Charleston #2)

Chapter Two

G iving in to Lex had been Cam’s dumbest idea yet.

She chopped up the chicken in front of her, the pale flesh not standing a chance against her sharpened knife. Cam channeled the force and fury of the maelstrom in her head into the smooth motion, the slabs of meat fast turning into diced cubes. The rest of the ingredients for this twist on chicken marsala lined the marble countertop of the Horntree manor, yet another meal to cook for this hellacious family.

Back when she’d dropped out of art school, she’d fallen hard on her culinary skills, and for a time, she’d been able to appreciate the creativity. However, the longer she worked in the field—the longer she worked here —the more the enjoyment ebbed until it leeched away the color from tasks she once enjoyed. Danny was the sole thing keeping her afloat most days.

She’d sank into the monotony of her cycle—working during the day, swiping right on Tinder to go on dates at night, which ended up being one failure after another. Truth be told, most of the men she met were wallpaper-paste boring.

None of them electrified her like Lex. She tried denying it these past six months, yet the memories of Lex’s strong arms around her refused to dissipate. Cam had savored every second of that night, the scent of campfire and wine she breathed with every heavy inhale, the live wire sensations of those lips on her neck, and those skillful fingers against her clit. She’d never had a more intense experience in her life.

Hence why giving in to Lex was a terrible idea. Cam couldn’t be gay. She couldn’t. She’d attended so many services at the mosque where the imam would deliver fiery sermons about the sins of homosexuality, and her parents would stand there, heads bobbing in agreement. She loved her parents despite all of that—they’d been patient teachers, kind guides, and supported her even when she dropped out of school.

Shame colored her cheeks that she blamed on the steam rising from the frying pan as she cooked the chicken in the sauce of marsala wine, chicken broth, and porcini mushrooms. Yet she’d caved to Lex when she should’ve stood strong. Just because she hadn’t met a suitable guy said more about the quality of Tinder than her own tendencies. After all, Danny managed to find the perfect man for her. Maybe if she tried dating someone like Adrian— successful, sweet, and a family man—she’d be happy.

The chicken sizzled, and Cam turned the back boiler off on the rice she cooked to go along with the dish. Her phone buzzed, and her fingers itched on reflex. She gave the chicken another turn with her spatula, the heady aroma of roasted mushrooms, rich Marsala wine, and savory broth hitting the air. Then she checked her phone.

Lex had texted.

Her mouth dried, and she wasn’t sure what to do. If she glanced to the text, she’d be tempted to sway, and she’d begin her slippery descent to Jahannam.

Desire gave out.

Meet me at nine tonight at Mount Pleasant Park. Prepare to get dirty.

Cam’s cheeks flushed, and this time she couldn’t ignore the response. She could imagine the raspy tone Lex would deliver it in, the sharp edge to her words, and the intensity in her eyes. Maybe if she could meet a guy who possessed half of Lex’s confidence—half of the cocky swagger she rolled her eyes over yet secretly loved—maybe then she could settle down.

She turned the burners off and moved the skillet to a cooler section. It was hot enough in this kitchen, and if the text gave any indication, her night was about to get hotter.

***

Cam pulled her Kia into a parking spot at Waterfront Park and turned down the acoustic folk she’d been using to placate her nerves. It hadn’t helped. She flipped the mirror down and began to touch up her lipstick. She’d swung home, scarfed some dinner, and changed into something nicer, but her body and mind had hummed in unison ever since she’d gotten the text from Lex.

The one reason she even considered this was Lex’s reputation. She’d heard plenty from Danny about how the woman avoided commitment like it was a lit Molotov cocktail hurtling her way. So, if Cam dipped her toes in the water, she could always retract. No harm, no foul.

The sun had already set, and the Ravenel bridge stretching overhead lit up with a gentle blue like the ocean. Bright neon lights illuminated the walking paths along the park, and at this time of night, only a few people scattered around the place.

Her phone buzzed, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Mom was calling, because of course she would, like divine intervention. She reached over to answer the phone, her keys in the ignition when her window shook under the force of someone tapping.

Lex’s face appeared in the window, and she tilted her head in the direction of the park. Cam swallowed hard. She let the call go to voicemail.

She opened the door with a click, and Lex took a couple of paces back. The woman had the uncanny ability to suck the air out of a room, or in this case, an entire park. Her black pixie cut was spiked, her eyeliner charcoal dark, and she wore an olive-green tee highlighting her lithe, muscular frame. Lex kept her motorcycle jacket hooked over her shoulder and scanned Cam over like she might swallow her up.

Cam smoothed the maroon maxi-dress she’d worn with black heels that clicked along the asphalt. Not so good for hiking, but she doubted Lex’s plans entailed walking any trails.

“Well, you look fucking gorgeous,” Lex commented, the heat in her hazel eyes pinning Cam on the spot. When her Tinder dates dropped those sorts of lines, her stomach soured like buttermilk and she usually backed away fast. Yet when Lex said it—well, her persistence had swayed her to come here. Being around this woman felt as natural as daylight even though she sparked her body into a new plane of existence.

“You’re not too shabby yourself,” Cam fired back as she set off in the direction of the main paths.

Lex fanned herself. “Keep throwing compliments around like that and I might swoon.” With a couple of quick strides, Lex walked in line with her, the swagger to her step a part of the woman’s fire and brimstone personality. The breeze swept the salt from the inlet and the crispness in the air from fall’s arrival as they wandered across the concrete path.

Cam’s senses reached an awareness she only experienced in front of a canvas with paint staining her fingers, flecks in her hair. Each step she took, she could feel Lex’s proximity to her, caught the scent of cloves, and felt the heat radiating off the woman.

“So apart from cooking for asshole rich folks, being very not gay, and having an apparently dry sense of humor, what makes up Camilla…well, fuck, I don’t even know your last name.”

Cam snorted, smoothing her dress again, because for once she didn’t know what the hell to do with her hands. “Muhuri,” she filled in the blank. “My parents are from Bangladesh.”

“And I’m guessing wouldn’t approve of your blossoming friendship with a queer tattoo artist who has a record,” Lex shot back. “Though I couldn’t imagine why. I’m every parent’s wet dream for their daughters.” Even with her sardonic tone and flippant grin, Cam caught the bitter edge to the words and the flicker of darkness in her expression.

She bypassed the comment completely, seizing on the morsel of new information. “You’re a tattoo artist?”

Lex scratched the back of her head, glancing to the side. “Well, apprenticing right now. My stint in the clanker set me back a little bit.”

“I’d love to see your work sometime,” Cam said, her heart skipping a couple of beats. She wasn’t lying. She missed art in every form since the culinary variety had dulled so much as of late. Her paintbrushes and canvas sat in the storage closet in her apartment, untouched for years. “I was most of the way through my arts degree back home in Georgia when I dropped out.”

Lex licked her lips, the motion mesmerizing, and her grin widened. “So what you’re saying is you actually know your shit. Consider me nervous, then.”

Cam almost gasped in relief at the response. She’d tensed without realizing, waiting for the inevitable ‘why’ that followed whenever she told anyone she dropped out. All too fast the mention brought back the slow trickle of dread as she’d entered the classroom and the vigilance that followed every time she bolted out to her car again.

They’d reached the circular path leading to the pier, the bronze statue in the center taking on a purplish hue even with the lights lining the way. The pier stretched out to greet the water ahead of them, the gentle whoosh of the swaying inlet echoing along with their voices. When Lex confronted her the other night and pitched the oddest proposal she’d ever received, Cam pretty much thought they’d be getting down and dirty in her car.

This, though, felt more like a date than anything.

“What’s your main medium?” Lex asked, reeling her attention back in. She alternated between swinging her arms in wide arcs as they walked or flexing her fingers in and out of a fist, the woman in perpetual motion.

“Watercolor or acrylic,” Cam answered on reflex. “Though I was majoring in graphic design to be able to apply that work to something practical.”

Lex’s lips curled into a wide grin, her teeth gleaming. “Fine then, you show me yours and I’ll show you mine.”

“What are we, five?” Cam shot back. The inky sky stretched above them, a couple of slate clouds marring the sea of stars. They approached the pier, and the cream rails glowed under the lights lining the way. Even though her body still felt hyper-aware, somehow between the car and here, her nerves leeched away.

“I mean, my mother’s convinced I’m in a state of arrested development. Heavy on the arrested,” Lex cracked, doing that thing again where she looked anywhere but in her direction. Cam knew avoidance—she guarded herself the same way.

“You’re out now though,” Cam offered. “No need to keep punishing yourself.”

“With a temper like mine?” Lex responded, slipping on her motorcycle jacket. “It’s only a matter of time.” Even with the confidence that poured from her and the swing to her step, talking to Lex like this was skating along the surface of a frozen lake, one crack from plunging into the depths.

“Well then, we better enjoy our time now.” Cam skipped ahead a couple of steps. She hadn’t been to this park in ages, one of the first places she’d visited when she got the gig at the Horntrees’ and moved up here from Savannah.

“Come on, this way,” Lex said, slinking past her. She grabbed her hand and began to run down the pier. Cam surged forward. She stumbled after Lex, swept in the whirlwind of movement. Their footsteps thundered through the quiet of this place, and a laugh slipped from her lips as Lex’s grip on her hand tightened. Cam caught up, running neck and neck with the capricious wind of a woman.

Just as fast as they’d set off, Lex skidded to a halt in front of the swinging benches overlooking each side of the pier. “I brought you here for these,” Lex said, sliding down to take a seat. She hadn’t let go of her hand, so Cam found herself tugged in the process. “Best view of Charleston, in my opinion.”

Cam quirked an eyebrow as she settled back in the seat. Lex spread her arms out on either side, one of them looping around her shoulder. Not like she minded. The brush of Lex’s smooth olive skin against hers caused her to squeeze her thighs a little tighter. Lex kicked off, and the swing set into motion.

“Are you sure you’re not five?” Cam said, even though her heart bounced with each sweep of the swing, like the years melted away. “When you made your big sales pitch at Danny’s engagement, this isn’t what I had in mind.”

Lex’s glance in response delivered pure wickedness. “Sweetheart, I can’t help it if your mind’s in the gutter. You gave me six months, in case you didn’t remember. Which means I’ll be taking my time to show you exactly how good this can be.”

Damn if that promise didn’t make Cam’s pussy throb. Why the hell was her defective body reacting to Lex like this? She’d been on date after date with every guy from attractive business owners to hot models and, nada. She snuffed out the traitor voice in her head reminding her of other flares of attraction in the past, none of them related to men. Yet no one, man or woman, lit her body on fire like Alexis Dukas.

And truth be told, the reason impatience struck her match right now was because ever since Lex made her elaborate declarations, she’d been able to think of little else. This was a temporary thing, a fling before she resumed her search for the perfect man with renewed vigor so she’d be able to settle down.

“Don’t tell me that made you speechless,” Lex murmured, kicking off again as they glided back and forth. “I’ve got way better stuff in my arsenal.”

“Do us all the favor and hold those gems back,” Cam responded, the sarcasm floating to the surface. “I only packed so many withering glances.”

Lex edged in closer to her until their hips nudged together. “Don’t worry, babe, I won’t let you leave disappointed.” Her lips pursed in amusement, but Cam couldn’t look away. With Lex’s arm around her shoulder, Lex’s body pressed against hers, and the scent of cloves drinkable in the air, Cam found herself fixated.

She’d already thought Lex was a stunner, but the harsh shadows carved her features into something breathtaking. Her black strands offset her olive skin, and in this dim light, her nose grew sharper, her chin more angular. Yet those lips were lush and full, and her cheekbones defined enough to sink her teeth into. Her septum piercing and the metal loops around her eyebrows glinted in the light. The thick lines of a tattoo peeked out along the side of her neck, the symbol for Pluto.

Cam reached out, the tips of her fingers tracing along the lines before she could help herself. If she didn’t have Lex’s full attention before, she did now. That stare was both wild and languorous in the same breath. Cam played with a flame here, skimming her fingers over the top and attempting to not get burned.

Lex stopped kicking the ground to push the swing. Instead, she pivoted to face her, and the breath hitched in Cam’s throat. Lex leaned closer and brought her palm up to cup the side of her face. Cam leaned into the touch, unable to deny that in the short time they’d spent together, the heat and promise of Lex’s gaze had her panties soaked. Her tongue slipped out to wet her lips, and Lex’s eyes zeroed in on the motion.

Lex pulled her hand away to trace the line of her jaw, the sensitive skin of her earlobe, and then she ran her thumb across Cam’s lower lip. The motion caused her to shiver. This was far more personal and intense than even their session in the bathroom had been. Her whole body trembled with anticipation, a chord begging to be plucked. Lex’s mouth was a breath away from hers, and she resisted the temptation to dive in and close the distance between them. She’d stepped into the tiger’s den, and Lex was aware of every motion, every shallow breath.

Lex’s fingertips glided down her neck, the slow scrape of her nails making Cam delirious. She’d been plagued with doubts from the moment she’d agreed to this, but the bliss radiating through her in the simple, sinful motions banished them away.

Lex leaned a little closer—their lips were so close the air vibrated between them. Cam let out a ragged breath, unable to help herself.

A wicked grin sparked Lex’s eyes, and she pulled away.

“We’re doing this my way, sweetheart, and I’m going to drag this out until you’re begging.”

Lex might as well have dumped a bucket of ice water over her. Cam’s shoulders rose up and down with shuddering breaths in the wake of the disruption. Lex kicked off again, setting the swing into motion while Cam collected herself from the puddle of goo she’d turned into.

“You’re a monster.” Cam shook her head in disbelief. Lex’s gaze twinkled with amusement, a smirk on her lips. “Let me guess, this is what gets you off.”

“Every time, baby,” Lex cackled, leaning against the seat again. She cast Cam an amused glance. “I promised you the whole experience, which I will deliver. Trust me when I say the wait will be worth it.”

“Pretty sure you’re just a sadist,” Cam retorted, running a hand through her thick curls and trying to will away the heat from her cheeks. Not like she could do anything about the throb between her legs, at least until later.

“I’ve been called worse.” Lex grinned wide and the tip of her tongue glided over her canine.

Lex kicked off again, continuing to swing along on the bench while her eyes glinted in amusement. Whatever had been about to happen, Lex closed the door on it for tonight. Despite the way Cam’s body roared its complaints, she had to admit she didn’t mind the time to get to know her, to sink into this rather than slam into a bathroom stall.

However this experiment turned out, Cam was a hundred percent sure it would either be her best or worst decision.