Page 23 of The Loneliest Number (The Thirst Trap #3)

Chapter twenty-two

Abby

“ O h my,” escapes me as we climb the staircase to the next floor; my first look at the levels above the ground.

“This is going to be a small bar area that serves coffee, set up like an old gentlemen’s working club, but open to all. And then each of the other rooms on the floor will be meeting rooms and working space. There’s going to be a room done up like a study in the same period as the building.”

Saff moves around, capturing images of each area as well as some close up shots. Her hand runs along a fancy, carved fireplace. “This is your work?” she asks him with awe.

He nods. “Aye, I’ve been tidying it up. Come up to the next floor.” He leads the way. This staircase is a little less grand and made of wood rather than marble. It turns halfway up with a switchback.

I lean over the balustrade at the top, enjoying the view to the ground floor.

“I’m thinking some grand lighting that starts on this floor and goes all the way down.

Some kind of chandelier that twinkles.” Cam stands close to me, our arms brushing as we both look down.

I haven’t ever been this drawn to touching someone in a non-sexual way, but my stomach flutters each time he gets close.

There’s a pull between us that I don’t want to deny.

“Do you do the décor stuff as well?” I ask.

He chuckles. “No, but I’ll find the best person I can in the budget to do it. I’ve got it open for applications at the moment. I’ve got people I use up in Scotland and I’ve invited them to submit their interest and pricing. But I’ve also opened it up locally as well.”

“You’ve thought of everything,” I tell him, our eyes meeting. “Do you love what you do?” I ask, curious.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else now. I do love it. I enjoy the physical work and being able to stick my hand in. And I like the management of it all and bringing professionals together that make an old building like this shine.”

My face curves in a smile, enchanted by his passion.

He heaves a sigh. “It’s not without its challenges though.

I was involved in a project that failed just before we met.

It was around the time that Gran died. That’s why I was feeling sorry for myself, and Saff decided to cheer me up.

” He glances over at Saff, who’s busy snapping away with a wistful smile, before his chestnut eyes meet mine once more. “I’m really glad she did.”

“So am I.” I may not know exactly what this thing between us is or where it’s going, but it’s time to admit to myself that there is something. Perhaps it’s time to lean in to that.

“What about you. Do you love your job?” he asks.

I mull the question over. “I’m not gonna lie.

I didn’t end up working in a bar because it was part of some grand life plan.

But I do enjoy it. I like being busy and the people I work with and I enjoy the social aspect.

Sometimes we are so busy, it’s just a matter of serving orders, but other times I end up having deep and meaningful conversations with customers and I love that.

I love that pubs can be a haven for some people. ”

Saff has wandered over to photograph the two of us chatting. A blush creeps up my cheeks as I tuck my lilac hair behind my ear. “I thought you were taking photos of the building,” I say.

“I’ve taken loads. You’re so photogenic, Abby. And this one,” she hitches a thumb in Cam’s direction, “is used to my candid shots. Do you mind?” she asks, curiosity in her gaze.

I shake my head. “No, but I’m just not used to it. Is it odd that I’ll have sex in front of an audience but feel weird about you taking photos while I’m fully clothed and chatting?” I laugh off my awkwardness.

“Maybe there’s a way we could get you more comfortable with it.” Saff exchanges a cheeky look with Cam.

“Did you go through the door at the end?” Cam asks Saff, changing the subject before I can ask what she means.

“No, I was waiting for you.”

“Good girl.” Even though it’s not directed it at me, it causes a tremble through my spine. It sounds so good in his accent. “Come on, let’s go.”

We both trail behind him as he pushes the door open. We step into a big, airy room with massive windows, and in the corner, there’s the round space of the turret-like structure on the corner of the building.

I let out a gasp. It’s a stunning space. To one side, a rudimentary kitchen has been fitted with a sink and a freestanding oven, and hob. There’s a kettle, a toaster, and a small fridge plugged in. A big sofa takes up space across the room, placed on a giant rug.

“We’ve focused on this area this week because I’m going to move in here for the rest of the project.”

“Where will you sleep?” I ask.

He nods towards the sofa. “That folds out into a bed.”

“No curtains?” Saff asks with a cheeky grin. “You’re never going to lose that exhibitionist streak, are you, honey?”

“As if anyone can see me all the way up here. And I’ll mostly be working. It’s not like I’ll be walking around naked.”

“I’d pay good money to see it though,” I tell him.

“I’d pay good money to take photos of it,” Saff chimes in, leaning into my side. We let out a synchronised sigh of wonder, causing Cam to chuckle as he rolls his eyes at our antics.

He checks his watch. “I don’t think Abby has time today, but how about tomorrow before Saff flies home?” He raises an eyebrow in question.

“Here?” I ask.

“The light is stunning. I could set up some equipment.” Saff gasps.

“What do you say, Pixie? Want to come and play with us tomorrow while Saff takes photos?”

That explains Saff’s earlier comment. All I can think of is how hot that sounds. “Saff would be playing too?” I ask.

“If you’re happy for me to. I’ll set up the camera to take auto shots, and we can go through them after.” Saff fiddles with her camera strap, looking down at that rather than up at my face.

“I’d like it if you participated,” I say, and her face lifts, beaming with a smile. Was she worried I was going to say no? While I’m attracted to Cam and there is something I can’t explain between us, that doesn’t take away my need to play with others, and I can’t see that ever changing.

“Excellent, it’s a date,” she says, before lifting her camera to look through the viewfinder and capturing a portrait of me. I bite my lip, baffled by my inner exhibitionist being weirdly bashful about photos when I’m fully clothed.

“I’m gonna have good dreams tonight, thinking about what we can get up to tomorrow,” Cam says as he steps closer to me.

It’s like we’re magnetic and he can’t stay away.

His fingers trace from my brow line down to my chin, and I’m aware of the click-click of the camera, but I’m so lost in him gazing directly into my soul that I don’t even turn to check if Saff is taking photos of us or of the room.

“Got any ideas?” I ask him, desperate to hear what he has planned.

“Mulling a few things over. Any requests?” he asks. “Either of you.” He tips his head towards Saff.

“I’ll think about it,” she says with a smile on her face.

“Pixie?”

“I want to spend more time with Saff. It was to cheer you up last time, and you got most of the attention.”

“Hmm, I distinctly remember being tied up and blindfolded while you two played.”

“And you loved it, didn’t you?” I raise a brow at him.

“Yeah, cannae lie, I did.”

The next day, I head straight to The Juniper to meet Cam and Saff. As well as playing with them both, I’m also excited to play in this building. It adds to the buzz I’ve felt around it for a long time.

Cam’s waiting outside and waggles his phone at me as I get closer.

“Saw your text to say you were on your way, so popped down and we can lock up once we’re inside.” There’s a serious expression on his face. “And…” He trails off.

I reach out to lay my palm on his bicep. “Okay?” I check.

“I’m good. Saff had a bad experience lately. It’s not my place to tell you any more than that. But I want to make today good for her, try to wipe the bad memory, or at least push it away.”

“Oh gosh, of course. Happy to help. Is there anything I need to avoid?”

“Let’s check in when we get upstairs, see if any of us have anything we want to try or aren’t interested in today, and take it from there.”

“Of course.” I pat his arm before walking in the entrance ahead of him, waiting for him to lock up so we can head upstairs together.

“Shit,” I exclaim. “I meant to bring some bedding.” I rub at my forehead with my hand.

“It’s okay, I’ve got some, and Saff got me to drag some more over along with her photography equipment. We need some comfort.” As we walk into the space that will be his flat very soon, Saff is laying out said bedding on the floor, making a very cosy-looking nest for us all.

“This looks so comfy,” I tell her with a grin.

“Hopefully. I’ll be honest, I’m setting it up mostly for the aesthetic. I want the juxtaposition of the rough state of the room and the softness of the blankets and sheets surrounding us. I think it will work.” She goes back to fussing with the bedding, and I wander over to the round turret space.

I stand, looking down at the street a few floors below. “This is such an amazing spot,” I tell Cam as he steps closer to me. “I think it might be my favourite thing about the whole building. If it was mine, I’d get some kind of cosy bench seat fitted and sit here reading and daydreaming.”

“It’s a strange shaped space to decide what to do with. I was thinking about setting up a desk in here for now to keep my laptop and paperwork away from all the dust downstairs.”

“Ready?” Saff says as she walks over to us, her hands dusting down her jeans from where she’s been crawling about on the floor.

“Almost,” Cam says, a twinkle evident in his eye. “Let’s come over here for a second.” He grasps each of our hands and leads us both to the couch, encouraging us both to sit while he stands in front of us, looking down.

“You’re like a giant when I’m sitting down,” I tell him with a chuckle.

“Sorry,” he lowers down onto his haunches, which show off his meaty, muscular thighs straining against the material of the joggers he’s wearing. I can’t take my eyes off them, desperate for him to be naked so I can admire his body again.

“Abby.” He clicks his fingers in front of my face with a smirk.

“Oops, sorry.” I bite my lip, but it quickly turns into a grin when Saff nudges me with her shoulder as she giggles.

“Focus,” she whispers.

“I was,” I declare, and they’re both laughing at me now. “I’d kill for thighs that look like that. Do you know how many squats and lunges I do in any given week, and my thighs don’t look anything like that?”

“Your thighs are gorgeous. Stop fishing for compliments,” Cam says as he lowers down to sit on the floor with his legs stretched out in front of him. To fit, he has to turn to the side. And he’s almost at my eye height, even on the floor. Jeepers.

“Now we’re all paying attention, let’s talk limits and expectations. Who wants to start?”

Saff shrugs beside me.

“I can start,” I say, smiling at Saff. “I don’t think there’s any changes to my limits from last time.

I don’t like being restrained completely.

I’m open to try whatever ideas you guys have today.

I want us all to have a fuck ton of fun.

” I draw in a breath. “Oh yeah, I think I’m happy with photos, but can they just stay between us?

And I’d rather not do video. That’s not an always no.

But would rather start with photos and see from there. ”

Cam gives me a smile and a nod of agreement.

“All good with me, Pixie. I don’t think I have any limits with you two.

I’ll let you know if anything comes up I’m not happy with.

And I’d like you both to do the same, even if it’s something that you’ve enjoyed before but don’t want to do today, okay?

” We both nod, and his satisfied nod in return does something to my insides. “Saff?”

“I don’t want to be the only one naked at any point.” Her voice quivers, and I reach over to give her hand a gentle squeeze. “I don’t want to be restrained today. And I don’t want any degradation, only praise.”

“Of course, Saff,” Cam vows.

“We can do that,” I tell her with a smile and another squeeze. “So, who’s in charge here?” I ask, because none of us have come out and said what we’d like to do or made the call to take control.

“Happy to let you ladies lead,” Cam says, causing my thighs to clench. What is it that’s so arousing about a giant of a man giving up his control to women half his size? I fucking love it.

“Why don’t you start us off then by stripping?” I tell him. “We can get you settled in the bedding, and Saff can check her equipment while the two of us decide what we’re going to do to you.”