“Because we read those,” Benny joked.

“Anyway,” she said, rolling her eyes, keeping them locked on her phone. “I told her she looked like that girl, but she didn’t say anything so I said it wasn’t her. Then I told her the hottie was dating someone else. Here.” She handed Cam the cell phone. “It looks like her so I wasn’t totally crazy.”

He looked at the photo. It had apparently been taken at a restaurant with a nautical theme. A fairly well-built man sat at the table, smiling at a beautiful woman, a dozen oysters sitting in front of them. The woman had dark hair and dark eyes. She was smiling a beautiful smile that lit up her entire being. “Damn it, Elsie,” Cam said, shoving the phone back into her hands and standing up from the table. “It didn’t look like her. It is her.”

He left the bar in a panic, running down the street and jumping in his car. He slowly drove down Atlantic Avenue, desperately looking for Olivia. Unless she found a cab, which was hard to do on the island, she would be walking.

After about five minutes, he finally spotted her. He slowed and pulled up beside her, lowering the window. “Olivia. Get in the car. I’ll drive you home.”

She didn’t even glance at him. “No, thank you. I could use a walk. Clear my head and all. I’ll be fine.”

Cam pulled the car along the side of the road. He quickly got out and sprinted toward her. “Hey,” he said, running in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. “Don’t be stupid. Let me give you a ride home. Something could happen to you. It’s not safe to walk at night.”

Olivia glared at him. “Why do you care?”

He sighed. This woman is exasperating, he thought. “Because that’s the kind of person I am, Libby. I care about people, and I want to make sure you get home safe. That’s all. I made you come out tonight, and you clearly did not enjoy yourself. So just let me drive you home.”

Olivia glared at him, not saying a word. Her feet were starting to ache. It wasn’t easy walking three miles in heels. “Fine. But the only reason I’m agreeing is because my feet hurt. I don’t need you to be my ‘white knight’, saving me. Got it?”

“Fine. Fine. You’re coming with me on your own terms. Got it.” Cam winked.

“I really hate you sometimes,” Olivia spat out, throwing open the door to the Lexus. Cam simply grinned at her. Something about her fiery spirit drew him in.

A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of Olivia’s cottage. He walked her to the front door and stood by her side as she unlocked it. She turned to face him, searching his compassionate silver eyes. “I’m sorry I walked out on you,” she said dryly.

He exhaled and looked down. “I know you’re going through some stuff.” He ran his hand through his hair, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “And, well, I just want to say…” His eyes returned to hers, blazing, as he leaned in, his face inches from hers. “I’ll help you, Libby,” he said, his voice husky. “I’ll do whatever you want me to, as long as I never have to hear the pain in your voice that I heard tonight when you sang.”

A tear fell down her cheek, unable to hold it in anymore. “Will you make it stop hurting, Cam?” she pleaded. “I don’t want to feel anymore.” She stared into his eyes, willing herself to feel anything other than the pain. But nothing came. Just the same dull ache and emptiness that she had grown so accustomed to since Alexander showed up here.

He exhaled. “How do you want me to do that? I need you to tell me exactly what you…”

Olivia crushed her lips to his. He moaned as he walked her into the house and, closing the door, pushed her against it, his mouth never leaving hers. He grabbed her ass and lifted her legs, wrapping them around him, savoring the contact. He moved from her mouth down to her neck, both of their breathing heavy. He had remained strong for so long when, over the past few weeks, all he wanted to do was bury himself inside her to help her feel something again.

“Just take it away, Cam,” she said breathlessly. “Take away the pain.” Her legs found the ground as he grabbed her breasts through her dress and squeezed gently. Olivia threw her head back, moaning in pleasure, thankful to feel something other than emptiness and hurt.

She looked up into Cam's eyes. “Tell me what you want, Libby,” he growled, reminding her so much of Alexander. Except he wasn’t nearly as forceful.

He felt her body from her neck to her chest, her legs to her ass, and everything in between. Olivia panted. “I want to feel anything other than the pain, Cam. I want to feel something.”

“How do you want me to do that?” He crushed his lips to hers, pressing her to his body so she could feel his erection, wanting her to say exactly what she wanted.

Olivia felt as if she was having an out-of-body experience. She felt in total control of what was happening. It was like all those times that she sought comfort from so many other men. With Alexander, she felt as if she had no control. He held it all. But here, Olivia was sure that Cam would do whatever she wanted.

“I want you to fuck me, Cam. Fuck me and take it all away.” His eyes met hers as his hand disappeared underneath her dress, feeling the warmth between her legs.

She closed her eyes, moaning with pleasure as he caressed her through her underwear, thankful that he had finally lowered his guard. He slipped a finger inside her panties, toying with her clit. “Fuck. You’re so wet, Libby.”

She cried out, finally feeling something if only for a minute. Cam pressed his lips to hers as he continued torturing her with his fingers. He growled and ripped Olivia’s panties from her body, throwing them to the floor.

He reached into his pocket for a foil packet and tore it open as he unzipped his pants, pulling himself out. Olivia stared at him, the blank expression still on her face. She pulled his mouth to hers, not wanting to look at him. He pushed into her in one quick motion as he lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his body again.

“God, you’re so tight,” Cam grunted, thrusting into her. He set a punishing pace. Unlike the previous time they had sex, Cam was rough, pulling and biting on Olivia’s skin. It was almost as if he knew she needed that.

“Do you feel that, Libby?” he growled. “Am I taking the pain away by fucking you?” He hated what was going on. He almost felt as if he was taking advantage of her situation, but the pain in her voice was so real. So raw. And he would do anything to take it away, even for a brief moment. Plus, it wasn’t like he didn’t enjoy the feeling of being buried deep inside of her.