Scandalous Sins. Tara Pammi

while Cam checked some emails, Amy phoned.

      ‘You’re not going to believe this,’ Amy said. ‘But last night old Mr Yates in twenty-five was smoking in bed and started a fire—’

      ‘Is he all right?’ Violet asked.

      ‘Just a bit of smoke inhalation but both our flats are uninhabitable from the water damage,’ Amy said. ‘The landlady is furious and poor Mr Yates won’t want to face her in a hurry.’

      ‘So what will we do?’ Violet asked. ‘Are we expected to clean it up or will a professional cleaning service do that?’

      ‘Cleaning service,’ Amy said. ‘I’m not going in there until the building’s secure. The ceiling might come down or something. Stef’s going to move back in with her mum and I’m going to move in with Heath. We’ve talked about moving in together for ages so this nails it. What about you? Will you stay with Cam now that you’re officially engaged?’

      ‘I... Yes, that’s what I’ll do,’ Violet said. What else could she say? No, Cam doesn’t want to live with anyone?

      Cam came in at that point and smiled. It never failed to make her shiver when he looked at her like that. He stroked a hand down her back while he reached past her to take a mug out of the cupboard next to her. It was the lightest touch but it sent a tremor of longing through her flesh until her legs threatened to buckle.

      Violet said goodbye to Amy and put her phone on the bench. ‘I have a slight problem...’

      ‘What’s wrong?’

      She explained about the fire and the water damage. ‘So, I have to find somewhere else to live.’

      It was hard to read his expression beyond the concern it showed while she had related the events of last night’s fire. He turned to one side to take out a tea bag from a box inside the pantry. ‘You can stay here as long as you need to. I told you that the other day.’

      ‘Yes, but—’

      ‘It’s fine, Violet, really.’

      ‘No, it’s not fine,’ Violet said. ‘A couple of weeks is okay, but any longer than that and things will get complicated.’ More complicated than they already were.

      ‘What if I help you find a place?’

      ‘You don’t have to do that.’

      ‘I’d like to,’ he said. ‘It’ll mean I can give the security a once-over.’

      Violet gave him a grateful smile. ‘That would be great, thanks.’ She waited a beat before adding, ‘What’s happening with the contract with Nicolaides? Is it secure yet?’

      ‘Not yet.’ Cam pulled out one of the breakfast-bar stools. ‘I have some drawings to finalise. Sophia keeps altering the design, I suspect because she wants to drag out the process.’

      ‘Has she sent you any more texts?’

      ‘A couple.’

      Jealousy surged in Violet’s gut. ‘When’s she going to get the message? What is wrong with her?’

      He gave a loose shrug. ‘Some women don’t know the meaning of the word no.’

      Violet would have to learn it herself and in a hurry. ‘I think it’s disgusting how she openly lusts over you while her husband is watching. Why does he put up with it?’

      ‘He’s too frightened to lose her,’ Cam said. ‘She’s twenty years younger than him. And she brings a lot of money to the relationship. Her father left her his empire. It’s worth a lot of money.’

      ‘I wouldn’t care how much money someone had. If I couldn’t trust them, then that would be it. Goodbye. Have a good life.’

      He stroked a fingertip down her cheek, his smile gently teasing. ‘If you think Sophia’s bad, wait till you meet my father’s fiancée.’

      Violet frowned. ‘You want me to meet her?’

      ‘My dad’s organised drinks on Wednesday night,’ Cam said. ‘If you’d rather not go, then—’

      ‘No, it’s okay. Of course I’ll go. You went to my boring old office party, the least I can do is come with you for drinks with your father.’

      * * *

      Cam’s father, Ross, had arranged to meet them at a boutique hotel in the centre of London. Violet hadn’t met Ross McKinnon before but she had seen photos of him in the press. He was not quite as tall as Cam and his figure showed signs of the overly indulgent life he led. His features had none of the sharply chiselled definition of Cam’s, and while he still had a full head of thick hair, it was liberally sprinkled with grey. His eyes, however, were the same dark blue but without the healthy clarity of Cam’s. And they had a tendency to wander to Violet’s breasts with rather annoying frequency.

      ‘So this is the girl who’s stolen my son’s hard heart,’ Ross said. ‘Congratulations and welcome to the family.’

      ‘Thank you,’ Violet said.

      Ross pushed his fiancée forward. ‘This is Tatiana, my wife as of next weekend. We should have made it a double wedding, eh, Cameron?’

      Cam looked like he was in some sort of gastric pain. ‘Wouldn’t want to steal your thunder.’

      Violet took the young woman’s hand and smiled. ‘Lovely to meet you.’

      Tatiana’s smile came with a don’t-mess-with-me warning. ‘Likewise.’

      Cam was doing his best to be polite but Violet could tell he was uncomfortable being around his father and new partner. Ross dominated the conversation with occasional interjections from Tatiana, followed by numerous public displays of affection that made Violet feel she was on the set of a B-grade porn movie. Clearly she wasn’t the only one as several heads kept turning at the bar, followed by snickers.

      Ross showed no interest in Cam’s life. It shocked Violet that his father could sit for an hour and a half in his son’s company and not once ask a single question about his work or anything to do with his private life. It made her feel sad for Cam to have had such a selfish parent who acted like a narcissistic teenager instead of an adult.

      Violet was relieved when Cam got to his feet and said they had to leave.

      ‘But we haven’t told you what we’ve got planned for the honeymoon,’ Ross said.

      ‘Isn’t that supposed to be bad luck?’ Cam said with a pointed look.

      Ross’s face darkened. ‘You can’t help yourself, can you? But Tatiana is the one. I know it as sure as I’m standing here.’

      ‘Good for you.’ Cam’s tone had a hint of cynicism to it and Violet wondered how many times he had heard exactly the same thing from his father. Ross was the sort of man who treated women as trophies to be draped on his arm and summarily dismissed when they ceased to pander to his bloated ego.

      Violet quickly offered her hand to Ross and Tatiana. ‘It was lovely to meet you. I hope the wedding goes well.’

      Ross frowned. ‘But aren’t you coming with Cameron?’

      Violet realised her gaffe too late. ‘Erm...yes, of course, if that’s what you’d like.’

      ‘You’re part of the family now,’ Ross said. ‘We’d be delighted to have you share in our special day, wouldn’t we, babe?’

      Tatiana’s smile was cool. ‘But of course. I’ll aim the bouquet in your direction, shall I?’

      Violet’s smile felt like it was stitched in place. ‘That’d be great.’

      * * *

      Cam took her by the hand and led her out of the hotel. ‘I did warn you.’

      ‘How on earth do you stand him?’ Violet