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his bid for district attorney was announced, things had become more difficult. The last time they’d gone out, the date was fine, but the next day, her photograph appeared in an online gossip rag with the caption: Front-runner for DA and socialite seen getting cozy over dinner . She’d never been keen to have the kind of life her mother clearly envisioned for her—attending notable charity events, hanging on the arm of her powerful husband, appropriately dressed for every occasion, and of course, bearing him the requisite number of children to continue the empire. And she knew with the utmost clarity that if she followed things through with Junior, her life would never be lived on her own terms. It would always be on his—on perfecting his image and preparing for his future campaigns.
    “I’d like to see you again, Cameron,” Junior said, his voice breaking into her thoughts, and she realized she hadn’t spoken for a few long moments. She jumped into gear quickly.
    “Oh, Junior, I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’ll be in Star Harbor for a couple of weeks doing inventory on my boutique.” It was the truth, and while she genuinely wanted to see him, she wasrelieved to have an excuse to miss a public outing.
    “Of course, I understand,” he said smoothly. “We’ll make a date for when you return. Why don’t you email me and we can set something up.”
    “That sounds nice, Junior. I’ll do that.”
    “Good night, Cameron.”
    “Good night.”
    She hung up the phone, then placed it and her bag on the hall table. Junior had a straightforward approach to everything—whether it was putting criminals away or improving his golf handicap—and he always seemed to be 100 percent focused on the task. Cameron knew that he saw other women, but he’d made it clear that when he was ready to settle down, she would be his choice. She could do worse. Junior was nice. Nice … and safe. Two words she would never use to describe the other man who seemed to have snuck his way into her consciousness—Val Grayson. There was nothing nice about the way Val had looked at her last evening, nor was there anything safe about the way he’d held her in his arms.
    Junior’s touch had never affected her like that. Never seared her from the inside out merely with the whisper of his skin on hers. And now, having experienced what it really felt like, she knew he never would. It was rough-around-the-edges Val who’d made her feel it, not straight-arrow Junior. Far from being shocked by this realization, she was saddened. Clearly, she’d been too careful, closed off to experiences and emotions because of what was expected of her. Because of what her family might think. She’d lived at home during college and the only parties she went to were approved society functions. The upshot was that she’d spent her adult life not truly understanding desire.
    And now that she knew what she’d been missing all these years, she wasn’t sure she could ever go back to what she had.
    Nor was she sure she wanted to.

Chapter 5
    “Welcome to the Front Street Boutique,” called out a young woman with a chic blond bob and a poppy-colored sweater set as soon as Cameron stepped inside the store, the familiar chime of the small hammered dulcimer ringing as the door closed behind her.
    Instinctively, Cameron took a deep breath, reveling in the smells of antique wood, fine fabric, and lavender. In addition to furniture and upscale home accessories, her elegant shop sold well-chosen women’s clothing and objets d’art, all of which she’d selected herself. She prided herself on her good eye and sense of style. Though she kept up with the more modern trends, she knew what her clients wanted and she catered to them accordingly. Business was good, so she must be doing something right. “Hi, Anna,” she greeted her manager, noting the three customers milling around. “How’s everything going?”
    “Just fine, Cameron. Oh,” she said, eyeing one