Causing Havoc by Lori Foster

other. Never before had Cam seen her
    friend so instantly enamored with a man. Eve was the original free spirit. She did not get infatuations
    and she couldn't be charmed. She spoke her mind and disregarded polite flattery or practiced come-
    ons.
    But even so, Cam could see the flush climbing Eve's face. Embarrassment?
    Cam didn't think so.
    Eve turned to say one last thing to her companion. Al smiles, they shook hands, apparently sealing
    a deal, and the man took his leave. After watching him go, Eve knocked back the rest of a mixed drink
    and left her stool.
    Dressed in a satiny white camisole with a black skirt and very high heels, Eve started toward their
    table.
    Dean didn't so much as blink. He tracked Eve's every step. Right before she reached them, he
    pushed back his chair and stood.
    In static silence, they stared at each other.
    Taking up the chal enge, Cam smiled. "Eve, hel o. I didn't realize you were here tonight."
    Watching Dean, Eve said, "A business meeting, that's al ." She final y drew her gaze away from him to greet everyone else. "This is nice. A family outing. Wish I had my camera."
    Jacki snickered.
    "Since your meeting is over, why don't you join us?" Cam looked at Dean with encouragement. "You could get another chair."
    "She has plans."
    Smile tight, Eve agreed with Dean. "Yes, I do. My family's waiting dinner on me. I only wanted to stop by and say hel o."
    Dean murmured, "Hel o," and he sounded dark and sinful as he looked down at Eve.
    Eve's color increased. "Hi."
    With so much sexual chemistry clogging the room, Cam wanted to fan herself.
    Tucking in her chin, Jacki said, "Jesus. Turn it down a little, Dean. I'm too young to see this."
    Lorna swatted at her with her napkin. "You have absolutely no decorum at al ."
    "Me? Dean's the one seducing Eve right at the dinner table. Why aren't you bludgeoning him with
    your linens?"
    Eve smirked. "Trust me, Jacki, I'm not seduced. But I am late, so I'l be on my way. Enjoy
    yourselves."
    As Eve started to turn away, Dean caught her hand, drew her back, and planted a soft, quick, oh-so-
    familiar kiss right on her open mouth. "See ya in a bit."
    Again flushed, Eve nodded. "Right." She licked her lips. "See ya."
    She was barely out of hearing range when Lorna started in on her. "As usual, that girl has shown
    disgusting behavior."
    Jacki propped both elbows on the table and stared toward Dean as he reseated himself. "I'd have
    cal ed it educational."
    "'It was a lewd public display likely brought on by too many drinks." Lorna was so pinched, she
    looked in pain. "Eve is a bad influence on you and your sister."
    Praying Dean wouldn't feel the need to defend Eve, Cam nodded. "So you've often said. Aunt
    Lorna." To the point that Cam was sick of hearing it. Lorna disliked anyone and everyone who wasn't
    of her own choosing. Sure, Eve was different. She was free . That's what Cam loved most about her.
    Rather than get defensive. Dean pointed out, "She's hardly a girl. She's what? Midtwenties?"
    "Twenty-five," Jacki told him. "And good thing or you'd be labeled a perv for thinking what you're thinking."
    Exasperated, Lorna tossed her napkin into her plate. "That's it. I've had enough. There's no
    control ing you these days."
    "What?" Jacki asked. "What'd I do now?"
    Ignoring Lorna, Dean smiled crookedly. "Now Jacki, you real y are too young to have any idea of my
    thoughts, perverted or otherwise."
    "The desserts are here," Cam announced. Perfect timing, too, she thought. While Lorna looked
    ready to storm out, Dean and Jacki seemed to be bonding more outrageously by the moment. They
    shared a similar wit and irreverence that Cam envied.
    On the one hand, Cam didn't want to deliberately irritate her aunt. Lorna hadn't been perfect, God
    knew, but she had altered her life to raise two girls that weren't her own. She'd made sacrifices, and
    Cam honestly believed that she'd done the best she knew how to do.
    She couldn't help it that she wasn't maternal.
    On the