Page 6
She glanced to her left where a white-stone staircase led down to another level with canopied double sunbeds facing an infinity pool. The long winding road up to the villa snaked past on the other side of the boundary wall. She eyed the still, blue water of the pool as it shimmered invitingly.
“Morning.”
She turned. Cam stood at the edge of the patio next to Isla. His accent had a mid-Atlantic tone, the sort that came from a Brit who’d been spending most of their time in the US. Nina cleared her throat, hoping to manage a coherent greeting on this occasion. “Hi,” she said. “I’m Nina.”
He raised his eyebrow. “Yeah, I remember.”
Remember in a good or a bad way? She swallowed. “Sorry… I wasn’t on my best form when we were introduced.”
He took a sip from the glass he was holding. It contained some sort of green smoothie. “I’ve never had a woman nearly vomit on me by way of introduction before.”
He definitely remembers in a bad way. Nina smiled in an attempt to make light of the situation. “I suppose there’s a first time for everything.”
He didn’t return her smile. “Can I get you guys a drink?”
Isla was studying his glass. “What’re you drinking?”
“It’s a kale and spinach smoothie,” he said.
“I’ll try one of those,” Isla said.
Cam turned to Nina. She cleared her throat. That green stuff did not appear compatible with her currently fragile stomach. “Water, please.”
He finally smiled. “Good choice.”
Nina raised her eyebrows as he turned toward the kitchen. Condescending prick.
Isla gave her a knowing look and sidled up close to whisper in Nina’s ear. “He’s great once you get to know him.”
“I’m not sure I want to get to know him,” Nina muttered. Isla nudged her arm with a smile.
Cameron returned to hand Isla a glass of the green mixture and Nina some water. Nina took a long drink from hers, avoiding further eye contact with him but getting the feeling that he was watching her—perhaps waiting for her to embarrass herself again. He’d be waiting a long time before she gave him the satisfaction. She lowered her glass and glanced at him, catching him averting his gaze. For some reason, she felt a tiny stab of triumph.
Nina’s gaze was drawn out to the view over the patio again.
Cam drained his drink. “Do you want a wee tour of the villa?”
‘Wee’? Only Scottish people use that word. Nina had lived in Glasgow long enough to know that. The British element of his mid-Atlantic twang was becoming more clearly Scottish. “Yes, please,” she said, trying to sound polite.
Cam gestured for them to follow him and he showed them around the rest of the floor. In addition to the kitchen, two large seating areas and the TV room, there was a room containing a piano, which overlooked the gardens.
On the next floor, Nina lost count of how many luxurious en suite double bedrooms they viewed. The only one whose door remained closed was at the end of the spacious hallway, which she assumed was Cameron’s bedroom.
He led them back down the stairs. Nina leaned close to Isla’s ear. “How many bedrooms was that?”
“Six,” Isla whispered.
“Six? How does he need that many?” Nina said quietly.
Cam’s voice carried up the staircase. “Sometimes I have people stay over.”
Nina cringed with the realisation that he’d heard her, and Isla laughed.
Cam took them back through the first floor and down some stairs to the basement. It contained a gym in one section and his studio in the other. Nina peered through the small porthole window into the studio area. She’d never seen one before, and it certainly appeared impressive. A huge mix desk sat below a screen built into the wall with large speakers on either side. There was a long sofa against the opposite wall. A room containing a drum kit and various instruments was visible through a glass panel, and through another window was a booth containing a microphone.
Isla nudged her. “Told you it was cool.”
Nina smiled, then accidentally caught Cam’s eye and stopped. He appeared to smile himself as he opened the glass door that led out into the front gardens. Only in a good mood when he’s showing off his material possessions…
