'Excuse me,'Sharon said as she got up from her seat and went to the restroom. Cameron tried to catch her gaze, tried to tell her he was sorry, that he didn't mean to be so harsh, so scathing, so callous. In other words, he was sorry he was an asshole. But, as evidenced from the course of the evening, her eyes were looking away from him.

He sighed. How could the day have deteriorated soo badly? He had been looking forward to showing Sharon off to his parents but now, he was happy if she'd just look him in the eyes. She wasn't employing the silent treatment; she did talk to him; but it was polite chitchat. Not like their previous banter. Nothing personal. The few times she looked at him, he saw a flash of hurt and insecurity before she looked away. And it pained him to know he had put them in her eyes.

'What did you do?'his mother, Jennifer Ballard, asked. He looked across the table into her accusing gray eyes, the eyes he had inherited, and sighed.  'Clearly you did something wrong. She is quite amiable and cheerful but every time you talked, she'd quieten and become pale. So what did you do?' She frowned, her dark, gray-laced auburn hair falling over her eyes.

He hesitated. He didn't want to answer her but he wanted advise. This was not something he had experience in, apologising, so he wanted a female opinion. But this was his mother.

'Son, you'd better answer her,'his father, Andrew Ballard, said gruffly. He looked over to his father, whom he had inherited most of his features from.

His father was somewhat of an anachronism. He was extremely possessive of his wife. And protective too. So much so that he would look askance at any man who even passed his wife on the streets. There had been been a time where he'd accost men who had been caught checking her out. Just a glancing look and BAM, a fight would broken out. That had been a source of discontent and embarrassment during his adolescence, even though Andrew had mellowed out through the years assured of Jennifer's love and devotion.

However, he didn't cage her. He allowed her her freedom, her work. His mother held a surprising amount of power over him. With one look, he would back down, accede to her request or demand, no matter how irrational or illogical.

His mother didn't take advantage his father's acquiescence nor take it for granted. If she saw he was very much against her argument, they'd discuss and allow for a compromise. Like that time he requested for a car on his sixteenth birthday. His mother had been all for it, going so far as to order him a new convertible. However, his father hadn't trust him to take care of it. His mother had argued on his behalf and he had been secretly rooting for her. His father had been on the verge of caving when they had a discussion and came to a compromise while he had been away for football practice. They'd decided to get him a secondhand convertible and he had to bear any repairs on the car. He had been horrified, he tried to change their mind. But they had been firm, presenting a united front.

That's what he yearned for with Sharon. To be soo close, so in tune that they couldn't be move from their resolve. Comparing their relationship and his parents', he saw the symmetries. Well, considering who his parents were, it would have followed he would carry on the family's tradition of strong, stoic, protective men who would only bend for their loved ones, especially their chosen mate. Considering they'd been together for more than 30 years, he decided to get some pointers from them.

  - --------------@@@@@@---------------

Sharon washed her hand and studied her reflection. Her hair, for once, was cooperative, cascading down her shoulders. Her makeup was barely there. Just the way she liked it. Her dress was a number from Amelia's massive wardrobe. It was a navy blue, short-sleeved dress with a v-neck that plunged to mid cleavage. The length was just nice, knee length. So she didn't feel soo exposed wearing it. A thick black belt was cinched beneath her bosoms to give herself some shape. She had worn a tube top to protect her decency and also because Cameron had insisted. She smiled as she reminisced their argument.

  - ---------@@@@@-----------

'You don't mind me wearing this dress?'she asked Amelia. She was currently in her walk-in wardrobe, trying to find a dress for the meeting. She had tried to get out by saying she had nothing to wear but Cameron had argued and practically forced her to ask Amelia for help. Trying to argue her way out proved pointless so that's why she was in the wardrobe while Cameron waited, impatiently if she might add, outside. She had to lock the door to prevent any surprises.

'No, no,'Amelia had said happily. 'I remember that dress because it had been an impulse buy and was too big for me. You can take it, if you want.'

'OK. Thanks!'she exclaimed. She liked the dress and looked forward to showing it to Cameron.

'So, how are things with Cameron? Is he bringing women back to the apartment? You have leave to kick him out if he does,'Amelia said fiercely. Sharon laughed gaily.

'No. He hasn't brought any woman back. We've been pretty close. Although, as I've said before, he has been limiting my ice cream intake,'she pouted. 'It almost justifies my proposal to off him. Have you reconsidered?' The sisters have grown closer. They've taken to calling each other at least once a week. Sometimes it's just for a short update, lasting at most 15 minutes. However, when Sharon had needed some guidance or a female opinion, the calls could last at least 45 minutes to more than an hour. Cameron and Scott knew to leave them be or suffer their wrath.

'Sharon! Not on an unsecured line'she giggled. Her voice grew serious shortly after. 'I have been hearing some things about the both of you. Is it true?'

'Is what true?'she asked nervously. She wanted her approval on her new relationship. It was as close as she got to her parent's approval.

'Sharon. Are you done?'Cameron asked, knocking the eagerly. She sighed and shot a glare at the door.

'It has only been 15 minutes, Cameron. Give another 20,'she shouted.

'10 or I'm coming in,'he warned. 10? She barely had her makeup on. Luckily, Amelia had advised to keep it simple or she would have been really angry and panicky.

'Look, sorry but I have to run. I'll call you back?'she told Amelia.

'Alright. But we'll talk later alright?' After agreeing to set a date, she hung up.

She put on the dress and adjusted her parts and bulges. She frowned into the mirror. Something was missing. Turning left and right, trying to figure it out. She decided to ask Cameron.

'Hey Cameron? What do you think of the outfit?'she asked as she opened the door. She was still looking down, trying to get some inspiration. There was silence. She looked up, slightly disconcerted. He was a vocal person. You'd know whether he approved or not. He does not cut corners.

He was looking her up and down, fire burning in his eyes. His body had grown tenser as he inched towards her. Captivated by his stormy, gray eyes and not knowing what to do, she stepped back. He mirrored. They continued until her back reached the wall. He crowded her against it.

'I think you look very beautiful in it. I think I would like to have my way with you,'he said huskily as he slowly bent down. His eyes bored into hers, showing her the full force of his desire, want and care. 'I think I don't want anyone else to look at you. I think we should cancel dinner and not leave home for a few days. But I know you're not ready.' Suddenly, he stepped back. She blinked, dazed. He smiled. 'Wear something inside, love. You want to tantalise but not entice any man apart from me. We'll be leaving in 10 minutes. Be ready.'

She frowned. Had he been toying with her? He had inflamed her and the he'd stopped. Before she was satisfied. Her body ached for relief. Her mind was still clouded by his nearness. She would not allow herself to be treated in this manner.

  - -------------@@@@@@----------------

And that had been the main source of her upset and irritation. And the reason for her silent treatment. He had to learn he couldn't just start something and not stop only at his whim. Of course, he had misinterpreted her reason and that had been amusing.

However their argument dampened her amusement. Dampened her growing trust in him. She didn't know what set him off and she didn't like that side of him. Harsh. Unyielding. He had thrown out them out without thinking of her feelings or the consequences.

However, in retrospect, now that she was away from him and could review their argument and what she said, she knew she was partly to blame as well. She knew how possessive he was. A guy would only glance at her and he would block the man's view of her while staring the man down. That had happened more than once. And he would always place a proprietary arm around her shoulders or waist, as if proclaiming to the world, 'this is my woman. Back off.'

She had revelled in his attention but she had not anticipated the negative backlash. Her words had been in response to his ''duty'' comment. She could see now that his response had been made in mindless anger but with no real heat or intent to hurt behind them.

She sighed. She would have to apologise to him. And she would. When they were back home. She wanted to enjoy the final few moments of meeting his parents.

Jennifer was a firecracker. She had graying, dark auburn hair. Hair that she would die for. It was such a deep rich red. And it was short, flowing in waves around her face. She was a beautiful woman but not in a model sense. She had a triangular face, big eyes, small nose, wide lips. Her eyes was obviously the only thing Cameron had inherited from her.

During dinner, she had regaled them with stories of Cameron when he was a young boy. She had laughed at the outrageous stories although she was consciously not looking at him. At that time, she had been nursing her sense of hurt. Jennifer's sharp gray eyes met hers a few times and it showed understanding.

Initially, she was confused. What is she trying to be understanding about? But after witnessing Andrew's fierce glare following a man passing their table, she realised both of them were in relationships with protective, possessive, dominant alpha males. She would have to ask for pointers on how to manage Cameron when he gets too out of hand.

Cameron was the exact copy of Andrew. Except for the eyes. Andrew's were a deep, forest green. And Cameron was slightly taller than him. Andrew was quiet, only contributing to the conversations if Jennifer called for it. Whenever he looked at Jennifer, she had seen such love, devotion and adoration for her. Likewise when Jennifer looked at him. Although sometimes that look was laced with irritation when he got too dominant or possessive.

Cameron had been quiet too but in this case, she knew it was because of their fight. Usually he would be contributing to their conversation, especially as they were destroying his image as is. That day, he was quiet and she often felt his gaze on her even as she didn't meet his eyes. Knowing him, she knew he was dying to make her look at him. Be with him as before. She didn't know if she could but she would try.

As she was exiting the restroom, someone wrapped his arms around her and pulled her deep into dark corner. Cameron's familiar scent wrapped itself around her and she relaxed against him. Well, the apology was going to be given earlier  than expected.

  - ----------@@@@@@-----------

Cameron was worried when Sharon had not returned after more than 15 minutes. He excused himself to go and check on her. Andrew stood up and pulled him to one side, shooting Jennifer a firm look. 'Son, I hope you know that we are different. We will never settle. We are always on the look out for our other half. When we find the one we will love forever, we do not let her go. Ever. We try to protect her from harm and other men but we never let her go. Of course, we'd have to temper our dominant behavior to suit the situation and sometime their mood'-their eyes met in amusement and understanding-'but we never hurt them.'

At that he winced. He knew he had disappointed his father. He had been firm on that point starting from when he had gone on his first date. Of course, then, he had only been concerned about her body than whether they would get married or not. But he had stayed true to the adage until Sharon.

'I didn't know what came over me,'he told him. 'It was just this overwhelming jealousy and I had to let it out. Unluckily, Sharon took the brunt of it. I didn't even know what was going to come out. And my mind was blank after releasing the tension, the negative energy. I couldn't even recall what I said until Matt reprimanded me. And her face-' Andrew rubbed his shoulder, trying to comfort him. He let out a deep breath but Sharon's  pale face was still in his mind.

'A tip. We will always feel jealous,'he shared. 'Always. No matter what they do or what the provocation, it is how we perceive it. So we have to have an outlet. For me, I always glare at any passing man. Young and old. You have to develop your own outlet and use it often or the jealousy will fester and you'll eventually hurt her.'

'I understand,'he said softly. He knew he would always feel an overwhelming, all encompassing jealousy and need to hide her from other men. And he'd dealt with it, not well but good enough that it had taken the load off him. But when Sharon had talked about OTHER man, about allowing other men hold her, touch her, kiss her, he had snapped.

'I like her,'Andrew suddenly said. Surprised, he looked into his eyes. His approval was difficult, alright impossible was better word, to get. His past girlfriends had barely received a smile from him but Sharon had his approval and support just from one meeting. His heart lightened. He nodded in acknowledgment and left for the restroom.

It was another 10 minutes before Sharon exited. He had used the time to decide how to go about making things right. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to a shadowed corner a short distance away. She didn't struggle or protest. She was quite willing and relaxed. They were silent for a few moments.

'I'm sorry for goading you,'she finally said, looking up at him. He was momentarily entranced. The faint light bathed her face in a slightly ethereal glow, making her lips look redder, her cheeks paler. Her eyes were shadowed by her lashes. A beautiful sight. A tempting sight.

He blinked and tried to rein in his libido. 'Yeah. I'm sorry for being a dick,'he responded gruffly. She smiled.

'You are always a dick, sweetie. You were especially dicky today,'she teased. He noticed her endearment and felt his heart soften. He smiled gladly. Although their fight had created a momentary rift, their willingness to accept their part in the fight had made them more open with each other, brought them closer. She returned his smile but the smile faded soon after. 'D-do you still want to marry me because of a misguided sense of duty?' Her face held a hint of vulnerability and hurt.

And that's when he realised how much of a asshole he had been. He shouldn't have thrown that duty comment. He'd only been thinking that it was only because of Scott's belief that he wouldn't use her for his own purposes that allowed them to meet, live with each other, get to know each other better. Any other acquaintance of Scott would have used her to further his hidden agenda. That was what he had meant but the way it came out.... Well, he could understand how she could have taken offense.

'I'm sorry for that,'he said, wincing. She turned towards him, her arms hung loose around him. 'I didn't mean it to sound like I didn't want to marry you. I want to, I want to make you mine. But it's too early. We have barely scratched the surface of our relationship. I want to carve a deeper, more stable relationship before exposing you to the public. But I guess I had been naive.'

'Come on. Don't be soo hard with yourself. Admittedly, I am hesitant to be with you because of your presence in the papers. Especially your notoriety regarding women and violence. But I know you will do your best to protect me and defend me if need be and will probably chase them away. You will never allow anyone to play me a fool and neither will I,'she said earnestly, playing with one of his buttons. 'I will try to put you in a positive light but you'd have to guide me.' She looked as determined as he felt to make their relationship work, despite the threat of public humiliation humiliation and scorn. He smiled and wondered how he had gotten so lucky.

'But if there is ever anything bad in the papers about me,like something shattering, I expect unlimited ice cream for a month.'

AN hope you guys like this. I'm writing this while I'm trying not to fall asleep so bear with it.

plus, I'll be changing the duration they've known each other to 2 months to make it more believable.

enjoy!!!!!