Wattpad After Dark is running a contest which inspired me to go back and revisit my favorite contest couple Bridget and Cameron! 😍

The prompt -
"Not Just Another Rainy Day"

Your protagonists are walking home on a rainy night. They don't have an umbrella and are running through the rain. One of your protagonists love the rain and the other absolutely despises it. Eventually they end up getting drenched. Write about what transpired during that walk home.

#RomanticRain #WPAfterDark

There is a 2000 word limit, which I'm currently over at about 2,625. 😬

I have some time to trim it down. But until then I'm uploading it so folks can enjoy it in it's current state.

This chapter is MATURE for the After Dark crowd! 😜

So here you go!

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I despise getting caught in the rain, but tonight it's camouflaging the tears on my cheeks and I'm grateful for it.

Why must I cry when I'm angry?

Only a half a block from the restaurant and I'm soaked and shivering. A stark change from the blood-boiling rage I experienced just minutes prior.

I suppose the shaking might be more about the rage than the rain.

Leaving without my jacket wasn't very smart. Not that summer-weight wool does much against a frigid spring storm in Boston.

Getting angry and then being stupid is a terrible combination. Realizing you were actually stupid first and then getting angry about that feels even worse.

My temperate North Carolina life has left me woefully unprepared for tonight. And my little black dress feeling more like a bathing suit isn't helping.

Time for an an Uber.

I open my clutch and my stomach clenches.

Shit! My phone is still on the bar.

But there's my hotel card key and some cash. My fingers shake so much I can barely count it.

Not enough for a taxi.

I hear Cameron's voice calling from down the street.

"Bridget!"

So I remove my black stilettos and run around the corner. The concrete feels like ice and it makes me angrier.

He's always been lightning on ice. That's why he plays for the Hurricanes. He blows back into my life less than a year ago and I've been swirling in his vortex since. It's so hard to keep my head straight in the midst of it all.

Of course he catches up easily.

Ridiculous to think I could outrun his six-foot tall professional athlete's body.

"Whoa! Slow down Smidge!"

His hand is on my shoulder, blessedly warm. I shirk it off anyway.

"Don't call me that!"

"I thought you like when I call you Smidget?"

"Usually I do."

Because it makes me feel extra delicate and petite next to your burliness.

"But not now? What happened? What's wrong?"

You made me feel small in a much different way tonight.

I keep my back to him.

"I don't think I can do this anymore."

Cam drapes my thin coat across my shoulders. I feel my phone in its pocket. Then he follows it with his own warmer suit jacket.

"So you're breaking up with me? And you can't even look at me to do it?"

His voice isn't bitter. In fact he sounds shocked.

Like he just realized his ship collided with an iceberg.

"Please look at me Bridget."

I turn toward him, but look down. I'm too afraid see the way the rain drips off his beard, or how his white dress shirt clings translucently to his muscled torso.

He's in the middle of a tough series and I know this isn't the best time for this conversation.

Cam lifts my face with his hand and studies me the way he analyzes the videos, of both teammates and opponents, that his coaches send him.

Which one am I to him tonight?

Then he places his hand on my cheek and follows the path of one hot tear down my face with his thumb.

How did you distinguish that solitary drop from the myriad of other, colder ones provided by the clouds? How can you be so oblivious in one moment and then so intuitive another?

His voice quivers now, as much as my body is.

"Jesus Bridget... I... I didn't realize you were so unhappy with... with us."

"You don't realize what I'm unhappy about and that's the problem."

"We both know I'm not as smart as you, Dr. Ernst. Let's face it, I'm a dumb jock... about as hard and thick as the ice I skate on. But if you tell me what's wrong, I'll do my best to fix it!"

"You can't. It'll always be a problem and I either have to live with it or... or..."

"Or break up with me?"

I nod. His hand drops from my face. I'm too cold to keep standing still. I start to walk, edging closer to the building beside us to try to shield myself from the rain.

Cam follows me silently. He positions his body to take the brunt of the storm. Then he suddenly stops and flings his arm out, halting me too. He turns and cages me against the wall.

"I'm not afraid of hard work. I've pushed through pain and injury more times than I can count. You're a physical therapist, you help people all the time. So please, help me! Stop running away and tell me what's wrong..."

He removes his arms from either side of me and pulls at his beard instead.

"...because I think we're better as a team Bridget!"

Cam might be an absolute brute when he smashes guys against the boards, but he would never use his size or strength against me in any way.

I know I'm free to run away again if I choose to.

Instead I drop my high heels onto the ground and cover my face with both hands while I blubber.

"Professional Hockey is what's wrong Cam! I was afraid to tell you that, because it's your whole life... your passion... the air you breathe! And it's impossible to compete against it! I wouldn't even dream of trying to, because I'll lose. And what kind of person would I be if I bashed your one true love? Hockey makes you who you are, and it's part of why I love you. But I don't know if I can deal with all your days on the road, and the crazy schedule even when you're home! And don't get me started on the groupies constantly trying to fuck you! I flew here to have a night together after two weeks of barely seeing you... and I come out of the restroom to find a silicone-titted slut whispering in your ear and dragging her fingers down your chest! I... I... I felt so insignificant in that moment. I wanted to vomit, claw her eyes out and cause a scene... But really I'm just angry at myself, because I knew who you are when we got involved, so I only have myself to blame for looking like a drowned rat right now."

Then I hear Cam chuckle. I peek between my fingers at him.

"Are you laughing at me?"

Cam bites his lip to hide his smile but snorts through his nose.

"I just poured my heart out to you and you're laughing at me!"

I start to storm off, not even bothering to pick up my heels, but he grabs my hand to anchor me in place. Glancing over my shoulder, I see that he's down on his knee. I assume that he's grabbing my shoes, until he starts talking.

"You might think you look like a mess right now, but I think you look insanely hot. Your dress is clinging to you, showing off every curve and detail in a way that will fill my spank-bank for those long lonely nights on the road. Honestly, it's taking everything in my power to not put my mouth to your nipples right now."

I blush and open my mouth to protest but he shakes his head.

"You said your piece, now it's my turn. When I'm finished, you can say whatever you like again. Ok?"

I chew my cheek and nod. He starts rubbing my hand between his. It feels nice, but makes a slow realization start to creep up my spine.

Something major is about to happen between us. There's no going back after this.

"And I was only laughing because I'm happy. I'm not happy that you're angry or that our night is literally washed up. But I'm happy because you're here... and even happier because that was the first time that you actually said that you love me."

My eyes grow wide as his words sink in.

"When I said it to you for the first time on Christmas Day, you responded with 'You're wonderful Cam!' And every time I've said it in the months since, you always answer with something like 'I miss you' or 'Don't get hurt' or 'Kiss me.'"

Oh my God! He's right! I'm the world's shittiest girlfriend. I was the one in the crow's nest who didn't spot the iceberg until it was too late!

I start to sob again, albeit softly so he can finish saying what he needs to get off his chest. He rubs my hand harder but doesn't stand up.

He's not picking up my shoes. Why is he still kneeling?

"No! Please don't cry Bridge! That's not what I want! I... I didn't need for you to say it back. I've felt the love from you for months now because you have a multitude of amazing ways you show it! Like when you start the shower for me so it warms up before I get out of bed..."

He hates waking up when his muscles are sore from training or games...

"Or when you wear one of my t-shirts so it smells like you and then pack it so I can sleep better when I'm at an away game..."

Tossing and turning in a strange bed is never fun...

"I knew you were just afraid to say it out loud. And that's fine. I don't ever want you to feel uncomfortable or rushed. But I confess that finally hearing it tonight made me feel like I'd been picked in the first round of the draft again."

He's smiling with all of his teeth, the real and the fake ones, while I'm wiping my runny nose on the back of my hand.

Once again I'm in awe that this gorgeous man wants to date me at all in the first place.

"You may be right about a lot of stuff Bridge. But you're wrong about some things too. That fangirl you saw me with, is actually my linesman's girlfriend. We were whispering about a prank I'm planning. She's gonna help sneak blue dye into his body wash, to make up for the itching powder he put in my talc at the start of the season. If you had come over instead of running out of the restaurant, I would have introduced you."

My throat constricts painfully.

I really do not want to lose Cameron Neve over my stupid insecurities. I will force myself to listen to the next thing he says, even though I'm terrified that he's about to dump me. And I wouldn't even blame him after all of my histrionics tonight.

Cam takes a deep breath.

"I'm passionate about hockey because it's my career, but realistically I know it's not something I can do forever. But this life was the only thing I could ever see for my future. This game was the solitary thing I was ever good at... until I met you. Now I can imagine a time after I hang up my sweater, because I'm good at loving you. And that's something I know I can do forever! Hockey might be my first love, but it's not my true love, because one hundred percent, without a doubt, that is you Bridget! And that's why..."

He lets go of my hand and pulls something from his pant pocket.

"I'm asking..."

He holds out a velvet box.

"Will you marry me Bridget Ernst?"

This man never ceases to amaze me! I can be as skittish as a puck, but it never phases him. He glides along with me, and if I change course, he adjusts on a dime.

"Oh Cameron! I do love you! I love you so much and I'm so sorry I never said it before tonight! I swear that I will never stop telling you now!"

"So is that a yes?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

He stands up and puts his warm and solid arms around me. I pepper his sopping, bearded face with kisses. He pulls away for a minute to open the box, revealing a diamond that's nearly as big as the rink he just played on. The ring slips onto my finger and he slips his tongue into my mouth. One hand comes up to cup a breast, teasing a gasp from me as he guides me against the wall.

"Fuck Smidge! Your nipples are sharper than the rock I just put on your finger."

He presses his hips into me, eliciting a moan.

"You weren't kidding about how hard and thick you are Neve. Do that again!"

He obeys. His own moan joins mine this time.

"You have no idea how badly I want to you right now."

Cam sucks and bites my neck, his beard adds another texture to the delicious combination of teeth, lips and tongue. I glance at the deserted street.

Nobody else is crazy enough to be outside in this storm.

I drag my leg up alongside his. His hand goes to my center and then he stops kissing my neck to look at me with a quirked eyebrow.

"No panties?"

I shake my head as I slide my hands down his pecs and abs. His button-down is plastered to him, making him look like honed marble. I start to unbuckle his belt.

"Do it fast now, and then we'll take our time when we get back to the room."

Cam doesn't need to hear anymore. He pulls his cock free, grips my ass and lifts me off the ground. I grip his shoulders and brace myself against the wall as he begins to pound into me as discretely as possible under the circumstances.

He punctuates his words with thrusts.

"I. Fucking."

He moves one hand to press it where we are joined.

"Can't. Wait."

The rain sounds dim now compared to the blood that's rushing through my brain.

"To. Marry."

I squeeze my eyes shut. It feels like every part of my body is a lightning rod, charged with electricity.

"You!"

The bright white light explodes behind my eyelids. Flashing and coiling heat shoots to every extremity and curls my toes.

"I fucking love you Cam!"

That sends him gasping and stuttering into his own peak. He buries his face in the crook of my neck. We keep our warmth tangled together for a minute, until finally he lowers my feet to the ground.

He puts his pants back together, while I shimmy my dress back in place. Then he grabs me in another bear hug. I stroke his hair with my left hand. My finger glints in a passing car's headlights.

I whisper, "Holy shit! We're engaged."

He whispers back, "Holy shit! We just had sex in public."

We both laugh and he scoops me up, carrying me like a bride down the block.

"Whoa there Hurricane Cam! Where are you going?"

"Back to the hotel. You promised a round two."

"Cam it's still pouring. Let's hail a cab."

He doesn't stop moving.

"You know I love walking in the rain."

"But I need my shoes to walk!"

I point to my bare toes, wiggling them for emphasis. He stops for only a second.

"I'll just carry you the whole way."

"You're coaches will kill me if I let you wear yourself out like this! I'll get us a car."

I take my phone out with a wink.

"Besides, I have much better ways to tire you out tonight Neve!"

"Well in that case..."

He steps off the curb and waves his hand in the air. A taxi pulls up before I can use my app. Cam opens the door and lowers me to the seat.

"...Screw walking in the rain!"