Camilla
I’m working on an assignment in my study when my phone rings. Christopher… I wonder what transpired this morning during his conversation with Ellis.
“Hello.”
“You’re sleeping with him,” he says angrily. “Admit it.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“I knew it! Why? What do you see in him that you don’t see in me?”
“I can’t explain it. I’ve been drawn to him since we first met, and attraction is not something people can control. Then, after I suspected he was a good person inside, I started developing feelings for him.”
“You can’t be with him, Cammy.”
“I think it’s time you stop calling me that, and you don’t get a say in this. Did you forget how you betrayed me for years? You want to talk about Ellis being so evil, yet look what you kept from me? You used the situation with Tony and Liam to get close to me.”
“But I did it because I cared about you and that sweet boy. Ellis has never been in a relationship, and he’s almost thirty-five. Do you honestly think he’s going to keep you around?
“He’ll only use you until he’s bored. Then, he’ll toss you aside like Tony did, and Liam will be in the crossfire. Is that the kind of mother you want to be?”
“This conversation is over.”
“Only for now, Cammy. One day soon, Ellis will reveal his true colors, and then you’ll be throwing yourself in my arms like you did the first day you were here.”
“And that was a mistake. I’ve never purposely misled you.”
“Deep down you care for me. I think you’re scared to admit it since we could have something real and lasting.”
“I’m hanging up now, and you need to get your temper under control if you’re going to be around Liam. You’re acting like a jealous boyfriend.”
“No, that role goes to Ellis Burke.”
I huff at him and end the call as someone knocks on my door. I thought not having a job would give me more time to devote to college, but that has yet to be the case.
“Come in,” I yell. Ellis ambles inside the room, looking broken today. Because of his injuries, a part of me has the urge to run and hug him, but another part of me that’s angry at him for last night is overriding that urge. “What do you need?”
“We should talk.”
“I don’t think that’s wise right now.”
“I know you’re pissed at me, so we’re talking about it until you’re not.”
“You can make the decisions in the playroom, but I always have another person’s wellbeing to consider when we’re out of it, and that’s Liam’s, so you’re not bossing me, Boss.”
“I don’t see how this has to do with Liam.”
Sighing, I point to the yellow chairs near my bookcases.
“All right, we’ll talk.”
Ellis limps over and sits down. He’s in jeans and a black polo shirt, and I’m betting he used his sprained arm to button his pants.
“I know I picked a terrible time for my confession last night, but your insensitive response was uncalled for. I didn’t expect you to say it back, but at least acknowledging what I said would’ve been nice. It left me questioning everything between us.”
“Look, I’m sorry. It was a hellish day, and I was exhausted and in pain.”
“And that’s why I said it was terrible timing, but the rant you delivered left me questioning if this is too much for you to handle: me, Liam, us moving in here, a relationship, and the worry of keeping us safe.
“Add that stress to your grief over losing Tony and finding out what happened to him, and I fear you could change your mind about all of this.”
His lips purse, and he shakes his head.
“That’s a bunch of shit.”
“Ellis, I have to protect Liam’s little heart. He hugged you last night and thinks the world of you already. I can’t have him getting crushed if the day comes when we have to go back to our old life. You and I need to slow down so this doesn’t become too overwhelming for either of us.”
“Come here.” His gaze projects aggravation and desire, but mostly dominance. I want him, and I wish I didn’t. I haven’t risked my own heart being broken in years, and it’s never been on the line like it is now with Ellis. It’s scaring the shit out of me.
Moving past the small table sitting between us, I stand in front of him. “Kneel.”
I do it and stare at the floor. It’s my last ditch effort to hang on to some control. His fingers slide beneath my chin and raise it.
“Look at me, and listen closely. I want you and Liam here. I have no intentions to end what’s happening between us. I’ve never been the best with words, but I do show how I feel with actions.
“Aside from when this all began, my actions have proven the depth of my attraction to you and the genuine desire I have to provide for you and Liam.
“Do you know what I think? I think your confession last night surprised you more than it did me. So, with that said, my Rose, stop looking for a fucking excuse to bail.”
Ever so slowly, he leans over, taunting me with a seductive gaze. His lips press to mine and linger before they brush along my cheek and then my ear. His tongue traces the shell of it, stirring up a shiver.
“I’ll never let you go,” he whispers, “and as soon as I feel better, I vow to fuck the doubt right out of you.”
My eyes close and my knees wobble as his searing breath coats my neck. His tongue skims, curving down to the dip in my throat before a husky sound emerges from him and vibrates against my skin.
“I want inside you at this moment. What you do to me … what I already feel for you … can’t be put into words, Camilla. Let me show you one day at a time.”
“I’ve never been able to count on a single person in my life, Sir. No one.”
“Then I’ll be the first.”