Camilla The suite was spacious and elegant, with everything a person could possible need—comfortable couches, a large dining table, and two separate bedrooms that promised privacy. But none of that eased my worries. When the door closed behind me, I felt a weight on my chest. The air in the room felt too thick, and I couldn't shake the impression that this trip was about more than simply business. I looked at the bedroom doors, my heart falling even lower. Having my own space should have made me feel better, but it did not. Sharing a suite with Alex felt way too intimate, even with the walls separating us. I couldn't stop thinking about our conversation in the flight. His eyes locked on mine as he whispered, "I know, but I can't keep pretending it didn't happen." I let out a big sigh as I dropped into the couch in the common area. I picked up the phone and dialed Marta's number. I needed to hear Ava's voice and feel connected to the one person who made everything worthwhile. Th
Alex The storm outside mirrored the one inside my chest. Thunder echoed through the night as I lay in bed, staring at my room's ceiling. Rain pounded against the windows, heavy and unrelenting, like the thoughts racing through my mind. I could not sleep. I ran my fingers through my hair, annoyed. Camilla's presence in the next room hung over me like a heavy chain. Knowing she was so close but felt so far away was heartbreaking. I tried to talk to her, apologize, and make her understand, but she always shut me out. Maybe she was right. I had broken her in ways I didn't think I could ever make up for. But I wasn't the man I once was, and I wanted—need—to show her that. Lightning flashed outside, briefly lighting the room. I sat up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, bare feet on the icy floor. My chest clenched with a frantic, gnawing pain. I couldn't simply lie here. I took a big breath and stood, padding out into the common area. The room was poorly lit, with the
Camilla The door clicked shut behind us, and for a moment, the room was very quiet. The storm outside was strong, with lightning flashing up the sky for a moment. The constant sound of rain against the windows matched the beating of my heart. Alex stood right behind me, feeling warm and intense. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck; it was steady but also unsure. It gave me an unshakeable chill. I turned slowly to look at him, my hands shaking a bit by my sides. His eyes looked into mine, deep and curious. For the first time in a long while, he didn't seem arrogant or defensive. Only weakness. “Camilla…” he whispered, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through me. I reached up and lightly touched his face with my fingers. His skin was warm, and he leaned into the touch, closing his eyes for a short moment as if savoring it. When he opened them again, they were filled with a kindness that made my chest ache. He brought his face closer to mine, reminding
Camilla. I felt his breath on my lips. He knelt between my legs and looked down at me, his eyes glowing. I am interested and fascinated as I watch."Please fuck me, Alex."He raises his eyebrows and moves his hand up and down his fantastic length.I am simply a ball of sexual, stressed, and need. He peered down at me for a time, as if calculating my desire, before grabbing me and flipping me over. It caught me by surprise. Before I could answer, he thrust inside me. I yelled out in response to his abrupt thrusting, and I came instantly again and again, breaking apart beneath him as he continued to crash gloriously into me. He didn't stop. I was finished. I loved it. And he pounded on and on... then I was building again.Alex had a nice attitude.My body convulsed around him as I climaxed again, yelling out his name. I shattered again into small bits, while Alex stayed still, finally letting go and softly finding his release. He collapsed on top of me, breathing hard.I laid on the
ALEX The warm rays of sunlight crept through the blinds and woke me up. I stirred, slipping into the mattress, the warmth strange but weirdly soothing. As I opened my eyes, images of the previous night flooded back to me. I was on Camilla's bed. I sat up gently, putting my elbows on my knees and running a hand through my hair. A faint smile pulled on the corner of my lips. For the first time in years, the nothingness inside of me didn't feel so overwhelming. Being with her filled a gap I had no idea was so profound. As I shifted, the covers slipped down, showing my bare chest and the empty space next me. My heart dropped slightly when I realized Camilla was not there. I looked around the room, my eyes scanning every angle. Her scent lingered slightly in the air, but she was nowhere to be found. I pushed the blankets away from my legs and found my clothes lying on the floor. I picked them up one by one, the room's silence disturbed only by the subtle rustle of cloth as I dressed
AlexShe pulled the room door open without speaking, allowing it to swing close behind her. I caught it before it closed fully and followed her inside. Camilla walked straight to the couch and dropped herself upon its edge with a stiff motion. She crossed her arms again, her fingers grabbing her sleeves as if bracing for a blow. Her eyes was concentrated on a faraway location, her expression opaque yet heavy with thought. I paused near the door and watched her. She didn't recognize my presence as she moved her head slightly away. I took a breath and stepped closer, each movement slow and deliberate. The cool floor muffled my footfall, but I could feel the space between us. When I got close enough to talk, I stopped and kept my voice low. "Camilla, please listen to me." Her body tensed slightly, but she did not glance at me. The silence extended, dense with tension, and her only reaction was a tiny twitch of her fingers against her arm. "There's nothing to talk about," she st
CamillaMy heart raced as I entered the room, my trembling fingers on the door just as it closed behind me. The silence around me was intense, broken only by my choppy breaths. I leaned my back against the door, feeling its coolness, but it didn't help quiet the turmoil inside me. Alex. The memory of his touch and the feel of his lips stayed with me like a haunting presence I couldn't escape. My resolve and the walls I carefully built around myself fell apart whenever he got near. I tried really hard to keep him away to protect myself and my daughter, but when he looked at me with those pleading eyes, I lost my strength. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to manage my feelings. It wasn't just about him; it was how he made me feel and how he could always remove the walls I felt I needed. The best thing I could do was put some space between us, lock the door, and guarantee that the mistakes of the previous night were never repeated. Sliding down to the floor, I sat with my knees t
CamillaThe jet's hum filled the silence around me, but inside my head, all I could hear was noise—loud, excruciating noise. Ava. Her name rang repeatedly, pressing my heart even more. I gazed at my phone screen, my fingers quivering as I dialed Marta's number again. Still turned off.I tried again. Still nothing.Tears blurred my vision. My daughter was out there, in the hands of a dangerous person. Was she crying? Was she afraid? Did they injure her? My gut wrenched in misery at the thought. Across from me, Alex stood with his phone to his ear. His voice was steady and controlled, in stark contrast to the conflict inside me. "Alexander Brookes, CEO of Millach LTD," he said while listening to the other end of the line. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the strain in his jaw. "There was an emergency that we needed to attend to. We already left. Tell Ms. Montgomery for a reschedule of this meeting if feasible." There was a delay before he said, "Alright, sorr
Alex The previous two days had been a maelstrom of emotions. Sitting in my study, I let out a long sigh and rubbed my temples. The weight of tiredness pulled on my shoulders, yet sleep had proven difficult. My mind refused to relax. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ava—her small, delicate body lying on that hospital bed, bandages around her head, her pale face devoid of its typical brightness. I clinched my fist. The kidnapping, The drive to catch the kidnappers, The accident, The moment I saw her unconscious and drenched in blood. Every second of it replayed in my mind like a nightmare I couldn't shake. I had never experienced fear like this before. The thought of losing her had almost crushed me. The worst part? I had no claim to her. There is no right to make decisions. I was simply a man who had stepped in when she needed assistance. But why did it seem like more than that? Why did saving her make me feel like I was saving a part of myself? I leaned back in my
Camilla The steady beep, beep, beep of the heart monitor was the first thing I heard when I entered the hospital room. The sterile aroma of antiseptic permeated the air, mixed with a slight touch of something metallic—blood, perhaps, or the aftermath of trauma. My heart beat in time with the beeping machine, each sound a heartbreaking reminder of how close I had gotten to losing Ava. I gulped hard and forced myself to walk forward. Then I spotted her. Ava reclined on the hospital bed, her small frame almost swallowed by the white covers. Her head was wrapped in heavy bandages, and an IV line was attached to her small hand. The sight of her like this—so frail and still—took my breath away. My knees weakened, so I clutched the doorframe for support. It was my fault. If I had been more diligent and protected her properly... Perhaps she wouldn't be lying here, hooked up to machines and battling to recuperate. I let out a faint whimper before I could stop it. "Ava…" Her
CAMILLA A slight buzz of voices trickled through the hospital's closed doors. My eyes felt heavy, and my body was tight from resting in one position for too long. I squinted at the dimly lit room, with early morning light filtering in through the blinds. I must have fallen asleep just before daybreak. A throbbing ache throbbed at the base of my skull, reminding me of the sleepless night I'd spent tossing and turning, haunted by Ava's face. Pale. Frightened. Helpless. The memories hit me all over again, jolting me completely awake. Ava. I turned my head, expecting to see Alex sitting in the chair by the window, like he had last night. But the chair was empty. Panic clutched at my chest. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, forcing myself up despite the tiredness that weighed me down. My bare feet contacted the icy floor, causing a shiver up my spine. I reached for the lightweight cardigan I'd droped over the chair and slipped it on as I exited the room. The hallway
AlexThe air was thick with anxiety as our car sped down the deserted road, tires buzzing against the asphalt. The black SUV ahead of us faded into the distance, its taillights blazing red and flickering like a heartbeat. We were getting near, but not fast enough.We'd been after them for over half an hour. The police used a GPS tracker concealed on their car. We knew they were going south on Route 19, but every second felt like we were losing them. My stomach twisted from anger and anxiety. I should have acted faster. I should've been more prepared. If I had, Ava might not be in danger now. But now all I could do was track them down. As the SUV's red taillights flashed in front of us, I grasped the armrest tightly. My heart was rushing and thumping inside my chest. Every second seemed like an eternity. I couldn't let them leave with her. We needed to get her back. "Keep on them!" The officer next to me ordered, his voice tense with urgency.The officers in the car with me were doin
Camilla The front door was slightly opened. As I pushed, the wood creaked, ringing through the silence like a warning. A moist chill crept across my skin. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of mold, dust, and something more. Something metallic. The room was consumed by darkness, but a dim light flickered in the distance. It hummed weakly, throwing long, fragmented shadows on the walls. My breath came out in short, uneven gasps. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, run, and seek help. But I couldn't, I kept moving. Because somewhere in the darkness, Ava was waiting for me.Then, from the darkness, came a voice. "Hands up." I froze. The voice was calm. Too calm. Possessing such control implied power.Footsteps were the next sound, which was slow and measured. Heavy. Deliberate. A rough, hard hand clamped around my wrist. Not cruel, but uncompromising. A silent warning. "Move." The grasp tightened slightly, guiding me forwards. My legs felt weak, but I
CamillaThe jet's hum filled the silence around me, but inside my head, all I could hear was noise—loud, excruciating noise. Ava. Her name rang repeatedly, pressing my heart even more. I gazed at my phone screen, my fingers quivering as I dialed Marta's number again. Still turned off.I tried again. Still nothing.Tears blurred my vision. My daughter was out there, in the hands of a dangerous person. Was she crying? Was she afraid? Did they injure her? My gut wrenched in misery at the thought. Across from me, Alex stood with his phone to his ear. His voice was steady and controlled, in stark contrast to the conflict inside me. "Alexander Brookes, CEO of Millach LTD," he said while listening to the other end of the line. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the strain in his jaw. "There was an emergency that we needed to attend to. We already left. Tell Ms. Montgomery for a reschedule of this meeting if feasible." There was a delay before he said, "Alright, sorr
CamillaMy heart raced as I entered the room, my trembling fingers on the door just as it closed behind me. The silence around me was intense, broken only by my choppy breaths. I leaned my back against the door, feeling its coolness, but it didn't help quiet the turmoil inside me. Alex. The memory of his touch and the feel of his lips stayed with me like a haunting presence I couldn't escape. My resolve and the walls I carefully built around myself fell apart whenever he got near. I tried really hard to keep him away to protect myself and my daughter, but when he looked at me with those pleading eyes, I lost my strength. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to manage my feelings. It wasn't just about him; it was how he made me feel and how he could always remove the walls I felt I needed. The best thing I could do was put some space between us, lock the door, and guarantee that the mistakes of the previous night were never repeated. Sliding down to the floor, I sat with my knees t
AlexShe pulled the room door open without speaking, allowing it to swing close behind her. I caught it before it closed fully and followed her inside. Camilla walked straight to the couch and dropped herself upon its edge with a stiff motion. She crossed her arms again, her fingers grabbing her sleeves as if bracing for a blow. Her eyes was concentrated on a faraway location, her expression opaque yet heavy with thought. I paused near the door and watched her. She didn't recognize my presence as she moved her head slightly away. I took a breath and stepped closer, each movement slow and deliberate. The cool floor muffled my footfall, but I could feel the space between us. When I got close enough to talk, I stopped and kept my voice low. "Camilla, please listen to me." Her body tensed slightly, but she did not glance at me. The silence extended, dense with tension, and her only reaction was a tiny twitch of her fingers against her arm. "There's nothing to talk about," she st
ALEX The warm rays of sunlight crept through the blinds and woke me up. I stirred, slipping into the mattress, the warmth strange but weirdly soothing. As I opened my eyes, images of the previous night flooded back to me. I was on Camilla's bed. I sat up gently, putting my elbows on my knees and running a hand through my hair. A faint smile pulled on the corner of my lips. For the first time in years, the nothingness inside of me didn't feel so overwhelming. Being with her filled a gap I had no idea was so profound. As I shifted, the covers slipped down, showing my bare chest and the empty space next me. My heart dropped slightly when I realized Camilla was not there. I looked around the room, my eyes scanning every angle. Her scent lingered slightly in the air, but she was nowhere to be found. I pushed the blankets away from my legs and found my clothes lying on the floor. I picked them up one by one, the room's silence disturbed only by the subtle rustle of cloth as I dressed