NATHANI was either mad or plain stupid to continue kissing her, touching her like this.She is forbidden fruit and I should know seeing as I was in direct competition with her father who at the moment was in the vicinity but I wanted so badly to fuck herโฆ to run my fingers along her bare back and feel the mounds of her body.I wanted to touch each folds of her skin and master the contours on her face.I pulled back from her, my chest heaving.โCamillaโ I muttered.โI know what you are about to sayโ She stopped me, her cheeks and lips rosy.โThen you understand why we should not do this?โ I askedโI understand that you are a coward, Mr Clark and you run away from anything that doesnโt fit into your schedule.โI groaned, releasing her completely and running my fingers through my hair.โYou do not understandโ I murmured.โI do understand and it is okay but I will have you know that we are two grown people and we do not have to make this more than it isโ I watched her cheeks redden furth
CAMILLAWhat had I been expecting?A profession of love?I knew the sort of person Nathan wasโฆ a hard man and I had thought maybe I would be able to get through to him and why?Because I found him intriguing? Because I loved his view on life or is it because I wanted to do all I could to get out of my fatherโs shadow.No, that is wrong.Nathan Clark might have been my ticket out but I had come to understand and admire him as an individual.He was a fighter that much was obvious but he was also an asshole.I locked the adjoining door as soon as he left, leaning against it with the tears stinging the corner of my eyes.Another knockโCamillaโ My fatherโs voice came through.โGive me a minuteโ I called out.I stared at myself in the mirror, running my fingers through my hair.When I opened the door, my father knew immediately that something was wrong.โAre you okay?โ He askedโI am fineโ I responded. โI was just sleepingโ I added so he did not ask any more questions.โI know we should ta
CAMILLAโWe really need to talkโ I heard Nathan whisper from behind me.โI have nothing to speak to you about. Are you ready?โ I asked him.โI am but-โโThen we should leave to the barโI turned to look him over, angry at the flutter in my chest and the way my whole being appreciated his looks.He had jeans on and I never thought anyone would look absolutely stunning in them and there was the shirt he was wearing which was rolled up to his elbows, giving free view of his tattoos.I stilled my panicked heart, turning back around and taking a step before he stopped me with a hand on my arm.โI want to apologize for the things I did earlier. It was mean of me to try to take away the seriousness of your feelings and I am sorry. I should be a better person than thatโ He had a contrite look on his face as he said this.โI am not mad at you, Nathanโ I lowered my voice. โI just feel I am more invested in this business than you are and I need you to be professional and take it seriouslyโHe no
NATHANI felt like an absolutely horrible beast or maybe that was what I wasStarved of attention?If there was anything, I would admit that I have been the one acting like a starved and crazed person anytime she was near.I had only said that to infuriate Rodrigues, her father more than he already was.I did not stop to think that she might be listening in or it was the worst thing to say about a girl I have come to like.I winced, rolling my tongue in my mouth as the pain from being punched in the face kicked in.Williams walked into the open room with surprise on his face.โWhat happened?โ He asked immediately.โIt is overโ I told him, my voice unbelievably calm.โWhat have you done, ClarkโI whirled at him with anger in my eyesโWhat makes you think I am the one at fault? You are the reason everything has gone to fucking shitโ I barraged him. โWhat did you think was going to happen when you decided to invite Rodrigues and I?โI took a deep breath envisioning Camillaโs disapproving
CAMILLAMy father drove us straight to the house and I did not argue nor say anything when we arrived and my mother enveloped me in a hug.โOh babyโ She crooned.โI am okayโ I reassured herโCome on inโI inhaled the familiar scent of home, my muscles relaxing.โI am going to bedโ I announced.Their words fell over themselves as they agreed immediately to my request.My eyes closed as soon as I fell on the bed. I did not want to think of anything, I did not want to begin to analyze the anger in my heart directed at one person in particular.When I finally opened my eyes, it was noon.I made my way downstairs and was met with the searching eyes of both my parents.โAre you okay, baby?โ My mother asked.I took a seat beside them.โI am not some fragile child you have to be worried about always, motherโ I said.โYou are my child and I have every reason to be worried about youโ she countered.โI am going to be fineโ I told her.My father said nothing but I turned to him anyways.โI have d
CAMILLAI stared at my ringing phone with Nathan displayed boldly as the callers ID.What the fuck did he want?I however put it to my ear, my heart jumping at the sound of his voiceโCamilla, I know you can hear meโ He raspedโWhat do you want?โ I asked.โTo talkโ He answered.His voice appeared torturedโฆ like there was something wrong with him and for a minute I was concerned before my head overrode my stupidity.โConcerning the project-โ I beganโNot concerning the-โ He sighed, his voice trailing off.โI need youโ He muttered softly that if I had not been paying attention, I would have missed that simple statement.โMr Clarkโ I stopped when I heard his labored breathing.โIs something wrong with you?โโNo, its nothingโฆ I just need to speak with youโโNathan, what is the matter? You sound distressedโHe chuckled and then I heard him cough in the backgroundโYou are not concerned about me now, are you?โโThis is not a joke, what is wrong with you?โ I asked again, feeling panicky.He
NATHANI was pacing like a fucking clown.I was expecting Camilla at the office today to discuss the project that we were involved in together and I could not help the restlessness coursing through my body.I wasnโt one to be this nervous about anything.โDeep breathsโ I told myself, trying to go along with my instructions but to no avail.So much so that when my receptionist announced her presence, I had worked myself into a frenzy.My breath caught in my throat as she walked in, her eyes taking the room before settling on me with stark clarity.What had I been thinking? I thought.Starved of attention?Who was the blithering idiot now?โYou look wellโ She commented, taking the seat in front of me.โYou look beautifulโ I murmured.She paused, her eyes meeting mine.Sparks flew, that was for sure.โHow do you feel?โ She asked instead.โMuch better. Thank you for attending to me yesterday. For even accepting the phone call from meโโOf course, I am not a demon even though I do hate you
CAMILLAโI did not think I was ever going to see you again, Camillaโ Sarah smiled as soon as I entered the restaurant.She wagged a finger in Nathanโs direction, shaking her head at him.โWith the kind of food you sell? I will be coming in here for a very long timeโ I smiled back.Nathan and I took our seats and waited.She had a queue as usual and I could not help the smile as I glanced around.โYou would have watched your father kill meโ Nathan commented.โI admit that would have made me feel better for a bitโ I told him.He appeared shocked but I could tell from the way his eyes twinkled with delight that he thought it hilarious.I had not expected he would go over to my parentโs house especially seeing as I wasnโt there in the first place.My father however had called me when he arrived with a gun to his head and asked if I wanted to see him. I had hesitated just for the fun of itโI deserved thatโโYes you didโ I agreed.โThank you for coming here with meโI nodded once.Sarah dr
CAMILLAAfter the previous day encounter and the kissโฆ I wasnโt sure I wanted to be on the same team with Nathan.In all honesty, I wasnโt sure exactly what I wanted.My lips still tingled from the memory of Nathanโs kiss, and yet, the feeling did NOT settle in the way I expected. It wasnโt the passionate rush of desire or the warmth of something more. No, it was an unsettled ache, a reminder that whatever this was between us was anything but simple.I stared at the ceiling, my mind spinning in a hundred different directions. My thoughts kept circling back to that kiss.Why had he gone and kissed me?The last thing I needed was to get caught up in Nathanโs mess, in whatever internal struggle he was going through. I could not afford to lose myself in him. Not again. He had kissed me, and now I had to decide whether to let it go or pull back before things went any further.I dragged myself out of bed, staring at the clockโ7:00 AM. My meeting with Nathan was at 9:00, but I had a hundred t
NATHANI was stalling.Her apartment had grown quiet except for the rhythmic ticking of a clock on the wall, but I stayed seated at her table, watching her stack dishes in the sink. My car was fixed. My excuse to linger here was gone. Yet I couldnโt bring myself to leave.She moved with a confidence that was uniquely Camilla. She wasnโt trying to impress anyoneโฆleast of all meโฆbut damn, she did. I traced the curve of her spine with my eyes as she walked back into the living room, her bare feet soft against the floorboards.I should have been thinking about Eleanor. About Trish. About Alicent. About the cold-blooded satisfaction I would feel when the truth about Eleanorโs death finally saw the light of day. But all I could think about was how Camilla and how I should be apologizing to her.โYouโre awfully quiet,โ she said, sitting across from me, tilting her head to study me.โI have been accused of worse.โShe rolled her eyes. โYou are always like this. Mysterious and brooding. You wou
CAMILLA โGood morning.โ I started at him, unsure of exactly what I was looking at. Then it hit me: the smell. Warm and savory, the scent of something cooking drifted through the airโฆeggs, maybe toast. It was so out of placeโฆ he was out of place here. I moved, the motion sending a fresh wave of pain through my skull and a queasiness to my stomach. I groaned again, slower this time, trying to steady myself. โMorning,โ I mumbled hoarsely, my voice barely more than a croak. He was standing by the stove, his back to me, a pan in one hand and a spatula in the other. His shirt was untucked, the fabric clinging to his broad shoulders in a way that made him seem even larger than usual. In my tiny kitchen, he looked impossibly big, like he didnโt belong there, yet somehowโฆhe fit. โWhat are you doing?โ I asked, my voice weak but laced with confusion. Nathan glanced over his shoulder, his profile catching the morning light. His hair was a little messy, like he hadnโt bothered t
CAMILLAIt was useless feeling sorry for myself, I thought.The lighting in the club was low as I stepped in with my friend, Bella.โNot badโ I murmured.โTold youโ She responded triumphantly. โThis is what you need to get over him. Nathan Clark is an asshole and should dump him in the dust where he belongsโI wanted to correct her that he wasnโt an asshole, he was merely disturbed but I did not.I was not here to sympathize with him or even think about him. I was here to have fun and that is what I am going to do.I was putting on a red dress and it complimented my eyes way more than I thought it would.โCome on, we should get a drinkโ Bella pulled me to the bar.The bartender winked at both of us and then asked what we would likeIt was at the tip of my tongue to say nothing but I was at a club, wasnโt I?โSex on the beachโ I announced.Bella turned to me, surprise in her eyes. I was pretty sure she thought she would have to force me to drink.โI would have the sameโ She told the ma
NATHANThere was nothing to say as I dropped Camilla off at her home.I waited until I was sure she had gotten in before I headed in the direction of my mother in lawโs house.I pushed in Christianโs number, my teeth gritting as it rang.I was furious.I did not want to admit I was more furious at myself than anything.โHow did your date go?โ Christianโs asked as soon as the phone line clicked.โSend me the name of the witnessโ I grunted.โWhat is wrong?โโSend the name, dammitโโYou need to calm down, Nathan. Where are you going?โโTo settle this once and for allโ I told him. โNow send the damned number to meโI hung up before he had the chance to say anything or convince me to back away because I would not.I drove way above the speed limit, stopping only when I had gotten to the mansionโs gate.It brought back memories of family dinners where I had to defend Eleanor over and over again. Where snide remarks about the reason I was with her reached my ears and she said nothing about
CAMILLAโI did not think I was ever going to see you again, Camillaโ Sarah smiled as soon as I entered the restaurant.She wagged a finger in Nathanโs direction, shaking her head at him.โWith the kind of food you sell? I will be coming in here for a very long timeโ I smiled back.Nathan and I took our seats and waited.She had a queue as usual and I could not help the smile as I glanced around.โYou would have watched your father kill meโ Nathan commented.โI admit that would have made me feel better for a bitโ I told him.He appeared shocked but I could tell from the way his eyes twinkled with delight that he thought it hilarious.I had not expected he would go over to my parentโs house especially seeing as I wasnโt there in the first place.My father however had called me when he arrived with a gun to his head and asked if I wanted to see him. I had hesitated just for the fun of itโI deserved thatโโYes you didโ I agreed.โThank you for coming here with meโI nodded once.Sarah dr
NATHANI was pacing like a fucking clown.I was expecting Camilla at the office today to discuss the project that we were involved in together and I could not help the restlessness coursing through my body.I wasnโt one to be this nervous about anything.โDeep breathsโ I told myself, trying to go along with my instructions but to no avail.So much so that when my receptionist announced her presence, I had worked myself into a frenzy.My breath caught in my throat as she walked in, her eyes taking the room before settling on me with stark clarity.What had I been thinking? I thought.Starved of attention?Who was the blithering idiot now?โYou look wellโ She commented, taking the seat in front of me.โYou look beautifulโ I murmured.She paused, her eyes meeting mine.Sparks flew, that was for sure.โHow do you feel?โ She asked instead.โMuch better. Thank you for attending to me yesterday. For even accepting the phone call from meโโOf course, I am not a demon even though I do hate you
CAMILLAI stared at my ringing phone with Nathan displayed boldly as the callers ID.What the fuck did he want?I however put it to my ear, my heart jumping at the sound of his voiceโCamilla, I know you can hear meโ He raspedโWhat do you want?โ I asked.โTo talkโ He answered.His voice appeared torturedโฆ like there was something wrong with him and for a minute I was concerned before my head overrode my stupidity.โConcerning the project-โ I beganโNot concerning the-โ He sighed, his voice trailing off.โI need youโ He muttered softly that if I had not been paying attention, I would have missed that simple statement.โMr Clarkโ I stopped when I heard his labored breathing.โIs something wrong with you?โโNo, its nothingโฆ I just need to speak with youโโNathan, what is the matter? You sound distressedโHe chuckled and then I heard him cough in the backgroundโYou are not concerned about me now, are you?โโThis is not a joke, what is wrong with you?โ I asked again, feeling panicky.He
CAMILLAMy father drove us straight to the house and I did not argue nor say anything when we arrived and my mother enveloped me in a hug.โOh babyโ She crooned.โI am okayโ I reassured herโCome on inโI inhaled the familiar scent of home, my muscles relaxing.โI am going to bedโ I announced.Their words fell over themselves as they agreed immediately to my request.My eyes closed as soon as I fell on the bed. I did not want to think of anything, I did not want to begin to analyze the anger in my heart directed at one person in particular.When I finally opened my eyes, it was noon.I made my way downstairs and was met with the searching eyes of both my parents.โAre you okay, baby?โ My mother asked.I took a seat beside them.โI am not some fragile child you have to be worried about always, motherโ I said.โYou are my child and I have every reason to be worried about youโ she countered.โI am going to be fineโ I told her.My father said nothing but I turned to him anyways.โI have d