Of course she would. He was everything she'd ever imagined in a man. Someone she could envision spending her life with. An impossible dream.
She climbed the stairs to her apartment quarters and straightened up, opening the window to allow air in. Once everything was done, she attempted to read a book, but it was no use. Her mind kept wandering back to Lucas and his imminent visit.
Her stomach growled, reminding her she'd barely eaten. Cooking meant going back downstairs as the kitchen was located behind her shop. Just as she reached the bottom step, there was a rap at the door.
He was early. Or maybe on time, Camille had no idea what time it was. His large outline in the window made her breath hitch. The time to make a choice had arrived in the form of a handsome deputy.
"Good evening, Mr. McKade," Camille said stepping back to allow him in. "How are you?"
His brows drew together. "Call me Lucas. I'd like to think we are becoming friends now."
Heat climbed from her neck to her cheeks. "Yes, of course, you're right...Lucas."
His smile reached his eyes and she could only gape. She'd never been so close to a man so attractive. She cleared her throat. "I'm afraid I cannot go to supper with you today. I am not feeling...well."
"Is that so?” He cocked his head to the side. "I think something else is bothering you and you’re not saying."
She looked away to the stairwell. If she'd been upstairs, it would have been easier to just call out the window to tell him she was unwell. But now faced with him, there was little she could do.
Her heart thudded against her breast as she reached with her hand and placed it on his chest.
He drew a sharp breath.
The warmth of his body seeped through the course fabric of his shirt to her palm. "Why does life have to be so complicated? It should be easy. The choices we make should be clear. Things of the past should remain there."
As she spoke, she moved closer to him. "What do you think, Lucas? Please tell me everything will be fine. That a few days from now you will be here, asking me to supper again."
His gaze shifted this time, but not before she saw it. Doubt. He couldn't tell her he'd be there. He could not guarantee anything because he was going to face danger and very possibly die. "You will be all right, Camille.” His lips curved. "I don't know why things are complicated. The way of life, I suppose."
His hand covered hers dwarfing it. "I understand if you are hesitant to getting to know me. I don't blame you."
"It’s not that. There are things. So many reasons why I can't. None of them have anything to do with you."
When he placed his other hand under her chin and tilted her face up, she let out a sigh. More than anything, she wanted him to kiss her, needed to be lost in him, not think about repercussions or the what ifs. In that moment, she made the decision. Lucas McKade would be hers. If only for one night, he would be hers only.
His mouth took hers, this time it was neither tentative nor soft, but with raw hunger. Camille clung to his wide shoulders allowing him to devour, take as much from her as he wanted while at the same time, she did the same.
Lucas turned his face sideways and continued to kiss her, his tongue probed and she parted her lips to allow him access. He tasted wonderful, of promise and danger, of need and sensuality. He pulled her against his chest wrapping his strong arms around her, folding Camille into a blanket of security.
Unable to keep from it, needing to touch as much of him as she could, Camille slid her arms around his neck lifting to her toes to better fit against him.
Lucas trailed kissed from her mouth to her ear. "I will do my darndest to return to you, Camille. I want to know more about you, more of who you are."
Of course, she'd never be able to allow it. But for this night, she was not the Camille that woke up that morning. She was a woman who Lucas McKade made feel things she'd never felt before.
"I want to be with you tonight, Lucas. I want to feel your bare skin against mine."
His rounded eyes met hers. For an awkward moment, she thought he'd say no. She waited for a look of judgment. Instead, he took her mouth. Again, his hand slid down her back until it reached her bottom. He pulled her against him until she had no doubt how much he wanted her. His hardness against her made her let out a long breath. "I want you, too, Camille. My need for you is like none before."
Both remained without moving for a few moments. Just as she was about to tell him it was fine for them to forget her last statement, he swept her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs.
There never was a guarantee for a future. In that moment, more than ever, Camille was aware of it. She'd not waste the opportunity to be loved by Lucas McKade. More than anything, she needed to remember him and know the beauty of two people coming together as one.
In a fog between kisses and caresses, they undressed each other, always touching, kissing and gazing.