by Rowe, Ruby
Ellis
I’m trying to keep it together for Camilla, but it’s a struggle. I don’t want her meeting women I’ve slept with for mere sexual gratification. She’ll let one bitter partner slide, but more than that, and I’m going to lose the respect I’ve fought to gain.
We reach our assigned table without any more interference, and my uncle Rich, who’s sitting to the right of my father, stands up from the other side of the round barrier. I say barrier because if it wasn’t there, Camilla would already be on the inside of a bear hug. He grins broadly.
“My favorite nephew, how are you this evening? And who’s this beautiful lady?”
“I’m good, Uncle Rich, and this is my girlfriend, Camilla. Camilla, this is Uncle Rich. He has that southern drawl, similar to yours, after years of working in Texas.”
“But he’s Ron to you, Camilla,” Greyson quips. “Only the golden boy here gets to call him Rich.”
Ignoring him, I introduce my aunt Mary Ann, who’s sitting to the right of Rich, and then continue around the table. “That’s my cousin Lawrence and his wife, Aspen.”
I glance to Camilla, and she frowns for a fleeting moment, and I’m certain it’s because she just heard about Aspen being cheated on. Thankfully, Aspen and Lawrence worked through it, and her forgiveness made her stellar in my book.
Everyone is welcoming to Camilla, but I expected no less. I smack Greyson on the shoulder next. “And you already know this annoying bastard.”
“Greyson is a sweetheart,” Camilla says before she sits in the seat I’ve pulled out for her next to him.
“Ellis secretly envies me, Camilla; he wishes to be me. It’s why he resorts to name-calling.” He brandishes a cocky grin and winks.
“Maybe I need to sit between the two of you,” I say. My family laughs, and at least the introductions are out of the way.
“How do you already know Greyson?” Aspen asks. She looks elegant tonight in her yellow gown with her light brown hair resting over her shoulders.
“Oh, we’ve talked at the house. I mean, I’ve spoken with him at Ellis’s home.”
“Our home,” I interject before I pick up my glass of water and take a much-needed drink.
“Excuse me?” my father asks in his curt voice, and suddenly I feel smaller as he waits for my response.
“I said it’s our home. Camilla lives with me.”
Her head shakes. “Ellis, this isn’t the best time…” I squeeze her hand under the table.
“No worries, dear,” my father says to her. “We’re all aware this is how Ellis operates. He blurts his thoughts out at the most inopportune times.
“I think he enjoys his tactless behavior, but little does he know; this news makes my day. It’s about time he settles down.”
“Now who’s choosing an inopportune time to speak their mind?”
“Damn, I love this family,” Greyson says. There are two empty seats to the right of him, and I’m sure one is for Whitney, but I’m curious as to who the other is for.
My mother arrives at our table as we’re being served our salads. She sits to my left, between my father and me, and smiles at everyone.
“Finally, everything is in place for the auction. Ellis, change seats with Camilla. I want to get to know her without yelling over you.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure. I should probably keep her out of Greyson’s reach, anyhow.”
“Dad, why is Ellis your favorite in this family when he’s so cruel to me?” he asks Uncle Rich.
“After what you’ve put me through over the years, it’s a joy to see him torment you,” he replies before nodding at me.
Camilla and I switch seats, and with the noise level in the room, it’s hard to overhear her conversation with my mother, which cranks up my anxiety.
Greyson leans over to my ear. “As much as I’d enjoy the show, maybe tonight’s not the best time to tell them about Liam.”
“I want it over with.”
“Or you wish to give your parents heart attacks.”
“Fine, I’ll wait.” Out of nowhere, Christopher appears behind the empty seat next to Greyson. Staring up at him, I scowl.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Ellis!” my mother scolds.
“Your gracious mother invited me. May I?” he asks, smiling at Estella as he grasps the back of the empty chair.
“Of course, and Ellis, Christopher was your brother’s closest friend and employee. He should be here to honor Tony. I don’t know why you’re surprised.”
OK, so my comment was rude, but I haven’t had a chance to address the stunt he pulled yesterday, when he went to see Camilla behind my back.
I grit my teeth. “I apologize, Christopher. I wasn’t expecting to see you, so it caught me by surprise.”
“It’s all good, Ellis.” After he sits, a waiter appears to take his drink order. Camilla squeezes my hand, and I watch her gnaw on her lip, giving away that she’s uneasy, too.
Thousands of square feet close in around me. My throat thickens, so I take another drink of water. Penny, a woman who’s stalking Greyson like prey, approaches our table and stands between us.
“Good evening, Burke family. Greyson, could I have a word with you?” she asks.
“Uh, sure.” He lays his napkin on the table and stands.
“Hi, I’m Penny,” she says, reaching across me to shake Camilla’s hand. “Oh, and congratulations; my friend Dalia told me you two are living together. It’s nice to hear Ellis is taking the plunge.”
My mother gasps. “Excuse me?”
“My sentiments exactly,” my father chimes in before he takes a drink of his scotch. Uncle Rich laughs, and I’m about to lose my shit.
“Oops, did I spill the beans?” Penny asks before she covers her mouth. Greyson grabs her arm and pulls her away.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
“This family could be on one of those afternoon soap opera shows.” Uncle Rich chuckles boisterously. “Not that I watch them or anything.”
Aunt Mary Ann gives him a stern look, and Aspen giggles. Shaking his head in embarrassment, Lawrence tosses back his scotch. Maybe I need to reevaluate the drinking.
“Camilla,” Christopher says out of nowhere, “it was nice running into you at the park yesterday.” He flashes her a sly smile, and it couldn’t be more obvious that he’s instigating trouble.
Her eyes widen. “Right … it was a pretty day out.”
The asshole sneers in my direction, and I’m about to climb across this table and beat the shit out of him. I pull on my bowtie, ready to rip it off.
“When did the two of you move in together?” Mother asks Camilla. Dammit, we still have this to address.
“Uh, I—”
“Last month,” I say.
“You should’ve told us, Ellis. I shouldn’t have to hear it through the gossip mill.”
“You’re right, Mother. I apologize.”
“So, Camilla, how well do you know Christopher?” Lawrence asks with a cocked brow and thin lips that want to turn up into a smile.
Another asshole.
That’s it.
I’m done.
Time to leave.
“I have to go.” My alien family looks at me, so I lean over to Camilla. “We have to go,” I whisper in her ear and slide my chair back.
“Um, OK.” She gets up, chewing on that lip, and all I can think about is how I need a stiff drink and a hard fuck.
“Just take a breather outside,” Lawrence orders, giving me a pointed look. He’s relaying that I better pull my shit together and return to my seat like a grown-ass man, but if that’s the case, then he shouldn’t have stirred the damn pot only moments ago.
Unable to wait for Camilla, I tear off toward the exit. She calls my name, and I want her–need her, but my chest is caving in, much like the walls around me. She can’t see me any weaker.
Saying my name again, she begs for me to stop. Dammit. It’s unfair of me to do
this to her, so I freeze in the lobby. Stepping in front of me, she cradles my face.
“Look at me. Let me help you through this.” Reluctantly, I gaze down at her. “I had no idea it was this difficult for you.” Tears rush to her eyes, and it pisses me off that I’m the cause of it.
“I don’t want you to see me weak.”
“You’re not weak. You’re simply not like them, so it makes sense you’d be uncomfortable here. I am, too.”
“It’s not that simple. You’re not the one trying to leave.”
“Only because I’m putting your and Liam’s needs first. His grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins … they’re his family and in that ballroom, so I need to present my best self to them.”
Inching closer to me, she presses her body to mine. “I want to make a good impression for you, too.” She slides her hands from my cheeks to my neck and then down to my chest.
Her bedroom eyes, beneath heavy lashes, tilt up at me and stare as she licks her lips, her seduction intense and intimate, as if we’re alone in the busy room.
“Let me ease your tension. Find somewhere in this place to fuck me.”
Camilla
Panic had caused the flame that resides in Ellis’s eyes to become only a flickering ember, but my daring words are the sparks that send it back up in flames.
I watch it roil with desire and domination until he clutches my hand and pulls me behind him. I struggle to keep up in my spiked heels, but I let him take charge. He’s desperate for the control, and I need to feel safe.
His command gives me a sense of protection. Through his dominance, he’s confidant and won’t let me fall. It shows him he’s not alone, and I’m beginning to see that Ellis has felt alone most of his life.
Far away from everyone, we reach a set of doors.
“Please don’t be locked,” he mutters before yanking on one of them. It pulls back, and he practically pushes me inside. No lights are on in the spacious room, but windows allow the setting sun to filter in.
Dragging me to a round table, he bends me over it and removes his tux jacket before tossing it on a chair. I realize we’re in a much smaller venue, not rented out tonight, but there’s still a sense of recklessness since I’m certain we shouldn’t be here and anyone could walk in.
Lifting my long dress, he yanks my panties to the floor and taps my ankle, signaling for me to step out of them. He leans over my back and stuffs the ivory silk fabric inside my mouth.
“My dirty girl...” he whispers in my ear.
Holy shit, what if someone comes in? I whimper against the silk and squirm, so he squeezes the back of my neck to hold me still. This only incites a long moan, my body shocked to life by his authoritative touch.
“Put your palms and cheek down on the table.” I hear his zipper and the rustling of his pants as he shoves them down. “This is going to be fast and rough until I come all over your gorgeous ass. You’re not going to come this time. Do you understand me?”
I don’t make a sound, so he swats my ass. “Nod that you understand.” I don’t move, so he hits me harder across both my cheeks, and I whimper from the sting and excitement it creates.
“Nod now, my Rose, because if someone walks in this room and see’s your superb ass, your punishment when we get home will be unimaginable.”
Panicking that someone could catch us, I nod.
“Good girl.” Without another word, he drives his cock into me. It stings, so I cry out, my sounds muffled and erotic. Each thrust feels better than the last, and I relish in the buildup of pleasure.
With my torso pressed to the table, I hear the beading on my dress scraping against it, and my cheek shoves forward and back as he aggressively pounds into me.
He’s still clasping my neck, and this fuck is rough like he warned … dirty, too, as he takes back the control he lost. I want this from him. I long for Ellis to use me to find that in himself.
I’ll also give him my submission as restitution for the years he lost with his son. I yearn for him to punish me as much as he needs the power to do it.
Oh, god, I’m gonna come.
Moaning, I clench my muscles, squeezing his cock.
“Don’t you dare fucking come.” Two more thrusts, and Ellis pulls out of me. He digs his fingertips into my ass cheek and comes all over it. His legs jerk against mine, his grunts animalistic, only reaffirming the virile male that he is.
Stretching his arm around me, he pulls the panties from my mouth, and I suck in a taxing breath. I’m enthralled by the shameless way he fucked me, and how the lewdness of it turned me on. Even though I didn’t orgasm, I feel satisfied knowing I gave him what he needed.
He fixes his pants and uses my underwear to clean up the mess. My dress is pulled down next, and grasping my waist and arm, he stands me up but doesn’t turn me around.
As if he hasn’t had enough, he clings to my body tighter and nips at the back of my neck, biting it in random places. We’re sweaty and gasping for air, dizzy from the fog of passion we’re so often lost in.
“Thank you,” he whispers. Moving his arm from my waist to across my stomach, he pulls me back against him and hugs me snugly. “Every day you gain more of my trust.” His lips kiss their way from my neck up to my ear, and I let my head fall back against him. “I love you, Camilla.”
I stiffen. He loves me … trusts me. I can’t hold this secret in another day. I’m telling him once we’re home tonight. Twisting in his arms to face him, I wrap mine around his neck.
“I love you, too, Ellis, and I hope you’ll hold on to that truth.”
CHAPTER NINE
Camilla
Who knew that within an hour of arriving at this fundraiser I’d be fucked and pantiless? I think he shoved them in his tux pocket.
In the restroom, I scrutinize myself in the mirror, wishing my skin would change to a different shade other than the color of my auburn hair. I push a few wispy strands back and straighten my gown.
I also wish I had my purse, but I left it at the table when I ran after him. Since there’s no way to make myself more presentable, I give up and head to the door.
Ellis is waiting for me again, but he’s calmer this time. He smiles and kisses my head.
“What’s with the frown?” he asks.
“I’m afraid people are going to know what we did.”
“Good. They’ll be jealous that someone’s having fun tonight.” Entwining our fingers, he leads me toward the ballroom again.
“Oh, I imagine there are people here who enjoy these events.”
“Yes, and my mother is one of them.” We return to the table, and everyone stares at us as we take our seats. Their eyes soften upon seeing Ellis more relaxed. Well, except for Christopher’s. He’s sullen like usual.
Glancing around, Estella waves at a server nearby, and he strides over. “Could you please bring their entrees out for them right away?” she asks, pointing to us.
“Of course, ma’am.”
“You two can finish dinner while the other guests peruse the paintings one last time.” As if nothing has happened, she smiles brightly.
Christopher wipes his mouth. “I think I’ll check out the paintings before the auction begins.” My eyes follow him as he walks across the room. He stands in front of the roped off area and admires them.
“Camilla, while you were away, Estella mentioned you’re involved in public service,” Aspen says.
“Oh, I haven’t done anything yet. I’m still in school, but that’s always been my dream, since I was an adult, anyway.”
“What areas are you interested in?” Estella asks.
“Feeding our hungry is what I’d like to focus on, particularly among our youth. There are so many children whose only meals come from those they receive at school. It breaks my heart.”
“Do you have any ideas as to how you’ll help in that department?” Ron asks.
“I have a few ideas, but since I haven’t been exposed to the ins and outs yet, and the politics of
it all, I’m not sure if they’re doable.” I smile and look down. “Maybe my plans are foolish.” Feeling my skin flush, I take a drink of champagne.
Ellis clasps my hand on the table.
“There’s nothing foolish about you.” I look around and everyone at the table is eyeing him, instead of me.
“I love a lady who can make the impossible happen, so tell us one of your ideas,” Ron adds with a hearty laugh. His wife, Mary Ann, rolls her eyes as if she’s used to his flirting.
“OK… I know there are already programs at schools for children to take donated food home in their backpacks, so what I’d like to do is expand on that to educate children about healthy eating.
“My reasoning is that if they’re knowledgeable about nutrition and the importance of it, or are at least familiar with the food groups, then they’ll want better for their own children one day.
“Maybe that will make them strive for more in other areas of their lives to ensure their kids have proper nutrition. If this small change can break the cycle of poverty and hunger in a single family, then it’s worth it to me.”
Covering her heart, Estella releases a high-pitched gasp.
“Do you hear this delightful woman? She’s full of hope and compassion, envisioning the much bigger picture. Ellis, do you hear her?”
“Yes, Mother, I’m sitting right here.”
“That’s surprising,” James, Ellis’s father, says.
“Why is that?” Ellis asks in a guarded tone.
“No offense, son, but you’ve never supported your mother’s charity work, so it’s surprising to see you with someone who’s as equally passionate about it.”
“You know I make charitable donations myself. Not actively participating in the organizations of such causes doesn’t mean I’m against them.”
“I didn’t say you weren’t generous. I said you’ve never shown interest in your mother’s work, so I find it intriguing that you’re listening so intently to Camilla.”
“Boys, stop it. I was enjoying listening, so please, dear, tell me how you think we could educate the children,” Estella says. Christopher sits back down at the table and directs his attention to me.
