Collecting Secrets

by PE Kavanagh

  She got up, walked around the coffee table to the middle of the couch, took Camille’s face in her hands and kissed her. For much longer than anyone, including Camille, was expecting.

  With no hint that anything extraordinary had just happened, Jenna returned to her seat and smiled. “Done. How many points is that?”

  Camille heard Charlie swallow from across the room. “Damn,” he grunted.

  “That’s one point for Jenna. Well played, sis.” Jackson looked around the room. “Who’s next?”

  Not that Camille tried, but Katrina easily took the slot.

  “It’s dare for me.” She winked and sent Jackson a kiss.

  Edward sat up taller in his seat. “Your dare is… do a lap dance.”

  Camille groaned, exasperated. “Are we really going to have all the women live out your fantasies?”

  Jackson tapped his chin. “Well…”

  “Oh, I’m fine with it.” Katrina had already stood up. “I just don’t know who I’m doing it for.”

  Jackson beamed. “I think the hostess should continue getting all the attention.”

  Edward nodded. “Yeah. Great idea, Jackson. For Camille.”

  The smiles among all three men were completely outmatched by the frown on Camille’s face.

  “Wait, I’ll put some music on.” Jackson fiddled with the bluetooth system accessed through his phone until a popular song rang through the house. Katrina did not miss a beat. She strutted over to Camille and undulated her body to the beat. It crossed Camille’s mind that it might not have been Katrina’s first time.

  It wasn’t bad at all. In fact, Katrina was pretty remarkable to look at. Physically perfect, as far as Camille could tell. And she could dance. She might have crossed the line just a bit with her grand finale of pushing Camille’s face into her impressive breasts, but it did take Camille’s mind off the worrying turn of her dinner party. When the song ended, Camille stood up and applauded Katrina with the same vigor as everyone else in the room. In response, Katrina gave a theatrical bow and blew a series of grand kisses.

  “Wow. Katrina earned her point. Nicely done.” Jackson turned to the last remaining woman in the room. “And you?”

  “I choose truth.”

  He smiled, giving her that look she had long understood to mean he already knew what she was going to say. She shook her head, annoyance mounting and mingling with concern about what devious request he would make of her.

  “Tell us, dear Camille, in great detail, an unfulfilled sexual fantasy.”

  A gasp and some rustling from across the table didn’t pull her laser focus from Jackson. Whatever game he was playing, she was going to win. She slowly crossed her legs and pursed her lips. Borrowing from Katrina’s playbook, she even flipped her hair.

  “Let’s see…” She took a generous gulp of champagne. If her heart weren’t beating so damn hard, she might have appreciated the dead silence of the room.

  “We’re in a car. All dressed up, probably. Watching him drive, the muscles of his arms flexing, is turning me on. I run my hand along his thigh and rest it between his legs. I can feel the revving of the engine through his taut body. I squeeze and he hardens beneath my palm. His grip on the steering wheel tightens as he weaves in and out of traffic. We’re going fast.

  “He takes one of his hands off the wheel and slides it under my skirt. His fingers slip beneath my thong and stroke me. By the time he presses into me, I’m so wet and wound up, I come almost immediately.”

  Somebody moaned. Camille continued. “He pulls his hand out, puts his fingers in his mouth and sucks. I nearly come again.

  “He turns into a parking lot and stops the car. Without saying anything, he slides his seat all the way back and I straddle him. I free his rock hard cock from his pants. He positions my hips and enters me. Right there, in the middle of a parking lot, where anyone can see, we fuck. Like crazy.”

  Camille took a breath and looked around the room. A series of shocked, flushed faces stared back at her. A satisfied grin escaped from her own face. None of them had to know that the other participant in her fantasy was not, in fact, her boyfriend.

  * * *

  Jackson aggressively thought about his grandmother. And puppies. And golf. Anything to subdue the raging situation in his pants.

  “Okay, then. Whose turn is it now?” Camille’s voice did not help.

  Roadkill. Stock market crashes. Starving children.

  “Holy shit, Cam.” Jenna fanned herself. “I’m not sure we can go on after that. You might have just closed the game down.”

  “That’s not fair! The guys didn’t have to do anything humiliating.”

  Jackson cleared his throat. “Was that humiliating for any of you?”

  The women answered in near unison. “Nope.”

  “Still not fair,” Camille said.

  He could not stop staring at her. He could just picture himself in that car with her. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I’ll go.” It couldn’t be any worse than managing what had now become a recognizable ache.

  She turned her head so slowly, he almost died with anticipation. “Truth or dare, Jackson?”

  “Truth.”

  “Excellent. Tell me… what scares you the most?”

  He hoped she hadn’t noticed his involuntary flinch. How could he tell the truth and hide it at the same time?

  He looked around the room, eventually catching his sister’s eye. She nodded. He could do this.

  “I’m afraid that the vision I have for my life won’t come true. That everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve and create will be meaningless because the one, most important thing, will be missing.”

  He shifted in his seat. “I’m afraid that I might be too late. That what I’ve been waiting for, planning for, is already out of my reach. I’m terrified I won’t know what to do if and when I ever get the chance to…”

  Words did not fail Jackson King. Ever. But he couldn’t continue, so they all sat in silence.

  Had anyone else in the room understood what he was concealing? His sister certainly had. Perhaps Katrina as well? Did he want Camille to know he was talking about her?

  Jenna stood up. “It’s getting late, everybody. After that inspirational round from my brilliant brother, I think we’re going to have to get going. Team Cam-n-Jack take home the championship. Well played, everyone.”

  Jackson stood up. His sister had saved him. The other men in the room looked bored or confused. He couldn’t tell which. Katrina yawned. He refused to look at Camille. It would have been too much.

  “I guess we’ll head out too.”

  Jenna picked up an empty bottle and two glasses. “Jackson, help me clean up a minute.”

  He gathered two handfuls and followed his sister into the kitchen, prepared for another talking-to.

  As soon as her hands were free, she wrapped him in a hug. “I love you, Jackson. It’s going to be alright.”

  He relaxed in her arms. “Thanks, bunny. Love you.”

  She pulled away and chuckled. “You mean you’re not mad at me for making out with your girl waaaaay before you?”

  “Oh, you’ll pay for that.”

  * * *

  Goodbyes were brief, which was for the best. Jackson’s headache had returned and he’d have to figure out how to deal with Katrina. She’d stayed uncharacteristically quiet for most of the night, which only meant one thing. She had an enormous amount to say about someone or something. All he wanted was to get home, close his eyes and replay that scene in the car, over and over again.

  Chapter 10

  Now

  Jackson and Camille collected themselves as they pulled into the circular driveway of the King home. He took her hand. “I’m going to tell my family. About us.”

  She had assumed he would. “Jenna already knows.”

  “I figured. But I want to tell them all. They love you so much, Camille. I’m sure they’re going to be really happy for us.”

  In theory, this was not a
problem. But something in the back of her mind made her wonder if it was too soon to be making their new relationship public. And she prayed he’d be subtle about it.

  Sunday gathering at the King house was a longstanding tradition, involving the immediate family, significant others, random guests and visiting dignitaries. No one was excused, not even Camille, who had long ago been inducted as one of the family. That week, however, she would not only be attending as one of the family, but also as Jackson’s love interest. She paused with one foot out of the car and grappled with the idea of not going in. This was scary and she didn’t like it.

  Jackson’s love life had frequently been a topic of conversation, primarily because of the celebrities involved. But this time, she’d be the target. Even though she knew this family better than any other, it felt impossible to predict how they would react to the dramatic shift in their relationship and her status.

  Jackson and Camille walked in the door to a bustling household. Julian was giving a theatrical rendition of something that happened to a rapt audience of his family. She always had the sense that if he hadn’t felt so much pressure from his family, he might have easily gone into theater.

  “Hi everybody.”

  Julian’s story was interrupted by the rush for greetings and hugs. Camille was pleased to see that they might have gotten away with their tardy arrival until Mr. King entered the room, scowling and looking at his watch. He clasped his son on the shoulder, and then softened to give Camille a hug.

  “I’m so sorry we’re late, Mr. King. Jackson warned me that we were going to hit traffic coming back from Sonoma, but I didn’t believe him. I delayed our departure and made us late.”

  She saw the small smile that crept across Jackson’s face at her deception.

  Jonathan planted a kiss on Camille’s head. “That’s no problem, Camille. I’m just glad you’re here.”

  At least two people rolled their eyes at Jonathan’s soft spot for her.

  “You two were in Sonoma?” asked Mrs. King.

  “Yes, Mom. I got you a case of the Syrah you love. I forgot it in the car.” Jackson headed back out the door.

  Mrs. King looked delighted. “Oh, that’s so sweet of you.” She tilted her head toward Camille. “How was it, dear?”

  “Oh, beautiful, as always. We both really love it up there.”

  “Who doesn’t?” Jenna was not being subtle at all in checking her out. “Cammy, come upstairs with me for a minute, will you?”

  Without waiting for a response, she whisked Camille up the stairs to her childhood bedroom, which was still decorated as if she were sixteen.

  As soon as the door closed, Jenna turned to face her. “Holy fuck!”

  “What is it, Jenna?”

  “Did you two fuck in the car on the way here? You kind of look like it. And smell like it.”

  Camille burned with embarrassment. “Are you serious?”

  “I’m sure my parents can’t tell, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  Camille walked over to the mirror and tried to organize her hair that was admittedly tussled. “Dammit.”

  “What the hell happened up there?”

  Camille bit her lip, trying to hide the enormous smile wanting to erupt out of her face. “Everything happened, Jenna. Everything.”

  Jenna’s already enormous blue eyes widened to half the size of her face. “Oh. My. God. So, it’s done. You two are officially fucking?”

  Camille huffed. “We’re doing more than fucking, Jen.”

  “Yeah, yeah, right. You’re in love, blah, blah, blah.”

  “Such a romantic you are.” Camille grabbed her friend’s hands. “I think he’s going to tell everybody.”

  “What do you think he’s going to say? Hey everybody, you know how we all consider Camille our sister? Well, she ain’t. I know because I’m bangin’ her.”

  “God, Jenna, you are so obscene.”

  “That’s why you love me.”

  “I can’t even talk to you about this if you’re going to act like that. I’m going to the bathroom.”

  Jenna wagged her finger. “Make sure to wash my brother’s business off of you while you’re in there.”

  “Ugggghhh!”

  * * *

  Elena King, the consummate hostess, prepared a deliciously impressive meal, accompanied by nonstop conversation. The one thing the King family never lacked was opinions and the will to share them. As the meal came to an end, Camille wondered how and when Jackson was going to inform his family of their news. She didn’t have to wait long. He stopped his mother from serving dessert to bring a bottle of champagne out of the fridge. After filling all the glasses, he lifted his own. “I’d like to make a toast, everyone.”

  He was greeted with wide eyes and curious expressions from everyone around the table except for Jenna, with a Cheshire grin, and Camille, horrified. A public announcement was the last thing she wanted.

  “Well, I have big news that I want to share with you.” He turned down to look at Camille. She wanted to dissolve. “Camille and I have been the best of friends for ten years, as you all know. We realized, recently, that the feelings we have for each other had outgrown our friendship. I’ve been lucky enough to convince her to give me a chance as a partner, as her love. So, I want to toast the person whom I credit with so much of what is good, the love of my life. To Camille!”

  * * *

  Camille looked around the room to the variety of responses. Justin looked bored, Julian pleasantly surprised, Elena’s lower lip trembled, Jonathan thinned his lips, and Jenna held her self-satisfied grin.

  “Haven’t you two been together forever?” Justin looked up from his phone to share the fact that he couldn’t have been less impressed or interested.

  “No, Justin, we’ve just been friends. Until now.” Jackson had very little patience for his baby brother.

  “That makes no sense.” Justin went back to his phone.

  Elena walked between the two of them and brought an arm around each of their shoulders. “I could not be happier. You two are perfect together!”

  Camille tilted her head up at her boyfriend’s mother. “Thank you, Mrs. King.”

  Elena looked over at her husband. “Isn’t it wonderful, Jonathan?”

  “It is certainly quite a surprise.”

  Camille recognized the chill in the elder’s voice, and gave Jackson’s hand a squeeze knowing his father’s response would upset him.

  Fatigue hit Camille hard as they gathered in the living room after dinner. She leaned over to whisper in Jackson’s ear. “Will you be ready to go soon, honey?”

  His face relaxed more than it had the entire evening. “There’s nothing better I’d like to do than take you home.” He stood and addressed the group. “Well, everyone, we’re going to head home now. Thanks for another amazing meal, Mom. Good to see you all.” He turned to help Camille up, when his father appeared by her side.

  “Actually, before you two take off, I need a minute with Camille.” Jonathan took her arm. “It’s business stuff. Nothing you’d be concerned with.”

  Camille reluctantly stood up and let herself be led out of the room, Jonathan’s hand at her back.

  This was not the first time she had been invited to his office to discuss business, but something about this instance left her highly unsettled.

  He sat on the edge of his large cherry wood desk and smiled at her. She fidgeted in the overstuffed leather chair that threatened to swallow her entire body. “What can I do for you, Mr. King?” She wanted to get home. Or at least get out of that room.

  He walked around his desk and absently moved some papers around. “A new tech company prospectus landed on my desk and I thought of you.”

  “Really? What are they doing?”

  “They’ve got this brilliant algorithm that pulls data from public and private sources. It’s a hybrid search engine. Brilliant stuff, really. I’ll probably invest, and thought you might be interested in checking them out. I
know that big corporate job isn’t keeping you engaged.”

  She regretted once telling him that she was getting frustrated with how slow everything moved at her company. “It’s not that bad. I’m learning so much. But I’ll take a look at them. Are they looking for help?”

  “Not yet. But they will need to. It’s just a bunch of kids who have limited vision. They need someone like you who can take them to the next level.”

  “I really appreciate your confidence in me. It means so much, especially from someone who’s achieved all you have.”

  “You forget, Camille, I’ve been following you since Princeton. There are great things in your future. You are an amazingly talented girl. I don’t want to see you wasting your talents with someone who doesn’t appreciate them.”

  She got the strong sense he was no longer talking about her job.

  “Listen, I’m going to speak frankly here.”

  Camille held her breath.

  “I know that you are in a strong financial position. You don’t need this job to put food on the table. The only way you’re going to make your mark in this industry is to get in on something new and risky. Or to start something yourself. Now, you’re just feeding a machine that’s already built.”

  “I understand, sir. And I agree with you. I will look at this company if you think it has potential. I just don’t have your perspective and experience to be able to assess all these small operations. I’d hate to pick the wrong one.”

  “It happens. Even to the best of us.”

  Camille stood up. “Okay. I look forward to getting your information. And again, I appreciate your looking out for me. It’s an honor that you’ve taken an interest in my career.”

  “I’ve taken an interest in everything about you, Camille. You have been more of a daughter to me than my own children.”

  “I don’t know what to say. It’s me who thanks you and your family for taking me in when…” This was not the time to get emotional.

  She moved toward the door, but he took her arm. “There’s one more thing, dear.”