Return to Passion

by Carla Buchanan

  “Where is Daddy? Why are you answering the door?” Camille snapped, and Remi had never seen her behave this way. It was like a mama cub protecting the baby cub, except in this case the baby cub was her father and the mama was a protective daughter who didn’t trust the intentions of the woman standing before her.

  “He had to go...get cleaned up. That man...” Ms. Savage got a look on her face that made Remi uncomfortable. It was obvious the woman was talking about some sexual encounter they’d had before he and Camille arrived and she absolutely wanted Camille to know what had taken place, especially when she finished her thought. Remington shook his head at how the older crowd felt they could say anything and get away with it as Bernice said, “That man is very fit for his age. Probably where you learned—”

  “Bernice, I think I smell something burning,” a voice said from behind Bernice, cutting off the insult that was about to fly from her lips. Remi was grateful even though the save had come from Charlie. Camille’s hands had started to sweat and she seemed to be stifling the urge to punch the loose-lipped older woman in the face. He probably would’ve enjoyed seeing it since Bernice deserved it, but he couldn’t allow Camille to do something she’d regret.

  Bernice scurried off and Charlie emerged. His gaze went straight down to their joined hands, where Remi played with the large diamond absently. Thankfully Bernice had not noticed, giving them time to make the announcement, but Charlie wasn’t so oblivious and zeroed in on the stunning piece of jewelry.

  “So are congratulations in order?”

  Remington was surprised by how friendly the question sounded. And what surprised him even more was the approving nod he received from Camille’s best friend. He guessed the man had had time to think about Remington’s visit and realized all Remington wanted was for Camille to be happy. If the look on her face was anything to go by, she was more than happy. His already full heart swelled even more knowing he was the one who’d made her so ecstatic.

  Camille beamed at her friend and waved the fingers of her left hand playfully. Remington chuckled and said to Charlie, “I love her and I’ll never hurt her.” Charlie nodded that he understood and Remington continued. “Over the next few months Camille will need you and me and Reese. She is moving back to town and she is coming out as Reese Elaine.”

  Camille smiled up at Remi. The grateful look in her eyes wasn’t something he could ignore. He was compelled to make love to her right then and there but restrained himself from doing anything more than pressing a lingering kiss to her soft, full lips.

  Charlie grabbed Camille and pulled her into a bear hug. Her feet came off the floor and she giggled. “So my partner in crime is returning to stir up some trouble with me?” Charleston joked, but there was nothing but affection in his eyes when he asked the question. Camille nodded, and Charleston hugged her tighter. “I always knew you wanted to return, but I also knew why you wanted to stay away so I accepted your decision.” Looking over at Remi he added, “I should’ve known he would be the one that would be able to get you to come back.”

  The hug lingered a bit too long for Remi’s tastes and he jokingly commented, “Okay, okay, unhand my fiancée.”

  “Fiancée? Who’s getting married?” Reese Ryan asked as he came down the steps with a huge smile on his face. It was the smile of a man who’d been thoroughly satisfied. Remi didn’t know whether to be slightly disgusted, concerned for the man’s heart, or smile that the man still had it like that. He’d known some of the other single women in town had gone after Reese and he’d heard that some of them were at odds with one another over his affections. Reese didn’t seem to take any of them seriously. Camille had once told him that her father said he’d never marry again because there was only one woman he’d ever had eyes for and that was her mother, Elaine Ryan. Camille had been sad after revealing that, and Remi knew it was because she felt it was her fault that her father could no longer have happiness with Elaine.

  Smiling at Reese’s attempt at ignorance, Remington recalled the conversation he’d had with the man earlier that day. When he’d come to pick up Camille’s clothing, he’d also talked to her father about proposing to Camille. Remington had already done so and Camille had said yes by that time, but out of respect he’d asked her dad anyway.

  He’d let Reese know he had every intention of making an honest woman out of Camille. He’d also confessed his plans to run for mayor and his fear that Camille would run away to protect him again. At first he’d expected the older man to tell him to allow Camille to make her own decisions and not force her to give up the career she’d established, but Reese hadn’t done that. Reese Ryan had got choked up and said he couldn’t think of anything that would make him happier than to have his Bug close by. His approval had proved emotional and Remington had had to leave for fear both men would regret the unguarded display of sentiment.

  “Well, I guess it’s no longer a secret,” Camille said and pranced over to her father holding her hand behind her back. She then flashed her hand at him and Remi took his place next to her. Remi heard Charlie leave and head toward the kitchen to give them privacy.

  “You’re finally making an honest woman of my baby, Remington?” the older man said and winked at him over Camille’s head.

  “Yes, sir. I love your daughter, Reese.”

  The older man nodded and then returned his gaze to his daughter. “This what you want, Bug?”

  “Yes, Daddy. I—”

  “My baby is moving back? Hallelujah! You are all right with me, Remington Krane,” Reese bellowed and then clapped Remi on the shoulder, cutting his daughter off. “You two have made this old man’s night. I can’t begin to describe how happy I am,” Reese said as he hugged Camille tightly.

  Reese then joined Bernice and Charlie in the kitchen, leaving the newly engaged couple alone.

  “Are you happy?” Remi asked Camille. She nodded right before she stepped into his arms.

  Camille’s eyes were full of love and appreciation, letting him know they were taking the right next step. Remi loved it when Camille looked at him that way. There in her eyes, it was clear as crystal that she loved him. It wasn’t new love either. It was love revived or love never lost. Love returned. She’d loved him all these years and it was evident in her gaze, in her touch, in the tone of her voice when she spoke to him. It was enough to turn him into a sentimental fool and turn him on at the same time.

  Remi’s mouth descended upon Camille’s and without hesitation his tongue invaded her mouth. Her hands moved up his chest and around his neck. His own hands lowered to her waist and then her rear, nearly lifting her off the floor.

  Remi’s lips stroked and caressed, mimicking the way he’d made love to her earlier that day. He reveled in her taste and feel as their passion grew. Remi knew that they should stop. They were not in a place where they could finish what they were starting, but neither of them seemed to care in that moment. Things were going well, and taking time to enjoy one another was something he was glad to do at any time and in any place. This was his woman and he wanted the world to know he had such a beautiful, intelligent, talented woman on his arm and in his life forever.

  Not even realizing he’d done it, he’d backed Camille into the wall next to the staircase. “I want you so bad, Camille.”

  “I know. I want you, too. How’d you like to see my room again after all these years?”

  Camille didn’t have to ask him twice and he led the way up the stairs. He knew exactly where he was going. His purposeful stride made her have to stifle a laugh so no one would hear them escaping. She and Remi were not being discreet and she was sure someone would come looking for them soon.

  He opened the door to her room and stopped briefly. He seemed to be taking in the room that looked the same as it had ten years ago. There was still high school memorabilia, old pictures and quotes on the wall she’d painted on freehand. The mom
ent came and went quickly and before she knew it, Remington had her pinned against the door. His hands roamed her body and found the button of her jeans. Her hands dipped under the hem of his black button-down and felt the heated skin there. She moaned in delight when Remi’s hand covered her mound with one hand as he pushed her jeans down with the other.

  It was a frenzy of hands and fingers and lips and tongues and chucking aside of garments that only slowed when Remi had her legs free and his erection waiting. He entered her in one smooth thrust and he covered her mouth to silence the moan he knew would come with his delicious invasion into her core.

  Camille’s legs were wrapped around his waist and she held on to him. Remi plundered her and made her feel like this quick romp was just as drawn out as their previous relations.

  The sex was hurried yet thorough. His upward motion was rough yet oh so refined and smooth. His words of love were enough to make her come and they did.

  Burying her face in his neck to muffle her scream, her legs locked and the walls of her core clenched around him so tightly she thought she might be causing him pain. Obviously she wasn’t hurting him because he surged into her with precise movements that had him following her over the edge. He wasn’t able to control the volume of his growl during his release and called out her name as he held on to her for dear life.

  They both came down from their release, panting heavily and chuckling at their lack of control.

  After a minute of catching their collective breaths, Camille ordered Remi to leave so she could clean up. He said he’d text her from downstairs after he gauged whether or not the rest of the house had heard them. Thankfully a few minutes later she got a text saying no one seemed to notice they were missing as they were still setting the table and preparing food. Camille breathed a sigh of relief, but when she emerged from the room several minutes later she was surprised to see Charlie standing there, leaning against the wall of the hallway.

  “Why are you standing here in the dark?” Camille asked before he could say anything.

  “Just wanted to warn you that Ms. Savage isn’t going to be playing fair. That woman...” Charlie shook his head. “Just don’t let her make you upset. Don’t worry about that whoring old battle-ax, and I won’t let her get away with her little comments. Oh, and maybe we should sit down and have the birds and bees talk later,” Charlie said as he chuckled.

  He’d heard them. Camille should be embarrassed but she wasn’t. Instead she playfully slapped him on the arm.

  “Thank you for being happy for me, Charlie.”

  “I couldn’t be anything else, babe.”

  Charlie had been right to warn her so she could prepare. He and Remi had to come to her rescue a few times during the evening. Ms. Savage had all but called her a whore, and her father, bless his sweet heart, was completely unaware of the woman’s slights. The man was too decent for his own good because he saw the good in most people.

  By the end of the night Ms. Savage had asked Remi for the tenth time if he was sure about getting married. Remi must’ve had enough because before dessert even arrived, he was whispering that he was ready to leave.

  They left not long after, but not before Remi had encouraged Camille to pack whatever was left of her things to take over to his house. She quickly did that and they returned to his home.

  Despite their mental tiredness, their desire for one another only elevated once they were alone. They barely made it through the door before clothes were ripped off and their bodies became entangled so they could pick up where they’d left off earlier that evening in her room.

  Only making it to the stairs, they made love. Camille ignored the painful stab of the lightly carpeted stairs in her back. After her first release she declared that while she liked the spontaneity of being taken on the stairs, it was much too painful to continue. Remington solved that problem when he scooped her up and took her on the cold, hardwood floor, which was more comfortable than she’d expected it to be. Or maybe she was just so crazed for him that she hadn’t paid attention to where she was at, only what she was doing and whom she was doing it with and the sheer state of ultimate bliss he took her to with each loving caress.

  Chapter 15

  “You can’t stay at home again. Someone will tell your grandfather and that’ll just give him another reason to hate me. I won’t have him thinking I am taking you away from Krane Foods.”

  Camille and Remi had showered and eaten breakfast together. They’d been able to control themselves throughout much of the night and he woke feeling refreshed and happier than he’d been in a long time. The woman he loved had finally returned and had declared her love for him. He didn’t care about the business right now. Remington had done well at making the business successful and it could practically run itself for months without his physical presence. He wanted every second with her so he could show her how much he loved her and cared for her and needed her before she found out about his run for mayor. There was no way to stop her from finding out, but he could make her see that he loved her and wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. He needed her to see his omission was about protecting her—their love—the way she’d done for him all those years ago. He wanted her to never doubt his loyalty and commitment, despite some of his current actions.

  “A penny for your thoughts, Mr. Krane.”

  Camille’s angelic voice brought Remington out of his musings. It pleased him to find her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. He realized then that he had not yet commented on her demand that he go to work.

  “Just thinking, Ladybug,” he answered honestly and then kissed her on her forehead. “And I will go to work, but you have to promise to come by so I can introduce my employees to their new first lady.” He’d said the last two words purposefully to hear them roll off his tongue. He liked the way they sounded. It was right that Camille be his first lady in everything he endeavored to do.

  “Hmm...so tell me, Mr. Krane... I get to be your Michelle or am I more of a Beyonce type of first lady?”

  “Don’t make jokes because you won’t know what to do if I give my answer.” He smiled mischievously at Camille. “I could see you in pair of short cutoff shorts and—”

  “Oh, you wish.” Camille laughed and slapped Remi on the chest. “I’m talking National Anthem–singing Beyoncé so get your mind out of the gutter. The cutoffs don’t leave the house.” Camille bit her lip teasingly.

  She didn’t know what she was doing to him with her words and flirtations. And the idea of her walking around in cutoff shorts had him hard in seconds. He decided to put that information into his mental Rolodex. He’d have to convince her to wear those shorts and ask her to model them for him. But not now. Now he had to go to work.

  He didn’t want to go, but he had to because he knew the land deal was closing. He wanted to get the expansion of the Krane frozen foods division up and running before he left the company in the very capable hands of his Vice President while he pursued his political aspirations. He’d still be able to work with the company in an indirect capacity, but he didn’t want to have to split too much of his time between the two positions if he won the election. He’d already come up with a plan to handle both and this land deal was the start of it.

  Dammit, he had to go into the office.

  Remington groaned because he knew he had to let her go. “Okay, I’ll go to work, but since you’re not wearing the shorts, I want to help you pick something out. I kind of liked assessing which thong I want to see you in for the day.”

  “No,” Camille said while giggling. “Go or we’ll never get out of here. I have plans and preparations to make. I have to talk to Anna. I have to call my building and break my lease. I have to hire movers. I have to talk to my dad...and then come out as Reese Elaine and—”

  He stopped her. “I told you we’re doing all of that together. There’s no hurry. You’re not go
ing anywhere and Anna wants to wait anyway, so you have time. As long as no one else finds out, it will be fine. You’ve gone this long and most people won’t even question you staying around here with what happened with your father.”

  “Oh. My. God. Remington, we’re engaged,” Camille squealed as if it just now dawned on her that she was actually moving back to Fairdell to be with him. Then another look marred her features and he recognized this new emotion as panic. “Oh, my God. We’re engaged. This is completely crazy. In the few days I’ve been here I lost my virginity, I decided to move back, I got engaged and I’m changing how I’ve run my career for years.” And just as quickly as the panic started it subsided and the hysterical laughter started. Remi thought maybe his wife-to-be was having a small breakdown but it was just her way of working through everything. She started mumbling sarcastically about how the people of Fairdell were going to love this new development and how everyone in town probably already knew about the engagement since Bernice Savage was there when they told Camille’s father. Camille was sure she’d be called every name but a child of God for coming back and taking the prodigal son off the market—Camille’s words not his—and exposing the religious little town to the pornography of her books—also her words, not his.

  * * *

  “Where are they with the paperwork on the land deal? How soon can I expect to hear from the owners?” This was the most recent question Remington had posed to Sonya Brandt, the company’s lawyer.

  “I called Franklin Weir and he’s assured me the paperwork will be in your hands to review by the end of the week. He apologized for the holdup. He said he had to do more research on the company and was satisfied with what he found, whatever that means.”