Chapter 2 The need to correct her
Camilla at 18 (Before college)
That evening, the house was quiet when she rushed in through the front door panting, with one hand pressed to her chest as she tried to control her breathing. She had been at Gina’s house with Reuben… they had all been lying lazily across the girl’s sofas, when Patricia called.
The older woman barely finished saying, 'Max is back' before Camilla screamed, grabbed her bag, and ran out of the house. Her friends didn't even get the chance to finish asking where she was going and why she was in such a hurry.
She didn’t care. Max was home.
And that was all that mattered to her.
She reached his bedroom door and didn’t bother knocking. She pushed it open, and the familiar scent of his masculine room hit her immediately… clean soap and wood, fabric softener, and something warm that was all him.
Max was lying on the bed, half turned to the side, his breath coming evenly. He must have been tired. His hair was slightly messy, his lips parted as he slept, looking more handsome than ever before.
Her heart squeezed.
She was happy. So happy seeing him again. He always had to leave and the only time she got to see him was when he decided to come back home and visit.
She missed him so so much.
She tiptoed inside and climbed onto the bed like an expert… she does it all the time.
She leaned over him, her pulse fluttering, and kissed his cheek softly at first, but unable to stop herself, she pressed another kiss at the corner of his mouth. He stirred but didn’t wake.
A wide smile pulled at her lips as she lay beside him, turning her back to him, and pressing her body into his. His warmth swallowed her instantly. And instinctively, without even opening his eyes, he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, holding her like he always did when she wanted to be cuddled to sleep.
She breathed out slowly.
This was home.
This was the place where her heart had grown roots.
She relaxed fully, letting her body melt into his and enjoying the feel of his heartbeat against her back.
Hours passed before Max’s breathing changed. He inhaled a soft scent… something sweet and light and very familiar. Vanilla shampoo, the only shampoo she loves to use. His lips curved slightly in a smile. Even without opening his eyes, he already knew Camilla was there. The scent always gave her away.
Without thinking, he took another slow breath, letting the sweetness fill his chest as he finally forced his eyes open.
And there she was…
Camilla slept peacefully beside him, her head resting on his arm, her black hair a scattered mess across the pillow and half across his hand. Her lips were parted he could see a glimpse of her white teeth , her cheeks flushed, and her lashes long against her cheeks.
His baby girl looked so grown and beautiful as always.
She was growing into a very beautiful woman.
He sat up very slowly and pulled his arm out so she wouldn’t wake up. He rested his back against the headboard and reached out to smooth her hair. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open, and the moment her eyes landed on him, her whole face lit up in a wide beautiful smile.
Her smile.
That smile always brightens her face and gives her this angelic look.
His own lips tugged upwards.
“When did you get here?” he asked, still pushing her hair out of her face, trying to ignore the strange twist inside his chest.
She gave him a cute side-eye as she sat up and moved to rest her head on his chest with her hand around his waist. “I should be the one asking you this”
“Were you surprised?” His mouth curved in a playful grin.
“Of course I was. I came running like my hair was on fire when Mom called me”
“Aww. So you miss your brother that much?” he asked mocking,
She pouted, her lips pushing out “Don’t pretend like you don’t know”
Max’s expression softened instantly. “…Okay, okay. I won’t tease you again. How have you been? Tell me everything you've been up to”
Her voice dropped low as she looked up at his face and shook her head. “There is nothing to tell. We speak every day.”
“Oh. I forgot,” he teased and laughed when she slapped his arm lightly.
“You didn’t forget”
Silence settled between them. She was still leaning on him, still breathing calmly against his chest. Then she looked up at him slowly, with a quiet voice.
“Can I kiss you Max?”
Without saying a word, he bent his head slightly so that his cheek was reachable.
But she didn’t…
Instead, she briefly pecked his lips… soft skin and gentle,
A jolt ran through his body at how soft her lips were against his mouth.
He smiled. It wasn't new to him. She had always loved to kiss him on the lips or the corner of his lips when she was little and he used to find it extremely cute. But she wasn’t little anymore, and that was the problem… because the way she touches him felt different and suggestive and his body's reaction towards her touches were equally changing.
Now, there was a need to make her stop and put a little boundary between them…
Affection was something common between siblings, yes. But Cam was too attached to him.
“Cam" he called her name gently “you love me don't you?"
“More than anyone else in the whole world” she answered proudly.
She was mixing it all up.
“Sit up” he murmured.
Confused, she straightened and placed her hand on his thigh, looking at him with those bright green eyes.
He also sat properly to face her.
“We need to talk about you, Cam”
“Me?”
“Yes. And I need you to keep an open mind to whatever I tell you right now. Can you do that?”
