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Camilla
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Shannah’s wedding went off without a hitch. Despite her continuous worries about the state of her and Paul’s relationship and the incessant nitpicking of all the little things regarding her wedding day, Shannah and Paul were married on a sunny autumn day, and neither of them had ever looked happier.
Camilla felt like she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She had taken her maid of honor duties seriously, and every responsibility that had landed on her was fulfilled, and fulfilled well. She could finally enjoy the party, just like everyone else.
It had been almost three months since her misunderstanding with Brock. And to think, if she’d never gone to his office at the university that day, they might never have had the fairy-tale relationship they did now.
She still stayed with Rynn every day while Brock went to the university, but Camilla had her name removed from the nanny agency. She had no intentions of seeking other jobs in the field, and she didn’t think it was right to stay listed as such when that’s not at all what she was anymore.
Rynn knew that Camilla and Brock were a couple now, as much as a four-year-old girl could understand. Thankfully, she’d never broached the subject of her being her mommy while Brock was away at the university. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to fill the role of the girl’s mother, but Camilla didn’t want to have to tackle that specific question without the support of Brock at her side.
But they’d been content with the little family they’d become, figuring out each other’s little quirks and becoming acquainted with sharing their lives together.
Camilla still lived in her own apartment, though. She was just as adamant as Brock about keeping things as normal and easy for Rynn as possible. While there were many nights that she stayed over long after Brock’s daughter fell asleep, and there were many mornings where Camilla was miraculously there before Rynn’s sleepy head got out of bed, she and Brock had been very careful to maintain that level of separation in front of his daughter. Other than the occasional kiss and holding hands, they kept their romantic life private and away from prying eyes.
Shannah, however, was ecstatic that her maid of honor was bringing a date to the wedding. Camilla wasn’t sure whether to laugh at her friend’s surprise or be a little insulted that it was such a big deal, but either way, Shannah and Paul seemed to hit it off with Brock from the first introduction, so that was another huge relief in Camilla’s favor.
He seemed to stay on the sidelines throughout the ceremony. Camilla couldn’t blame him. Brock didn’t know anyone there but her. But as she stood at the front of the church while her friends repeated their vows and became husband and wife, she managed to glance over at him and catch his gaze. Brock’s eyes were locked on hers, and the smile that crept across his face made her blush.
He’d been watching her, no one else. She was sure of it.
At the reception at the community centre, all duties finally done, Camilla sought him out. She found him near the punch bowl just as the hor d’oeuvres were being brought out and the music began to play from the strategically placed speakers.
“You look mighty strapping in that suit, Mr. Hanlin.”
He turned at the sound of her voice, mischief already in his eyes. “That mister stuff is reserved for students and law enforcement. Wait, are you a cop?” He reached out and pulled her closer to him. “Have I been a bad, bad boy?”
Camilla laughed. “Guess we’ll find out later, won’t we?”
“That’s a guarantee, Cam.”
She loved it that he’d taken to calling her Cam, just like Rynn did. It was endearing, and just a little bit sexy to hear it on his lips, said in such an intimate manner. “Are you having fun?”
“I’m having fun watching you.” He grinned, taking a sip of the punch he’d poured in a plastic cup. “You look absolutely breathtaking. I don’t think I’ve told you that enough tonight.”
She blushed. “You’ve told me about a hundred times, but thank you.”
The song track changed, switching from a fast-paced dance song to something slower and more geared towards tender touches and slow swaying.
“Dance with me.”
Camilla was surprised by Brock’s demand. He had never seemed like the type to be much of a dancer before. But be damned if she was going to turn him down.
“I’d love to.”
He took her by the hand and guided her out onto the dancefloor amongst the other paired couples that were there. She became acutely aware of the heat of his hand at the small of her back and the dampness of his breath on her cheek as he held her close, expertly leading her around the dancefloor like he’d done it a million times before.
“You’re quite the dancer,” she whispered in his ear, kissing his lobe gently.
“My mother taught me when I was young,” he explained. “Said it was a requirement if I wanted to be a gentleman when I grew up.”
“And is that what you are?” She chuckled. “A complete gentleman?”
“Only when it counts, baby.” He pulled back and gave her a cocky grin that left her core aching with the sweet promise of the night they would share together. “I might be quite the dancer, but you’re quite the ravishing beauty tonight, Cam. I mean it. You’re that, as well as a lot of other things.”
She practically purred in his ear. She couldn’t help it. His sweet words were like an aphrodisiac. By the time they did manage to make it out of there, she was going to be raring to rip his clothes off. “Mmm, and what else am I, baby?”
Brock twirled her around. “You’re gorgeous.”
He kissed her neck. “You’re absolutely amazing with Rynn Tin Tin.”
He nipped at her sensitive flesh just enough to get her attention and heighten the arousal that was burning up her veins. “And you’re mine.”
She whimpered a sound meant to convey that she agreed, but Brock pulled away, staring into her eyes. She could see the twinkling lights that surrounded them reflecting back at her in his eyes. There was something else in his stare, too. “What is it?” she asked, a hint of worry in her tone.
“That’s a lie, isn’t it?”
“What?” Their perfect arcs and smooth movements as they danced to the song had ceased.
“You’re not mine in every way,” he said. “Not every way that counts to me, anyway.”
“Brock, I don’t know what you’re saying,” she whispered to him, alarmed. “Of course, I am. I—”
“So, I want to change that,” he interjected. He let go of her waist long enough to retrieve a small crimson box from his jacket pocket. “I want to make you mine in every way that counts, Camilla.”
She stood there, her hands hanging on to him loosely, as much for support as anything, in complete awe, as Brock opened the little box and revealed a white gold filigree band with three diamonds in it. “I know that the three-stoned diamond rings are supposed to represent past, present, and future, but I saw this ring and thought of you, me, and Rynn.” He reached up and brushed away a tear that had escaped onto her cheek. “I want the three of us to be a family, Camilla. Will you marry me?”
She broke into a fit of sobs, her hands covering her mouth as she emphatically nodded her head yes, over and over, because she couldn’t seem to get the word out.
“I take it that’s a yes?” Brock chuckled.
She playfully swatted at him. “Definitely a yes,” she choked out. “Yes.”
Brock wore the widest grin as he plucked the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger, then he wrapped her in the tightest hug, clutching her against his chest like a lifeline. She couldn’t speak, and when she felt his lips touch against her ear, she thought he was going to say something else that would make her happy tears continue to stream down her face.
“I know you’re anticipating tonight,” he whispered. There was no mistaking the deviousness in his tone. “Just the two of us. Believe me, I am, too. Just wait, my beautiful fiancée, because I plan on making you the happiest woman on the planet.”
“In what way?” she asked him coyly.
“In every way.”
Camilla knew two things for sure. The first was that there was no way to misinterpret that. The second was that she couldn’t wait to do a little celebrating of her own with him. Just the two of them.