What would Hawke think when he saw her in formal dress? Camille wondered, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. She was not as beautiful as Ondine. She wished she were taller, her hips slimmer, and her face more striking—anything to make Hawke see her as more than just another face in the crowd.
The resort had provided a stylist who brought amazing dresses, a makeup artist, and a hairdresser for all the women in the party. The pampering was quite extravagant for an engagement but not unexpected due to the wealth of the patrons. She was most likely the only one apart from Ondine without great wealth.
The two grooms had aptly dubbed her Cinderella. She might as well enjoy the pampering and the fabulous clothes. Soon enough, she would return to her everyday life.
As Camille descended the staircase, she saw Hawke walking towards the party. Her heart pounded in her chest, leaving her breathless. He looked so handsome. She could feel her nerves fluttering; she kept biting her lips and carefully watching her feet with each step. Her grip on the handrail was tight, because she feared falling. The long dress and high heels felt foreign, and she silently hoped she wouldn’t make a fool of herself. The silk of the sheath caressed her skin, the unusual sensation giving her goosebumps. The dress, provided by the stylist, fit her like a glove, with a side slit showing a lot of legs, backless, meaning no bra. Hopefully, Hawke will like it.
Looking down to ensure she did not miss the last step; she noticed polished black shoes in front of her. She raised her head and lost her breath as she met Hawke’s gaze.
He extended his hand.
She took it without a word.
“You are gorgeous,” he whispered.
His breath puffed warm against her ear. His lips brushed her neck, just below her ear, sending shivers down her spine. Camille felt her heart flutter, her earlier anxieties momentarily forgotten. “Thank you,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. She could see the genuine admiration in his eyes, and the look gave her a surge of confidence she hadn’t expected.
As they moved towards the party together, Hawke kept her hand firmly in his.
His touch provided a steadying presence. The banquet room was filled with guests, but all Camille could focus on was the warmth of his hand and the way he made her feel like she truly belonged.
“Follow me,” he whispered tenderly. They strolled to the gazebo by the moonlit pond, the air thick with unspoken emotions. As they reached the pavilion, he turned to face her, holding her hands in his, the warmth of his touch rippling through her. His gaze, intense and searching, locked onto hers, and she felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest. Slowly, he knelt before her, the world around them seeming to still.
“Camille, accept this ring as a token of my love,” he murmured, his voice soft but full of emotion. She watched in awed silence as he gently slipped a stunning sapphire and diamond ring onto her finger. The cool metal felt heavy against her skin, a symbol of promises to keep. She could see in the way his hands trembled slightly, in the way his eyes pleaded with hers that he was trying so hard to convince her that his feelings were genuine, that he wasn’t the heartless womanizer she feared he might be.
Her heart was torn between the deep love she felt for him and the gnawing doubts keeping her awake at night. Hawke’s appointment in town took longer than expected, and they did not have a chance to talk last night. The uncertainty of it all weighed heavily on her.
“Hawke, we can’t do this,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. She felt the words catch in her throat, the truth too painful to fully voice. “I do not want to lie to my family when they ask about the ring and the engagement.” Her heart ached with the conflict between her love for him and her fear of the future,
“Camille, we can do this for real. Everything that happened was my fault. My reputation with women could hurt you,” he replied. “I will convince you in the next few months you can trust me and fall in love with me.” He then slowly bent his head and kissed her.
The touch of his lips sent a shiver down her spine. “I’m not beautiful, and I’ll never hold your fidelity. Time and various people were needed to make me look like this today. Tomorrow the clothes and the makeup are history. You are left with the real me, an average female who would never hold your interest forever. By refusing this charade, I am saving both of us from a major heartbreak.” She lowered her gaze, her fingers fidgeting with her dress as she spoke, avoiding his eyes so he wouldn’t see the hunger in hers.
“You are wrong. Camille, remember what you could lose if any photos of us appear in the tabloids. Being engaged will protect you. There is no denying we are very attracted to each other. You are mine, and I am yours, and the next few months will prove it,” he explained quietly. “Let’s rejoin the party. If anyone asks about the ring, we’ll tell them we’re engaged, but don’t overshadow Trent and Ondine’s day. There will be no public announcement for now.”
The party was in full swing, and the magical evening atmosphere made her feel like she was floating. She danced with Hawke, his hands caressing her back and holding her close. Her nerves tingled with every touch. His mouth softly kissed her ear. She longed to run her hands over his bare chest.
She sensed his struggle, too, feeling the heat building between them. He wanted to pull her much closer. She couldn’t handle this intensity yet, and she suspected he’d have many cold showers in his future.
Like Cinderella, the most incredible night of her life stopped at midnight. But not before she danced all evening in Hawke’s arms.
The family noticed their new closeness and the ring on her left hand.
Hawke went back to the cabin alone.
She stayed with her family at the resort. Her dreams that night were filled with Hawke and his kisses.