Page 2 of Camilla & Dallas
There were enough people filling the space that it wasn’t hard to stay hidden from the embodiment of Adonis. True to her word, Cheyenne made sure Camilla was so busy having fun that there were moments she forgot all about her collision with the most gorgeous man on the planet.
After about two hours, Camilla was starting to feel worn out. It was only nine, though. The country club was still full of young adults mingling and dancing. Camilla had danced with her share of eligible young men tonight—but nothim. Would she regret that if she left without doing so?
Quite possibly.
“I have to use the ladies’ room,” Cheyenne called over the start of a new slow song. “Want to come?”
Camilla shook her head. “I’m good. I went a little bit ago.”
Cheyenne hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go too far.” She winked. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Rolling her eyes, Camilla let out a laugh. She watched her friend slip into the fray of people then she exhaled a sigh. She had no clue how she was going to get Cheyenne to agree to end the night early, but she was practically dead on her feet.
Warm breath at her ear coincided with that deliciously low voice. “Care to dance?”
She didn’t have to turn around to know who was asking. The hairs on the back of her neck and all along her arms were standing at attention. She could smell his woodsy cologne, and the scent did something dangerous to her insides. Slowly, Camilla turned around and looked up.
His smile was blinding. His aura pulled her in. Without realizing it, she was swept into a fairytale. They danced and his touch felt…right. His name wasn’t Adonis, after all. It wasDallas—so, close enough. He was a local, born and raised. And he was attending an online school to be a wildlife researcher.
By the end of that one song, Camilla felt like she knew everything about this man. Something about his soul spoke to hers. She had never believed in love at first sight. Soul mates were a fairytale in storybooks.
But as Dallas guided her off the dance floor and toward the open doors that led to a veranda outside, Camilla couldn’t help but wonder if dreams were meant to come true after all.
They both leaned their forearms against the railing outside as they stared out at the property that surrounded the country club. Or, rather, she stared out at the property, but he was staring at her. It should have unnerved her—his attention—but surprisingly, it didn’t. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and let out a quiet laugh.
His grin deepened. “You know, from the moment I bumped into you, I knew we were going to be something special.”
She laughed again. “You’re crazy.”
“And you’re lying to yourself if you say you don’t feel this connection, too.”
Camilla peeked at him once more. “Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t.”
His laugh was magic. Maybe it was the high she felt being out tonight with Cheyenne. Or maybe it was Dallas. Camilla usually had really good instincts when it came to people. And she didn’t get any bad vibes from this guy.
“I’m telling you, darlin’, we’re meant to be. It’s only a matter of time.”
His words had a choir belting within her chest. Her heart danced along with music only she could hear.
“Only a matter of time, huh?” She arched a brow.
“Yup. If I were any lesser of a man, I’d scoop you up and take you to Vegas tonight.”
She gasped, turning to him, fully expecting to see a teasing smirk on his lips, but he was dead serious.
His calm, collected demeanor said it all. Dallas really believed they were meant to be. Her heart went from dancing to pounding against her ribs. Could she do this? Could she allow herself to jump in with eyes shut tight and have faith that there would be a happily ever after waiting for her on the other side?
Staring into Dallas’s eyes, Camilla wanted to believe it with her heart and soul. Maybe that was the reason she replied, “I’d settle for a first date.”
Dallas’s eyes twinkled knowingly. “Deal.” He moved closer to her, reaching out with his hand before brushing her hair behind her ear. “You’re so… different than the other girls I’ve met,” he murmured. His voice was soft, reverent. His gaze swept over her face before landing on her lips. He dipped his head closer to hers, his hot breath fanning her face as he said, “I know this sounds crazy, but I’m already falling in love with you.”
It was crazy.
So utterly, earth-shatteringly crazy. Mateo and Sophia would tell her to keep a level head. They’d tell her that there was no way someone could develop feelings for someone that quickly. But they weren’t her. And as Dallas’s lips grazed over her own, inciting an electrical current that made her whole body tremble, Camilla knew she’d never be the same.
“Camilla?” Cheyenne’s voice tore through the quiet night air. Camilla broke apart from Dallas, flushing furiously as she turned toward the interruption.
She let out a laugh at the shocked expression on Cheyenne’s face, then gestured toward Dallas. “This is?—”
