Page 13 of Camilla & Dallas

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All sense of self-preservation left her as she allowed him to tug her toward the dance floor. Maybe it was the music. Or maybe it was the electricity that flowed between them as his fingertips grazed the small of her back. Shivers wracked her body at his touch and at the familiar smell of him.

All at once, memories of what they’d had came rushing back in an onslaught that absolutely terrified her. She closed her eyes and turned her head. It was all she had the strength for. But then he whispered her name. Her heart stuttered as she looked up at him.

“Camilla,” he whispered again, searching her face. “Can we… I want…” He shook his head and pulled her against his chest. Her cheek rested against him, and he blew out an unsteady breath. “I’m sorry,” he rasped.

“Dallas—”

“Just let me…” Dallas let out a big sigh. “You’ll never know how much I regret it.”

She shut her eyes tight. As much as she wanted to believe him, she couldn’t. Too much pain and history existed between them. But rather than tell him that, she kept her thoughts to herself. Right here, during this song, she’d allow herself three minutes of her past. She’d give herself this moment of peace.

Camilla had never felt as safe and secure as she had in his arms. But that had been before. Reliving those moments was addicting. And if it was only going to last for three minutes, she’d permit herself this time—only once.

Dallas’s fingers brushed the hair from her neck, his light touch causing a fresh wave of goosebumps to lift over her whole body. The warmth of his breath as he exhaled brought back even more memories of the first night they’d ever held each other like this. Tears prickled behind her eyes.

She’d missed this so much.

She’d missed him.

“Camilla?” he murmured against her temple.

“Hmm?” she murmured.

“I want you to know?—”

“Camilla?” Cheyenne’s sharp voice rang in her ears and Camilla jumped away from Dallas. Her face heated with humiliation. Cheyenne had been there with her through her heartbreak. She’d been there through the hours of tears and prayers. Cheyenne had suffered just as much, their friendship barely hanging by a thread when Dallas left.

How did Camilla thank her?

By dancing with the enemy.

Camilla’s eyes darted toward Dallas, half-wondering what he’d been about to say while wishing she’d been strong enough to resist him from the start. The heat in her cheeks intensified to the point that Camilla felt she might burst into flames.

A different sort of betrayal seemed to pierce through her, right into her heart. “Why couldn’t you just leave me alone?” she whispered.

“Camilla,” he started, but she didn’t let him finish.

She darted toward the door, trusting that Cheyenne would still be willing to cut Dallas off if he tried to follow. She needed air. Then, she might be able to convince Cheyenne to take them home. After that? She didn’t know.

Something needed to change. She couldn’t keep living like this—scared for the next moment she’d bump into him. She didn’t have to forgive him. And she refused to be miserable while he was here.

If Cheyenne was willing to look past her momentary insanity, maybe she’d have an idea of how to make sure Dallas didn’t get to her.

Anything was better than how things were going right now.

7

Dallas

Something didn’t add up.

The more time Dallas had observed Camilla, the more confused he’d gotten. The second she’d walked into the country club, he’d noticed. How could he not? She was an ethereal being wherever she went. That’s why he’d noticed her all those years ago.

How had she not gotten hitched? Why was her boyfriend allowing her to go out alone and dance with other guys? If she was with him, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. He could see his weaknesses for what they were, and at this point, he wouldn’t apologize for them.

Dallas could be possessive when it came to relationships. Maybe that was why he was so willing to propose so early to Camilla.

Or maybe it was just how he felt about Camilla.