He held the door open for her to enter. “Is Mr. Wade expecting you?”
“Yes,” she blurted out without thinking.
He walked over to the desk and made a phone call. Camille assumed he was verifying the information with Maxwell.
It seemed like an eternity before he instructed her to go up to Maxwell’s penthouse.
When the elevator doors opened, Maxwell was standing there, bare-chested and gorgeous.
Without preamble, he pulled her into his arms. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
Camille looked up at him. “So you’re not mad at me for not telling you that I was coming?”
Maxwell shook his head. “I called you last night and this morning. I was beginning to worry when I never heard back from you.”
“I got your messages and your texts,” she told him. “I just really wanted to surprise you.”
He covered her mouth with his, kissing her passionately.
“Maybe we should go inside your place,” she whispered again his chest. The initial fear she had experienced evaporated once she was in his arms.
Inside the penthouse, Camille removed her coat.
Maxwell surveyed her from head to toe. “I see that you had more than one surprise in store for me. Are there any more?”
“Maybe,” she replied cryptically.
Maxwell was thrilled to see her, so Camille was able to relax.
When he caught her eyeing his bare chest, Maxwell explained, “I just got out of the shower and was about to get dressed. I had planned to go to the office, but I think I’ll work from home today,” Maxwell told her. “Hey, are you hungry?”
“Yes,” she responded.
“I’ll make us some breakfast. Do you have a desire for anything special?”
“No. Just surprise me.” Camille didn’t care what they ate. She was reveling in the joy of being with the man she loved. The look on his face when he saw her warmed her all over.
While Maxwell was in the bathroom, Camille studied her reflection once more. She was pleased to see how much he loved her dress. She’d have to find a couple more similar in style.
Maxwell came out of the bathroom completely dressed.
“I decided to order something instead of cooking,” he announced. “It should be here in about fifteen minutes.” He paused a moment before asking, “Unless you wanted to go out to eat?”
Camille shook her head.
He just kept staring at her. It was as if Maxwell could not believe that she was actually there.
She walked over to Maxwell and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m really here.”
He held her close to him. “I’m so glad to see you. I missed you, baby.”
“I missed you, too. Five days doesn’t seem like a long time until you’re separated from someone you truly care about.”
He agreed with her.
The food arrived sooner than expected, and Maxwell blessed it and they sat down to eat. He had ordered Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and turkey sausage for them.
“You don’t have to stay home if you need to be at your office,” Camille said. “I don’t mind staying here and catching up on some reading.”
“My assistant can bring the files over,” Maxwell said with a shrug. “I want to spend as much time as I can with you.”
They made small talk as they finished their breakfast.
Camille offered to clean up, but he refused her assistance. “You’re here to be spoiled and pampered this weekend,” Maxwell stated. “I am going to cater to you.”
She smiled in gratitude.
His assistant arrived an hour later with files for Maxwell. He introduced Camille to the woman who had worked for him for the past ten years. She reminded him about an upcoming dinner on Saturday night, honoring his father.
Maxwell had clearly forgotten all about it.
After his assistant left, he turned to Camille and asked, “I don’t suppose you brought a gown or a cocktail dress with you?”
“I didn’t, but I can buy one,” she responded.
Maxwell picked up the phone. “I’m going to order a car for you. There’s a shop that my mother loves not too far from here. Pick out whatever you want and have the manager put it on my account.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Camille interjected. “I can pay for it.”
“Honey, I want to do this for you,” Maxwell insisted.
After a short pause, she gave in. “Thank you.”
“Thank me after you find something.”
“Your home is really beautiful,” Camille murmured as she looked around. She had never been in a place so well appointed with custom furniture and so beautifully decorated.
“Thanks. I can’t take credit for it, though. My mother sent over her decorator—it was her housewarming gift to me.”
Maxwell gave her a quick tour of the penthouse, which featured picturesque views from all of the rooms. The private garden deck was perfect for entertaining. His home also boasted a library, family room, eat-in kitchen, four spacious bedrooms and a formal dining room.
“I also have two rooms for staff,” Maxwell said.
Camille turned around to face him. “Do you have live-in staff?”
He shook his head. “I value my privacy. I do have a housekeeper who comes in to clean once a week, though.”
After the tour, Camille went into one of the bathrooms to freshen up while Maxwell made a couple of phone calls.
When the car arrived that would take her to the boutique, he helped her with her coat and escorted her downstairs.
“I won’t be gone long,” Camille promised before getting into the car.
“Take your time, sweetheart,” Maxwell said. “I’ll be here waiting for you.”
He kissed her once more, and then sent Camille on her way.
Maxwell felt like a heel.
He had basically accused Camille of having an affair, but apparently she was on her way to surprise him. She complimented him on his penthouse, but did not seem impressed by its grandeur. Camille was comfortable in her own skin and did not worship material possessions like most of the women he had dated in the past.
I don’t deserve a woman like Camille.
She hadn’t told him how she felt about him, but Maxwell was pretty sure that her feelings mirrored his. Seeing her away from Hopewell General—away from the lawsuit, the sexual harassment and the planning of the charity ball—Camille seemed like a different person.
Although he yearned to make love to her, Maxwell was not going to assume that they would connect on an intimate level during this visit. He decided to place her in the guest room across from his room. He was open to whatever might happen between them.
He was still thinking about her when Camille returned to the penthouse two hours later.
She showed him the dress that she purchased but refused to model it. “You will just have to wait until tomorrow night,” she stated.
Maxwell gave her a mock look of disappointment, prompting a short laugh out of Camille. “It’s not going to work.”
“I’m almost at a point where I can stop working,” he announced. “We’ll go out for lunch in about an hour.”
“That’s fine.”
He took the dress out of her hands. “I’ll hang this up for you.”
Camille wrapped her arms around Maxwell when he returned a few minutes later. She laid her head on his chest and he inhaled the scent that he’d come to know as Camille’s. They stood there without saying a word. He wasn’t ready to verbalize his feelings yet.
An hour later, Maxwell took Camille to a Japanese restaurant, where she surveyed the dimly lit surroundings and the romantic ambiance. Because she was unfamiliar with the food, he ordered for them both.
“Were you able to get a lot done?” she asked Maxwell while they sipped their beverages.
“I actually got quite a bit done,” Maxwell responded.
“I’d like to see you in action in court one day.”
Camille took a sip of her ice water. “I know that you’re a fantastic attorney.”
“I’ve grown to love my job,” he said.
“I thought about studying law at one point,” Camille said. “Then I considered going to school to be a pediatrician. But then I was interested in marketing so that’s what I studied at Virginia Union.”
Maxwell met her gaze. “I think you would’ve made a great lawyer.”
Camille shrugged. “Maybe. I love my job at the hospital, so I’m in the right field, at least at this point in my life.”
When the waiter brought their lunches, Maxwell said the blessing and Camille sampled sushi for the first time in her life.
“Well, how do you like it?” Maxwell asked.
“It’s delicious,” she responded. She wiped her mouth with the edge of her napkin. “I didn’t think I was going to like raw fish.” She smiled and Maxwell couldn’t keep his observation to himself.
“You look even more beautiful when you smile,” he told her, taking her hand in his. “I love the way your green eyes sparkle.”
Then he couldn’t help it. He gave her a look that, judging from her expression, was filled with all the emotion—all the lust—he felt.
Camille was fighting her own battle, trying to keep her passion under control. She was curious about how it would be when the time came for them to make love.
When the time was right, she had to tell him her secret. She prayed her lack of experience would not become a turnoff for him.
She hadn’t been in New York one full day yet, but so far everything was perfect.
Even the afternoon back at the penthouse went well. She took a nap for an hour, and then curled up in the library with her book while Maxwell finished up his work.
He met her in there at about four-thirty.
Camille grinned at him. “Are you finished?”
Yes,” Maxwell responded. “Now I can give you all of my attention.”
He pulled Camille to her feet. “So, pretty lady, what do you want to do now?”
“I don’t have anything in mind,” she told him. “Being here with you like this is enough for me.”
Maxwell hugged her. “I was thinking that we could do some shopping tomorrow. I know that you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet. I still have a few items to get.”
“Great,” she murmured.
“We can go out to dinner tonight or we can stay in,” Maxwell stated. “It’s your choice, sweetheart.”
“Let’s stay inside tonight.”
“Are you sure?” he inquired. “I feel as if I’m being very selfish.”
Camille met his gaze straight on. “I love it, Maxwell. I’m glad you want to keep me all to yourself.”
Maxwell took her by the hand and led her into the living room. They sat down to finish their conversation.
“I really didn’t think I’d see you this weekend,” he told her. “I thought maybe I was going too fast for you. I thought I’d scared you away.”
“No, you haven’t scared me off, Maxwell. I wasn’t sure I should come to New York because I didn’t want you to think that I was easy or loose. But I’m really glad that I came,” Camille confessed. “I have to admit that I was nervous about coming.”
He seemed surprised. “Really?”
She gave a slight nod.
“Why were you so nervous?” Maxwell questioned.
Camille twisted her hands in her lap. “You’re used to dating women who are gorgeous and very sophisticated. I’m more of a tomboy.”
Maxwell took her hand in his. “Sweetheart, I like you just the way that you are. You are a refreshing change from the women I usually date.”
Their gaze met and held.
“I wouldn’t trade you for any of those women,” Maxwell stated.
His words brought a smile to her lips.
She was still smiling an hour later when they made dinner together, choosing a simple meal to prepare. Maxwell kept her laughing.
She hadn’t laughed so hard and for so long in a while. Camille enjoyed seeing this comedic side of Maxwell. He continued to surprise her.
After dinner, they settled down and watched a movie together. Camille laid her head against Maxwell’s chest. She wasn’t sure how much of the movie she actually saw. She spent most of the time thinking about him and how much she was enjoying being in his arms.
She couldn’t have asked for a better evening.
Unfortunately, around eleven-thirty it was time to retire for the evening.
Maxwell escorted her to the guest room across from his. “I didn’t want you to feel that you have to rush into a physical relationship with me. I’m willing to wait until you feel that you’re ready.”
Camille smiled at him. “You never cease to surprise me.”
“Good night, sweetheart.” He touched his lips to hers.
“Good night,” she murmured in response.
Camille opened her door and stepped into the bedroom. At the far end of the room, a floor-to-ceiling window gifted her with a looking glass to the beauty of Manhattan at night.
She crossed the varnished hardwood floor in bare feet toward the rich mahogany bed that framed a silver-gray comforter and several jewel-toned pillows.
Camille sat down on the bed and leaned back against the stack of pillows adorning the king-size headboard. She was deeply touched that Maxwell had not just assumed they would be sleeping together.
She slipped into the black lacy gown Jerome had talked her into buying. Camille felt a wave of disappointment that Maxwell would not get a chance to see it on her.
She climbed into bed, but felt too restless to sleep. Twenty minutes later she got up and strode over to the window, letting her gaze drift over the moonlit sky.
In the quiet, the soft knock on her door startled her.
“Maxwell?” she called out.
He stuck his head inside. “It’s me. I heard you moving about, so I thought I’d check on you.”
She awarded him a tiny smile. “I couldn’t sleep.”
Walking inside the room, Maxwell’s eyes traveled from her face, to her neck, and continued downward. “You look stunning,” he whispered.
He was bare-chested and the light from the moon cast a soft glow over his firm muscles. Camille moved toward him as if drawn by an invisible thread.
Maxwell traced his fingertip across her lip causing her skin to tingle when he touched her. He paused to kiss her, sending currents of desire through her.
“I’ve tried to fight my feelings, sweetheart, but it’s a losing battle. I want to make love to you,” he whispered in her ear.
“There’s something you should know,” she began.
He cut her off by saying, “Camille, I don’t know when it happened, but I’ve fallen in love with you. I’m not saying this because I want to get you in bed. If you don’t want to make love, we don’t have to do anything. That’s why I put you here in the guest room. I don’t want you to feel any pressure.”
His declaration of love brought tears of happiness to her eyes. “Maxwell, I love you, too.”
He gently wiped away her tears. “You’re so good for me.”
Pulling her into his arms, he said, “You look so incredibly sexy.”
“So do you,” Camille whispered. “Maxwell, there’s something I have to tell you. I’ve… I am a…”
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“When we make love, it will be my first time…ever. You will be my first, Maxwell.”
“You’re a virgin?” he asked, his tone gentle.
She nodded.
“Honey, we don’t have to rush into this,” Maxwell assured her. “I love you and we have all the time in the world.”
“Do you really mean that?”
He nodded. “When we make love, I want to it to be perfect for you.” His lips found hers, his touch igniting a fire in her belly.
“Make love to me,” she whispered between kisses.
Maxwell groaned softly.
“You don’t know how badly I’ve wanted to hear those words come out of your mouth,” he confessed. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you.”
Maxwell bent his head and captured her lips in a demanding kiss. Locking her hands behind his neck, Camille returned his kiss, matching his fire.
Her passion soaring, she allowed Maxwell to undress her.
His breath seemed to catch at the sight of her nudeness.
“You are so beautiful,” he told her in a husky voice.
Maxwell removed his pajama bottoms and joined her in the bed. His mouth covered hers again hungrily.
Moaning, Camille drew herself closer to him as his hands explored her inexperienced body.
Maxwell slipped on a condom to protect them both, accepting the precious gift she offered. As the clock struck midnight, he took Camille as his own. Her body melted against his. The golden wave of pleasure and love flowed between them and the degree to which she responded stunned Camille.
She never knew making love to a man could feel this good.
Chapter 12
Maxwell and Camille spent most of Saturday Christmas shopping and sightseeing until it was time for them to get ready for the evening fundraiser, where his father would be giving the keynote address.
He openly admired the black cocktail dress Camille was wearing and beamed his approval. They sat with his mother while his father stood up on the dais, looking as if he owned the world. He delivered an incredible speech and received a standing ovation in return.
Constance Wade leaned over and whispered to Camille, “My husband spent most of the day working on that speech. He’s changed it at least four times.”
“He’s an eloquent speaker,” Camille responded.
“Maxwell is a gifted speaker as well,” his mother said.
“I haven’t heard him yet, but I have no doubt.” Camille took a sip of her hot tea. She didn’t care much for coffee, so she’d asked the waiter to bring her some hot water and a tea bag.
When the event was over, Maxwell and Camille followed his parents to their brownstone. His mother wanted to spend more time getting to know Camille. It pleased Maxwell that they were enjoying one another. His father had also made it known that he thought Camille was a better match for him than Kendra ever was.
Case of Desire Page 10