Case of Desire

by Jacquelin Thomas

  She screamed, and then jumped up and down when she won the second one.

  “Okay,” Maxwell uttered. “It was a lucky shot, just so you know.”

  “Whatever.”

  Maxwell groaned when Camille won again.

  She burst in laughter. “I can’t hear you.”

  “I’m not sure if I like this competitive side of you,” Maxwell teased. “Your arrogance is showing.”

  Camille broke into a short laugh. “Honey, you’re just not used to losing.”

  He had to admit that Camille had a point. Maxwell had only lost two cases in his career.

  They played until the clock struck midnight.

  “Do you want to just stay here?” she asked him.

  Maxwell nodded. “Sure.”

  They turned off the game and headed to Camille’s bedroom.

  In bed, they held each other as they talked.

  Camille traced the outline of his face with her fingers. “I still have a hard time believing that I have someone as wonderful as you in my life.”

  Maxwell gave her a sexy grin. “I feel the same way about you.”

  She pulled his face down to hers. “I have never really been in love until I met you.”

  They shared a kiss.

  His kisses sparked a flame of passion, sending spirals of ecstasy through Camille. In no time she and Maxwell were united in a lover’s dance under the glow of moonlight.

  She couldn’t imagine ever tiring of him.

  Satisfied, they lay together beneath rumpled sheets, still holding on to each other.

  The next day, Thomas Bradshaw stopped by Maxwell’s office.

  “Lia and I are having a dinner party on Thursday. We’d like for you and Camille to join us. Jaclyn and Lucien will be there as well.”

  “I’ll get with Camille and see if she has any plans,” he told his friend. “I’ll give you a call.”

  They talked about the lawsuit for a moment, and then Thomas left to check in on his patients before leaving for the day.

  Maxwell went back through the stack of witness statements concerning Terrence Matthews. He reached for the telephone and placed a call to the former doctor’s attorney. He was intent on getting the lawsuit settled before the New Year.

  Terrence didn’t have a legal leg to stand on, despite what he had been told by his attorney. He had been caught red-handed stealing drugs. That by itself was a criminal act, despite his family trying to drag the hospital’s name through the mud.

  It was time to bring the lawsuit to an end.

  Maxwell walked out of his office, bumping into Camille.

  She pulled the folds of her sweater together. “Hey…”

  “Hey yourself. Where are you going?”

  “I thought I’d go downstairs and just walk around for a bit,” she told him. “I need to get out of my office for a few minutes.”

  “Cold?”

  Camille nodded. “It’s a little chilly in here, but I’ll be fine. The walk will warm me up.”

  “Thomas and Lia are hosting a dinner party on Thursday night and they invited us,” he said. “Are you interested in attending?”

  She looked up at him. “Sure. I’d like to go.”

  Maxwell decided to walk with Camille as she made rounds to the pediatric wing.

  “You’re wonderful with the children,” he told her.

  Grinning, she responded, “I love kids.”

  “How many do you want?” Maxwell inquired. Kendra never wanted children, so he had never thought much about becoming a father until now.

  She smiled. “Maybe two. I’d like a little boy and a girl.”

  He was little surprised that she did not probe any further. He asked the question and she simply answered him. If she was curious about him wanting children, Camille didn’t show it.

  Camille stopped to chat with a young boy.

  “Hello, friend,” she said.

  “Hey, freen,” he responded with a huge grin. “I been looking for you. I thought you was going to come see me this morning.”

  “I’m sorry, Billy. I had a lot of work to do this morning, so I couldn’t come see you until now. How are you doing?”

  “I hurt,” he said softly.

  Maxwell watched as Camille rubbed the little boy’s back. “I’m so sorry that you’re in pain. Did you tell the nurse?”

  “Mama did.”

  A woman walked over to them.

  “Mrs. Johnson,” Camille greeted. “It’s good to see you.”

  Maxwell noted the dark circles beneath her eyes and the way the woman’s clothes hung on her thin frame. Her son’s illness had affected her greatly and his heart went out to her.

  When he and Camille were out of the woman’s hearing, Maxwell asked, “What’s wrong with the little boy?”

  “He has leukemia.”

  Maxwell’s heart dropped. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Camille agreed. “Billy is such a sweetie. All of the kids here in the hospital are darlings. It breaks my heart when they have bad days. I have this idea that it would be nice to have all of the rooms in the peds wing equipped with video games. It won’t stop the pain, but it could help pass the time for them.”

  He considered her idea. “I think that’s a great idea, Camille.”

  “We don’t have the funding for something like that. Right now, our focus is on the new cancer center.”

  They took the elevator back up to the second floor.

  Maxwell escorted Camille to her office. “I’ll call Thomas and confirm that we’re attending the dinner party.”

  She smiled. “I’ll see you later.”

  He blew her a kiss, and then turned around to head back to his office. The more time he spent with Camille, the more he loved her.

  Camille was glad that she and Maxwell attended the dinner party. It had given her a chance to get to know Lia. She had also fallen in love with Thomas and Lia’s little boy Jalen.

  “I see that I’m not the only one who loves children,” she told Maxwell on the way home.

  “I’d like to have children one day,” he blurted out.

  Surprised, Camille looked over at him. “Really?”

  “Hey, why do you look so surprised?” asked Maxwell.

  Shrugging, she responded, “I just never really considered you father material.”

  It was Maxwell’s turn to be surprised. “Why not?”

  “I just figured you were a bachelor for life. At least that’s how you’ve been portrayed by the media.”

  “At one time I would’ve agreed with you, sweetheart. But now, a lot has changed—most of it has to do with you.” He stole a glance at her. “You bring out the best in me.”

  Camille was touched by his words.

  “You know, I’m still trying to get used to Thomas being married and the father of a son,” Maxwell said. “Now they are expecting baby number two.”

  Thomas and Lia had made the announcement that they were pregnant during their dinner party.

  “I think it’s wonderful,” Camille murmured. “They are such a beautiful couple.”

  Maxwell agreed. “Lia has made Thomas very happy.”

  “She makes him happy, too,” she contributed. “He seems like a totally different man since meeting her.”

  He pulled up to her town house and parked his car.

  “I feel like a new man now that I have you in my life,” Maxwell confessed. “Kendra had soured me on relationships.”

  “If you’re relationship with her was so tumultuous, why did you two keep getting back together?”

  “I guess because it was familiar,” Maxwell responded. “Kendra has her own money. I never worried that she only wanted me for financial security.”

  Camille was surprised. “Do you think that’s all you have to offer a woman?”

  “No,” he said. “But you’d be amazed at how many women I meet who only see dollar signs when it comes to me.”

  “It’s their loss, Maxwell. You are so much more.
”

  He wowed her with his smile. “You’re a very special woman, Camille. I am honored to have you in my life.”

  Camille unlocked her door. She turned around, facing him. “Show me.”

  They were in each other’s arms the moment she and Maxwell walked inside the town house, their desire insatiable.

  The following Saturday, Camille and Maxwell drove down to Richmond, Virginia, to visit with her parents. This was the first time they would be meeting someone she was dating.

  “So your parents have never met any of your boyfriends?” Maxwell asked.

  She glanced over at him. “I didn’t have a lot of boyfriends and the ones I did have were not worth taking home.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t have a trail of boys following you around.”

  Camille chuckled. “I played sports. I didn’t have time for boys, really. My parents kept me busy with basketball, tennis and even softball. When I wasn’t playing a sport, I was studying. I didn’t really start dating until I went to college.” She made a face. “Mostly a complete waste of time.”

  “I have never met a woman as fascinating as you.”

  “Maxwell, there is nothing fascinating about me,” Camille countered.

  “Most women I’ve come in contact with are girly girls. They are more concerned with breaking a nail or the latest fashions than playing sports. If I never endure another fashion week, it will be too soon.”

  She burst into laughter.

  Camille’s mother opened the front door as soon as they stepped on the porch.

  “Come on in,” she told them. “Come in out of the cold.”

  “Mama, this is Maxwell,” Camille said, introducing them. “This is Sarah Hunter, my mother.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hunter.”

  Sarah embraced Maxwell. “It’s so nice to meet you, too. Camille mentioned that you are working with the hospital on a case.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She smiled at her daughter, barely concealing her excitement. Camille’s mother had been after her for years to find a nice man to settle down with.

  Camille took Maxwell by the hand. “I’m going to show him to his room. I’ll be back down in a few minutes.”

  “Okay, sweetie,” Sarah responded. “Your father should be home soon. He ran out to pick up a few things from the grocery store.”

  Upstairs, Maxwell turned to Camille and said, “Your mother is a sweetheart.”

  She nodded in agreement. “We have always been close.”

  “Let’s hope that I can pass the test with your father.”

  Camille laughed. “I guess we’ll just have to see.”

  Her father arrived just as she and Maxwell were on their way downstairs to join her mother.

  She ran the rest of the way down. “Dad, I want you to meet someone.”

  Maxwell joined them at the bottom of the stairs.

  Her father eyed him critically for a moment before saying, “Maxwell Wade, welcome to my home.” He looked over at his daughter and said, “You didn’t tell me that you were dating Maxwell Wade.”

  Camille stared into green eyes that matched her own. “It just never really came up.”

  Sarah and Camille were in the kitchen preparing lunch while Maxwell sat with her father in the family room, watching a basketball game.

  “He’s very handsome,” her mother whispered. “I can’t believe that you’re dating the Maxwell Wade.”

  Camille smiled. “I think he’s handsome, too,” she whispered back. “He’s not just the Maxwell Wade, Mama. He is the man that I love.”

  “Does he feel the same way about you?”

  She nodded.

  Sarah embraced her daughter. “I’m so happy for you, Camille.”

  Her sister Sharon arrived within the hour.

  “Where’s the munchkin?” Camille asked, referring to her five-year-old nephew.

  “With his dad,” Sharon responded with a chuckle. “They are doing the male-bonding thing.”

  “Oh, I was looking forward to seeing him,” Camille stated.

  “Paul’s going to bring him over here around four,” Sharon said. “So where is this mystery guy you’re dating?” she asked.

  “He’s with dad,” Camille responded. “They were in the family room, but they may be in the basement or upstairs somewhere.”

  “Can I tell her?” her mother asked. She was bubbling over with excitement. Camille assumed that it was because she had feared that her youngest daughter would end up an old maid.

  “Sure, Mama.”

  Puzzled, Sharon looked from one to the other. “Tell me what?”

  “Camille is dating Maxwell Wade,” Sarah announced proudly.

  Her sister’s eyes widened in her shock. “Seriously?”

  “Yes,” Camille confirmed.

  “You go, girl,” Sharon said. “That is one fine man.”

  “He sure is,” their mother interjected, surprising them both.

  She looked at her daughters. “What? I’m married—not dead.”

  Ten minutes later, everyone was seated at tables dining on salmon, a Caesar salad and zucchini bread.

  “Mama outdid herself,” Sharon whispered to her. “I still can’t get my salmon to come out like this.”

  Camille agreed. She sliced off a piece of the tender fish and stuck it into her mouth, savoring the flavor. “Mama’s not going to give up her recipe, either.”

  Maxwell sampled the fish, chewing thoughtfully with his eyes closed. “There’s a hint of sweetness,” he said.

  Opening his eyes, Maxwell asked Sarah, “Did you use syrup?”

  Surprised, Sarah nodded. “How did you know, Maxwell?”

  “It’s what I use when I cook mine,” he responded with a smile. “I use that and a raspberry vinaigrette.”

  Sharon wiped her mouth with her napkin. “You cook?”

  Before he could respond, Camille interjected, “He’s a wonderful cook.”

  Her sister smiled in approval. “I keep threatening to send my husband over here for cooking lessons. That man can’t make toast without burning it.”

  They all laughed.

  After lunch, they all settled in the family room.

  “You are glowing, Camille,” her sister told her. “I’m glad to see you so happy.”

  “I’m very happy,” Camille confirmed.

  “What about that ex-girlfriend of his?” Sharon asked. “Do you have to deal with her?”

  She shook her head no. “She and Maxwell are over for good.”

  Camille stole a peek at him. Maxwell was in a deep conversation with her father about some NBA player. It thrilled her to see them interacting.

  Everything was perfect.

  Camille’s brother-in-law, Paul, and her nephew arrived shortly after four. Her heart overflowed with joy as she watched Maxwell interact with Paul Jr. He was wonderful with kids.

  They left for the restaurant at six to have dinner. Maxwell insisted on picking up the tab, but her father refused.

  Her family approved of Maxwell, which meant a great deal to Camille. She was very close to her parents and her sister. She’d wanted Maxwell to get to know them since he was now an important part of her life.

  So important that she regretted they would not be sharing the same bed tonight. Out of respect for her parents Maxwell would be staying in her sister’s old room. She was going to miss waking up beside the man she loved.

  Camille felt him watching her. She met his gaze.

  He smiled and winked at her, setting her heart aflutter.

  Later that evening after Sharon and her family left, Camille and Maxwell were still up talking. Her parents had retired to their bedroom almost an hour ago.

  “So what do you think of my family?” she asked in a low whisper.

  “Your parents are nice,” Maxwell told her. “Your sister is something else. She reminds me of mine.” He chuckled softly. “That nephew of yours is quite a handful.”

  Cam
ille agreed and then said, “Maxwell, they all really liked you. I think my mother was a bit starstruck.”

  He laughed. “I did notice that your father kept eyeing me. I guess he wanted to make sure that I have good intentions toward you. I almost asked his permission to date you.”

  Camille laughed. “He can be a bit intimidating at times, but you have nothing to worry about. If he didn’t like you, he would have made it abundantly clear to me. He has always been very protective of his daughters.”

  “I’m glad,” he responded, stroking her cheek. “I love you, and having your parents’ blessings will certainly make things easier.”

  “I feel the same way about your parents.”

  Maxwell hugged her. “I love the way you feel in my arms. I don’t know how much sleep I’m going to get tonight with you down the hall from me.”

  She grinned. “It’s only for tonight.”

  “I have a feeling that it’s going to be a long night,” he said in a loud whisper.

  They laughed.

  Camille and Maxwell went upstairs shortly after 1:00 a.m.

  He kissed her outside the door of her old bedroom.

  She showered and slipped on a T-shirt and a pair of sweats, then climbed into bed, propping up the pillows behind her. She was already missing Maxwell.

  Camille decided to do some reading before she fell asleep. Hopefully, it would take her mind off of Maxwell and the fact that he was sleeping nearby.

  She briefly considered sneaking down to his room, but changed her mind. Camille didn’t want to take advantage of the trust her parents placed in her.

  Her cell phone rang.

  It was Maxwell.

  “I guess you’re having a hard time falling asleep, too,” she said when she answered the call.

  He gave a short laugh. “I figured we could continue our conversation until we get sleepy.”

  They talked for the next hour. Her eyelids grew heavy and she started yawning. Good night, sweetheart,” Maxwell told her. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  “See you soon.”

  Six hours later, Camille went downstairs to help her mother prepare breakfast.

  “It felt good being back in my old room,” she stated.