Case of Desire

by Jacquelin Thomas

  Maxwell shook his head. “Kendra, it’s not going to happen. How many times do I have to remind you that we are over? Even if Camille doesn’t want to be with me, you and I are still over.”

  “Baby, you can’t mean that,” she argued. “We’ve been on and off for the past eight years. This is what we do.”

  “Not this time,” he muttered. “I’m going to find Camille.”

  Kendra followed Maxwell outside of the ballroom.

  “I am in love with someone else,” he said quietly.

  Unshed tears glistened in Kendra’s eyes. “She doesn’t know what to do with a man like you, Maxwell.”

  “Contrary to what you’d like to believe, Kendra, she and I are perfect for each other.”

  “If you want to run down a one-way street, I can’t stop you, but don’t expect me to come rescue you, Maxwell.”

  “Understood,” he responded.

  Kendra gave him one last pleading look before walking away.

  All Maxwell could think about was Camille. He vowed to do whatever possible to keep from losing her. Tonight was supposed to perfect. It was supposed to be special.

  Maxwell patted the tiny velvet box in his jacket pocket.

  Camille was the only woman for him, and he would prove it to her.

  Chapter 19

  Camille swallowed hard, fighting back tears. Throwing a tantrum wouldn’t help her now. She just needed to find someplace private so that she could compose herself.

  How could Maxwell do something like this to her? The thought had occurred to her that Kendra could be lying about the engagement, but where did the ring come from? She certainly didn’t have it on her finger earlier.

  Nothing was making sense to her.

  Maxwell had constantly declared his love for her and she had believed him. Now Camille didn’t know what to think or whom to trust. In past situations like this she would take a step backward from all parties concerned, in order to decipher the truth.

  She spotted Maxwell coming her way. Camille spun on her heel and headed away from him. She wasn’t ready to confront him yet.

  She was afraid that if she talked to Maxwell now she would fall apart and she didn’t want to give him the pleasure of seeing that happen.

  “Camille,” Maxwell called after her.

  She turned around, saying, “Go back to your fiancée.”

  Her words shocked him. “What fiancée? I’m not engaged.”

  She swiped at a tear falling from her eye. “Kendra showed me the ring you gave her.”

  Maxwell’s soft brown eyes clung to hers, studying her face. “Honey, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I haven’t given Kendra anything lately, and definitely not a ring.”

  Folding her arms across her chest, she questioned, “You’re telling me that you never asked her to marry you?”

  Maxwell shook his head, thoroughly confused. “Camille, if I intended to marry Kendra I wouldn’t have gotten involved with you. I wouldn’t play with another person’s feelings. Whatever Kendra told you is a lie. We ended things months ago. I did consider her a friend until now.”

  A shadow of annoyance crossed Camille’s face. “Maybe you two are used to playing these types of games, Maxwell, but this is way too much drama for me. Maybe you didn’t propose to her, but it doesn’t matter. I think it would be better if you’d leave me alone.”

  He was momentarily speechless in his surprise. Maxwell never expected to hear those words coming from Camille’s lips. He was completely baffled and didn’t know what to make of this new turn of events.

  Recovering from the shock of her words, Maxwell said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. You’re the only woman for me, sweetheart. I can’t let you go and I don’t believe that you can walk away from me that easily. Not if you love me as much as you say you do.”

  Camille shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t do this, Maxwell. I am not going to try and compete with other women for your affection. I—”

  Maxwell cut her off by saying, “Honey, you don’t have to compete with anyone.”

  He pulled out a small velvet box and got down on bended knee.

  “What are you doing?” Camille asked.

  “I love you and I’m going to prove it,” he responded. “Will you marry me, Camille?” Maxwell opened the box to reveal a stunning canary diamond engagement ring.

  Looking down into his handsome face, Camille could not speak for a few seconds. She initially thought she was in the middle of a dream, but as his words began to permeate every portion of her mind and soul, Camille flung her arms around his neck. “After everything that’s happened tonight, you want to marry me?”

  “I want you in my life forever,” Maxwell confessed. “I was planning on asking you on Christmas morning, but I think now is the right time.”

  Camille’s eyes filled with tears. “I…I don’t know what to s-say…?.”

  “Please say yes,” he whispered. “Sweetheart, I have never felt this way about another woman. You own my heart.”

  She really didn’t have to think long or hard. Camille knew that there was only one man for her—Maxwell Wade. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Maxwell.”

  He slipped the ring on her finger before rising to his full height and wrapping his arms around Camille. “You have made me an incredibly happy man.”

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  It was a few minutes before Camille realized that they were not alone. She stepped out of Maxwell’s embrace to find Kendra watching them, her TV crew a few yards away.

  Maxwell followed her gaze. “How long have you been standing there, Kendra?” he asked.

  “Long enough,” she responded coolly. Kendra tossed her waist-length curls over her shoulder. “I suppose I should say congratulations or something, but I won’t. I’ve never been a graceful loser and there’s no point in starting now.”

  Maxwell wrapped an arm around Camille, and then said, “I wish you well, Kendra.”

  She glared at them. “Whatever.”

  Kendra turned to find her crew recording. “Cut the frigging camera off!” she shouted. “This is my show. I’d better not see one frame showing Maxwell or his little girlfriend of the moment.”

  They watched her stalk off, spewing out venom.

  “I guess my proposal won’t make it on national TV,” Maxwell said with a short laugh.

  Camille peered at the ring on her finger. “I feel like I’m dreaming,” she murmured.

  “It’s no dream, sweetheart. I proposed and you accepted. We have an ironclad agreement to become husband and wife.”

  She turned to face Maxwell. “I can’t wait to start my life with you.”

  “So does that mean we’re having a short engagement?” Maxwell asked, grinning.

  “Not exactly,” Camille replied. “I need time to plan a wedding.”

  He feigned disappointment. “Okay, sweetheart, but I don’t want to wait too long.”

  Camille eyed her engagement ring once more, and then said, “I really need to get back to work. The night’s not over yet.”

  Maxwell kissed her. “I love you, Camille.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Camille and Maxwell walked hand in hand back into the ballroom, where the charity ball was still in full swing.

  “I need to make my rounds,” she told him. “But I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  Jerome rushed to her side. “Okay, spill. Why are you floating in here with a grin that could light up New York?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Camille said.

  “Do not lie to me, girl. I know you.” Jerome backed away and openly observed her, his eyes traveling from her face to her left hand. He placed a hand to his chest. “I see Christmas came early for you, Camille.”

  “Maxwell and I are engaged,” she said in a low voice.

  Jerome hugged her. “Congratulations. You deserve it.” Lowering his voice, he said, “This news is going to upset the females at Hopewell, but
don’t worry. I’ll be there to pick up the slack.”

  Shaking her head, Camille laughed.

  “What’s going on?” Isabelle asked when she joined them. “I couldn’t help overhearing Jerome congratulate you. What’s the big news?”

  “Maxwell and I just got engaged.”

  Isabelle pasted on a smile. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. I thought maybe you’d gotten a job promotion or something.” She paused a moment before adding, “Congratulations, Camille.”

  “Thank you, Isabelle, but do me a favor and don’t say anything yet. Maxwell and I would like to be the ones to announce that we’re getting married.”

  “Then you may want to take off that rock,” Isabelle responded. “You know the hospital grapevine.”

  Camille didn’t remove her ring. They would have preferred making the announcement, but then again, she really didn’t care if everyone in the room found out—she was just that happy.

  With Kendra gone, Camille was able to fully relax and enjoy the rest of the evening. However, nothing thrilled her more than when the charity ball drew to a close. She and Maxwell were looking forward to a private celebration once they returned to her town house.

  “I’m so glad this night is over,” Camille murmured as she removed her shoes.

  Maxwell sat down beside her on the edge of her bed. “I’ll glad to finally have you all to myself.”

  Playing with the ring on her finger, Camille said, “I told Jerome about our engagement. He’s my best friend and I was bursting with happiness. Besides, he noticed the ring on my finger.”

  “Honey, that’s fine.” Maxwell removed his shirt.

  “Isabelle also knows,” she announced. “I asked her not to tell anyone else, but I’m pretty sure by Monday, the entire hospital will know.”

  “I don’t have a problem with it,” he said with a shrug. “I want the whole world to know that I have the women of my dreams.”

  “Kendra told me that you had proposed to her.”

  “Is that why you were so upset? Why did you believe her?”

  “She had on a huge engagement ring. Kendra didn’t have it on earlier. What was I supposed to think?”

  “We were engaged a couple of years ago,” Maxwell said. “That was probably the ring you saw on her finger.”

  “Oh,” Camille said. “I don’t know why I believed her in the first place. I should have trusted you.”

  “She can be very convincing.”

  “Maxwell, I was wrong for not believing in your love for me. I’m really sorry.”

  He kissed her. “Honey, I understand. Going forward, I want you to come talk to me before you just assume the worst.”

  “Hopefully, we won’t have another issue like this,” Camille said. “Especially since you’re going to be my husband.”

  “Your husband,” Maxwell repeated. “I love the sound of that.”

  “What’s going on?” Camille inquired. Maxwell had been on the phone for most of the morning. When he hung up, he told her to get dressed.

  “Why all the rush?” she inquired.

  “I hired a masseuse,” Maxwell explained. “I thought maybe you could use a massage after all the hard work you put in for the fundraiser and the Christmas Eve party this afternoon for the pediatric wing.”

  Camille gave him a smile. “Honey, thank you for being so thoughtful, especially after the way I treated you last night. I really appreciate it.” She was genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. More importantly, her aching body could use a massage.

  “I intend to take care of you for the rest of my life, sweetheart,” he told her.

  The masseuse arrived.

  Maxwell had another surprise in store for Camille later that afternoon. He made a phone call to confirm the details.

  After her massage, Camille felt like a new woman.

  “I really needed that,” she told Maxwell. “You are so sweet to me.”

  He smiled. “We have to leave for the hospital soon.”

  “I know,” Camille responded. “You’re going to the Christmas party?”

  Maxwell nodded. “I know it’s for the kids, but I thought I could lend a hand with giving out the presents.”

  “Sure.”

  He couldn’t wait to see her face when she realized what he’d done. Maxwell knew that Camille would be thrilled. It would be a dream come true for her. He wanted to make all of her dreams come to life.

  Camille smiled as she watched Maxwell with the children. He had read the Christmas story to them and now they were sitting with him, asking a million questions. He was very patient with them.

  She glanced over at the gifts stacked in the corner. “Where did they come from?” she asked her assistant. “Are they more donations?”

  “Yes,” the assistant responded. “They arrived first thing this morning.”

  Camille walked over to Maxwell. “Looks like you were having a lot of fun with the children.”

  “I am,” he confirmed. “How about you?”

  She nodded.

  Maxwell embraced her. “Kendra was right about one thing. You really do know how to throw a nice party.”

  Camille looked up at him. “If you really want to see a party, just wait until our wedding.”

  Dr. Dudley strolled in, dressed as Santa Claus. The children were ecstatic.

  Billy, the young patient who had rapidly become a favorite of hers, walked over to her and grabbed her hand. “C’mon, freen. Let’s see Santa.”

  Camille glanced over at Maxwell and asked, “Hey, are you coming?”

  “I’m going to go talk to Thomas about something,” he responded. “I’ll join you and Billy in a few minutes.”

  She smiled and nodded.

  The time came for Santa’s helpers to pass out Christmas gifts to each of the children. Santa, along with volunteers dressed as elves, had already handed out gifts to the children who were unable to attend the party in their hospital rooms.

  Maxwell gave Billy a present that contained a fire truck. The little boy was thrilled.

  “This is just want I wanted,” he said, his eyes bright with excitement. “I told Santa and he got me one.”

  Camille smiled. “That’s great, Billy.”

  “We have more gifts for the children and for Hopewell General,” Thomas announced. “Maxwell Wade has made a generous donation that enabled us to not only give each child a video game console, but each hospital room in the pediatric wing will now be equipped with one.”

  Stunned, Camille looked up at Maxwell. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Honey, I wanted to surprise you. I knew this was a dream of yours and I wanted to make it come true.”

  “Thank you.” Tears of happiness rolled down her face. Camille was only mildly surprised by Maxwell’s generosity, but she hadn’t expected him to fulfill one of her deepest desires.

  Maxwell gently wiped away her tears. “Sweetheart, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  “You have no idea how much your gift means to me. Maxwell, look at the children.”

  His eyes followed hers. He could hear the excitement in the kids’ voices and see the happiness on their faces. Despite their illnesses, the children already seemed in better spirits.

  “You did something really wonderful,” Camille said.

  “I can’t take credit for this,” he responded. “This was your idea.”

  Maxwell saw Billy struggling to open his box, and went over to assist him. Camille walked around the room, pausing every now and then to talk to the children or help them with their presents or assist them with getting something to eat.

  Isabelle walked over to her. “You’re really lucky, Camille. What Maxwell just did for these babies is so sweet.”

  She agreed. “I am very lucky.”

  When they were back at her town house, Camille took Maxwell by the hand and led him over to the sofa.

  They sat down side by side.

  “Maxwell, I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am to hav
e you in my life. What you’ve done for Hopewell General…it’s incredible and very generous.”

  “What good is having all of this wealth if I can’t do something good with it?” he asked. “I believe that I have been blessed to be a blessing.”

  “I love you more and more each day because of the man that you are—not because of what you have.”

  Maxwell took her hand in his. “Camille, I love you so much. What matters to you also matters to me. We’re going to make a great team, don’t you think?”

  Camille smiled. “Yes, I do.”

  “I hope that you know Kendra is out of my life for good.”

  She gazed at him lovingly. Camille gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I trust you, Maxwell. I never should have doubted your love for me.”

  “Camille, I need you to know that you will always own my heart,” Maxwell told her. “I came to Virginia for one case, but I found another. Probably one of the most important cases I will ever encounter.”

  Camille frowned. “What case are you referring to?”

  “You,” he responded with a grin. “I have a bad case of desire. Right now, all I can think about is making love to you.”

  “I think I like the sound of that,” she murmured. “But first, I need to pack for our trip.”

  They were leaving later this evening on the jet. Camille and Maxwell were spending Christmas with her family in Richmond. They would then travel to New York later in the week to spend New Year’s with his family.

  Camille had almost finished packing when Maxwell walked into her bedroom.

  Their eyes met and held.

  Without a word, Maxwell pulled Camille into his arms, touching his lips to hers.

  Her kisses would last him an eternity, he decided. There would never be another woman who would make him feel the way he did around Camille.

  Maxwell had done everything he could to convince Camille to move to New York, but she insisted on staying in Virginia and with the hospital until after their wedding. She had promised Dudley that she would help select and train her replacement. He shouldn’t be surprised by her decision—he would have done the same thing. However, in a few months, she would be his wife.