Chapter 07

The next morning, Camille walked down the grand staircase in a simple but elegant cream-colored dress that hugged her figure softly. Her hair fell in loose waves over one shoulder. 

Roderick stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting. The moment he saw her, he went completely still. His dark eyes traced every inch of her, the way the dress moved with her hips, the glow of her skin, the hesitant expression on her face. 

For a second, he looked genuinely mesmerized, like he was seeing her for the first time.

“You look beautiful." He said quietly, voice deeper than usual.

Camille paused on the last step, searching his face for the lie, but surprisingly, she found none. 

They were going to his office together like he requested last night, since he had an important meeting to attend.

 “You sure you won’t be bored? I can reschedule if you’d rather we go somewhere else.” 

 “It’s fine.”She shook her head.

He stepped forward and placed a possessive hand on her waist, pulling her closer. Camille immediately stepped back, breaking the contact.

“The press isn’t here, Roderick. You don’t have to pretend. I can walk to the car myself.”

She turned and walked ahead of him. Roderick watched her go, muttering under his breath, “This is going to be tougher than I thought.”

The chauffeur opened the door for them. They both slid into the back seat. The ride to the office was quiet, but Roderick kept stealing glances at her, his fingers occasionally brushing hers on the seat between them.

When they arrived, the car pulled up right at the private entrance of King Tower. Roderick stepped out first and offered his hand. 

This time, Camille took it. As they walked inside, she hooked her arm through his, pressing close like the perfect wife. Roderick glanced down at her, surprised.

 She gave him her brightest, most convincing smile ever, the kind that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Good morning, Mr. King. Good morning, Mrs. King,” the staff greeted them warmly as they passed through the lobby.

“Madam is looking even more beautiful today,” One female executive said with a genuine smile.

 “We hardly see her these days. Every time she comes, she looks prettier. Mr. King must be taking excellent care of you.”

Camille almost scoffed out loud. If only they knew. She kept the smile plastered on her face and nodded politely. “Thank you.” at the people who complimented her.

In the private elevator going up to the top floor, Roderick turned to her. His thumb stroked the back of her hand, trying to earn a glance from her.

She didn’t look at him.

When they entered his massive office, everyone inside stood immediately. 

“Good morning, Mr. King. Good morning, Mrs. King.”

Roderick led her to the long conference table and pulled out a chair right beside his own. As the meeting started, he reached over and intertwined their fingers on the table, right where everyone could see.

 Camille’s heart stuttered. She looked up and met his gaze — intense, dark, and focused entirely on her instead of the presentation. For a moment, the rest of the room faded. It felt dangerously real.

The meeting dragged on for nearly two hours. When it finally ended, Grey was the last to leave, closing the door softly behind him.

The second they were alone, Roderick turned to her. Before she could react, he pulled her from her chair and onto his lap, her thighs straddling him.

“Roderick!” She gasped, hands flying to his shoulders.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her there. “Where do you want to go next? Shopping? Do you want to eat out?”

 “Nobody is here now. You can drop the act.” Camille tried to push away, but he held her firmly.

 “Why do you think I need to put on an act with my own wife?”His brow furrowed.

She let out a frustrated breath.

 “Because this isn’t you. Two days ago you were celebrating your mistress’s birthday while I waited like a fool. Now you’re playing the doting husband? I’m not stupid, Roderick.”

He didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled her closer, one hand sliding up her back.

 “I’m trying to fix things, Camille. I know I fucked up badly, but I’m willing to change things between us. I’m choosing you right now, aren't I? Let me show you I can be better.”

His voice was low, intimate, almost hypnotic and Camille almost fell for his lies.

 "Stay with me and give me a chance to prove it to you, wifey.”He pressed his face into her neck, breathing her in.

Camille’s body betrayed her. His warmth, his scent, the way his fingers pressed into her waist, it was making her dizzy. She hated how much she wanted to believe him. Her hands trembled slightly on his shoulders.

“I… I want to eat,” She said finally, her voice softer than she intended. 

Roderick pulled back just enough to look at her face, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You want to go to Bella Italia, don’t you?”

 “I didn’t say that.”She looked away.

 “You always pick that place when you’re in the mood for their pasta. Such a baby when it comes to that creamy mushroom sauce.” He chuckled, the sound low and sexy in her ears.

“Stop,” She muttered, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

Without warning, he tickled her side lightly. Camille let out a surprised laugh, squirming on his lap. 

“Roderick, stop!”

He grinned, actually grinned and kept tickling her gently until she was laughing harder, her body pressing closer to his. His hands roamed her waist and back, no longer tickling her.

  Camille’s laughter faded into shallow breaths as she stared down at him.

Roderick looked up at her like a starving man. His dark eyes had gone almost black, heavy-lidded and intense, his eyes tracing her with raw hunger. His gaze was so heavy she felt it like a physical touch between her legs.

 Without thinking, he lifted one hand and brushed his thumb slowly across her lower lip, feeling how impossibly soft it was. So fucking soft. The pad of his thumb pressed gently, pulling her lip down just slightly before letting it bounce back up.

"Fuck, this lips."He thought. "How many nights did I ignore it? How many times did I kiss her like she was just something to use and then forget?"

Camille’s breath hitched as heat pooled low in her stomach, thick and molten. She was getting wet, embarrassingly wet just from sitting on his hard thighs, from the way he was looking at her like he wanted to devour her right here on his office chair. 

Her nipples hardened against her bra. She could feel her pulse throbbing between her legs with every slow stroke of his thumb on her lip.

Neither of them spoke. 

Roderick’s voice came out low and rough when he finally spoke.

 “Come on.” He swallowed hard. “Let’s get you that pasta.”

He helped her stand on shaky legs, but kept one strong arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close to his body as they headed toward the door. 

Camille walked beside him, trying to steady her breathing. While he wasn’t looking, a small, genuine smile played on her lips.

So this is what married couples feel like? She thought, her heart aching with both fragile hope and deep fear. Is this the answer I’ve been looking for all this time?

She hated herself for it. Hated how easily her body and heart were falling for his sudden charm. But God help her… she was falling all over again.