Our desires

~ DANIELLE ~

“Mummy?”

I’d totally forgotten about my son. Work, meeting Elijah after four years, and battling with my spiraling emotions had left me disrupted.

Alvin ran towards me, his little hands stretching out to me as I caught sight of something in his grasp.

“Mummy,” he chimed, jumping excitedly on his feet. “Look what I made for you.”

I squatted down to his little figure, my head lowering as I spread a smile across my lips.

I feigned a surprised gasp, sounding delighted at the gift he was showing me.

“What’s this, baby?”

“Our family picture,” he said, flashing me his toothy smile that grew wider with excitement. “I drew and included you in this one because you’re never in any.”

My heart sank into my chest at his words, realizing that was the truth. All the photos in the house had my face exempted, and I couldn’t even explain why.

My eyes prickled, but I blinked back the tears. My lips thinned into a fragile line, and I gently accepted the crumpled piece of paper.

“It’s so pretty, baby,” my voice conveyed a genuine rush of warmth. “Come here, give Mummy a warm hug.”

Alvin ran into my outstretched arms, and I squeezed us into the warmest hug I’d ever gotten. Fulfillment coursed through my veins, and for a split second, I forgot all about the hassles of my day.

That was the calm I never knew I needed.

Footsteps strolled into the room, walking in on Alvin and me as we laughed. He’d made an effort to capture my curves and hair in the drawing, but it wasn’t that accurate.

What could I say? My baby was only four.

“Are you both having a moment without me?”

Cameron asked as he walked in, both hands buried inside his pockets. Alvin laughed after I’d started, and I carried him into my arms.

“You came late, and not only did you do that, but you also interrupted a mother and son moment.” I teased.

Cameron clasped his hands against his chest, pretending to be offended when a smile was carved on his full lips. He reached for Alvin with both hands, earning a giggle from the little boy.

“How was school today?”

Alvin kept his voice high-pitched. “Fine. We learned about animals.”

“Really?” Cameron asked, sounding excited at the information. “Would you mind telling me what animal intrigued you?”

I watched them with a throbbing heart. The sight was too beautiful, too emotional, and calming. And it ripped open the scar of my memory.

It made me remember the life I’d pictured in my past. My baby girl—the one I’d looked forward to after the awful accident.

The baby would have reminded me of the beautiful love I thought I shared with Elijah.

The life I was back to avenge.

I didn’t know how long I stood there, staring blankly, and the fact that I’d drifted into my own world of ruminating thoughts and daydreaming.

“Davina?”

Cameron had to snap his fingers in my face to get my attention. I jolted out of my reverie and back to reality, my eyes meeting his concerned face.

“Y-yes?”

“Is something wrong? You didn’t even respond to Alvin's question.”

“Alvin. Right,” I cleared my throat slightly, darting my eyes around the room, but I couldn’t find him. “Where is he?”

“He went into his room with Nina.” His eyes lingered on me curiously. “What happened to you? You looked so lost in your thoughts.”

Of course, I was lost, and mad, and emotional.

I’d spent the day forcing myself to laugh and converse with my enemies, the very reason I wore this face. Now I was reminded of my baby girl and the life I would have given her.

“I was thinking about something.” I raked my slick fingers through my hair, slowly taking a few steps forward. “Alvin… I can’t help but be reminded of my girl whenever I see him.”

He understood my words because he had been there from the beginning.

“And I’m happy that you’re such an amazing mother to him. Davina never had the chance to be in his life, and I’m sure that she’s smiling down at you right now, appreciating you for looking after her baby.”

I let out a shaky breath, his words igniting something in me. My legs walked to the couch, and I took a seat, with Cameron behind me.

“Today felt… overwhelming.” I took a deep breath, shutting my eyes momentarily. “For the first time, I was actually scared that I’d mess up our plans.”

He sat beside me, leaving no space, as I could feel his clothes touching my skin. Cameron leaned in, his elbow resting on the back of his sofa.

“You did perfectly fine, Danielle.” Hearing him call out my real name reminded me of the lie I’d been living for the last few years. “Didn’t you see how speechless you left them after the meeting? Elijah couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

And he didn’t have the slightest idea that I was the woman back to destroy him.

I turned to hold his gaze. “You’re right, but… It was so hard facing him. I think I need a few more hours to get back on track.”

He didn’t reprimand me; rather, he encouraged me with his words, sounding sweet and husky.

“You’re allowed to have five minutes, Danielle.”

The icy blast of the air conditioner seeped through my skin, reminding me of the coldness I hated.

I always caught a cold at the slightest touch of anything. Even water could send my teeth chattering.

Cameron noticed me already shaking, and instinctively, he reached for my cheeks to cup them.

He was all broad shoulders and chiseled, defined features—a man built like he was born to carry weight, both emotional and physical.

His dark hair, which was a bit long, curled slightly as a few strands fell over his face.

I inhaled the comforting scent of his expensive cologne, ignoring the piercing look from his brown eyes.

“You’re freezing.” He growled low, his hands warm on my skin. His touch was the only thing that mattered at that moment.

I didn’t say anything; I couldn’t say anything. His thumbs moved, pressing against the corner of my lips.

Something brewed within me as we held each other’s gazes. It felt like we were communicating with our eyes, and the conversation was… heated.

I didn’t wait. I moved first. Leaning in, I clawed at the front of his chest as I pulled him closer.

That wasn’t supposed to be happening, but… the hunger in me was too strong to handle.

“Cam…” I whispered against his mouth, a raw sound of need and pain.

He groaned, a deep, thick sound from his chest. That wasn’t any soft kiss. It was deep. Urgent. His tongue met mine, and he wrapped both hands around my waist, pulling me across the couch until I was crushed against his muscular body.

I let go of his shirt and slid my hands up, clawing at the muscle in his shoulders. I didn’t care about my decision to not be intimate with him, regarding the fact that he was Davina’s man.

I shoved away the mission that brought us together and the thoughts of Elijah. I only cared about that current heat that was fueling my actions.

He tilted my head back, his mouth never leaving mine. His kiss was rough, needy, and demanding. It felt like he shared the same sexual hunger and desires as I did.

I answered him with a small, sharp moan that was instantly swallowed by his lips. And when I felt his erection press against my thigh, I gasped.

He felt big… thick and throbbing against my thigh. I’d never seen him naked before; I was extremely careful about our boundaries.

His hand left my hair, moving down my back as he carefully pressed my body down into the soft couch. I bit his lip hungrily, feeling my breast hitch.

I broke the kiss, pulling back just an inch, my chest heaving. My lips were swollen. My vision was clouded with lust and reluctance.

“Cam, we can’t…” I gasped, but the words were useless.

I needed that. For him to make love to me, but still, it felt wrong.

His eyes, dark and heavy, burned into mine. Cameron leaned in, whispering in a voice thick with rasp, desire, and command.

“We’re allowed to have five minutes too, Danielle.”