Chapter 5: A Master Of The Game

CAMILLA

I shouldn't have done it.

I didn't even know what had come over me, but for a terrifying second, Sebastian stayed completely still, refusing to kiss me back. My heart hammered so violently against my ribs I was certain he could hear it.

What if he pushes me away? I couldn't bear the thought of the cold look on his face, the quiet rejection, and the soul-crushing humiliation that would follow.

Damn it, this is embarrassing.

My breath hitched as I felt his warm hand settle onto my bare thigh. Slowly, his lips parted, and the moment his tongue flicked against mine, a shockwave ran straight through me.

I pulled back instantly, my cheeks burning as my breathing grew shallow and ragged.

The air in the room felt far too thick to breathe. I swallowed the dry lump in my throat and forced my eyes up to meet his.

His face revealed nothing. No surprise. No hunger. Just that same unreadable, infuriating calm

That blankness embarrassed me even more. I had always believed in myself and my dignity. I never gave my heart to men easily or could stand their touch.

Over seven long years; I had only shared Five careful kisses with the man I thought we were meant to be.

Yet here I was, sitting in the lap of Lyra’s husband, acting completely out of character.

"It was a mistake," I said quickly.

His brow lifted slightly. "Is it?"

I blinked, nervously adjusting my hair. "I... I'm just a little distracted tonight," I whispered.

Damn it, why am I making excuses? It only makes me look more desperate.

He said nothing, his sharp eyes locked onto my face. His hand remained firmly firm on my bare thigh, making a sudden shiver run down my spine. I swallowed hard again, deeply regretting the low-cut flare dress I had chosen tonight.

How was I supposed to get his hand off my thigh when I was still sitting directly on his lap? And why wasn't he saying a single word?

My blood ran cold as his finger began tracing slow, deliberate circles against my skin, sending a sudden rush of heat straight to my stomach. My entire body went rigid.

"What... what are you doing, Mr. Castillo?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "We can’t..."

His gaze stayed glued to mine, a tiny, dangerous smirk finally breaking his blank expression. He was enjoying this. He was trying to break me.

"Where is the bold woman who just asked if I was a virgin," he murmured softly, "and wanted to find out for herself?"

My heart shuddered. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, feeling the quiet mockery behind his words even if his face remained composed.

No. I refuse to let him win this game.

A soft, defiant smile brushed my lips.

I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck, my fingers slowly tracing his warm skin exposed by the open buttons of his shirt.

"You should be more worried about yourself, Mr. Castillo," I murmured, leaning in until my breath fanned across his skin. "Can you handle that bold woman?"

A let out a quiet chuckle and gave a soft nod.

Before either of us could say another word, my phone buzzed loudly on the glass table. I reached over and glanced at the screen. A sharp ache pierced my chest at the notification from Lyra:

“Have you gotten the photo of him yet? Where are you now? I’m worried. Hope you’re okay.”

A bitter, quiet scoff escaped my throat. What a hypocrite.

Sebastian’s gaze drifted down to the glowing screen, then rose back to mine.

"You seem to be running late for your photo, Counselor Flores," he muttered softly.

My fists clenched as the crushing weight of my own stupidity over the last seven years settled over me. "I want to make all of them pay."

He gave a single nod, saying nothing, as a 5-second silence settled between us.

I shifted, turning fully toward him, still on his lap. "I guess I didn't know your wife as well as I thought I did."

A low scoff left his lips. His gaze dropped back to my thigh, his thumb never stopping its slow, mesmerizing trace against my skin. I bit my lower lip hard, fighting the fierce reaction a single touch was pulling from my body.

"So tell me, Mr. Castillo," I said, dropping my voice to a dangerous whisper, "what’s the absolute best way to deal with a client who betrayed you?"

He let out a low, dark, and chilling chuckle. His eyes pierced into mine for a long, heavy moment.

"I take what they desire most... but can never have," he muttered smoothly.

My breath hitched, my heart slammed violently against my ribs as our eyes locked.

What does Lyra desire most but could never have?

Suddenly, it hit me. His body. Every time we hung out, Lyra couldn't stop talking about him, yet they had never actually slept together... that was totally strange.

A dark, reckless desire coiled deep inside my chest. I leaned forward until my lips brushed against his jawline.

"Then let's find out what you're really made of, Mr. Castillo," I whispered softly.

Before I could process another thought, his mouth captured mine with sudden, intense heat. In one natural movement, he stood up, effortlessly lifting me with him. I wrapped my legs around his waist as the kiss deepened, hungrily, fiercely consuming every drop of hesitation I had left.

My back hit the soft mattress of the bed. I watched with darkened eyes as he unbuttoned his shirt, casting it aside to reveal the hard, sculpted lines of his chest and abs. My mind went completely hazy.

Lyra hadn't been exaggerating; his body truly looked like a masterpiece carved from marble.

Suddenly, my phone burst into a loud, familiar ring.

I didn't even need to look to know who it was. I had set a distinct, custom ringtone for Desmond years ago so I would never miss his call, not even in the middle of a high-stakes trial.

Instantly, the words I had overheard earlier echoed through my head on a toxic loop:

“I don't like boring girls."

“She’ll marry me because she does everything I ask.”

My fists balled into the sheets.

I sat up abruptly, grabbing Sebastian by his broad shoulders and pulling him down into another bruised, rough kiss. Swapping our positions, I pushed him back onto the mattress and straddled him, looking down into his emerald, unreadable eyes.

I'm done being the good girl. I'm done trying to be perfect for men who treated me like an ordinary choice.

From this moment on, I'm writing my own rules, and I will be the master of this game.