All Chapters of A Billion Desires 1: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

I'm worried about Camille. I want to keep her safe, but I don't know how.". This new governor's property-buying scheme looks sleezy and I don't know how to get out of having to help him with it, and of course now I'll be interviewing him about the other properties that will inevitably include my dad. He is silent for a beat and then goes on, "And I feel things for you that I probably shouldn't after only a couple months."."How do you feel about me, exactly?" I insist, staring at the only part of his inner turmoil that I care about right now.He rolls onto his left side to face me, pressing me back onto my back. His right hand moves to chart the lines of my chest, collarbone, and shoulders before dropping down to my waist. Shit, his touch is so amazing."Like I'd like to see you every day. Like all I can ever think of when you're not here is when I'll get to see you again." He takes a softer tone. "Like how I'd like to come home to you every day, and hold hands with you in public, and

Time flies fast in the car with Julian. We talk nonstop and amidst interlocking hands and my placing my hand on his thigh when traffic becomes heavy, we touch each other all the time. We sing along to Glass Saints' album which plays softly in the background. I made sure that I packed my favorite shirt in the case for tomorrow's concert and I'm wearing my hat bearing their logo as we speak.A few minutes more than two-and-a-half hours down the highway, Julian gets off at an exit roughly thirty-five miles from town and I'm completely lost because I know damn well the concert is downtown. I had thought we'd be staying somewhere close to the venue.We drive through the middle of nowhere for a while and Julian's grin gets bigger with every turn onto yet another road.He waits a moment and then finally picks up the phone and instead of just having it play through the speaker, he holds it to his ear so I can't hear what the other person is saying. "Ten minutes." Pause. "Nope, not a clue." P

I tug on the hem of my t-shirt. "Fuck. It sounds like I'm owing you a huge thank you, Ezra.""No, man, you don't owe me anything, brother. It's just nice to know that my story had helped someone, you know?" he slaps a freindly arm around River's shoulder "Stop by and drop in. Meet the rest of the boys. Can I get you a drink?"A familiar thrum hums against my leg."You two go on ahead, I'll be right behind you. I'll have whatever River has." They walk in the direction of the firelight and I walk further into the shadows, pulling my phone out of my pocket, wishing it was Camille, Beckett, Micah, or Ezra.No such luck.Stephen 8:49pmWhy is Camille at the symphony on the arm of some other guy tonight?The symphony? She's actually going to the philanthropy panel in the U.K. I have no clue what she's doing at the symphony, but I don't want to snitch on her, get her in trouble, or make everyone aware of our breakup news just yet. The night is too pleasant.Julian 8:51pmYou'd have to ask he

"In any case, I just got off the phone with my father. I didn't know what to say to him because I don't know if you've called your father yet. My father's in shock that you didn't ask his permission to marry me," she giggles, "so I just told him the paper printed the announcement ear—"Oh goddamn. I was supposed to think it or maybe say it as a whisper that's barely audible so the speakers don't catch it, but when River runs his right hand down and his middle finger caresses my hole, I can either stop us from crashing or hide that I'm going to come in River's hand…or at least, I sure as shit can't do both."."Julian, are you…River! Stop serving Julian while I'm on the phone!"River laughs and withdraws his hand, pushing my impending orgasm back."Sorry, Camille!""Oh my God. I'm hanging up now. Julian, call me when you return."The phone call drops and River takes that as his cue to continue working. His middle finger goes deeper into my hole this time while his other hand caresses my

Appearing on the news network could be an overstatement, at least partially due to the fact that people in the state over don't care about our being here, but within this state, within this town, our breakup is news.I bend my left ankle over my right knee and place my hands in my lap as Camille begins to speak, poised and gracious as always, as if she is already in front of the camera. "Some of you may have read in yesterday's paper, that Julian Ashford and I are recently engaged.". Being the Governor's youngest daughter and a businesswoman with a face in many social circles, I have been inundated with love and congratulations. But setting the record straight is the most important thing and Julian and I have come here together this morning to do that very thing." She draws a deep breath and completes the stunning introduction. "Not only are we not together, Julian and I are not even in a romantic relationship anymore.Our six-year relationship is over."Camille looks over at me and p