Page 150 of Theirs to Ruin

He did all this before I had even taken the exam—that’s how much faith he had in me.

I read the notes in the other vases. Each note had been handwritten and signed by Kage. Some were sweet, others were flirty, some were downright filthy, and one was short but so romantic it took my breath away.

For being everything I need right when I need it. – Kage

I took a rose out of the vase and lifted it to my nose, breathing in its gorgeous scent. Instead of putting it back, I took it with me as I laid down on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, I grinned, feeling the happiest I’d felt in a very long time.

Chapter 61

Camille

Afew days later, I was hanging out in the chateau’s media room with its cozy loungers and dim lighting. Settled comfortably on the plush sofa, I was engrossed in a movie, the plot twists and dramatic turns pulling me away from the real-life mysteries swirling around me. I had avoided telling Kage about the extra digging I’d done at Devil's Engine, figuring if it had pissed off Talon, a guy I’d just met, chances were Kage wouldn’t like it either.

A minute later, Kage walked in the room and sat down beside me, a soda in one hand and a packet of my favorite chips in the other. It was a simple thing, him knowing my go-to snack, but it was the small things like that that were drawing me closer and closer to him every day.

“Missed the start, did I?”

I paused the movie to kiss him, humming when he pulled back. "You've missed more than just the start. But you can catch up."

“Great, but first…” He held out a wrapped box, its edges neat, the sparkly ribbon a tantalizing tease. A jolt ofdelighted curiosity shot through me, countered immediately by affectionate exasperation.

In addition to my room full of flowers, Kage had filled my bookshelves with books, including a First Edition of one of my favorite books, Little Women. What was even more amazing was that he tabbed a place in the book that had one of my favorite quotes: "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."

Given how Bianca called me a storm, it was downright eerie. To my delight, the bookshelves also contained romance novels, with every one having a cover model on the front that looked a lot like Kage, which was a huge feat given most romance novels had dark-haired cover models.

After that, Kage gave me Ferrari racing gloves made from supple red Italian leather and hand-stitched with my name.

Then a surprise appointment with a personal shopper at the most expensive Parisian lingerie boutique in the city, to be scheduled at a time of my choosing.

And most recently, the outrageous greenhouse bursting with deliciously fragrant Camellia flowers that he’d had placed on the back lawn of the chateau one afternoon while I was in class.

And now this?

"Another gift? Seriously, Kage, you need to stop."

"No can do. After all, you and Ty pulled my unconscious ass out of a rather precarious situation."

"You don't owe us anything because of that."

Kage leaned in and kissed my neck, making me sigh. “It's not about owing. It's about appreciating. Go on, open it.”

I lifted the lid. Stunned, I picked up the car keys and the key chain that bore the car maker’s logo: a bold oval-shaped design with the name "Bugatti" against a white background and bordered in red.

“What the hell, Kage?” I spluttered.

My eyes flicked upward. Kage stared at me, a devilish grin stretched across his face. “I didn’t buy it for you. I already owned it. But it’s yours now to use as you please.”

The tricky bastard! He’d completely played me at my own game.

“I can't accept this, Kage. It’s... it’s a frickin' Bugatti!” But even as genuine as my protest was, it lacked conviction. Deep down, the idea of zooming down the highway in that beast of a machine was dangerously tempting.

“It's just a car, Camille. If it makes you happy to drive it, I want you to have it.

The movie had been on pause too long and started playing again, just in time for the lead character's dramatic declaration of love to fill the room. A bitter-sweet pang hit me—Ty and I had watched this movie countless times back in Italy, reciting the lines, dissolving into fits of laughter.

I stared at Kage’s gift again, then back at Kage, conflicting emotions tangling within me. Heartache behind me, in front of me, and waiting for me. But right now, at this very moment…

Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life.

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