Page 27 of Theirs to Rule

But maybe Simone was right, and the distraction would help. Not just with Kage. People were already talking. First Ava, then Kage. I bet you someone will eventually walk up to me and ask if Callum was next.

Helping with the mixer might take the focus off me and put it into something else – for a while, anyway.

“Come on, Camille. You need this. I need this,” Simone begged me. “It’s been ages since we’ve spent any real time together. This will be fun. We can even have our own little side bet.” Her dark eyes twinkled. “If you or I win the overall competition, the loser owes the winner one favor. Whatever they like.”

I rolled my eyes at my friend’s dramatics, but the truth was, I was already feeling a little better just being around Simone. Maybe hanging out with her and doing this silly competition would be enough to ground me while I packed up my stuff and moved out of the chateau.

“Fine. But I hope you’re prepared to lose, because I can get very competitive…”

“Then I better make the forfeit worth it,” she shot back playfully.

I forced a smile. “I have to go to art class.” But I was suddenly so exhausted all I wanted to do was head back to the chateau before collapsing.

“Maybe you want to skip today?”

“Why?”

“It looks like someone wants to see you.”

I immediately wondered if she was talking about Kage or Ty. When I followed the direction of her gaze, I saw Dante. Standing just a few feet away, his bright blue eyes were like beacons under his deliciously messy black hair. He’d changed into jeans and a tight black shirt that accentuated his tattoos and muscular build. Despite having just seen him this morning, the sight of him now was a jolt to the system, stirring something deep within me. My pussy clenched as I remembered how full it had felt with his cock inside me, and I shivered.

Simone gave me a playful nudge. "I'll leave you two alone," she said with a wink. Then she sobered. “If you need me, Camille. I’m here for you. You can count on me.”

I pulled her into a deep hug. “Thanks, Simone. For being such a good friend.”

“Back at you, babe.” As she left, she waved at Dante, who waved back. Then Dante's gaze held mine, a smirk playing on his lips. "Peaches. How was your day?”

I walked up to him. “It was fine.”

He cocked a brow. “Is that why Phillip Hermes got taken to the hospital after Ty was through with him? Because you’re fine?”

I shrugged. “Ty blows hot and cold, you know that. Phillip was giving me shit and Ty stepped in when really, if Ty really wanted to protect me, he’d fuck himself up.”

Something flashed across Dante’s face that made me narrow my eyes. “What is it?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I’m just glad Ty was there to help.”

“Honestly, I’d rather Phillip have done his worst. Believe me, it wouldn’t have hurt me nearly as much as Ty did.”

“Camille…”

I shook my head. “Please. Let’s not go there. I’d much rather focus on how nice it is to see you,” I said. I started walking and Dante walked beside me.

“Then how about you come back to my place? I could make us dinner," he suggested, his voice smooth and inviting.

The offer was a welcoming one. Despite my determination to stand on my own instead of leaning against Dante, I found the thought of going back to the chateau unbearable. "That sounds really nice, actually," I replied.

And who knew, maybe our night would involve a lot more than dinner.

Chapter 14

Camille

Dante’s place was beginning to feel familiar to me, a sanctuary where I could hide and mostly forget about my troubles. I sat on the counter while he prepared a meal. The sizzle of vegetables in a pan and the aroma of spices filling the air created an atmosphere that was both comforting and intimate.

As we sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easier than I thought it would given how upset I’ve been. Dante was an attentive listener, his questions thoughtful, his laughter infectious. The meal he prepared was delicious, a perfect balance of flavors that left me both satisfied and impressed.

But it was the dessert that truly took my breath away—a decadent creation that seemed to melt on the tongue, rich and indulgent, a perfect end to the meal.

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