Page 21 of Staging Love
She’d never felt this way before—so out of control, yet perfectly in tune with someone else. The vulnerability of allowing herself to be touched, to touch in return, had shaken her. She had spent so much of her life building walls, keeping her emotions in check, afraid to let anyone in. But Jade... In a matter of days, Jade had slipped past all of her defenses without even trying. And now, Camilla couldn't help but wonder if she was ready for what came next.
Jade lay beside her, her eyes closed, her breathing calm and even, a small smile on her lips. It was clear she was content, maybe even happy. Camilla watched her for a moment, her heart aching with affection.
She swallowed hard, trying to push down theemotion that was rising in her chest. She felt raw, exposed. Jade had taken her somewhere she had never been before, and now Camilla was unsure of how to navigate the feelings that were swirling within her.
She shifted slightly and propped herself up on one elbow. For a long moment, Camilla simply stared at her, the weight of everything unsaid between them settling in the pit of her stomach.
"Jade," she finally whispered.
"Hmm?" Jade murmured, pulling her closer.
Camilla hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. She wanted to say so many things—to express the whirlwind of emotions inside her—but the words seemed caught in her throat. "Can I... Can I touch you?"
Jade turned on her side too, to face her in the moonlight. There was a pause, during which Camilla could almost feel Jade's mind processing her words, and then Jade nodded. "Of course," she said. "If you want."
Camilla didn't trust her voice enough to speak, so she simply nodded in return. Jade reached out, guiding Camilla's hand. "Just follow my lead," Jade said quietly, her tone soothing and encouraging.
Her hand trembled as she traced her fingers over Jade's skin. She could feel Jade's pulse quickening, beneath her fingertips, and slowly, Jade guided her hand down over her chest. Her fingers brushed over the curve of her breast, and Jade let out a soft sigh.
"That feels so good," Jade whispered. "Just take your time."
Camilla nodded, her throat tight with emotion. She closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on the feeling of Jade's curves. Slowly, she allowed herself to relax, to let go of the fear and doubt that had been holding her back.
She leaned in, brushing her lips against Jade's neck, tasting the salt of her skin. Jade let out a soft moan, her hands tightening around Camilla's.
They kissed, moved against each other, and soon, Camilla stopped overthinking her actions.
Something had shifted inside her—a soft, powerful release as she let go of the last bit of anxiety that had been holding her back. Her movements became fluid, instinctual, as she followed the rhythm of Jade's body, curiously exploring the delicate lines and soft planes of her skin. Every inch of Jade felt like a discovery, each small sound or sigh drawing her deeper into the moment. She was so soft, so feminine, so deliciously different.
Camilla’s breath hitched as her hand slid lower, grazing the curve of Jade's hip and dipping into the warmth between her thighs. Heat radiated against her palm, and she gasped softly, both in surprise and desire, as she felt the slickness beneath her touch. The sensation was overwhelming—soft and wet, and inviting in a way that sent a jolt of pure, unfiltered want surging through her.
Jade moaned softly, arching her back in response, and the sound only spurred Camilla on, emboldened her. She began to explore more confidently, her fingers slipping deeper into Jade's heat, drawing out quiet gasps of pleasure. It was intoxicating—this feeling of control, of giving and receiving in equal measure.
She could feel the way Jade responded to every stroke, every press of her hand, in a beautiful, unspoken rhythm that bound them together.
Jade’s breathing quickened, her body moving against Camilla’s with increasing urgency. Camilla wasn’t just exploring Jade’s body; she was discovering her own ability to let go, to embrace the moment without fear. And withevery breath, every shared touch, Camilla felt herself falling deeper into Jade—into this new, unexpected place where vulnerability felt safe, where desire met emotion in perfect harmony.
And then Jade let go, her body surrendering, arching beneath Camilla's touch. A soft, breathless cry escaped her, the sound delicate yet filled with the raw intensity of pleasure. Camilla watched in awe as Jade's eyes fluttered shut, her lashes casting shadows on her flushed cheeks, her mouth slightly parted as she gasped for air. Her body quivered, her muscles tightening and releasing in waves that rippled through her like a force of nature. Her hands clutched at the sheets, her knuckles white with tension, and then relaxed as she gave in fully to the sensation.
Camilla's eyes were drawn to the small details—the way Jade's brow furrowed slightly in concentration before smoothing out in relief, the way her lips curved into the faintest smile as the pleasure ebbed and flowed through her. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breaths shallow and quick, a sheen of sweat glistening on her skin. Jade's face was a portrait of beauty, a mixture of pleasure and peace, her features softening as her body settled back into Camilla’s embrace. Her moans tapered off into quiet whimpers, her fingers loosening their grip as she found Camilla's hand, squeezing it as though grounding herself.
She held Jade close and listened to her breathing. The room was quiet apart from the occasional creak of the bed as they shifted slightly to nestle deeper into each other. Camilla wrapped her arms around Jade, pulling in, their bodies fitting together perfectly as if they were always meant to lie this way.
Pressing a soft kiss to the top of Jade’s head, her heartfelt full and achingly tender. She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, that was okay.
As Jade’s breathing grew steady and rhythmic, signaling her drift into sleep, Camilla closed her eyes and let herself be fully present. She held onto the stillness, the quiet comfort that enveloped them both.
Camilla allowed herself to be still, to embrace the quiet and the weight of all that had changed. She knew this Christmas would be different—there would be no sound of her father’s voice, no familiar presence that once anchored her. That loss, deep and unshakable, would always be with her. But lying here, with Jade cradled in her arms, she also knew she had found something unexpected, something precious that softened the ache of grief. In the fragile peace of this moment, she realized that even in the absence of what she had lost, there was room for new beginnings, for love, and for the quiet promise of hope.
Chapter Sixteen
As Camilla and Jade descended the stairs hand in hand, the usual peaceful morning atmosphere of the Parkes family estate had been replaced by a flurry of activity. The grand foyer bustled with people carrying ladders, boxes of ornaments, and strings of lights. Decorators in matching uniforms scurried about, their voices echoing off the high ceilings as they called out instructions and requests to one another.
Jade stopped short at the bottom of the stairs and stared at the display. "What on earth is going on?" she asked, turning to Camilla with a bewildered expression.
"The Christmas decorations are going up," she said. "We always do it just before Christmas to make it extra special. Aunt Lara is in charge of the whole operation with the help of a stylist and her team."
As if on cue, Aunt Lara appeared from the great room, her normally serene demeanor replaced by an air of excitement. She was deep in conversation with a woman who was showing her something on an iPad.
