“If that’s your goal, then you’ve already accomplished it,” I tell him, taking a sip of my champagne.
“No, I haven’t. I’ve only just gotten started.” He sets our glasses down and encircles his arms around my waist. His mouth connects with mine, and the champagne and strawberries are forgotten as we get lost in each other.
When he unzips my dress, and I shrug out of it, letting it drop to the ground, Camden takes a step back, noticing my cream-color floral lace bra and panties complete with garters.
“Is this new?” he asks, licking his lips, his eyes locked on my body.
“Bought it today, just for you.”
“Fuck yes,” he growls, lifting and carrying me to the bed. He hovers above me, kissing along the seam of the delicate material. “Where did you buy these at?”
I quirk a brow. “Umm… why?”
“So I can buy you more because I’m about to rip these right off your fucking body.”
Before I can protest, his mouth captures mine, the kiss so consuming that my mind goes blank. My only thought is that I don’t care how Camden gets my lingerie off as long as he gets it off quick and gets inside me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CAMDEN
“What if he’s mean to Felix?” Layla gnaws on her lip as we watch Beatrice, the court-appointed social worker, walk with Felix to her vehicle. Since David can’t be near Layla, the social worker will be picking him up from the house and driving him to meet with David every Wednesday. He’s allowed two hours with him at a restaurant or park… somewhere public, and then she’ll drive Felix back home.
“The social worker will be with him the entire time,” I assure her, massaging her shoulders to try to calm her down. Once they’ve driven off, she sighs and walks inside.
I imagine this will be the longest three hours of her life, so when we’re inside, I order us dinner and ask her to show me some of the video footage she’s gotten so far, knowing when she’s discussing videography, she’s in her element and will be thoroughly distracted.
We spend the entire time Felix is gone looking over the footage—and I have to say, I’m impressed. I knew she had raw talent, but her vision for the channel and music video already goes beyond my expectations. As we’re discussing our upcoming schedule and some of the shots she’d like to get, the door swings open, and Felix runs inside, his smile bright and excited.
“Daddy got me the best present ever!” he yells. “A PlayStation!”
“Wow,” Layla says, sighing in relief that it seemed to go okay. “Where is it?”
“At his house. He said I get it when I go over there.”
Beatrice walks in just in time to hear what he says and frowns.
“When can I go to Dad’s?” Felix asks, his eyes begging.
“I’m not sure,” Layla says, glancing at Beatrice.
“Hey, little man. Why don’t we go play in your room? You can show me your Nintendo Switch.”
“Okay.” He shrugs, easily distracted.
We hang out upstairs, playing a few different games until Layla joins us. She’s quiet, not wanting to say anything in front of Felix. I know she’s worried, though, because she gnaws on her lip constantly, and I get it. It’s clear what David is doing. Felix is young and has a short memory. He’s replacing the bad moments with the possibility of good ones while buying his trust. It’s a shitty thing to do, and it doesn’t surprise me that he’s stooped to that level.
“Beatrice said she can’t do anything about what David said,” Layla says once Felix is asleep and we’re on the couch, just the two of us. “He can tell him anything he wants as long as it isn’t harmful. Saying he bought him something and that he’ll get it once he can go over to his house isn’t technically a lie. But she did say she’d add it to her report in case it’s relevant later.” She releases a harsh breath. “It just sucks because I know what he’s doing, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I feel so helpless.”
“You’re not helpless,” I tell her, encircling my arms around her. “You’re doing the best you can in a shitty situation. Many women in your shoes wouldn’t have left him, filed for divorce, and then pressed charges. Every day, too many women stay in an abusive relationship out of fear of what will happen, scared for their kids. You’re strong, and you have a good support system. All you can do is take it one day, one week at a time.”
She nods against my chest, and I kiss the top of her head. “I was thinking about something you said before.”
She looks up at me. “What is that?”
“About how many women have been hurt by their husbands, and more times than not, nothing happens to them. Every year, the guys and I donate to various charities, but I was thinking, what if we start one of our own instead of donating this year? One that focuses on helping women who have been in your situation but don’t have the resources you have to get the help they need.”