***
“Kassie, do you realize what you’re saying?” Léandre Beauchamp asked his sister. He had placed her call on speaker while he moved around the cabin.
“I know exactly what I’m suggesting, Dre. It’s about time you let Camille know how you feel about her.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I might lose her friendship, and I couldn’t handle it if that were to happen.”
“You won’t lose anything. The two of you have been best friends forever. But anyone with eyes can see that there’s more to it. I’ve seen how the two of you watch each other when you think no one is looking. She has it as bad for you as you have it for her.”
He wished like hell that was true. “I doubt that.”
“Well, I don’t. You’ve finished the script and still have two and a half weeks left to spend at the cabin. I think you should invite her to join you. You never know. Once you’re in close proximity, you might realize there is more between the two of you than friendship.”
Léandre rolled his eyes. “There is, and it’s all on my side.”
“I honestly don’t think that’s the case, Dre. And don’t you owe it to yourself to find out the truth once and for all?”
He released a deep sigh as he looked around. The cabin had plenty of room—three bedrooms, each with its own bath, a huge eat-in kitchen, living room, dining room, and a huge entertainment loft. All the windows had beautiful views of the snow-capped mountains. If he invited her here, he knew Camille would love it. And the place was so big, she could have all the privacy she wanted. If she wanted it…
Kassie had discovered his secret: he was hopelessly in love with Camille. His sister had happened upon a book of poems he had written for Camille but never given to her. When she’dquestioned him about it, he’d admitted the truth. And she hadn’t left him alone since.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But if you’re wrong and I lose Camille as a friend, I’ll never speak to you again.”
Kassie chuckled. “You’re my older brother, so you have to talk to me. But don’t worry. You won’t lose her. And after all these years, I’ll finally get to claim her as a real sister. Now, what are you going to say to get her here? It has to sound convincing.”
It was time to end this. Otherwise, she’d plan out his whole life for him. “Goodbye, Kassie.”
“Goodbye, Big Brother.”
After ending the call with his sister, Léandre decided to call Camille…while he still had the nerve to do it.
CHAPTER 11
When Desiree woke up the next morning, she felt more well-rested than she’d ever been. It didn’t matter that she had slept in the outfit she had worn on her date last night. Her entire body felt different, as if there were lingering effects, some remaining afterglow from a night like none other. She felt entrenched in a calm born of total physical satisfaction.
And she knew why.
But how in the world had a single orgasm done that? Granted, it was the first she’d had in years -five years, specifically. The night she’d spent with Aimery two years ago didn’t count since he hadn’t done anything for her.
And the times she’d spent with her boyfriend, Eddie Baylor, in her sophomore year of college in Memphis… Well, there was no comparison. Back then, the sensation had been over in a quick minute. After three tries, she had decided sex was overrated and decided to focus on her studies instead.
Last night, Cobra had proven her wrong, showing her that it wasn’t about the sexual act itself, but the man you shared it with. And it had all started with a kiss… Not only had he given her pleasure, but he had proved himself a true master, amplifying the sensations and pushing her to the brink of desire. What man took the time to do that during a kiss? Especially when that kiss was all he would be getting, and all that pleasure he gave her wasn’t reciprocated. He had made last night about her and not himself.
As she eased out of bed to take a shower, her phone rang, and recognizing the ringtone, she quickly walked to the living room to pull it out of her purse. “Hi Cam.”
“Rae, you won’t believe what happened.”
Hearing the excitement in Camille’s voice, Desiree settled down into the chair that she and Cobra had shared last night. “So, what happened?”
“Léandre called.”
Desiree nodded. Since Camille and Léandre had been friends for years and he would often call her, she figured there had to be more. “And…?”
“And he invited me to join him in the Swiss Alps for two weeks.”
