Lovers at long last?

Behind her good-girl facade, Camille Ryan harbored a secret desire to write erotic romances. When one of her racy stories fell into the wrong hands, she had no choice but to flee her Bible-thumping Georgia town. Now her father’s unexpected health scare turns her world upside down and brings the pseudonymous author back home to Fairdell—and to the man she sacrificed her happiness to protect.

Remington Krane never got over losing Camille. When he shows up on her doorstep demanding answers, desire once again ignites, culminating in a night of passion they’ve waited years to fulfill. Camille fears the scandalous truth could ruin the business scion’s mayoral bid. But when another woman orchestrates a campaign that could sabotage his second chance with Camille, it’s Remi’s turn to give up everything—except the woman he loves.

“Why are you here, Remi?” Her voice trembled and she got angry with herself for becoming a blubbering idiot at the mere sight of her former sweetheart.

“That should be obvious. I came here to see you, Camille.”

“You wha... Why? I don’t unders—”

He didn’t wait for her to finish whatever it was she was going to say. He closed the distance between them and didn’t hesitate to place his large, warm hands on either side of her neck, using the pads of his thumbs to gently stroke her cheeks as if coaxing her to comply with his unspoken demand.

Shock, lust, confusion and longing snaked its way to every crevice of Camille’s body. The overwhelming sensations made her dizzy. She was so busy trying to figure out what was going on that she had not even realized that it was already happening. His lips had found hers and he indulged in helping her remember times past.

When she started to respond with soft moans, his fingers curled tightly into the hair at the nape of her neck. Remi pulled back, but only a fraction, leaving their lips achingly close.

Dear Reader,

As a transplant from a large city to a small town, I found it interesting how impassioned and proud people can be about the place in which they live, especially when everyone knows everyone.

This story is about how the dynamics of a small town can influence the way betrayal and devotion are depicted.

Remington Krane is a man who represents what it means to be successful, loyal and spirited about everything he sets out to do and has done in his hometown. His ex-love, Camille Ryan, spent ten years gaining her success elsewhere, leaving her town behind.

Their separation won’t stop the passion that ignites when Remington steals one kiss, reminding Camille that she is and will always be his, and shows their town how years of beliefs can change when there is unconditional love and passion.

Enjoy!

Carla Buchanan

Return to Passion
Carla Buchanan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CARLA BUCHANAN was raised in California, but now lives in the Southern Belle world of Georgia. She likes to use the twists in her life to bring her readers fun, edgy and contemporary romances. She has a small obsession with her craft, and you’d find her any day of the week writing or out and about trying to find inspiration for her next story. She is delighted when readers reach out to her and would love to hear from you. She can be contacted through social media or directly on the contact page on her website at carlabuchanan.com.

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To my husband, Isaiah Buchanan, who constantly teases me about my love for words but never asks me to stop writing them. Thanks for all you’ve done in helping me reach my goals. I love you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Epilogue

Copyright

Chapter 1

Camille Ryan swung her desk chair around, not wanting to look at the computer screen one moment longer. She’d been in a state of mini writer’s block all day long. She was stuck on this one scene and she didn’t know why since she knew exactly where she wanted the story to go. Why was she so off tonight? Something was niggling at her and she couldn’t seem to focus on anything, especially not writing. She was having one of those feelings you get when you know something is wrong, you just don’t know what that something is.

Camille had often had feelings that she knew were something more, maybe a keener women’s intuition, but ignored them. Her father said that it was her intuition telling her something; she just had to figure out what it was. According to her father, her mother had been the same way. Camille wondered if it was the truth since she’d never had a chance to meet Elaine Ryan. Her mother had died during childbirth and it had been her and her father ever since. Well, it used to be, until Camille had moved to New York when she was eighteen years old. She and her dad weren’t as close as they used to be. It was only natural, she figured. After all, she couldn’t take care of him forever, though she probably would’ve stayed closer to home if she had not gotten the internship in New York or hadn’t been trying to do the right thing by the people she loved the most... Well, she wouldn’t think about that situation right now. It was buried long ago so there was no need to bring old feelings of guilt bubbling to the surface.

An hour after trying and failing to type something on the page, Camille quit working. It was no use. She couldn’t write erotic romance while wayward thoughts invaded her mind. She decided to call her father to check on him and make sure everything was okay. She’d talked to him the day before and knew he had a doctor’s appointment today. The only conclusion Camille kept coming to was that he’d gotten bad news. She was so in tune with the man that she could sense the bad news deep down in her gut. That had to be what was bothering her. Her father had told her that it was just a routine checkup, but that didn’t mean anything. On a few of those occasions she’d had to find out from other family that her father had gone to the hospital. It had hurt Camille that she had not been there for her father. It had hurt her even more that he hadn’t told her, making her feel like she wasn’t a good daughter. But she knew it was her father and his irrational logic. He had this crazy idea that not telling her things protected her. In fact, it only worried her.

The worrying intensified and her chest tightened when she tried calling him now. The phone just rang and rang. On the fourth call, the line connected to his voice mail immediately. Camille wasn’t sure what was going on, but she knew something was wrong so she dialed her cousin. The news she got had her up and off her bed in a flash, throwing clothing haphazardly into suitcases and trying to make reservations at the same time.

* * *

Tired was a mild word to describe the way her body felt when Camille walked through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in search of the baggage-claim area. She was cursing under her breath because each and every time she flew back here, the airport got more and more confusing.

It had been some years since she’d been to her hometown and even then it had been a quick visit where she had to sign some papers and then leave for an engagement or meeting she couldn’t miss. And all the other visits before had been similar. Camille did not like running into people when she went home. Nor did she like hiding from everyone. They had an idea in their heads about who she was and she never wanted them to find out she wasn’t the innocent little girl she’d been when she was simply “daddy’s girl” in her hometown of Fairdell, Georgia, and she wasn’t the evil girl who’d left so abruptly for her own selfish reasons.

Her reasons for leaving Fairdell hadn’t been selfish; rather they’d been selfless. Her reasons were one thing, but her secret was the kind that people in her tiny Bible-belt town wouldn’t appreciate. So Camille had chosen to stay away. She didn’t need their judgment. Plus, she didn’t need to run into the one person who could possibly break her down and make her stay around. He’d see right through her. He’d make her want to tell him the truth—admit why she couldn’t stay in Fairdell with him when they’d made plans—and he wouldn’t approve of her reasons, especially since she’d left without talking to him first.

No, she couldn’t see Remington Krane.

* * *

Remington rose from the ergonomic swivel chair and rubbed his hand down the stubble on his caramel-colored face. He knew he wouldn’t shave, though. He kept this slight bit of facial hair because of her. She’d always said he looked good with the bit he had as a teen and even though they weren’t together any longer and it had been years since he’d seen her, he still liked knowing that she’d appreciate the beard if she saw it.

She’d never come back to see it, though.

And why did he care what she thought? He shouldn’t. He didn’t. The girl—who was undoubtedly a woman now—was not what should be on his mind right now. She’d been out of his life for ten years. She’d chosen to leave him even when they’d made plans and had talked about the dreams they’d share and the future they’d have. He’d waited two years for her to graduate from high school so they could make their plans a reality, only to have her abandon him.

He’d been in love. They’d both been in love as two teenagers could be.

He’d been in college and had already started working for his grandfather as he waited for her. The plans were set. She would teach at the local high school. He’d work for his grandfather’s company and one day he’d take over. Eventually he’d take his career even further by getting elected to political office: his influence, conservative nature and religious beliefs would be sure to help him along. They’d be the ideal couple everyone admired. That was the plan, but she’d changed it on her own and never bothered to let him know. That was what confused him most of all. It was so abrupt and unlike Cam—

Stop doing this to yourself, Remi.

Remington knew she was in his head because of the news he’d heard earlier about her father. Reese Ryan was too humble and hardworking for his own good. He never said no to anyone and took care of others before he took care of himself. He’d always been that way.

Remi once thought the landscaper was indestructible, the type who could work from sunup to sundown in ninety-degree weather. However, having an eighty-percent blockage in the heart valves would slow any man down and Remi only hoped the man would heed the doctor’s advice and take care of himself.

But he doubted Mr. Ryan would be able to do so on his own for a while, which meant Camille would soon be in town. She’d come home a few times over the years but she’d never taken the time to visit anyone. She had not even visited her best friend often, not that he minded too much since her best friend was a guy.

Camille Ryan may have been twenty-eight and all grown-up now, but he’d always known her to be daddy’s little girl. She loved her father endlessly and she wouldn’t just breeze through town for something so serious. She’d stay around for a while, and Remington planned to use that time to his advantage. He’d get answers as to why she’d left. He needed to know why she’d chosen New York over him when she’d never mentioned a desire to live there. If she’d just told him, he would’ve supported her and they could’ve figured something out. They could have—

He stopped his racing thoughts. First things first. He had to get some work done if was going to acquire this plot of land Krane Gourmet Snack Foods needed to expand and build their frozen foods division, or he’d have to deal with his ever-unsatisfied grandfather.

It was ironic to think of Camille and then think of his grandfather. Camille had tried her best to be nice to the man, but Frederick Krane was stubborn and set in his ways. Frederick had a vision of Remington’s future and it didn’t include Camille Ryan.

From the moment Remington had started dating, his grandfather had encouraged him to be more than just friends with the daughter of a local judge whose family had been a part of his life since Remington could remember.

The daughter, Sonya Brandt, had never been Remi’s type from the beginning. She was spoiled and selfish and entitled. There wasn’t anything down-to-earth about her. She had annoyed Remington with the way she’d acted as if they were a couple just because of their families’ expectations. But to please his grandfather, he’d let it go on for the most part, not really encouraging the girl or discouraging her. That was until a beautiful brown-skinned beauty had caught his eye and changed his world.

That memory made his thoughts return to her.

Camille Ryan.

The name still stirred something within him. They’d been mere teenagers when they were together but he knew from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her, with her glowing bronze skin, long thick hair and petite frame, that he’d be hooked for life. And he was. Despite time and distance, he still felt something for her and thought of her often over the years.

What would she do when she got to town? Would she seek him out? He doubted it. The girl he knew was not the type to renege on a decision so she’d probably stick by whatever reason had kept her away all these years. But she had reneged on a decision, hadn’t she? He couldn’t deny that, but his Camille was smart and he was sure if he heard her reason, he’d understand. The only conclusion Remington had been able to come to over the years was that Camille had changed her mind about him and their future and had been too afraid to tell him. He hoped that was the reason because he wasn’t sure how he’d handle it being anything else.

Are you still in love with her?

He ignored the question.

When Remington had confronted Camille’s father all those years ago, he hadn’t been any help either. The older man had told him nothing other than to respect her decision to change her mind. When he’d asked Mr. Ryan when she had changed her mind, he had told Remi that going to New York had always been her choice, but Remi would bet his life that wasn’t true. He wasn’t one to question his elders so he’d let it go. But Remington was sure Camille wouldn’t just make plans with him and then suddenly change them without telling him something first.

Reese Ryan and Camille Ryan were the best of friends as well as father and daughter. The man would never have betrayed her trust if she’d asked him to keep the truth a secret.

Remi had forced himself to talk to Camille’s best friend, Charleston Cobb, and while the man had not been very forthcoming, there were a couple details he had disclosed. Instead of returning to Fairdell to teach as she’d always planned, she’d chosen to stay in New York and teach at a private school of all things. As far as Remi knew, she still taught there. He’d also found out she was doing some sort of independent work. Teaching night classes or something, he guessed. That work was probably what had allowed her to pay off the mortgage on her father’s house. Charleston had never told him what that additional job was and he had a feeling that the man had been secretive on purpose to keep him guessing or prove he knew more about Camille than Remi. Charleston had been so proud of his friend that he’d slipped and told Remi the name of the lavish apartment building in which Camille resided. It was a piece of information that would help him out in the future.

Remington could admit that there was a possibility he didn’t know Camille at all—that he’d never really known her. However, that wasn’t something he could accept.

He had to redirect his thoughts.

Focusing on work was what he would do now. He needed to get the company lawyer into his office to talk details on the land acquisition, which was an exercise in patience since the attorney in question happened to be Sonya. She insisted on flirting with him every time they were in each other’s presence as if it were her right to do so. He’d told her he didn’t mix business with pleasure but Sonya apparently didn’t accept that explanation, believing she had a “special” place in Remi’s life—his future. One-sided thinking on her part. He’d fire her, but she was a damn good lawyer even though she’d only been practicing for a few short years.

When Sonya sauntered into his office, Remington rolled his eyes. He wondered why he’d ever given her any attention, but admitted it was at a time when he had been really vulnerable. But that was all Sonya had needed. She’d used their one time together nearly ten years ago as a stepping-stone to what they could have in the future. Though he’d told her he wasn’t interested in her, she insisted their union was best for them and their families, especially if he wanted to delve into the political arena as he’d always dreamed.

He agreed that her family had the influence to put him in office, but at what cost to his happiness? He didn’t love Sonya; in fact, he could barely tolerate her on most occasions. However, though Krane Gourmet Snack Foods was the epitome of a company that got ahead by sticking to the values it began with and by helping the community, he’d still need an extra push to get him elected. The Brandts could be that push, but being with Sonya would be in direct conflict with what Krane Foods stood for. There’d be nothing moral in trying to fool the good people of Fairdell by pretending to be in love with Sonya. He cared for the town and the people too much to lie to them and trick them into voting for him.

Remington liked to think he didn’t need such schemes to get him where he wanted, though he was sure his grandfather would disagree vehemently. He’d say Remington needed to think about the bigger picture and focus on happiness later. But there was a chance happiness had flown into town already and was walking around somewhere close. He doubted Frederick Krane would agree with that assessment of Camille’s arrival, but Remi was an adult and no longer a child trying to get the approval of his family. He had a feeling his grandfather would one day realize that what he wanted for Remi wasn’t necessarily what Remi needed.

Why he thought it would somehow all work out in the end was beyond him, but Remington was an optimist.

Chapter 2

Camille had finally negotiated the busy airport, found her luggage and gotten a rental car. She’d driven the hour to her hometown, going straight to the hospital and not bothering to stop by home. She’d been told her father had collapsed, flatlined and had to be revived. He’d been through a lengthy surgery to clear a blockage in his arteries overnight and couldn’t do much on his own right now.

The scene before her was so much worse and Camille now realized why her father had tried to keep her away on his previous trips to the hospital. Seeing him so helpless and defeated was something her mind couldn’t process fully. She only knew him as the man who rarely sat still because he loved being out and around his community and his landscaping business allowed him to do that.

Would he be able to continue at the pace he’d been going?

The easy answer to that was no.

And Camille would be around to make sure he took care of himself.

She only hoped he would allow her to take care of him.

Her cousin Augusta had told her over the phone that her father had been working long hours. The weather was too hot for even the healthiest, youngest person, let alone an almost fifty-year-old who’d suffered various ailments off and on over the years. Camille didn’t know why her father chose to push himself so hard. She’d offered to make his life easier by taking care of some of the bills, but he wouldn’t hear of such a thing. He’d told her that he was the one who was supposed to look after her, no matter her age, and she’d allowed him to do that for the most part. He didn’t know about her career and the comfortable life she’d been able to have since she’d started writing so he probably thought she was overextending herself on what he thought was a teacher’s salary. She’d had to go behind his back and pay off the mortgage on her childhood home, explaining away the money by saying she’d been doing some extra work outside the school. It had hurt her heart to lie to him, being that she was so proud of her writing career, but that’s the way it had to be for his sake.

Camille had left town for Reese Ryan just as much as she had for Remi. She had not wanted them to deal with the fallout once people in town found out about the erotic books she wrote. She had not wanted to ruin her father’s reputation or derail Remi’s future. Her father’s landscaping business was his life, just as Krane Foods and political aspirations were Remington’s. Her career as a writer of erotica hadn’t fit into normal, honorable, politically correct lifestyles ten years ago and it certainly did not now with all the success she’d acquired thus far.

But who knew... Maybe Remington was no longer the person she’d known—smart and loyal, with giant goals and a staunch moral compass. Maybe he was more like his grandfather, Frederick Krane. Maybe he’d changed and had let ambition and the need to be on top make him lax in his beliefs.

However, Camille couldn’t believe that at all.

Besides, now wasn’t the time to focus on Remington. Shaking away her thoughts, she gave all of her attention to her sick father and his recovery.

* * *

“Camille?”

She heard her name being called and turned to see her father attempting to sit up. She scrambled from her chair to fluff his pillows but he shooed her away with a scratchy, mumbled gripe. He muttered something about people not listening to him when he said not to call, but she ignored him and continued to help.

Camille stood next to her father’s bed and took his hand in hers. He looked a little ashen but okay otherwise now that he was sitting up. He was a tough man so she expected nothing less.

“How are you feelin’, Daddy?”

“Like I’ve been walking through the desert for days with no water, but I’ll be fine, Bug,” her father said using the nickname he’d given her as a girl. He’d not called her that in a long time and she smiled at the nostalgic feeling that warmed her upon hearing it.

“I’m so sorry, Daddy. I should’ve—”

“You should’ve what? There was nothing you could do. You think you being here would’ve stopped my heart from giving out? No, it wouldn’t have,” he said sharply and coughed. Camille gave him water and he drank greedily. She didn’t want him getting upset and she knew talk of what she should’ve or could’ve done would do just that.

“Daddy... I—”

“No. Listen to me.” The struggle it took him to talk was making Camille uncomfortable. She wanted to urge him to rest but she doubted he’d listen. “I did this to myself. I admit I haven’t been taking care of myself like I should. I could eat better and rest more. From now on I’ll do that. You don’t have to uproot your life for your old man, Bug.” Once those words left his lips, he started to cough again. A nurse finally came in and presented him with the Popsicle she said she’d promised him earlier. Camille laughed because it was clear that the woman was flirting with her father and he was flirting back.

After her father ate a little and had fallen asleep again, Camille went out to call her agent. She updated Anna Vinson on her father’s condition and gave her a rough estimate of when she expected to return. Anna wished her well and encouraged her to take a meeting or two while she was there, though Camille wasn’t sure if she’d be able to do so without hiring someone to help with her father. She often took meetings as a “representative” of Reese Elaine, her pen name, so no one would know she was the person behind the books. It was her way of keeping everyone protected and safe from her secret career.

Twenty minutes after her call, Camille sat in the cafeteria waiting for the home health nurse to meet her. Camille’s cousin Augusta had arranged the meeting because the woman was a friend of hers. Camille was sure this would be a formality since her cousin didn’t deal with unsavory, unreliable or un-Christian-like individuals. It was how most people in this town were, which was what had kept Camille at a distance over the years. A small Southern town where the Bible was law and any deviation was blasphemous was not somewhere she could see herself living out her dream.

A short talk with the nurse was all she needed to feel reassured about her suitability. Now she had the rest of her day ahead of her. She decided to call Augusta, tell her she’d hired the nurse and go get a nap in before she returned to the hospital that evening.

As Camille walked into the lobby, she heard the women at the desk talking. They weren’t trying to whisper and Camille was sure she heard her name followed by a couple insults. When she turned, one of the women she recognized as an ex-classmate gave her a sneer. Shrugging it off, Camille put the barbs behind her, knowing they were something she’d have to deal with because of her history with Remington Krane.

That was a name she tried not to think about, but she had to admit it was him every other thought had gone to since she’d found out about her father. She wondered if she’d see him while she was in town, if he even wanted to see her. She wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. She’d left him all those years ago and had not looked back. She’d done what she thought was best for herself and Remi, as well as her family and the town in general.

* * *

Remington knew Camille was in town. He knew because he’d heard the gossips talking about her when he’d gone to visit Reese Ryan. They’d been hard on her, which in turn had been hard for him to listen to despite his own need for answers about her departure.

The good news was that Reese Ryan was doing fine and would make a full recovery in a couple weeks. That was all that mattered to Remington because he was sure it was what mattered to Camille.

Now it was time to find the man’s daughter. But first he had to see his grandfather, who’d summoned him to his large estate.

“Have you moved on that property?” That was the first thing that passed Frederick Krane’s lips when Remi walked through the doors of the old man’s sitting room. Remington wanted to curse the man for being so insensitive, but you couldn’t teach an old dog new tricks, and his grandfather was the oldest dog of them all. He was set in his ways and didn’t much like Remi’s way of doing things. He said Remi wasn’t cutthroat enough and that would be his downfall. But the man had not hesitated to hand over the business to Remi when he became ill, knowing that despite his constant gripes, Remi had the right skills to run Krane Gourmet Snack Foods. In addition to that, Remi knew the old man loved him dearly, despite his disapproval.

“Aren’t you going to ask me how Reese Ryan is doing? He is a respected business owner in this town, Granddad.” Remington walked over to the chair facing his grandfather and sat down. “He is also a member of your church, a deacon and assistant superintendent of Sunday school. He’s a perfect representative of what Fairdell is about, plus he’s Camille’s father and—”

“It always comes back to her, doesn’t it? Boy, didn’t you get enough of her abuse when she left you here with your tail between your legs? You know that was the best thing that happened to you, right? The Kranes did not need to have any familial associations with the likes of the Ryans. They aren’t worthy of our time. God forgive me saying it but the Ryan girl is probably more suited for a good roll in the hay, maybe, but never more than that. You know where your future lies and it’s not with Camille Ryan.” He wiped his nose with a tissue but didn’t skip a beat. “And speaking of church, it’s about time for Krane to make its back-to-school donation. The mothers of the church have agreed to help give out supplies. I’ve volunteered you to help Sonya with making sure it gets done. Now Sonya, that is a hot little number and her family has the right connections. She’s the one you need in your life and for your future. Judge Brandt is a moral, God-fearing man who’s taught his daughter and son what it means to be successful. Long ago, her father and yours said you’d be together and I plan to honor your dad’s dying wish.”

Remington had heard this argument time and time again. He knew his grandfather didn’t like Camille because he thought her father’s job was beneath them. However, though Remi did not agree, he didn’t argue. His grandfather would surely have another heart attack if he got him too riled up. But one thing he would not let his grandfather do was tarnish his father’s memory.

“Granddad, you know that was not my father’s dying wish.”

“You may be right about that, but it’s mine. And you don’t have to wait ’til I’m dead to make that happen. They say, give them their flowers while they live and Sonya is one stunningly gorgeous flower. But about that land—” His statement was cut off by a sudden coughing fit.

The home nurse ran into the room and Remington took that as his opportunity to leave. This had happened many times during his visits so he felt no guilt in leaving. The old man would hardly recognize that he was gone now that his nurse’s ample cleavage was in his face.

Chapter 3

Speaking with Charleston “Charlie” Cobb was nothing new. Camille spoke to him often. He was not only her lawyer, he was her best friend, and she loved him. She had no idea where she’d be without having him to complain to or get advice from. He was one of the main reasons she’d quit her teaching job and had gone after her dream. He was behind her all the way and had even paid her rent for a couple months when she didn’t renew her teaching contract so she could focus on writing full-time.

He had accompanied her when she visited her father the second time that day, and had returned home with her. Charlie had then left to run an errand and she’d fallen asleep after a shower, only to be woken up now by a pounding on the door. She had no idea who it was until she remembered that Charlie was supposed to come by after he was done with his errand. Waking up in her old living room had thrown her off and she had no idea he’d return so soon.

He came in with his commanding presence, protective attitude and a six-pack of beer, fussing at her for not asking who was at the door. He pushed past her like he owned the place, heading straight to the kitchen. “Thanks for letting me read those pages,” he said and she looked at him as he returned with a bottle of water. “I think they worked.”

“Eww...you’re using my stories as a guidebook? That’s nasty, Charlie.”

Charlie plopped down on the couch and put his feet on the ottoman. “Hey, you shouldn’t be so good. And it’s not the first time...and it won’t be the last.”

“Eww... Do I know this person?”

“Doubtful, but she kinda puts me in mind of my career rival here in town—your best friend.”

Best friend? She knew what that meant. He meant her one and only enemy, Sonya Brandt. Last Camille had heard she was the lawyer for Krane Foods, which was the most Camille had allowed Charlie to tell her about Fairdell when they talked. He’d informed her that Sonya had been hired with the blessing of Frederick Krane, and their two families had been closer than ever since she’d been working there. That was perfect since Sonya always wanted and felt she was entitled to have Remington anyway. Now she was probably having him anytime she wanted.

Camille wasn’t sure why that thought didn’t sit well with her. She didn’t even want to begin to guess why her mind had gone there.

Camille hated having negative thoughts about anyone, but Sonya was a special case. Camille had often wondered how the woman ever got through law school because during high school she’d never done any schoolwork. It was possible that she’d had others do it for her and that trend probably continued through college. Camille wouldn’t put anything past her. Sonya Brandt was spoiled and stuck up and thought she was God’s gift to men because her father was white and her mother was black. She thought that made her exotic and irresistible.

“Hey, babe, I’m going to go get a beer. I thought I could wait for the food, but I can’t,” Charlie declared once the conversation hit a lull. She’d missed him and often felt guilty that he had to keep her secret. He was her best friend and was often the one answering the questions people asked about her because he lived in Fairdell. He was more like an overprotective big brother than a best friend most times.

The brief silence gave way to thoughts of Remi.

She hadn’t been able to get away from those ever since she’d arrived in town. She couldn’t help thinking about him even when she didn’t want to. But now was not the time. She had other things to worry about, like her father and his return home. She had to make sure the house was clean and there was food in the fridge. She had to—

“I think I hear a car in the driveway,” Charlie hollered from the kitchen. “It’s probably the pizza guy. I left some money on the coffee table.”

She rolled her eyes. Sometimes Charlie forgot about what she now did for a living. She could afford a lot more than a pizza, though she tried to live modestly. She bought the things she desired and she lived the lifestyle she wanted—within limits. Her only splurge was paying off her father’s mortgage. It was the least she could do for the man who’d raised her by himself.

She fished the bills off the table, not having time to go get her purse from the room upstairs. She flung the door open and giggled—the wine she’d been sipping was kicking in. She probably shouldn’t have drunk it on an empty stomach but she’d needed the stress reliever after her flight and visit to the hospital.

She might just guzzle the whole bottle on the next go ’round...or maybe not, because she was hallucinating. How else could she explain seeing Remington Krane standing at the door of her home?

* * *

“Long time.”

Camille was speechless. She’d heard him speak but was still so much in shock that nothing came out except for an embarrassing hiccup courtesy of the wine. And then she took him in. His height, strong facial features, the shaved head and slight beard, the smoothness of his caramel skin, and the very manly scent emanating from his direction made her drift closer to him.

The man was sexy and the sight of him made her libido spring to life.

Camille’s mouth opened and closed until finally she took a step back and said, “Why are you here, Remi?” Her voice trembled and she got angry with herself for becoming a blubbering idiot at the mere sight of her former sweetheart.

“That should be obvious. I came here to see you, Camille.”

“You wha... Why? I don’t unders—”

He didn’t wait for her to finish whatever it was she was going to say. He closed the distance between them and didn’t hesitate to place his large, warm hands on either side of her neck, using the pads of his thumbs to gently stroke her cheeks as if coaxing her to comply with his unspoken demand.

Shock, lust, confusion and longing snaked into every crevice of Camille’s body. The overwhelming sensations made her dizzy. She was so busy trying to figure out what was going on that she had not even realized that it was already happening. His lips had found hers and he indulged in helping her remember times past.

When she started to respond with soft moans, his fingers curled tightly into the hair at the nape of her neck. Remi pulled back, but only a fraction, leaving their lips achingly close.

“Hey, babe, did the pizza get here?” Charlie said as he walked back into the room, obviously not realizing they had a visitor. “I had a hell of a time trying to find the bottle opener. You know you could’ve just left it on the counter.”

Camille couldn’t believe that she’d forgotten Charlie was in the house. She jerked back and when she nearly lost her footing, both men came to her aid before she ended up with her body parts intermingled with the wood of a nearby table.

A large, strong hand landed under each elbow. She was practically lifted from the floor when they righted her. Camille yelped a little and then stepped away from the men. They glared at one another before Charlie spoke first.

“I knew it wouldn’t be long before you showed up.” Charlie took a protective stance next to Camille, folding his arms over his bulky chest. Giving a welcoming look to Remi wasn’t an option for Charlie. He didn’t really care for Remi’s more conservative, good-guy nature. He felt a man who was so loyal and “perfect” had something to hide, though Camille did not agree. Remington Krane was exactly who everyone believed him to be. He was that nice.

She had not even considered that Remi would seek her out. He had not done so in all these years and there was no doubt he had the means and time to do it. She figured he’d gotten over her pretty quickly and had moved on without much thought to what had happened. But, if that kiss and the look on his face was any indication, she was completely wrong. Not that she’d had much time to think clearly in the past few moments. Her brain was still trying to catch up to Remington Krane actually being here and on top of that, acting as if no time had passed between them. His behavior suggested that he was no longer angry with her for the way she left, but now Camille was left to decipher what it all meant. However, her traitorous body was telling her it didn’t care about any of that.

Reeling in her libido, Camille stood tall and mimicked Charlie’s stance. “Why are you here, Remi?” she asked again. She desperately wanted to have his lips on hers again, but that wasn’t what she needed. She needed him to leave. She needed him to stay far away from her. He’d only reawaken feelings she’d kept hidden. She’d left for his sake—for their sake. Her leaving was supposed to be her liberating act—one that left them both free to realize their dreams.

“I’m here for you, of course.”

Had Camille been expecting that response? No. Should she have expected nothing other than the confident man she knew he’d become? Probably.

“We don’t know each other anymore, Remi. That was ten years ago and we were stupid teenagers. Stupid teenagers who made stupid promises they could never have kept. I left, Remi. Obviously you haven’t heard. So, you should probably just...go.”

Tears were forming and threatening to spill by the time she got out the last word. She didn’t think saying the words would hurt her so much. She wanted to turn away so she could experience the full range of her emotions, but she needed to know if she’d hit her mark. Pushing back the tears, Camille squared her shoulders and waited.

“Know you? Well, that is a joke, isn’t it? Of course I don’t know you, Camille. I don’t know the person who lied and said she would stand by me. I don’t know the person who left without so much as a call or a note. You have some nerve, you know that? I should be angry with you. I should never want to speak to you again and here I am trying to—”

“Leave,” Camille said in a low voice. Charlie was her best friend and Remi was nothing more than an ex—an ex whom she still needed to protect despite her true feelings. “Leave, Remington! Get out now,” Camille said and balled her fists at her sides. She then looked at Charlie and he nodded his support, knowing why she had to do this to Remi.

Remi noticed their eye contact, and he glanced from one to the other. “You two together now? Is that what this is about? You finally get her into bed, Charlie?”

Slap.

Camille could not believe she’d just done that and stepped back shaking her hand while Remington held the side of his face in astonishment. Although she had to admit it had worked out perfectly. She’d provoked him to anger and surely he’d leave now and forget about her. It was why this whole act was necessary.

“I deserve that,” Remi admitted. “I shouldn’t have said that and I’m sorry.”

“I said leave, Remington, especially if this is all you came here for.” He really needed to remove himself from the premises because she could almost feel herself slowly giving in. “Maybe...maybe we can talk...”

Had those words fallen from her lips? She’d meant to think them, not say them aloud. Thankfully Remington said, “Forget it,” and turned to walk toward the door. “And just so you know... I forgave you a long time ago,” he said not looking back at her and then walking out the door without another word.

Was this what gum on the bottom of someone’s shoe felt like? Probably pretty close to it. She’d known this encounter would happen, but she didn’t think it would be this soon and she hadn’t expected him to do that when he first saw her.

Camille didn’t know what had driven Remington Krane to go through the trouble of actually stopping by, but he’d left her with a simple, sweet, memorable kiss that had so much power and meaning behind it. It would take a while to get over this, but she knew it was for the best.

* * *

What had come over him, he wasn’t quite sure. Remington had gone over to that house to simply let Camille know that he was aware she was in town and that this time she wouldn’t be hiding from him. He also wanted to tell her that he was sorry about her father and to offer his help in any way she needed.

But the visit had not gone that way.

She had opened the door before he’d had a chance to knock, catching him off guard. He’d planned to give himself a little pep talk before ringing the doorbell but seeing her had made him forget all that.

He’d looked down at her standing there with her mouth opening and closing like a cute little guppy and his little friend down below had started to throb as if asking him if they were both seeing the same thing. They were. Camille had stood there in a pair of sexy little lounge shorts and a tank top with no bra. He even guessed that she might have been panty-less since the shorts left little to the imagination.

His groin had done the moving for him as it took over and propelled him in her direction. He’d not intended to kiss her without even saying hello but other parts of him had other plans and he’d not been in control of his actions.

That was the story he was sticking to.

Then it had all gone to hell with her best friend being there. He knew the man thought of her as a little sister so he couldn’t blame him for his protectiveness. However, when it got in his way, it was annoying.

It was easy to see she had not meant the words she’d yelled at him. It was even easier to feel how she’d responded to his touch. It had been unmistakable. The girl was a woman now and the woman had wanted him.

Remi drove through the streets of town trying to calm himself. He was angry with himself for not sticking to his plan, he was angry with Camille for her reaction to his presence, and he was angry with Charlie for simply existing.

The anger had him driving aimlessly around town, but somehow he had ended up right back at her house. He didn’t go in this time but instead stood outside the gate. He looked over the fence at the shed. He and Camille had spent many a day making out in that shed when they were supposed to be completing a task for her father’s landscaping business.

He smiled as he remembered when he and Camille had first started dating. Mr. Ryan would not allow Remi to set foot in his home. His daughter was only fifteen and a sophomore and he was about to be eighteen and a senior. Mr. Ryan had forbid his daughter to date until she was sixteen but she’d begged him to let Remi come over, vouching for his good nature. Her father was a pushover when it came to Camille and couldn’t say no. After that, Remi became a regular fixture at the Ryan home since Remi’s grandfather had made it clear that he did not approve of his grandson dating someone with such a “common” background.

Remi stood in front of Camille’s childhood home for a while longer before leaving. He noticed the light in her old bedroom was on and briefly watched as her silhouette passed the window. Seconds later the room went dark, which was his signal to stop acting like a stalker.

“God, please watch over the man who raised the woman I love and restore him to full health,” he prayed before getting in his car and returning to his home.

Chapter 4

Two days after her arrival in town, Camille’s father was released to her care and that of that home health nurse. He was given a better prognosis than she’d anticipated, along with the all-clear to return to normal activities as long as he cut down on some of his more strenuous ones.

She’d taken him home to find the nurse already waiting. Camille had cooked a small meal and prepared an area for her father to rest and relax. He’d grumbled and groaned as she’d helped him to the house, but his whole demeanor had changed when he’d laid eyes on the woman who’d be caring for his needs for the next week.

Now as she stepped into the grocery store, Camille thought about her life in New York for the first time in days. She’d have to return to her apartment soon. She had a profession that was ruled by deadlines and she needed to get in touch with her agent to discuss them. The woman was a barracuda and a shark and any other ferocious animal all rolled into one. She could find a bookstore in the middle of Antarctica to sell Reese Elaine books in if she so chose. And she’d done just that if her lengthy phone message that morning was anything to go by. Anna had arranged for Camille to meet with a potential distributor who was also a fan. The woman had agreed to not take any pictures if she could simply meet Camille, the woman attached to the pseudonym Reese Elaine. Her publishing team had wanted to do business with this distributor but it was too costly. The meeting would guarantee a substantial discount for them and make it happen. Camille was just glad she’d packed for this possibility.

To the world—the literary world—Reese Elaine was the author of ten full-length erotic novels and several novellas. Camille had pursued her writing dream at the encouragement of her high school English teacher after Camille had mistakenly turned in a few chapters of her work instead of an essay. The teacher had pulled her aside and given her an application for an internship in New York and had told Camille she had a real future in writing. It was all the encouragement she needed and had been the catalyst that had led her to New York, where she ended up pursuing her degree. Her life had changed that day.

Now she was no longer a teacher of tenth grade English at a private school and hadn’t been for some time. She’d come this far and had not had to reveal her identity to anyone and didn’t see herself doing so anytime soon. And by “this far” she meant a hefty contract for three of her books and even bigger ones for her next seven. It was truly a blessing to be able to do something she loved; she only wished that she could share the good news with her family and friends, but she knew that wasn’t possible. She’d be putting her father’s business and reputation in jeopardy. His clients, church members and friends might not understand that his daughter wrote what conservative people considered pornography.

Reese Elaine was the main reason she’d had to give up Remi. Krane Foods was considered a family-oriented business and her books were nothing of the sort. She couldn’t allow Remi to give up his future for her so she’d chosen for him.

Camille was energized not only by her agent’s message but also by that news she’d gotten over the phone a few minutes ago. She’d woken up feeling a little off, but after that conversation, she’d felt like singing. Her father’s doctor had said his tests had all come back normal and after his recovery he’d be in better health than he had been in years.

She hurried home from the grocery store to share the results with him, but his reaction to the good news was less than enthusiastic.

“’Bout time you got back.”

“Well, good to see you, too, Mr. Grumpy Pants. What has you in a bad mood?” Camille put a bag of food down on the coffee table and sat on the couch she remembered her and Remi making out on. The thought brought a smile to her face, but she wiped it away just as fast as it appeared.

“Not in a bad mood, just hungry. And it didn’t help that I had to smell that crap in the kitchen. I bet they’re doing something illegal with the packaging to get folks to buy the stuff. Some sort of subliminal scent or something, I bet! Like I said...illegal,” Reese Ryan ranted.

Camille had not noticed the smell before but when she did, she couldn’t help the bright smile that took over her face.

She’d recognize that smell anywhere. It was her favorite snack from Krane Gourmet Snack Foods and she’d eaten it ever since she could remember. She even made sure to buy up all the stock they had in her local corner market when they got it in. It was odd because no other market in the area—or in the city, that she’d noticed—sold the snacks except for this one store by her house. She’d always thought it was strange but she’d been grateful to have that one comfort from home.

She went into the kitchen and pulled up short.

“Oh. My. God.” Camille had no idea what had gotten into Remington Krane but she was in awe. It hadn’t been long since their encounter, but she figured that she wouldn’t hear from him again after her attempt to reject him. But hear from him she did, and in the sweetest way...literally.

There on the counter of the kitchen was a beautifully arranged basket containing at least twenty bags of her favorite snack. There was a bright yellow card attached to the front that said “Read Me” instead of her name.

She opened it and another small plastic card fell out. A gift card to a big chain office store with a four-figure amount attached, no doubt for supplies for her supposed teaching job. She cursed under her breath and then read the three handwritten sentences.

We start over tomorrow night at 7 p.m. with dinner. I’ll pick you up at home. Wear my favorite color...please.

Camille had no idea what she should do. She knew she wouldn’t be able to meet with him for dinner but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to. She’d had a chance to sleep on it and realized that she really, really wanted to know what that kiss had been all about. She wanted to tell him all about her career. She wanted to tell him about her life and hear about his. She wanted...

Camille wanted him.

She wanted Remington Krane.

She wanted to experience the things she wrote in her books. She wanted to be seduced and touched and treated like the sensual woman she knew she could be. She no longer wanted to feel like a fraud to her fans because she was a virgin. She was a woman who was raised in this town and its values had been ingrained in her. Despite her career, she still believed in saving herself for the one man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

If her fans knew, they’d boycott her books and demand refunds. That was probably an exaggeration, but she didn’t want anyone to find out that each and every book was written about a fantasy she’d had about the very man who was now requesting her presence for dinner.

* * *

By now, his gift to Camille would have arrived and hopefully she’d have seen it. He knew it would be a hit regardless of whether they were at odds with one another or not. It was her favorite snack and would always be if he had anything to do with it. And he did have something to do with it since he’d found out where she lived after a conversation with Charleston and had personally sent the snacks to the nearest grocery store. He’d even contacted the owner personally to see if Camille frequented the store and when he found out that a woman matching her description had been coming in, he’d paid the man to carry the snack and point it out to her the next time she came in. She had no idea that Remi had done that and he’d do it again if she ever moved to a new place.

His behavior bordered on stalker since he knew where she lived and where she bought her groceries thanks to a little investigating.

He was allowing his thoughts to stray, taking his mind off of the land deal he should’ve been thinking about. His grandfather had called every day wanting to hear some information but Remi had dodged the man as usual. The land deal was under way but he wanted to handle it without his grandfather’s interference. He loved his grandfather, but in his old age he’d started to stray from some of the core values of the company. He’d been touched by the demons of power, ambition and success, and he’d begun to believe they made him better than others—better than good people like Reese Ryan and his lovely daughter.

Making sure the land acquisition went smoothly should’ve been the only thing on Remi’s mind but it wasn’t. A pair of shapely bronzed legs, attached to a petite little frame that he could see himself buried deep inside of, was all his mind kept going back to. The way her womanly body—more alluring now than before—had appeared to him the other night should’ve been a sin. The doe-eyed look on her face when she had opened that door was one that he wouldn’t mind seeing while she writhed underneath him.

Had she had sexual experiences over the years? Of course she had. She was a beautiful woman and had the smarts to back up the looks, so she’d have no trouble attracting men.

It tormented Remi to think about another man with his hands on what he’d always considered his. No matter the time and the distance, he’d always thought of Camille Ryan as his girl, though she’d left him.

Remington was startled from his thoughts when his phone rang. He answered it since his secretary didn’t come in on Saturday. Neither did he on most Saturdays, but he was trying to take his mind off Camille and the fact that she could be leaving soon.

“Remington Krane,” he said when he didn’t recognize the number that showed up on the caller ID. He had a feeling that it might be Camille and if she was calling, then he hoped it wasn’t to turn him down. He switched on the speaker so he’d have his hands free.

“Oh...hi, Remi. I got your gift and I thought I should call you and thank you.” She paused and he could tell she was nervous. “They are still my favorite snack... I—I want to say that, while I wish I could join you for dinner, I can’t. I have an engagement in the city and won’t be back in time.” She rushed through the words and it gave Remi the slightest bit of satisfaction that she was uncomfortable turning him down.

Maybe the kiss hadn’t been a total mistake.

“No problem at all,” Remi said stopping her from continuing to let him down. “May I ask what type of engagement? I thought your trip to town was unexpected.”

He knew he was fishing and that she had every right to tell him to mind his own business, but he wasn’t ready to get off the phone and he did have a genuine interest in where Camille would be. He expected her to avoid the subject but instead she said, “I have a friend flying to the West Coast and she has a layover in the city. I told her I’d meet her for an early dinner.”

Camille hated lying. He knew that about her and she was definitely lying.

“Oh, really. Where do you plan to take her? Maybe I could make some suggestions.” He tried not to sound disappointed over being lied to.

She hesitated for a moment and then told him that she was open to suggestions. She listened intently, but something inside him told him she wasn’t taking any of it in. She thanked him again and promised to call and reschedule, but as he hung up he knew he wouldn’t hold his breath.

* * *

Camille wasn’t sure why she felt so bad about having to let down Remi, but she did. She’d felt so bad about lying to him that she’d wanted to tell him exactly what she was going into the city to do. If anyone would be proud of her, Remi would. He’d probably go out and buy all her books just to see if she based any of the characters on him. Then he’d find something in every one and insist he deserved some sort of royalty payment for being her inspiration. Jokingly, of course, but he’d definitely say it.

Camille blushed at the mere idea of Remi reading words she conjured from her thoughts. It was one thing for a stranger to read her books but it was another for someone close to read them. It would be like them seeing a different side of her—a side that may suggest she wasn’t as innocent as people imagined her to be.

Wasn’t that her dilemma? She was doing this thing that she was so proud of and she could only be proud of it in secret. She was afraid to reveal the truth because she didn’t want to hurt her family. She certainly didn’t want to bring any unwanted attention to her small hometown. Using this alias had protected everyone, although she could honestly say she sometimes wished she didn’t have to hide her identity. She wished she could tell everyone, especially Remi. She wished she could tell everyone that she’d only left to protect Krane Foods and Remi’s future, because ultimately, she could’ve dealt with the scrutiny if had been just her she had to think about.

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