Skin Deep (Wounded Hero Series) (23 page)

Camille felt as if she was flying through a tunnel, suddenly all her senses came online. The sensation was like hitting a concrete wall at a high rate of speed. Instantly she was aware of her body aware of pain, the taste of something in her mouth, the sounds around her. The weight of her body, her limbs felt like lead. She was having difficulty opening her
eyes. She could do this, remembering what the woman told her. That Dillon was waiting for her, she wanted to see him, needed to see him. Struggling, gathering all her strength, she opened her eyes. Her vision was blurred, and why couldn’t she breath. Oh no, she was choking. The panic was overwhelming. Her survival instinct kicked in. Her body began to shake uncontrollably.

Dillon came awake quickly when he heard the alarms going off on the monitoring machines. He looked up to find Camille struggling, eyes wide and panic stricken. He jumped to his feet, knocking over his chair. He punched the emergency button for the nurse. Putting his large hands on either side of her face and looking into her frightened eyes. “Camille, look at me. Yeah that’s it your okay, I need you to stop struggling okay, can you do that for me baby?” he said in a low calm voice. Though he was anything but calm. Camille stopped struggling but she was still shaking. The nurse was there in a instant and when she took in Dillon holding Camille’s face, she rushed to the phone on the wall and spoke quickly into it.  Pushing Dillon aside and shutting the monitors off. She was quickly taking Camille’s vital signs and talking to her. Then Archer and another nurse were there crowding her. Dillon tried to stay out of the way and at the same time see what they were doing. Camille started to struggle again.

Archer took charge quickly. “Dillon get over here now!” Dillon moved in quickly. Camille looked over at Dillon and seemed to calm down. Archer spoke up again. “Camille, my name is Archer and I’m a friend of Dillon’s. I know waking up like this is scary. You were having trouble breathing so we had to help you. I know you feel like your choking but you’re not. Blink your eyes once for no and twice for yes if you can understand me.”  Camille, looked at Dillon then back at Archer. Blinking twice. “Good girl, that’s it.”  He made quick work of taking the ventilator out. Then he proceeded to examine Camille thoroughly, explaining everything that he was doing as he did it. Camille listened to Archer, when he paused she would search for Dillon. He positioned himself at the end of the bed and rested his hand on her foot. That small gesture seemed to comfort her. Before he knew it the room was full of nurses and technicians scurrying around the room, some taking blood, others making notes in her chart. Dillon watched her carefully, all he wanted was to be alone with her. He said a silent prayer of thanks.

When everything settled down, and Camille was sleeping peacefully. Archer motioned for Dillon to follow him. When they were in the hall, the elevator doors opened and Danny was striding towards them with Tina in tow. Dillon had been able to call Danny to give him the news. All of them waited patiently for Archer. “She’s conscious her vitals look good. I’m running a few tests. If  her condition continues to improve then I think she will make a full recovery.” They all seemed to let out a collective sigh of relief. Archer stepped aside,  letting them go back into the room. Camille was still asleep. They stood around the bed watching her sleep. A nurse came in rolling a cart, she stopped when she saw all of them. “I’m sorry, it’s time for her bath.” Tina spoke up. “I’ll help you. Danny why don’t you and Dillon go grab a cup of coffee or something.” Both men weren’t inclined to move right away. Tina gave them both a stern look. They left without arguing.

Dillon and Daniel came back to Camille’s room to find Tina softly talking to Camille as she brushed out Camille’s hair, in that moment it was as if the last few days never existed, the remnants of which fell away. As they entered the room, Dillon focused on Camille. Their eyes met and that same intense pull was still there. If anything it was even stronger now. It was as if they were the only two people in the world. They didn’t notice when Tina and Daniel left the room. He sat down slowly on the side of the bed and took her hand in his. “I... I thought I lost you.” he said with such emotion, he didn’t he would be able to talk past the lump in his throat. There were no words, after holding himself together for so long. The emotions came to the surface, bubbling up through his hard kept control. He brought her hand to his lips. He needed to just be here with her. I love you was said so softly, he barely caught the words. Her voice was huskier it was an effort to speak. It was the words that anchored him. He looked into her eyes and what he saw seemed to coat his skin. “I love you to, and if you’ll have me I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

It was hard for her to speak, after being on the ventilator. She’d waited a long time to here  Dillon say those exact words. He climbed into the hospital bed with her, gently pulling her into a his arms. Being careful not to hurt her.

“You must be exhausted, go to sleep I’ll be here when you wake up. With that said she leaned into his embrace and relaxed. The warmth and safety of his arms was like heaven. There was no place better in the whole wide world.

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN             

Eight weeks later

Sitting outside of her favorite restaurant, Carlene’s was a much needed treat. As she waited for Tina she took in the beautiful day, the sky seemed bluer and the clouds where forming patterns for the imagination to decipher. The Smell of garlic roasted chicken, filling the air along with the sun shining down warming her skin, was almost perfect. She was thankful for everything these days. Having a near death experience did that for a person. That wasn’t all of it. She needed to give some of the credit to Dillon and their new budding relationship. If someone told her six months ago that her life would have taken a turn towards the bizarre, she would have laughed in their face. Now thinking back to everything that happen to her, the only word to describe it would be grateful.

Before she could get too wrapped up in her thoughts, she spotted Tina. Watching her as she made her way to their table. Camille couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. The thought was so foreign to her. Nevertheless, that was what she was feeling. Since everything in her life was falling into place, she now wanted more. The thought of having a child with Dillon seemed as natural as breathing at least that was what her heart was saying. Her mind was saying slow down. She and Dillon were officially together. Everything she owned was now at his place, her Condo was being leased. The only question was how serious was this new relationship? They hadn’t discussed long term anything; she knew she was more than flavor of the month. What she and Dillon had was much deeper, though it didn’t have a label. She snapped back to reality when she noticed Tina standing in front of her. She stood to give Tina a hug. Stepping back she got a clear view of how much bigger Tina’s belly was getting. “Wow, Tina you look great.” Tina, smiled and sat down. “Thanks I feel like the Goodyear Blimp. Thanks for suggesting we have lunch. It gets lonely when Danny’s out of town.” Camille knew that first hand, Dillon had taken an assignment a couple of weeks after she got out of the hospital. He was only gone for a week but it seemed like forever. She knew Tina wasn’t complaining, the job was a very big part of who they were.

They both ordered the garlic roasted chicken with oven roasted vegetables and plenty of warm rolls to hold them over.

Dillon my man
it’s probably the biggest diamond I have ever seen. She’s going to love it Daniel said as he continued to look at the Diamond engagement ring Dillon had made for Camille. “Thanks I hope she likes it.” Daniel laughed. “If she doesn’t can I have it to give to Tina, cause after this I am so going to have to get Tina a bigger diamond.” Dillon laughed. He thought to himself how easy laughter came now, it felt amazing. However, he was nervous about popping the question. He’d been planning this surprise for Camille the day after she woke from a coma. Since they were living together now it seemed like the next logical step. He was hoping it would set things in motion in more ways than one. He knew Camille was frustrated with him and their non-existent love life, he had come so damn close to losing her that now he didn’t want to do anything to ruin it. For some unknown reason he couldn’t touch her that way, it seemed wrong. All he wanted to do was treasure her. Tonight was going to be it, after she came home from having a girl’s day out. He and Daniel had asked Tina not to tell Camille that Danny was home. That way Camille thought she was getting Tina out of the house. Now the rest was up to him, he was nervous as hell. What if she said no? He didn’t doubt her love for him or her commitment to the relationship. The problem in  a nut shell was that, they’d never discussed long term and that was partly his fault. He had issues with commitment. Now he was jumping feet first into the abyss, it was a terrifying thought. However, what was more terrifying was living another day without Camille in his life. He would do whatever it took; he didn’t just want her as his live-in lover, he wanted her to be his partner in life. The world seemed just a little brighter with her in his life. They had a lot to talk about, but first she had to say yes.

Lunch had been incredible and shopping was next. What was a girl’s day out without shopping. Tina noticed that Camille seemed preoccupied even at lunch. “Camille, What’s wrong? I know something’s bothering you. You’ve pasted by at least ten pairs of fabulous shoes without even giving them a second look.” Camille sat down on the bench outside of the dressing rooms, looking around to make sure no one could hear them. “I’ve been living with Dillon for about five weeks and at first I understood him not wanting to have sex with me. I mean I was too weak, you know with recovering and everything. I got a clean bill of health from Archer three weeks ago and still nothing. I know he wants to, all the signs are there if you know what I mean. I know he loves me and he’s committed to whatever this is between us, it’s like I’m a China doll that he doesn’t want to break or something or maybe he only has me living with him because he still feels guilty.” Tina was quiet thinking that Camille would say more, when she didn’t say anything else. Tina took a deep breath. “Men like Dillon and Danny are different from other men, they have a strict code of honor that they live by and sometimes that code gets in the way. The way I handle it is to take the bull by the horns so to speak. It’s obvious that Dillon isn’t going to make the first move, so you are going to have to do it for him.” Camille thought about it for a few minutes. Then she began to smile. “I think your right. I think we should pay a visit to the lingerie shop at the mall.” Tina laughed out loud. “Okay that’s my girl. I have a feeling Dillon is not going to know  what hit him.”

Dillon was standing out in the driveway when Camille came home, he and Zane were deep in conversation when she pulled up. Dillon opened her door and helped out of the car. His greeting made her pulse race. He kissed her deeply, lingering to nip at her bottom lip. Breaking their contact only after Zane cleared his throat a couple of times.  He smiled down at her, giving her that warm feeling all over. “I’m glad your home. I have surprise for you, part of it is waiting for you upstairs.” he said with a mischievous smile on his face.  He didn’t give her time to ask questions he led her to the front door and patted her butt for good measure.

Camille entered their bedroom to find a gift wrapped box on the bed. She smiled to herself, the box was from her favorite boutique, La Pleasures. Inside the box was a sexy black dress and a pair of matching black sandals with a strap around the ankle. There was a note that said to meet him downstairs in an hour. She sat down on the side of the bed. What
he was up to, she thought to herself.  Smiling she headed for the bathroom, two could play at this game, she was in it to win it.

Dillon nervously put the finishing touches on everything, he wanted this night to be one Camille would never forget. He couldn’t remember ever being this nervous about anything; if he was honest with himself he wasn’t sure of Camille’s answer. They’d been in love with each other for a long time the only difference now, was he wasn’t running. He wanted a life with Camille more than anything. He thought about the past few weeks they’d been the happiest of his life. However, he’d been holding back.  He wanted to make love to her more than anything but something was holding him back.  Each time they kissed and touched his body was in agony for Camille, and each time he flashed back to her being shot and seeing her lying in that damn hospital bed. That was like throwing ice cold water on him. Truth be told he still believed it was his fault.  He hadn’t been able to keep her safe then, what made him think he could keep her safe now? His self doubts were affecting their relationship.

Before his thoughts got any more morose, he heard Camille’s
footsteps coming down the stairs. He gave himself a pep talk, he could do this. Suddenly he felt her presence behind him. He was always aware of her when she came into a room. His body came alive for her and only her. Turning slowly, his breath caught in his lungs when he saw her standing there in the doorway. He blinked a few times, because surely he was dreaming.

Camille couldn’t have been happier, Dillon’s reaction was better than she could have imagined.

He took her in, his eyes scanned her body. Focusing on nothing but her. He opened his month to speak but nothing came out. He was at a loss for words, looking at the vision standing before him. Camille was wearing a white corset that pushed her breast up, into two creamy mounds. They looked as if they were overflowing. As his eye’s tracked their way down her body, he noticed the very small white panties that just barely covered her core. Then there was the white garter that wrapped  around her thighs and were attached to white thigh high stockings. His mouth began to water as he continued his descent down her shapely legs to her tiny feet that were in the sexiest pair of  six inch high stilettos he had ever seen. When he slowly traveled back up her body to look into her eyes; what he saw there had the power to bring him to his knees. She had the sexiest look in her eyes but there was also love. It was that love that moved him in ways even he didn’t understand. He watched her as she slowly came to him, even with six inch heels own he still towered over her. “You know I had this whole evening planned out.” he said.  He was curious as to what she was up two. “Oh, I know but I thought I would surprise you.” Camille was smiling up at him, it was obvious she was up to something. He would go along because he was definitely enjoying the view. “So do you like my surprise so far?” she asked still smiling at him.  Dillon smiled at her, gifting her with his bad boy smile she loved so much. “What do you think?” Camille put her hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his strong heart.  It was strong and steady just like him.  Looking him in the eye. “I don’t know what you’re thinking lately. Every time I try to get close, you push me away. So this is my feeble attempt at seducing you.” Dillon smiled at her, knowing she was right he had been avoiding her. He didn’t need to tell her what he was feeling; he needed to show her. With that thought, he moved fast fusing his mouth to hers, surprising her. It wasn’t long before Camille was right there with him, pulling him by his hair. She needed this, they needed this. They needed to connect in the most primal way possible.