"Camelia!"
A voice shouted far out into the distance jolting Camelia wide awake. Laying a hand over her radically speeding heart, she breathed heavily attempting to slow the heavy thumping against her ribs. She could have sworn someone called out her name.
Kicking the confining sheet down and away from her she swung her legs to the side and stood while yawning and waited for any sounds. After a minute Camelia rubbed her eyes.
It must've been a bad dream.
Checking her phone for the time she couldn't believe it was three o'clock in the morning. When she awakens in the middle of the night, Camelia was the type that found it hard to go back to sleep. She'll have bags under her eyes by morning for sure.
Barely taking a step away and turning the feel of silk clinging and caressing the skin of her legs, it was then she noticed she was still wearing her silk robe and frowned.
Vaguely, hovering between sleep and waking, she recalled being carried and placed gently on the bed. She had been too tired to fully wake up to care, but she knew it was Kent. Who else would do it? Raising a hand she touched her cheek. Her only hope is he never noticed the tears because she could feel the saltiness dried on her cheeks.
Her hands went to the sash of the robe clung to her body, loosening it, she allowed it fall to the floor silently with an absent expression and proceeded to her bathroom to wash her face.
She was heading right back to bed when it happened again and froze.
"Camelia, Noooo!"
Camelia felt the hair on her head rise sending shivers of unease that felt like slithering snakes down her spine.
Glancing wide-eyed, her gaze snapped toward the door, she recognized Kent's voice echoing down the hallway. Something's wrongâhe sounded as if he were fighting someone.
Sprinting to her door she opens it and runs down the short distance. Although it was pitch black, she easily made it through the hallway thanks to the small built-in security lights close to the base boards against the wallâa new addition installed shortly after the break-in.
Camelia knocks frantically at the closed bedroom door. The answer on the other end was a torturous, painful moan. It sounded like someone was in thereâtorturing him.
Something crashes and falls.
Camelia's fear skyrockets to new heights.
No.
It can't be...not again.
A sense of doom descends over her. She hesitates, her heart racing, wondering if she should go in there and help him or seek a place to hide like she knew he would want her to do. But she couldn't do it. She just couldn't.
Trying the knob, it turns easily. Without hesitation she kicks the door wide open, holds her breath, ready for the worst and steps over the threshold. The darkness dilated her eyes as they adjust and focus.
She almost sighs in relief if she wasn't so scared.
Thrashing on the four poster bed and deep in sleep lay Kent, obviously having a nightmare and calling out her name. The light glow of the moon shines down on him from the open window allowing the cool night to blow lightly into his room.
She rushes to his side while his face is twisted in pain, his head moving rapidly, right then left. He was fighting something or rather someone in his bad dream. Camelia's heart clenched as she tentatively approached his bedside.
As she inched closer, she noticed a porcelain lamp which once was standing atop the nightstand near his bed, now lay a broken mess on the hardwood floor.
That's what she must of heard crash and fall.
Side-stepping the sharp pieces, she bent over the mattress and sat, folding her legs beneath her, and silently studied his athletic form from a safe distance.
Kent's chest was bare with only a pair of white boxer shorts on. The sheets twisted around his legs from his thrashing. Camelia could not help but it as she allowed her gaze to be drawn to his incredible chest. His build was bulky and Herculean; packed with unbelievable thick muscle that held a light matte of dark hair.
She blushed.
Trailing her gaze up his torso she stopped to stare at his face. Camelia almost looked away but then leaned forward squinting her eyes for closer inspection.
Kent shaved his remaining facial hair. Completely.
She frowned.
Due to the shadows of the darkness, she couldn't make out his features quite well but from what she could tell, he was even more handsome then she originally thought.
The smooth, strong, line of his jaw, the faint cleft in his chin...he looked strangely familiar.
"Nooooo!" He shouted, clenching his palms into fists.
Kent startled Camelia so unexpectedly she almost lost her balance and slipped backwards off the bed. With her heart pounding like a sledgehammer, she managed to keep a scream lodge in her throat. Camelia crawled closer and stopped, sitting back on her haunches.
"Kent...Kent." She tried to wake him up softly with her voice, her hands balling into fists and restrained herself from touching him. Because if did, it would only remind her of what she can't have.
The less contact the better.
But the impulse to reach over and touch himâto stroke his perfect face and body in the darkness as he lay unconscious won over the struggle to hold back.
Hard, defined, and powerful is what he felt like as she caressed her fingers up and down his thick arm. Imagining his thickly muscled arms closing around her body made her heart take flight and flutter like a butterfly's wings.
He really did remind her of a werewolf. They very same ones she's read so much about in her books. A alpha male, with the looks and strength of fifty men.
Sammy really did know what he was doing when he dressed him in that costume, she thought.
To touch him freely without reservations made him all the more real, sending a excited shudder right through her. His skin was warm under her fingertips and surprisingly soft, stretched tightly over corded muscle. Her eyes followed his sinuous abdomenâ sleek, tense and finely bulged.
How would it feel to be laying next to him, skin to skin? Her hand hovers ready to overpower her craving to touch more of him.
But she snatches it back. Afraid.
This is wrong. Sitting there like a obsessed weirdo while he sleeps.
She bit her bottom lip and her eyes flicker to her naked thighs, finally noticing she ran out of her room with only her silk white satin slip which stopped just beneath her bottom. Her nipples were erect and straining eagerly against the thin material. Crossing her arms over her chest she flushed from the roots of her hair down to her toes. It was a mistake to go to his room without being properly dressed.
He thrashed again and his leg nudged the side of her thigh. "Kent, wake up you're having a nightmare." She tried again in a soft soothing tone, trying not to startle him awake.
He stopped moving and the pained expression etched on his face eased and his eyebrows relaxed. Camelia let out a sigh of relief and waited patiently for a few moments making sure he was over the worst of it and began to disentangle the sheets to properly cover him.
His subconscious dredged up images of her being kidnapped, she was sure. He cared about her more than he showed.
Once she tugged and pulled the sheet away from his heavy weight, without waking him, she bends over meaning to place a kiss to his smooth cheek before she went back to her room.
Before she could make a coherent thought, rock iron hard hands clamp around her upper arms and flip her over on the mattress. Camelia held her breath feeling it nearly get knocked out of her. Watching with wide eyes, Kent hovered over herâchest to chest, thigh to thigh and his face a mere few inches from her own.
He was crushing her arms with bruising force making her wince uncomfortably.  Looking deeply into his eyes, he glared at her with a intense, murderous look. His breaths came out quickly. It was the way he was staring at her that told her he seemed to be awake but not really seeing.
"Kent...." Camelia whispered. "It's only me...you're hurting me!" She said loudly, trying to squirm which only made him press the heavy weight of his body down on hers.
He blinked as if he just heard her voice.
Blinking again, he shook his head as if to rid himself of the haze encompassing his mind.  Feeling his grip ease she tried to push against his chest but that didn't make him move nor shift his position.
Instead, Kent forced her hands to either side of her head against the pillow, and held them down to only collapse fully on top of her.
Rolling his head to the crook of her neck, he began to nuzzle her skin. Camelia stiffened and couldn't move her arms even if she tried. Her legs were pinned down and her chest compressed under his heavy weight making it even more difficult to breathe.
Camelia looked up at the ceiling feeling helpless. "Kent...I can't...please, move off of me."
Lifting his head slightly he kissed the pulse underneath her ear and murmured, "Camelia..." In a husky tone.
Shock coursed through her as she felt the tingles of pleasure run in her blood. The feather like kiss seeped through her skin and melted her insides to mush, easing the tension in her muscles. Kent continued to place light kisses along her neck, working his way to her jaw.
"Kent...let me go." She managed to breathe out, although everything in her body wanted him to continue. It was torture and yet bliss at the same time. He was making her feel things she had never felt before, things she'd only read about, things she didn't think would be possible except in her dreams.
In a failed attempt to pry her hands free of his demanding grip yet again, he firmly kept them in place with one hand circling both wrists while the other grasp the back of her neck.
"I want you."Â He murmured between kisses.
Camelia's heart reawakened in her chest, sending blood vigorously through her veins and caused her entire body to blaze with intense heat. But she never dared move, never dared to speak again. She shivered as his lips grazed over her chin, he shifted his head and brought the side of his smooth face to nuzzle her cheek and heard the soft sound of his sigh above her.
Camelia went limp.
Surprise burst through her as his lips brushed over hers ever so lightly in a caress. He pulled back and she gasped in utter shock. It was the most dizzyingly gratifying sensation she had ever experienced, beginning to tremble beneath him.
He kissed her mouth again and again, coaxing her lips apart. On instinct she opened her mouth to accept the invasion of his tongue.
As soon as their tongues met, a strange sensation took over her body and the building ache in the pit of her abdomen spread like a wildfire. Kent deepened the kiss, stoking his tongue into her mouth and urging her to kiss him back. His kiss was hard and full of frustration and desire, a passion built on months of need.
A whimper of longing escape her.
Freeing her wrists, he cupped the side of her cheek, angling her head to better meet his insistent mouth. Another hand lifted her thigh and wrapped her leg around his waist as he settled himself between her legs.
The shudder of his desire trembled against her.
The big bulge centered at her core pulsed with excitement. She was barely aware of his large hand stroking up her thigh, working to pull up her slip to expose more of her skin to his greedy hands.
Camelia shivered half in delight and half in growing fear as she kissed him back wrapping her arms around his neck.
This is all she ever wanted, all she yearned for.
The kiss was becoming rougher, his warm hands caressing, exploring, her flesh in desperation. He was acting like a half crazed man out of control. She couldn't help but arch her back as he slid his palm under her slip, tugging the thin material passed her waist and threatening to expose her breasts.
Breaking the kiss to catch her breath, Camelia felt too dazed, too disoriented to move but she did know it was getting out of hand. She wasn't about to lose her virginity to someone without love and marriage first.
"Kent..."
His hot breath fanned across her now bare chest. He caresses her midriff, then brushed her nipples lightly with his knuckles. He leaned down and brushed his face against her breasts. She felt her nipples swell and harden as he buried his face between them.
Camelia gasped and her eyes shot open wide at the hot, wet tug of his mouth rolling over a taunt, swollen nipple.
Desire pooled and clenched in her loins.
In a blaze of passion, she cried out and arched her back off the mattress instinctively. She stared at the shadows casting over the ceiling and barely had a second to wonder at the overwhelming pleasure his mouth gave her. He tormented her with his wicked tongue, igniting a part of her deep within she knew nothing about. All she could do was clutch at his shoulders desperately wishing he'd never stop.
Hungrily, he moved to the other breast, sucking hard, teasing the tip with his tongue then devoured as much as he could fit into his mouth like a starved baby afraid of not getting enough of it's mother's milk. He acted as though he were a untamed animal.
Without warning, a hand drifted between her thighs. In a flash she came to her senses her legs automatically closing to keep his fingers from caressing her there.
He makes a sound of disapproval.
"Kent, this-this needsâget off me!" Pushing at his hard chest.
"I'm not done." He said between kisses along her chest. "I've wanted to feel you...to kiss every inch of your soft skin for the longest time." He added gruffly.
One of his legs settles between her thighs.
"Please stop."Â Camelia whimpered, trying to scoot out from under him.
"This is my dream, why the hell should I stop?"Â He answered.
A dream?
He was still dreaming?
In one fluid motion and completely without warning he makes them switch positions with a easy flip. He was now beneath her while she straddled him on top.
Even as she attempted to move, he wouldn't let her go, grabbing her wrists. She jerked her hands free of his grasp yet he held her tightly, his arms holding her in place by her waistâpossessively for fear that she would vanish.
Kent's eyes were closed and a small smile lifted one side of his face in the shadows. Camelia lifted her fingers to her mouth and touched her lips in bewilderment.
She finally realized he was in a in-between stateâneither fully awake nor fully asleep. He was not fully conscious of what was happening.
Unbelievable.
She wondered how he would react if he found her fully conscious on top of him. Camelia found the whole thing rather ridiculous now. He could take his claim of being gay and throw it out the window for sure.
At least his body is telling her the secrets his mind has yet to reveal.
What other secrets was he holding?
Craving to touch him, Camelia bit her lip and boldly traced his abs with one finger marveling at the feel of his skin.
A thought comes to her. She smiled mischievously.
"How badly do you want me?" She asked him in a whisper.
His eyebrows furrowed and he squeezed his closed eyes tighter. Placing his hands on her bare hips he scooted her closer until he settled her on his twitching shaft.  She was drenched with desire, she could feel it and when he nestled himself directly between her folds, her vagina convulsed.
"I-I want you so much it hurts."Â He moaned out.
A rosy blush floods her cheeks.
"Why did you push me away and claim you were gay?"Â She asked him, feeling bold and confident that she started to trace the outline of his abdominal muscles with a finger.
"It was the only way...t-to stop myself from w-wanting you..."Â He said sucking in a breath when she continued to tease the light dusting of black hair that pointed like a arrow down his muscled body, reaching the edge of the seam of his boxers.
He's wanted her as much as she him.
Camelia had never felt so devious, naughty and so incredibly wicked in her entire life. His words were so innocent and full of truth it added stacks of confidence. The insecurities gnawing her alive for so long vanished just like the snap of her fingers. He was sealing all the flaws she found within herself and filling them up with positivity.
Most importantly he made her feel sexy.
The acts of indifference and treating her like a child was just a detour.
Keeping her at arms length like she held some disease was just to push her away.
The formal and cold manner in which he spoke to her most times...recalling it all made Camelia's lips compress into a flat line.
But the big question was why?
Who is this man? She pondered silently to herself.
"Kent whâ"
"Don't call me, Kent!" He grumbled. "That's not my name!"
It wasn't his name.
His confession scared her.
Camelia's eyes widened at the surge of anger on his face and the harsh tone his voice took. His body tensed under her like a rock. She tried to lift herself off him but his strong arms clamped in place holding her prisoner.
He was even hiding his real name, she wondered at the extent of his lies. She was becoming uncomfortable, wishing to know more but at the same time she was frightened to hear his confessions.
She had to know once and for all. He would never tell her if he was awake.
Bending her upper body over his chest, she whispers close to his ear, "So...what is your real name?"Â Â Narrowing her eyes closely and watching his expression in the shadows.
"It-it's Espahnn...." He mumbled.
The pressure of his hands loosen.
Camelia frowned.
It was difficult hear what he said audibly.
Straightening quickly she took advantage of his slack grip and lifted herself off him and stood. One side of his face was turned toward the silver moonlight glowing softly through the window. The other side was completely in shadow, dark and harsh.
Completely submerged into a deep slumber once again, his features relaxed as he inhaled deep even breaths. Camelia stood beside his bed watching the rise and fall of his chest.
So much for finding the truth.
Just before she started to tiptoe back, a white light flashes, lighting the entire room. It was his phone, she realized and vibrated on top the nightstand where he must have placed it before sleeping. Although it was only shaking with no sound, it was loud enough to wake him up.
Tensing like a deer getting caught in headlights, her eyes traveled towards the bed and she watched in horror as Kent shifted, rubbed a hand over his face, and twisted his body managing to sit up.
Camelia's body jumped in shock, and her heart leapt in her chest. She took the opportunity to rush out the door without being seen.
The vibrations coming from his phone drowned any sounds her bare feet made. It was too late to close the door so she spied on him and watched as he plopped himself on his elbow.
The glare of the phone screen flashed over his vivid new features. His eyes were dark, and his hair tussled from sleep giving him a boyish appeal. His distinguished, powerful appearance was startling.
For a moment she could hardly breathe.
Camelia stared dumbfounded with a gaping mouth and froze with a dawning look of recognition.
He...
He looked exactly like Stefan.
Camelia pressed her back along the wall of the hallway and pressed both her hands over her mouth holding in the shock. Closing her eyes she could not stop the images relentlessly falling into place.
It was all a cover.
The glasses.
His hair.
His eyes.
His beard.
His voice.
He intentionally changed his appearance, changed his name, lied to her endlessly just to pose as her bodyguard.
It was all a lie.
She suspected something was not right from the start and sadly she was right.
The bile rose, feeling it clog with emotion in her throat. It was constricting her airway as she tried to inhale heaping gulps of air while tears clouded her vision and fell from her eyes in a hot stream.
She had been irresistibly attracted to him like a magnet. All along the attraction she felt and recognized with him. She'd experienced it before. Yet she refused to acknowledge and chose to ignore the fact.
Everything she knew, everything she thought...
Her heart kept telling her the perfect lie.
She was the one who was too blind to see.
As a little girl she allowed him into her soul and that grew along with time. As much as she wanted to deny it he was still embedded in her heart. And now she felt her heart crumbling into a million pieces..he had been playing with her, playing with her emotions and succeeding in crushing her.
How could he? How could he leave her to believe a lie for so long?
A knife twisted in her chest while the cold dread seeped into her belly. Shaking her head in denial, not believing, a low whimper sounds in her mouth and echoes into the silent night. Dazedly, she moved away from the wall on unsteady legs. She was shaking from the hundreds of emotions running in her head.
Stepping over the threshold of her bedroom she was mindless of the fact she left it wide open and numbly, without thinking opened the bathroom heading straight for the shower.
Turning the knob she backed away until her back hit the glittering white tile wall and sank slowly, wrapping her arms around herself and lowered her head in despair.
The truth was too hard to swallow.
____________________________________
ððð
Happy 34th Birthday Henry Cavill. . . a.k.a Stefan a.k.a Kent a.k.a Superman!! ð
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Finally, everything is out in the open.
Did you expect Camelia to find out before he had a chance to tell her?
Comes to show lies never last. They always have a way of surfacing. And when we're hit with the truth it hurts more than the lie.
As always much more to come next Friday.
Thanks for voting, commenting and adding to your public reading lists!
-Shaz