Chapter 50: Chapter 49- Tale As Old As Time (Part 2)

"May I have this dance?" He asks.

"Kivanç? I-I don't understand...what–"

"I asked your husband permission to be here." He explains.

Camelia quickly flickers her gaze to Stefan who was watching them intently. Her stomach plummeted down to her Jimmy Choo's.

He gives her a silent nod. It was true then, Stefan invited him here. She didn't realize she was holding her breath until it exploded from her lips. She hated being confused. Why didn't he ever bother telling her?

"I needed to see you and say a proper goodbye one last time. He was gracious enough to invite me here today." He answers as if he read her thoughts. "May I...dance with you?"

Camelia spent several moments battling her astonishment. She couldn't very well turn him away with the kindness and sincerity in which he asked.

"All right."

Kivanç and Camelia get into position.  The feel of his hands on her felt wrong for some odd reason as they began to sway to the slow tempo music.

"I learned of what happened to you and I needed to see for myself you were well." He began. "I personally contacted Stefan some weeks ago. I must be honest, I never expected him to allow me to come and see you. But I sensed he understood why..."

Camelia lowers her lashes then looked back into his eyes. His gaze lingered on her face until she felt herself flush. "As you can see I'm fine.  I never expected to ever see you again, Kivanç."  Looking slightly embarrassed at her words, however, he kept a neutral expression on his face as he listened.  "I'm sorry for what my cousin did. You did not deserve her lies and deceit. And I'm sorry for my accusations and hurtful words."

Kivanç gave a small harsh laugh. "Yes, Gloriana."  He grimaced.  "Seems like she fooled the best of us." He sighs. "I'm here to personally apologize for my behavior and I would like you to know how much I regret everything. It seems you and I were never meant to be."

His last words made her slightly uncomfortable. Finally his pretenses came to the surface.

Camelia did not manage a smile, only a solemn nod. "My heart was never yours, Kivanç. It was always Stefan's whether I knew it or not at the time."

"I felt it somehow, call it intuition but it could never stop how I felt for you... how I still feel." Camelia tenses in his arms. "Pardon my directness, I did not come to make you uncomfortable. I only want to say goodbye and I wish you a life of happiness with your new husband."

She relaxes again. "I'm sure you'll find someone who'll earn your love and love you the way you deserve in return."

Kivanç nods reluctantly. "Perhaps..."

As if on queue, Stefan's tall frame comes into view. He gives Kivanç a sideways glance.

"May I cut in?"

The sheer authority in his voice showed their conversation was over.

"Of course. Thank you again." Kivanç says and holds an outstretched arm for a handshake.

Stefan grasps his hand tightly.

Kivanç turns to Camelia one last time. "Goodbye, Camelia."

"Goodbye Kivanç."

They both watch as Kivanç exits the ballroom and never looks back.

"What was all that about? Why would you let him come here?"  She finally asks, turning to her husband.

"Did he make you uncomfortable?" He asks drawing her into his arms.

Camelia shakes her head.

Stefan takes a deep controlled breath. "He was a pain in the ass.  He called my office several times practically begging me so he could see you. I kind of felt bad for him." He admitted, with a shrug. "Coming from a man's perspective, I understand where he was coming from. He was deeply in love with you, had his life turned upside down, was dragged into a big mess and lost everything in a span of a short time. I can see why he needed the closure. You are one of a kind girl that's hard to forget. As long as I kept a close watch, a few minutes with you wouldn't kill me. I have you for the rest of my life while he has nothing."

Camelia smiled as they swayed to the music. "Stefan, you know something?" She doesn't wait for an answer. "You are the sweetest guy and I'm the luckiest girl in the world. Someone else wouldn't have been so understanding."

"Sometimes I surprise myself."

*****

After mingling with their guests, taking pictures, some more dancing and mingling with their guests, a lavish feast was laid out with Stefan at the head of one of the long, several heavily red draped tables spread across the room.

With a wineglass dangling between his fingers, Camelia sat at his left, where she'll forever be his heart.

Stefan smiled faintly, watching her creamy complexion change with the sway of the candlelight. With his free hand, he curled her hand over his fingers and lifted it to his lips. He brushed a lingering kiss over her knuckles and held her gaze.

Camelia appeared overwhelmed all night, noticing her plate of food untouched.

"Not hungry?" He murmured.

She scowled. His smile widened.

"You're going to need to keep up your strength, Princess."

His little hint was quite obvious.  "You beast!"

"Oh, you have no idea.  I certainly seem to have all the qualities of a gentleman right now, but the interesting kind that knows when to stop behaving like one." He lowers his voice in the barest whisper.

"Stefan, please don't tease me here of all places and in front of our guests–"

"You begging is tempting my mind and building a inferno ready to combust in my body, Princess."  Stefan stare was smoldering.

A wave of possessiveness washed through him. Her shyness and vulnerability was endearing. He wanted her from the core of his soul.

Camelia blushes from the roots of her hair to the tip of her toes.  She looks away, and bites her red ruby colored lip, her heart beginning to pound.

"Don't you dare bite your lip again, it's taking all of my strength not to carry you out of this ballroom, undress you and make you scream my name."  Camelia whipped her gaze back to his and gasped, a stirring deep in her middle quickly growing.  "I've waited all these months for you, I don't know how I'm going to make it through the night and we still have a flight to catch later on." He whispers.

"Stop it."  She whispered between clenched teeth.  He was torturing her with desire and embarrassment. Her nipples swelled against the bodice of her wedding dress and her stomach tightened with awareness.

"There is nothing to fear." He whispered into her ear one last time, pulling away from her.  "I promise."

Not a ounce of emotion revealed on his handsome face except for the quick wink he sends her before diverting his attention and conversing with their guests.  No one else seemed to have noticed, though; they were all distracted by each other as they ate. But anyone really paying attention might have understood the naughty things he was whispering in her ear.

She flushed a rosy pink at the thought.

They've been intimate, but she knew they would never go all the way which allowed the chase so much fun and flexibility.  But now, she was too nervous and excited as the night progressed. All the naughty things he would promise to do to her when they were all alone for their wedding night made her jittery. The thought of being under his mercy was slightly frightening.

His self-restraint was astonishing and it scared her when the time came for him to unleash all his pent up control.   Placing a hand over her abdomen Camelia inhaled and exhaled deeply in order to calm herself. Her body's reaction to his words earlier rattled her composure.

Through the dinner Camelia tried desperately to ignore her husband and concentrated on her family.  Her gaze latched on to her Aunt Cici.  She was there with her husband and their son Max minus Gloriana.  However breathtaking her aunt appeared in her silver colored maxi dress and her up-do hair style, the skin around her eyes was tight and strained.  Her mouth was smiling but her eyes were sad.

Camelia pitied her.  For she understood her loss. It was as if she lost a daughter she would never get back.  They all knew it.  Gloriana was too far gone.  Tears misted her eyes at the thought.  Even after everything she did, Camelia forgave her knowing she wasn't in her right mind. It was the only closure she would ever have.

"Hey, you okay?"  Jasmine asks, from beside her, placing a hand softly on her forearm as if sensing her distress.

Camelia blinked back the moisture and smiled at her sister sitting beside the Italian heartthrob–Cristiano Russo. The man was having difficulty keeping his dark, smitten eyes off her sister once they were introduced.  The way he absorbed Jasmine from head to toe, a person would have to be blind not see he wanted her with a passion.

Looked like it was love at first sight.

"Yes, I'm good. How's it going with Mr. Gorgeous?"  Changing the subject quickly.

Jasmine blushes and leans her upper body towards her. "He makes me tingle everywhere." She whispers.

"Well, that's a good thing because he looks like he worships the ground you walk on."

"He looks at me like Stefan looks at you? Are you serious?" She asks, shaking her head. "I don't think so. It's too soon."

"Trust me. An outsider sees more than the person involved." Camelia reassures her. "Just never let him see how badly he affects you. Test his affection. Let him work for it." She advises, with a small secret smile.

"A heavy dose of hard to get?"

"Exactly. Men love the chase."

"That I can do." Jasmine acknowledged with a wink.

The dinner was almost over and the music switched to classical traditional waltz. A throng of men and women dressed in 18th century clothing came through the double doors and quickly take their places and partner up–the hired entertainment for the night.

Camelia tried distracting herself and paid as much attention to the show as a baby would. Trying desperately to tamper her nervous anticipation. They were already half-way through the reception's itinerary, as she went over the list in her mind. Next up would be the cake cutting, then the–.

Her thoughts were disturbed by a feel of a hand climbing up her thigh. She almost gasped and quickly flickered her gaze to her husband.

Stefan's attention was plugged into the entertainment but his hand...oh his fingers caressed her sensually, drawing wicked images in her mind. The man was insatiable, she thought, slipping her hand under the table and gripping his fingers tightly, stopping him before he had her jumping out of her seat.

A stern disproving frown transforms her features. But Camelia quickly changes her expression to one of ease, mindful of the cameramen surrounding them.

She slanted in her chair and pretended to eye the dance floor, out of the corner of her eyes she found him smiling. He seemed more interested in the dancing to outsiders instead of enjoying torturing her.

As soon as the show ended a sharp dinging of a fork against a champagne glass coming from a microphone captures the entire audiences undivided attention.

The spotlight once lighting the dance floor, shifts towards a small platform. It was Sammy, a microphone in his hands. His glittering red bow tie seemed to reflect the light like a disco ball.

He clears his throat before speaking, offering the hundred pair of eyes on him a small smile.

"As maid of honor, I'd like to make a toast to the bride and groom. I'll make this as quick as possible because I'm under strict instructions not to have a drink until my speech is over." He declares in a high pitched lisp.

Everybody in the audience laughs softly.

"My greatest wish to both of you...Camelia and Super–". Sammy clears his throat quickly, pulling at his collar in slight embarrassment. "Stefan, is may you be in love forever and find that each day brings a little more enjoyment to life's ordinary things. May the wealth of love you share grow deeper and stronger as the years unfold. From this day forward neither of you shall walk alone."

Sammy looks towards Stefan. "May Camelia's heart be your shelter..." He turns to Camelia holding his crystal flute up in the air. "And may Stefan's arms be your home. Please raise your glasses to the new Mr. and Mrs. Steel. To new beginnings..." Sammy lifts his glass in salute.

"To new beginnings." Everyone repeated in unison. The tinkle of crystal glasses touching each other in private toasts.

"I love you guys!" He exclaims into the microphone.

The frequency peaks and a loud and sharp howl coming from the mic and speakers makes everyone squint their eyes in pain and cover their ears.

"Oh my lord!" Sammy says as he holds the mic away from his mouth. "Oops, that was a little too loud! Sorry everyone! Have a fabulous night!"

Camelia and Stefan clink their glasses together, with only eyes for each other.  Stefan leans forward and lowers his mouth to hers.  She was well aware of every living body in the reception watching them.  Before she could react to the chaste kiss she felt Stefan's lips smiling against her mouth.

He pulls away slightly, hungrily eyeing her red ruby lips.  "Have I told you how much I love the red lipstick?"

"Everybody is watching us, Stefan!  Don't look at me like that!"  She admonished, flushing to the roots of her hair down to her toes.  Her expression was one of polite innocence while she internally fumed with embarrassment.

"Shall we, Mrs. Steel?"  Stefan asks, humor crinkled the corners of his eyes as he extended his hands to help her to her feet.

With her gaze still locked on his, she placed her hands in his outstretched hand.  Camelia was suffused with warmth hearing him call her by her new last name.

Camelia Steel.  Finally, she thought.  The reality of it settling into her bones.

As if on queue, their beautifully layered cake rolls in on a table and stops in the center of the dance floor. They move forward hand in hand and approach a rounded tiered off-white cake adorned with red roses and strings with a thick weaving in gold cascading along the edges. The center layer had a gold hand-painted pattern managing to achieve a uniqueness and add a decorative touch.

Camelia steered clear away from customary techniques. Instead of adding their initials or figurines of a bride and groom to the top layer, she selected a beautiful castle.

The beast's castle.

Stefan was handed a knight's sword. Camelia placed her hand over his and began cutting the cake from the top layer until they reached the bottom. They took turns feeding each other cake while the flashes flicker and captured their precious moments.

As the cake was taken away to be cut for the rest of the guests, Camelia called out all the eligible ladies to enter the center of the dance floor so she could throw her deep, red rose bouquet.

A huge cluster of women group together and stand eagerly in wait. Sammy was in the front row smiling like a Cheshire Cat, Camelia could only shake her head in amusement. Her sister and Violet stand somewhere in the crowd but she couldn't see them. She closes her eyes, takes a deep calming breath, gets ready to raise her arm and throws the bouquet with easy skill high over her head.

The women squeal as the bouquet descends, their hands high in the air. Camelia whirls and watches with a hopeful expression, her hands bent and clasped in prayer over her chest.

Please, Please, Please....She chants in her head. Let it fall into...

A hushed silence descends over the crowd. It lands into an eligible girl's hands somewhere at the end. The cluster of women glance back and make a path as the lucky lady strides forward, the bouquet shielding her face.

With her gaze solely focused on the bouquet, Camelia heaves a sigh of relief as it's lowered, and throws her arms around her surprised sister's face. "I prayed it would go towards you. Congratulations!"

Jasmine wraps her lean arms around Camelia's slender waist and they giggle like little girls.

"Would all the eligible Gentlemen, please step forward. It's time for the garter toss." Stefan calls out.

The men emerge from their seats and enter the dance floor.  Wolf whistles and excited murmurs were heard and stood to the side as the ladies retreated. Camelia immediately noticed Cristiano narrow his eyes on Jasmine's turned back. A flicker of an tender emotion passes through his black searing gaze.

"Don't look back, but Mr. Gorgeous is drilling holes into your back." Camelia whispers into her ear before releasing her.

"I know! I can practically feel him dissecting my dress right off me!"

A chair was rolled to the center of the ballroom for Camelia to seat herself in. Stefan helped her in the chair, arranging her big puffy dress.  He lowered himself down to his haunches and lifted her dress slightly, caressing her stocking clad legs as he took his sweet time searching for the narrow band.

He winked, prolonging the moment, squeezing her thighs, running a finger along her center and stroking her intimately before lowering his fingers and latching on to the tight fitting garter.

She tried desperately not to gasp and blush as a crowd of unmarried male guests stood behind her waiting to catch her garter. Stefan shimmied it down her ankle, passed her high-heel shoe and stood twirling the thin elastic string around his finger before tossing it toward the awaiting men.

Zayn automatically catches it with a quick swipe before it hit the floor. The ladies in the audience went crazy screaming out his name and clapping hysterically.

The flabbergasted expression crossing over Zayn's face lasted only seconds.

"Oh, hell no. I value being a player far too much to get hitched. Here you can have it." He says, quickly flicking the piece at Sammy, who was standing beside him earlier jumping and shouting for Stefan to throw it at him.

Zayn adjusts the lapels of his suit, holds his spine erect and spins around, marching off the dance floor. Several of the men he passes thump his shoulders with pity as he passes the group.

After a night of laughing and dancing, the evening came to a close. The newlyweds packed their going-away clothes already and changed. They were escorted outside where a fireworks show began.

The night sky was littered with white stars.  They twinkled in the background as one firework after the other shot into the sky casting colorful shadows over their features.

"This is the best day of my life. A night only dreams are made of." Camelia breathed, her head tilted as she watched with wonder and awe.

Stefan gazes down at her, their hands clasped tightly as they stood amongst their guests. She changed into a white-lace, tight fitting knee-high dress that hugged her body perfectly. She never changed the Cinderella shoes, the crystals twinkled from the lights display.   The beautiful crown he had custom done for stayed perched on her head, looking like the Princess he always knew she was to him.

Camelia had woven a spell over his life and he would never ask for anything more than having her by his side forever.  Stefan's life, not just his future happiness, lay in her hands.  And she was his wife.

"You're my dream come true, Camelia." He says, still staring at her.

She shifts her head slightly, the different show of lights reflecting in her bright eyes. She catches him staring and rewards him a warm smile. Stefan lowers his head and places a light kiss to her luscious lips.

"Thank you for making me the luckiest man alive."

"Thank you for coming back for me like you promised all those years ago." She replies hoarsely, cupping his jaw and staring at his fierce eyes as her own eyes misted with emotion.

Stefan brushes the tip of her nose with his own and steals another little kiss, nipping playfully at her lower lip. "You're too good to be true." He said softly.

Camelia smiled again, coming up on her tiptoes to press her lips to his cheek.  She wrapped her arms around his waist, closed her eyes, and laid her head on his broad shoulder. The fireworks continued to explode in the sky as they held onto one another.  Their happiness emitted and over flowed from their bodies.  Nothing would spoil the magical moment they shared.

"Ready, Mrs. Steel?"  Stefan asks after a few minutes.  "It's time."

Their guests started to form a long human arch for them to travel through.   Taking her hand, Stefan leads under the outstretched arms.

They shout congratulations and well wishes and shower them with rice.  At the end of the arch, waiting with smiles were her parents, siblings and relatives.  Hugs and kisses are exchanged for the both of them.  Sammy was the last one standing to say goodbye.

"I want every detail when you get back." Giving her a knowing wink after pulling away from the tight hug he gave her.

"Shut up, Sammy."

He shot her a mischievous look. A look that spoke volumes and she didn't like it.

She groans. "What have you done?" She asks suspiciously.

He blows her a kiss. "Enjoy your honeymoon, I know Superman will!"

Camelia gives him a farewell glare.

Liam is waiting ready to transport them to the airport in a white limo holding the door open.  Their two suitcases wait by the car as Camelia and Stefan slide into the vehicle.  As it pulls away, their wedding guests shower them with rice and cheerful well-wishing fading into the distance. Camelia stares out of the back, watching her family's faces grow into indistinguishable dots of color.

"Ready to begin our life together?"  He grins, his teeth flashing in the darkness.  He pulls her into his lap and kisses her, claiming her mouth with a long, fierce kiss and stealing her breath away.

Heat flared between them the instant their lips touched, and as he deepened the kiss, he cupped her bottom and pressed her into his hardness, wanting her to feel the burn of his arousal.  Greedy, restless with need, he slid his hands all over her.

They're both panting as they come up for air, their breaths mingling as they stare at each other.  Camelia was sure he smudged her red lipstick with the way he ravished her like a starved man.  Stefan watches her calmly but his eyes reflected an entirely different emotion.  There's hunger in his gaze and a longing that went deeper than lust.

Sitting there on Stefan's lap, Camelia feels a hum of excitement as a rush of pleasure rushes down her spine.  Raising her right hand, she gently traces the outline of his lips with her index finger.  At her touch, his lips part and quickly catches the tip of her finger with his sharp white teeth, biting down gently, then sucking her finger into his mouth.

The warmth of his tongue sends liquid to her inner muscles and they clench.

"You're mine in every way."

*******

They do not head for the departure terminal but through a security gate where the private Steel jet is fueled and waiting.

"I'll meet you two up there in a few."  Liam announces as he opens the door for them.

Camelia couldn't keep the surprise off her face.

The corner of Stefan's mouth lifts in a faint smile.  "Liam flies planes.  He's very versatile."

"What other qualification do you have?"  Asking with sudden interest and realizing she didn't know much about Liam except for the fact we was a ex-government operative, drives like a race driver, could unarm a man in seconds, and shoots with a perfect aim.

"I'm afraid my skills stop there."  He responds with amusement.

"Stefan, where are we going?  The suspense is killing me."  Camelia asks as he helps her walk up the steps and enter the luxurious cabin.  It was very modern with more chairs and sofas lining the other side.

"Be patient."  He replies, helping her into the huge plush cream-colored leather seats.  A couch with a coffee table is in front of it.

"Mr. And Mrs. Steel, welcome and congratulations."

It was Nancy, the same stewardess that Camelia met when they left Istanbul.

"Thank you."  Both Camelia and Stefan replied at the same time.

"The champagne you requested is chilling on ice, Mr. Steel would you like me to pour two glasses before we take-off?" Directing her gaze to him.

"Yes, please."  He says, buckling Camelia's seat belt than his.

Nancy comes back after the jet engines roar to life.  A tray with two glasses filled with bubbling champagne is placed on a small table between their seats.

"Will you be needing anything else, Sir?"

"Thank you, Nancy, no that will be all.   Please inform Liam we are ready to depart."

Once they're alone, Camelia bends over the small table between them as the plane rolls off the runway.  "Can you at least give me a hint?" Sounding hopeful.

Stefan meets her half-way over the table, eyeing her fainted red lipstick.  "Have I ever told you, you have the most kissable lips I have ever seen on any given female?" Reaching over, he traces them with the tip of his index finger.

"Stefan please."  She whines, pouting a little.

"Don't beg me, Princess or I swear I'll haul you over my shoulder like some untamed beast, carry you into the bedroom back there," nudging his head to the side, "and take your virginity thousands of miles above land instead of somewhere more romantic."  He threatens.

Camelia gulped heavily, the butterflies coming back in full force.  She leans back against her seat as the plane makes a steady departure from land and into the air.

"You're nervous."  He notices, with a raised eyebrow.  "Here have some champagne, it'll loosen you up a bit."   He hands her the flute and she takes it from him.

"Trying to get me drunk, Mr. Steel?"  She asks, swirling the liquid in the glass and eyeing the bubbles floating to the surface.

Stefan chuckles in amusement and then breaks out in a full hearty laugh, shaking his head.

Camelia frowns.  "What is it?  What are you laughing at?"

"I was recalling the last time you were intoxicated.  It was during your birthday...." Stefan lifts his glass of champagne to his lips.

"Ah yes, I remember that day."  Sending him a sly look.  "You claimed you were gay that night."

Stefan inhaled the bubbling liquid down the wrong pipe and chocked.  Camelia pats his back shooting him a smug smile.

"Don't remind me."  He mutters, dabbing his mouth with a napkin placed on the tray.  "I was thinking about what happened after I carried you into your bedroom."

"What do you mean?"  She asks, her curiosity peaked.

"You were drunk, dramatically informing me how Ares, the God of war sent you the flowers I had delivered for you."

Camelia sucked in a breath, mortified.  "I didn't."  She remembered the champagne she consumed frizzed to her head, leaving her instantly tipsy.

"Oh, yes."  Wiggling his eyebrows playfully.  "You also let me kiss you."

He had the nerve to give her a wicked smile.

"What!"  She exclaimed in pure shock.  "I don't remember anything–."

But then it dawned on her.  The next morning she found herself without her dress and a pair of very swollen lips.  Unconsciously she touches the pair, staring out into nothing in particular.

"I didn't expect you to remember....I admit I took advantage of your intoxicated state with your permission of course." He had the audacity to look ashamed.  "Did you know sixty-five percent of what a person says under the influence is true?"  Eyeing her shocked form.

She was almost afraid to ask.  "What else did I say?"

"You didn't say much Princess, but you were very responsive."

Camelia groaned, placing a hand over her forehead and resting her head against the head cushion.  "Never mind. I don't want to know."

"We had a rather eventful make-out session." He reveals, as though he never heard her. "After you passed out, you called me by my true name and said I love you."

"You've proven to me that you really are a beast in disguise." Her knuckles turned white from straining and grasping the hand rests in a tightening grip.

"Would you still like to know where we're going?" Shooting her a head stare.

_______________________________________________________________

I hope you enjoyed the wedding. So sorry I didn't get a chance to respond to each and every one of you for last chapters comments.  I've been so busy finishing this up as soon as I could.  Know that I read them all and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  ❤️

Any idea where they could be going? I'll give you all a little hint: it's an island in Europe.

Honeymoon coming up next! I should have that ready by sometime next Monday.

Warning: the next chapter will have steamy scenes which will be included in "Pleasures of the Flesh" (a third book I added to my profile). If you haven't already you must follow me first than add the book in order to see its content because it's labeled as Mature.

Please don't forget to vote, comment and share with others!

Thanks,

Shaz