Playing a Little (20 page)

“She’s here under this beautiful tiara and jewels. Thank you both, you are too generous.”

“I must say, young woman, that you have certainly risen to the occasion,” Arthur praised, critiquing her. “Something is different, though. You are glowing… Erik! Did you make this woman fall in love with you?”

“No. She made me fall in love with her. In fact,” he raised Camille’s left hand to his lips, “she has agreed to marry me.”

“Marry you? My little girl is getting married?” Stan choked.

“And here we go,” Erik whispered in Camille’s ear. Arthur hugged both of them and rushed up to the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to raise a toast. You two, get up here,” he ordered, snapping his fingers. Erik looked at Camille with a glint and led her formally to join Arthur on the stage. “I am very proud to announce that my foster son, Erik Renault, is getting married! This beautiful vixen has enchanted his heart, and I could not be happier for both of them. Please allow me introduce my future daughter-in-law and the star of my next picture,
Pippi Gets Married
. Ladies and gentlemen, Camille LeCroix.”

Applause filled the room with shouts of congratulations and best wishes. Camille turned to Erik, clutching his arm. “
Pippi Gets Married
? Did you know about that?”

“Well… I kind of suggested it as a theme for the movie. Pippi gets roped into doing a film because she is so unique and her unconventional fiancé makes her engage in a little age-play to soften her up and help her find her inner swan for the part. She ends up liking it and, of course, falls in love for the incredible, handsome costar…”

“Going from G-rating to R? Of course she does, and is this costar role played by you?”

“Hey, all the kids who used to watch her are adults now. As for the costar role, was there any doubt? It is a more mature version of Pippi. Arthur had not confirmed the idea until tonight. Don’t you think it would be wonderful for the world to see the amazing Pippi find her special someone and never worry about being alone again?”

“Other than her silly monkey and her horse? Yeah, that would be the perfect happy ending for her. She deserves it,” Camille said lovingly of the character that had been her life since she was eight years old.

“She certainly does. And so do you. Ahhh, a waltz. May I have this dance, Miss LeCroix?”

“That, Mr. Renault, sounds delightful,” Camille said, holding out her hand for him to lead her onto the dance floor. The sounds of whispers and the flashing of cameras did not interrupt their dance as Erik twirled the young woman around the floor.

Erik excused himself to retrieve some spiced punch for Camille and himself, the smile on his face so large that it hurt. He wondered if Camille was as giddy with joy over the magical evening as he was, and was looking forward to taking her out onto the balcony so she could share her thoughts with him. He returned, glasses in hand, to see Jerry standing over her with an imposing posture. Camille’s eyes were filled with tears.

“What is going on here?” he demanded, placing the cups on a table.

Jerry pointed at Camille. “Are you aware that I am written out of the script for the new production? That hideous beast is making sure I don’t get a role and…”

“Camille is my fiancée and you will speak to her with respect, you little piece of shit,” Erik growled, grabbing Jerry by the collar and lifting him to his face. “I have had enough of you abusing her. Now apologize!”

“Put me down or I press charges, you son of a bitch,” Jerry hissed back.

“Erik, please. He isn’t worth the trouble,” Camille requested, uncomfortable with the gathering of people, including reporters, around them.

“You might want to listen to her. She does not want a certain little secret to get out and ruin her snow-white reputation,” Jerry said, loudly enough to gain the interest of reporters.

“Oh, I know about the little secret. The one that included an eighteen-year-old boy verbally assaulting an eleven-year-old girl and making her into his personal slave, just so he could insult and hurt her. That secret, right?” Erik growled, shoving Jerry to the floor. “Why don’t you go ahead and share it, you son of a bitch. Go on! Tell everyone how you harassed and shamed her into waiting on you hand and foot. How you forced her to bark like a dog and beg for your attention! Abuse that you kept on for years until she learned how to hide from you. You could have encouraged and supported her. She looked up to you, for God’s sake, and all you did was knock her down!”

Loud murmurs rose from the crowd in disbelief and disgust. Erik turned to the sound of an angry growl as Stan shoved past him.

The big, burly man reached down and yanked Jerry up by the coat. “Is this true? Is this why that poor child spent every day hiding in her dressing room crying her heart out? You motherfucking little bastard!”

The crowd gasped as Stan’s meaty fist landed squarely on Jerry’s jaw.

“My face! Don’t ruin my face!!” the younger man pleaded through tears, cowering away from the livid man.

“I would worry more about your ass, boy,” Arthur pulled Stan back. “After tonight, you will never work in this industry again, so help me!”

“I am going to sue all of you!” Jerry screamed, standing up.

“Go for it. Of course, now that the word is out about how verbally and emotionally abusive you were to someone as well-loved as this girl, I am certain you will receive no assistance from any decent attorney,” Arthur hissed. “Now get the hell out of here. You are no longer welcome.”

Jerry’s face was bright red as he jerked his jacket down in place and began to stomp away. The sound of laughter rose as he plummeted to the floor again after tripping over Camille’s extended foot.

“Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you.” She blinked her long lashes.

He glared at her. “Putting a dress and jewels on a pig doesn’t make you anything but a fancy dressed sow. Renault must be a eunuch to ever want you.”

“That does it. Sorry, darling, but no more,” Erik apologized to Camille before grabbing Jerry by the scruff and dragging him across the floor to the outer patio. The crowd parted for him, cheering as he threw Jerry bodily into a mound of snow and then shut the doors ceremoniously behind him. Camille’s eyes were bright as she rose to kiss him.

“My knight in shining armor. All of you. Thank you,” she said softly.

Stan hugged her. “All those years I spent protecting you from your mother’s greed and here was a greater threat to your heart. I am sorry I didn’t catch it. Why didn’t you tell me that he was treating you so badly?”

“Because, like Erik said, I bought into his lie that no one would ever want me and thought that if I acted like his dog, I would get tossed a bone. I was desperate for positive attention. It never occurred to me that he was the one in the wrong. I just can’t believe you punched him!”

“Hey! I was manly, too, you know.” Erik feigned a pout.

“Oh, I know! And I promise to reward your manliness just as soon as we get home,” Camille whispered into his ear, nipping his earlobe lightly.

“Can we leave now?” Erik asked eagerly.

“No.”

* * *

It was 3:00 in the morning when Camille finally declared that she was about to turn into a pumpkin and asked Erik to take her back to the lake house. After saying their goodbyes to their host, Stan and Arthur, and myriad other guests, the couple departed with Erik carrying his tired bride-to-be in his arms. He placed her gently in the limousine and slid in next to her.

“What? No horse-drawn carriage?” She yawned, snuggling against his arm.

“Arthur got bossy and sent them away. You do realize you are in big trouble now that he has a claim on you as family.”

“I guessed that,” Camille laughed. “You won’t hear me complain. It feels good to have people who really care about you.”

“Yeah, it does. How about you grab a snooze before we get home? Or are you too tired to reward me for my manliness?”

“That has been on your mind all night, hasn’t it?” Camille teased. “Maybe I should just wait… oh, stop pouting. I swear, this whole chivalry thing has brought out the little boy in you. It’s sweet. I like it.”

“Believe me, Cami-girl, there is nothing little about the boy who wants to enjoy you tonight,” Erik said as his nibbled her neck. They rode in silence, watching the reflection of the headlights off the snow banks as they headed back toward the lake house. As they walked to the house after exiting the limousine, there was no sound except for the crunching of his footsteps on the gravel and the wind high above the trees, blowing a mournful song. He paused to take in a deep breath of the scent of pine, fresh snow, and Camille’s strawberry shampoo. It was more fragrant than anything he had ever smelled and it roused his need for her.

Camille covered his chin and neck with tiny kisses and bites as he carried her to his room. He laid her gently on the bed and leaned forward to kiss her lips.

“Are you certain you are ready for this?” he asked. “I need to get some protection…”

“No, you don’t. I have been on Depo since I was a teenager to control my cycles. We are free to do what we desire tonight.”

“What I desire is you. All of you,” he whispered into her ear, making her shiver. “I can’t stop thinking of you and me, finally together.”

“It has not left my mind all night either,” Camille admitted. ”I just thought one of us needed to exercise some self-control and not insult our host by leaving too early.”

“I am the grownup in this relationship and I should have sent you to bed hours ago,” Erik teased back, gently removing the tiara from her hair and letting the mass fall in soft ringlets over her shoulders. “You are so beautiful. I want to make love to you, and bring you to pleasure as the sun rises. I want to show you how much of my heart is yours.”

“Yes. Please… Show me,” Camille whispered, accepting his hands as he stood her before him. He peeled her gown from her body, kissing each exposed layer of skin as he removed her clothing, teasing her with his fingers through the material of her silk chemise and panties. Camille shivered under his touch, her nipples hard and begging to be sucked through the thin white fabric. Erik breathed over them, the heat of his mouth causing her to groan. He loved how sensitive her breasts were, how responsive she was to him. Slipping one breast from the flimsy covering and wrapping his lips around it, he tenderly nipped the protruding flesh. He lifted her in his arms and laid her upon the bed, his mouth not leaving the soft pillow of her bosom.

Erik held her arms above her head as he used his teeth to lift the chemise off the other breast. Camille squirmed beneath him as he alternated between licking, sucking, and nibbling upon her swollen nipples. She arched her back, pressing her pelvis to his, her body pleading to be taken by the man she loved and trusted. Her very own Prince Charming.

“Please… let me feel you in me,” she whispered hoarsely as his lips and teeth tasted her flat belly and along the side of her abdomen. His hand drifted to the span of her curvaceous hips, stroking back and forth as he feasted upon her silky skin. Erik sat up to remove his jacket and shirt, tossing the clothing on the floor as he hurried to return to his delicious task.

“I love your body,” he murmured, “so soft and curvy. So beautifully feminine.” He ran his hand along the curve of her hip before hooking his finger in the waistband of her panties. His mouth followed the material as he slid it from her, kissing her ankles before traveling back up to her mouth. He kissed her again, taking in the beauty of her eyes as they were intoxicated by desire. He shed the rest of his clothing and pressed his warm body to hers, delighted as she spread her legs beneath him, inviting him in.

His hungry cock nudged gently at the moist doorway of her womanhood. Slowly… gently, he entered her, allowing her time to adjust to his presence and persuade him to come in further. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he locked his mouth to hers, entering her fully with a swift plunge. Camille whimpered in his mouth, and he stayed still, waiting for her to relax her body as the pain ebbed. He began to move smoothly within her, his shaft pumping slowly as she widened to accommodate him. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she arched her back to demand more of him, harder, faster! Erik felt her teeth grazing his neck as he surged, meeting her demands as well as his own. She tensed, her breath catching in the back of her throat, and she sank her teeth into his flesh as she exploded in an eruption of pleasure. The unexpected bite pushed Erik over the edge, and he met her shattering climax with one of his own.

They collapsed upon the bed, entwined in each other’s arms, both panting and content. A ray of light peeked through the window, catching Camille in its glow.

“Thank you,” Erik said, stroking her naked breast.

“For what?”

“For making me the happiest man in the world. I told you I wanted to make love to you as the sun rises. The light is kissing you right now, just like I did.”

“You are so romantic,” Camille cooed, snuggling against him as she suppressed a yawn.

“And very, very tired. Sleep well, Cami. I love you,” Erik said groggily, pressing her cheek upon his shoulder.

“I love you too. My very own Prince Charming,” she murmured as slumber quickly claimed her.

“What are you doing?” Camille asked, stretching her naked body lazily on the satin sheets of Erik’s big bed. He fluffed her pillows and then set a tray before her, adorned with a branch of pale pink orchids in a small vase. With a flourish, Erik shook out a linen napkin and placed it across her lap with a bow.

“Breakfast in bed, my lady. After last night, I thought you deserved this. Oh? What’s this?” He flipped opened a newspaper dramatically, making her giggle. Propping his foot up on the edge of bed, he began to read.

“Front page of the
New York Times
! Jerald Barnes Blackballed from Crenshaw Productions. My, my…” Erik said, sipping his coffee. “It says here that during the announcement of her engagement to heartthrob actor, Erik Renault… Hey! I’m a heartthrob!”