Forever

Thirty-Six

"Happy birthday baby" She smiles in my face. Her naked body is laying on top of me in this small bed. She presses light kisses all over my face, providing me affection. I kiss her lips deeply, not caring about morning breath. Her natural hair falls over my face making me smile in delight, I loved her curls.

Today was my twenty-second birthday. I've been dreading this day all year. Camille was oblivious to my plans as we spent our time in Spain exploring the city.

"How's twenty-two treating you" She questions, laying her head on my chest. I sigh running my fingers over her hair.

"The same. It's good as I have the best girl in the world by my side" I say with a smile. She kisses me on my chest. She rambles on about the full day she planned. We are going to get massages, then sightseeing, then to a fancy dinner, and then come back here to properly celebrate my birth.

Camille has been great. Ever since that night in the dorm, she's regained her sexual appetite. She has her moments where it's too much and I never push her to go too far. I've had moments where I couldn't, it broke my heart and I would beat myself up for it but some days I just could not. I wasn't disgusted by her or anything but the scar on her hip sometimes drove my anger to overcome my desire. She got so angry with me the first time, I beat myself up about it for a week feeling worse about myself.

...

The night has crept on us too quickly. We make it back to our shitty apartment and Camille falls on the bed exhausted. I take off her shoes and the ridiculous hat she bought from a street vendor. I remove my shoes and jacket and join her in the bed. She curls up next to me holding my chest.

"Just give me a minute and I'll rock your world" She whispers. I chuckle at her silliness.

"It's okay baby go to sleep," I say kissing her forehead. She sighs against me drifting off into sleep.

My phone rings in the middle of the night pulling me from my slumber.

"Dad" I whisper standing up.

"Derek, yes, I have a jet coming for you tomorrow morning. Your training starts in three days." He hangs up making my heart sink lower into my chest. I glance over at Camille sleeping peacefully, her bonnet protecting her curls. I can't do this. I call my dad back.

"Derek what,"

"I'm not coming"

"Like hell, you aren't. I gave you extra time say goodbye or bring her with you I don't care"

"You know this isn't a life we want"

"We, Derek I only care about you"

"If you care about me then you care about her" He sucks in a sharp breath.

"I will kill her." He says in a low tone. My body stiffens, I knew my father was ruthless but I never knew he would do something like this to me.

"Her father is dead. I will keep her as a prize and torture her to my liking to get you to do what you need to do. That video her brother recorded I have it, I'll re-in act it and make you watch it. Don't fight me, don't fight the inevitable Derek I making it easy for you right now." My face pales and my mouth turns up in disgust as I hear his words.

"Don't run either Derek I have men outside that shitty apartment you two have been calling home for the past three months" Fuck so there goes that plan.

"Come home," He says before the line clicks.

I walk over to the bed rubbing Camille's arm. I lean down to kiss her lips and she squirms waking up. I kiss her deeply and she kisses me back now wide awake. I pull her sundress over her head and pull her to my lap. I pull myself free sliding into her, not caring about protection, we haven't been using any the entire trip. She gasps as she rocks herself on to me.

"Fuck" She exhales throwing her head back. I take her bonnet off her head wanting to see all of her. I lift my hips thrusting into her deeper, I take my hand and rub her clit taking her over the edge. We come together in unison, I don't bother pulling out wanting to leave every last bit of me inside her.

"I love you, baby," I say into her chest. A tear slips from my eye but she doesn't notice. She holds me closer running her hands through my hair. As the minutes pass I move her off of me and hold her as she drifts off into sleep. I can't sleep. I hold her all night analyzing every feature, every scar showing her strength.

When the sun begins to rise I prepare for my hardest decision. I pack my bag leaving most of my T-shirts remembering how much Camille loves to sleep in them. I walk over to her kissing her forehead, then her cheek, then her mouth. She stirs in her sleep but I move away careful not to wake her. I make my way to the door and the tears fall down my face. I leave the one person I love more than anything in the world behind, I remind myself that it's to ensure her safety, but it still hurts. It cuts me deep, I'll never recover.