CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
REECE
Camila is avoiding me.
Shes spoken maybe three words since we got off the boat, and she hasnt looked at me once.
I dont know what changed between snorkeling and now, but one minute we were wrapped around each other under the surface of the Pacific, and the next shes treating me as if Im invisible.
And I fucking hate it.
She didnt join me in the shower, even though I left the water hot and my arms wide open. Instead, she retreated to the balcony, muttering something about needing to get to work editing the video because Gordon will want it ASAP.
Which, sure. Gordon is indeed a relentless content vulture. But the obvious distance Cams putting between us is making my skin crawl with uncertainty.
So here I am, alone on the beach while the sun bleeds into the horizon. The sand is cool beneath my ass, gritty against my palms as I lean back. The waves crash against the shore in a steady rhythm.
Were leaving in less than forty-eight hours. The countdown is on, and I need to sort out where we standbefore we get on that plane, before reality bursts whatever bubble weve been living in.
Or maybe it already has?
What exactly do I hope for with Camila Morales? For her to be my girlfriend? For real?
The word girlfriend crashes into me like a freight train of desire so powerful, my dick actually twitches in agreement. Yeah, I really fucking want that. The thought of her by my sidenot only in bed but at breakfast, at events, in my everyday lifehell, Id love that. But is it the right decision? Not just for me but for every other part of my life.
What about my employeesthree hundred people whose mortgages and health insurance and kids braces depend on me keeping the Reece Dare brand relevant? What about the sponsors who pay obscene amounts of money for me to use their products while I jump off cliffs and eat ghost peppers and pretend my balls arent on fire?
Can I manage a real girlfriend while maintaining an empire? The constant pressure to be on. The unending content treadmill. The crushing awareness that my entire career is built on the modern equivalent of watch this idiot hurt himself for your amusement.
Astrid never cared for my attention beyond the videos, but with Cam, it would be different. Id love spending every minute with her. Minutes I dont know if I have to offer.
Before I can spiral further, I yank my phone from my pocket, ignoring the twelve text notifications from Gordon (all in caps, all with multiple exclamation points, all about metrics and merchandise numbers). Instead, I flick through my contacts until I land on the people I trust most in this world: my moms.
Mama picks up the video call on the first ring, her dark curls arranged in familiar artful chaos. Her Parkinsons disease may put a slight tremor in her hand, but it does nothing to dull the sparkle in her eyes. She makes me feel like Im the center of her universe.
Helen! she yells immediately, not bothering with hello. Our son has finally called! Get your ass over here! Bring the good wine!
I cant help but grin. Hi, Mama. Ive missed you too.
Before she can answer, Mom appears on screen, a glass of red in hand. Her silver-streaked hair is pulled back in its usual no-nonsense bun, sharp blue eyes narrowing as she assesses me through the camera.
Reece, Mom says, your mama has been making me nuts with conspiracy theories about whats really going on with you.
Camila, Camila, Camila! Mama singsongs. Is it real? Please tell me you guys are real. Shes such a nice girl. Ive watched that waterfall kiss a hundred times, and if thats acting, then you both deserve Oscars.
Vera, Mom sighs, we discussed letting him bring this up, remember?
Lifes too short for beating around bushes, Helen! Our son is in a romantic crisis. I can feel it in my bones.
Yeah, well, thats kind of why Im calling. I dont know if its real. I mean, I want it to be, I think. But Hell, Im not sure what Im doing with my life anymore.
Mamas face crumples into immediate concern. Sweetie, whats wrong? Are you having a quarter-life crisis? Is it early balding?
Its not balding, Mama. I check my hairline on the screen to be sure. Thanks for the new insecurity. Its Do you think what I do matters? Like, at all?
Matters to whom? Mom asks, ever precise, sipping her wine.
To anyone. To the world. Is filming myself doing riskier and riskier stunts while telling dumb jokes actually adding value to humanity? Or am I more like a fleeting internet freakshow?
One hundred and fifty million subscribers think you matter quite a lot, Mama says.
I get that people watch my videos, I say, digging a small trench in the sand with my heel. But watching something and it actually mattering are two different things. I met this family in Lahaina whose entire life burned down in the fires. Their kid asked if I could help them. And I didnt know what to say.
My moms exchange one of those looks that have an entire conversation embedded in itthirty years of marriage giving them their own visual shorthand.
And what would you have wanted to say? Mom asks, her voice now gentle.
I dont know. Yes? But also would my audience even care? Would they donate to help rebuild? Or would they just scroll to the next video of me doing something stupid for views?
Well, first thing, Mama says, dont imagine the worst. If you imagine the worst and it happens, youve lived it twice.
But what if I change everything and it fails? What if I let everyone down? What if people lose their jobs because I choose to make documentaries with Cam instead of filming my millionth stunt video? What if I cant pay for Mamas treatments because my whole business tanks?
Reece Hudson Dare. Moms voice turns stern. Is that what you think? That we need you to keep making videos so we can afford to survive?
Well yeah. The admission might as well be me ripping open my chest and exposing my still-beating heart. I mean, Mamas treatments arent cheap, and the specialists, and the
Stop right there. Mom raises her hand. We are your parents. It is notnor has it ever beenyour obligation to take care of us. I swear to God, sometimes I think we raised you too well.
But
No buts.
Yes, your success helped with medical expenses when you first started. And yes, we appreciated it more than we could ever express. But we are not financially dependent on you.
Mama nods emphatically. We have savings, investments, insurance. Helen has her pension from the architecture firm. I have my teachers retirement. Were comfortable, sweetheart.
But what about the extra specialists? I press, a decade-old fear clawing at my insides. The experimental treatments? The therapies insurance wont cover?
Which I chose to stop a year ago, Mama says as her hand trembles slightly against her cheek. Remember? We had that whole discussion at Thanksgiving. You were rage-texting Astrid the whole time, but I told you this. They werent getting results, and I decided quality of life was more important than chasing a miracle cure.
I blink, the memory flooding in. She had told me that, hadnt she? Id been so caught up in my own problems: Astrid, the content treadmill, the relentless pressure from GordonId never fully processed what it meant.
Your happiness, Mom says firmly, leaning toward the camera, is our most important concern. Always has been. Always will be.
But
Weve seen youve been unhappy for quite some time, she continues. The spark went out of your eyes. Your laugh changedit became performance instead of genuine joy. We noticed, Reece. But youre an adult, and its not our place to tell you how to live your life.
Sweetheart, happiness is so important. Watching your livestreams these last few weeks, Ive seen joy in you that has been missing since you were a boy. So if making a change to your videos will bring you that joy, then you do it. Future be damned.
The things that frighten us the most are often the ones most worth doing. Mom takes a long sip of her wine, her gaze never wavering from mine.
I let out a long breath, detecting a shift inside me like tectonic plates rearranging. Not a complete resolutionthere are still a gazillion questions swirlingbut a clarity I havent felt in months. Maybe years.
What brings me joy?
The answer comes so fast its almost embarrassing: Cam .
Every breath, every thought, every beat of my heart sings the same name. Cam. Cam. Cam.
This girls become as essential as oxygen or water or those ridiculously perfect fish tacos from the food truck near my house. Cam pushes meno, inspires meto be a better person. Shes dug up parts of me I feared were lost under years of branding and image control.
Reece? Did you cut out? Moms voice breaks through my trance.
Shhh, Mama hushes her, voice dropping to a theatrical whisper. Hes thinking about her. Look at his face. Let him work it out.
Moms expression softens. Youre such a romantic, Vera. Its the thing I love most about you.
Mama grins. I know.
And thenthey kiss. Not in an obnoxious way, not in a get-a-room way, but in a this-is-what-love-looks-like way.
The kind of love that makes it through job stress, bad days, and medical diagnoses. That weathers chaos and bullshit and still chooses each other, over and over again.
Thats what I want.
I want her. I want real. I want forever.
Someone in your corner who sees past your facade to the person hiding underneath and chooses you anyway. Oh. Shit.
Youre in love with her, Mom states.
I Fuck. I think I am.
Mama makes a sound resembling a teakettle reaching full boil, clapping her hands with enough enthusiasm to jostle Moms wineglass. I KNEW IT! Helen, what did I tell you? I said, That boy is head over heels.
Moms, I gotta go, I say suddenly, surging to my feet so fast I send a spray of sand flying into the air. I love you both.
We love you too, they chorus before I end the call.
I open up my text messages and click on Gordons name, my thumbs flying across the screen:
Me: Gordon, Ive made a decision. Were done chasing trending content. Its time to focus on videos that mean something. Content that gives back. Cam wants to start by helping the people of Lahaina, and I agree. Well talk more when we return.
G-Thorne is going to lose his shit. Hes going to yell, talk about branding, talk about numbers, and say things like, Reece, going viral is what matters! and This is a business, not a charity!
But I dont care.
Because for the first time in years, Im not thinking about the DareSquad.
Im thinking about me.
I want to create something that matters. To help people. To live a life that belongs to me, not my followers.
And theres only one person I want to share this with. Camila.
Time to be honestwith her and with myself. This isnt mere physical attraction, or a vacation fling, or great sex (though fuck me, the sex is incredible) .
This is love.
Its time to put my heart on the line to find out if she feels the same.
***
One goal. One mission. Find Cam.
Ive faced a live bear while wearing a salmon suit, sprinted through flaming obstacle courses, and even endured the deeply regrettable stunt where I let Blaze shoot arrows at balloons taped to my chest. But nothingand I mean nothinghas ever made my internal organs as twisted as stepping into this hotel room right now.
Operation Tell Cam Im Stupidly In Love With Her is a go. Or it will be, as soon as my hand remembers how to turn this doorknob that Im sweating all over.
Come on, youre Reece goddamn Dare. You routinely fling yourself off structures normal people wouldnt consider climbing. You can handle a simple conversation about feelings.
Even if the potential for rejection seems seventy billion times scarier than that time I rode a shopping cart strapped to a rocket.
The resort key card beeps green, and I push open the door to find Cam, cheeks flushed, fresh from the shower, wrapped in a fluffy white robe. Shes toweling off her damp hair, and the whole room is filled with the scent of her coconut shampoo. My mouth goes dry, and every version of my carefully rehearsed speech disappears.
Hey, she says, her voice carefully neutral.
Hey, I respond as the brilliant wordsmith that I am.
Real smooth, jackass. Shakespeare would be jealous.
As I work to get my brain back online, she gestures toward the far corner of the room.
Those arrived while you were out.
I follow her gaze and spot a mountain of boxes. I couldnt care less. Cam is the only thing on my radar. I open my mouth to speak, but shes locked and loaded. Too little, too late.
Is it more merch for us to wear? I do need to plan my outfit for tomorrow. Ziplining and a private Jeep tour. Shes all business.
Something is seriously wrong. Cams walls are so high and thick, Im wondering if I need a wrecking ballor possibly a nuclear striketo bust through them. This isnt her being busy or distractedthis is deliberate distance. Distance that could be a precursor to goodbye.
I walk over to the boxes, my mind racing through strategies as if Im planning a complex stunt. How do I approach this version of Cam? Ive seen her frustrated, annoyed, turned on, amused, horrifiedthe full emotional spectrum. But distant? Cool? Clinical? This is uncharted territory, and its freaking me the fuck out.
I scan the shipping label on one of the boxes: Twist These arent for me. Theyre for you. Its a surprise.
Cam lifts an eyebrow. Another surprise?
Theres something there in her tonea little bit of the old Cam creeping back in. I go with it.
Yeah, I like to surprise my girl.
She winces when I say my girl, a flash of almost physical pain crossing her face. Fuck.
But Im not backing down. Not now. I know what I want. Who I want.
I stride toward her with false confidence, like I know what Im doinglike Im not mortified that every step closer could mean my happiness slipping away. She looks up and I take her handstill slightly damp from the showerand pull her toward the boxes.
Come on, see what I got you.
Reece, you really dont need to get me things, she says, her voice softer, almost apologetic. Im not expecting it.
I didnt say you were, I say, squeezing her hand gently. I enjoy spoiling you.
She gives me a smile thats so clearly forced, it might as well have FAKE stamped across it in big red letters. It triggers a knot of dread in my stomach, heavy as a nine-pound bowling ball.
You have to guess what it is before you can open it. I say, grabbing a box and handing it to her.
Cam gives it a test shake, brows furrowed, lips pursedas if shes a bomb technician listening for ticking. Inside, something rattles, a muffled cascade of objects tumbling against the cardboard walls.
Then her eyes drift to the shipping label, and I catch the tiniest twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Thats cheating.
The rules were not established up front. She shakes again. Is this some sort of new sex toy? Like fuzzy handcuffs?
I grin. Maybe.
Her mouth falls open. Oh my God, is it butt stuff?
Jesus, Cam. I chuckle.
Hey, I dont judge. I simply need to know how prepared to be.
I press my lips together, biting back a smirk. Will you open it already?
Cam tears into the box, the sound of cardboard ripping filling the room, and when she sees whats inside, her jaw drops.
Hundreds of scrunchies in every color imaginable spill out as she reaches in and pulls out a giant handful. Reds, blues, yellows, patterns, glittershe tears into another box, and anothereach packed to the brim with more scrunchies, an avalanche of hair ties tumbling onto the carpet.
Dios mo! You cant be serious!
Her laugh explodes out of her, head-tilting-back, full-body-shaking, stomach-clutching laughter. And my entire body unclenches in relief.
I grab a handful of scrunchies and start sliding them onto my wrists. Call me selfish. But I made sure youll never, ever, ever be without one again.
Her gaze locks on to mine, that spark flaring back to lifepure mischief and heat. Her robe slips slightly, revealing the smooth curve of her shoulder, and Im yearning to press my mouth to that spot and work my way down.
You must really, really, really want to fuck my tits, she says, her tone dropping to a husky register that makes my cock instantly hard.
I let my gaze drag over her with deliberate heat. Is it that obvious?
Cam leans forward, closing the distance between us, and presses her lips to mine. I pull her close, grateful for the embrace after the strange coldness mere minutes ago. My hands slide to her waist, sensing the soft terry cloth of her robe and the curves underneath.
She pulls back just enough to whisper against my lips, Then what are you waiting for?
My breath catches as she takes a deliberate step backward, maintaining eye contact as her fingers find the loose knot at her waist. She shrugs, and the robe obeys, sliding down her arms before slipping off completely, pooling at her feet. Her breasts break freesoft, full, utterly perfect.
I drink her in, lingering on her tight, erect nipples. My hands twitch with the urge to squeeze. With a flirty look, she takes the scrunchie in my hand, lifts her arms above her head, and gathers her damp hair in a messy bun.
The transformation is instantaneousfrom freshly showered resort guest to absolute seductress. The moonlight streaming through the balcony doors caresses every inch of her naked skin, highlighting the curves and valleys Ive come to know so intimately.
Im suddenly faced with a dilemmaas if Im being asked to choose between oxygen or water. I came here to talk, to get everything out in the open, and to find out what caused her sudden distance. But my body has other, very insistent ideas about what should happen next.
My dick, currently straining against my shorts with enough force to bend steel, reminds me that we can do both. Fuck now, talk later.
Youre a genius , I silently tell him.
Cams eyes darken. A devilish glint that spells the best kind of troublethe kind with her flat on her back and praising whatever God sent this woman to ruin me. Cam drops to her knees in one smooth, sinfully confident motion, her hands gliding up my thighs like she owns me. They reach the waistband of my shorts, and with torturous, cruel patience, she pushes the fabric down, freeing my already rock-solid cock.
Seeing her like thisnaked, kneeling before me, hair up in a scrunchiethreatens to shatter my last thread of control.
She edges closer, her tongue swirling around the tip of my cock with a teasing licksparks shoot up my spine. Wrapping her hand around my base, she pumps slowly while her mouth engulfs me, sucking harder and deeper with each bob of her head before pulling back with an obscene pop that echoes in the quiet room.
When she glances up, her expression shifts slightly, her head tilting as she studies my face. Youre trying to decide if you want a blow job or a titty fuck, arent you?
What? No. I I pause. Then sigh. Okay, yeah. How the hell do you always know what Im thinking?
Its unsettling how easily she reads me, how she can take one quick glance and know exactly what filthy scenarios are playing in my mind. Sure shes written her own playbook these past few days, but this girl has direct access to the darkest corners of my desires.
She doesnt answer because my dream girls too busy completely derailing my ability to function. She strokes me once, twice, then lowers her mouth again. Slowly, torturing me, pumping me in time with every slick glide of her tongue, her pace unbearably perfect.
I groan, my head dropping back. Jesus, Cam
She hums against me, and when she releases my cock, theres an infuriatingly smug look on her face. Shes edging me and loving every fucking second of it (same baby, same) .
Rising slowly, her body presses against mine as she stands. With impatient hands, she yanks my shirt over my head, throwing it onto the growing pile of discarded clothes. Her nipples graze my chest, sparking trails of fire in their path.
Standing on her tiptoes, gripping my cock in her hand, she drags me against her creaseright where shes already wet for me. Her slick heat gliding over my shaft, making my pulse stutter.
Ill help you decide, she whispers in my ear. Fuck my tits first.
I release a low groan, barely holding it together. And then?
Then, she murmurs, dragging her lips over my jaw, Ill suck you until youre hard again.
A shocked gasp bursts from my chest when she pushes her tongue into my ear, chased by a wave of hot breath.
And then you can finish in my mouth or my pussy. Your choice.
I cant take it anymore.
I drag my mouth over her neck, sucking hard enough to leave a mark, needing to brand her as mine even as the rational part of my brain knows she isntmay never be.
I wouldve burned my entire empire to the ground two years ago if I knew I couldve had you, I confess against her skin. How can you make me crave you more and more? I dont think Im ever going to be satisfied.
Her hands clutch at my hair, and she breathes out, I feel the same way.
Those five simple words make my fucking heart explode.
I capture her mouth in a kiss thats all-consuming hunger, devouring her confession like a man dying of thirst. She craves me too. Whatevers been bothering her, whatever caused that strange distance earlierit can wait. Right now, all that matters is this woman who has completely upended my world.
I push down all the questions, all the what-ifs, all the fears about the future that have been circling my mind. I want to exist fully in this moment with her. Touching. Tasting. Cherishing.
Slowly, deliberately, I guide her backward, one hand at the small of her back, the other tangled in her hair, careful not to dislodge the scrunchie. She only realizes where were headed when the backs of her legs hit the edge of the mattress. Her lips curl with anticipation.
I lift her effortlesslyher body molding to mine, thighs wrapping around my waistand lay her down in the center of the pillows. Shes spread out beneath me, watching me with hooded eyes, her lips swollen from my kisses. I climb on top of her, straddling her ribs, experiencing the heat radiating between us.
Lick me like a lollipop until Im dripping like your sweet, wet cunt.
Youre the boss, she murmurs, sitting up on her elbows.
I watch, mesmerized, as she drags her tongue repeatedly up and down my shaft until Im nothing but exposed nerve endings, drenched and hungry for release. My hips buck involuntarily.
She pulls back, smirking up at me. Patience, Dare.
Lets see how you like it, I growl, pushing her back against the mattress, bending down, licking the valley of her breasts, and trailing moisture over her skin, layer after layer, lick after lick, until shes squirming beneath me.
Her head tips back, a moan spilling from her lips.
I still cant believe I get to touch you. Youre so fucking perfect, I rasp, dragging my palm over the curve of her waist, up to the full, perfect shape of her breasts. My thumb brushes over her nipple, and Cam shudders, her lips parting, a sound that goes straight to my soul.
Reece, she whispers, pressing her soft curves together in a tantalizing invitation.
I dont make her wait.
I position myself beneath her breasts, pushing in with a slow, controlled thrust, my breath hitching at the sensation. My abs tighten as my cock glides between the slick warmth of her flawless tits.
Now, thats a new smile.
I dont think Ive ever made it before.
Shes watching my face, eyes locked on me, studying my reactions. If I could memorize this moment, I wouldbut fuck, Im barely holding on.
Do you want me to press harder? she asks.
I dont get a chance to respond before she squeezes tighter, her hands framing her breasts, amping up the friction, the heat.
I curse, every muscle in my body flexing, straining, desperate to make this last. But Cam? Not done ruining me. She leans forward, her lips parting
And when I thrust again, she tilts her head up and licks my tip.
My brain goes into a frenzy.
Cam, no, I grit out, my fingers fisting the sheets.
What? she purrs, eyes locked on mine. You dont want to fuck my breasts and my mouth at the same time?
She licks me again.
Jesus Christ, I mutter, my control unraveling at the seams.
Thrust.
Her tongue flicks.
Thrust.
Another long lick.
Baby, fuck, I groan, moving faster, harder, trying to keep from absolutely losing my mind.
Shes watching me intently, like she knows exactly what I desire but havent said out loud.
That I need her.
That I want her.
That shes mine.
And that I love her.
Cam angles her head, allowing my tip to pulse into her mouth with each pump.
She moans, loud and unapologetically sinful, sending a rumble straight to my cock. The vibration courses down my length, making my balls tighten with anticipation.
Camila, baby, Ifuck, Im gonna
She moans louder. Her teeth graze me. The slightest scrape.
And I lose it.
I pull back just in time and roar her namemy release painting her skin, claiming her while my entire body pulsates.
Cam arches her back, eyes fluttering shut. God, yes. Cover me.
My vision blurs at the sight of her, tits dripping in me, her lips glistening. I collapse forward, catching myself on my forearms, my face buried against her neck, panting.
That was so fucking hot.
I let out a hoarse chuckle, kissing the soft spot behind her ear.
I wish I could just tell her that I love her.
That shes it.
The only person whos ever made me feel this wayalive, grounded, like my entire life before her was nothing but noise.
But then I rememberthe distance, the hesitation. I wont allow this moment to end.
So instead, I press one last kiss to her temple and say, I am yours.
Cam freezes beneath me. Reece, I
I hear the shift in her tone. And it stings.
So before she can say anything elsebefore she can ruin this with something that might break meI push up onto my elbows, giving her a wicked grin.
Oh, no, you dont get to talk with that naughty mouth after what you just did, I tease, my voice husky, raw, but light enough that she relaxes.
Her lips twitch, but shes watching me carefully.
I reach for a scrunchie still on my wrist, twist it into my hair, and pull my bangs into a ridiculous unicorn horn.
She stares in disbelief. Then bursts out laughing so hard she nearly chokes.
You wont think its so funny, when you see how much trouble your pussy is in.
Her laughter turns to a gasp when I flip our bodies so shes on top of me. Her eyes go molten in an instant.
I wave my hand over the sensor, and the bed begins its slow, steady rotation. She clutches my shoulders, steadying herself as my palms slide down her smooth, exposed thighs. I grip her firmly, pulling her onto my chest, her clit pressing against me.
Now, be a good girl and come sit on my face.
With a wicked smile, Cam obeys.
And as she lowers herself to my eager mouth, I thinkno, I knowthis woman is mine. Whether she knows it or not. I need to make her see it.
Because I love her.
And Im not letting her go.