Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Camilla and Jade stumbled into their room, faces flushed and muscles aching from a long day on the slopes. Despite the physical fatigue, there was a palpable energy between them, a playful competitiveness that had only grown stronger throughout the day.
"I still can't believe that last run," Camilla said, shaking her head as she unzipped her ski jacket. "You barely edged me out at the end."
Jade grinned, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Barely? I think you mean I clearly and decisively won that race. Two for you, two for me, and that last glorious victory for yours truly."
Camilla scoffed, but couldn't hide her smile. "Please, it was so close it hardly counts. I'd call it a draw at best."
"A draw?" Jade gasped in mock offense. "I'm wounded, Camilla. Truly wounded. After my stunning display of skill and grace on that final run, you'd deny me my hard-earned victory?"
Their banter continued as they began to peel off layers of ski gear. Camilla marveled at how easy it was to joke around with Jade. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so relaxed and carefree, especially around someone she'd known for such a short time.
"You know," Jade said, her tone softening, "I had a really great time today. I mean, I expected this whole arrangement would be... weird at best, but I didn't think I’d have quite so much fun."
"I did too," Camilla admitted. "It's been a long time since I've enjoyed myself this much on the slopes. Or anywhere, really."
As Jade began to strip down to her underwear, Camilla’s eyes were drawn once again to her toned figure.
She watched, almost mesmerized, as Jade's smooth skin was revealed inch by inch.
The graceful curve of her back, the lean muscles of her legs, the subtle dip of her waist – her gaze traced every line and contour.
Suddenly, Jade turned, catching Camilla's stare, and Camilla quickly averted her eyes, feeling a hot flush creep up her neck. She busied herself with folding her ski pants, trying to act as if nothing had happened.
"Oh, God, I'm sorry," Jade said, grabbing a robe from the back of the bathroom door.
"I didn't even think... I'm just used to changing in front of other women.
In dressing rooms at the theater and stuff.
And I figured since you're straight and this is all pretend anyway.
.. But that was presumptuous of me. I should have been more considerate. "
Camilla took a deep breath, willing her heartbeat to slow. "No, no, it's fine," she insisted. "Really, Jade. We're both adults here. And we're sharing a room. We should be able to be comfortable around each other."
Jade studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, if you're sure. I just don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"You're not," Camilla said, and she was surprised to find she meant it. Uncomfortable wasn't quite the right word for what she was feeling. Flustered, for sure. Or... something else she wasn't ready to name.
As Jade disappeared into the bathroom to shower, she sank onto the edge of the bed, her mind whirling. What was happening to her? She'd never reacted this way to another woman before. But then again, she'd never been in a situation like this either.
She thought back over the events of the day.
The exhilaration of racing down the slopes with Jade, their laughter echoing across the mountain.
The warmth that had spread through her when Jade had casually draped an arm around her.
The way her stomach had flipped when Jade kissed her in front of her family. ..
Jade was just playing a role, of course, and she was playing it well. That's why it felt so natural, so real. Because Jade was a talented actress, nothing more.
But even as she thought it, Camilla knew she was lying to herself.
There was something more happening here, something that went beyond their carefully constructed charade.
The way her body reacted to Jade's touch, the flutter in her chest when Jade smiled at her, the constant urge to be near her - it all pointed to feelings she’d never experienced before.
She'd always considered herself straight, never questioning her sexuality.
But now, faced with the growing attraction she felt towards Jade, she was reevaluating everything she thought she knew about herself.
Was this just a fleeting attraction, brought on by the intensity of their situation?
Or was it something deeper, something that had always been there, waiting to be awakened?
She thought about her past relationships, few and far between as they were. They had all been with men, but none had ever stirred the kind of feelings she was experiencing now. She'd always attributed her lack of interest in romance to being focused on her career, but what if there was more to it?
The sound of the shower shutting off snapped Camilla out of her reverie and moments later, Jade emerged, wrapped in nothing more but a towel.
“It’s all yours she said,” meeting Camilla’s eyes.
With a start, Camilla realized she was smiling, just facing her. “Thank you,” she said. “By the way, I haven’t told you this, but you’re a very, very good actress.”
"Thank you," Jade said, running a hand through her damp hair. "But honestly, there hasn’t been much acting involved. I'm just being myself." She paused. "It's surprisingly easy to be myself around you and your family, as long as there aren't any complicated questions involved."
Camilla frowned, shaking her head. "You're being modest. The touches, the kisses... it all comes across as very natural. I've seen you with the kids, with my uncle Robert. You fit in so seamlessly, it's... impressive."
“Look, I actually like Robert and the kids are cute, so that’s easy.” A mischievous grin spread across Jade's face, her blue eyes twinkling with something Camilla couldn't quite decipher. "And the kisses and touches…” Her voice dropped to a playful whisper. "That's just for my own pleasure."
The words hit Camilla like a physical force, leaving her stunned and suddenly very warm. Her heart raced, and she was at a loss for words, her mind spinning with the implications of Jade's statement.
Jade's playful expression faltered as she noticed Camilla's stunned reaction. "I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I'm just teasing you."
"I know," Camilla replied, but her voice sounded strained even to her own ears.
An awkward silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken words and confusing emotions. Camilla fidgeted with the hem of her sweater, not quite able to meet Jade's eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, Jade took a deep breath. "Look, I... I should be honest," she said. "Of course I find you attractive. You're not only gorgeous, but you're also intelligent, funny, and a great skier to boot. So, yeah… it’s easy."
Camilla's head snapped up, her eyes wide as she met Jade's gaze.
She saw sincerity there, mixed with a hint of vulnerability that made her heart race even faster.
"I..." she started, but her voice trailed away.
How could she respond to that? How could she even begin to sort through the whirlwind of emotions Jade's admission had stirred up?
"I... I should shower," she managed to stammer out, quickly grabbing her things and all but fleeing to the bathroom.
“Wait.” Jade stopped her. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, even though it was meant as a compliment. Can we talk about this? Just so it’s not awkward over dinner later?”
Camilla felt her cheeks burn as she fumbled for a response. "There's... there's nothing to talk about," she mumbled, one hand on the bathroom door handle, avoiding Jade's gaze. "Thank you for the compliment. It's all fine, I promise."
Despite Jade's request to talk, she couldn't shake the overwhelming urge to escape the sudden intensity of the moment. Her heart was pounding, and her thoughts were a jumbled mess. She needed space, needed time to process what was happening.
"I really should shower," she insisted. "We'll be late for dinner otherwise."
Before Jade could say anything else, she slipped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her with a soft click. She leaned against it, closing her eyes as she blew out her cheeks. No. She was definitely not ready to talk about this.