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“You never have to feel embarrassed with me, Camila.” Her eyes soften as she scoots closer to me. Her body radiates warmth and I use my hold on her leg to wrap her around me.

“What time do we need to be ready to leave?”

“We don’t have to go if you feel stressed or tired. We can cancel and go another time.”

“No.” She firmly shakes her head. “I’m not stressed, and I want to go. I feel much better this morning waking up with you. So, what time do we leave?” I take a deep breath, studying her face. Her eyes lock on mine. “Miles, I’m serious. If I didn’t want to, I promise, I would tell you. Iwantto go.” I exhale the breath I was holding and roll over on top of her.

“We’ve got some time,” I whisper against her neck and her chin lifts, giving me better access. I lower my body, settling myself between her legs as I watch that devilish smile I’ve come to love spread across her face.

I slowly begin to roll up the t-shirt she’s wearing, watching how its oversized fit flows down her body. I kiss a trail up her hips and stomach until her breasts are exposed to me. “You’re so fucking beautiful,” I say between kisses. “I don’t know if I’ve told you recently, but even if I have, it’s not enough.” Her hand lifts to my face. Her thumb strokes along my jaw. “I mean it, Camila. I could tell you every day in every language andit still would never feel like enough.”

“It’s more than enough, Miles.You’remore than enough.”

My mouth descends on her and our bodies relax, so in tune with one another as we give ourselves to each other freely.

Miles

“When you saidwe were flying you forgot to mention it was private,” Camila whisper-shouts at me.

I smile and nod to the flight crew waiting at the top of the stairs with Camila tucked in tight to my side. “I wasn’t aware there was another way,” I say, boarding the plane and handing our bags to a flight member. There are two beige leather couches on either side of a mahogany table, and a partition wall past them leads into the back bedroom. The flight is only an hour and a half, so we take a seat on one of the couches and order a drink before taking off.

“Have you ever been to Oregon before?” Camila asks, legs bouncing with her hands rubbing together between them.

I place my hand on her thigh, and it covers almost half of it. Her legs stop bouncing and she takes a deep breath, her shoulders moving up and down on the exhale. “I have, but only for work. I’ve flown in, talked to clients, and left.”

“You work a lot.” It’s not a question, she knows my hours are long, even though I’ve been going in late and leaving earlier than I ever have for nearly two months.

“I never had anything worth coming home to until recently,” I say, kissing her forehead.

The flight crew goes over the safety rules and we’re airborne shortly after. The plane engine fills the silence between us. Camila sits curled up against me while I watch us move in and out of clouds as I absently stroke her arm.

“I’m going to see my parents on Tuesday.”

My hand stills for a beat before I recover. I’m not sure if she’s going home to tell them about her career change, or us. When I first proposed this plan to her, I didn’t care if she told her parents about us, and I didn’t care what they would think of me. But now, things are different. I clear my throat, “What did you end up telling them? About us, I mean.”

She sits up, moving out of my touch, taking her warmth with her. I want to pull her back to me, but I turn to face her, waiting to hear what she’ll say.

“I never actually told them anything. It never came up.” Her face cringes as her shoulder lifts.

“They never asked you if you’ve been to Vegas lately and got so drunk you married the first man you could find? So weird. I make sure to ask everyone I know those kinds of things, often,” I tease her.

She smiles and playfully shoves my shoulder. I grab her arm and pull her back into me. “I neverneededto tell them. I’ve only talked to my mom once and it was after that terrible interview. The conversation was short after I lied and told her I was out with Taylor. Other than that I only know that they plan on visiting my brother in Italy for a few weeks this summer because of a group chat. I’ve not told them about quitting my job, or the gallery, or you...” she trails off.

“And now?” I hesitate because I’m so far gone when it comes to Camila. I know how I feel about her, hell, I was on my way home last night to lay it all out there for her. Consequences be damned.

“I’m ready. I’m ready to tell them about everything.” She sits up again but this time stays close, keeping her hand on my chest. “I’m all in with you, Miles. I’m not afraid to tell you that, and I won't be afraid to tell them either.” She leans in, pressing her lips into mine. It’s a kiss that mimics everything she’s saying.

“Do you want me to come with you?” I ask.

Her smile is soft, “No.” She quickly shakes her head, “I mean yes, I do want you with me, but only for selfish reasons.” She inclines her head.

“You can be as selfish as you want with me, Camila.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I think it's something I should andcando on my own.” And I don't have a single doubt that she can't. “Plus, when youdomeet them, I want it to be under better circumstances.”

I never thought I would be in a situation to be nervous about meeting someone's parents, but her confidence in the fact that I will meet them tells me she's just as serious about us as I am. And that's enough to calm me down…for now.

“Do you want to use the plane?” I ask with a knowing smile.