225. The Contract

Monte Vista, present day...

They stopped at the drugstore on their way to the commune. Michaela wanted take care of business. As much as she loved Cameron she wasn't ready to be a parent, she had no room for a child in her life, there was still so much she wanted to do, so many places she wanted to see.

Ten minutes later and Plan B out of the way, they were on the road once more.

Michaela eased back in her seat and enjoyed the ride back to the commune. She'd been in Monte Vista for a little over three months, but at that moment, with Cameron by her side, she felt like she was seeing the countryside for the first time. Every thing around her seemed brighter and prettier somehow, and she knew it had a lot to do with the light in her heart. She hadn't felt this happy in a very long time.

Everyone at the B & B was excited to finally meet Cameron.  Right after introductions, Sofia and Adrian whisked him away to show him their record collection, giving The Drifters time for a much needed band practice. Since the YouTube video venues around town were more eager to book them for performances.

Three hours and about six glasses of whiskey later, Cameron finally pried himself away from Adrian and Sofia. The latter had to get dinner ready, and Adrian had some paperwork to get through in his study.

The Drifters were still jamming away when Cameron let himself inside the garage, and judging by the cheerful mood in the room, their session was going very well. They asked for his input a few times, but he declined to comment, he was there as Michaela's boyfriend and not as an artist.

They wrapped up band practice just before Sofia called everyone in for dinner.The table only had place for six, but somehow they managed to make room for Cameron and for over an hour he was just happy to listen to everyone share their experiences of Monte Vista.

They made it back to the hotel just after midnight.

Michaela went to run them a bubble bath. Cameron grabbed the chilled bottle of wine and two glasses, along with Michaela’s contract, and joined her in the bathroom. She was undressing, already down to her underwear, when he walked in.

For a second he lost all sense of time as he stared at her body, it was beautiful, like everything about her, and he could already feel the familiar stir deep in his groin.

"What are we celebrating?" Her eyes lit up when she looked up and caught him staring at her.

"Your first album," he told her, as he poured her a glass of wine and handed her the contract.

She sat on the edge of the bath tub, and took a sip from her glass while scanning through the contract. She looked exquisite, and Cameron suddenly had an urge to paint her. He had a few sketches of her, stuff he'd drawn on a whim, and a few he'd done while she slept peacefully in his bed back in Bridgeport. But he wanted a proper painting of her. He'd asked her, lots of times, to sit for him, nothing perverted, just a simple portrait, but she always declined, claiming her attention span was bad, and she couldn't sit still long enough to save her life. One day, he promised himself.

"This is incredible," she said now and Cameron forced his attention back to the contract. 

"So, are you in?"

 "No!" She replied as she set the contract on the floor and covered it with a towel so it wouldn't get wet.

"Why not?" Cameron crossed his arms over his chest. He had a bad feeling; bringing Michaela home would be a whole lot harder than he'd anticipated. 

"Because Cam, I don't want a pity contract." 

"What do you mean 'pity contract'?" He inquired. 

"My family owns O+ Records; you have a stake in it too!" 

"So?"

"So if I sign up with O + Records it won't feel like I earned it. I want to do this on my own. I need the challenge, I want to do the whole demo thing, and get rejected so I can work harder and become better!" She explained.

Cameron took her hands and kissed them. "You have nothing to prove to anyone."

"Yes, I do. I have a lot to prove to myself. I need to know I can do this on my own," she unlaced their hands and slipped into the tub.

"Are you joining me?" She asked, effectively bringing an end to their discussion.

Wordlessly he stripped off his clothes and jumped in behind her. She leaned back and rested her head on his chest. 

"Just talk it over with your band. It's not just about you," he suggested as he kissed her temple.

"I know," Michaela agreed. It would be very selfish of her to keep the contract from her band mates.

“Think about it,” Cameron added as he brought up his hands to caress her breasts. Michaela closed her eyes and sighed dreamily, she loved being in his arms, loved how safe he made her feel. 

“I love you,” she told him, and he returned the sentiment by tightening his grip around her.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Cameron growled in her neck, his lips hovering unbearably close to her pulsing vein.

Michaela felt breathless, almost afraid. And sensing her anxiety, he withdrew and eased away, giving her just a little bit of space.

They’d never done it before, fed from each other, that is. Though she’d offered, lots of times, Cameron had refused, insisting he wanted the experience to be as meaningful as their first time together.

“I’m ready,” she whispered.

Cameron tensed up. He knew what she was saying, as tempted as he was, he wouldn’t though. It was too much too soon; he knew she was only saying it because she thought it’s something he wanted to hear. He wouldn’t rush her; the intimacy she’d given him up until this point was enough for now.

“Baby steps,” he told her as he tucked her in his arms once more and planted a kiss in her hair…

Credits: Special thanks to Fae for the wine and bubble poses in the last sequence, you always, always know what I need. Thank you.