Built For A Savage: Blaze and Camille's Love Story

Chapter One

Previously in In the Arms of a Savage 3…

Blaze

By the time my brother’s wedding day rolled around, Angel was almost eight months old, and I could say that with the help of Raquel, Law, and my mother, I had really started getting the hang of the single parenting shit. My daughter had become my best friend. She was turning more and more into her own person with her own personality every day. I was thankful for the opportunity to watch her grow up and be in a position where I could take care of her.

Although the relationship between my mother and I still wasn’t in a good place, I allowed her to see her granddaughter anytime she wanted to. She had been in a better space since she started taking her treatments, but we all knew it would only be a matter of time before she left us, and I didn’t want to have that shit on my heart when the day came. As far as women in my life, there were none. I spent so much time making sure my daughter was straight that I didn’t have the time or the patience to entertain another female.

When I pulled up to the church, I saw a face I hadn’t seen in months: Camille’s. I wasn’t going to lie; she looked good as hell. The months she spent away from Miami had really made me take a second look at her. I knew we hadn’t left off on a good note, but I decided to shoot my shot and at least see if she would accept my apology. I reached into the backseat to get Angel out of the car seat, then I walked up to her.

Excuse me, miss, I said as I gently tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned around and almost looked straight through me.

Blaze… hey.

How have you been?

I’ve been well, and yourself? she asked.

You know, just hangin’ in there, taking life day by day and shit, and just raising my number-one girl.

Camille smiled, which made Angel smile back at her. Hi, cutie. She smiled.

Angel started jumping in my arms and leaned into Camille while stretching her arms out.

Oh shit. I chuckled. She never does that. She must like you.

Camille outstretched her arms and took Angel from me. Angel grabbed her face and started talking baby talk to her while I watched.

Hey, um, I just wanted to apologize to you. I was going through a lot of bullshit back then, and I shouldn’t have treated you like that or said what I said to you.

Yeah. Raquel kinda kept me posted about things that went on in your life, and I wanna say that I’m sorry for your loss. I know this is a big adjustment for you.

Yeah, it, uh, it definitely has been, but we’re making it.

Well, I’m going to give this pretty lady back to you, and I’ll, uh… I’ll see you inside, she said as she turned to walk away.

Hey, uh, Camille.

Yeah?

Maybe if you find it in your heart to forgive me, we could really try getting to know each other.

Oh, wow.

That is, if you’re interested. No pressure.

I’m sorry, Blaze, but I’m in a relationship.

Oh, damn. My fault. I didn’t mean no disrespect. I, uh, I hope you’re happy.

Thank you. She smiled.

Well, yeah. I guess I’ll see you inside.

Oh, and Blaze, I was kidding about the relationship shit. She chuckled. "And for the record, I was never not interested."

Oh, word? I smiled.

"Yeah, word, Blaze."

Please, call me Aston. I’m tryin’ this whole government name shit. I chuckled.

Aston, huh? I like it.

Chapter Two

Camille

It wasn’t until the last time his hand collided with the side of my face that I knew he’d never be shit. I was eighteen years old when I looked at myself in the mirror, unable to make eye contact with my own reflection. I was disgusted with my life. My eyes were bloodshot red with my hair messy and matted all over my head. There was a bruise on my left cheek the hue of midnight, a large, red imprint his hand had left around my neck, and a stab wound in my stomach. People told me I was lucky to have escaped death at the hands of my ex, but unfortunately, my unborn child hadn’t. 

That was the day I vowed I would never love another man again, and yet, five years later, I was about to board a plane all because my heart wouldn’t allow me to leave Blaze Calloway alone. A part of me felt out of my mind like I was having some sort of outer body experience, just watching myself foolishly fall for him; but my heart had made up its mind, and there was no turning back.

Flight 382 to Miami, Florida, is now boarding at gate twelve. I repeat, flight 382 to Miami, Florida, is now boarding at gate twelve. Please have your I.D. and boarding passes ready.

I snapped out of my daze and picked up my carry-on from the vacant seat beside me in the gate terminal. I walked over to the line that seemed to be getting longer by the second and stood behind a couple that was having a quiet conversation in a foreign language. After I pulled my boarding pass up on my phone, I sank my teeth into a blueberry muffin that I’d gotten from the small airport convenience store. My feet sluggishly shuffled a half step every few seconds as I started to inch closer to the front. I found myself shifting my carry-on from one shoulder to the other to relieve some of the pressure, cursing myself for not getting a carry-on that I could’ve easily wheeled across the floor.

Next. The airport staff waved to me.

I finally stepped up and flashed her my I.D. as she scanned my boarding pass.

Have a safe flight. She nodded.

Thank you, I said as I headed down the walkway.

[Play: Tink- I Like]

I couldn’t believe months had passed, and I was actually uprooting my entire life to move to Florida to be with Blaze. After Raquel and Law’s wedding, Blaze and I started talking more and eventually got to the point where he wouldn’t let me go a couple weeks without seeing him or Angel. He was flying me out to Miami so much to the point where I got tired of all the traveling. So I decided to cash in on my frequent flier miles and buy a one-way ticket to Miami for good.

As I boarded the plane, I walked down the narrow, carpeted aisles and took my seat by the window in first class. My eyes darted ahead of me at the safety instruction manual tucked in the backseat slot then up to the small TV in the seat back as I buckled my seatbelt. Soon after I placed my wireless headphones over my ears to drown out all the outside noise from the strangers around me, a woman plopped down beside me. I glanced over at her as she held her laptop in one hand and a fresh cup of coffee in the other. She quickly pulled down the tray from the seat in front of her and started typing. I figured she had to be a writer or a student by the way she was banging on those keys.

Just before I put my phone on airplane mode, Blaze texted me.

Blaze: 2:42pm: Have a safe flight.

Camille: 2:42pm: Thanks. I will.

I locked my phone, adjusted my sunglasses over my eyes, and smiled. The plane started to vibrate as the engines fired up and accelerated during takeoff. As soon as we were in the sky, I looked down over the cityscape that was getting smaller by the second, and I kissed my old life goodbye. Truth be told, I was nervous as fuck. I hadn’t been in a relationship in years, and that shit wasn’t anything to brag about. I’d been through hell and back when it came to niggas, so I wasn’t trying to rush into anything. Although we’d been spending a lot of our time together, Blaze still hadn’t officially asked me to be his girlfriend. I didn’t know if I was ready to put a title on whatever it was we were doing, but I also didn’t want to continue to build a relationship with his daughter if we weren’t going to get serious sooner or later.

Can I offer you a glass of champagne, ma’am? the flight attendant asked, shifting my attention to her.

Uh, yeah, sure. Thanks.

The items jiggled on the beverage cart as she poured and handed me a glass of champagne. I quickly took a sip to try and settle my nerves and soon gave up the idea of falling asleep. Instead, I leaned my head back against the cushioned headrest and let thoughts of Blaze dance through my mind. Blaze had the power to twist up my thoughts and make butterflies flutter when I was around him. Every time I saw him, it got harder for me to play it cool. He had a hold on me, and everybody knew it.

Ever since he’d become a single father, I saw a big change in him. Now don’t get me wrong; it was no 360-degree turn, because he still had his reckless side, but his maturity level had skyrocketed. It was unfortunate that it took a tragedy to set him on the right path, but I was glad he finally pulled himself together. When we talked about my coming to live in Miami for good, he seemed more excited about it than I was. He told me that if I didn’t feel comfortable staying with him in his condo, then I could stay in the place downtown. I told him I was fine with staying with him since he didn’t live with Raquel and Law anymore, but I was glad that I had the getaway option if he ever pissed me off.

I had so many questions running through my head, like how would it be to actually live in Miami and be around him every day? I’d decided that I was going to flip the script on him, though. Until we decided if and when we were going to be official, I had no intention of giving him the goods anymore. My grandmother’s words kept replaying in my head. "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" I was determined to make him wait. I didn’t know if that was going to be a harder task for him or for me, but I was up for the challenge. One thing was for sure; my move to Miami would either make or break us.

Good afternoon, folks. We are now in our final descent into Miami. The weather is a nice seventy-two degrees and sunny. Please make sure your seatbelts are fastened, and as always, we thank you for flying Delta Airlines.

Millions of butterflies swarmed through my stomach as I shifted in my seat and smiled. As soon as that plane landed, I was going to press play on my new life.

Aston Blaze Calloway

I held Angel in my arms as I rested against the hood of my car, watching the planes land and takeoff as we waited for Camille. We’d been doing our thing for a few months, and it was the best a nigga felt in a long time. Although there were days I felt like giving up and going back to my old ways, I took one look at Angel and knew that she was more important than anything else in the world to me. The money, bitches, jewelry, and cars didn’t mean shit to me.

There she is, baby girl, I said as I pointed to Camille. She was walking out of the airport with two large suitcases, a purse, and a carry-on in tow.

I walked over to her, and she threw her arms around Angel and me as I kissed her forehead. Angel studied Camille’s face with bright, curious eyes, then a smile creased her face. She started jumping and wriggling out of my arms so she could get to her.

Hi, pretty girl. She smiled as she kissed the top of Angel’s head. I missed you.

Ma-ma, she cooed.

I swallowed hard as my eyes darted up to Camille’s. Angel had never said that word before, only da-da or other two syllable words. I knew she was used to seeing Camille just as often as she saw Raquel or her twin cousins, but out of all the words she said at almost sixteen months old, ma-ma was never one of them.

Wow…

Wow is right, Camille replied as she raked her fingers through her hair and then tucked a lock behind her left ear.

I don’t know what to say. She’s never said that shit before, like, ever.

Yeah, this is definitely my first time hearing it too.

Uh, let me grab your bags. Can you put her back in her car seat?

Yeah, I got her. She nodded.

I popped the trunk and put Camille’s bags inside while she put Angel back inside the car. I didn’t want her to feel awkward because of what Angel had said, especially with her move being permanent. I hopped back in the driver’s seat and pressed the button to start the engine. As soon as my seat belt clicked into the lock, my foot hit the gas, and we sped off. After we hit the interstate, I glanced over at her from the corner of my eye.

Did that shit make you feel weird?

No, not really. Why? Did it make you feel weird? she asked.

I ain’t gon’ lie; it did a little, but you know, that’s just because of how everything went down with her mother and everything.

What do you mean?

Like, you know. Heaven ain’t never get a chance to hear her say that. Now I feel like she wouldn’t know who she was even if I showed her a picture of her, because she was so young when everything went down. That’s the most fucked up thing about it.

I get it. She nodded.

Yeah, but that’s all.

I glanced back at Angel through the rearview mirror. She was sitting quietly in her car seat, squeezing her toy, and watching the scenery whizz by outside of the window.

Did you even give yourself the chance to grieve her death, Blaze? she quizzed.

I sat back and focused my attention on the road as I thought about my answer. The truth was, I hadn’t. Everything between Heaven and I had happened so fast from start to finish. One minute, she was there; the next, she was being carried away in a fuckin’ body bag all because of a nigga who couldn’t let go. I was still sick over that shit at times, but I had no time to be sad. I had our daughter to raise.

No, I admitted.

Why not?

I shrugged lazily. To be honest, I don’t know how. If you didn’t notice, feeling weak is not one of my favorite emotions. There’s no room for that shit in my world. Why cry over shit you can’t change, you know? I’ve had a lot of people close to me die before their time, and I’ve never mourned anyone’s death. Not my father’s, not Wolfe’s, and not Heaven’s either.

Are you going to tell Angel what happened to her mother when she’s old enough to handle it?

I don’t know. I ask myself that all the time. Is there ever a good time to tell someone something like that?

I think she deserves to know, no matter how hard it is. You can’t keep that from her.

I’m not keeping it from her. I’m protecting her.

The moment those words fell off my tongue, I thought about my mother. She had hidden the biggest family secret of all from my brother and I. That shit fucked me up more than anything, but now, having my own kid to raise, there was a small part of me that could see why she did it.

How are you protecting her? By lying to her? she asked, folding her arms across her chest.

I shook my head. I wasn’t trying to have her blow my mood by talking about some shit I hadn’t worked out inside my own head first.

Look, Camille. Just drop the shit, okay? I ain’t tryna hear all that right now.

So when are you trying to hear it? Because let me know, and I’ll revisit that shit. Your daughter just called me her mother, and I’m fine with that if we’re going to continue to do whatever it is that we’re doing, but I know there’s going to come a day when she wonders why she doesn’t look like me.

She looks like me. That’s all that matters.

Camille sighed and turned her attention away from me to focus on the road. Okay, Blaze. You got it.

Oh, so now you mad?

I’m not mad; you just get on my fuckin’ nerves.

You get on my fuckin’ nerves too. So what? And what do you mean by whatever it is that we’re doing? You don’t know what we’re doing? I asked as a brief laugh broke past my lips.

Have we put a title on this? No, we haven’t.

I didn’t know you wanted one. I shrugged honestly.

Camille sighed. I didn’t think I needed one at first, but… I don’t know. Angel just threw a wrench in the middle of all this. Plus, if I’m going to be living here now, I think it’s something we ought to at least talk about.

Do you want to be my girl, Camille?

Are you really asking me, or is this just another one of your random ass questions?

I’m really asking you, but before you answer, I want you to think on that shit for a few days. I don’t want an answer right now, because if you say yes, I want you to know what you’re saying yes to. You’re not only saying yes to me, but you’re saying yes to that cool ass kid in the backseat who already loves you. You’re saying yes to my bullshit and my baggage, my savage life, and my daddy lifestyle. Most importantly, you’ll be screaming yes to this dick.

Camille licked her lips as she glanced over at me. All that, huh? she asked as she flung her head back in laughter.

Yeah, all that.

Well, speaking of sex. I don’t plan on letting you taste this again until we figure all this out.

Oh, is that right? What? You think I’m disrespecting you by fuckin’ you without you being my girl or somethin’? I asked.

No, it’s not that. I’m just trying to do things a little differently this time. It’s not like I have a plane to catch anymore. I’m here for good now.

I sighed. Well, good, because I was about to say I’ll only disrespect you in the bedroom whenever you decide to let me wear that pussy out again.

Yeah, okay. I’m going to make you wait so long you beg for it. She smirked.

What?

You heard me.

Yeah, we’ll see about that shit.

Camille

When Blaze, Angel, and I pulled up to his condo, I brought her in the house while he lugged my bags off the elevator.

I swear, these are the heaviest bag I’ve ever carried of yours. He groaned as he pulled his keys out to unlock the door.

Yeah, because these are my foreva bags.

Your what?

"You know, like how Cardi B said it. Now that I’m here, I’m gon’ be here forevaaa," I joked.

Instead of responding, Blaze shook his head at me and let out a lazy laugh. When the door flung open, the scent of fresh linen mixed with warm beach air floated past my nostrils.

Did you clean up in here? I asked as I walked through the spacious entryway and looked around at the living room.

There were only a few of Angel’s toys spread out across the plush carpet and couch in the living room where the TV was blaring. I walked into the kitchen and saw a large vase filled with red roses sitting on the granite countertop.

Are these for me? I gasped as my heels clicked against the wood flooring. I walked over and smelled the freshly cut flowers.

Yeah, I guess we were trying to make a good impression. He shrugged lazily.

Aww, thank you. I smiled as I walked over and pulled his lips to mine.

Blaze kissed me back and smacked my ass as I pulled away.

So wait. Were you serious about that no sex shit? he asked, backing me up against the double ovens in the kitchen.

I playfully pushed him away and nodded. Yes, and I’m going to make it hard for you too, baby.

Shit, I got something hard for you right now, he said, pressing his dick against my thigh.

My teeth gently clamped down on my bottom lip as I looked at him. He looked delicious, but I wasn’t trying to think with my pussy. Make him wait. Make him wait, I chanted to myself.

Boy, get out of my face. I need to go unpack, I said as I darted past him.

I pried my heels off my feet and let my toes sink into the plush carpet underneath me as I walked past the living area and branched off into his bedroom. There were floor-to-ceiling windows with a beautiful view of the city. Angel’s room was directly across the hall.

Right outside of the living room were two French doors that led to a balcony with an outdoor sitting area. I walked outside onto the balcony and felt the warm Miami air slide over my skin as I touched the hot security railing that reached up to my bellybutton. Flashbacks of Blaze and me fucking out there ran through my mind, and I smiled. Not fucking him was going to be harder than I thought.

Chapter Three

Blaze

I woke up to the smell of bacon sizzling in hot grease and the sound of glassware clicking in the kitchen. My stomach slightly grumbled as I sluggishly rolled over and got up to go brush my teeth. As I turned the corner to the kitchen, my eyes landed on Camille cooking. She already had two plates on the countertop with fluffy scrambled eggs and two pancakes drenched in maple syrup. The TV was playing in the background while Angel sat in her highchair, drinking a bottle and feeding herself dry cheerios.

A nigga could definitely get used to this, I said as I walked up behind her and kissed her neck.

Good morning to you too. She smiled.

I leaned back to stretch out my body as I yawned and then kissed the crown of my daughter’s head.

Would you like a mimosa?

A what? I asked, leaning against the stainless-steel refrigerator.

A mimosa, Blaze. It’s champagne and orange juice. She giggled.

I shrugged and grabbed the glass with a juicy strawberry hanging on the side. That’s some bougie shit, but whatever, I said as I tossed it back. Did you sleep well?

I did.

I was gon’ sleep naked to tempt your ass some more, but I decided to let you live. I chuckled.

What? You really think I can’t hold out?

I’m not saying you can’t; I just know you won’t.

Camille tossed her hand up and turned around to pull the bacon off the stove and place a few strips on each plate while I fixed myself a cup of coffee.

So what’s going on today? We still going over to Raquel and Law’s for your mom’s birthday party later?

Uh, yeah, that’s the plan.

What time?

I don’t know. I think around four o’clock. You don’t plan on running off anywhere in between now and then, do you?

No, why?

Because after this, I’m gon’ get myself together and go make some rounds. See how shit is movin’ out on the streets.

Since when have you ever done that?

Since my brother fucked around and had twins. He’s been tied up a lot more than usual, tryna be a family man and shit.

You mad about that? she asked.

Nah, I’m not. I’m not gon’ say I saw it comin’, though, but I respect it. Plus, you know Raquel don’t really want him in this shit no more anyway.

So you think he’s gon’ get out of the game altogether and hand it over to you?

I don’t know about all that, but we’ll see what happens.

Would you be open to that? Like, really taking over shit by yourself full-time?

What else can I do? I’m not just gon’ quit and go find a nine-to-five job tomorrow. That shit ain’t in my blood, and you know it, I said as I bit a piece of bacon.

Camille looked down at her plate and then up at me. I know it’s not.

What’s wrong?

"Nothing is wrong. I was just trying to see where your head is at. I mean, I get that you don’t want to try