Passion's Price

By Jude Liebermann

Passion's Price is the prequel to Forgotten but not Gone, and details the illicit love affair of Camille and Tony. Find out what led up to the action packed and shocking sequel.

This story should only be read after you've read Forgotten but not Gone, otherwise you will spoil the surprise twist of that story as well as being confused by how this one ends. This book can be enjoyed on its own, but that is only recommended if you don't' intend on also reading the sequel.

Passion's Price contains many graphic sexual encounters and explicit language and is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jude Liebermann
• Release date: Jul 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301322251

Jude Liebermann

Jude is an adult and YA romance novelist. Be sure to look through the whole list of books, since there are 4 free titles.

Book preview

Passion’s Price

Jude Liebermann

Published by Lee Books

Austin, TX 78717

leebooks.judesplace.com

All Rights Reserved

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Jude Liebermann

Forward

Passion’s Price is the prequel to Forgotten but not Gone. It is recommended that you only read Passion’s Price after you have finished Forgotten but not Gone, or you will ruin the surprise twist in that story and also be a bit confused by how this story ends.

Passion’s Price is highly sexual and should only be read by mature individuals who are not offended by graphic sexual encounters.

Thank you for your interest in my work!

Jude

Chapter One

Camille Forrest sat at her desk and stared into space, the pencil in her hand lightly tapping the chart in front of her. She was on call at the hospital where she moonlighted, but it had been a quiet night. She placed a hand over her mouth to stifle a yawn and glanced at the clock. Seeing that it was just past midnight, Camille stood and stretched. She needed some coffee to wake up, so she left the office and walked toward the vending machine.

She took her first sip and heard someone clearing his throat. Camille turned and made eye contact with a man so attractive that her eyes widened in surprise. He smiled at her.

You mind if I get a cup, love?

Camille blushed to the roots of her hair, realizing she still leaned against the coffee dispenser. I'm so sorry. Of course. She stammered and backed away.

The man smiled at her, revealing sparkling white teeth. They made quite the contrast with his dark skin and eyes. She wondered if he could be Italian, as she’d always had a weakness for the race.

No problem. You look like you need it more than I do. His gaze moved slowly from her face down her body, and she blushed redder.

She self-consciously moved her right hand to the ring on her left hand, massaging it. His gaze followed her movement, and he glanced at her wedding ring. So you work here? He paused to look at her name badge, Camille? Such a lovely name. My name is Tony.

She almost reached up to cover the badge, but gnawed on her lower lip instead. Sex appeal nearly oozed out of the man's pours, and she had to remind herself that she was not only married, but a mother.

Well, I help out here one night a week, since they're understaffed. I actually live in San Diego.

His eyes widened. That's quite a drive, even once a week.

Camille shrugged and glanced down at the coffee in her hand. It's not that bad, and I like LA. I always do a bit of shopping while I'm here.

Tony grinned and nodded. You are definitely a woman that deserves to be spoiled.

You don't know me well enough to say that, she responded with a soft chuckle.

We can remedy that. He said in a sexy tone.

Camille felt a surge go through her and nearly groaned. She doubted this man had any problems with the ladies. Almost reluctantly, she held up her left hand. I'm married.

Tony didn't break eye contact with her. I hope he knows how lucky he is?

Camille blinked a few times and swallowed the lump in her throat. How could she tell this virtual stranger that she doubted Warren thought he was lucky?

Tony shook his head and took a step closer. I can see that he is a fool. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a card before holding his hand out to her. I don't usually do this, but if you ever need anything, give me a call.

She frowned and licked her dry lips before staring at the business card in his fingers. She knew she shouldn't accept it, but her hand reached out on its own to take it from him. Her fingers slid against his for a moment before she pulled away, and she almost sighed at the feel of his skin. Realizing that she needed to say something to break the tension, Camille cleared her throat.

I'm sure that won't be necessary, Mr.-? Not addressing him by his first name seemed important just then, but Tony grinned at her.

Ferrell, but please call me Tony, Mrs.-?

She fought the smile that wanted to emerge at him repeating what she did. She pointed at her name badge. It's Dr. Forrest.

His gaze dropped to her breasts as he nodded. Yes, doctor is much preferable to missus.

Camille groaned softly but then coughed to cover it up. I need to get back to work, Mr. Ferrell. It was nice meeting you.

Without another word, she spun around and walked away from him. She couldn't fight the sense of loss at never seeing him again, but she knew in her gut that no good would come of inviting such a man into her life.

Tony watched her walk away with a sly grin on his lips, and it was nice meeting you, my lovely Camille. His gaze dropped to her bottom as he licked his lips. Here he'd been afraid that seducing Warren Forrest's wife would be a chore. He already anticipated seeing the beautiful doctor out of her clothing. He kept watching until she rounded a corner, before turning on his heel to leave the hospital.

Thoughts of Tony distracted Camille for the rest of her shift at the hospital. He stayed on her mind that night in Warren’s empty business suite, the next day shopping and then during her second shift on Sunday. She didn’t normally work the whole weekend, but she agreed due to the hospital’s dire need for doctors. Four o'clock the following morning couldn't come soon enough, and she headed out to her car for the drive home. Since she would spend the rest of the week at her office in San Diego, she liked to be at home before the kids left. School would start that day, and she wanted to make sure to see them off. Otherwise, she didn't get to spend any time with them. Now that summer was over, their friends and school activities would keep them busy. She knew that Warren wouldn't be home when she got there. He spent almost all of his time in LA. Camille had initially gotten the job at the hospital there to be closer to him but quickly realized that was a waste of time. Even when she spent the whole weekend with him, he always found something he needed to be doing for work. His job with the DEA kept him extremely busy, and Camille didn't feel like his wife anymore. They were barely roommates, and she missed him. She knew he currently worked a huge case that would mean a big promotion for him, so she kept her feelings to herself. She somehow doubted he'd care to hear them anyway, and she spent many nights alone crying herself to sleep.

Having a man like Tony Ferrell looking at her as if she were still sexy made her feel better than she had in a long time. Sometimes she forgot that 37 wasn’t old. She was in the sexual prime of her life, and it was being wasted. She couldn't even remember the last time Warren touched her, let alone made love to her. Tears misted the corners of her eyes, but she shook her head to clear them. She had wasted enough tears on him.

Camille pulled the car up the driveway and parked in the garage, heading into the house. She walked into the kitchen and immediately started the coffee maker. She absently stared out the kitchen window as the water percolated and pictured Tony's face in her mind. She could almost bet he knew how to please a woman. As her thoughts strayed, she didn't even realize that her hand slid down from her neck to her breast and then down to her flat stomach. Camille worked out several days a week to make sure she kept her youthful figure. She bought the sexiest lingerie and went out of her way to look great, but Warren barely spared a glance at her. The last time she came onto him, he told her that he didn't have time for it and that he needed to work. She had choked back the tears and hadn't tried again. That happened over two months ago.

Mornin', Mom, sounded from behind her barely disguised by the yawn. Camille started and swung around with a guilty flush in her cheeks. She watched her daughter, Jessica, walk to the fridge.

Good morning, honey, she responded, wondering if the girl saw her touching herself. Did you sleep well, Jessie?

Jessie shrugged without looking at her mother. She pulled the door of the fridge open and pulled out the milk, yawning again. I went to bed too late, I think. I'm still asleep.

Camille finally smiled, knowing that once her daughter ate and showered, she'd be back to her bubbly self. The fourteen year old would be starting her first year of high school. She’d been very popular with the boys in her previous school, and Camille didn’t doubt that the high school boys would flock around her. That wouldn't surprise anyone in her family, since Jessie was just a younger version of her beautiful mother. Of course Camille felt that Jessie was far more attractive than she’d ever been. Her daughter's smile could light up a room. She couldn't imagine anyone not falling in love with her at first sight.

Looking forward to your first day as a high schooler? She asked Jessie, pouring herself another cup of coffee.

Her daughter said something with her mouth full of cereal, before swallowing and trying again. I guess so. It won't be easy starting over again. I liked being at the top of my last school, but now I have to start over.

Camille leaned against the counter and wrapped her hands around the warm mug. You'll win them all over in no time...I'm sure of it.

Jessie smiled at her mother. Well, of course you would say that. She then giggled before taking another big spoonful of cereal.

Camille kissed the top of Jessie's head on her way out of the kitchen. She met her son, Justin, on his way down the stairs. Justin was four years older than his sister and would be a freshman in college. Since his classes started the same day as Jessie's school, he agreed to drive his sister on the way. Both kids looked more like their mother, with the blonde hair and blue eyes. Only her oldest child, Michael, resembled Warren, and he got married right out of high school and moved away two years earlier. Camille got pregnant with him while she still attended high school. Warren was in college at the time, and the unexpected pregnancy forced him to grow up a bit faster than he wanted to. Camille thought her future was ruined as well. She wanted to be a doctor her whole life, and it wasn't a dream her parents were going to let die. Her mother watched Michael and then Justin, who arrived a few years later, while Camille went to college and then medical school. Jessie had been an accident that infuriated Warren. He felt certain that she lied about using birth control, but Camille hadn't wanted any more children either. Though Jessie turned out to be a joy and a very well mannered baby. When her mother had been too tired to watch her, Camille would take Jessie to the hospital where she interned. It hadn't been an easy time, especially with Warren growing more and more distant as the years went by. Camille didn't think he ever forgave her for having that third child, no matter how special Jessie turned out to be.

Morning, Mom! Justin said as he passed her by. He had already showered and dressed, and she knew that he would just grab some toast and juice and then be on his way.

Don't forget your sister, Camille called over her shoulder.

Oh, Mom! He groaned, bringing a smile to her lips as she continued on her way to the master suite. She knew her youngest son was just itching to move out and doubted he'd wait much longer to move in with one of his college friends. Until then, she knew he didn't mind taking his sister to school on his way. He just hated having to wait while Jessie primped in the bathroom for half an hour.

Camille closed the door behind her and leaned against it with a sigh. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the business card Tony gave her. It only had his name and a phone number. She read the print a few times before staring up at the ceiling. She knew she could never call him and knew nothing about the man. He didn't even put his title on his business card, and he could be married as well. The thought made her swear silently, wondering why she hadn't thought to look at his hand for a wedding ring. A man like that couldn't possibly be single though. Camille could tell he must be at least 5 years older than her, but he had aged very well. She remembered how well his broad shoulders filled out his jacket and sighed.

With a soft groan, Camille pushed the card back into her pocket and then slid out of her coat. After hanging it in the closet, she headed into the bathroom. She stripped naked and then stood in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection, turning to see her body from all angles.

She had to admit that she took good care of herself. She ran her hands across her flat stomach, smiling at not seeing stretch marks. Camille had been very careful to use cocoa butter during all three of her pregnancies to protect her skin. It paid off, along with all the sit-ups and exercising she did. If only her husband appreciated it, then she might not be standing there fantasizing what another man would think of her body. Tony appreciated what he saw, and she blushed to think of him standing there, appraising her naked flesh. Self consciously crossing her arms over her breasts, Camille giggled.

You're a silly bitch, she admonished her reflection. In that moment she promised herself that she would try again to seduce Warren and pull out all the stops. She wanted her husband to make love to her, and she couldn't give up on him until he did.

Chapter Two

Camille didn't see Warren for almost a week. She awoke in