Richard looked over at me. “I warned Lance if he threatened me again I’d sabotage his campaign. I made it a joke.”
“How did he react?”
“Apparently Lance has a friend at the New York Times itching to do a piece on me. The fallen son and all that. He wants to out my hedonistic lifestyle.”
“What did you tell him?”
“If he exposed me to my father’s enemies, his political career would be over.”
“Fantastic,” said Cameron dryly.
“And then Lance threatened to take you down,” said Richard. “I reminded him he has no power over us.”
“Which catapulted him to London,” said Cameron.
“They have a house here,” said Richard. “How did you do? No better apparently. You had dinner with them?”
“Helete wasn’t there,” I said. “I bumped into her when I went Christmas shopping this morning.”
Richard’s gaze scanned beneath the Christmas tree. “Where?”
“Fortnum and Mason,” I said.
Richard looked horrified.
“We’re trying a different tactic,” said Cameron.
Richard motioned for Cameron to go on.
“I told him he can have Mia. For a week.”
Confusion marred Richard’s face.
Cameron made a gesture. “And then Mia offered her opinion on the matter. Lance left the restaurant shell shocked.”
“I merely defended myself,” I said.
Richard’s lip curled into a smile. “I’m not sure whether to be disturbed or delighted.”
I moved toward the bar and reached for the champagne bottle.
Cameron took it from me and poured a fresh glass of bubbly into my flute. “There you go.”
“Steady on, Mia,” said Richard.
“It’s Christmas,” said Cameron.
“Still,” said Richard. “Addiction runs in her family.”
My stare lowered in shame.
“My only concern for Mia,” said Cameron, “is her ferocious behavior around candy. That girl will take your hand off if you’re holding a piece of chocolate.”
I giggled at that, though my smile faded when I caught Richard’s glare.
“Someone has to watch out for you, Mia,” said Richard. “It’s because I love you that I’m hard on you. You know that.”
I took another sip.
“Mia, what did you say to Lance to scare him off then?” asked Richard.
“That I didn’t want to go with him.”
“And?”
“She made a scene,” said Cameron.
Richard looked amused. “So, by making him believe I think less of her, that devalues her?”
“So far, so good,” said Cameron. “And no message from him since.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” said Richard.
I held my breath, waiting on Richard’s next words.
Cameron leaned on the bar. “Go on.”
Richard reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “These are from him.” He handed his phone over.
Cameron scrolled through what looked like photos on the screen. “This explains your mood.”
“Quite the collection,” said Richard.
Cameron’s gaze rose. “Our friendship is stronger than this.”
“Without question,” said Richard. “What was going on between you both in Harrods?”
“Rounding out her education,” said Cameron. “She’s more than ready for you.”
“His men were tracking you through London,” said Richard.
“I know.”
And although I’d suspected it, I knew for sure now.
Richard gestured for his phone back.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “What kind of photos?”
Cameron handed Richard’s phone back. “Just us hanging out, Mia.”
“Did Lance send those?” I asked.
“Yes,” said Cameron.
“What happened to keeping a low profile?” said Richard.
“I refuse to play Lance’s games,” said Cameron.
“Or are they your games, Cam?” said Richard darkly. “This wasn’t the plan.”
“Did those photos put you in this shitty mood,” said Cameron. “For God’s sake, lighten up.”
“And how would you have responded?” asked Richard.
“I’d discuss my concerns.”
“Which we’re doing.”
“Well good.”
“You could take Lance out in one strike,” said Richard. “Everyone is waiting for you to take your final aim and stop this madness.”
“Out of the question,” said Cameron, pointing. “This is non-negotiable.”
“He’s threatening you,” said Richard. “In the worst kind of way. Think of this as damage control—”
“Mia, go and unpack Richard’s case,” said Cameron. “Please.”
A shudder ran up my spine.
“Mia,” said Cameron sternly.
I went to leave.
“Wait, Mia,” said Richard. “Is she ready?”
“There’s a detail we need to discuss,” said Cameron. “In private.”
“In front of her.”
Cameron stared at him.
“Did you do your job?” said Richard.
“Don’t be an ass.”
“It trumps you being a bastard,” said Richard. “I’m experiencing a heavy dose of fucking déjà vu. The day before you left for London, I had to extract my girlfriend from your house. I know I messed up at the auction, but is this really fair?”
“I’ve kept her safe.”
“You’ve not so much as derailed the plan as made up a new one.”
Cameron poured himself another glass.
“It’s not that I don’t get it,” said Richard. “I do. But I’m not backing down on this. Ever.”
“And you shouldn’t have to,” agreed Cameron.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt either, Cam,” said Richard. “I can’t bear to think of your heart—”
“This is what I do.” Cameron pointed at me. “I’m proud of the results.”
Richard turned to face me. “You’re ready for what I have to show you?”
Cameron cringed. “Nice and slow, Booth.”
“If she’s ready then we’re all good, right?” said Richard. “She’ll handle anything I ask her to do.”
“Let’s talk this through calmly,” said Cameron.
“She’s still looking at you like you’re her master,” said Richard.
“Champagne,” said Shay, bouncing back into the room. “What a great way to kick off Christmas.”
“Shay.” Richard handed him a glass. “Take Mia to the playroom, please.”
Shay looked confused. “You just got here.”
“Mia,” said Richard. “Shay will prepare you. Go with him.”
“Now?” Shay sounded doubtful.
“I need you to take Mia into the playroom,” said Richard. “Simple enough.”
Cameron clutched the edge of bar, his knuckles white.
Richard looked incredulous. “Well?”
“I work for Cameron,” said Shay.
“You work for Enthrall too,” said Richard. “I’m an equal partner.”
“Why don’t you freshen up?” said Shay. “Dr. Finely will be here in an hour.”
“Richard, what did Lance say to you exactly?” said Cameron.
Richard stepped toward him, that silent language between them startlingly uncanny.
Cameron shook his head. “He’s manipulating you.”
“Is he?”
“Yes,” said Cameron. “We’ve been waiting for you to arrive. Mia went out and bought your Christmas present.”
Richard set his glass down.
“And Shay,” I said. “I got him one too. And I bought honey from Fortnum and Mason for Dr. Finely. Did you know they have their own bee keepers? They work right up there on the roof of the store.”
“She really has b
een looking forward to you arriving,” said Shay. “It’s all she’s talked about.”
Richard looked distraught.
“Fuck this.” Cameron rounded the bar and grabbed my arm. “I’ll take her myself for you.” He took my glass off me and set it on the bar.
He hurried me out, shoveling me along the hallway and nudging me down the stairs.
Cameron kicked open the playroom door.
“In,” he snapped.
I tripped and he caught me, hugging me into his chest, clutching me to him, refusing to look at me.
Seconds dissolving…
He broke away and yanked me toward the Saint Andrew’s Cross, which was now righted. The room had been put together and tidied and those whips and chains were back in their place.
He slammed the door shut and flew back towards me.
“Obey,” he snapped.
Obediently, I relented and gave myself over.
The pinch of leather straps secured around my wrists. “Mia, what I’m about to say is very important. Don’t respond. Don’t answer. Just listen. Do you think you can do that?”
“Yes.”
“I doubt you can, but give it a go.”
A bite of my lip was needed as a reminder to stay quiet.
“You falling in love with me is my fault,” he said. “A misjudged step in your training. Interestingly enough, I too am deeply fond of you. Not only is it unexpected, it’s extraordinarily inconvenient. These feelings came out of nowhere and I’m finding them rather unpleasant.”
I yanked at the cuffs.
He leaned into me, both hands gripping either side of the crisscrossed bar. “I can’t stop thinking about you. My heart aches when I’m not around you. When we fuck, I can’t take a deep breath in.”
My heart took off, beating frantically, these sweeping emotions causing my breath to still…
He raised his hand. “I can use this. It’s useful. I’ll always cherish this time with you, and I’ll be able to use these biological reactions I’ve experienced for the good of others. So you see—” He checked my left cuff. —“there’s not been any waste in all these feelings. They serve a purpose.”
His confession stirred confusion, and in usual Cameron style this served as a punishment.
His lips lingered but didn’t touch.
His cologne roused memories…
Us in that grand palace, us in Harrods, us on the London Eye.
Us.
In this room, secured against my will, I had a sense of what those women back at the London Tower all those hundreds of years ago had felt. Their fates decided for them.
Cameron blinked at me. “Richard’s my best friend. We’ve known each other for so long now I can’t remember a time in my life when he wasn’t in it. I love him. With every cell of my being. Until I met you he was the most important person in my life. He’s loving, kind, and gentle. Yes, he has some interesting predilections. But I’ve prepared you for them. For him.”
He took a few short breaths, as though choosing his words carefully. “Richard was betrayed by his father and completely destroyed when his fiancé committed suicide. I brought him back from the brink.” Cameron reached for a leather strap and pulled it around my waist. “I won’t send Richard back there. I’d rather rip my own heart out then ever see him hurt again.”
“Cameron?” I whispered.
“I need you to listen.” He held my chin. “Your mother let you down by allowing her drug dealer near you, and later your father betrayed you beyond all understanding. You need to know what trust is. What kindness is. What doing the right thing is.”
His eyes were red and tired and he looked worn down. So unlike the Cameron I knew. The man with all the answers.
“This is the right thing.” He gave a nod, as though he’d found the words. “I will not be Richard’s father. I will not be that man that eviscerated him. I refuse to be someone who goes after what they want in spite of the debilitating effect it has on those they call family. And I refuse wholeheartedly to be like your father. A man who chose to satisfy his own heart and in doing so decimated those he left behind. I am a better man than that.”
“You’re nothing like them.”
“You promised you’d listen.” His expression was full of affection. “I need you to listen.”
A nod told him I would.
“On the plane here, I reassured you there’d be no further intimacy between us. I really believed it was something I could do. But you stir something in me that I’m unfamiliar with. I need time to analyze it. Work through it. What I’m trying to say is I let you down. I betrayed the trust I offered you. I was selfish. Please, forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive.”
“Trust me. There is.”
“You think too much,” I whispered.
“It’s who I am.”
“Maybe you should just try feeling. It’s how you saved Richard. Maybe you should use that same technique on yourself.”
He gave a thin smile. “You saved Richard, Mia. You save him still.”
My heart fractured. Despite this ache, I tried to swallow this lump in my throat.
“You and I will never be a couple,” he whispered.
I peered up at him. “I’ll always be in your life.”
“I may be a masochist but I’m not into that kind of pain.”
“What are you saying?”
He wrapped his hands around my waist. “I just need to find the right time.”
“I’ll never be ready to not see you again.”
“Yes, you will,” he said, his lips moving close to mine but not touching. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Footsteps trailed down the stairs.
“I’ll be a good girlfriend,” I said. “But you must promise—”
Richard appeared in the doorway.
My gaze fell to the ground, fearing he’d know my heart was breaking.
“Mia, do you understand?” Cameron’s dark stare burned through me.
“Yes.”
“Are you’re ready to obey your master in all things?”
“Yes, sir.”
Cameron held my gaze for the longest time, as though gauging my readiness.
He stepped back and turned to face Richard. “She’s all yours.”
“Well thank you,” said Richard.
“I have one stipulation.”
Richard’s frown deepened.
“I know her limits,” said Cameron. “Despite my intensive work, she’s not ready to be shared with anyone.”
“She’s my fucking girlfriend,” said Richard.
Cameron shoved Richard back and pushed him up against the wall. They glared into each other’s eyes.
“Just say you won’t,” said Cameron.
After a long pause, Richard gave a nod.
Cameron stepped back and tugged at Richard’s sweater to straighten it. “I’m glad you’re here. I missed you, buddy.”
“Missed you too.”
Cameron patted his arm with affection and strolled away, heading out and up the stairs.
I willed him not to go, not to vanish like that, not to leave me.
Muddling through the confusion, I reasoned here was my beautiful boyfriend. The man I lived with, but for some reason I wanted to follow Cameron up those stairs, go with him, be near him.
“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he’d said. “My heart aches when I’m not around you.”
I wanted time alone to savor his words.
My heart betrayed everything I knew to be true.
“Ms. Lauren,” said Richard. “Please don’t zone out. I know subspace and this isn’t it.”
My breath stuttered. “Master.”
Richard closed the door and took those few short steps to reach me. “For the entire flight, I couldn’t stop thinking of you,” he said. “My cock ached for you, Mia.”
It was as though I was looking at him anew, trying to shake the remnants of the last few minutes, wanting, needing to
rewind to yesterday.
“Mia,” said Richard, raising my chin with a fingertip. “These feelings are normal, okay? The transition back to a master after intensive training can be challenging. We take this into account. We make allowances.” His hand brushed over my jaw. “I’ll help you adjust. And if that doesn’t work…”
“What?”
“I’ll purge him from your mind.”
“Purge?”
“You begged me to take you on as my submissive. Remember?”
“I have to finish the apple crumble.”
He beamed at me. “God you’re so fuckable.”
“It’s all happening so fast.”
“Did he hurt you?”
My lips trembled. “No. Never.”
“I imagine he trained you well?”
I gave an uneasy nod, remembering Cameron’s warning that pleasing Richard would please him too.
“I’m here to help you through this,” he said.
“Just need a little time.”
“I warned you to stay away from me,” he said. “I fired you from Enthrall to protect you. That’s how hard I fell for you. My sweet, new secretary. My innocent Mia, who didn’t belong.”
“But—”
“He brought you back into our club. And then you pushed and pushed and begged to become mine. Being in this house is the consequence of your demands. This is me giving you what you want.”
My gaze shot to his.
“I warned you I’m too dark for you,” he said. “You’ve always insisted otherwise. Now I believe you, Mia. Want to know why?”
I gave a nod.
“You’ve been trained by a master. You’ve fulfilled the director’s expectations. I expect great things from you.”
“You’ve always been so patient with me.”
“At first I had reservations. I was concerned I might hurt you. Scare you. Damage you. After all you’ve been through I was certain you were too fragile. You’re stronger than I knew. And now I feel comfortable to push you beyond your limits.”
“I know you’d never hurt me.” It came out in a rush.
“I promise to be everything you need me to be. The strictest of masters.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Did you miss me?”
“Yes, I’ve so looked forward to you being here.”
He went to speak and stared off. “Then why did you only call me once? In all this time.”
“They took my phone off me.”
“You could have borrowed Shay’s or Cole’s.”
Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) Page 19
