“I want that,” she cried out.
“Nice and still now,” I said, flicking her clit slowly. “Watch, Mia.”
Jaw gaping, lips pouting, her eyes traced the way I used a fingertip to circle her clit, slow and sure, on and on, until her eyelids became heavy as she tranced out.
She threw her head back and came hard, her orgasm causing her to shudder violently.
“Ride me, Mia,” I ordered.
She obeyed, rising and falling, rising and falling. Her eyes squeezed shut only to burst open again and watch her wild and untamable reflection, cascading blonde locks whipping from side to side. Her pleasure grew so intense she became frenzied. Her sex beat my cock, and, leaning back on the bed, I used my hands for leverage so I could buck my hips and pummel her the rest of the way.
We collapsed on the bed.
Freeing her from that braid, caressing her wrists, I planted a kiss to each one.
I pulled her up and maneuvered her body until I was spooning her.
“The things you do to me,” she said in a rush.
“You liked that, sweet sub?”
“Did you mean what you said?”
“About what?”
“Having people watch us?”
“I thought it might turn you on.”
“I was already turned on.”
“Good point.”
She shifted to better look at me. “It’s one of my fantasies.”
“You’ve never told me this before?”
“I was embarrassed.”
“With me?”
“Yes, Cameron, I know you’re the master of the dark arts and all that—”
“All that?”
She settled against me again. “I want to dabble.”
A word Richard had probably used around her. It was too cosmopolitan for her.
Mia looked up at me. “I want everyone to see you claim your submissive.”
I kissed her nose. “Already have.”
Her head rested on my chest.
“Let’s discuss it another time,” I said. “Perhaps when things have calmed a little.”
“I want it.”
I needed to explore the truth in those words. Her wanting to please me could even overrule her own happiness.
“You know the rules, Mia. The dom leads the play when he knows without question his sub is primed for that level.”
“I’m excited,’ she whispered.
“Let’s discuss it another time.”
“You don’t think I’m ready?”
“I want you to do it for you. Stage work is an intense experience. A heavy scene. It must be carefully crafted.”
She raised her head to look at me. “When you deem me ready then?”
“I’ll consider it.”
She beamed at me. “Your parents have swans.”
“Yes.”
“Do they bite?”
She made me smile. “Peck.”
“Of course, silly.”
“Either way it hurts.”
“Did you get pecked?”
“Chased, once.”
“They’re pretty.”
“Until they open their six foot wingspan and come at you hissing.”
“It’s funny, isn’t it? How those of us on the outside of these big houses look in and think you all have idyllic lives.”
“It’s idyllic now.” I pushed myself up the headboard and she snuggled against my chest as I reached over and brought the file onto my lap.
“What’s that?” she said sleepily.
“Some light reading. Rest your head on my lap.”
Mia nuzzled down and she let out a sigh of contentment.
I flipped open to the first page.
CHAPTER 11
MY HAND RESTED on Shay’s shoulder. “Okay, buddy?”
He sat squarely at the dining room table and leaned back to look at me. “Yes, thank you.” He gave me a knowing look of reassurance.
We’d all dressed for lunch, with the men wearing blazer and slacks, a formality for the Coles, and Mia wearing a deep blue chiffon dress.
Henry complained by tugging his collar and feigning he was choking to death until Mom scolded him.
Shay tried to defuse the strain. “You have a lovely pool, Mrs. Cole.”
“Thank you, Shay,” she said.
I took the seat beside his and smiled over at Mom. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you, Cameron.” She went on to inform us how she’d chosen the theme of the pool from the Trianon Palace Versailles, when she’d spent a week at the Waldorf Astoria last year with Willow.
Willow shared how she’d like to get married there.
“It’s right next to the Palace of Versailles gardens,” said Willow. “Where we could get our photos taken.”
“You’re getting married in a church,” said Mom.
“The Waldorf would be for the reception.”
“This imaginary husband does not exist,” said Dad. “Not yet anyway. Before you get your brothers interrogating you on the matter, Willow.”
“I’m sure he’ll be quite perfect when she does find him,” said Henry with a hint of sarcasm.
“Something you want to share, Willow?” I said, amused.
She placed her napkin on her lap. “You’ll be the first to know, Cam. Daddy shall have to wait until I’ve had you check him out and analyze him. And you too Shay.” She beamed over at him.
Shay grinned at her. “Of course.”
“Let’s worry about all that when it happens,” said Dad, who was seemingly already over it.
Right now he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, so considering this he was doing remarkably well.
I’d purposefully sat Mia between Henry and I, both of us flanking her in a show of protection from Mom’s critical glare.
Lunch was served on fine china plates with gold trimming. Spring vegetables and lovage broth with poached guinea fowl served as our appetizer. For our main course, Confit gressingham duck leg was elegantly presented with truffle potatoes and asparagus. Dessert was Crème Brulee, and I refused to make eye contact with Mia as we ate our memorable sugared vanilla pudding that brought a smile to our lips.
We all declined the offer of wine, except Mom, who knocked back half a bottle of a Coche-Dury Les Perrieres like water.
This four course meal was usual for a weekend at home, delivered by waiters donning starched white uniforms and silently attending to our every need. What I wouldn’t have given for a hamburger eaten in a quiet room tucked away in the library, where I could continue reading that monster of a file. This felt like time wasted.
Tension hung beneath the surface, and we all played our part to feign this was lunch as usual and on Monday my father wouldn’t be clearing out his office. A legacy destroyed.
“So, Mia,” said Mom, “any decisions on your future?”
Mia glanced over to me for support.
“Mia has a couple of exciting opportunities,” I said. “Right now she’s deciding on a career in fashion or psychology.”
“Don’t you need a degree for either one?” said Mom.
“I’m going to study at university,” said Mia.
“Don’t people usually decide on this kind of thing while at boarding school?”
I threw Mom a stare that told her to pull back on her cruelty.
“Actually, I’m trying to convince Mia to come on board at Cole Tea.” Henry smiled warmly at her.
Dad scoffed. “Not sure any Cole will be welcome after Monday.”
“She’s not a Cole,” said Mom.
“Not yet,” I said with a smile that hit its mark, judging from the way Mom settled back in her chair.
“Still,” Mom said, “trying to catch up on an education squandered is a little lacking in foresight.”
Mia’s face blushed wildly and her gaze fell to her lap.
“Give us a moment, please.” I directed the last waiter out of the room.
“Mom,” I said. “Enough
.”
“Well at least you didn’t scold me in front of my staff, Cameron. You may have forgotten every last social grace I taught you, but that one still holds.”
“What are you talking about?” I said.
“I’m sorry,” whispered Mia. “This is my fault.”
“Mia, please,” I warned her and my focus returned to Mother.
“Had you and your brother not gone off and pursued your own agenda, you would have been here for your father. None of this would have happened.”
“Not necessarily true,” said Dad.
“You’ve needed them now more than ever.”
“Henry was destined for West Point,” said Dad. “Don’t bring him into this.”
“Perhaps we should discuss this in private, Mom,” said Henry.
She threw her napkin on the table. “Cameron, you chose to live in another state and pursue a career that has no value.”
“I profoundly help my patients.”
“So could any other doctor,” she said. “You make it sound like no one else could do what you do.”
“Please,” said Dad. “We’ve been over this.”
“I’m here in whatever capacity you need me. I’ve handed my clinic over to my co-workers for now. I’m not going home until Cole Tea is back in your hands, Dad.”
“There should only be family here,” said Mom. “Shay’s family. He’s more than proven his worth.”
“If you’ll excuse us.” I stood and grabbed Mia’s hand.
Henry reached out for my arm and pulled me down. “I was blindfolded when they did it.”
I sat back down and turned to look at him, my emotions swirling.
Henry stared at Mom. “Took their time doing it too. Ripped out my fingernails one by one.”
“Oh, dear God,” said Mom. “Cameron, say something.”
Henry raised his hand. “No, you need to hear this, Mom, and you too, Dad. It was early in the morning. I remember like it was yesterday.” He stared at his hands. “Even though they’ve grown back, I can still feel the pain.”
“Not at lunch, dear,” said Mom.
“Victoria.” Dad silenced her with a glare.
She settled down, we all did, honoring Henry’s memories with the silence it deserved.
“My captors messed with my mind,” he said. “They warn you about this at West Point, but nothing can truly prepare you. The terrorists tell you you’re being exchanged for one of their prisoners and you calm a little. Let your guard down. Then, when you’ve willingly walked into the interrogation room, they sit you down and play loud music for three days and three nights straight. If you manage to drift off, they kick you just to make sure you don’t get any sleep. I was holding up pretty well. Wouldn’t tell them anything.”
I poured a glass of water and slid it over to him.
Henry stared at it. “You lose faith in humankind. You learn never to trust again. When you come back home, there’s this sense everyone’s lying to you. You can’t shake it. The paranoia. I question everything, every conversation, every interaction, and every phone call.” He looked at Mom.
“It was terrible what they did to you, son,” she whispered.
“You’re missing the point,” he said. “I was destined to stay in that cabin in Big Bear for the rest of my life. When this one here turned up.” He pointed to Mia. “I was rude to her at first. Tried to scare her off. Keep her at arm’s length. But she wouldn’t relent. Talked her way in and spent her time listening to me ramble on about nothing. She renewed my faith in the human condition. Made me believe in unconditional love again. Do you want to know how?”
Mom’s gaze fell on Mia.
Henry looked over at Mia with affection. “Because she knew that Cameron and I needed each other. That you, Mom, needed me. And I needed all of you. That the only lies were the ones I’d been telling myself. That it was not okay living in isolation. Missing out on life. Alone. Mia Lauren turned up out of nowhere and saved my life from the futile experience it had become.”
I took Mia’s hand in mine and squeezed it.
“Well that’s quite a revelation,” said Dad. “We appreciate you sharing that with us.”
Shay scratched his head. “Lunch really was delicious.”
“Yes,” said Mom weakly. “We have a new chef.”
“We’re lucky to have you in the family, Mia,” said Willow.
Mom rose, pushing her chair back, its legs scraping the marble floor.
Our stares fell on her.
All of us recoiled over what she was going to say next.
She rounded the table and gestured to Mia. “Please stand.”
“Mom,” I said.
“It’s okay,” said Mia softly and pushed herself to her feet, turning to face my mother.
I rose and stood directly behind Mia, ready to say what was necessary to protect her.
Mom gripped Mia by her shoulders and stared at her. “I’ve got you in the wrong room, Mia. I’ll have the staff move you.”
“If you like, Mrs. Cole. But it really is a lovely room. I’m very grateful.”
“We’ll put you in the Windsor Suite,” said Mom. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must powder my nose.”
When she left, Shay swapped a wary glance with me.
“Windsor Suite.” Dad mused to himself. “Reserved exclusively for visiting dignitaries.”
“I don’t want to be a bother,” whispered Mia.
Dad smiled at her. “You’re my son’s Magnum opus, Ms. Lauren.”
I suppressed a moan of embarrassment for her.
CHAPTER 12
DAMN.
“You googled it, didn’t you?” I said.
Mia dropped her phone to her side and turned away.
“Answer me.” I kept my voice low so Henry and Shay, who were waiting for us inside the library, couldn’t overhear.
Mia stepped away from the door. “Opus? How embarrassing, Cameron. Your girlfriend is your finest piece of work.”
“Did I not tell you that once myself?”
“Yes, but I didn’t think everyone else would think it too. That they’d all know because of you I’m now able to walk with my head held high and not be ashamed of who I once was. A girl from Charlotte who knows nothing other than what you’ve taught me. A common—”
“I told you never to refer to yourself in that manner.”
“Why? Because the truth embarrasses you?”
“Do you honestly believe that Jesus, or Gandhi, or Buddha cared about how to hold a glass by the stem? Or cared about what is considered acceptable by a class of people who worship money?” I pulled her into a hug. “No Mia, the wisest and kindest men who ever walked the earth didn’t give a damn about such superficiality because they were too busy trying to save the world from itself.”
“Everyone can see I don’t belong.”
I pressed her up against the wall. “Have you ever once considered that I’m your Opus, Mia?”
“How do you mean?”
“I’m your finest work.”
“I changed you?”
“Of course.”
“Your world is so different.”
“That’s why I avoid it.”
She shrugged in agreement.
“Mia, you’ve ruined my reputation.”
She suppressed a smile.
“I may not be able to prevent the monsters from reaching us, but what I can do is teach you how to deal with the fuckers when they turn up. And if that’s what you being my opus means, then so be it.”
She flung herself into my arms. “Oh, Cameron, I need you so much. It scares me how much.”
“I know.”
“I love you.”
“You just melted my mother’s heart. An accomplishment not to be taken lightly. She’s moving you to the Windsor Suite, for goodness sake. Let’s just take a moment to celebrate.” I waved my fist in triumph. “This might be as good as it gets. Let’s savor it.”
She relaxed a little. “It helps
seeing your parents approve of me.”
“Well at least someone in this house has made the grade.” I tapped her arm. “Come on. We have work to do.”
I opened the door to the library and gestured for her to go on ahead, then I followed her in.
Shay and Henry rose to their feet to greet us.
Discreetly, I took a moment to check on Henry. After that dark reflection he’d just shared with us at lunch, I needed to know he was handling all this. His body language revealed he was holding up. His subconscious coping strategies had been effective. His playful banter with Shay was also a positive sign.
No matter how many times I told Henry how remarkable he was, it never seemed to sink in with him. Such was my brother’s nature.
“So, what’s the plan?” said Shay.
I strolled over to the central table, rifled through the drawer, and removed several permanent black markers. “We’re going to gather intelligence. Profile each individual on the board.”
“Find out their weak spot?” said Shay.
“Strengths, weakness, where they live, how many children they have, their interests, work history, affairs—”
“So we can blackmail them?” asked Shay.
I picked up one of the pens. “No, we play by the rules. That way after the vote we have re-secured their loyalty. We must shore up the foundation so this never happens again.” I strolled over to the far wall and pulled off the pen lid. “You’re going to bring me the information and I’m going to identify areas that will be used to sway the vote.”
“I’m not sure I know enough about business,” said Mia.
“Not a problem. Let’s bring you up to speed. We have ten board members. Their responsibility is to protect the shareholders assets and make sure the return on their investments are profitable. The board holds a great deal of power. They recommend stock splits, approve the finances, and have the power to promote a merger or acquisition. Change their mind and we change the vote.”
“Well that seems simple enough,” said Shay sarcastically.
“It’s all Mia needs to know for our purpose,” I said.
“So after we’ve gathered all this,” said Shay. “We call them?”
“Visit them.” I glanced at my watch.
“But what if we sway them this year and next year this happens again?” said Shay.
Cameron's Contract Page 6
