Enthrall Climax

by Vanessa Fewings

  The darkest night. A raging storm. Rain drenching our clothes and me feeling concern for our sub being out in such a downpour. Danton and I splitting up during the hunt as we competed for the win with the other Doms. Dripping wet from the rain as we followed the hounds through the woodland, burning up with the thrill of searching for the submissive who had bolted from the house. After we caught her we’d bring her back to Hillenbrand and then punish her.

  Then the fun would begin all over again.

  With the girl’s written consent, of course. They left the manor sated, with a healthy bank balance, and we left Hillenbrand fulfilled.

  I’d defended myself against this chase as no woman was taken by force; it was with a mutual understanding that the hunt was the most exhilarating rush a Dom could experience. I rarely dabbled in the other events at the club. I wasn’t into sharing, or orgies, or taking virgins, I wanted a woman who put up a fight because she knew her worth.

  Danton had understood my dark side. Maybe looking back he’d nurtured it too freely, encouraged my need to push the subs in the dungeon to their limit. More profoundly, he’d followed my lead to use these skills to divulge our subject’s deeply hidden psychological shadows and then release their pain so that by the end of her session she was reborn.

  He’d honored my fantasies and welcomed me into his world with kindness and respect. Danton had introduced me to women who craved what I could give and provided a pathway to peace for all involved.

  He’d shown me I belonged on the higher end of the spectrum of decadent. Satisfying these needs at Hillenbrand had enabled me to return to Harvard and complete my studies without any inner turmoil, a yearning so strong it was part of my DNA. Still, those wild years were behind me. Chrysalis was behind me. Enthrall a memory now, and I’d not stepped into a dungeon again until today.

  I had Mia to watch over and the kind of responsibilities a man of my standing strove to live up to.

  And yet…a familiar titillating feeling soaked into my bones.

  In less than the eight minutes it had taken for me to get here, Kristoff had secured Shay to the post and was moving things along at lightning speed. He was slapping Shay’s erection, and it looked painful. But from the way his victim pumped his hips, it wasn’t hard enough.

  There’d seemingly been no time for conversation of what was expected. No exploration of his fears or hard limits, no gentle coaxing to get Shay swooning in subspace. No time to develop trust. It wasn’t so much amateur hour but a Dom’s impatience to satisfy his own needs with total disregard for the sub’s.

  Kristoff teased Shay’s chin with the handle of a bull whip and it made me flinch. We never had those in the club—they were just too damn harsh. We used a smaller, less agonizing version as befitting a foundation based on ethics. That thing he wielded was going to split Shay’s flesh open if he didn’t use it right.

  Shay’s gaze slid over to mine.

  Confusion, that’s what I read in him, and I knew where it was coming from. He’d always wanted to be dominated by a man and explore his bisexual side. This was meant to be a special event, enthralling even, and he’d probably noticed my disapproving stare.

  So many thoughts buzzed around in my brain. Part of me didn’t want to sabotage this experience, and part of me felt guilty for having stepped into this room without discussing it with Mia first.

  I gestured to Kristoff to step back. He did so, looking intrigued.

  I approached Shay, resting my forehead against his to connect with him, wanting to take his extraction from this place nice and slow. I needed him to see I understood what this meant to him, and that I acknowledged the bravery it took for an alpha with a tough guy persona to willingly be put in this position.

  “We’re leaving,” I said.

  He squeezed his eyes shut.

  “Take a breath,” I told him. “I’ve got this.”

  Shay’s chin rose as if to kiss me, and I pulled back a little as though I hadn’t noticed his need to be soothed.

  “You can’t storm in here and end my session,” snapped Kristoff. “Who the fuck are you?”

  Turning to look at him, I answered, “Ever had one of those nightmares you just can’t wake up from?”

  He threw down the whip. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

  “Cole,” Shay whispered.

  It was the way he spoke my name that sent a chill down my spine. In that moment I knew he wanted to stay. With a shake of my head, I conveyed this wasn’t an option.

  The muscles of Shay’s jaw tensed. “You’re trespassing into my private session.”

  My fingers worked the straps of his left wrist, releasing it while ignoring his glare. I moved swiftly over to the other strap, and then knelt to undo the leather binds at his ankles. I stayed ready to fight off Kristoff if he tried to stop me.

  Shay had a penchant for finding danger. He dabbled in reckless, having been the first soldier in to rescue my brother in Afghanistan. Still, something else was going on here. He was a great judge of character, and he should have grasped who Kristoff was upon meeting him.

  When Shay was free, he immediately grabbed my shoulders, spun me around and shoved me hard against the metal cross. “You don’t dictate what I do.”

  Pain wracked my spine. “Gardner?”

  He blinked at me, looked horrified and confused. “You don’t get it, do you?”

  This wasn’t him.

  “We’re leaving.” I delivered the command with such authority he’d have no choice but to obey.

  He stormed over to a chair, grabbed his shirt and began to dress. For the first time since I’d known him, I questioned where our friendship could go from here.

  “Before you book a session with me,” Kristoff snapped at Shay, “Talk to your boyfriend first.”

  I ignored that retort and headed for the door, sensing Shay was right behind me. He was hopping along as he slid on his overly polished shoes.

  By the time we stepped into the elevator I was seething. The doors closed and the floor jolted as we began to descend.

  “If you ever touch me like that again…” I let my glare say the rest.

  “I’m sorry, okay?”

  “What is going on with you?” I clenched my fists in frustration.

  Shay covered his face with his hands, and when they slipped down I saw his barely controlled anger. “You’re the one who’s stalking me.”

  “I thought we’d ascertained this place is shady?”

  “Cole, you’re just jealous that the rest of us get to keep this in our lives while you’ve closed the doors on it.”

  “That’s not it.” Though my analytical brain was considering the truth of his accusation.

  “You want to know why everyone is on a razor’s edge when you’re around? It’s because we all have to play life by your rules.”

  “Something is going on. I’m worried about you.”

  “We’ve been over this.”

  “Enlighten me, Shay.”

  The elevators doors opened and he stormed out.

  I followed. “You’re going with the Dom I choose and that’s the end of it.”

  He made it to the Lamborghini and spun around. “You don’t get to make that decision.”

  “I admit to being controlling. That’s nothing new, Shay.” I rested my hand on his shoulder. “But I’m here for you.”

  He shoved my hand away.

  “You want me to fire you. Is that it?”

  He stood there looking back at me with pain in his gaze.

  “Talk to me.”

  “I was right there—” He gestured to the club elevator. “And you had to interfere.”

  “You’re making vast inroads into the frontier of assholes,” I retorted. “Some might say you’re the Neil Armstrong of asinine exploration.”

  He was staring at me with a mixture of trepidation and confusion. It was the same look he’d given me when I’d first met him.

  “I know you want to fuck me, Shay. You’re
going to have to get over it.”

  “Are you getting off on taunting me?” He looked astonished. “No, wait, this is that thing you do. You push my buttons until I’m about to implode and then you get me to admit what’s really wrong.”

  “So…what’s wrong, Shay,” I whispered.

  “No, you don’t get to manipulate me with your psych shit.”

  “You love my psych shit.” I smiled fondly at him to break the tension.

  “You had the chance to get rid of me when I asked months ago.” He covered his face with his hands again. “Why do you do this?”

  “Then go, Shay, if you’re that unhappy.” I’d always fought for our friendship, but now it seemed selfish.

  “You’re so smart, and yet you can’t see what’s right in front of you.”

  “Evidently, I need help here.”

  “I want my first session to be with you, Cam.”

  Because what Shay had once endured was too painful and still too raw. He wasn’t ready to spill his life story.

  “I’m…” He couldn’t find the words.

  I reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “I get it.”

  “If you refuse me I’m out of your life.”

  “Don’t say that.” I shook my head with a smile. “You’re my fencing partner. I trust you more than anyone. What if I double your salary?”

  “You like to dig the pain out of your subjects,” he confessed.

  “When I was a therapist, yes.” I had gone to extremes and had no regrets.

  “I need you to dig out mine.”

  “What’s hurting you?”

  “I’m in love with a man I can never have.” He shrugged. “I’m obsessed with you Cam. There, I admit it.”

  “I’m desperately fond of you—”

  “Ironically, the one person who’s hurting me is the only one who can save me.”

  “Shay…” I felt like an idiot.

  I already knew he’d had a mega crush on me, but these new feelings were far-reaching.

  He looked annoyed. “It worked for Richard.”

  “Richard and I were never—”

  “How do you think you got to wield all that power at Chrysalis?” Shay waved his hands in frustration. “Why do you think everyone falls at your feet?”

  “I’m intimidating.” I needed him to calm down. “And I have a pleasant face, apparently.”

  He looked like a broken man.

  “Stay, please,” I said softly. “No matter what.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys to the Lamborghini. “My first session will be with you.”

  “Oh, is that right?”

  “I will have your answer by tomorrow.” He gave a nod. “Until then, I’m looking after Mia…unless I’m fired?” He climbed into the Lamborghini and slammed the door.

  He drove away through the subterranean structure, brakes squealing—ironically fleeing me in my own damn car.

  THIS WAS THE FREEDOM I’D missed—and I didn’t regret bolting from work early without telling anyone.

  With my ear buds in and Harry Styles singing “Sign of the Times,” I ran through the pouring rain, splashing through puddles. My clothes stuck to my body as I weaved around the pedestrians and sprinted past luxurious shop windows. The tugging between my thighs had me feeling like an orgasm was one leap away, and I laughed through the pleasure shamelessly.

  Taking a shortcut, I broke another rule and hurried down an alleyway. And then my mind forced that memory back in…

  I’d not be wearing my wedding dress.

  Just feet away, a black SUV slammed on its brakes and sent a wave of water over me, drenching me to the skin.

  Great. Just great.

  Realizing this wasn’t a coincidence, my heart thundered in my chest and I went to turn and run…

  The driver’s door opened. I saw Clint, one of our bodyguards, get out and hurry toward me. “Ms. Lauren,” he called out. “Please, get in.”

  He closed the gap between us and gripped my upper arm, guiding me to the back door of the SUV.

  Inside, a burst of freezing cold air conditioning met my wet skin. “I’m dripping on the seat.” I met his gaze in the rearview mirror.

  “Don’t worry about that.” Clint looked relieved. “I didn’t get the call you were ready to leave work, Miss?”

  “That’s because I didn’t make it.” I wiped a few damp strands of hair out of my face.

  “Mr. Gardner will not be happy, Ms. Lauren.”

  “How many times have I told you to call me Mia?”

  “Thank you, Ms. Lauren.” He navigated the car out of the alleyway.

  I slumped back. “I could have walked.”

  “You can’t be on your own.” His voice wavered as though considering the consequences he’d have to face for having missed me.

  “No one needs to know.”

  “I have to report daily.”

  Great, now Shay and Cameron would be on my case all night.

  Fighting this was impossible and I had no choice but to ride the rest of the way, staring out at the city I’d had no choice but to live in.

  Within minutes we were out of the car and hurrying through The Walker Tower foyer, making a beeline for the elevators.

  I spun around. “I’m fine now. Go dry off.”

  “It’s door to door, Ms. Lauren.” He threw a warm smile at Mr. Jones, the concierge.

  Jones threw a concerned glance at us and called the elevator. I offered an apology for dripping on the tiles.

  “The weather turned quickly, Ms. Lauren,” said Jones. “How was your day?”

  “Fine.” If you ignored the fact I looked like a drowned rat. “How about you?”

  “Very good.” His gaze turned toward the front door and I suspected he was looking for Cameron. “You have a delivery, Ms. Lauren.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, a young lady went up to leave a package for you.” He glanced over at Clint and added, “She’s with Platinum Events.”

  “Oh, right,” I recalled the phone call earlier as I scurried into the elevator. “Stay warm, Mr. Jones.”

  Clint stepped in behind me and we shot up to the top floor.

  I wanted to get inside, strip off, unclip this thing from between my thighs, and climb into a hot bubble bath. I couldn’t wait for the heat to soak into my bones.

  The doors opened to the foyer that led to our vast place. Just this area alone was the size of my apartment back in L.A. I really was living a privileged life.

  When I was halfway down the hall, I noticed a brunette sitting in a chair holding a box on her lap.

  “Hello,” I greeted her brightly.

  She sprung up. “I’m glad I got here before it began raining. It’s your wedding cake sample.”

  I took it from her. “Thank you so much.”

  “Just let us know what you think, okay?” She walked past me and into the waiting elevator.

  I hugged the box to my chest and turned to Clint. “We’re kind of keeping it a secret from work.”

  He glanced at the box. “I’ve been briefed.”

  “Good. Well, thank you.” I gestured to the door. “I’ll be fine from here.”

  Clint nodded and headed back down the hallway, pausing briefly to watch me rummage around in my handbag for the key. I entered the penthouse, grateful to be home. With a wave of thanks I shut the door behind me and headed down the hallway that led to the kitchen.

  I placed the box on the marble island. This would be a good excuse to start a conversation with Cameron about what was going on in his head at the moment.

  Caressing my chest, I reassured myself that after today’s hot session in his office we were where we needed to be—a perfect symbiotic relationship, perfectly compatible.

  A knock at the door ended my daydreaming.

  Hurrying back, I hoped it was Cameron, who couldn’t be bothered to find his key. He was the only one who could soothe my doubt. Staring at the wall camera, I felt disappointment whe
n I saw a fair-haired man outside. He was holding a box.

  “Hello?” I called through the intercom.

  “Sorry to bother you,” he said, with an English accent. “I have a delivery. Marbella gave you the wrong box. Sorry for any confusion. This is the right one.”

  “Oh, okay.” I let go of the buzzer.

  I hesitated, remembering that no one was supposed to enter the place without Shay or Cameron’s permission…and they meant no one.

  I pushed the button again. “Can you leave it by the door, please?”

  “I have to pick up the other one. Switch it out. It’s for a party that begins in an hour.”

  I cringed through this hard decision and opened the door.

  “Here you go.” He handed me the box, which had a white envelope balancing on top. “I need the other one.”

  “Be right back.” I carried the box into the kitchen and placed it on the counter. Picking up the other one, I turned…

  He was standing in the kitchen doorway and his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I really appreciate this.”

  The hairs prickled on my forearms as I handed it to him. “Here it is.”

  He took the box and I hurriedly stepped back.

  “Thank you.” His demeanor changed subtlety. “So you live here?”

  “I think we’re all good.” I pointed to the box.

  His gaze held mine for a long beat. “Enjoy your cake.” He turned on his heel and left.

  When the door clicked shut I scurried down the hallway and locked it, a shiver slithering up my spine as I made my way back into the kitchen.

  That had to go down as the stupidest thing I’d done all week, though it had a lot of contenders. I wondered if I’d ever be as worldly as Cam.

  The envelope probably contained the receipt, I mused. I’d taste the cake later when Cameron got home. It might actually be fun. I lifted the envelope, ripped open the seal and slid out a sheet of paper.

  My throat constricted as I stared down at the photo of a dark dungeon with Shay strapped to a Saint Andrew’s Cross. Cameron was right in front of him, resting his forehead against Shay’s. The photo was time-stamped 12:07, today’s date—though I didn’t need that clue, as Cameron was wearing the exact same suit and tie from this morning.