“Cole,” said Richard. “That’s meant to serve as your support?”
My nipples hardened in response to the sudden chill.
Cameron’s eyes remained on mine. “I agree she’s defiant. Nothing you can’t handle.”
Richard’s passionate glare swept over me as though fighting his primal need. His inner struggle caused his jaw muscles to flex.
“What are your thoughts when you look at her?” asked Cameron softly. “At her naked flesh. Flesh that needs the hand of a master. She goes right into subspace. The sign of the perfect sub.”
“Maybe you’re reading her wrong,” whispered Richard.
Cameron looked stone-faced. “Arms by your side, Mia.”
My arms settled at my sides, leaving me vulnerable, trembling. Aroused.
“She needs to be nurtured,” said Cameron. “A firm hand. She needs to learn to trust again.”
“Exactly,” said Richard. “Upon that we agree. But is our way the right way?”
“For her it is.” Cameron folded his arms. “This conversation should not be happening in front of your sub.”
Richard ran his fingers through his hair.
“You desire amongst all things to worship her,” said Cameron.
“Of course.”
“Control her.”
“Always. But I’ve made my decision.”
“Richard, how else are you are going to shed your burden of selfhood?” said Cameron. “The one true therapy.”
I snapped out of my self-consciousness and tuned into Cameron’s words.
He frowned at me. “I won’t ask you again, Mia.”
My arms had once more wrapped around my chest to cover my breasts. I dropped them to my side, feeling the chill of nakedness. The scent of expensive body wash rose off my wet skin. The scent of Cameron, and it was doing crazy things to my senses.
Standing there in that dark tailored suit, white shirt open, tie hanging lose, Cameron was too much. It was all I could do not to fall at his feet. Dare to be in his presence. He oozed the kind of power that debilitated.
He was intoxicating.
Richard was meant to be my master, yet I couldn’t take my eyes off Cameron. My betrayal felt dreadful. A familiar angst welled within once more. Staring at the floor, I feared either one of them might catch me pining after this man who ruled the room with intensity.
He’ll ruin you, warned my muse. Consume you.
“Relax, Mia,” cooed Cameron. “That’s better.”
I shot him a look to warn him he was having no effect.
He saw through my lie. “Eye contact represents defiance. You’re not defying me, are you?”
“No, Sir,” I said.
“She’s too fragile for this,” whispered Richard.
“I disagree,” said Cameron. “Mia needs firm handling. Anything less would be an injustice. On your knees, Mia.”
I dropped before him with my head bowed low and waited eagerly for my next command. This throbbing between my legs intensified, this subspace promised freedom.
“You’re intimidating her,” whispered Richard.
I raised my head, ready to pronounce he wasn’t. “I need—”
“Silence,” said Cameron. “I know what you need.”
“What if you’re wrong?” said Richard. “What if we take her too far?”
“I’m more concerned you’re not willing to take her far enough,” said Cameron. He sunk to his knees beside me and ran his fingers through my hair. “Every part of her is yearning for this.”
Eyes closed, I leaned into Cameron’s chest and snuggled against him, his firmness. The sensation of his fingertips tracing along my scalp caused me to swoon.
“Can’t you see it in her?” Cameron rested his hand on my lower spine and his palm pressed against my skin. “She’s ready to blossom. We must ensure she flourishes. Reaches her potential.” Cameron lifted my chin. “Ease her into it.”
“I want this,” I said. “I need this.”
“Did I give you permission to speak?” asked Cameron.
I bowed my head again. Just the tone of Cameron’s voice sent me reeling.
Cameron rose to his feet and pointed at Richard. “Make a decision.”
I tried to wrap my head around what was being insinuated. My heart thundered.
Richard stepped back. “She has no idea about what happens at Chrysalis.”
“She saw it when she trespassed into the place. She witnessed Ruth’s ceremony.”
All I’d seen was some pretty girl with a mask on being taken by two men on a table. A public fucking in the Harrington Suite. I wondered if I’d get the chance to meet Ruth and talk to her about that night and ask her whether she’d enjoyed being watched by so many people as much as she’d seemed to.
“Well, Cole, what do you suggest?” Richard sounded defeated.
“It’s fine to take her to Chrysalis. She’s ready now that she’s had several sessions with you. Her innocence will be a boon to the other members.”
Richard swept his hand through his golden locks.
Cameron shook his head in frustration. “Richard, you’re the one who came up with half the entertainment ideas at Chrysalis.” Cameron smiled his insistence. “She doesn’t need to be penetrated.”
It was like he was talking about a fricken racehorse and not the girl subjugated at his feet.
“I’ve never taken anyone I’ve loved to Chrysalis,” said Richard. “She’s different.”
“That’s why I gave her to you.”
My eyes widened at that.
“Mia,” said Cameron. “Up.”
I turned to Richard for approval.
“Now,” snapped Cameron.
I pushed myself to my feet as elegantly as possible.
“Get back in the bath,” he said. “Richard, get in with her.”
I tried to read Richard’s reaction.
“Get back in the bath, Mia,” said Richard through gritted teeth.
After a flutter of excitement, I swooned at his fierceness. The old Richard was back and taking the lead. A reward of pleasure awaited on the other side of that austerity. Cameron had finally gotten through.
“Can I be assured you will continue to lead her with a firm hand?” said Cameron.
Richard looked away.
Goose bumps rose on my body. I was chilled from standing naked too long. Half in a daze, I brought my arms up to cover myself again. Cameron caught it and reacted with a glare.
A threat of the punishment I need.
Delirious from his dominance, I relaxed a little, feeling safe as I gave the softest sigh. I grew lightheaded from this rush.
Richard’s words went unspoken and the corners of his eyes wrinkled in confusion. He didn’t want me. That’s what I read from his ocean blue gaze. Richard wanted a primed submissive. Someone knowledgeable of what would please him.
All I saw was disapproval.
Shame found me in this space that I had no right to be in and disillusionment soaked deep into my bones, causing me to tremble.
I will never be good enough.
“Richard?” Cameron gestured to get his attention.
Richard shrugged.
“I’m taking a fucking shower.” Scurrying back into the bathroom, I slammed the door.
I pulled the plug in the bath.
“I told you she’s not ready.” Richard’s voice carried.
“She’s never been more ready,” Cameron raised his voice so I could hear. “Now get your sub under control before I do.”
I stepped into the shower and turned on the faucet. Pressing my cheek against the glass door, I reeled from Cameron’s fingers caressing my scalp, which still tingled. He’d sent a shiver of anticipation up my spine. A shiver of foreboding.
CHAPTER 4
HOLDING MY HEAD under the enormous shower faucet, I left the world outside and Cameron and Richard in the other room.
Lashing out at two testosterone fueled alpha-males wasn’t one of my better d
ecisions. But then again over these last few weeks I hadn’t exactly been clear headed. The revelation about my dad had left me spiraling, and it was only now, after seeing the reflection of my pain in Richard’s eyes, that I admitted it was affecting me. My appetite had gone and my self-worth had taken a nose dive.
The only saving grace was Enthrall. The one place where judgment was left at the door and the pathway to forgetting waited inside.
Despite pretending not to notice, I could see Richard through the veil of steam. He gathered the strewn rose petals from the floor and picked out the rest from the tub and discarded them unceremoniously in the trash. He ambled over towards the shower door and splayed his hands on the glass.
Resting his head against his arm, he looked like the ultimate Adonis, a suntanned statue, eyelids heavy, his expression intense, his thoughts all-consuming.
Massaging my scalp with shampoo, I ignored him. The stuff smelled heavenly. Smelled like him.
“You not talking to me could be considered a benefit,” Richard called through the glass. “Am I still your fucked up bastard?”
“Yes.”
He beamed at me. “Cameron told me to grow a pair. That was a first.”
“You’ve been very out of character lately,” I said. “You’re an adrenaline junkie famous for chasing danger.”
“True again. Looks like you’re on a roll.” His lip curled seductively.
“I’m rather proud of how well I’ve handled all life has thrown my way. I only wish you could see it.”
“Can I get in there with you?”
“No, because you’ll render me speechless with your carnal tricks and we’re talking right now. This is a good thing.”
“So mature for one so young.” He snapped his fingers. “Don’t even think of a witty reply.”
“How did you know I was going to say anything?”
“You have that mischievous look.” He pulled his shirt over his head and hopped out of his pants.
His erection rose out of blond curls. Merely the sight of my soaped up nakedness had spurred him into action.
“Has Cameron gone?” I said.
“Yes, so you can relax.”
“Did you talk about why I came here?”
“Let’s take a rain check on this.” He opened the door.
I slammed it shut in his face. “What are you afraid of?”
“Hey, I may be delaying your training, but don’t think I won’t punish you for insolence.”
I stepped back, allowing him to join me. “Isn’t that the same thing?”
“No.” He shoved open the door and stepped in, raising his face to the cascading water. It poured over his head and down his body, shimmering off him. My hand found its way to his chest and I ran my fingers over lean muscle.
God he is gorgeous.
Trying to maintain eye contact was a struggle, and by his grin he knew it too. That hefty erection was vying for my attention and promising all kinds of bliss. My nipples hardened with the thought of it.
He massaged soap into my scalp, the heavenly sensation relaxing me. Again that smile, that bite of his lower lip, as his hand left my head and reached between my thighs, running along my cleft. “Baby, you are so ready for me.”
I moaned my answer.
He caught my wrists and held them above my head. “I want to hide you away. Keep you all to myself.” He raised my arms higher and pressed my wrists against the glass with his left hand and with his right caressed my breasts, running his palm over pointed nipples, tweaking and punishing, and they responded to his touch.
“I’ve been waiting hours for this.” He shifted closer and reached around to grab hold of my buttocks. With one swift movement, he lifted me up and forced me against the glass. I wrapped my legs around his waist. With one shove he was inside, stretching me wide, his girth causing ripples of tight pleasure.
“See, I know what you need,” he soothed.
Holding my breath, I took these few seconds of stillness to get used to this position. Gripping onto him, I relaxed my inner muscles, allowing him to push deeper.
“Mia, you’re not ready for anything more. Say it.”
“I’m not ready,” I relented.
He swirled his hips. “Looks like we finally agree on something.”
I dug my fingernails farther into his back, my sex throbbing from his slow, steady thrusts, and as though hearing my silent wish he increased his pace, pounding me against the glass.
“I need you,” I said.
“I’ll always be here for you,” he said hoarsely. “Always.”
“I need more.”
He pulled back to look at me, his eyes ablaze. “Then take all of me.”
Richard pushed deeper, grinding mercilessly.
It was hard to argue with a man who was on the verge of making me come. Resting my head on his shoulder, I gave in to this well earned pummeling. His pelvis slammed against mine and forced gasps from me as my thighs clung tight around his waist, shuddering with tension.
Richard whispered, “It’s vanilla or nothing, baby.” His grip tightened.
“But I—”
“One more word about this and I will fire you from Enthrall.”
My orgasm tore a scream from me. I dragged my nails along his back and it fired his passion, driving him on, and I feared the glass might shatter. Flesh slapped against flesh as my butt whacked the panel again and again.
I bit into his shoulder, hard.
“I can still give you what you need,” he said.
Never had he ridden me so violently. But it wasn’t enough. I needed more. I yearned to have Richard rip out this torment from within me.
Know me.
Heal me.
Save me.
Richard was right there yet he still couldn’t get to it. Couldn’t see it. This unnamed agony that had made a home for itself. A well burrowed misery from my past. My hero was turning away, thinking he was doing the right thing, yet all I felt was abandoned.
Richard stilled and his warmth filled me, sending me over the edge again. Shuddering, I was speared too completely to move.
All power was lost.
CHAPTER 5
THE CARP POND reflected Enthrall’s serenity.
This private and very exclusive BDSM club was tucked away on a hill in Pacific Palisades.
Enthrall’s well-tended garden behind the property was my frequent sanctuary. I liked to visit here during my lunch break and sometimes after work too. Today, I shared this calm corner of L.A. with Juan the gardener.
He balanced on a tall ladder that he’d leaned against one of the palm trees at the end of the garden. Juan was pruning the dried up fronds by hand. I’d brought him down a bottle of water and then took my usual seat on the bench overlooking the pond.
Sipping my morning coffee, my attention fell on the carp. They’d settled back to swimming now after all gathering at the edge, seemingly happy to see me, all pretending that Juan hadn’t just fed them.
I took advantage of the quiet to process last night’s visit to Cameron’s home, and this morning’s lovemaking with Richard in the shower. After he had firmly shut down any further discussion, he’d spent the rest of our time under the water lavishing me with affection, massaging conditioner into my hair and washing off all evidence of our lust filled tryst. Kiss after kiss let me know he really wanted the best for me. We returned to Malibu and had quickly gotten ready for our day. We’d driven to work together, stopping off at Diane’s Coffee Shop for breakfast.
Honoring Richard’s wish, I’d not mentioned last night, and he’d acted like it had never happened. The irony was not lost on me that the assistant director of Enthrall was giving up the scene. For me, no less. And for all the wrong reasons. He’d made it quite clear that should I broach the subject again I’d be out of a job. Considering we now lived together, that would be an interesting scenario. If Richard didn’t change his mind there was no doubt my failure to live up to what he wanted in a girlfriend would be
a deathblow to our relationship.
A chill caused goose bumps to rise on my arms.
Feeling Richard’s stare on my back, I turned slightly and peered up at his office window. With a curl of his index finger, he summoned me to his office.
Enthrall was one of the most high end club’s in the world. Having never been in any other, I took the word of the dominatrixes on that. This luxury interior hosted two floors. On the lower level were the artfully designed dungeons and the upper floor hosted the grandly decorated offices, a well decked out coffee room, and even a full-service spa. Clients were only allowed in there with their dom’s permission. My spot was an elegant desk at the end of the long entryway where I welcomed guests and served as the executive assistant. The salary still blew my mind. I wasn’t only being rewarded for my clerical skills but my discretion too. Enthrall’s clients were the high end kind.
Richard, my beautiful and consistently bossy boss, had the biggest and best office. I loved nothing more than stealing a few minutes to lounge with him on his long leather couch. Him giving me a foot rub was a fricken awesome way to start my day. I loved my job.
“What were you thinking about down there?” He arched a brow.
“Just like watching the carp,” I said, throwing my head back. “It’s relaxing. So is this.” He’d lulled me, worked out the tension, his fingers pressing into the ball of my left foot. “Shouldn’t I be massaging you?”
“Good point.” He looked astonished. “Seems like my little minx has put a spell on me.”
“It worked!” I beamed back at him.
“What’s in that box in the front office?” he said.
“A surprise.”
“I hate surprises.”
“You’ll like this one.” My eyelids became heavy. Seriously, I could get used to this, but something told me a foot rub was his way of making sure everything was still good between us. He really did have a gentle way about him.
“Who discovered massage?” I said. “The Chinese?”
He looked thoughtful. “Apparently the earliest evidence of massage was found in The Tomb of the Physician in Egypt in BC2330.”
“Well, what else would they be doing?” I said. “Apart from building pyramids.”
Enthrall Her Page 3
