Authors: Vanessa Fewings
Zie had not only betrayed me but turned my house into a perversion, ruining all I held dear. This carefully managed sanctuary, this home I’d created for those who lingered on the edge of society, had morphed into an iniquitous mess.
“Are you going to pervert Mia, too,” asked Zie.
“You’re a nymphomaniac,” I said softly. “Mia is not.”
“Perhaps if we refrain from labeling,” said Laura.
“Well, as her actions in the Harrington Suite are up for discussion,” I said, “what are your thoughts on the issue, Laura?”
“I’m not here to judge, Cameron. Merely explore and find resolution for you both.”
I shrugged. “I’ve moved on. What can I do, Zie, to convince you as well?”
“You fuck Mia every day,” said Zie. “Countless times, if your appetite is the same as it was with me.”
“And your point?”
“You’re not enough for her.”
I shook my head, annoyed with how she’d derailed this session.
“Mia and I are just fine.”
“We were fine, Cameron. You and Mia have cracks in your relationship.”
“And how would you know that?”
Zie’s gaze left mine and she held Laura’s stare.
Anger welled with her insinuation.
“All sessions are confidential,” said Laura.
My jaw tightened. “If there has been any discussion of my private life—”
“I get you, Cameron,” said Zie. “I’m the only woman who can fulfill you. Satisfy your predilections.”
“McKenzie,” said Laura. “You told me you were happy in your relationship now and it gave you the stability you need?”
Zie’s glare stayed on me. “You’re going to get hurt, Cam.”
“What gives you that idea?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Mia’s having an affair.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You have no idea, do you?”
Laura’s iPad was face down on her lap, her gaze jumping from me and back to Zie, her obvious loss of control overruled by her intrigue.
“Mia’s always been close to Richard,” I said.
“Not Richard,” she said. “Though they were fucking once, weren’t they, before you stole her?”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Mia has a special friend at Charlie’s. I imagine you thought her enthusiasm to work there was down to her charitable nature.”
“You’re wrong.”
“He’s one of the other volunteers.” She looked triumphant. “They’re quite the couple, apparently. Sneaking off to talk privately. Mia’s a bundle of nerves when he’s around. Like a schoolgirl.”
“You’re lying.”
“I still have friends from when I worked there.”
“One shift—”
Was all she’d fucking managed.
“Rebecca told you this?” I said.
“Yes.”
Rebecca, the woman I’d entrusted to run my soup kitchen based on the fact she’d been the best candidate to take my charity café where it needed to go. She was to feed the homeless and provide a safe refuge when they ate their only meal of the day. And not take any bullshit. Apparently Rebecca also had a thing for gossip and had no taste in friends.
“What did Rebecca tell you exactly?” I said.
“All I know is that it’s the only time you’re not on Mia like a rash,” said Zie.
“Got a name?”
“Nope. Apparently he’s cute though. Tattooed and very hot. All the girls at Charlie’s swoon over him. Rides a Harley. He’s young. More Mia’s age.”
“Good luck with everything, Zie.” I pushed myself to my feet, hoping I’d make it to the door without punching the wall.
“We’re not done here,” said Laura.
I strolled back toward her, picked up her iPad, and with several swipes on the screen I deleted all record of our session.
“Hey,” said Laura. “You can’t do that.”
I handed it back to her. “Just did.”
Taking a deep breath of reason, I headed for the door.
I’d just been exposed to lunacy in its purist form.
CHAPTER 20
LINCOLN PICKED UP on this awkward silence.
Swapping wary glances with me, his usual humor suppressed, he kept his gaze averted as he served us dinner.
The silence was palpable.
Mia sat opposite me on the other side of the long dining room table. She hadn’t touched her food and neither had I. We merely sipped mineral water, lost in our own thoughts. Other than the dim light shining down from the chandelier above, the room was pretty dark. I liked it this way. It matched my mood.
Lincoln had been in my service for years. He’d lost his house after he’d been fired from his job as a server at Zona’s Café, after snapping back at the young manager over some trifle issue.
He’d volunteered at Charlie’s in an attempt to get his life back on track. I’d hired him soon after and provided a generous employment package when he came on as my butler.
Lincoln knew well enough not to engage me in conversation when I was this quiet. He merely placed our food before us and headed out.
Mia watched Lincoln close the door behind him. “He’s nice.”
“Ex-convict,” I said.
Her gaze snapped up.
I smirked. “Pot possession.”
“Was he a dealer?”
“No, he broke his back in a car accident and was using it for pain relief, back when it was illegal.”
“And you know this for sure?”
I narrowed my gaze. “Being able to read when people are lying comes in handy.”
Her fingers traced over her throat.
She’d dressed for dinner in the black halter-neck dress I picked out. Her hair was down, just as I liked it, and her makeup natural. She looked ethereal under this yellow light.
“How long has Lincoln worked for you?”
“Five years.”
She gave a nod, as though mulling that over. “Cameron, you didn’t ask me.”
I took a sip of water.
“About the contract,” she spoke softly.
“What about it?”
“I thought you might ask if I signed it.”
I unraveled my napkin. “I find this subject boring.”
“Was it difficult seeing her again?”
“It went as expected.”
“How?”
I shrugged.
“Cameron?”
“She was always a bitch, but she’s something altogether different now.”
“Why did you date her if she was like that?”
I arched a brow. “Mia, there’ll be no dissecting my past relationships for your listening pleasure.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Yes, you did.”
“Was she cruel to you?”
“She pushes my buttons.” I gave Mia a
so do you
look.
She nudged her plate away. “She wants you back?”
“She’s in a relationship.”
My mind drifted to our session and I tried to tie together the evidence of what had been said, as well as what had gone unsaid, all of it providing clues to why Zie wasn’t satisfied in her new relationship. If only I could focus my thoughts I’d be able to unravel these dark secrets and the truth would spill.
“The way she looked at you—”
“Eat.” I gestured to her plate. “Considering you spent the day feeding the hungry, don’t you think it’s inappropriate to take a good meal for granted?”
“Maybe we should sell that.” She pointed to the chandelier. “Give the money to Charlie’s.”
“Sure, if you like sitting in the dark.”
We’d turned the corner of irrationality.
Her gaze slid over her entree.
Steak, rare, bloody. Asparagus soaked in a bright red juice.
“Something wrong, Mia?” I said coldly.
“I ordered the salmon.”
“We can’t always have what we want.”
Her brow furrowed. “It was on the menu.”
“So tell me how your day was? How are the staff at Charlie’s?”
She held my gaze and quickly broke it. “Good.”
“So plenty of time to bond with the other volunteers? Make new friends?”
She reached for her glass of water and took several sips.
“Mia?”
“We’re not having wine?”
“No, I have plans for you.”
She swallowed hard. “Everyone’s very nice there. Rebecca’s patient with the patrons. Leo doesn’t have to stay all the time. I’m quite safe, Cameron.”
“It’s best he stays close. Just in case.”
“I don’t like to waste his time.”
“His time is my time.”
“I can handle myself.”
“Don’t question me again. Understand?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Perhaps you’d like to work a shift with me one day? If you have time?”
“And spoil your fun?”
“It would be nice having you there.”
“Sounds like a young crowd.”
“If I’m going to be running your charities—”
“Not quite sure you’re ready for that just yet.”
“Why not?”
“Charlie’s will be undergoing some changes. I need to oversee those myself.”
“What kind?”
“The details remain under wraps for now.”
“You can’t share them with me?”
“Why would I?”
“I wish you’d told her no.”
“Who?”
“Zie. I wish you’d told her you wouldn’t have a session with her. She made you sad.”
“What you’re seeing here, Mia, is quiet fury.”
“I’m sorry she made you feel like this. I like it when you smile. You have a nice smile.”
This ache was going to remain lodged in my chest permanently.
Ironic that I’d always had a thing for pain and was now going to die from it. My hand caressed my chest to soothe the agony.
“Can I get you anything?” she said.
My beautiful Mia. Could she really have fallen for another? A mystery man who’d captured her attention. Zie was right about Mia’s mood. She was quieter, unsettled even, and more nervous than usual.
Though my mood was worse.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Forgive me. I have a lot on my mind.”
“Of course. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“Let me order you something else.”
“I’m not really hungry. I’ll have it later.”
“Go put your collar on.”
Her finger traced the edge of the table.
“Mia, now please.”
She swallowed hard and broke my gaze. “I can’t remember where I put it.”
I pushed myself to my feet, rounded the table, and neared her. “Is this you rebelling?”
“No, sir.”
I nudged a strand of hair behind her ear. “Make sure you wear it tomorrow.”
“I lost it.”
“What? When?”
“This morning. I was waiting to tell you.”
A jolt of disbelief stunned me into silence.
Her hands shook. “I’m sorry. Really I am.”
I was losing my submissive. Her refusal to wear my collar was the beginning of the end.
No, this wasn’t happening.
“When did you last have it on?” I kept my tone calm.
“This morning, I think.”
“You wouldn’t be so careless…”
Her dilated pupils revealed a lie.
“I’m sorry, Cameron.” Tears stung her eyes.
“Have you searched the bedroom?”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps the staff—”
“No. It wasn’t them.”
“I meant they could’ve put it somewhere safe. All my staff are trustworthy.”
“I lost it this morning before they came back.”
I balled my hands into fists. “This is most inconvenient.”
Mia trembled, and it was hard to tell if she sensed I was onto her. I shoved her plate up the table, along with her glass, and it flew off, splintering into a thousand pieces, shattering on the floor.
I grabbed her by the shoulders, lifted her up, and bent her forward over the table, bringing her wrists together behind her lower back and holding her down. Reaching over, I tugged her skirt up and her panties down.
A knock at the door.
“Not now,” I shouted.
And waited for Lincoln to leave.
“Ms. Lauren, do you deserve this?” I seethed.
“Sir,” she said breathlessly. “Perhaps we can talk about it—”
I slapped her ass hard. “We are.”
My palm met her cheeks at a rapid pace. Mia whimpered and flinched forward. After repositioning her, I began again.
The doorbell rang.
The front door unlocked and opened.
With his booming voice, Lincoln greeted Shay, and it echoed through the foyer as he entered. Shay’s cheeriness mismatched with the doom in here.
I continued to spank Mia’s ass and settled into a fast rhythm, leaving bright red welts covering her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
Another knock at the door.
“Not now,” I snapped.
“It’s me, Cameron.” It was Shay.
“You can come in,” I said, and slammed Mia back down when she tried to rise.
“Please, sir,” she begged.
Shay closed the door behind him and came closer.
I hitched Mia’s skirt higher to reveal more of her. “Perfect timing, Mr. Gardner. We were just discussing Mia’s disobedience.”
He leaned back against the wall and folded his arms across his chest, ready to enjoy his vantage point.
Delivering more spanks, I felt Mia quiver beneath each strike. She’d squeezed her eyes shut, her body rigid and resisting her punishment. My palm stung, and the sound grew so loud there was no doubt the staff would hear. I grabbed a butt cheek and squeezed it, considering fucking her in front of Shay.
“Sir,” she sobbed.
I lifted her up and off the table and had her stand before me. “I’m sure that will provide motivation for you to find your collar, Ms. Lauren, don’t you?”
She swiped away a tear. “I’ll try.”
“You will find it. There will be consequences if you don’t.”
Her cheeks flushed brightly as she glanced over at Shay.
He offered her a sympathetic smile.
Self-hatred welled in my gut and I pulled Mia into a hug. “Do you no longer want to wear my collar, Mia?”
No longer want to be mine?
Her body crumbled against mine. “I do, sir, more than anything.”
A sense of relief was still out of reach.
“Where’s the contract you signed?” I said.
She peered up. “On your desk, sir. In your office.”
I’d just handed Mia and her new lover twenty-million dollars to go have a new life together. Caressing my chest, this ache grew so intense I couldn’t catch my breath.
Mia blinked up at me. “You still love her?”
“McKenzie? No, Mia, I don’t.”
She glanced coyly at Shay again.