Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) (15 page)

My stomach wrenched with the thought of him touching someone else.

Had he been here last night with her?

Don’t.

Don’t do this to yourself.

You’re just another submissive to him. This is the universe making it easier to give him up.

Taking a few more seconds, I leaned against the wall, self examining my reaction to this dreadful clue. It would all be over soon.
Ironically, the one man who could talk me off this emotional ledge was the man pushing me towards it.

I made my way back to the living room.

Cameron was alone.

Wondering how the chat with Shay had gone, I studied Cameron. He’d put out three mugs, dropped a teabag into each one, and poured boiling water into them. He seemed to be ignoring me.

With my own drama unfolding, I thought I’d join him halfway in his current standoff.

I placed the earring on the countertop. “Found your playroom.”

Cameron gazed down at the earring.

“It’s okay,” I said, more for me then him. “All part of getting over each other.”

“Throw it away.” He pointed to the trash can.

“Not that I know anything about diamonds, but it’s at least a couple of carats. Maybe you should return it to her?”

He picked up the earring, moved over to the trash, and threw it in.

There’d been a time in my life when that diamond might have fed my family for weeks. Jealousy won out and I was happy it was in there.

“Did she lose it last night?” I watched his reaction.

Cameron washed his hands under the tap. “There was no one here last night.” He looked over at me. “Come here.”

I relented, allowing him to pull me in front of him and wash my hands with his under the running water. My back to his front. His body was warm and welcoming against mine as strong fingers lathered the soap, as though manipulating me to forget what I’d just found.

Almost.

“Don’t tell me it’s your mother’s?” I feigned amusement.

“As long as it’s not my father’s.” He planted a kiss to my shoulder.

I twisted in his arms to look up at him. “I know that after me there’ll be a slew of girls trained by the great Cameron Cole.”

He dried my hands with a tea towel. “They’ll never be another Mia.”

“What I’m trying to say is, I’ll make it easy for you. I promise.”

Cameron held my gaze. “I would never intentionally hurt you, you know that, right?”

“I know.”

Cameron still hadn’t replied with the accustomed lie of ‘
earring girl meant nothing.’
 

Words I desperately needed to hear.  

He broke away and put the milk back in the fridge.

“Cameron—”

“You’re still on L.A. time,” he said. “You need to take a nap.”

This place was so big and creaky, getting any sleep here was going to be a challenge. Unless I got to sleep beside him. We still had hours of light left before I’d know if that was in my future. Surely if we were to spend all our time together it would include sharing a bed tonight.

I let out a wistful sigh.

Shay came back in and didn’t look at all shaken from his verbal smackdown with Cameron. Another remarkable trait of Cameron, with his chastisement over there’d be no sulking, no lingering tension, and no ill will. He had a way of moving on and forgiving.

Shay’s expression changed to excitement. “Richard has a Sony Short Throw.” He walked over to the far wall and tapped a long silver box. “Wall projection TV.”

Cameron froze.

Shay’s revelation seeped into my brain and my stare drifted over to the trash can. This was Richard’s place. He hadn’t traveled here since I’d known him, so there was no hint of cheating, but that didn’t soften the blow.

“Let me know if you’d rather stay in tonight and I’ll set you up with a movie,” said Shay.

“I’m undecided,” said Cameron. “We use this place all the time, don’t we Shay?”

Shay looked confused. “I thought this was your first—”

Cameron glared at him.

Shay’s eyes darted to me. “Oh yeah, all the time.”

“I’m taking a shower,” said Cameron.

Shay’s stare followed Cameron to the door. “So we’re still good then?”

Cameron gave him a smile. “Keep her safe and we’re good.”

He left the room, leaving Shay and me wallowing in our uncomfortable silence.

My thoughts found their way back to that earring. That small, shiny proof that Richard had taken a woman down there and probably done things to her he refused to do to me.

Richard insisted Cameron train me for him, but I still hadn’t lost my feisty side with a tendency to snap back. If I was meant to be primed into a perfect sub who obeyed every order, I was way off. Maybe Cameron was saving the best for last.

Arousal curled between my thighs at that thought.

My focused drifted to the sink. That washing of hands had felt like a lifeline back into Cameron’s favor. I breathed a sigh of relief.

The fact Richard had a permanent fuckpad in London was disconcerting. Having never dated anyone before either of these two guys, I didn’t have my own escapades to compare with theirs and soften the blow of girlfriends past.

“When was the last time Richard was here?” I asked Shay.

“A few months,” he said. “I thought you knew he had a house here?”

“No. I didn’t.”

“Well then it’s a nice surprise.”  

It was a surprise all right. “I discovered his playroom.”

Shay smirked. “Cole didn’t touch his tea.”

I reached for mine, removed the teabag, and threw it in that same trash can that earring was in.

Warming my hands around the mug, I said, “He makes great tea.”

“How are you holding up?” said Shay. “I’m sure this whole Lance thing will be behind you soon.”

“Haven’t had much time to think about it.”

Shay’s stare held mine.

“Things feel a little complicated.” I tried to find the words.

“You’re the main focus of the two top doms at Chrysalis,” he said. “It doesn’t get any better.”

“I’ve fallen for them both.”

“You and everyone else.” He removed his teabag, threw it away, and took a sip of tea.

“I want them both to be happy.”

“They seem happy to me.”

“I’ve fallen for Cameron.”

“Of course you have,” said Shay flatly. “He’s easy to fall for.”

“I’m worried about him.”

“Whoa, chill out.” He shook his head. “Look, soon Richard will be here and you’ll take up your position as his sub.”

“What about Cameron?”

“Nothing fazes him.”

“So all this time I’ve spent with him means nothing?”

“Oh, Mia, you do have it bad, don’t you?” Shay shrugged. “If it makes it any easier, he’s looking forward to handing you back.”

“He told you that?”

“You’ve excelled Cole’s expectations. He’s proud of the results. Richard will be getting back a well trained slave. Remember, your behavior reflects on Cameron.”

I stored that away in the part of my brain reserved for ‘what the fuck’ moments. “How long before Cameron will take on another sub?” I said.

“Actually, something tells me he’s ready to date again.” He shrugged. “Just an observation.”

“That’s good,” I stuttered. “I’m sure he’ll find a nice woman in no time.”

“The caliber he demands only comes from a woman of good breeding.”

My breath stilted.

“You know what I mean. A woman who matches his status. High class. A similar social background.”

I took a sip of tea and forced myself to swallow it.

Shay set his mug down. “Cameron’s standards are extraordinarily high.”

“Yes, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing that first hand.”

“Then you’ll know his taste runs too dark for a girl like you.”

“Like me?”

He gave a nod. “Yes. You’re better kept out of the limelight. Better suited to sitting quietly at your master’s feet. Think about where you’ve come from. People like us are destined to serve. We enjoy the fun from the sidelines. Do yourself a favor and get with the program.”

“Program?”

“You’re their plaything.” He looked surprised. “You didn’t actually believe Cameron would ever consider dating
you
, Mia?”

“I hadn’t actually gone there.” My voice sounded scratchy.

“Oh Mia, surely you know Cameron’s way out of your league.” Shay finished his tea in three gulps. “I’m not telling you this to hurt you. I happen to think you’re a really sweet girl. Don’t want to see you get hurt.” He lowered his stare. “The sooner you realize you’re a temporary distraction, the better it will be for you.”  

“Cameron told me how special I am to him.”

“So damn cute.” Shay followed that up with a tap to my nose. “You’re a gorgeous fucktoy for the rich.”

A lump wedged in my throat.

All those beautiful words Cameron had spoken came flooding back. His staking a claim as my master, his words of affection as he shared his joy of possessing me, the way he held my hand, kissed me, made love to me…

Those two glorious days I’d spent in his Beverly Hills home when he’d all but stated his love.

I’d read each and every sign wrong.

Pressing my hand against my chest, I willed myself to stop loving, pull back from caring so much, giving myself over willingly like the wanton slut I’d become.

“Oh by the way, thanks for stabbing me in the back, Mia,” he said, yanking open the dishwasher and placing his mug inside. He held out his hand for mine.

I handed it to him. “I’m sorry.”

“How did he react when you brought up his time in the Middle East?”

“It still causes him a lot of pain.” That gut wrenching misery of seeing his face so tortured came flooding back. “I feel so bad.”

“You and me both.”

“Do you think he’s still angry with me?”

Shay stood up and neared me. “It’s because I like you I’m telling you this.”

I gave a nod, grateful for any insight.

He gripped my shoulders. “If you don’t start acting appropriately, what reason will Cameron have to keep you around?”

My body stiffened, and a wave of lightheadedness washed over me.

Shay stepped back and folded his arms. “And what reason will Richard have to take you back?”

“Because they like me?” That sounded ridiculous.

And Shay scoffed to prove it.

“No, we’re meant to be acting normal,” I told him. “Dr. Finley advised me and Cameron to try hanging out together like we’re dating.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Shay looked astonished. “You aiming to get yourself sent back to L.A. on the next plane outta here?”

Lowering my head, I went quiet.

Was submitting to Cameron Cole the only thing I was good for?

Fearing there was truth in Shay’s words, and unable to conceive of never seeing Cameron again, all resistance left me.

“You’re in a very privileged position,” said Shay. “Stop taking advantage.”

Somehow, that storm had made its way in here.

“Where’s your master now, Ms. Lauren?”

“Upstairs,” I muttered. “Taking a shower.”

He gave an obvious glare.

CHAPTER 11

MAKING MY WAY up the creaking staircase, I marveled at how easy it was to both hate Shay and like him at the same time.

Despite this nagging feeling I shouldn’t let him affect me like this, I’d fallen prey to his advice. My self-esteem had run off somewhere, perhaps never to be recovered, and the damage to my heart was irrevocable.

I really was stupid sometimes to the point of embarrassing.

Cameron’s world consisted of invites to palaces, polo matches with the social elite, helicopter flights, grand trips on private planes to foreign cities, while staying in luxury five star everything hotels, and boundless beauties waiting on his every word. The kind of women who belonged on catwalks and had a head full of Harvard.

I was a low class girl from Charlotte, who dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. A pipe dream humored by everyone.

All I had to do was open my mouth and my lack of class came spilling out. This Southern Belle was still learning the art of not making a fool of herself in public, and doing a crappy job at that.