Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) (5 page)

Peering out at the well lit streets, I caught glimpses of late night party goers wandering home, or perhaps onto the next party. Christmas decorations were strewn everywhere. It really did look beautiful with all these multi-colored holiday lights.

Old buildings with their upmarket shop fronts showcased the latest fashions. Others offered up everything from luxury furniture to household appliances, and there were the occasional quaint bookstores speckled here and there. The variety of old and new was extraordinary.

London seemed very much awake, despite the hour.

We arrived at the Savoy.

For a girl used to being invisible the majority of the time, arriving at this luxury hotel amongst all the fuss of staff doting over us became a little disconcerting. Trying to suppress my awe of the place and pretend I wasn’t foreign to all this luxury, I casually took in the foyer as Cameron spoke with the concierge.

The checkered flooring reminded me of Cameron’s home. Grand marble pillars rose up along the foyer, accented by matching oak walls and low hanging lights. If perfect had a name, it would be called the Savoy.

Needing to visit the restroom, I excused myself and scurried off in the direction of the ladies, declining the embarrassment of being personally escorted by the concierge.

Within minutes of trying to avoid the mirrors, I caught a glimpse of the frail, tired and mascara smudged girl I’d become. Then I headed on out to rejoin Cameron.

He was nowhere to be seen.

A sign announcing the guest business office caught my attention. Peeking in at the continued theme of dark wood and comfortable chairs, I caught sight of the line of swanky Apple computers. Intrigue got the better of me and I hurried over. I plopped down into the seat before one of them and shook the mouse, waking the screen and going straight for the browser. I only had a minute or two, but that’s all it would take.

Quickly, I entered my code and shot off an email to Bailey. I’d never want her to worry and she deserved to know I was in London at least. And that I was safe. I sent my love to Tara.

Next I Googled Lance Merrill.

Ever filled your car up at a Merrill gas station?
The New York Times article began. Why yes, I mused, and almost bit through my lip when I read on. Ironically right through the bruise Lance had given me.

Dread welled in my gut.

Lance was not merely a businessman, as Cameron had suggested, he was fricken oil barren and owned numerous refineries in Abu Dhabi.

“Jesus, he’s in bed with the Arabs.”

This rugged, salt and peppered haired forty-something tycoon was apparently one of the richest men in America, and over the last few years he’d entered politics. There were several links to interviews he’d conducted on the campaign trail. Though I had no time to watch them now. Having never had any interest in politics, I’d never seen his face before. From the images that came up, there was quite a lot to go on. Lance had a beautiful wife, with whom he’d had two beautiful daughters. According to the L.A. Times article, he was a hard-nosed Republican and firm on issues that had moral implications. He was pro-gay rights, but seriously anti-Medicare. Lance’s membership of Chrysalis’s Lion’s Den was extraordinary risqué.

“This is bad,” I whispered, glancing around to check I was still alone.

With a flick of my wrist, I deleted my search and closed the browser. Trying to put my calm face on, I made my way back to the foyer.

Cameron talked to the concierge. He tilted his head when he saw me. “Ready to go up?”

“Yes,” I said, brushing a loose strand of hair that wasn’t there out of my face.

That internet search caused a wave of dizziness.

We soon reached the seventh floor and made our way down the sweeping hallway. With a swipe of the keycard, we were in.

Lingering in the center of the lavishly decorated room, I took a minute to calm myself. All this decadence unsettled me, along with my new discovery about Lance. Cameron wasn’t telling me the entire truth.

“Bit small?” he said, trying to read me. “Sorry, Mia, but the Monet Suite was booked.” He stood behind me and eased off my coat.

“This is a house in a hotel,” I said. “It’s amazing. I’m scared to touch anything.” Which was pretty much how I felt when I’d first seen Richard’s home in Malibu, and it paled in comparison to Cameron’s palatial Beverly Hills mansion.

These men thought nothing of luxury.

“So it will do?” said an amused Cameron, as he threw his coat atop mine.

Holding back a squeal, I managed to nod.   

“We could have a butler,” he said. “But I prefer the privacy. You okay with that?”

“Yes, of course. I mean, thank you. Whatever you think.”

Fearing how much all of this cost, and trying to reassure myself that tiredness had gotten the better of me, I wandered over to the window. “There’s the London Eye.” I pointed to the giant Ferris wheel at the edge of the Thames.  

“Oh yeah.” Cameron joined me. “Look, you can see where Monet got his inspiration. Monet stayed here in the 1890s and painted some of his most beautiful pieces of London.”

If Cameron had intended on sucking all the feistiness out of me, then mission accomplished. I was speechless.  

He looked so peaceful as he stared out, so at home, and it made me realize there was so much more to this man than I’d realized. I was seeing him in a new light. Of course, I knew he was a renaissance man, a lord of the BDSM community, but there was an introspection to him, a serenity.  

“Let’s visit the Tate tomorrow.” He glanced at his watch and grinned. “I mean today.”

Despite not knowing what or where that was, I wanted to go. I truly knew the privilege of being with him.

“I’m going to take a shower.” He placed his phone on the coffee table. “Check out the wardrobe. We have a change of clothes waiting for us. Let me know if you approve.” He headed off.

I stood there stunned.

It was like I’d fallen asleep and woken up in someone else’s life.

There, in the wardrobe that was bigger than my old studio living room, was a selection of jeans, dresses, and even a long black evening gown. It made me wonder what kind of plans Cameron had for us. They were all my size. Upon the central console sat several boxes, all of different sizes, containing boots and strappy evening shoes as well a flat box that held a blue woolen hat and leather gloves. Cameron had a good selection of clothes here too. Again, a variety of casual and formal wear, and shoes to match. It made me wonder who had shopped for him. I’d have to ask.

The sound of a shower snapped me out of my awe.

Hurrying over to the writing desk, and wondering who else might have sat right where I was now, I scribbled a note of thanks to Cameron. He’d cut me off halfway through my thanking him and I needed him to know how grateful I was.

This was a life changing experience.

A ping came from the living room.

Cameron’s phone lit up and I peered at the screen and read the text.

Shay:
“Call me.”
 

The message was from Cameron’s fencing partner, Shay Gardner. He was also a senior dominant at Chrysalis. My thoughts returned to the water room back at Chrysalis that he and Cameron had trapped me in a few days ago.

What had meant to stand for a sexy power play scene hadn’t exactly gone as planned. I’d ended up kneeing Shay in the balls and he left while still cupping his groin. Cameron had pulled me onto that soaked tile floor and punished my rebellion with a violent fuck.

God, I missed those times.

Luckily, Shay had forgiven me, and Cameron had found the entire spectacle amusing and not kicked this disobedient submissive out on her ass.  

Picking up the phone, I made my way across the vastness of the suite, assuming Cameron would want to know he had a message from America.

Heat from the steam swept over me.

I took in the beauty that was a naked Cameron Cole. He was lathered and daydreaming. Amongst the mist, I caught glimpses of him working the water and suds over his body. Muscles rippled. Forearms flexed. His six pack was taut. A sculptured embodiment of perfection. His cock half erect, rising out of dark curls, showed off its enormity.

Cameron Cole was the whole package, and I envied the girl who would one day steal his heart.

His eyes met mine and he pressed his hands against the glass, staring out at me. “You like the clothes?” His gaze lowered to his phone.

“Yes, thank you,” I stuttered, edging forward and holding out his phone like it was a good idea. “Um, you got a call. I mean a text. It’s Shay.” Blushing, I looked away, preferring to admire the selection of plush white towels. “Those look soft.” I grazed my lip with my teeth.

“Put it there, please.” He gestured to the marble counter top next to the sink. “I won’t be long.”

There it was—that vortex circling me and pulling me in, that need low in my belly, this gravity that was impossible to resist. The pleasure of this man waited for me on the other side of that glass.

This desire had a place and it was called the past. I had no right to fantasize about him or wish we would be anything different than what we were now. He’d made that quite clear on the plane.

“Mia?” he said, shaking me from my trance.

Hurrying over to the counter top, I placed his phone down on it. Turning quickly and averting my gaze, I left.

Touring the suite, I tried to take my mind off the perfect vision I’d just witnessed and soothe this ache of need.

As soon as the shower was free, I’d take one. Then I’d climb into that big soft bed and get some sleep. It was as though my body knew the time here was different.

A knock at the door shook me from my daydreaming.

I stood aside to allow the young waitress in her smart black and white uniform to enter. She pushed a food trolley, and atop it sat a bottle of champagne in a cooler.

“Thank you.” I pointed to the center of the room. “Here is fine.”  

She reached for the bottle. “Ma’am, shall I uncork it for you?” Her accent was soft English. Her auburn hair was gathered in an attempted bun.

“No, thank you,” I said, seeing a small card beside it.  

The bathroom door handle turned.

“Hello,” said Cameron.

He’d wrapped one of those soft towels around his waist. His hair was wet, and his phone rested in his hand.

A flurry of black and white uniform left and closed the door.

He came over and lifted the bottle out of the cooler. “That was sweet of you. Let’s have it tomorrow.”

“I didn’t order it.”

“Must be complimentary.” He scratched his chin. “I’ll shave later.” He brought his phone to his ear. “Shay. How are you?”

Cameron went on to tell him our trip was going well. The flight had been fine. The room was great. He’d see him soon.

His frown deepened as he listened. “No, she hasn’t been out of my sight, Shay. Why?” Cameron’s stare fixed on me. “Hold on a second.” He took in a steadying breath. “Mia, those few seconds I left you alone in the foyer, what did you do?”

Swallowing hard, I broke his gaze.

Cameron caught sight of the small envelope and reached for it, resting his phone between his head and shoulder as he slipped the small card out.  

“What does it say?” I asked.

“Shay,” snapped Cameron. “He sent champagne to our room.”

I willed my hands to stop shaking, and I needed my face to cease its burn. “Is that note from—”

“I’m looking at it. He sent a card.”

I tugged on Cameron’s sleeve. “I have to tell you something.”

His gaze fell on me. “Shay, how fast can you get here?”

Cameron stepped away and re-read the card.

“What does it say?”

“Mia, listen carefully,” he said. “Shay will be here in a few minutes. I need you to go with him. I’ll get dressed and deal with the room.”

“He’s in London?”

“Yes.”

“What about the clothes?”

“Forget the clothes.”

“I’ll pack them.” I scurried into the bedroom.

Cameron hurried behind me and whisked me up in his arms, catching me from behind and hugging me into him. “Take a deep breath. This is manageable.”

“It was too fast.” I spun round. “I only just went online.”

“The technology is lightning fast, Mia.”

“How did he know we’re in London?”

“We went through LAX.”  

“But you used your dad’s plane.”

“Evidently he has an inside man with access to every itinerary.”   

“You’re still using your phone? Maybe it was that?”  

“Mine has CyberVape,” he said. “We didn’t have time to install it on yours. Besides, Shay planned on using your phone as a deflector.”

“But I need it.”

“I’m going to book us another room and leave it in there.” He shook his head. “That was always the plan, only I didn’t expect to use it so soon.”