Enthrall Him (Enthrall Sessions Book 3) (54 page)

“Doubt it. You’re a member of the pervy club now so I’m sure I’ll see you around.” He winked at me.

A wink! He was sending me packing and he’d tried to inject humor into this. It was best I didn’t talk. A waterfall of tears pressed against my eyes.

“Okay,” I managed and opened my door.

He met me around the other side of the car and handed me a set of keys. “Stay here for as long as you like until you decide what you want to do.”

We hugged, and it was the embrace I should have given him all these weeks, nuzzling into his chest and letting him know how much I wanted to be there for him.

I should have done more. Been more.

But it was too late.

“Call me if you ever need anything?” he said. “I know a great locksmith if you ever get trapped in a pair of handcuffs.”

“Silly.” I punched his arm. “I’m going to head on up.”

I took my bag from him and made those few short steps to the front door.

“Mia,” he called after me.

I turned and held his gaze, fearing I’d crumble into an inconsolable mess.

Had he changed his mind?

I held my breath.

“You really did save me,” he said. “I’ll always be grateful to you for that. You know that right? I was weeks away from…” He let his eyes say the rest.

“You’re not going to…”

“No, not now. Not after you. After all you’ve given me. You’ve shown me that life does indeed go on. That there’s something to live for.”

His words comforted me a little.  

“The hardest part of all this is breaking it to Winston,” he said. “I’ve never seen him so head over heels.”

I forced a reassuring smile and faced the door again, shoving the key in the lock.

“Thank you for not making a scene,” he said.

I gave a nod and headed on in.

Once safely on the other side, I threw down my bag, slid down the door, and hugged my knees.

This place felt as empty as my heart.

CHAPTER 49

THERE WAS A CHARDONAY in the fridge.

Cracking this open was a damn good start to my new life and seeing the New Year in. Other than that, the fridge was empty, so it was a small mercy.

I couldn’t believe Richard had done this. I’d sat by the door for the last half hour running through every aspect of our relationship and cringing with all the obvious failures I’d made, now rearing their obviousness with glaring intensity. The curse of retrospect.

We’d been a bit of a mish-mash, our personalities clashing, and me not able to truly fit into his ideal. Though his final words that it had not been all bad soothed me.

I reached into the fridge and brought out the wine, opened it, and poured myself a large glass. Pulling up a chair at the central kitchen counter, I sat down and took several refreshing gulps. That fridge over there had been a gift from ‘the girls’ and both Richard and Cameron, when I’d first moved in here. I liked that fridge. Maybe I could take it with me. It was mine after all.

At least Richard had not dropped me off at a hotel. I’d have time to find a new job, a new home, and get my life back on track.

I took three more gulps.

I knew Cameron wouldn’t mind me being here, though I still had to face him after he found out about this. Resting my face in my hands, I sucked in a sob.

And then another.

Holding back tears, I refused to believe my life was taking a nosedive. Look at the bright side, I mused, it’s been one hell of an experience and you really do have a brighter future because of all this.

I kicked off my shoes.

Wanting to sit on something more comfortable than a barstool, I padded into the sitting room towards that plush cream colored couch. When I’d first lived here I’d been scared to sit on it for the first few days for fear of leaving a stain. Now I realized, as I sunk into it, life was messy, imperfect, full of twist and turns and bound to leave a mark, and considering everything I’d be through I’d come out pretty well.

I set my glass down on the central table and climbed onto the couch and bounced up and down. The springs were springy.

When that failed, I lay down on it.

Nope, I got up and threw the cushions off the couch, high into the air and across the room, managing to miss my glass and not knock over my wine. This burst of aggression felt good.

Flushed from all this bouncing, lying down, and throwing, I strolled over to the balcony door to look out at the view.

The catch was open.

Well that’s not good. Anyone could have just wandered up here and come in. I slid open the door and peered down at the balcony floor and saw a pair of flip flops, and by the size of them they belonged to a man.

Freaking out, I counted the steps back to the kitchen where my iPhone was tucked away inside my handbag.

My gaze rose towards the sand and settled on the ocean. A man was swimming and he was cutting through the water with impressive speed.

Could it be?

But he’s in France.

Go back inside and have another drink and stop seeing what you want to see.

My feet ignored my brain as they carried me out onto the balcony.

Barefoot, I made my way down the steps until my feet sunk in golden sand, tickling my toes.

Moving closer to the water’s edge, my eyes strained to make out who was swimming. A neighbor? I looked back up at the condo, realizing the evidence lay inside had I only explored the place further.

I turned back to face the water.

Cameron stood waist deep, waves lashing around him, his stare locked on mine with equal intensity.

I ran to him…

Splashing my way in and then wading farther until I was up to my waist.

He met me halfway.

“Richard doesn’t want me any more,” I burst out. “I’m not a very good sub.”

“I disagree,” he said. “You just require the appropriate handling.”

My legs wobbled and that delicious rush made my cheeks flush wildly.

He grinned at me.

“You’re here,” I stated the obvious. “You’re not in France.”

He nodded, his eyes blinking off sea water.

“What’s engraved on my bracelet?” I asked.   

He looked surprised then his eyes lowered to it.

“The jeweler told Richard there’s writing on it,” I said. “Only he didn’t tell me what.”

Cameron turned slightly and his focus settled on the horizon.

“Please tell me,” I said.   

“It says I will always love you.”  

A sob caught in my throat.

The day he’d given it to me we’d not yet made love.

“Say it,” I pleaded. “Say the words.”

“I just did.”

“No, say it to me like you’re not reading it off my bracelet.”

“Technically it’s my bracelet.” He shrugged. “As it’s on your wrist.”

I demanded to hear it, stomping my foot in protest and losing my balance, going under the water. There came a rushing in my ears, water up my nose, and I pursed my lips.

He lunged forwards and caught me, sweeping me up into his arms and pulling me into a hug.

Cameron carried me, wading towards dry land.

“That’s you saving me again,” I muttered, and pressed my cheek against his warm, wet chest.

He bent his head to kiss me. “So it is.”

“You need a girlfriend who is also your sub.”

“I quite agree. However, I have one stipulation, Mia.”

“What’s that?”

“She must agree to a permanent contract.”

“Like forever?”

“That’s what permanent means, yes.”

I pouted at him.

Cameron lowered me to my feet on the sand and took my hands in his. “You didn’t say yes.”

My heart stuttered. “Yes, please. When?”

“Right now. If you fail to call me, sir.”

I looked up at him. “Sir.”

“Much better.”

“It’s New Year,” I said, wistful.  

“A new life.”

Staring into his gaze, my heart had found its way home.

“Mia Lauren?”

“Yes?”

“I love you so much. I’ve always loved you. From the moment I laid eyes on you. And I always will. You’re everything I could’ve dreamed of and more.”

“I love you, Cameron Cole.”

He bruised my lips with his, tongue searching, lavishing affection, protecting.

Finally he broke away. “My sweet, sweet, Mia. You are enthralling.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Vanessa Fewings is the award-winning author of the Enthrall Sessions.

Vanessa is also the author of The Stone Masters Vampire Series, a paranormal saga.

Her romantic comedy, Piper Day's Ultimate Guide to Avoiding George Clooney, has already garnered a buzz of excitement from readers around the world. Prior to publishing, Vanessa worked as a registered nurse and midwife. She holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. She has traveled extensively throughout the world and has lived in Germany, Hong Kong, and Cyprus.

Born and raised in England, Vanessa now proudly calls herself an American and resides in California with her husband.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you, Amy Schiffman, the most incredible literary manager a girl can have.

Louise Bohmer, friend and amazing editor, I’m so lucky to have your Zen and expertise. My deepest gratitude to my entertainment attorney, Uri Fleming. You truly are a knight in shining armor.

As always, I’m so grateful to my dear family and friends Diane Eadie, Debbie Stone, Mary McCarville, Liz, and Cheryl. You cheer me on and your support is never taken for granted.

Thank you, Steve Jansen, for your inspiration and allowing me to mention your beautiful piece of music,
“Captured In A Quiet Window.”
 

I’m so blessed to have the kind support of Christine Christmann, Marla Brown, and Shelly Knox Jimenez, as well as all the other amazing reviewers over at
Books and Beyond Fifty Shades.
Y
ou help make the release of a novel so incredibly fun and I’m forever grateful. Thank you, Summer Daniels, over at
What to Read After Fifty Shades of Grey
.

Hazel Jones Godwin from
Craves the Angst Book Reviews
, Louise
from
Seraphim Reviews
, and Rosanna Albani, you were all with me right from the start with the release of the first novel Enthrall. I appreciate all your kindness and everything you do.

Thank you, Abra Neville, for lending your remarkable talent as the voice of Mia Lauren in the audiobook series of the Enthrall Sessions. You’ve truly captured her essence.

Sue Quiroz, you’re such an inspiration.

Thank you to Becky Carter Nichols and Nicole Andrews Moore over at
Stories and Swag Tours
. I always enjoy our online release parties and want them to go on forever.

Thank you so much to the dream team, Rosette Doyle, Michelle Eck, and Karen Everett, at Literati Author Services, Inc. Your expertise and hard work are always appreciated. You guys rock!

For all the bloggers and reviewers who are sharing the news of Enthrall Him, I’m forever grateful. You really are the reason readers find our books and we couldn’t do this without you.

To my social media friends, thank you for your kindness and support. It means the world to me.

For my husband, Brad, my everything. Life with you is magical.