“Mia, can I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
He was upon me, cupping my face, kissing me passionately, forcefully, capturing my mouth in his as I melted in his arms. Eyes closed, I went with him, my tongue caressing his, our lips brushing together. His erection nudged against me. I hoped he’d be gentle when he entered me, take his time and not hurt me too much. He ran his fingertips through my scalp, slowly, scrunching my locks in his hands.
Here, under the night sky, floating in a pool warmed by the sun in his strong hold, I felt safe for the first time.
Off came my bra and panties, his hands making quick work of removing them. He pushed me backwards and pressed against me, his cock digging into my stomach, sending shivers of anticipation throughout my body. Our kiss grew more frenzied, desperate. He nuzzled into my neck and planted wet kisses there, his fingers finding my left nipple and pinching it, sending surges of pleasure downward where it lingered leisurely between my thighs.
Richard rested his forehead against mine and paused, his breath heavy, needy. “Mia, I...” He stroked my face, the seconds dissolving as a dull throb echoed throughout my body. “I have no idea what just came over me.” He pushed away, swimming to the other side.
I wanted him to know these feelings we shared were so right, so loving. That I was ready for what would be my first time, here, with him.
I felt like I’d lost him.
Richard stretched out his arms on either side of the pool edge. His face filled with confusion.
“What is it?” I called over.
He broke my gaze, his trembling throat hinting he was holding back on his emotions. I felt terrible seeing him this way and hated myself for causing this.
“Forgive me,” he said, his tone soothing, reassuring.
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I said, confused. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Of course not.” He rested his hand over his chest and blinked at me in surprise. “You could never do anything wrong.”
My heart ached with his rejection.
Winston licked Richard’s ear.
Richard flinched and broke out of his trance. “Hey buddy,” he said, “You always know what to say.”
My confidence dissipated as my embarrassment rose.
Richard beamed an enigmatic smile my way to lessen the tension. “Mia Lauren is naked in my pool. I’m one lucky guy.”
So why had he stopped kissing me?
He peered up at the sky. “Do you miss looking at the stars? I do. All this smog. You can’t quite believe it until you live here.”
He was right. It was hard to tell the clouds from the smog. But I didn’t give a damn about that right now.
Richard returned his attention to Winston, patting his head. He kissed the end of his nose, saying, “You ask what is our policy?” Richard’s English accent sounded flawless. “I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory.”
“What was that?” I said, astonished.
Richard beamed a smile. “To annoy my father I majored in history.” He peered over at Winston. “Didn’t I, Sir?” He winked at me. “I wrote my dissertation on Churchill.”
“You named your dog after Sir Winston Churchill?”
“Shush.” Richard covered his dog’s ears. “Winston doesn’t know he’s not him. He thinks he’s giving a speech in the House of Commons first thing in the morning.” He scratched Winston’s chin. “Yes, you are, sir.”
“Why Churchill?” I wondered why he’d not chosen an American president.
“Churchill was the man I wished my father could have been.”
“You don’t like your father?”
He gave a shrug. “That speech rallied the British to prepare for World War II. His words led a country to victory.”
I swooned at Richard’s worldliness. “I’ve never been to England. Cameron says it’s very cold.”
“Bloody cold.”
“You should really try talking to your dad,” I said. “Before it’s too late. I’d give anything to be able to talk to mine again.”
He gave a look of sympathy.
“I miss him every day,” I said. “Even though he wasn’t always nice. So I get it.” I pointed to him. “No matter how many disagreements you’ve had, he’s still your dad.” I gazed up at the dusky sky. “I’d give anything for another hug from mine.”
He gave a sigh. “Would you do me the most amazing favor?”
“Sure.”
Though Cameron had asked me the same question tonight and that hadn’t gone too well.
Richard wrinkled his nose. “Help me find my phone.”
We laughed our way through the brush, searching for his BlackBerry. Despite our nakedness, I felt comfortable with Richard. After all, he’d stopped at a kiss. With his house phone in one hand dialing his cell and his flashlight in the other, we soon tracked it down.
“Let’s get you dressed. I’ll take you home,” he said. “I’ve heard your boss is a stickler for timeliness.”
“He is. I’d hate to cross him.”
Richard kissed my forehead. “I can’t ever see that happening.”
I fought this urge to fall into his arms and barely won.
Richard drove me home.
STANDING BEFORE THE COFFEEMAKER, I took my time making Richard’s morning drink, a little nervous over having to face him again.
My mind lingered on our kiss last night. He’d been so gentlemanly. I hoped his resistance to go any further wasn’t because he didn’t find me attractive. It made me feel a little ugly.
On the way home he’d reassured me it had everything to do with being my boss, and he even declined to come into my apartment this time, stating he had a long drive back. He left right after seeing me safely to my door. I wondered how he might be with me today. We still had to talk about what happened over that strange dinner date with Cameron and his friend, the spooky senator. Maybe Richard could persuade Cameron to stop whisking me off into dangerous scenarios.
Despite the excitement of being around Dr. Cole, he made me feel like his plaything. Had Richard not interrupted us in the dungeon, I wondered how far things would have gone. Though something told me he’d timed Richard’s arrival perfectly. As though taking pleasure from stirring Richard up. There was something so seductive about Cameron. He made my mind go all fuzzy, and when he turned on that dark charm he made me go all weak at the knees too. No wonder Penny had warned me to stay out of his way...
“Mia?”
Lotte broke my fantasizing.
She and Penny sat behind me at the coffee table.
“Everything okay?” asked Lotte.
“Oh yes,” I said. “Want some more coffee?”
“No thank you,” she said. “You’re a little quiet this morning.”
“Still waking up.” I pointed to the brewing coffee. “Need one of these.”
Lotte continued her conversation with Penny. I’d managed to hear some of it, though not all. My mind was too busy wondering. It felt good to have caught a glimpse of Richard’s place and see how normal he really was. It was probably the same for Lotte and Penny. Despite their work here they did pretty much what the rest of us did, shopped at Ralphs, went out to dinner with friends, and even whiled away hours in book stores.
My eavesdropping revealed they even went to Costco.
Lotte chatted away. “You should have seen him,” she said. “It was priceless Richard. This guy in the car behind us sees another car taking the parking spot he’d set his hopes on and he leaps out and starts screaming at this old lady who took it.”
“What is it with road rage these days?” said Penny.
“So Richard tells me to stay in the car,” said Lotte. “He gets out and strolls up to this guy who’s going crazy on this old woman. Richard
calmly says to the guy, “This is not a war zone. There are no bullets flying over our heads. This is Costco. A store. Why don’t you take a breath, put things into perspective, and go and fill your basket with items you’re lucky you can afford.”
Penny looked horrified. “The guy could have had a gun.”
“I had a car full of frozen stuff.” Lotte laughed. “I was more worried about it melting. Richard can take care of himself.”
Penny leaned forwards. “Go on.”
“The guy swung a punch at him.”
I spun round to look at them, clearly no longer eavesdropping.
“Richard placed the guy in a chokehold,” said Lotte. “Meanwhile, the old woman’s wandered off to go get her shopping basket with no concern for the gentleman who saved her from the egomaniac.”
Penny roared with laughter.
Lotte waved her hand through the air. “Anyway, the guy apologized to Richard and trotted back to his car to find another space.”
“Let’s hope you don’t bump into him during a shopping trip,” said Penny.
It wasn’t so much that Richard had stepped up to help a stranger that amazed me, but the fact he shopped at Costco. It sounded so ordinary.
“So you guys got everything we need for the party?” Penny asked her.
“Yes. Catering’s booked so we’re set,” said Lotte.
“Did you ever find someone to housesit your friend’s condo in Malibu?” said Penny.
My ears pricked up again. Though having poured sugar into Richard’s coffee, I no longer had an excuse to be in here. I headed toward the door with Richard’s drink.
“It’s impossible,” said Lotte. “You’d think with the low rent and view of the ocean you’d get a bunch of applicants.”
“Bet it’s that damn fish tank that’s putting everyone off,” said Penny.
And I was out, heading into Richard’s office and wondering about this ocean front condo.
I paused at his door.
After a few deep breaths, I made my way in.
Richard was typing away on his keyboard. He leaped up from his seat and trotted past me and closed the door. “Good morning.”
I placed his coffee on the coaster. “Hi.”
He nodded, his head bobbing away as though so were his thoughts. I wondered if easing past him and leaving would be considered rude.
“Last night...” he began.
“You mean when Cameron tried to ship me off to Italy? Or you, me, and Winston searching for your phone?”
“Senator DeLuca’s from Sicily. Trust me, I’d be more worried about him. His head would probably explode.” He smiled at his own joke. “I was talking about our kiss.”
A thrill slithered up my spine.
“As I told you last night,” he said. “That was out of character for me. I’m sorry.”
“I liked it.”
“It certainly felt different.” His brow furrowed. “Different in a good way. Mia, I just don’t think that it should happen again. It’s imperative we keep our working relationship professional and um...well, that’s it really.”
“You and me--”
“Mia, there is no you and me.”
My heart sank. “I absolutely agree. What happened last night was a once in a lifetime occurrence.” I really did sound mature even though I hated myself for not sharing my true feelings. “It was my fault.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” Richard cocked his head. “Then we’re back to normal?”
“Normal? I’d never associate that word with Richard Booth.” I gave a wry smile. “I’m excited about going to the party. Lotte’s going to help with my outfit.”
He strolled over to his desk and picked up his mug. “I’m not sure it’s something you’re quite ready for.”
“But--”
“That will be all, thank you.” He gave one of his this conversation is over looks.
I headed out with a tightness in my chest. Had I really thought last night might lead to something? I cursed my naivety, this self-limiting trait never failing to let me down. I returned to my desk, wondering if he might change his mind about the party.
Lotte stepped out of the staff hallway and made her way towards me. “Mia, Monsieur Trourville will be here in less than an hour.” She sat on the edge. “If he asks why you’re not wearing his gift tell him to speak with me. I don’t want this to be something that makes either of you uncomfortable. He’s very sensitive.”
“Of course,” I said. “I was going to thank him and tell him Richard thought it best--”
She waved off that idea. “Say nothing. Direct him to me on the matter. I know how to deal with him.”
My gaze drifted to the elevator.
“I’ll tell you what,” said Lotte. “I’ll be here to greet him too.”
I liked this plan. I twisted my mouth and held her gaze.
“What’s wrong?” she said.
“I’m sorry for eavesdropping. But your friend’s condo?”
“You don’t want anything to do with that. It’s a headache. There’s a bloody great big fish tank in the sitting room and you’ll be expected to feed these tropical fish and keep them alive while he’s out of town.”
“How long for?”
“Six months. Maybe longer.”
“Is the rent high?”
“It’s Malibu, Mia, so yes.”
I sat back. “It was just a thought.”
“I’ll tell you what, why don’t I speak with him later and see if he can come down on the rent.”
“Really?” I said. “That would be fantastic.”
“Can’t promise anything but I’ll do my best.”
“What kind of fish are they?”
“One of them is an Asian Arowana,” she said. “At least I think that’s what it’s called.”
I gave a nod, having no idea what one of those looked like and hoping it wasn’t a piranha. She walked back through the door and headed down the staff hallway.
I Googled Asian Arowana.
My heart sank as I read the first article.
Asian Arowana’s were virtually extinct and according to the news article a man in Seattle had faced federal charges for selling one to a federal officer thinking he was a dealer.
Damn.
There goes my beachfront dream home.
The idea hit me to Google Richard Booth. I typed in his name and read the list of articles. None of them were about Richard. In fact there was nothing pertaining to him at all. Not even a facebook page. There wasn’t even anything about Enthrall. I navigated back to the Asian Arowana article and asked myself just how much I wanted to get out of that studio.
With half an hour before I had to face the monsieur, I had enough time to grab a coffee, add some milk, and quick foot it back to my desk.
Scanning over the diary, I noticed a new name that hadn’t been there yesterday. Peering closer, I read that somebody called Courtney had a 10:15 with Richard. He’d written in pencil in his scratchy handwriting.
A wave of jealousy hit me. Her appointment was five minutes away.
I reminded myself I merely held the position of Richard’s secretary and despite last night’s kiss we were still on formal ground. He’d reaffirmed that very issue within the hour and I’d agreed with him a relationship was out of the question. Not that I’d had any choice in the matter. The last thing I needed was for Richard to become uncomfortable with his secretary’s crush on him.
Obsession.
I had to act casual around him. Uncaring even. As though he was just another staff member and not the hot, god-like being who strolled around like he owned the place.
It really was time I got a boyfriend. Perhaps Bailey would come out with me this weekend. A night of clubbing would put me straight.
Who the hell was Courtney?
I’d met quite a few of Enthrall’s clients and all of them had been escorted by the girls into the dungeon. Which meant that Richard would do the same for Courtney.
Sipping my drink, my gaze swept from the clock to the elevator and back again as I tried to reassure myself she was just a client, proof of which lay in her name being in the diary.
It also dawned on me I had no idea what really went on during a session, and despite having a fleeting taste of Cameron’s technique, I wasn’t sure if any of the mistresses or even Richard were bold enough to have sex with a client.
With that thought threatening to melt my brain and soak my panties, the elevator announced it was about to spit out a client. Funnily enough, I hoped it was the monsieur.
She was pretty.
I could see that from here as I rose to greet the young lady named Courtney, or who I assumed was Courtney. She walked slowly, demurely, her sensual gait reflecting a woman of the world and her petite frame begging for a man to protect her, wrap his arms around her.
Maybe a man like Richard.
The staff door opened and my head snapped round to see him standing there, his face lighting up. They embraced and it was one of those hugs you share with a best friend or, heaven forbid, a lover. Where was that in-character demeanor of masterdom Richard should be holding, like the one Lotte always held for Monsieur Trouville?
“Let me introduce my secretary,” said Richard, but his gaze didn’t find me. “This is Ms. Lauren.”
Courtney barely gave me a passing glance.
He gestured to the elevator. “Ready?”
She blushed wildly, her hand resting on her chest. “Yes.”
“Mia, the lift,” said Richard.
Head down, and hating these unfamiliar emotions raging in my chest, I turned the key and slid open the gate. I called the lift and stared inside when the doors opened, unable to look at them.
“This is closure,” he whispered to her. “It’s a good day.”
“The monsieur has an appointment too,” I said, nervous of them clashing.
“We have more than one room.” Richard’s thin smile warned me to cease speaking.
Courtney looked horrified. “Somebody else will be down there at the same time?”
“Our room will be locked,” said Richard. “Like always.”
She gripped the gate, her knuckles white.
I wondered how angry Richard would be if I advised her to reschedule after she’d thought this through. Surely she wasn’t ready for whatever lay in the bowels of this place, where pain was just another way of passing the time. Surely she’d have more fun on a shopping trip to Bloomingdales? Or lunch with her friends? Maybe therapy should be her first consideration?
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