Enthrall Climax

by Vanessa Fewings

  “Other ambitions.”

  The only ambition I’d once had was becoming a fashion designer. Cameron had come across my sketches when he’d first visited my studio apartment in L.A. I’d hidden them away after that and never discussed them. Not all dreams were meant to be realized.

  “I’ll consider your generous offer.”

  He folded his arms across his chest. “You’ll have your own office.”

  “I’m not saying no. I’m saying not right now.”

  “Isn’t that my line?”

  “I’m flattered, truly.”

  “Tonight will not be easy.” He blew out a breath of frustration. “Henry will be there.”

  “I’ll explain it to your big brother.” I shrugged. “Or you can.”

  “There’s another matter I need to discuss with you.” He sat forward and reached out for my hand.

  “Oh?”

  His brow furrowed as he seemed to recognize someone across the room. “We should go.” He gestured to our waiter for the check.

  The bill was brought to our table and I reached for it, stuffing my credit card into the leather folder.

  “Mia, don’t,” he said, looking abashed.

  “I like doing it. I earn a good salary.”

  “Still…”

  “It makes me happy.” I placed my napkin on the table and folded it. “Thank you for understanding about my job.”

  “I want to make life easier for you.”

  “This is good for me.” I lowered my gaze. “You spoil me too much.”

  When the check came back I signed it, all the while ignoring his disapproving stare.

  Cameron pressed his phone to his ear. “Hey, Ben, we’re ready to leave.” He hung up and pushed himself to his feet, rounding the table. He took hold of the back of my chair and eased it out. “Wait for me in the car.”

  I rose to my feet and went to turn around, but he stopped me.

  “No.” His gesture indicated he didn’t want me to look.

  “Who is it?”

  “Now, please.” There came no touch of affection this time, merely an insistent look of concern.

  I grabbed my clutch purse.

  He whispered, “Accept my apology.”

  “No need.”

  “Last night was inappropriate.” He looked surprised about my attitude. “You’re about to become my wife. You need to be treated with decency.”

  “Where did my Cameron go?”

  He shook his head. “He’s protecting you from himself.”

  “From what, exactly?” How long had I yearned for that level of passion and I wasn’t willing to let all that groundwork slip away. I looked him straight in the eyes. “It was like our very own Chrysalis.”

  “We’ll discuss it in the car.”

  I gave his arm a squeeze to reassure him and strolled toward the door, leaving him behind. Unable to resist, I glanced back…

  A rugged-looking, tanned man with a crooked nose, who seemed out of place wearing his sophisticated pinstriped suit, had approached our table and launched into a conversation with Cameron. Their friendly sparring seemed cordial enough. I wondered who he was. He’d certainly unnerved Cameron enough to send me out of the restaurant.

  The stranger had a self-assured demeanor and his salt and pepper hair gave him a distinguished air. His grey eyes fixed on me, sending a chill up my spine.

  Cameron followed his line of sight and threw me an insistent glare. I hurried out through the foyer, my forearms prickling with unease.

  Stepping onto the sidewalk, I took in the sight of the surrounding New York City high-rises, feeling the never-ending vibrancy and aliveness, bursting with a palpable excitement. I breathed in the warm air, picking up the scent of expensive perfumes wafting from the guests who were heading into the Ritz. I missed L.A., but there was an allure to this city that was beginning to steal my heart.

  My fingers traced over my Rolex and I counted the seconds until Cameron followed me out. This watch had a special meaning, and not just because it was the first gift Cameron had bought me when we’d arrived in New York. He’d admitted to placing a tracker within it. I didn’t mind, not really, I had no secrets from him and it seemed to make him happy.

  I sensed someone staring and turned to see Clint, my security guard, lingering beneath the Ritz’s awning, tasked with following my every move. I smiled his way to show my thanks and he gave a nod back. He gestured for me to get in the waiting car.

  When I settled in the back of the SUV, I gave a wide smile of greeting to Ben, our chauffeur, in appreciation for him waiting for us. He returned my warm smile in the rearview mirror and then looked away out of respect for my privacy. All the city’s noise and chatter dimmed in here. I glanced through the back window, no longer seeing Clint.

  Cameron soon joined me in the passenger seat, engrossed with texting, his mood even pricklier. Peering over at his phone’s lit screen, I read Shay’s name and could see they were discussing the man Cameron had just spoken with in the restaurant.

  “Who was he?” I asked.

  “Divider up, please.” Cameron gestured his order to Ben and waited for the privacy glass to rise before turning to face me. “We were discussing the gala. It’s time for your friends and colleagues to know about us, Mia.”

  I cringed inwardly, afraid that everyone would assume my new promotion was because of my relationship with this fine man and not garnered from hard work. “You didn’t answer my question, Dr. Cole.”

  “It’s Mr. Cole. At my father’s behest I’ve left psychiatry behind indefinitely.” His fingers traced along my gold-beaded hem. “That’s a pretty dress. A little short, but I’m sure I’ll benefit later.”

  His hand brushed my thighs and caused them to tremble. I literally felt weak when he turned on this level of burning intensity. I had to force myself not to visibly swoon.

  “Are you cold?”

  I shook my head. “Cameron, who was that man?”

  “Lucas Chastain. I met him in France during my Harvard years. We didn’t see eye to eye. I was surprised he came over.”

  “Why didn’t you introduce us?”

  “He runs in dangerous circles.”

  “What kind?”

  “Changing the subject?” He stared at me intently. “We’ll walk in together. I couldn’t be prouder to show you off as mine, Mia.”

  “Soon.” I reached up and cupped his face. “I promise.”

  He sat back and exhaled his frustration.

  “He runs in dangerous circles?” I repeated softly.

  “When I repeat a sentence to trigger the subconscious to respond and garner more intel, it’s subtle.”

  “You’ve been at the old smoke and mirrors a lot longer.”

  Cameron held my gaze. “I met Lucas in Paris. I was eighteen. I was introduced to him by Danton Belfort. They were…good friends. Lucas invited us to an exclusive club. Then invited me to explore the next level. I declined.”

  “Danton was Scarlet’s old boyfriend who died?”

  A sorrowful shadow crossed his face, and I recalled a conversation we’d had of how close they’d been. Something told me they had been even closer than he’d let on, but I wasn’t ready to know about all that yet. Cameron’s complexity was as rich as his history. I wasn’t marrying a saint, I knew that. I was marrying a man who’d once run the elite BDSM club in Los Angeles, and with that came a history of sexuality I’d only scratched the surface of.

  Debauchery had been withdrawn because Cameron had a conservative reputation to uphold in the Big Apple, his liberal ways only revealed by his passion for the family’s philanthropic interests.

  A shiver slithered up my spine. “What’s the next level?”

  “You have quite an imagination.”

  “Don’t patronize me, Cameron.”

  His baleful gaze held mine. “I look forward to fucking that disrespectful mouth.”

  “If your intention is to make me wet…” Sexily arching a brow, I held my own.
>
  His expression turned affectionate and then solemn. “Add a touch of sinister and throw in a dash of nefarious and congratulations, your cocktail is laced with the potency that is Hillenbrand.”

  “That’s not vague at all.”

  “Imagine Satan running Chrysalis.”

  “Everyone consents though, right?”

  He caressed his jaw thoughtfully. “There are those who like to go too far. Push the boundaries of kink to an inconceivable level. Dabble in what is easily illegal. Lucas is one of those men.”

  My flesh chilled as his words sunk in and I recalled that handsome man’s face. He had seemed distinguished despite his ruggedness; he’d resembled a worldly professor, in fact.

  “He once had a fight with a warthog. So the story goes. He has the scars to prove it.” Cameron’s eyes widened. “I’m serious.”

  “What happened?”

  “He killed it with his bare hands.”

  “What were you doing there?”

  “This happened in Africa. Well before I met him.”

  “I mean Hillenbrand.”

  He tugged on a cufflink nonchalantly. “I was a member.”

  My jaw dropped at his confession.

  “I was young. Impressionable. Seduced into what they had to offer. For the first time I explored my kinky side in a safe place. Danton was by my side every step of the way. We were bad boys.” His grin revealed so much.

  “Where did my wild Cameron go?”

  “Not sure you would have liked me. I always got my way.”

  “Nothing’s changed, then.” I rolled my eyes playfully.

  He shook his head at that. “Hillenbrand was shut down. I heard a rumor it transferred to another location. The members like what they do and don’t want to stop. Becoming a member now is virtually impossible.”

  “Obviously not.”

  “Trust me, it’s locked down. No getting in. No getting out. Not without some remarkable finagling.”

  “All very intriguing.”

  “That’s the allure.”

  “What kind of things did you get up to?”

  His dark gaze held mine as he reached up and played with a lock of my golden hair. “I love it when you wear your hair like this.”

  “You’ve changed from the man I met at Enthrall.” I watched his reaction.

  “In what way?”

  He knew what I meant. The sex between us was wild but the most he’d punished me with was the palm of his hand in an erotic spanking. He’d once brought waves of pain to my body with all sorts of accoutrements, but since we’d arrived in New York he’d given up on his penchant for torture.

  “I’m reinventing myself, Mia. You should try it.”

  I folded my arms in a huff.

  He gave a long sigh. “Careful, Ms. Lauren, or I may just give you want you’re asking for.”

  My hand reached up and scrunched his sleeve as a thrill rushed through me. I felt a tingling in my chest, a rush of blood that set my body alight.

  He looked amused by my reaction.

  I swallowed my doubt. “No catch, right?”

  “I’ll consider going darker…”

  My cheeks flushed and my heart rate took off—and then his insinuation landed squarely on his blackmail…

  I wasn’t ready to be seen on the arm of my boss. I needed more time…needed to be respected for what I’d accomplished on my own.

  He pried my grip off his sleeve and brought my hand to his lips, kissing my wrist. “Of course it would be dark by Chrysalis’ standards, not Hillenbrand’s.”

  “Is Hillenbrand where you learned to do those things?”

  “Those things?” He arched a brow. “Hillenbrand is where I earned my reputation.”

  “Master of the dark arts,” I whispered.

  Cameron tipped up my chin. “Do we have an agreement?”

  I’D BROUGHT A BILLION DOLLAR company back from the brink of a hostile takeover after our shareholders had savaged it like the piranhas they were. Then I’d successfully rebranded our empire placing it way ahead of its competitors—an empire I now ruled fiercely.

  Yet making Mia Lauren mine was still my greatest feat of all.

  With a bruised ego, I stood alone at The Mandarin Oriental bar sipping mineral water. I could at least enjoy this vantage point to survey the party and pretend, unsuccessfully, not to be looking over at Mia’s table. She sat with several colleagues and it was good to see her laugh—and she was decent enough to throw me the occasional kind smile.

  Panoramic views of the city seen from expansive windows, and the modern plush décor, provided a great setting—and from the fun everyone seemed to be having tonight it was clear this function was a hit. We’d thrown the event to thank our staff for a remarkable first quarter.

  All moments led my gaze back to Mia. It was hard to keep my attention away from my fiancée—she was captivating.

  With my brother Henry sitting beside her it gave me an excuse to glance their way without arousing too much suspicion. I wasn’t the only man in the room gazing in the direction of the blonde, sassy bombshell. With her cascading golden locks, blue eyes and sweet smile, she enchanted everyone around her.

  Making Mia happy was my priority, though it had been a rough few months going along with her scheme to keep us a secret. We’d managed to dodge the photographers for now, but it wouldn’t be long before one of them snapped a shot of us together.

  I set my glass down on the bar and strolled toward her table, recognizing some of her colleagues from the marketing department where Mia currently worked.

  Her transition from secretary at Enthrall to serving as one of three marketing executive assistants here in our New York office had been exemplary. She’d wanted to start in a position that eased her into corporate life. My concern for her safety was ever present. On the top floor of the executive suite we were locked down when it came to security. Her floor was just slightly more accessible.

  When I reached the round table I gave a friendly nod to Mia and her five friends who were deep in conversation. Concerned gazes rose to meet mine, revealing their feelings of unease that I might threaten their fun. Even though I had arranged this soirée and was footing the bill.

  Henry’s expression was filled with sympathy. “Come join us.”

  Even Mia looked nervous, as if afraid I’d out us.

  I went with, “Who’d like to dance?”

  “I would.” The twenty-something with a short blue bob who sat on Mia’s left shot out of her chair and rounded the table.

  I gave her a warm smile. “What’s your name?”

  “Kelly.” She beamed a smile back at me, obviously intrigued.

  My gaze drifted over to reassure Mia as I led Kelly over to the dance floor. This was not how I’d imagined my invitation going.

  Within twenty minutes I was again standing before Mia’s table with all the boxes ticked for political correctness—this was just another chance for me to connect with an employee and take the temperature of my staff’s moral.

  It felt like shit.

  I held my hand out. “Ms. Lauren.”

  She blinked at me. “And what did I do to earn such a privilege, Mr. Cole?”

  I ignored Henry’s amused smirk and continued to hold out my hand as I held her stare.

  This round was mine to win.

  Mia melted before me. “I’d love to.”

  She pushed to her feet and I led her across the floor, pulling her into a hug just a little too fast. We slow danced in a circle to Ed Sheeran’s “How Would You Feel?”

  She eased back a little to look at me. “I didn’t know you could dance.”

  “We’ve danced before.”

  “You know what I mean. You don’t dance. That’s what you told me and yet you were impressing everyone with your sexy moves.”

  Yes, I didn’t like to dance but that didn’t mean I couldn’t. Her enjoying more than one whirl around the floor with Henry had stirred my jealousy, even though I trusted them both
with my life. I had assumed showing off my sexy moves would inspire her to join me. Instead, she’d obviously enjoyed the floorshow.

  Mia’s body brushed against mine, closing the torturous distance between us, her curves fitting against me perfectly. With her in my arms, the world righted on its axis, this inner warring dimming.

  I squeezed her tightly. “I’ll have Ed do all my talking, as I’m forbidden to express myself,” I said, referring to the music.

  She gave a sigh of contentment. “Thank you for understanding.”

  “That’s one word for it.”

  “The party’s going well, Mr. Cole.”

  I was done playing games. “Set a date.”

  She dragged her teeth over her bottom lip as she ruminated. “One month.”

  “Two weeks. Then you’ll tell your friends about us.” I was close to kissing her soft plump lips to claim her in front of everyone.

  “That’s not enough time for a promotion.”

  “I’m the one who signs off on those.”

  “I hope you’re not suggesting you’d obstruct my climb to power?”

  “You’ve conquered me, Mia. What more is there?”

  “How seductive.”

  “I can do better.”

  “Oh?”

  “You’re the most dazzling woman here and I can’t take my eyes off you. It’s potentially dangerous, since I’m close to looking like your stalker.”

  “Stalk away, Mr. Cole.”

  My grip tightened around her waist. “You’re breathtaking.” Whether she was in jeans, one of my shirts, or this mini-dress that sparkled with delicate crystal beads. “The next public event we attend you’ll be wearing my collar.”

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Seeing my frown, she added, “I’d end up falling to my knees and parting my lips, ready for you.”

  “Jesus, Mia.” My cock quickened in my pants.

  “It’s all I can think about.” She moaned softly.

  I yanked her toward me. “This is what’s on the table. I agree to take you to the next level and give you what you’re asking for—even though you have no idea what that is.”

  “Last night—”

  “The edge of vanilla.”

  Her eyes widened with wonder. “That wasn’t vanilla.”

  “Two weeks, Ms. Lauren. Agree right now and I’ll provide you with a demonstration that will have you running for cover.”