Stirring awake, I blinked at the towering mansion ahead and then turned my sleepy eyes on the chauffeur who was driving the limo toward it.
Even in my dreams I’d been drawn back to him, the man who had captured my heart from the first moment he’d kissed me in Enthrall’s dungeon. No, that was a lie…it was the moment he’d first strolled into Enthrall’s coffee room with his “out of my league” attitude wearing that tailored suit, with his raven hair just so and those chestnut eyes that saw into my soul.
And later, he’d saved me from the kind of memories that could ruin a life. He was my savior, my lover, my reason to live. I’d always be grateful to him.
I’d ruined everything and I suspected I was here in L.A. so he could ease my life back to what it had once been—an ordinary existence. No longer would I experience the complications that resulted from living with the eccentric and brilliant Cameron Cole…a man who had transformed a working-class girl into a woman fit for high society.
His experiment was complete and I suspected this was where my journey would end—I was to be set free like the butterfly this place prided itself on cocooning.
This was Chrysalis.
But the spectacular manor on this Bel Air hill no longer intimidated me.
The car door was opened for me. I gave the chauffeur a nod of thanks and approached the entrance. A wave of old emotions hit me, the excitement I’d once felt fueled by an intrigue that had taken my life to an entirely new level…
He’s here.
Cameron stood beneath the foyer’s crystal chandelier. Two long red ribbons tumbled down behind him. Shards of light reflected off his face, and I wondered if he truly knew the profound effect his presence had on me. His face wore that familiar unreadable expression.
“How was your flight?” He shoved his hands into his pockets.
I ignored the question. “It seems I’ve been summoned.”
“Ah.”
“I refuse to talk about the weather, if that’s your next question.”
“How about the traffic?”
Cam always knew how to make me smile. He was being kind, but I wanted this over with. “Where is everyone?”
“We’re alone.”
“You still have influence, then?”
“Apparently.” He lowered his gaze. “I wanted us to be able to talk freely.”
“I’m sorry, Cameron.” I was sorry for everything…misunderstanding him, doubting him, and especially for not trusting him enough to believe we’d been perfect for each other.
“No apology needed.” He rested his palm on his chest. “Except from me.” He raised his hand in protest. “Please, listen.”
I braced myself for what he had to say.
“I wanted to bring you back to where it all started.”
“It started at Enthrall.”
“For me, it started here.” He gestured in the direction of his old office. “This was where Tara showed me your photograph.”
“Very dramatic.”
“What I have to say deserves this.” He gave me an endearing smile and pointed a finger at the chandelier above.
Opulent lights sparkled down upon him.
“Danton taught me how precious life is,” he began. “And yet my affection for him pales next to what I feel for you. Mia, I chose you for Richard because you were beautiful and loving and, most of all, forgiving.” He shook his head. “I didn’t believe I was the one for you because I’d given up on love for me. Then you came into our lives and I fell hard.
“My love for you has never been in question. My devotion to Richard meant that I had to give you up to him. When you finally became mine I had to grapple with the fact it was now my job to keep you safe.” He gestured with open palms. “I failed.”
“No, Cameron.”
“Please.” He held up a hand to quiet me. “I created Chrysalis because I believed this house could help people. Save them even. I, in turn, used pain to leverage out my past. Each crack of the whip, each strike by my hand, each prolonged agony soothed my soul, just as I saw it doing for others.” He took a step forward. “But men change. Sometimes they have no other choice but to evolve. What I am or what I am not can’t be defined by those around me…only by me alone. Ask me what changed in my life and I will say you, Mia. It was you.
“I no longer need pain to forget my past. Neither do you. We are whole. Complete because we found each other. Moving forward we must no longer suppress our pain but use it as a catalyst to do profound good in this world.
“I have a plan. Henry will take over as CEO. It’s what he wants and what he deserves. This was his destiny and I won’t deny it to him.
“I will champion the philanthropic endeavors of Cole Tea. I’ll bring more water to Africa, more hospitals to India, I’ll go to the most dangerous regions of the world because I refuse to live in fear. That’s what I learned from Hillenbrand, that you and I have what it takes to survive. No matter what we endure.
“There’s only one more question in all of this.” He held out his hand to me. “Do you want to be by my side, Mia? Will you share a future with me, no matter what it brings?”
I hurried to close the gap between us, reaching for his hand. “I’ve grown so much since I met you. Because of you, I have the kind of friends who love me enough to come rescue me when things go bad. You were willing to risk your own reputation and Cole Tea itself. I look back at my time here and at Enthrall, and even the months we spent in New York, with no regrets…only pride.”
Cameron pulled me close and pressed his lips to mine, hard and passionate, our tongues lashing furiously. Then the mood changed and we kissed gently, slowly, savoring each other, feeling the trust between us, him leading me in this final dance of persuasion.
We pulled apart, finally, and I brought his hand to my lips and kissed his fingers. His other palm rested tenderly against my cheek.
“Mia, are you sure you want to join me on this spectacular adventure?” He brought me in for another hug. “No pressure, but the right answer is—”
“Yes.” I squished my face against his firm chest.
DRAWING THE TWO LONG STRANDS of red ribbon toward Mia, I wound them around her body, securing her to the enormous crystal chandelier above. I’d stripped her naked and she stood with her arms raised above her head and her feet barely touching the ground, balancing on her tiptoes.
One with the chandelier.
I stepped back to admire my handiwork and my stunning lover. She emanated tranquility, her inquisitive gaze focused on my every move.
I stripped off my clothes, thinking it felt right to be so exposed within Chrysalis. With no secrets between us and nothing to hold us back.
Stepping forward, I lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly, her mouth soft and yielding as it opened to mine.
Bowing my head, I sucked on her left nipple and it beaded between my lips, a soft moan escaping her. I moved to the other and her areola tightened as I drew it into my mouth lovingly. I caressed her breasts, lavishing her with affection until her body trembled.
Kneeling at her feet, I ran my thumbs along her sex to ease her apart, licking and kissing her clit, worshiping her with the tantalizing tip of my tongue until her soft groaning echoed around us…her scent bewitching.
After she’d trembled through an orgasm, I rose to my feet and wrapped my hands around her waist, lifting her up. With a gentle shove, I buried my cock inside her and slowly moved deeper until we were perfectly one.
Rocking into her leisurely, below the grand chandelier’s prism of light, I spoke the words my heart yearned to say.
“Mia Lauren,” I whispered, “I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” I pressed my lips to her throat and held the kiss.
“I want to be your wife,” she said softly. “I love you so much, Cameron.”
“I will cherish you, protect you, love you
, worship you and make you the happiest woman in the universe,” I promised, grinning at her.
She moaned and it sounded like a plea.
We climaxed together, me pumping into her hard with her legs trembling around me, her muscles clenching possessively, our groans echoing around us.
Eventually, I untied her and carried her to the spa.
We took a shower together and got dressed, ready for an afternoon of fun.
Leaving Chrysalis in the late afternoon in my convertible Bugatti, I drove us to The Sunset in Malibu for a late lunch. We enjoyed a view of the ocean from our table. Her hand stayed in mine, and we were constantly glancing at each other with affection. From our vantage point, we watched the yachts drift by as we sipped iced tea and shared a warm chocolate tortino, our spoons playfully clashing for the last bite, our hysterical laughter threatening to disrupt the other guests.
I took Mia to one of my favorite places in the city, Amoeba Music, and we strolled around rifling through the massive collection of vinyl records, searching out those rare finds.
We ended up in Santa Monica, where we left the car parked for the night and rented two bicycles. Mia and I cycled alongside the ocean all the way to Venice Beach. Sitting next to each other on the sand, we sat looking out at the sea with no words needed between us.
When the weather turned chilly, we gave up the bikes and walked the short distance to my beachfront property. I’d had it prepared for our stay.
The two-story house was filled with flowers, and Mia ran from room to room in awe of the beauty surrounding us.
“I wanted to make it special for you,” I told her.
“Everything always is with you,” she said breathlessly.
We made our way upstairs and tumbled onto the king-sized bed, our limbs entwined.
“Happy birthday, Mia.” I pressed my lips to her forehead.
When she looked up at me questioningly, I added, “I put this house in your name. It’s yours now. You’ll always have a safe place to come home to. And it just happens to be my all time favorite.”
She snuggled against me. “You’re my home, Cameron, and you always will be.”
I let out a sigh of happiness.
She was in my arms again…Mia, my one true love.
MARCELLA’S FALL COLLECTION WAS ABOUT to grace the runway any second now. Backstage, the models were scurrying around having the final touches done to their hair and make-up, and some last tweaks to Marcella’s glamorous gowns as they prepared to step out.
This promised to be her best show yet.
With Scarlet squeezing my left hand on one side, and Henry holding the other, we sat close to the stage, eager for the show to get underway. There was a tangible excitement in the air, with guests taking their seats, and friends greeting each other warmly. I recognized a few seasoned journalists who’d want to corner Marcella afterward, no doubt for an exclusive interview.
The buzz caused by New York’s Fashion Week crackled in the air and all of the butterflies in my stomach refused to settle down. This was probably the most exciting day of my life. I’d been invited to showcase one of my own designs in Marcella’s line-up.
No, on second thought, my most exciting day had been when I’d met Cameron—though it had been equally as wonderful as our wedding day. I’d worn my gorgeous Vera Wang gown and felt every part the stunning bride. I’d fallen in love with it, and Cameron had insisted that no one should ever derail what made us happy. The memory of seeing his face light up when I had walked down the aisle would stay with me forever. His expression had been one of pure happiness.
We had somehow persuaded Cam’s mom to let us downsize to an intimate affair in the Hamptons, low key and very us.
Everyone we cared most about had made it to New York for our big day. We’d managed to elude the press and keep them from capturing a photo of Andrea Buckingham with Richard Booth—and also Cameron Cole and his new bride.
I’d designed the elegant, deep blue bridesmaid dresses, and Scarlet, Lotte, Penny, Bailey and Tara had looked lovely in them.
Both Richard and Shay had escorted me down the aisle and had given me away just as they’d promised to do. Henry had enjoyed being Cameron’s best man, and everyone agreed he’d given one of the most heartfelt toasts ever delivered.
Our wedding cake had tasted divine. It was a rich chocolate sponge because, well, what else could it have been if not Cam’s favorite flavor?
I loved visiting New York. We’d arrived a week ago and were staying with Henry, who was now living in our old penthouse. When we weren’t traveling, we were living between our beach home in Venice and Cole’s big old mansion in Beverly Hills. That way Cameron could get his surfing in and I could sketch on the patio with a view of the ocean.
One day I’d have a collection like this of my own. My heart soared with the possibilities.
Right now, Shay and his boyfriend, De Sade, were house-sitting in Beverly Hills, and Cameron had joked we’d have a hard time getting them out when we returned. It was good to see Shay in love, and De Sade looked happy, too. They were so damn hot together…though I kept that saucy thought to myself.
“I wish Cameron could be here,” whispered Scarlet. “He would have loved this.”
I let out a sigh. “Our babysitter couldn’t make it. So he stepped up.”
Henry shook his head. “Still can’t believe my brother is a stay-at-home dad.”
Though that was true, Cameron had perfectly balanced working from home on our philanthropic pursuits with the duties of fatherhood.
“You have got to be kidding me,” said Scarlet, staring off into the crowd. “Is that the great Cameron Cole?”
I blinked in surprise.
Cameron had our baby strapped into a sling. My cute little guy, Raif, who was only six months old, had his adorable head peeking out in front of daddy’s chest. He took everything in with those large chestnut eyes; the same eyes his daddy had. Cameron threw us a wave, and Raif’s toothless grin made us laugh.
“This feels like an alternate universe,” joked Henry, who surrendered his seat to his brother and moved over one.
“I’m not missing this,” said Cameron. “This is Mia’s day.”
“Apparently you’re great in the diaper department,” laughed Scarlet.
Cameron grinned at me. “I have ninja skills when it comes to wrangling this one.” He pressed his lips to Raif’s forehead. “We couldn’t miss this, right buddy?” He looked at me. “It was this little guy’s idea, Mia. I was all for having a quiet afternoon at home.”
I laughed and popped Raif’s pacifier into his mouth. “Is he hungry?”
“He’s okay.”
Leaning into Raif, I breathed in his sweet scent and smiled contentedly. Now, we could tell him he was at Mommy’s first show.
“This is so much fun.” Scarlet beamed at us.
Exquisite notes rose from hidden speakers and a minute later the first model stepped out onto the runway, her stride graceful and serene. Her gown was elegantly embroidered gold tulle, with a deep V-neck illusion and a full A-line skirt. It was embedded with delicate crystals that reflected the light as the material flowed and shimmied around her.
Scarlet gasped. “Is that yours, Mia?’
“I’d recognize her taste anywhere.” Cameron winked at me. “You are talented, Mrs. Cole.”
I was hardly listening. Seeing my gown in a fashion show had left me awestruck. As the other models trailed out behind her, I was filled with pride that my design was worthy to be showcased alongside Marcella’s work.
Reaching for Cameron’s hand, I mouthed, “Thank you. Thank you for all of it.”
He tilted his head toward Raif. “Same to you.”
“I’m going to buy it,” Scarlet piped up. “What’s the name of your dress?”
“I drew inspiration from Chrysalis,” I whispered.
The twinkling lights of chandeliers, the truest freedom, and the beauty of it all. The sacredness of light.
“It’s a Mia Cole,” said Cameron proudly. “And I love it.”
I beamed his way. “I called the gown Enthrall.”
A beautiful beginning…
Writing the ENTHRALL SESSIONS has been an incredible experience, and I am grateful these wonderful characters came into my life. I have also loved hearing how real they feel to you, and I feel the same way. Many of you have embraced the world of ENTHRALL and its inhabitants and some of you have told me you drew strength from them. This is incredibly moving.
A big thank you to my wonderful literary agent Kimberly Whalen. Your unwavering strength, wisdom, and exceptional knowledge reminds me every day how lucky I am to be with The Whalen Agency.
I’m so grateful for my wonderful editor, Debbie Kuhn; thank you for your time. I always hand off my work to you knowing it’s in the most capable hands.
Another big thank you to Lauren Lumen for your keen eye and endless enthusiasm. Your generous spirit and passion for our genre is felt by us all.
Thank you to Hazel Godwin. Your continued support of my writing is deeply appreciated, and I love hearing from you. SueBee, your kindness to readers and passion for making Goodreads a happy place is inspiring.
A big thank you to Stacey Blake at Champagne Book Design for making this book look so pretty. To my gals in the Diamond Romance Lounge, a big hug to you all for keeping me calm during the book release week. Endless gratitude to E. L. James whose passion and talent inspired me to take the leap from paranormal author over to romance and this literally changed my life forever and all for the good. Again, thank you for all you do for the romance community. Louise Bay, I owe you oodles of tea and crumpets for always being there. You rock as an author and inspire me daily.
Heather Pollock, Louise Sandford, Kathi Goldwyn, Maureen Goodman, Lydia Rella, and the incredible Pam Stack over at Authors on the Air, thank you so much for your kindness and support! Your messages and warmth are never taken for granted. Hugs to Laird Sapir who makes my website look so damn gorgeous!
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