Cameron’s mood was one of resignation.
We’d shared so much good and bad over our lives, most of which we’d endured together.
And together we’d created this place from the ground up.
His leaving was something none of us could have predicted. Scarlet, Lotte, and Penny were distraught. I’d comforted them the best way I could, kept them busy, given them tasks and right now Scarlet was distracted with Cameron’s new sub, preparing Mia for their first voyeur session.
I patted Cameron’s back to comfort him. “We’ve had some fun times, haven’t we?”
“The best.”
“I’m going to miss you, Cam.”
“Come visit.”
“You bet.”
“You do realize what you pulled off for me, don’t you?” he said.
“You keep reminding me.”
“You saved us.”
“Yeah, well you saved me. We’ll be waiting for you.”
It was my time to rule, to take over the position of director, which I’d always been destined for and Cameron had groomed me for. A rush of excitement flooded through me. The games I’d design. The punishments I’d deliver. The pleasures I’d bestow.
Adrenaline raced through my veins and arousal sparked my senses.
I swiveled to face Cameron. “You know what impressed me the most?”
“Go on.”
“Even after you believed I’d purposely lost all your money you still didn’t hate me. That was enlightening.”
“Apparently lack of sleep doesn’t look good on me.”
I leaned on his arm. “Losing your friendship would crush me.”
“Never going to happen.”
“Dominic’s not taking it well.”
His gaze found him in the crowd. “Look after him.”
“Of course.”
He reached over and took my hand, peeling open my palm and placing a gold key there.
My time to reign.
I smiled at him. “Never thought the day would come.”
He held my gaze and just as we always did our words were shared without speaking. He trusted in me to run this house as well as he had, to place my own touch on our precious sanctuary.
“The Harrington Suite was always destined to be for the three of us,” I mused, more to myself than him.
“I know.”
“You haven’t been in there since you caught Zie…”
We both knew this was a profound day for him, a healing step.
“Actually, I gave Mia a peek during her first tour,” he admitted.
“Interesting.”
He gave a knowing look. “Mia wants this.”
“It may well be her last chance. Next thing you’ll be running for office.”
“Hardly. My hands are going to be full.”
The large cage rolled into view and I took in the beauty of Mia inside, naked and wrapped in fine chains, her mask hiding her face, but I knew those blue eyes, that small pale frame, her stark fragility proving she needed a master willing to analyze every action, guide her gently through each session and treat her with the kind of patience I never had.
I’d go for a well-trained submissive next time. One willing to perform in any way a director saw fit. As my mistress she’d need to set the precedent of how subs behaved.
My body warmed with the thought of the mystery woman, a physical validation as I scanned the foyer for prospects.
The memory of Andrea’s face intruded on my thoughts.
A wistful musing as I recalled the first day we met, the way she bravely flung herself at my feet, her breaking into my home in search of resolution, and the way she’d stood up to Mubarak, proving she’d found it.
There was no room for sentimentality. Tonight I’d do my best to find a way to forget Andrea, let her go.
If I was going to be accepted as the new ultimate Alpha I would have to assert myself with the same authority Cameron always had. He’d taught me well and prepared me. I’d deliver the same fairness. Rule with an ironclad fist and with an open heart.
I flicked open my cufflink. “Shay’s taking the night off.”
“Yes.”
“Will he be in there?” I asked. “Watching you?”
“No.”
Relief swept over me.
“This session with her,” he said cautiously. “Now that it’s here…”
“The art of the performance. Proving just how sacred sex really is.”
“I don’t want you in there, Richard.”
“I’m actually planning on a threesome.”
He widened his eyes in surprise. “Shay and Arianna?”
“You’re my inspiration.”
“Let Shay win sometimes.”
“I’ll take it under consideration.” I nodded toward the foyer. “Here’s your girl.”
He gave a pat to my shoulder and I beamed up at him.
“God, I’ll miss you.” Cameron made his way down the stairs.
I took in the scene of Chrysalis’s foyer, looking so beautiful beneath the yellow dimmed light. Pride settled in my gut that I was inheriting the responsibility of this manor. I made a silent vow to make Cameron proud, to make everyone proud.
I descended the steps and made my way back to the great hall.
Crowds mingled here and there, talking, laughing, the occasional guest throwing a smile my way. I knew most of them. This would soon change. I’d come to know each and every member here and Cameron’s files would become my own.
A wave of excitement that my time had come to reign.
Where Arianna had stood was now merely unclipped handcuffs hanging from the ceiling. A circle of blue irises were strewn at the base of where she’d been standing. They trailed toward the back of the hall, hundreds of fresh petals leading the way. Shay had scattered them for her in a romantic tease.
They stopped at the doorway leading to the dungeons.
I gave a smile at Shay’s complexity, his ability to run a dynamic security business and keep us all safe. I admired his gentler side, the part of him that made him perfect for Arianna.
Through the door, I followed the trail downwards along the curve of the stairwell. The chill of the dungeons made my forearms prickle. I strolled down the hallway until I found the only dungeon with a door open.
I entered the small voyeur room and found Scarlet, Lotte, and Penny in there sipping champagne, seemingly about to enjoy a dungeon scene through the one-way glass.
As I stepped inside I saw Ethan, who was also dressed in a tuxedo, his mask tucked into his jacket pocket. He welcomed me in.
From here the view of the dungeon was muted. Its lighting so low it made it difficult to see beyond a few feet, but I picked up some faint movement in the corner, a couple talking.
Straining to see into the darkness, my eyes adjusted to the scene beyond the glass.
That was not Arianna. Even with her back to me I could see that.
The woman was tall and curvy, a brunette that looked nothing like Shay’s inked-up sub. She looked like…
Cruel thoughts drenched my brain, the idea that it was her.
The scene was minutes from starting, a sub being readied for her master.
Shay was focused on securing her to the central, gold crystal chandelier, raising her wrists, bound in black leather cuffs. Those attached fine chains dangling and easy to break from.
“Where’s Arianna?” I said.
“We have a new member,” said Ethan, shrugging off my question. “Looks like she’s almost ready.”
My gaze snapped back to the glass.
He patted my back firmly.
I tried to shake off this yearning, not wanting to show just how hard I’d fallen. Just how hurt I’d be if I were mistaken.
“You have the key?” he asked.
I reached into my pocket and withdrew the one Cameron had just handed me, the symbol of my impending rule.
Or was it?
My gaze flew back to the room.
My frown deepened.
“The last contract Cameron signed as director is her membership,” he said.
“Contract?”
“Your new submissive.”
“You chose for me? Cameron chose her?”
Because she looks like her? I tried to comprehend their idiocy.
Ethan gave a shrug. “I’ll see you later in the garden? We’ll crack a bottle of Bolly. You’ll make a fine director, Booth.” He strolled out, securing his mask as he went, and then tucked his hands into his pockets.
It’s not her, my heart warned, it could never be her.
Ethan didn’t want me anywhere near her.
My heart raced, thoughts scattering.
Scarlet and Lotte threw me a big smile.
“Go claim her,” Scarlet said.
Is it really her?
My stare moved over to Lotte.
“We all love you so much, Richard,” she said. “You deserve her.”
I sped out of there, bolting down the hallway and flying through the door into the dungeon.
Shay stepped back. “She’s ready for you, sir.”
God she was stunning.
Soft yellow light from above shimmered over her nakedness.
Dark curls tumbled over Andrea’s bare shoulders, her tiny thong her only clothes, breasts pert, nipples erect, abdomen strewn with the same fine chain that had been used to secure her above to that delicate low-hung chandelier. Her arms taut above her, her chestnut gaze full of yearning and hope.
Time stood still and in a dreamy haze I approached her, only vaguely aware Shay had left.
“You have an uncanny way of breaking into places,” I said.
“You have an uncanny way of seducing your subs.”
“I thought Ethan didn’t want us together?”
“He knows how I feel about you.”
“Blaze?”
“What about him?”
“Your lover? The photos—”
“It’s a ruse. He’s gay and needs to look like he’s not. Megan also believed it would pull the attention away from you should any rumors have leaked.”
“You’re not lovers?”
She laughed. “Your more his type, Richard.”
“The press? All staged?”
“Yes. I can’t think straight without you. I need you in my life.”
“Shush.” I touched her lips. “You didn’t text me back?”
“Because I thought you didn’t want me, not really. You left the set without saying goodbye. I thought I’d disappointed you.”
“Never”
“You kept telling me we couldn’t be together. I tried to believe it.”
My fingers traced that curl of hair clinging to her neck and she rested her head into my palm.
“I had lunch with Scarlet,” she said. “We talked. A lot. Mainly about you.”
I gave a smile at how fiercely loyal my dominatrixes were…like sisters.
“I want this. I need to be yours.” Andrea peered through the glass. “Scarlet told me you feel the same way?”
“Yes, of course.”
She raised her chin proudly. “Ethan showed me your press release. The fund you set up?”
“My brothers are helping out. Cameron, too.”
She sucked on her bottom lip. “We don’t need to hide anymore.”
“We’ll have to keep your membership secret.”
“You always do that so well here.”
“You’re in my new dungeon?”
“I am.”
“Maybe we should test it out?”
Her mouth quirked. “What do you have in mind?”
I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her fiercely, my tongue forcing hers to submit. My body ached for her, even with her this close, and I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my face in the crook of her neck, knowing the sacredness of this moment - of her.
“Do you accept me,” she whispered, “as your submissive?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Believe in us. That’s all I’m asking.”
I raised my head. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“Never, we belong together. Don’t fight it anymore.”
“I’m never letting you go.”
“My whole body’s alight.” She glanced up at the chain and the crystal chandelier. “This is where I belong.”
I kissed her forehead. “How are you so damn strong?”
Her smile widened. “Because you taught me how to breathe underwater.”
CHAPTER 27
One Month Later
A WARM OCEAN wave rolled over my feet; the gentle lapping sound soothing me.
This private, deserted beach had given me time to think clearly without the usual distractions - all of them of my own making. I’d been running to keep the pain at bay.
I realized that now.
I blinked against the rising sun.
Racing through my existence, I’d tried one way or another to push myself through life-threatening sports and yet here I was now, slowing down after all this time, standing still with my toes buried deep in golden sand and my trouser legs soaked; my mind quiet, peaceful.
Cameron had only been able to take me so far toward this peace. I’d had to walk the rest of the journey myself, and only when I was ready.
All that time invested in Cameron’s business had turned my own life around. The commission from stocks had made me a small fortune. And I’d given it all away, invested in a trust fund for those New Yorkers who deserved it more than me.
I was still wealthy by anyone’s standards, a millionaire with a growing portfolio that would always ensure I lived well. And my salary as director of Chrysalis was more than generous. I loved that grand manor and everyone who worked there, all of them accepting me with open arms as their new boss.
The news of Cameron and Mia’s engagement had actually brought me comfort and knowing they were in the thick of planning a Cole wedding made me smile. My dearest friends had a bright future together. They deserved to be happy.
Those frequent calls from Cameron were reassuring, knowing he was thriving in New York. Mia had settled in, he told me, and Henry visited the office from time to time, but Cameron was firmly at the helm of Cole Tea. His father had retired knowing the family legacy was in good hands.
While I mulled over this revelation I sensed her.
Staring toward the blue ocean, I felt her arms wrap around my waist.
The wafting scent of water lilies enveloped me - Andrea’s delicate perfume.
“I was wondering where you were.” She hugged me tighter. “I woke up and hated not seeing you next to me. I had Winston help me find you.”
I gave a fulfilled sigh.
My sweet mutt had no idea he was thousands of miles from home. He stood beside Andrea’s feet, panting away, all sweetness and trust. He padded closer to sniff my foot.
“I’ll feed him.”
“Already fed.” She laughed and handed me his tennis ball.
I took it and beamed a contented smile her way, throwing the ball high into the air. It landed in the water.
Winston dived in and swam after it.
With an arch of a brow I gave Andrea an amused look.
We stripped off our clothes and left them behind on the beach as we waded into the warm water, laughing as we went.
Skinny dipping, snuggling, riding the waves.
Making love beneath the water, arms wrapped around each other and keeping the rest of the world at bay.
Later, we returned to the house. This vast, ten-bedroom Mediterranean home belonged to her aunt who was away in Jamaica visiting family. She’d reserved her Key Largo home for the two of us. We ate breakfast in the gourmet white-tiled kitchen, dining on fresh fruit and yogurt from the generous supplies left for us in the fridge. Afterward, we carried our drinks out onto the front steps of the porch.
Snuggling on the swing
, we sipped imported Jamaican coffee and admired the curved portico surrounded by columns, and the low-hanging palm trees that finished off this tropical scene.
Winston was never far away.
“Director of Chrysalis,” she said. “Sounds so sexy.”
“Glad you think so.” I kissed the top of her head.
“When we get back to L.A., I’m going to arrange another charity event. Let’s hold another one for Wells of Africa.”
My favorite charity.
“I’m not ready to leave here,” I whispered. “Not sure I ever will be.”
“Me neither. I think I’d like to retire here. What do you think?”
“What? The two of us slowing down time and spending our days reading, walking, and making love? Sure you want that?”
She rested her head on my shoulder. “Nirvana.”
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her wrist.
“God, I love it here,” she said. “No, that’s not strictly true. It’s you being here with me that changes everything.”
“Someone’s got it bad.”
She slapped my arm playfully. “I’m not the only one.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Yeah, I caught you watching that YouTube video of me.”
“That was an advert, actually. I was forced to endure it so I could get to the video I was actually trying to see.”
“Which was?”
“Some stock exchange documentary.”
“Really?”
“Okay, I’ll admit it was a clip from a movie coming out later this year. About a young woman becoming a millionaire’s submissive. She’s quite talented. If you like that sort of thing.”
She thumped my arm again. “Someone’s showing up on the red carpet with me.”
“Winston,” I called over. “Hear that? You’re walking the red carpet.”
He trotted over to us, his eyes darting from one to the other.
“I’m serious,” she said. “I want you at the premiere.”
“Then I’ll be there.”
“Let’s make a normal life for us.”
“With you, Andrea, life will never be normal.” I threw her a grin.
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