Page 141 of Enthrall
I relaxed a little, reminding myself to trust and let go. Waves rolled in, bursting white foam onto the sand before pulling back again, lulling in the most perfect way. The sound was soothing, hypnotic.
Richard sighed. “So this is what heaven feels like.”
Resting my head against his shoulder, I savored the peacefulness. An unfathomable calm settled within.
“I want you to know I’m financially stable.” He broke the silence.
“Oh, Richard, I don’t--”
“No, please listen. This is important. Although my father was corrupt my mother wasn’t, obviously. She comes from a wealthy family. It’s probably what intimidated my father so much. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is I’m a trust fund baby. Do you know what that is?”
“I think so.”
“I inherited a large sum from my mother’s estate when I turned twenty.” He shook his head. “Funny thing is I didn’t collect it until a few years ago. I was too proud. Which ironically kept the money safe from my father. Of course I also earn a good salary from Enthrall.”
“So do I.”
I didn’t care about his money. I’d always taken care of myself and I loved the feeling of independence.
“Let’s skinny dip.” He rose and held out his hand to me.
He picked up the bowls and swept up the blanket.
I picked up the flask. “Where are you going?”
“We’re not going in the ocean, Mia.”
“The neighbors?”
“I don’t care what they think. It’s the sharks. They love this time of morning.” He tilted his head for me to follow.
“But Cameron’s out there!”
“I’m not the only one who lives life on the edge, apparently.”
“And Tara.” I stared out at the blueness as though I’d caught sight of a fin heading for Venice Beach.
Richard chuckled as he opened the gate. “Statistically it’s unlikely.”
I headed on through. “I think you just took all the fun out of skinny dipping.”
“Well then,” he said, “I’ll have to think of something that will inject some fun back into it.” He bit his lip and peered down at me with a glint of mischief.
HOW BEAUTIFUL RICHARD LOOKED in the morning sunlight. It burst through the blinds, bathing my bedroom in the softest yellow. I’d awoken to Alex Clare singing about falling leaves from somewhere far off in my condo.
Richard demurely moved around, searching for and quickly finding the clothes he’d lost in a hurry last night before making love to me throughout the night. That discarded necktie of his on the floor was a reminder of how he’d blindfolded me and then tortured me deliciously with pleasure. We’d hardly slept. Yet he looked as fresh and wide awake as always and I marveled at his ability to be like this without caffeine.
He beamed my way. “Enjoying the floorshow?”
“You’re a lovely sight to wake up to,” I said, stretching. “What’s the time?” I leaned up onto my elbows to better see the clock on the bedside table.
He hopped into a sock. “Six. Go back to sleep. I have to visit home for a few things.”
“Winston?”
“My housekeeper feeds him. I have a dog walker.”
I eased up against the headboard. “Shall I come with you?”
