Page 55 of Enthrall
“Not now.” Cameron’s hand rested on mine and he glanced at the driver to make his point.
“I’ll text him,” I said.
“At the restaurant.” Cameron returned his attention to the passing scenery.
I hoped Cameron wouldn’t catch me texting. He leaned over, took my phone off me, eased it back into my purse, and snapped the clasp shut. We drove the rest of the way in silence. I pondered on where we were going and what kind of food they served. Surely if we were going to be entertaining a VIP it would be a high-end restaurant.
My guess was right. The driver pulled curbside outside Chez Polidor.
“I’ll do all the talking,” said Cameron. “Enjoy your meal and sip your wine. Think about how you’re going to enjoy your bonus.”
“I’m doing this as a favor.”
“Remember who you’re talking to.”
“Still.”
“Still,” he said. “Do what I say and when. Understand?”
This is just dinner, right?I frowned, sensing a shift in his demeanor.
Gone was the playful, persuasive Cameron from my apartment and in his place was Mr. Domineering. He made me nervous. The driver opened my door and I slid out and quickly joined Cameron on the pavement.
His hand glided down my spine toward the lower arch of my back and rested there. “Mia, I understand your motivations better than you realize.”
“My step-mom?”
“Apparently you’re living in a studio so you can afford to keep her alive.”
Richard must have shared my personal story. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Cameron perused the restaurant front glass window. “You’re a very special young lady.” He nudged me back into the doorway, right beneath the awning of the interior design store next door. “When you’re ready to talk about your personal life I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Cameron.”
After all that had happened between us, there came a sense I could trust him. It felt nice to have the softer, kinder Cameron back.
He made a gesture with his thumb and index finger. “Will you do me one small favor?”
I narrowed my gaze.
“Turn around,” he said.
I twisted my mouth, not sure about this.
Clutching my shoulders, he eased me around so that my back faced him. “Hold still.” His fingers caressed my scalp, tickling as they went. He parted my hair down the middle, forming two ponytails. I felt him securing each one with a hair band. He’d had them in his pocket this entire time.
I spun around, my cheeks flushed. “Is your client a pervert?”
He cringed. “Maybe a tad.”
I went to pull them out.
He grabbed my hand and stopped me. “Mia, there’s something you need to know.” He yanked me from under the awning and pulled me toward the restaurant door.
“What?” I tried to escape his grip.
“They have the finest veal scallopini and linguini with clam sauce here.” He laughed and opened the door.
