Page 70 of Enthrall
“Master Richard is quite loveable. It’s his reciprocation that’s uncertain.” She took my hand and squeezed it.
“I went to his house last night.”
“He has exquisite taste, doesn’t he?”
I shot her a look.
“We’re merely friends, Mia. We’ve known each other a long time.”
“Please don’t tell him.”
“Listen, my darling. If you’re looking for love here, you will find it, but not the romance kind. The stick with you through thick and thin, kind. The kind that accepts you for what you are and doesn’t judge you, kind.”
I hated being so transparent.
“You’ve thrilled my client.” She arched a perfect brow. “Keep this up and you’ll get a promotion.”
“I could never do what you do.”
“Come on.” She guided me to my feet.
We strolled down the hallway, my hand in hers, my heart racing with fear she was taking me back to parade me in front of the monsieur for his twisted pleasure. Instead, she led me into Richard’s office.
We stood before the three photographs framed on the wall.
“What do you see?” she said.
I stepped closer, my face inches from the photos this time. I moved on to the second, and finally the last, realizing they were all shots of Richard.
Lotte stood beside me. “To understand just how far Richard is beyond saving you merely have to look at those.”
“When were they taken?”
“Last year. That’s new.” She pointed to the one with the shark. “He changes them out every once in a while. He has more at home.”
“More?”
“There’s something beautiful about a broken man, don’t you think? Maybe it’s some unspoken promise he’ll become more than he is because of it.”
Studying her as she looked at the photographs, I tried to make sense of her words. I didn’t like the sound of them.
“What happened to him?” I said softly.
“More pain than most of us face in a lifetime.”
“What kind?”
“The private kind.”
“Please don’t tell Richard I asked what you do down there?”
“Of course. And we won’t let him know we were in here either,” she said. “You’re our Mia.”
My gaze found the photos again and I wondered how I’d missed it.
“I must get back to the monsieur,” said Lotte. “I’ll tell him you were overcome with pleasure. He’ll like that.” She winked at me and reached out, easing a lock of hair behind my shoulder. “Nothing good can come from falling in love with a man who’s incapable of loving you back.”
I’d totally embarrassed myself.
