Page 76 of Enthrall
His stare narrowed. “That look on her face is the expression you’ll see on all our clients when they leave. That’s exhilaration.” He arched an eyebrow. “Different kind of intoxication.”
All he had to do to seduce me was stand there. I fought off this dreamy trance, this hypnotic enthrallment that was Richard Booth; dominant, master, enigma.
My gaze drifted over to the photographs. “What happened to you?”
“How do you mean?”
“Why do you do this? You told me you were once a stockbroker.”
“Yes.”
“But not one now.”
“Evidently.” He broke the tension with a smile.
“Why this kind of work?”
“I like it.”
“Why?”
“Did you change your occupation?” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not sure if you’ve switched to interrogator or attempted psychiatrist.”
“Is Cameron your psychiatrist?”
Richard’s gaze fell upon the photo of him rock climbing. “Want to see how he does it?”
My mind raced with what he meant.
Richard strolled toward the wall and gestured to it. “We often allude the truth because of the pain it causes us.” He pushed against the wall and the door popped open.
“I should be getting back.”
He nudged the door wider. “Down you go.”
“Not after last time.” My cheeks blushed.
“Have you not learned you can trust me?”
“You knew I’d say something, didn’t you? About Courtney?”
He took my hand and guided me over the threshold. Together we descended wooden steps. The walls, painted a soft beige, gave off a comforting hue from lights set in the floor.
Perhaps Cameron now had another client and was whipping the poor man or woman within an inch of their life. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see this. I should have kept my mouth shut. Instead, we found him crossed legged, meditating in an empty room. Richard guided me in and stepped back, putting some distance between us, leaning casually against the wall. Cameron stretched out of the lotus position and elegantly rose.
“Dr. Cole,” said Richard. “We were discussing your expertise. Mia would like a demonstration.”
The air in here was too thick to breathe. Counting how many steps it would take to reach the door, I faced that direction. Richard closed the door.
Cameron had shown his true strength last night during dinner, when he’d gripped my leg and squeezed all the blood out of it. I dared to think what he might try here.
I headed for the door.
Richard cut me off. “That’s a normal response.”
I peered up at him. “Please, let me out.”
“Mia,” said Cameron, his voice low, soothing. Luring.
