Page 104 of Enthrall
The revelation that Richard might have instigated any part of what I’d stumbled upon here tonight stunned me into silence. I too stole glances his way, trying to believe this sweet young man would approve of any of it. His upper-class demeanor clashed with what Cameron had told me. He seemed so proper. They both did.
If Richard was impressed with the way I drove his car he didn’t say. He merely rested his feet on the dashboard, taking in the view along the Pacific Coast Highway.
I was relieved when I parked the Rubicon in Richard’s driveway, and from his wry smile I’d impressed him with my ability to get us back in one piece. He hopped out and trotted around to my side, opening the door wide and reaching for my waist, lifting me safely to the ground. He grabbed his jacket from the backseat and ambled toward the front door.
I had no way of getting home unless of course I borrowed one of his cars. Richard held the front door open for me, his furrowed brow revealing he too mulled over what to do with me.
Feeling a little lost, I followed him into the living room and onward into the kitchen. He knelt and patted Winston, and then topped up his water bowl.
State of the art appliances were all black including his oven, refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker, offset only slightly by the central granite counter. There was so much room in here it seemed wasted on one man. Still, by the way he moved around he was comfortable here. He opened the fridge and took out two bottles of water and handed me one.
He screwed off the cap and handed me his and switched them out. He had this sexy way about him, as well as thinking of the other person, and it made me wonder if he’d ever been married. He was so dreamy to be around and I was so excited to be back here, alone with him at last.
“You’ll sleep in my bed tonight,” he said, taking a swig and then raising the bottle. “I’ll take the couch.”
Trying to show I didn’t care about that decision, I took a sip of water.
Richard had this air of confidence that never let up, and I imagined him holding this very same look right before he took one of his daring leaps off a tall building, trusting in the parachute strapped to his back, or when he climbed a rock face without a safety harness.
“I drank too much. Didn’t seem that anyone noticed though.” His gaze swept over me. “You look stunning. FYI, running around Chrysalis like that is ill-advised. You’re likely to get caught up in all sorts of dangerous shenanigans.” He shook his head as though his imagination provided a glimpse.
I was again reminded all I had on was this corset, stockings, suspender belt and thong.
“You were the most beautiful woman there,” he said. “Do you have any idea how breathtaking you are?” He raised the bottle again. “I can blame the booze tomorrow and deny everything.”
I broke his gaze and bit my lip.
“Now that,” he raised the bottle my way, “just makes you look all the more beautiful.” He smiled to himself. “Vulnerable.”
I stared down at Winston, though he wasn’t doing much, merely sniffing around his bowl.
Richard loosened his necktie, raising his chin to ease it off. “Not quite sure what you said to Cameron tonight. I’ve never seen him addled.” He peered over at me. “What did you do to him?”
My face flushed as the memory returned of him holding me against the wall.
“You don’t have to tell me,” he said. “That’s private between you both.”
“Nothing,” I said. “He found me and brought me to you.”
“You’d aroused him, Mia.” He arched an eyebrow. “We notice these things.”
My face burned like fire.
“Or you can tell me?” he said.
“He talked to me.”
“Did,” he hesitated. “Did he kiss you?”
“No. He told me...”
“What?”
“I belong to you.”
“Do you want to belong to me?”
“Yes.” I focused on Winston.
