Page 130 of Enthrall
I cursed myself for bringing it up and questioned my ability to be any use to him, or anyone. I couldn’t understand why he wanted to be with someone like me. A naive girl with little to offer. Tears stung my eyes.
He reached for my arms and pulled me into him. “See, now that’s out of the way.”
“You’re not angry?”
“Heavens no. It’s not exactly something you share on the second date.” He shrugged. “Do you have any secrets you want to share?”
“No,” I said, unable to think of any.
He let me go and poured coffee into the mugs. “Please cancel my 11:00 A.M.” He handed the diary back.
My head jolted up and I stared into those blue eyes of his that only held mine for a second. The contents of my Frederick’s bag was now redundant.
He added milk to my coffee and gave me one of the mugs. “Let’s have lunch together.”
“I’d like that.”
He took his drink and headed out.
I clutched the diary to my chest, wondering why I’d not challenged him. Yes, he liked to be the one to lead in a relationship but I had an opinion too. I had desires to explore, and right now I felt him pushing me away again. I cursed myself for sabotaging today with my snooping.
Opening the appointment book, I ran my fingertip over where he’d put a line through my name under his 11:00 A.M. and lowered my gaze.
Richard had written my name against his 6:00 P.M. designation. Only this one he’d written in pen.
RICHARD’S GAZE HELD MINE with a fierce intensity.
Unable to wait any longer, I had headed on into his office for my 6:00 P.M. with him. I stood before his desk wearing my Frederick’s corset, lace-top stockings, and thong, as well as these six-inch black heels that finished off my sexy-siren look. My hair cascaded over bare shoulders, tussled curls falling softly over the curve of my breasts. In the spa I’d taken my time doing my make-up, using black eyeliner to bold my eyes and applying eye shadow, going for a smoky effect. Mascara lengthened my lashes and plump bright red lips distanced me from the old Mia.
Richard pushed himself to his feet and made his way around to my side.
“I’m early,” I said nervously.
“That’s unacceptable.” He looked indignant. “I made an appointment for you tonight as there’s something I’d like to discuss.”
Feeling awkward and disappointed he’d not mentioned my outfit, I crumbled inside.
Richard reached for a check on his desk and held it up. “Well?”
I read the signature. “I don’t know why Monsieur Trourville would want to give me...”
“A thousand dollars? The memo has your name on it,” he said sternly. “Something you’d like to share with me, Mia?”
“There was that time...”
Richard narrowed his gaze.
I raised my hand. “No, listen--”
“You can be assured I’m listening.”
“Monsieur Trourville saw me distressed and mistook it for me wearing those thingys.”
“Venus balls? Were you?”
My face flushed brightly. “No.”
A ghost of a smile swept over his face. “Why were you distressed?”
