Page 35 of Enthrall
Richard eased off his coffee lid and took a sip. “Not bad.”
“Want some?” I offered my ice-cream.
He shook his head and leaned back, resting his arms on either side of his seat.
Despite wanting mint, vanilla tasted good. This mom and pop store, though small, had a homemade coziness to it. They still had their Halloween decorations up.
“What does the word Chrysalis mean to you?” said Richard.
“As in butterfly?” I licked away.
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s like when a caterpillar is ready to become a butterfly it breaks out of its chrysalis.”
“And that is why our founder named our house in California, Chrysalis.” He picked up his cup. “It’s important to point out everything we do is with consenting adults.”
“So it’s like Enthrall, only people are doing it all the time. They live there?”
“They immerse themselves as either dominants or submissives, yes.”
“Why?”
“It’s complex.”
“Do they hate themselves?”
“No.” He looked serious. “By the time they come out they’re...refreshed. Revitalized. Renewed.” He held my gaze. “Reborn.”
“Huh.” I took a moment to consider his words, wondering if I’d ever understand them, or even understand anyone wanting that.
A flicker of a reaction from Richard showed he’d caught the gist of my thoughts.
“Is Constance going to be a submissive?” I said.
Richard pulled more napkins out of the silver holder and handed them to me. “Yes.”
I wiped the trail of cream trickling down my hand toward my wrist.
He pointed to his chin, mirroring mine. “Here.”
I wiped it off and got a nod of approval.
“And Terrance?” I said.
“Sub too.”
“I don’t think Constance is ready.”
He placed his lid back on.
I dabbed my mouth. “She’s doing it to placate her husband.”
“A psychiatrist with a laser-sharp perception has profiled them both. They’re ready.”
It was too much of a coincidence for Cameron not to be that man. “Maybe the psychiatrist’s wrong.”
Richard looked surprised and blinked several times at me.
