Page 152 of Enthrall Climax

“Richard and I want to put him through Uni. I think Berkeley would be a good fit for his nature.”

Richard sat back down. “I agree.”

“It’s on us.” I smiled to reassure her.

Pilar blinked. “You make it sound like you’re paying for lunch, Dr. Cole. This is too much. You’ve done too much.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” I joined Richard on the couch. “Tell him to get good grades so he makes our job easier.”

Her face lit up with joy. “Do you want a cookie?”

“No!” we answered in unison, laughing.

Pilar left us to catch up. It was fantastic seeing Richard happy and managing this place with confidence. We sipped our tea and recalled our happiest memories. This man was the reason my family’s company had survived a potential hostile takeover and I owed him. His wizardry on the stock market had saved an empire.

“Love agrees with you,” I said fondly.

“Wish I could say the same. You look like shit. Are you sleeping?”

“Remind me…what is sleep, again?”

“You and I need a chat.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Come on.” He pushed himself up. “I want to show you our new dining room. I think you’ll approve.”

We headed out and the scent of vanilla wafted around us. Passing the Harrington Suite, I marveled that this room no longer filled me with dread. The last time I’d been in there I’d taken Mia passionately, and those new emotions of euphoria had replaced the old ones.

“How’s Shay?” asked Richard.

“Good.” I let out a long sigh. “I’m thinking of introducing him to De Sade.”

“Seriously? You think he’s ready for him?”

“I do.”

“He’s five years older than him and he hasn’t changed since Harvard.”

“Shay’s ready.”

“De Sade is here, actually. You can talk to him if you like?” Richard opened the door to the dining room.

I followed him in. “I’d like to see him in action.”

“We can do that.” He watched my reaction. “What do you think?”

The décor was pure French. I admired the sophisticated paintings scattered on the walls, and as I looked around at the leather seating and white table cloths, I recognized the influence of my senior dominatrix. Her touch was everywhere.

“I thought Scarlet was leaving?” I turned to Richard.

“This was her going away present to us.”

I closed my eyes. “She doesn’t want to be forgotten, either.”

Richard slapped my back. “You will always be part of this place.”

“I like it.” Even though it didn’t really match my taste, the thought of Scarlet leaving behind a piece of herself felt right.