Page 19 of Enthrall Climax

Yet all that joy had slipped away this morning after I’d been seconds from entering the gym to ask if Shay wanted to join us for breakfast, and had overheard his terse comment, “Bitch, you’re not wearing that fucking dress.”

The same one Cameron had laid down thirty-five thousand dollars for me to wear on the day we were meant to be exchanging our vows. The same one that made me feel worthy of him because I saw no part of the old Mia in the mirror at that high-end store. My reflection had been that of a socialite good enough for the man hailed as a business genius.

Shay might as well have wedged his épée into my heart.

After hearing those words from him, and then their laughter, I’d hurried away into the bedroom in a daze. I’d quickly put on my ruffled blouse, short blue skirt and blazer, slipping my feet into a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels and then fleeing the penthouse. I’d broken protocol because I was not meant to be out of the place unaccompanied, or at least not without letting Shay know I was leaving.

Stepping into the line of customers to order a drink, my gaze roamed over the menu as though I was actually reading it.

My world had crumbled.

Last night had been about Cameron laying the groundwork to get me out of here—out of his life, perhaps.

The scent of his cologne reached me and I inhaled it in a slow steady breath.

My gaze settled on theCorrupted Cole Coffee.Might as well order the Grande…

Cameron had corrupted me back in L.A. when he’d tied me up in Shibari rope and hung me from the ceiling in that dimly lit dungeon—before doing things to my body that still made me swoon.

I stared down at my pretty high-heels. The black marble tile was polished so well I could see my nervous expression reflected.

An employee in front of us offered to let Cameron jump the line. He declined.

“Ms. Lauren?” His voice had a dangerous edge to it.

I turned and stared up at him. “Yes, Mr. Cole?” My solar plexus tingled like we’d only just met.

“How’s the marketing department?” he asked, arching a brow.

“It’s marketing away,” I shot back.

He chuckled. “I’d like a preview.”

“Of?”

“The staff designs for the new Cole Tea brand. Bring them to my office at ten. That way I can peruse the collection and have full exposure.”

Jesus, even his voice sent me reeling, his deep tone making me frenzied.

The bubbly barista got my attention and asked, “What can I get for you?” When she realized she had interrupted Cameron, she visibly paled.

He stepped forward. “Two dark roast coffees, please.”

We were served our drinks and I pretended the boss ordering mine wasn’t a thing. He threw in a tip even though it was free. I walked over to the condiment station to add cream.

Cameron joined me and stood so close our arms touched. “What happened this morning?”

“I had to come in early.” I stirred my drink with a stick until it turned creamy.

His gaze roamed my face for the truth. “Nothing else?”

I twisted the lid to make it fit better. “I’m late.”

I hurried away, strolling into one of the four tower elevators as though a breakup with my one true love wasn’t imminent. Cameron joined me with several other employees who were also heading up. If he was fazed he didn’t show it. He merely removed the lid of his coffee and blew on it to cool it, all the while assessing me.

We reached the fifth floor and everyone trailed out leaving us to continue up alone. I watched them go like we’d spent months on a life raft together.

He came closer and loomed over me. “Don’t do it again. Understand?”