Page 26 of Enthrall Climax

I could tell his adrenaline had spiked and, from a cursory glance at his pants, he was still in a state of appreciation. This was good—this was something I could work with. Shay had stepped on the landmine I’d set for him.

“You followed my orders?” I pushed myself up and rounded the desk. The inches of height I had over him gave me an unspoken advantage.

“To the letter.”

I waved that off. “All that’s behind us now, Shay. So savor these moments when I deem you deserve them.”

He exhaled a steady breath as he fought with his inner demons. The same ones I’d just beckoned with an incantation that would make the Mayan sex gods proud.

“I’m not sure how Mia handled it,” he finally said.

“Leave that to me.”

“She looked shocked.”

“Good.”

“Might want to take this conversation to the roof.” He used his thumb to point toward Sue’s desk.

“Here is fine.”

“I know what you’re doing, Cam.”

“Really?”

He spun one of the chairs around and sat in it. “You’re trying to use your psychological shit on me. You know I hate it when you do this.”

“I’m so transparent.” I waved my hands in defeat.

“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“I’m listening.”

“Arianna and I are no longer together.”

I knew this as my contacts at Chrysalis had informed me of their flailing relationship. I’d been waiting for Shay to tell me. “I’m sorry to hear that.” I sat in the chair opposite his. “What happened?”

“She loves the west coast and refuses to relocate.”

“If you feel like your place is with her in Los Angeles, you have my full support, Shay.”

“My place is here with you.”

“You’d still work for me.”

He blew out a sigh. “My thing with Arianna was never going anywhere. She’s rebellious. I’m more pedantic. Methodical.”

“She’s out of your system?”

He held my gaze. “Thank you for being so cold.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Obviously I still need time to process it.” He shrugged. “You picked up on this. I should know I can’t keep anything from you.”

“Very true. You can talk to me, Shay. Anytime. You know that.”

They’d been good together, but long-distance relationships were hard and Arianna had the kind of needs only a full-time master could provide. She’d been a steep learning curve for Shay but he’d excelled as her Dom and he had been great for her. She’d not touched cocaine since she met him, and he had been elevated to one of the most talented masters because he’d learned so much from her. I’d suspected they’d be temporary, but I was still moved by Shay’s melancholy.