Page 28 of Enthrall Climax

Shay glanced over at Mia and then looked at me. “Let me know if you need anything.” He wasn’t addressing me.

He knew subspace and he’d recognized it in Mia. He probably also saw she was struggling with staying present.

Shay headed out and threw her a reassuring glance. Mia’s frown deepened as she realized this was going to be a formal meeting.

I sat on the arm of the leather chair close by. “What have you got for me?”

She swallowed hard and opened the file in front of her, spreading out ten designs. She made eye contact with Sue, and gave a polite smile as she discussed the merits of each one.

This pretending we didn’t even know each other was asinine and my annoyance rose. I respected Mia’s desire to prove her independence and be successful in this company despite me, but what would happen when it came out we were engaged? What then? When Sue recalled these interactions between us they could be construed as deceitful. Worse still, Mia could be considered a spy I’d placed to watch over my other employees. This debacle was meant to end in two weeks, but I wasn’t sure I’d make it that long.

I massaged my brow to ease the tension. “Mia,” I said softly, silently pleading with her to end this façade. “Anything else you’d like to share?”

“I appreciate you taking the time to see me, Mr. Cole.” She held on to the lie.

I leaned over and reached for one of the designs. “Is that my father’s signature?”

The packaging was sophisticated—a deep blue oblong box withRaif Colecurled along the side and the swirling Cole Tea logo beneath. It was classy, clean, and a perfect addition to our brand.

“It should be your signature, sir,” Sue piped up.

I threw the design back with the others.

Mia’s pupils dilated and her breath stuttered. This was her design. Only Mia would have known this new tea had been personally crafted by my father in the midst of a hostile takeover—right before I’d altered the course of history. Only Mia would know that such a gesture wouldn’t bruise my ego.

I gave a nod. “There are a few that are an easyno.” I let my gaze drift back to her design. “Thank you for stopping by.”

“I’ve been asked to run the meeting,” Mia said, smiling. “I mean later.”

I gave her a look of indifference.

“Thank you, Ms. Lauren.” Sue pushed to her feet. “I’ll see you out.”

Mia’s gaze shot to mine. “Are there any designs that you particularly like?”

I turned my back on her and strolled over to the desk. “That will be all, Ms. Lauren.”

Mia followed Sue toward the door and glanced back. Whatever she’d expected from this meeting hadn’t happened. I watched her leave and began a mental estimate of how long it would take her to reach the elevator.

I dragged out my phone and swiped through the apps until I had the security camera up in the VIP subterranean parking lot. Shay climbed into a red Lamborghini. Mine. Nothing unusual there, but he usually preferred the Bentley.

My ruse had worked. Shay being tasked with directing Mia in a stunning erotic ritual, and then being summoned to my office in an aroused state had delivered the gift of a boner that kept on giving, triggering the kind of response that would bring answers.

I buzzed Sue at the desk. “Cancel the rest of my meetings.”

“All of them?”

“Do I need to repeat myself every single time?”

“No, sir, I can do that,” was her chirpy response.

“Have Ms. Lauren return.”

“When would be a good time?”

“Now.” I hung up and stared at the door.

ITREMBLED WITH NEED WHILEwaiting for the doors to the executive elevator to open, ready to descend into tears, barely able to sustain this nonchalance. He knew he’d sent me spiraling. He knew what basking in his presence would do to me.