Cameron's Control (17 page)

Mia tread water before me. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

“How?”

“Maybe it was the croissants?”  

I laughed. “Mia, you could have arranged a garden party and invited the Queen, and my mom would have found fault with it.”

“What was it like growing up with that kind of scrutiny?”

“A perfect childhood,” I said wryly. “Think Beatrix Potter on acid and you have a glimpse into the Cole nursery.”

“You had a nanny?”

I bit my lip.

“Was she cruel to you?” she said softly.

“No, Bethany was a godsend. That was the problem. When my Mom realized how Henry and I had bonded with our nanny, Mom fired her.”

“What happened?”

“We learned not to like our nanny’s too much.” He arched a brow. “Or at least not to show we did.”

Her brow furrowed and I knew she was trying to connect that experience with how I was now.

“I wish I could have been there to save you,” she said.

My heart flinched and I swallowed this wave of emotion as I reached out to her. “Boarding school saw to it no weakness was left in us.”

Mia swam the short space and pressed her cheek against my chest. “Cameron.”

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into me, closing my eyes and slipping into the sacredness of her. “Had I not tasted the bitterness of hell then how else could I truly appreciate what it is to spend time with you?”

She let out a deep sigh. “Not sure I can make up for all that.”

“Trust me, you do.”

I dipped my head and kissed her shoulder.

“I’m going to heal you,” she whispered.

“You did, the moment you became mine.” I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her firmly, passionately, tangling with her tongue for dominance and she let me in, let me lead her in our kiss.

Mia broke away and I held back on a moan of wanting her to remain in my arms.

She disappeared beneath the water, her mouth enveloping my cock, causing my body to jolt. A rush of excitement blazed through me. With her cheeks sucked in, she increased the pressure, sending a jolt of pleasure that stole my breath and had me gripping the edge, white knuckled.

Staring down at the blur of golden locks and bobbing head, the sensation taking me dangerously close, my concern for her was overshadowed by my dick’s exultation of its nearing bliss. She used one hand to cup and massage my balls, while the other worked ingeniously with her mouth, up and down along the ridges of my erection.

A groan tore from me.

Her tongue now fully engaged in this symphony of talent. She wasn’t the only one holding her breath. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t talk, couldn’t let go, my fingernails dug into stone, biceps twitching. This sensation of floating increased my arousal to fever pitch.

She was going to drown on my cock.

“Mia,” I cried out.

Despite this primal defiance wanting her to see it through, I grabbed her arms and pulled her up and out of the water, both of us splashing, reaching out for balance.

Mia sucked in air, panting. A flash of mischief in her eyes was followed by laughter.

Her amusement was short lived. My need snatched all logic. Too engulfed in passion, I dragged her toward me and spun her round so her back lay against my front. I positioned my cock and thrust deep inside her, burying so far she cried out until I soothed her by playing with her sex in one hand and tweaking her nipples with the other. Her head lolled, her thighs shook, and her gasps revealed she’d surrendered completely.

“Mine,” I whispered huskily.

“Yes.”

Running my fingertip over her, flicking her clit just how she liked it, slow and firm, I mastered that small nub until it throbbed beneath my touch.

I remained still, waiting for her muscles to relax around my shaft. Her tautness gripped me, milking in time with the rhythm of my fingers.

The irony was not lost that my fear of my parents returning to see Mia sans clothes was now replaced by ‘danger be damned.’

I was too far gone to care.

We ended up making love in the Jacuzzi.

And the shower.

And then back in the bed.

I’d soon be booking myself into sex rehab if this obsession continued. Our healthy sex life was morphing into a Shakespearean comedy. As though her sex exuded an elixir to life, and I needed it to survive. My carnal appetite was reaching new heights and I’d already earned myself the title of Lord of Chrysalis.

Just in case Mia needed time to decompress too, I gave her space to get dressed,
again
, for the day.

I headed down to the foyer and waited for her, taking the opportunity to call Shay back.

“Hey boss, what’s up?” he said cheerily.

“Saw you have an update?”

“It’s not good. We managed to get the number plate on the Kia—”

“The issue?”

“Came up stolen.”

“And the face recognition match?”

“Baseball cap and glasses hid his face.”

I caressed my brow. “So that’s it?”

“Well, we’re watching Mia, so if this guy reappears, we’ll have him.”

“Thanks, Shay. I appreciate the work you did on this.”

“Anytime. Any plans for today?”

“My parents just visited. Now I’m off for some R & R with Mia.”

“Will you please let us follow?’  

“No, we’ll be fine.” I watched Mia heading down the staircase. She’d found the white summer dress and sunhat I’d laid out for her. She twirled on the stairs to show off her wide brimmed hat.

 “Shay, take the day off,” I said. “That’s an order.”

“Sure,” he said. “You too.”

“I intend to.” I shoved my phone in my pocket. “Come here.” I reached out for Mia’s hand and pulled her into the alcove of the front door.

Reaching for the tube of sunblock resting on the hall table, I squirted some into my palm.

“Ms. Lauren,” I said.

Mia assumed her pose: head down, eyes averted, and her hands held behind her back.

Taking my time, I applied cream to her face and she closed her eyes. That cute smile of happiness warmed my heart. I massaged the cream over her shoulders and upper back, and not wanting to stop there I eased off the straps of her dress and caressed sunblock over her breasts, rubbing it in and paying special attention to her nipples.

She swooned, jaw slackening, her body trembling.

I flicked up her straps. “Good girl. Now you’re ready.”

“Getting sunburned in winter,” she said. “Only in Cali!”

“Couldn’t live anywhere else.”

“Maybe your dad knows that. Maybe that’s why he’s putting that building here.”

“Let’s not talk about it.”

She wrapped her fingers around my hand and followed me out.

After assisting her inside the BMW, I climbed in and drove us out of the driveway and headed east.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“Well, I thought I’d take my mermaid to her natural habitat.”

She stared out the window. “Will Shay be there?”

I glanced over. “We’re not going to Chrysalis.”

“Where then?”

“You thought I was taking you to the water room?” I said, amused. “For further training?”

She gave an uncertain nod.

I smirked. “Maybe I will now.”

“If it pleases you, sir.”

“I just applied sunblock to your…well, my favorite assets.”

“As if I missed that.”

“Careful.”

She perked up. “Where are we going then?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Are we spending time alone?”

“Kind of.”

“Now I am intrigued.”

We drove the rest of the way with me holding her hand resting in her lap, listening to music, and enjoying the sunny drive to our destination.

Mia soothed my soul, and even though the day had started off shaky with my parent’s unexpected visit, I was fast forgetting all that and savoring these moments. Mia would be the first woman I’d ever brought here. A sanctuary of sorts—a private escape that I only ever shared with Richard or Shay. A place where we could leave the world behind.  

I turned off Admiralty Way onto Bali Way and parked in my reserved space. Hand in hand, Mia and I made our way up the boardwalk.

“Are we going on a boat?” she asked breathlessly.

“We are.”

Her eyes widened as she took in the line upon line of yachts in every shape and size tethered to the dock. A vast collection of seafaring vessels, some designed for racing and others merely for the pleasure of cruising.

“Which one’s yours?” she said.

“This one.” I pointed to the small rowboat, its paint peeling, the blue tarp half in the water, an oar missing.  

“It needs a lick of paint,” she said.

“Wait a minute.” I pulled her along the dock. “That’s not my boat. Clearly it’s been a while.”

Mia laughed and hurried along beside me. Her face lit up when she saw the sleek yacht at the end. “Oh, look at that one.”

“You like it?”

“It’s amazing.”

“Let’s take this one then.” I pulled her up the plank.

“Cameron!” She squeezed hand. “Is this yours?”

“Apparently.”

It felt wonderful to be back on her. La Ricochet was my 57m Remington 5777 RIO luxury yacht and easily one of my more extravagant purchases from the last few years. Ricochet outshone the boats around her. I’d not been out on her in months.

Built with carbon glass and featuring the boldest lines, weighing 33OT, she was capable of a cruising speed of 29kts in the most challenging of ocean conditions. The supermodel of boats.

Keith Escobar appeared from the bow. “Hey there, Dr. Cole.”

“Keith.” I shook his hand firmly. “Good to see you. Thank you for being here.”

“My pleasure. She’s running well. That tweak to the engine worked wonders.”

“Great to hear,” I said. “May I introduce my girlfriend, Mia.”  

She took his hand and it was no surprise to see my sixty something weathered skipper completely taken with her.

With the introductions over, Keith headed back to the helm and Mia and I settled at the stern and huddled close as the boat eased away from the dock and we made a smooth transit out of the bay.

Marina Del Rey’s harbor faded from view and the waterway opened up with houses and large stretches of land and condos lining the shore. With the climate warm and the breeze inviting, this really did feel like the perfect day.

We leaned on the balustrade and enjoyed the view, neither of us speaking, merely savoring our togetherness. This was one of the many traits I loved about Mia. She didn’t fill the silence, drawing contentment with merely spending time with me and experiencing these new adventures.

“Warm enough?” I asked.

She brushed strands of hair out of her face. “Yes, you?”

I nodded and pulled her into a hug. “Once we get to Catalina Island, you can swim if you like.”

“I need a swimsuit,” she said, and on my smile added, “You really do think of everything, don’t you?”

“Nothing gives me more pleasure, Mia, than seeing you happy.”  

“This is all so perfect.”

I leaned against the railing and faced her. “You’re the first woman I’ve brought on here.”  

“Cameron, you once told me…”

I lowered my gaze and read the sadness in her eyes. “Say it.”

“You once told me that you only want what you can’t have. Well you have me now?” She pressed her cheek over my heart.

“Listen, those words were spoken before I ever contemplated you’d become mine. Admit you are. That I own you. That’ll you’ll obey me in the bedroom. Surrender completely to all I do to you. That you understand your body is mine to fuck at will.”

Her fingers scrunched my shirt. “Yes.”

“Mia, there’s something I have to tell you. I’ve wanted to since the first moment I met you, but I believed…well you know how it all went down. It became a mess because of me.”

“Cameron.”

“No, please, you must let me say this.”

She gave a nod she would.

“You’ve been through so much because of the misjudged calls I’ve made. I’ve put you in danger, what with Lance and his desire for you and that debacle at Oberon Grove. Not to mention what I’ve put Richard through. I promise I’ll always protect you. Be there for you. I marvel you’re really mine. That you forgive my arrogance and respect my need to dominate.”

She took my hand and kissed my palm.

“Mia, I fell for you that first day I saw you at Enthrall. But it was too late. Or so I thought. The plan was set. The game plan was underway and Richard needed you. I came to realize I need you too. But at that time, the best thing for everyone was to let you go. I came to understand the blinding truth.” I stared off, hoping my words made sense. “When I’m not around you, the world feels wrong.” I squeezed her hand. “Tell me I’m not scaring you.”