Richard's Reign (Book 6): Enthrall Novella #3 (Enthrall Sessions) Read online

  Great, a temperamental actress used to getting her own way. I mused this might actually be fun, like a cat playing with a mouse kind of fun.

  I glanced at my watch and then glared up at Sienna.

  She blushed wildly and knocked.

  We stepped into an office.

  I’d forgotten how breathtaking she was.

  Andrea stood beside the desk with her delicate fingers nervously trailing the edge. She was in her twenties but looked younger. She threw a self-conscious glance over at Sienna. This woman had the kind of beauty reserved for super-models or, as my addled brain caught up with my thoughts, A-list actresses.

  I was no stranger to women who topped the beauty charts, having been immersed in the elite world of Chrysalis, but this woman’s doe-eyed sweetness, her freckled nose and chiseled cheekbones emanated an unearthly innocence. I eyed her voluptuous frame, all curves in a blue mini-dress, long lean legs and - God, if she wasn’t barefoot - having kicked off those strappy heels which lay on the floor to her left.

  I wondered if her being barefoot was deliberate - perhaps attempting to make this meeting less formal.

  My bad boy demeanor was disarmed all over again. Like it had been that same evening we’d been briefly introduced at the Charity Wells Gala at Shutters in Santa Monica. I’d assumed Andrea had forgotten me seconds after my introduction. She’d been whisked away to meet the other guests and hadn’t looked back. My gaze, however, had stayed on her as she’d walked away. Not surprisingly she’d been the main focus of everyone during the evening.

  I imagined she saw everyone’s reaction to her like this…me needing a moment to remember how to breathe. She was gorgeous on screen, but close up Andrea held a dazzling beauty.

  “Thank you, Sienna,” she said, her voice sounding husky.

  Sienna’s gaze landed on me suspiciously.

  I shrugged, smiling.

  Andrea gave a nod to Sienna that she’d be fine and we watched her leave.

  “I apologize for the photographers, Mr. Booth.”

  “Ms. Buckingham, you might want to get yourself a longer driveway.”

  “I didn’t imagine it would ever be quite like this.” She lowered her chin. “Please, call me Andrea.”

  “Richard.”

  “This home has sentimental value now, so moving is…”

  “Great location.” I tucked my hands in my pockets. “You’re close to the comedy club. Ever go?”

  “Once.”

  “How was it?”

  “I went with girlfriends. It was fun.”

  I was making her nervous. Yet I was trying not to.

  I stepped back.

  “Thank you for being here,” she said.

  “Sure. Sienna mentioned you need my help?”

  “I’ve been informed you run a club in Palos Verdes?”

  “I see.”

  She rested her hand on her chest. “This is a little difficult.”

  I arched a brow, assuming she meant embarrassing.

  “Perhaps you’ll sign this first?” She lifted an envelope off the desk and offered it to me. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  I took it from her, peeled it open, and slid out the non-disclosure agreement.

  “My attorney reads all documents before I sign them.”

  “It’s to prevent you from selling me out to the press, Richard.”

  “Never going to happen. Who told you about me?”

  She shook her head to let me know she wouldn’t say.

  “Well,” I reasoned, “if they know me they’ll also be aware how private I am.”

  “Shall I give you a few minutes to read it?”

  I lowered the envelope to my side. “I’ll be in touch.”

  “You’re not staying?”

  “I’m assuming you want me to sign this first?”

  She blushed, looking uncomfortable.

  Sienna had mentioned Andrea was struggling with her current role. It didn’t take a genius to work out why she’d summoned me.

  “Submissive or dominatrix?” I asked.

  Now she looked horrified.

  “Your role?” I took a step forward.

  “This is a little awkward.”

  “May I take a wild guess?”

  “Sure.”

  “You don’t understand the character’s true motivation for their need for BDSM.”

  “And how would you know that?”

  “You invited me here.”

  “I’m playing this character…Rose. I need to experience her surrender.”

  “Maybe I could take a look at the script?”

  “If you could just sign—”

  I moved closer, towering over her now and wondering if she wished she’d kept her shoes on for height. “Are you searching out a dominant to talk with about your role?”

  “In a way, yes.”

  I frowned at her vagueness.

  “I’m working with Jack Mubarak.” She paused as though waiting to see my impressed reaction. “Only this morning he asked me to leave the set and not come back until I learned how to enter subspace.” Her lips quivered. “He’s demanding authenticity, only I’m not sure what he’s asking of me.” She stared at me with her soulful brown eyes.

  “I see.”

  “A friend suggested I talk with you.”

  “Someone in the community?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re not just looking to talk about it are you?” I said.

  “Well, if I find the right person who is willing to show me a few moves.”

  “A few moves?”

  “You know, how to be tied up and stuff and not panic.”

  “Are you dating anyone?”

  “Why?”

  “Just wondering if there might be a jealous boyfriend I need to be aware of?”

  “I’m taking a break from the dating scene.”

  “So you’re portraying a submissive?”

  “Yes.”

  I beamed at her.

  “I researched it online,” she said.

  “Bad idea.”

  “I know that now.”

  “It’s about getting in the right headspace.” I leaned in closer. “Truly surrendering.”

  She blushed again. “For the role, yes.”

  “Andrea,” I whispered. “Do you really want my help?”

  “Please, I’m not into pain.”

  “Most people aren’t.”

  “So, just so we’re on the same page.” She narrowed her gaze. “I’m not going to be giving up any control here.”

  I pulled back on a smile.

  “I’ll act as though I have relinquished control.”

  I paused. “Why did you take this part?”

  “I need to stretch myself as an actress. The critics have accused me of being one-tone.” She shook her head as though trying to shake off those reviews.

  “Your agent persuaded you to take the role?”

  “It’s Jack Mubarak,” she said. “I couldn’t pass on such an opportunity. He’s giving me until after the New Year to prove I’m really dedicated to the role. I need to pull this off. If I lose this…”

  “It’s not unusual for an actor to pull out of a role.”

  “Do you think you can help me or not?”

  “Sure you really want this part? How about a nice thriller?” I arched my brows playfully.

  “I need this,” she said softly.

  Standing in here alone with another woman shot a pang of guilt into my gut.

  Mia Lauren…her laughter, the way she stomped her feet when frustrated. The way she took care of Winston. Took care of me. She’d told me how much she needed me. Needed this.

  The same request that Andrea was asking: Blinding domination.

  And I’d refused Mia.

  My heart would always ache for the woman who was no longer mine and my thoughts returned to this morning when I’d all but delivered her into the arms of my best friend.

  I was in no state to take on a needy wom
an. Even if she was stunning and her servitude would no doubt morph into an easy obsession.

  Just the thought of her entourage made my skin crawl. Still, being this close to her elicited the low thrum of arousal. She was gorgeous and taking her hard and fast on that carved wooden desk would serve to soothe this heartache.

  Pulling back on my roguish thoughts, I grabbed hold of reason and ran through the scenario of what was best for Andrea.

  “Don’t make me beg, Richard.”

  “You mean now or during a session?”

  She grazed her teeth along her lower lip. “You seem easy to talk to.”

  “You’re having trouble surrendering on set?”

  “Entering subspace. I just can’t get there.”

  “Mubarak needs to see it in your eyes. The camera captures everything.”

  “Yes.”

  “You daydream?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s similar. Quiet your thoughts. It’s a form of meditation.”

  Her eyes filled with frustration.

  This wasn’t just about a role, there was something else going on with her and I felt my interest pique.

  “Being a submissive is about finding your center and letting go. Being in the now. Giving yourself over to your lover. Losing yourself and rediscovering yourself at the same time.”

  Her nipples hardened and nudged the cups of her dress. “I appreciate the insight.”

  Andrea was subconsciously reacting to my voice, a good sign she’d be trainable.

  I reached up and ran my thumb over her bottom lip and she raised her chin in response.

  “You know that moment right before you orgasm?” I whispered. “Seconds before you let go and come.”

  She blushed wildly. “That’s very personal.”

  “Andrea,” I soothed. “You asked me here.”

  Her eyelids blinked rapidly; that tell-tale blush rising on her neck.

  “So let me help you.”

  “You think you can?”

  “Most ardently.”

  “How?”

  “That moment when your body is coaxing you to relax and ride the wave of bliss.”

  She gave a nod as her shoulders relaxed.

  “That’s subspace.”

  She stared at me warily.

  “Go with it,” I said. “Surrender.”

  Her breathing now rapid, her tongue flitting out to moisten her dry lips.

  “That’s it,” I coaxed, “feel that curl of pleasure between your thighs.”

  Her eyelids lowered as she tranced out.

  “How does your clit feel?”

  Her breath stuttered.

  “Let that thrill move to your nipples.”

  Her lips formed an O, her eyelids heavy, revealing that she was luxuriating in this.

  “Is that nice?”

  She gave a subtle nod.

  I held my breath, allowing her to wallow in these sensations. Waiting, watching, and observing each and every clue to her thoughts. The way her pupils dilated…her closeness to orgasm…

  The way she moved into me, crushing her pelvis against mine.

  “This…” My hardness pressed against her stomach and she moved her hips, teasing, needful. “Is subspace.”

  “I like it.”

  I stepped back from her.

  She grabbed the back of the desk, blinking rapidly, narrowing her gaze as she rose out of her trance.

  I headed over to the door.

  “You’ve forgotten the contract, Mr. Sheppard, Booth, Richard,” she said breathlessly.

  That made me smile. “Don’t need it.”

  “But before we continue—”

  “Session’s over, Ms. Buckingham.”

  “Why?”

  “You entered subspace perfectly. You’re all good. Replicate that.”

  I opened the door and left.

  CHAPTER 4

  MORE GUESTS SWARMED into the foyer.

  Those few modern paintings hurt my eyes with their red and gold modernity of unnatural color mixes and I wondered if that was Andrea’s taste. New guests were arriving and I forced a polite smile as I weaved around them. A new challenge awaited me - leaving without having my photo taken again.

  “Mr. Booth,” said a husky, annoyed voice.

  I spun round—

  And peered down at Andrea Buckingham. “Oh, you again,” I said flatly.

  She folded her arms across her chest. “Mr. Booth, you might want to try a different way out. Avoid the cameras perhaps?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  She led me through the foyer to the left of the stairs and I got to witness firsthand Andrea’s enigmatic smile as she strolled past her guests, gesturing she’d be right back, their star-struck smiles trailing behind her and landing on me.

  Once through another doorway and up some twisting stairs, I knew we weren’t heading outside, and I was intrigued. Within a few seconds we were standing in a screening room. Lush red carpet beneath our feet, a low ceiling, leather cream chairs and a thirty foot screen on the wall at the front.

  A rush of blood went to my head as I suppressed a grin, wondering if she had an X-box set up in here.

  “You owe me an apology,” she blurted out.

  Having promised myself a home theatre, I took in some pointers.

  “You don’t do something like that to a woman and then walk out dramatically,” she snapped.

  “That’s how I always walk.”

  “Are you really this insensitive?”

  “Are you really this much of a princess?”

  Her slap stung my cheek.

  I blinked at her. “Well, glad we got that out of the way.”

  She looked horrified. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

  Clenching my jaw, I tried to decide just how much of a bastard I wanted to be.

  “You’re a flirt, Richard.”

  I shrugged. “You entered subspace. My work is done.”

  She folded her arms, lips pursed, eyes narrowed on me.

  “Andrea, perhaps some self-exploration would benefit you.” As she continued to glare at me, I added, “You’re having an issue letting go.”

  “I can let go.”

  “Do you believe you deserve pleasure?”

  “Yes, if I’ve earned it.”

  I took a moment to consider that. “Perhaps you could book a session with a friend of mine. This is his specialty. He has connections to Enthrall and—”

  “Dr. Cameron Cole?”

  I arched a curious brow.

  Andrea knew a lot more then she was letting on.

  “Richard, apparently you’re a little more…”

  “More?”

  “Less controversial.”

  How the hell did she know that about Cam?

  I also doubted he’d take her on right now. He was too far gone with his new sub and probably not in the right head space.

  It was time to shut this down. “How much time do we have?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “Then you’re back on set?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you feel comfortable with your co-star?”

  “Yes, he’s actually pretty hot.” She blushed. “Though he’s probably going to get a new leading lady if I can’t pull this off.”

  “What kind of experience are you looking for?”

  “Full emersion.”

  I pulled back on a grin. That would fucking kill her.

  She placed her hands on her hips and something told me I would enjoy punishing the petulance out of her.

  “Two weeks?” I said. “I can work with that.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “I’ll introduce you to BDSM.” I lowered my gaze. “Gently.”

  She pressed her hand against her chest. “I’ll be your submissive?”

  Her face flushed wildly and she looked adorable, her happiness lighting up the room as though she’d been nominated for an academy award instead of agreeing
to be lectured for a couple of weeks by my cock.

  “Andrea, you have no idea what this means, do you?”

  “Not too much pain though, right?”

  I was half believing my own lie this was going to happen. “We’ll focus on pleasure.”

  A wave of guilt washed over me that her happiness was going to be short-lived. I was about to rock her world and not in a good way. “Do you agree to obey every order?”

  As expected, her joy muted into uncertainty. She hadn’t thought this through, apparently.

  I ran with it. “Break one order and our agreement ends. Do you understand?”

  She nodded. “Thank you,” she said. “Let’s go and get a drink to celebrate.”

  “Andrea,” I said firmly. “First you must pass the initiation.”

  She leaned against the back of one of the leather seats.

  “Conduct yourself well during this first test and our agreement stands.”

  “Test?”

  “I’ll agree to sign your contract so you can relax and enjoy your first session.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are we going to make love?”

  “You mean fuck? No, you have to earn that right.”

  She played with a strand of dark hair, twisting it in her hand. “What do you have in mind?”

  “Go get your vibrator and bring it to me.”

  Her cheeks flushed wildly.

  And I readied myself for another slap. “Something wrong, sub?”

  “I only have a magic bullet.”

  The visual was enticing.

  She looked uncertain. “What are you going to do with it?”

  “Meet me back in your office.” I glanced at my watch. “You have five minutes. Remove your panties before you present yourself to me.”

  “Perhaps I can meet you at Enthrall on Monday?” She looked at the door. “My party’s started.”

  “Perhaps you’ve failed the initiation.”

  “Does it have to start like this?”

  “Trust is the foundation of a master and submissive relationship.”

  She swallowed hard and broke my gaze.

  I felt a dull ache of regret this was over, that I’d never know her.

  Andrea turned to face me and moved closer.

  I readied for that final slap—

  She fell to her knees before me and bowed her head.

  CHAPTER 5

  MY BASTARD DEMEANOR fell away.

  Minutes ago, Andrea had quickly risen and left the room to go and retrieve her toy in a flurry of excitement, her cheeks flushed with girly enthusiasm.