"You went for a run?"

"I did, and as a merciful master I didn't make you go with me."

"That would have been fun to watch," she said. aMe trying to keep up with you." She looked down at the tray. "My suspicions have been clarified. I did die and go to heaven last night."

"I did warn you." I poured piping hot coffee into the two mugs. "When you're in the vault, there will be certain expectations to adhere to. My rules. When out of there, I'll have the privilege of spoiling you."

She took the coffee and wrapped her hands around it.

"Careful," I said, pulling off my shirt. "It's hot."

She arched a brow as her stare roamed over my body.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Good, you?"

"Great."

"All I can think about is going back into your vault. Never thought those words would ever come out my mouth."

She blinked at me and it made me smile.

I sat beside her and buttered a slice of toast and then handed it to her.

"Thank you."

"I'm going to spend some time with Henry this morning."

Mia paused mid-bite and then relented with a nod.

"I'd love for you to come with me. If you like?"

"I would love that," she said brightly. "Sure you don't want some brother time?"

"Henry's looking forward to seeing you."

"Are we going to Venice Beach?"

"Yes. I told Henry the place is his. He's been secluded for so long. Venice is a real contrast."

"Perhaps he could come and live here?"

"He knows that." I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She shifted her gaze to the wall where Thomas Rafael's portrait hung-a lighthouse in the middle of an East Coast storm. I'd found comfort in it.

She looked back at me. "I need to talk to you about McKenzie."

"If we must."

"McKenzie was curious about how you knew Andrea. I didn't tell her we gate-crashed. She wanted to know what you've been up to. I really did try to avoid her questions." Mia traced the edges of her collar. "She saw us arrive so she assumed I was your sub."

"Why hide in that closet?"

"Needed time to think."

"About?"

"Stuff."

"What did she say?"

"Apparently I'm not your usual type."

"My tastes have evolved. She wouldn't know that."

Mia took a bite of toast and chewed thoughtfully.

"Go on," I said.

"McKenzie told me I haven't begun to see your dark side, Cameron." Mia's eyes lowered. "She told me you're the most hedonistic man she's ever met."

"I own Chrysalis. That tells you everything."

"She told me..."

"Yes?"

"I'm your living fantasy."

"Well she got something right."

Mia's hand nervously massaged the comforter. "Do you have a cage?"

"Yes."

"Here?"

"Yes."

"Behind that red door? Are you going to lock me up in it?"

"The problem with Zie is her jealousy."

"You are, aren't you?" Her breath stilted. "You're going to lock me away and..."

"Cage work is part of our world, Mia."

She pushed the tray away.

"As my submissive, you must trust me to provide what is right for you. To know exactly what you need and provide it."

"I don't need that, Cameron."

I raised my glare to hers. "Clearly you do."

CHAPTER 8.

THERE CAME A sinister joy in seeing Mia vulnerable, silenced.

She grabbed her pillow and pounded my head with it. "You're fucked up," she screeched playfully. "It's not right."

"What is it with you and pillows?" I reached for one myself and tapped her head with it. "And mind your language."

"I'm freaking out."

"And how beautiful you look."

"You're incorrigible."

"Careful."

She looked at me coyly.

"Better." I pulled her toward me, pressing my lips against hers and kissing her deeply, tasting coffee and juice as I swirled my tongue around hers, tasting Mia. I cupped her face in my hands. "Still trust me?"

"Always."

I hated Zie for interfering and hate was a rare emotion for me. My next call would be to warn her to stay away from Mia. To stay away from us both.

"So you enjoyed what happened in the vault?" I said.

"Yes," she burst out with excitement and nuzzled into me, her arms wrapped around my neck.

"Every piece in there is created for your enjoyment, Mia."

"I'm excited." She took my hands in hers. "Only..."

"What?"

"I'm not sure about exhibitionism?"

Mia had every right to ask that. I'd taken her on a brief tour of Chrysalis and showed her the way of the house. At a hedonistic party there, Mia witnessed two of our members in the throes of a public display of passion. Shay had accompanied us that evening and he too had joined the sexual fray and heated up the scene in spectacular fashion. At the time, Mia had accepted what she'd seen, though I'd had my hand down her panties to enhance her thrill and bring her into the sensual display.

What had followed that night was the most mind-blowing vanilla sex I'd ever had, proving Mia was an exceptional conquest. The rarest find. The way she submitted was the purest elixir, and when she pushed back in that feisty way all my cock knew was her.

She looked up at me, still waiting for my answer. "Cameron?"

"You're young now," I reassured her. "Perhaps later you'll crave variety? Want to experiment?"

She gave a wary nod.

"To be honest, Mia, this is new territory for me too. I'm not sure I want anyone looking at you."

"Have I tamed the great Cameron Cole?"

She earned herself a spanking.

It was a good thing the house was empty other than us. Her screams mixed with laughter would have brought the staff running. With her lying across my lap, her nightdress hitched waist high, my hand came down hard on her butt. She writhed and squirmed through her punishment.

"Obey," I demanded.

She stilled and settled into subspace.

Her reward was my lowered hand delivering softened strikes upon her pussy. The spanks sent her the rest of the way and she shuddered as she came.

"Thank you, master," she managed breathlessly.

"You are so very welcome." I delivered one final hard spank to her butt. "Don't joke about taming me, Mia. Understand?"

She gave a cautious nod.

I pounced on her and we tussled upon the bed sheets.

And it made me laugh.

We settled eventually, with Mia resting her head on my chest and me enjoying the quiet. Mia had this way of losing herself in her own thoughts with no need to fill the silence.

"Mia," I said softly. "I understand this is a delicate issue. I feel we should talk about it."

She raised her head to look at me.

"Your father," I said.

She knitted her brow together. "What about him?"

"Should you ever want me to arrange a reunion-"

"No. And please don't tell me the only way I'll ever become a truly self-actualized person if I resolve that part of my life."

"Perhaps we should explore your feelings?"