Page 32 of Cameron's Contract
“Overheard him when I was home from boarding school one evening. Someone had crossed him.”
“Was he ever like that with you?” He stared at me for the longest time. “Is that why you’re into pain?”
“Analyzing me?”
He broke my gaze. “Impressive house.”
“But not a home.”
“What was it like growing up here?”
“Cold.”
And cold.
I shook off this veil of melancholy and patted Shay on the back. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Cam, I’m going to head back to L.A. My replacement will be here soon.”
My gut twisted and I tried to read his expression for why.
“Let me explain,” he said. “My lack of focus put Mia in danger. You need someone who’s not…”
“Not?”
“Distracted.”
“Because we’re good friends?”
He broke my gaze and walked over to the fireplace, staring into the large mirror above it.
“Shay, talk to me.”
“I’ve crossed the line.”
I neared him. “Our lifestyle is who we are—”
“It’s complicated.”
“My specialty.”
“Do you remember that night in the Duoppioni Room? Back at Chrysalis? It was the evening you officially gave me Arianna.”
“I remember.”
“It was you, me, Arianna—”
“And Ryan Dolton.”
The dom who’d trained her.
Shay shook his head. “My first time taking on a sub and I was so damn excited. My heart was bursting out of my chest. I’d only been a member of Chrysalis for a month.”
“You did great.”
He turned away to hide that soft blush.
That late night scene had been meticulously crafted…
