He went through to his bathroom. James grabbed a fresh towel and filled the sink with warm water. His reflection in the mirror above the sink caught his attention.
Staring at his reflection, he saw his feelings clear on his face. His whole world was filled with Prudence. He needed to stop doing this. Twice he’d made love to her, and twice he’d needed to clean her.
Shaking his head, He wrung out the towel and moved to her.
She lay on the bed waiting for him. “I can wash myself,” she said.
“I like taking care of you.”
Pressing the towel between her thighs, he took her hand in his.
“Everything is going to be okay,” he said.
She nodded her head, looking past his shoulder.
Once he’d cleaned her, he tucked her into the bed. She’d fallen asleep as he’d been taking care of her. She looked younger in her sleep.
“I love you, Prudence. Nothing is going to happen to you. I meant what I said. You’re mine.” He spoke to her hoping some of his words would sink in even as she slept.
James walked back to his bathroom and took a quick shower. When he was done, he left his bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He made his way down to his office. It had been over a year since he’d been here before. His laptop was in the safe where he’d placed it the day after the press had gone knocking at his door. The books were well dusted. The staff he’d employed had done a fantastic job of taking care of his house.
He left the office to walk to the kitchen. In the fridge were a couple of cartoons of fresh orange juice but no food.
Tomorrow he and Prudence would take a trip to the supermarket. He liked the thought of going shopping with her. Shaking his head at his thoughts, he grabbed a carton and walked back to his office. He typed in the twelve digit number into the safe. It was the same number as his access code into Possession.
He saw behind his desk, firing up the laptop.
When his laptop was loaded up, he picked up his phone and dialled Possession’s number.
Stephen answered sounding harassed.
“Hello,” Stephen said.
“It’s me.”
“James, what’s the matter?” his friend asked.
“Are you all there?”
“Yes, and Dane is here as well.”
James hesitated. He didn’t like Dane one bit. His gut was telling him the guy was bad news.
“Could you put the speakerphone on?”
He waited as the phone went back into his cradle and the sound of his friends came over the line.
“Hello, James. What are you doing?” Cadeon asked.
Tate and Kevin acknowledged him. Dane remained silent even as Lucas and Sean said hello. He was pleased. With the way he was feeling he’d call the guys in charge of Dane’s release.
“I found the one,” James said.
Silence met his words. He waited for them to respond to him.
“Who is she?” Stephen asked.
“Prudence Star,” Tate said, before James got chance to answer. “He asked for a full background check on her. A hottie as well from the pictures I’ve seen.”
James growled over the line. “She’s my woman, Tate. Don’t start.”
“And he’d already showing the possessive side. I like this,” Cadeon said. “He can finally know what it’s like to be cursed like this.”
“How is Violet?” James asked.
“Pregnant and scared.”
James thought about what he’d done. Prudence and pregnancy did not scare him. He was excited about the thought of being a father.
“I want you to meet her, and I want her to meet Violet and Ursula.”
“Ursula would love someone else to talk to. Violet is a little shy for her tastes,” Stephen said with a laugh to his voice.
He smiled thinking about Ursula and Prudence together. “I’ll bring her over in a couple of days. I want to make her comfortable soon.”
“Which is code for, I’m keeping her to myself for as long as possible,” Cadeon said.
James didn’t argue. It was going to be tough taking her into Ravage. At least he’d have her in the office with him at all times.
James knew he’d go insane thinking of all the men touching her at the bar. No, she wasn’t working in his bar anymore.
He’d find something for her to do.
“Can I have a word in private?” Stephen said to the room. James heard him talking to the room.
The door closed, and they were alone. The phone was picked up once again.
“We need to meet somewhere to talk,” Stephen said.
“I can come to Possession.”
“No, it is not safe here.”
“Then Ravage.”
“No.”
James frowned. “Then you can come to my home.”
“Okay, I’ll phone you in a few days’ time to arrange a meeting.”
“What is going on, Stephen?”
“I don’t want to talk about it now. I’m not completely sure I’m right. I need all the facts before I talk to you.”
“Is everything okay?” James asked, concerned for his friend.
“It will be when I know all the facts. I look forward to meeting your woman.”
James nodded, and then the call ended.
He stared at the phone confused by the conversation he’d just had.
Glancing through his emails, he looked for something to occupy him. Sleep had been hard to come by for the last few months.
She’s all alone in your bed. Prudence needs you.
James shut down his laptop and placed it back in the safe before making his way back up the stairs to watch Prudence sleep.
He put a chair beside the bed, watching her for several minutes. When watching wasn’t enough, he threw his towel across the room and climbed in behind her. He pulled her into his arms and settled down, staring at the ceiling.
There was no mirror above his bed in this room. James made a quick note to get one installed. He wanted to be able to see her as she slept in his arms.
The hours passed, and before he knew it, James fell to sleep with Prudence in his arms.
Chapter Seventeen
Three days later
The past three days had been pure heaven. James never left her alone. He called her all the time when she went home. He’d been trying to convince her to stay at his place permanently. She wasn’t ready to give up her house. Anya and Becky kept calling him the weirdo boyfriend. They didn’t understand how much she loved his attention. The constant texts he sent and the phone calls made her feel loved and cared for. With each phone call she remembered him talking about possession and ownership. She loved the thought of being his.
She fingered the silver cross necklace around her neck. He’d demanded she wear it every day. Every time she walked into Ravage he’d pull the chain out of her shirt letting the cross dangle between her breasts.
The love she felt for him was growing every day. The way he made love to her every day, sometimes with a condom and others without, made her yearn for his touch. James reached for her whenever he could. She lost count of the number of times he’d reached for her at his office. She imagined there was a print of her ass on the top of his desk. In the middle of the night, he’d find her core and sink inside her. She’d wake in the morning with his cock still inside her pussy.
She closed her eyes thinking of that very morning. He was picking her up later today to take her to Possession. Before then, she wanted to go and visit her sister.
Prue stared at the paperwork that had just been delivered through the letterbox. She was ready to go out and visit her sister. The longer she waited to tell her sister, the harder it was for her to be with Jams. She needed her sister to know what was going on and to also reassure herself that Veronica no longer loved him.
She opened the envelope reading the paperwork. Frowning, she read through the document. It was the deeds to her house with her name on. The only problem with the
paperwork was the fact the house had been paid for.
Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, she dialled James’s number. Her gut was telling her he was responsible for buying her house.
He answered on the first ring. “Are you missing me already?”
“I’m not sure. Why do I have the deeds to my house?” she asked, cutting to the chase.
“I told them to fucking wait.”
“So you did buy my house and put it in my name?”
He was silent on the other end.
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to. Do not question my reasons when it comes to you, Prudence.”
She sighed rubbing her temples.
“It is already hard for me to be with you. I know you’re rich, but you buying houses for me is hard to deal with.”
“Don’t, Prudence. This was for you. The money doesn’t bother me. I want you, baby. Not a bank balance. You complete me.”
Prue smiled, being won over by his kind words. “You always know what to say.”
“Have fun with your sister, and I’ll see you later.”
“What if your friends don’t like me?” she asked, knowing her own friends didn’t like him.
“Then I get you all to myself.”
She laughed. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Miss you already. Send me a text to let me know you got there safely.”
“I will.”
Flicking her phone shut, Prue walked out of her door and began the long walk to her sister’s house.
She knew Veronica would be in. Her daughter was in school while her son was too young. Knocking on the door she waited for her sister to answer. Veronica had Thomas on her hip as she answered the door.
“Prue. Look, Thomas, your Aunty has finally decided to pay us a visit.”
Prue chuckled, taking the bouncing baby out of her sister’s arms. “Wow, he weighs a ton.”
“He’s growing into a strapping lad like his father. Come in. I’ve got the kettle on. It is freezing outside, and I bet you could murder a coffee.”
“I’ll take a tea if I can.”
“No problem. I couldn’t stomach coffee when I got pregnant.”
Prue followed her sister down to her kitchen. Thomas stayed on her lap for some time; but boredom got to him, and he was fighting to get down.
Veronica put him in his high chair as she made a drink.
“How have you been?” Prue asked.
“Fine. I had Mom and Dad ‘round the other week. They wanted to know how you were doing. I told them you’re doing fine.”
She nodded her head, accepting the cup from her sister. “I’m doing great, more than great.”
“I recognise that cross. Where did you get it?” Veronica asked, taking the seat beside her and pulling Thomas back into her lap.
Guilt assailed Prue. What should she say?
“Do you love James?” Prue asked her sister. She saw Veronica pause with baby Thomas on her lap. Prue knew if the answer was yes then her world was going to be turned upside down. She was in love with James and had been since the first moment she met him. There was no one like him. The way he took her and made her feel so much was addictive. Prue knew her life was with him.
“I’ve been wondering that myself. He was different from what I was used to. There is something about the way he can command a room by his presence alone.” Veronica smiled. “No, I never loved James. I thought I did. He was just a bit of excitement before I met Daniel.”
Prue took a deep breath and closed her eyes hoping her sister wouldn’t hate her. “I’m in love with James.” She’d been practising the words for several weeks, and in the end she’d blurted them out. Prue whacked her hand against her forehead.
She took a peek at her sister seeing what her reaction was. Veronica was smiling at her son on her lap.
“Say something,” Prue said.
“What do you want me to say, Prue? I knew you were in love with him five years ago. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He loves you as well.”
Prue shook her head. They hadn’t talked about love. “How do you know he loves me?”
“I’m guessing that cross is his.”
She fingered the silver cross around her neck. “Yes, he’s told me to always wear it.”
“He wouldn’t give anyone his necklace, Prue. He loves it, and that is his stamp of ownership.”
“You know about his connections,” Prue said, keeping as much to herself as possible.
“I know enough about him, Prue. Do you know enough?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then all I ask is that you be careful. James is a good man, but there has been a lot of danger around him lately. Please, take care of yourself.”
Prue nodded her head. “You’re not angry with me?”
“Never. You’re in love, and I can appreciate that. I know we have no control over who we love.”
“I love you, Veronica.” Prue hugged her sister as Thomas glared at her. She chuckled at her nephew.
For the rest of her visit Veronica showed her pictures of trips away. Prue hugged Thomas and enjoyed every second she spent with her sister.
On the way out, Veronica reminded her she’d need to take James to meet their parents.
Prue groaned.
“I’ll warn them, but they’re going to have a talk with you.”
She nodded her head. “I better go and get ready. James is taking me out tonight. Love you, sis, and see you soon.”
****
James glanced down at the ring he’d bought. He knew he’d gone overboard. They’d been together for three days, and he now owned a wedding ring. Closing the box he placed the ring on the desk in front of him. He knew she was the one. There was no need to fight his feelings. She was what he wanted more than life itself.
The times they were apart were hard to get through. Even now he was itching to call her and to see how she was getting on with her sister.
Give her time. You’ll have her for the rest of your life.
There was a knock at his door.
“Come in,” he said.
Veronica walked in, rolling a pushchair as she approached. She looked like she’d been running.
“I never expected to see you here,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think it was important.
“What could be so important?” James asked.
“Prue came to see me. You’re in love with her.”
He didn’t say anything. James waited for her to finish talking.
“You’re not arguing with me?”
“I have nothing to say. My feelings for Prudence do not affect you. She is my world and if you’ve hurt her—” She held her hand up stopping him.
“I’ve given her my blessing. I know you were never in love with me, James. I didn’t love you either. She is more than happy with you, and I can’t argue with love.”
“Why are you here?” he asked.
“I know you’re not safe. That story coming out last year was evidence of that, James. I love my sister. Please, don’t do anything to hurt her.”
He ran his fingers through his hair, getting angry at her. James would never do anything to hurt Prudence. She was his world, and he loved her.
Grabbing the box that contained the ring, he slammed it down on the desk in front of her.
“Does this look like I’ll put her at risk?”
She picked up the box and opened it. Her gasp was all the evidence he needed that he’d made the right choice. “You really do love her, don’t you?”
“I’ve bought her house and put the deeds in her name. Prudence will want for nothing. If she doesn’t want me, I will make sure she is provided for. That’s how much I love her.”
“She won’t refuse you. Prue loves you.”
He nodded his head. James wanted to hear Prudence say the words for herself.
“I better leave you.”
“You’ve done your sisterly duty,” James said, mo
cking her.
“Yes. I’m still her older sister. I want to make sure she’s doing the right thing.”
James watched her sister walk toward his office. He waited for a few minutes and then pulled out the white envelope. James began to open the white flap when his phone buzzed. Prudence’s face appeared on the screen. He answered her call tucking the envelope into his jacket.
“She is happy for me, Sir. Veronica gave us her blessing.”
He chuckled, leaving his office. “I’m on my way to pick you up. Will you be ready?”
“Yes, I look forward to meeting your friends.”
“They’re not that much fun.”
She laughed. “You’ve met my friends. I think it is only fair that I get to meet yours.”
“I’m leaving the club now. I’ll be at yours in no time.”
“Good, I look forward to it.”
Leo was on the door signing some paperwork as James walked out the door. “What’s up, Boss?”
“I’m taking Prudence out. Will you keep an eye on things for tonight? I won’t be back.”
“Sure, I’m more than happy to look after things.”
James nodded, climbing in the back of the taxi. “Have you thought about my offer, Arthur?”
“Yes, Sir. I’d love the position you’re offering.”
“Excellent. I’ll have a car sent to you soon.”
James settled down watching the city go by. He’d never been so happy before in his life. The ring he intended to give her was in his pocket. He’d wait for the perfect time to ask her to be his wife.
They were moving fast; he knew that, but he loved her. He thought about the issues with Dane and the human trafficking stuff that had come around with Rebecca and Lloyd Black.
He shook his head. Those thoughts were not going to spoil his future. James pulled out the envelope and opened it. There were several pictures of a man inside. There was no other information other than the images. He didn’t get it. Shaking his head, he figured Veronica had sent him the wrong envelope. When he got a chance he’d ask her about them. It wasn’t his first priority, and he placed the envelope back inside his pocket, forgetting about it.
Chapter Eighteen
The house was bigger than James’s home, which she never thought was possible. The driver remained quiet as James left the car and typed in the code for the gates to open. When he got back inside she snuggled up close to him. She was wearing the black dress she’d worn for their date.
Owned by the Dom: Part One (The Owners) Page 14