by Sam Crescent
Prue didn’t want to hear those words. Fisting her hands in his hair, she tugged on the length and slammed her lips down to kiss him.
He rode the pleasure with her by stroking her clit and meeting each of her thrusts.
Within seconds Prue came apart in his arms. The satisfaction was nothing like she’d gained in his arms. Something was missing, and in those moments of realisation, Prue knew she’d made a mistake in forcing him to make love to her.
Chapter Fifteen
She tensed in his arms, and James knew what she was thinking. There was no doubt in his mind that she’d made a mistake. He couldn’t deny her anything even though he knew it was a mistake taking her when he did.
Stroking her hair, James waited for her to push him away, calling him any number of names.
Prudence didn’t say a word. He felt the wetness of her tears against his shoulder, and those tears broke his heart more than ever.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Cupping her cheeks, he made her look at him.
“Why are you sorry?” he asked.
The look of shock and pain on her face had the power to undo him. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“I shouldn’t have come here and forced you to do what I just made you do.”
Brushing his lips against hers, James shook his head. “No, don’t think that.”
“How can I not think it? I’ve just made you have sex with me. I’m worse than the men who took me.”
She pulled away from him, climbing off his lap.
Wrapping the sheet around him, James held her hand stopping her from escaping him. She looked at his hand then up at him. “Don’t ever think you’re like those animals that took you. You’re a million times better than any of those fucking men. Never let me hear you say otherwise.”
Prudence sniffled and wiped her nose. “How could you ever love me?”
He folded her in his arms hating everything that happened to her.
“Please, don’t do this to yourself, Prudence. You don’t deserve this. I know what you were trying to do.”
She sobbed in his arms. He sat her down on the bed, cupped her cheeks, and made her look at him. “Every part of me is yours. I love you more than anything, and I’d do anything you asked of me.”
“I’m not ready for this.” She pointed between them.
“I know. I’m prepared to give you the time.”
He picked up the towel he discarded the previous night and wrapped the fabric around her arms.
“I’ll grab your clothes. Don’t go anywhere,” he said.
James walked down the stairs and gathered her belongings. His home phone rang, and he picked it up.
“Hello,” he said.
“James. Thank God, have you seen Prudence? She ran out of here after the news showed that man.” Veronica sounded panicked.
“She’s here with me. I’ll drop her off at your place, and then we’ll talk some more.”
He spent several minutes reassuring her then hung up the phone. Walking back up the steps he found Prudence in the same spot as he left her. She wasn’t shaking or anything.
When she turned to him there was a smile on her lips.
“Was that my sister?” she asked.
“Yes, she’s worried about you.”
He helped her off the bed then started to dress her. She stepped into the panties then stood as he placed the bra back on. Neither said a word as he put the clothes back on.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“Don’t be sorry.”
Once she was dressed James quickly put some clothes on, and then together they walked down to the kitchen.
“I haven’t got much to offer you but cereal,” he said.
“Cereal is fine.” She took the seat at the counter. The tension thickened in the room. She hadn’t achieved great satisfaction with the sex they’d shared.
“I don’t know why I feel the way I do,” she said, making him pause as he reached for the milk. “I wasn’t like this when I was trapped in that room. I would look in the mirror and talk to myself so that I’d remember who I was and what I was doing there.” She chuckled. The sound felt forced to him. “They hated me because I refused to break. Look at me now,” she said.
“You’re not broken.” He poured some chocolate cereal into a bowl followed by some milk then passed the bowl with a spoon to her. “You’re strong, and don’t ever forget it.”
She took the food from him and began eating. He watched her for the longest time wishing there was something he could do to ease her suffering. Watching her in pain never felt right to him.
He ate his cereal before putting a call through to Arthur.
His driver called to let him know that he was waiting outside.
“I’m really sorry,” she said as they made their way to the door.
“I don’t want to hear you talking about being sorry. I want you to get back to who you were,” he said.
James helped her into the back of the car. He remembered the card and quickly ran up to the house to grab it. When he came down he saw she was talking with Arthur.
The conversation ceased the moment he got back into the car. “I want you to take this and make an appointment to see this woman.”
She took the card from him. “I don’t want to see someone.”
“Please, take it anyway. I want you to know that I’m supporting you in everything.”
Prudence took the card from him. The drive to her house felt too short to him. Being away from her was a nightmare, but he’d do everything for her.
Her sister waited for them at the door with her arms folded. Prudence turned to him. She opened her mouth then closed it again.
“Thank you for being so understanding,” she said.
He nodded then waved to Veronica.
“Are you all right, Sir?” Arthur asked.
Wiping the tears from his eyes James nodded. “Yes, Arthur, I’m fine.”
When the door closed he gave his driver instructions to go to Ravage.
If he didn’t go to his club soon then he wouldn’t be able to walk through the doors. Police tape was across the doors. He ducked under the tape then used the key to open the main door. Turning on the light, he stared at the room that had caused him so much hell.
“Prue will be well looked after, James. I suggest you hurry. I’ll give you a month. If I don’t get my file in the next month, Prue goes up for auction, and she’ll be lost.”
Daren’s words came back to haunt him.
She’s not gone.
He moved past the main dance floor through to his office. Staring at the sofa where he left, James stroked the padded leather. Her scent lingered, or it could have been his imagination trying to pull every possible sign of her.
Sitting behind his desk, he ran his hands across the wood.
“I’m surprised you’ve come here,” Stephen said.
James looked up to see his oldest friend stood in the doorway.
“How did you know where I was?” he asked.
“I went by your house and thought you’d come here. I waited to see you pull up then spoke to your driver before following you inside. You didn’t lock the door.”
“That seems to be the story of my fucking life at the moment,” James said, running his fingers through his hair.
“You ran out fast last night. Do you want to talk about it?” Stephen asked, taking a seat across from him. The other man wore a long black coat and leather gloves.
“No, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Fair enough. You were never one to talk anyway.” Stephen sat back glancing around the office. “I’ve always thought this office was depressing.”
“What do you think now?”
“That it’s even worse. Josiah and Hubert came to see us. They talked about having a membership, and I gave each of them one. I doubt our clubs will be up to scratch anymore. Between the press and this shit with Henry and Daren, I think Ravage and Pos
session have run their course,” Stephen said. “They took Dane.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know what’s happening, but I think they’re planning on sending him back to England.”
“They never mentioned it to me,” James said, feeling sorry for the younger man.
“You didn’t like him. Why would you care?”
“He helped me when it mattered the most to me.”
They were silent for several seconds. James didn’t know what to say. He’d never been given a reason to talk about his feelings. The only person he’d opened up to was Prudence, and she was gone.
“Prudence came to me this morning,” he said, blurting the words out into space hoping there would be a magical answer.
“What did she want?” Stephen asked.
The guy opposite looked cautious as he asked the question.
“I don’t know what she wanted. She was sobbing in my arms, and then she was removing my clothes. We had sex, and I know she didn’t get all that much pleasure from it.” James chuckled even though he desired to cry above everything else. “I sound like a pussy.”
“No, and stop saying that. You’re not a pussy. Maybe you should get her to talk with Violet.”
The suggestion was lost on him. “That girl is quieter than a mouse. How would she help?”
“She spent the first part of her life being hidden from sight. They have a lot more in common than you might think. I’m sure Cadeon won’t have a problem.”
Stephen stood to leave. James remained seated.
“Did you lose your manners as well?” Stephen asked.
“I’m going to try and get my club up and running again. I suggest you do the same. Before all the crap that happened they were havens for men like us. I don’t want those bastards to win.”
“That’s the fighting spirit.”
Stephen left him alone with his thoughts. James hated his thoughts more than he hated anything else.
****
Prue listened to her sister rant and rave at her for leaving the house.
“You just ran off. What was I supposed to think?” Veronica asked.
“You weren’t supposed to think anything. I’m not a child.”
“Then why are you behaving like one?”
Prue stared at her sister and felt so angry at her. “I’m not behaving like a child. I’m trying to do something that will stop this feeling inside.” Pressing a hand to her chest, Prue growled in annoyance. “Do you have any idea what this feels like?”
Veronica stared at her with pity. She despised the pity.
“There, see, look at your face. You pity me. I see it clearly on your face, and I hate that.” Her voice rose with every word she spoke. “The man I’ve been in love with for the longest time has just driven away, and I want more than anything to stop him, and I can’t. I don’t know what to do to stop this.” Running a hand down her face Prue stared out of the kitchen window. “I ran out of this house because of what I saw on the news. I needed to get away, and I ended up in James’s house. He held me tightly and I loved that. His scent surrounded me, and I needed a break from being me.”
She stared at her sister and watched as the older woman swallowed.
Tears clogged in her throat, but she continued talking no matter how painful it was. “I forced him to have sex with me. James tried to stop me, and I begged him. He can’t deny me anything. I know that. He loves me and still made love to me. In the end, something held me back.”
“You’ve been through something, and that is what’s affecting you. You can’t expect to be fixed,” Veronica said.
“No, I don’t expect to be fixed, but when your family comes back tomorrow, I’m going back home, and I’m doing everything I can until I’m fixed.” Prue brushed past her sister and made her way to her room. She slammed the door closed then tensed. Growling with frustration, she opened the door then sat on the bed.
She grabbed a book off the side that Veronica left and started reading. The paperback was a romance but failed to calm her nerves. After a few hours passed Veronica came up carrying a tray of food.
“I’ve come with a peace offering,” Veronica said.
“I don’t need a peace offering.” She put the book aside then moved as her sister put the tray on the bed.
“You don’t need to leave tomorrow. I’d like for you to stay a few days.”
Prue smiled. “You’re playing mother hen again.”
“We can’t call our parents, and James will give you everything you need. Please, let me care for you for a change.”
She nodded, picking up the piece of toast. “I could never stay angry at you for too long.”
Veronica smiled.
Chapter Sixteen
The days passed, and Prue stayed with her sister for another week. Having Daniel and the children in the house was a welcome distraction. She saw the unease on her brother-in-law’s face. Prue knew James was the cause, but she didn’t do anything to put his mind at ease. She liked knowing James was her protector. He called her sister every day to get an update on her. Veronica didn’t know she knew about the calls. She let it slide as her love for him never stopped.
She moved back home the following Monday and started distracting her thoughts by cleaning away the mess she’d left behind. Opening the windows she blasted the house with cold air getting rid of the dust. She dumped out the rotting food then made her way toward the grocery store. Passing the papers on the way to the store she saw Henry’s picture on the front.
His photo didn’t affect her, and for that she was relieved.
After she packed away the shopping she’d bought, she grabbed the paper and started looking for a job. As she sat looking for work the bell went on her front door. She ran to open it to find the two agents who visited her before James came to her in the hospital.
“Hello, Miss Star. I’m Hubert, and this is Josiah. We wanted to check up on you.”
She stared at them amazed and then allowed them to enter her home.
“Why are you here?” she asked, taking a seat.
“We wanted to make sure you were settling in fine,” Josiah said.
“I’m fine.”
Prue moved away to the kitchen. She grabbed them a carton of juice. Being polite at the moment didn’t feel right. “Have you spoken with James?” she asked, wanting to know if he was all right.
“He’s doing fine. We wanted to make sure you were doing okay and to ask you some questions about your experience of being with Henry Warren.”
She sat down on the sofa across from them. Prue grabbed a pillow and hugged it against her as she stared between the two men. They didn’t frighten her. She answered their questions describing everything that happened from Jermaine being shot and then being recused by James. Prue didn’t leave anything out.
“Daren Robinson was posing as a man named Leo, correct?” Hubert asked.
“Yes. He was the security man at the door of Ravage and was supposed to be James’s friend, I think.”
They scribbled notes into their books, and when they were finished they stood.
She shook each of their hands and watched them leave. When they were in the car, she sagged against the door and let out a long shuddering breath. She’d done it. She’d gotten through the questioning without a single panic attack.
Going back to the table she picked up the phone and started making some calls for a job. She was in the middle of a conversation when her door bell went again.
Talking on the phone she moved toward the door. Cadeon stood on the other side with Violet beside him. The woman looked heavily pregnant.
Ending the call she stared at the two people. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong with James?” she asked, fearing for him.
“Nothing is the matter. James thought it would be good for you to talk with Violet. I’m here to make sure she’s fine.”
Violet smiled at her before turning to her husband.
“I’m going to Rav
age. If you need me call, okay,” Cadeon said.
Prue watched as Cadeon cupped Violet’s cheeks and slammed his lips down on hers. Prue yearned for James’s touch in that moment. Only when Cadeon was satisfied with his possessive kiss did he pull away.
“I’m fine, and I’ll call the moment I need you,” Violet said.
Cadeon turned to leave. She let the other woman inside then closed the door. “I’m sorry about that. Cadeon worries at the smallest of things.”
Violet smiled then rubbed her stomach.
“Do you want anything to drink?” Prue asked.
Two visits in one day.
“Hot chocolate if you have it.” Violet followed her through to the kitchen.
“You can sit down on the sofa if you want?” Prue made them both a hot chocolate before joining the other woman in the living room.
“I’m sorry for invading your space. James thinks it will be good if we both talk.” Violet’s subtle English accent came through as she spoke.
“Is this because of what happened with you and Dominic Green?” Prue asked. She saw the other woman didn’t even flinch at the mention of the man’s name.
Violet smiled. “Yes. I’m sorry to hear about you being taken. Cadeon grabbed me, and we left everything to the others. He hated leaving them in the middle of everything, but he feared for me. Ursula stayed with us as well.”
Prue smiled, unsure what to say or how to take the woman in front of her. “I really don’t know what to say to you.”
The other woman smiled. She couldn’t believe Violet was younger than she.
“I noticed you didn’t shudder or flinch when I said Dominic’s name,” Prue said. There was no reaction from Violet. In that instant Prue envied the other woman.
“I’m thankful that his name no longer scared me. There was a time, not long ago, when I couldn’t control myself when his name was mentioned.” She sipped her chocolate then placed the hot cup on the coaster. “My heart would race.” She pressed a hand against her chest. “And my palms would go all sweaty. I couldn’t think or get the right words out. He scared me so much. I think Dominic Green was my father.”
“What?” The words came out of her mouth before she even thought them.