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“You dumped him? How could you, Veronica? He was a cutie and so nice,” Prudence said. Her textbook lay open on her lap. She was in her first year of college and was struggling through her courses, not that she’d tell her sister who excelled at everything.
“Not everything is about looks, Prue.” Her sister was banging some saucepans down on the hob. She winced listening to her sister bang around.
Prue knew it wasn’t about looks. James was so much more than something pretty to look at. She’d been intrigued by him from the first moment she met him. His dark brown eyes seemed to look at her and have so much knowledge about her from a single glance. She really liked him and would miss talking to him. They’d only talked a few times, but she felt like they’d connected.
“He’s older than you, Prue. Don’t even start thinking about it.”
Prue blushed and was pleased her sister wasn’t witness to it. His age didn’t bother her. She liked the man he was, not what was in his bank balance or the way he looked. He was unlike any other man she’d ever seen.
“I don’t want you seeing him, Prue. I mean it.”
“You don’t have to keep saying my name, Veronica. I get it. James is out of the picture.” Prue glanced down at her book as a wave of sadness consumed her. She’d never see him again, and she didn’t like it. Prue knew he’d never look at her like he did her sister. Veronica was perfect whereas she was not.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she concentrated on her textbook. The last thing she needed was to flunk any of her classes. She was only just making the grade now. Her parents would be on her case if she failed anything.
The sounds of the pots and pans banging around in the kitchen faded from her mind as she thought about James. She didn’t understand her desire for him. His age and his relationship with her sister should put her off, they didn’t.
She must be the worst sister in the world.
Chapter One
One year on from His Obsession
Prudence Star stared up at the blaring light outside of the night club, Ravage. One small and simple word and yet to her it held so much meaning. Two of her friends had become regular members of the club while she’d held back, scared to take the next step. Ever since the media had covered the exclusive club she’d been waiting for an opportunity to visit James. The owner had dated her sister for a short time. Prudence had only met him a couple of times. The few chance meetings had left a lasting impression, on her at least.
“Are you coming, Prue?” Her friend called to her pulling her out of her thoughts. All of her friends shortened her name down, and she was more than happy with that. She hated her first name.
“Yeah, I’m coming.” She followed behind Anya and Becky in the hope of trying to calm her raving nerves. She’d been in many clubs in her older years. Prue didn’t know why this one was making her so nervous. She pushed her hair out of her eyes in order to stop her hands from shaking. Ravage was a club like every other club she’d visited. Get a grip. The media had been inside the club. Prue could recall the anger on James’s face at having his place invaded. She knew James preferred his privacy. He never gave anything away about himself unless he had to. The man on the front door gave them a once-over. Prue didn’t like the feel of his eyes on her body. There was only one man she wanted to look at her body, and this guy wasn’t him.
Stop thinking like that. You promised to deliver this stupid letter for your sister. Also, you want another look at the man who’s been plaguing your dreams for the last few years.
James had begun dating her sister while Prue was only eighteen. There were only seven years between her and Veronica.
“You don’t look old enough,” the doorman said.
Prue blushed. What more was she supposed to do? Her face might look young, but her body was that of a woman. How could the man mistake her for being younger than twenty-one? Her two friends sniggered. She shot them a glare. Opening her coat wider, she placed a hand on her hip and stared at the man in front of her.
“Are you trying to tell me that I don’t look old enough to be here?” she asked.
“Last time I checked, Veronica’s little sister was not allowed inside this club. You’re too young, sweetheart. When I started working for the club I was ordered not to let you inside.”
“Not too young to stare at, though.” She snapped at the man feeling really annoyed at her sister’s protectiveness.
“What can I say? I like looking at beautiful women, and you’re a beautiful woman, Prudence.” Anya and Tonya were giggling as they made their way inside the club.
“I’m going to have to get this checked by the big man himself,” the guy said.
She growled. “You do know it has been five years since my sister quit this place?”
“So? You can never be too careful, especially with all the press lurking about trying to get inside.” A scowl replaced the easy smile on his face. She wondered how bad things had gotten. The press release about this place being a BDSM club was leaked months ago. Why were so many people desperate for a piece of this place and that other club, Possession?
“Do I need to wait outside?” she asked. The cold nights were back with vengeance. She didn’t mind the cold so long as she wasn’t outside feeling the worst of it.
“No, you can wait at the bar while I go and check out some ID.”
“Don’t you need my ID?” she asked.
“Nope, I’ve got my orders, Prue.”
He took her by the elbow leading her through to the bar. From what she saw passing through the club looked like any ordinary club. It had a long bar with booths or tables dotted around. The colouring was dark with plenty of spot and head lights around. The dance floor was heaving with sweaty bodies. She stared longingly. Prue loved to dance. The guy placed her on her seat. She sat down feeling like a told-off schoolgirl rather than the twenty-three year old woman she actually was.
“This is ridiculous,” she said.
“Sorry, babe, rules are rules.”
He signalled the bar tender. “She is Veronica’s little sister. Make sure she doesn’t have anything alcoholic.”
“I’m over twenty-one.”
“Sure thing, Leo. Be careful, James is not in the best mood tonight.”
She heard Leo groan then leave. “That guy is named Leo?” she asked.
The barman nodded.
“After the painter?”