Neither of them was crossing that invisible line. Every night she lay in bed thinking of how it could be with him. What she’d do if his hands moved down her body to cup her br**sts. Her own hands no longer satisfied her cravings. She needed more, and she felt like a total bitch for her own needs.
Their kisses had started something that neither knew how to stop. At least she didn’t know how to stop. The more time she spent with him the harder it was getting to walk away. The chemistry between them sparkled brighter than ever before.
“I’m on my break,” she said, leaning back to feel his warmth. One of his arms banded her waist. His fingers teased the flesh where her shirt ended and her jeans began.
She’d walked into work the following day after their time in the closet in a skirt that fell to her knee. James made sure she spent the entirety of her shift away from prying fingers and lingering eyes. Did he even realise how possessive he was becoming with regards to her?
“I don’t like you on your own. Anyone could be here.” His fingers moved up under her shirt. She closed her eyes, biting down on her lip.
Her thoughts turned to mush as her body melted under the onslaught of his touch.
His other hand grazed down her side. The tips of his fingers grazed her br**sts. She gasped then turned to face him. His hand glided round to her back as his other took the drink from her fingers. The beat of the music reached them in their private alcove.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Dancing. A pretty lady like yourself shouldn’t be alone.”
Prue stared at him, amazed, then relaxed her body against his. The trust inside her when it came to him startled her. She knew he’d never hurt her. Biting her lip, she closed her eyes enjoying his scent surround her. She was becoming addicted to his masculine scent mixed with the hint of leather.
“I want to go back to the dungeon,” she said.
He tensed. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”
She eased back staring up into his eyes. “I wear your token, James. That must mean something.”
James withdrew. She saw and felt it.
“It means I’m still taking care of Veronica’s younger sister.”
Ouch. That one hurt.
Prue pulled away then removed his silver cross necklace. She slammed the piece of jewellery against his chest. “I’m not a child. I don’t need someone looking out for me.”
Without waiting for him to speak, Prue walked away. She moved toward the bar and helped Jermaine serve. James came to the bar to try to talk to her. She refused to speak to him. He was a f**king coward, and she couldn’t believe she’d ever hoped for something more.
James tried to gain her attention. She ignored him, refusing to give him the satisfaction. She handed a couple their drinks when James caught her wrist in his hands.
“Don’t ignore me,” he said.
“Fuck you, Sir.” She pulled her hand away glaring at him.
She was done with waiting. If he wanted nothing to do with her then she wasn’t going to waste her time. James was the one. She knew that, but he didn’t.
“I quit,” she said when she saw Anya and Becky on the dance floor.
“You can’t quit,” Jermaine said.
“Yes, I can.”
She left the bar going out to the crowd. His eyes were on her. She felt it, and her heart hammered inside her chest.
“What are you doing here?” Anya asked.
“Showing a guy I can live without him and look after myself.” She threw her hands above her head and swung her h*ps to the beat pulsing on the dance floor. Veronica, James, and even Leo could f**k off. She was twenty-three years old and could look after herself. Until James entered her life for the second time she’d been renting a decent house with the hopes of buying it.
“He’s watching you.”
“Good.”
He should be watching. I’m not going to take anymore of his crap, and he’ll learn not to take advantage.
She knew he didn’t need to take advantage. Her response was not forced. He meant everything to her.
Prue wanted him to possess her. She wanted him to be like the men he’d described. Prue craved his complete ownership.
Her fantasies were filled with his possession. She yearned, craved, and desired to be his.
Biting her lip she kept her back to him hoping he’d get the message.
****
James stared at the beautiful curves of her ass. Why had he ruined their moment? Veronica and her age had been the last on his mind. He knew what he was doing with her was wrong. When she’d asked to go back to the dungeon his whole body had gone into hyper-drive. He wanted to take her down there and teach her what it meant to be owned by him.
She wasn’t wearing his token anymore. Any man could claim her as his.
He didn’t like it. Men surrounded her group like moths to a flame. Her entire aura made men move toward her. Unlike her two friends, she held an allure and sexuality that attracted men to her. He’d seen the beauty inside her when she was only eighteen, the sweetness she gave everyone she came into contact with.
You want her. Take her before someone else takes what is yours.
One of the men from the group reached out to touch her hips. Prue smiled and pushed him away. The action was subtle, but he saw it. Prue was on the dance floor to show him she could look after herself. He got the message. She didn’t want the men’s attention.
Her gaze caught him as one man replaced another.
She needs you.
James made his way onto the dance floor. He pushed the man out of his way and caught her h*ps in his hands. She placed her hands on top of his, ready to push him off, he was sure.
“Before you push me away let me apologise,” he said. James whispered against her ear. He only wanted her to hear what he had to say. Her two friends smiled at her and walked away.
“You’ve sent them away.”
“They know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”
“You don’t want me, James. I’m tired of showing all the signs.”
He’d seen the signs, and being the bastard that he was, he’d given her nothing and taken everything she offered instead.
James held her waist, stroking the delicate flesh hidden beneath the blouse she wore. Her skin was soft. He wanted to peel every layer of clothing away from her body and caress every inch of her. The temptation she provided was more than he could stand. “I’ve seen the signs, Prudence. And I want you.”
“Then why won’t you take me?” she said.