Owned by the Dom: Part One (The Owners) Page 8

  In that one moment he thought of Veronica. He’d never felt anything with her. The few small kisses they’d shared had been nice but nothing like what he felt now.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked, finally opening her eyes.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this,” he said, even as his body protested.

  “You were the one to kiss me, James.”

  He knew that, just like he knew he was the one who was still holding her in his arms not wanting to let her go.

  “I told you I didn’t want you working for him.”

  “And now I’m not. What are you going to do with me?” she asked, licking her lips. He’d tasted those lips. They hadn’t sated his desire. Her lips had opened up his need.

  James knew of many things he could do to her and wanted to.

  He eased her out of his arms then took a step back.

  “You can work here, and I’ll drive you home every night.”

  “Are you kidding me? You lost me my job so that I can be a barmaid?” she asked.

  He shrugged his shoulders. “There is nothing wrong with being a barmaid.”

  “And there was nothing wrong with what I did. I don’t want to serve drinks for a living.”

  A knock came at the door interrupting his thoughts. Leo looked around the door and gestured for him to come. He looked at Prudence before following him out. James knew he’d fucked up with her. He only hoped she found the work enjoyable.

  Chapter Nine

  Prue stormed home unwilling to go down without a fight. James was not going to get what he wanted. There must be plenty of jobs out there. All she needed to do was look in the right places. On the way home she picked up a newspaper with the intention of looking for some work. At home, she put the kettle on and sat at the kitchen table circling job offers.

  While she made phone calls and crossed out job offers, she rubbed her lips thinking about the kiss. At first for a few short seconds it had been the lightest of caresses, and then within an instant it had intensified.

  “Stop thinking about him, Prue. He’s not worth it. Look for another job and put him out of your mind.”

  She reached for the phone to dial another number. The phone began to ring. Prue picked the phone up and answered the call.

  There was no sound on the other end. She put the phone back down then picked the phone up to dial the number for another job.

  By the afternoon, she’d phoned several places and gotten three interviews booked for the coming week. She made herself another cup of tea as her phone rang once again.

  Picking up the phone, she greeted them and waited. There was no one on the line other than the heavy breathing.

  She paused with her pen over the newspaper. “I don’t know who you are, but please stop calling me.” Prue slammed the phone down then let it sit by her. She hated the calls. Should she call the police?

  She shook her head. A heavy breather meant nothing. To relieve her mind she kept the phone off the hook for the rest of the night. Anya and Becky paid her a visit later that night trying to get all of the juicy details out of her. She told them as much as she wanted to. For some reason she wanted to keep James’s involvement out of their conversation.

  What he’d done was between the two of them. She wasn’t going to go and tell everyone what had happened.

  When they were gone, she linked her laptop up to the internet and typed in his name. There were plenty of searches relating to his name. She added in the word “possession” and then “ravage” to see what else came up in the search engine. Most of the links were repeating what the news had said about their secret society.

  She scrolled through the links and found a small one that was something similar to a forum. Prue clicked on the details and read through most of the posts available to her. She knew the basics, but none of the research helped her. If she was going to get answers then she’d need to get them herself.

  Prue put her phone back on and dialled James number. He answered immediately.

  “I was wondering when you were going to call,” he said.

  “I’ve got three job interviews lined up. I’m not phoning about work. I’m phoning because I want some answers.” She licked her lips staring at her reflection in the mirror over her fire place. The black and red hair dye looked fine. She wouldn’t need to do a touch up for another few weeks.

  “And you think I’m the one who can give you those answers?”

  “You’re the only one I know about Possession and Ravage. I want to know what the media is talking about,” she said, knowing he could blow her off.

  He sighed. “Why do you want to know?” he asked.

  “If these interviews fall through—”

  “Which they will,” he said, interrupting her.

  “You don’t know that. Stop interrupting me. It is not fair.” She ran her fingers through her hair, becoming agitated. “I want you to tell me your side of the story.”

  He was silent on the other end. “Fine. I’ll pick you up for dinner. I’ll choose the place.”

  “Fine. I’ll be ready.”

  “Prudence?”

  “Yes?”

  “Wear something nice and keep your hair down.” He disconnected the call before she got chance to argue with him.

  She walked up the stairs and ran herself a bath.

  ****

  James hung up looking around his club. He’d typed her number into his phone so he knew it was her the moment she called him. He made a few calls, organising a booth in the restaurant he preferred for comfort. The owner of the place assured him his seat would be available.

  Leo walked over to him. “I’ll be out for the rest of the night. Please, make sure to keep a tight lock on things.”

  “Sure thing, Boss. Have a nice night with the lady,” Leo said.

  James nodded his head then left the club to go and dress. He spent most of his time at the club now. His own home was looked after by a variety of staff during his absence. After the press had accosted him outside his home, he’d not wanted to go back.

  He changed his clothes before calling for a taxi. Outside the club he saw the queue of people trying to get inside. Leo was on the door once again, carding everyone. Leo had come to him for a job just after the press descended like a pack of walls. Hiring Leo had been a good decision.

  The taxi pulled up several minutes later, and he climbed inside and gave the driver Prudence’s address.

  She stood at her door. He watched her lock her door then walk to the taxi. She climbed in beside him. The coat she wore obscured her body from his view. Together, they rode to the restaurant in silence. James wanted to reach across and reassure her he wasn’t some kind of animal. Instead, he stared out his window trying to distract his mind and body from the tempting morsel at his side. It was a hard temptation to resist. He was determined to do so.

  He helped her out of the car the moment they pulled up against the restaurant. There were no press, which he liked. This was where the wealthy could eat without the flashing cameras.

  James took her hand, leading her inside the dark room. The maître d’ showed them to their table. He liked a secluded booth away from all the prying eyes. Being a wealthy man he hated being interrupted during his meal.

  Prudence sat down, and he helped her into her place at the table. Her coat, as well as his, was taken by the maître d’. The waiter presented their menus and left them in silence.

  “You look beautiful,” he said.

  “And yourself.”

  He chuckled when she went bright red and gazed down at her menu. “This is very expensive, James. I wanted to pay for my own meal,” she said. Her honesty was refreshing. The money meant little to him. Other women would have fawned over the prices while she looked nervous about the cost.

  “I’ve forced you into this position, Prudence. I think it is only fair that I pay for your meal as well.”

  She nodded her head then went back to reading the menu in front of her. “Thank you for a
greeing to see me, James.”

  “It was nice to be asked.”

  Prudence glanced up at him. “I never thought about how awful it must be for you. To have your whole life opened up for the world to see.”

  “It has been difficult. I was never ashamed of who I am. Unlike some people,” he said.

  “What are you trying to say?” she asked.

  He closed the menu knowing what he was going to order the moment he’d entered the restaurant. James wanted to put her at ease in a new place. From the moment she’d phoned him, he’d wanted to take her to a place she’d remember. She looked absolutely stunning in the black knee length dress she wore. Her hair fell around her shoulders, and he saw the deep red peeking through the tips.

  “I was talking about your relationship with the professor. Michael shouldn’t be taking advantage of his students.”

  “I can assure you, he wasn’t. I’m not ashamed of my relationship with him, James. Michael and I had a thing, and over time it fizzled out. There was nothing to it other than two people sharing some fun together.”

  The waiter came back. James ordered Beef Wellington with potatoes and vegetables. She ordered a chicken and spinach pasta with plenty of sauce.

  “Michael shouldn’t have done anything with you in the first place,” James said. He couldn’t get past her relationship with the other man. The pain in his chest at the thought of Michael touching her, hurt.

  She reached over the table and took his hand.

  “I’ve not seen him in over three years. I don’t want to talk about our past lovers.”

  James knew she wanted to talk about Ravage and Possession.

  “What exactly do you know?” he asked, taking a sip of his water.

  “Nothing. Only the crap I’ve heard in the news.”

  “Some of that crap is true but not all of it.” He replaced his glass on the table. Prudence made to pull away from him; he kept a firm grip on her hand. James wanted to touch her as he talked to her.

  “Then tell me what is true.”

  He took a deep breath. Cadeon and Stephen had each gone through this stage with their women. What if she handled it badly? Being owned by a man is not the most modern way of seducing a woman.

  You’re seducing her now?

  “The part about Possession and Ravage being exclusive clubs is true. Stephen Knox is the owner of Possession while I own Ravage.”

  She didn’t pull away from his hand. He glanced around the restaurant seeing a few familiar faces among the people dining. There were more possessive men out there than people realised.

  “I don’t know how to discuss it, Prudence. I’ve learned to accept what is.”

  “Start with your own club. I want to know more about you and how you’re linked.”

  The waiter came over with their meal. James let her hand go so she would be able to eat unhindered by his touch. When the waiter disappeared he began explaining himself.

  “Ravage was already part of my family. My father had built the club to be a gentlemen’s club very much like Possession. When I came to own the club I changed it so the main part of the club was open to everyone while the basement, or the dungeon, could be used for more exclusive purposes. It made money and kept a tight lid on clients’ identity. If they wished they could go through the club without questions.” He stopped to eat a piece of beef.

  “So is Ravage your only business?”

  “No. Castleden has many stocks and shares with businesses worldwide. I deal with them in my spare time. My father placed a board who oversee that side of the investment. I’m called in when things get difficult.” He lived a good life. His father had made sure he’d want for nothing. James preferred to be in his club. Ravage was his life. It was who he was and defined the man he’d turned into.

  “Stephen also handles some of our joint ventures.”

  “You and Stephen are friends?”

  “We grew up together. Our family over generations had started the exclusive clubs. My father went through it all when I was younger.”

  She was eating her pasta as the waiter came back with the wine bottle. Prudence covered her glass shaking her head. James took some.

  “You own the BDSM club at the bottom? You’re a Dom?”

  “I don’t know if they are questions or statements of facts,” he said.

  “Do you own the BDSM club under Ravage?” she asked, slowly.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you a Dom?” she asked, slowly once again.

  “Do you know what a Dom is?”

  “Answer the question, James.”

  He glared at her. James wanted to pull her over his knee and tan that ass with his palm. The full round globes would be shining red with his hand print the moment he was through with her.

  “Be careful, Prudence. I don’t like being spoken to like that.”

  She placed her fork down, linked her fingers, and stared at him. He felt her assessment right down to his soul. Prudence saw past the layers he’d built up to the man beneath. He didn’t know how he knew this, only the way she made him feel as she looked at him.

  “Forgive my impatience. Are you a Dom, Sir?”

  James was taken back. Michael must have shared more with her than he anticipated. Did she have any idea what the title meant to him? From the glazed look in her eye, James could only imagine that she did.

  His cock thickened. Her gaze lowered to her plate, her head bowed in obedience. To anyone who was looking at their table, she looked like she was saying a small prayer. James knew the bowed head meant so much more.

  “You’re forgiven. Yes, I’m a Dom.” James reached over and tapped her hand. She looked up at him then began eating when he nodded his head.

  “What do you know?” he asked.

  She smiled. “More than you realised, Sir.”

  He watched as she forked a piece of pasta and popped it into her mouth. She wasn’t running. Prudence stared at him as if she was waiting for something.

  “Aren’t you afraid?” he asked, needing to know the answer.

  “I have nothing to be afraid of, James. I was showing you that I understood your lifestyle and respected it.”

  “You’re too young,” he said. Proper words evaded him. What could he say to her?

  “I’m twenty-three, James. There is no age limit for this. I’ve not been in the lifestyle. I’ve experimented a little.”

  James was intrigued. “What have you done?”

  “Tell me about your link to Possession, and I’ll tell you about what I’ve done.”

  He smiled. Prudence knew a lot more than he gave her credit for. James wished he’d been the one to teach her.

  “Possession is designed for men who feel possessive towards their woman.”

  “Isn’t every man supposed to feel that for their woman?” she asked.

  “This kind of possession was for men—”

  “With money,” she said, interrupting him.

  “With money to be around like-minded people. I’ve seen it, Prudence. The way the men act around their woman. Stephen, for example, he didn’t believe in it, but he became obsessed with his woman. He needed to know where she was, and when another man was near her, he wanted to do harm.”

  “That sounds very stalker-ish to me.”

  James laughed. “I agree. It sounds it, but when you see it, you’d never think of a stalker. There is a consuming love sparking between them. I’ve seen Cadeon and Stephen with their women, and it is like little lightning bolts surging between them and their woman. It is amazing to witness.”

  “And Possession provides these men with an outlet for all those feelings. They can take their women and feel at ease because the men who go there know to leave the women alone?” she asked.

  James nodded. “The press made out we were forcing women to be taken in some kind of fucking orgy fetish. I’ve seen the way these men are with their women, and Possession is perfect for them. I believe in it.”

  “Have you ever felt t
he consuming need for a woman, James?” she asked.

  Chapter Ten

  Prue felt a new yearning inside of her. She’d watched and listened to the way James described it. On the outside it sounded like an extreme stalker, but she craved to be completely taken by a man. She wondered what it would be like to have a man so completely possessive of her that he phoned her just to hear her voice.

  She waited for him to answer her last question. Her thoughts were drifting off to what he’d told her. The rumours where she’d worked about Cadeon had been similar, with the way he’d been with Violet up until she married him. Cadeon had been described as a demon possessed with keeping the other woman.

  Staring down at her food, she wondered if there would ever be a man out there like that for her.

  “No, I’ve never felt a possessive need for another woman.”

  His words hung in the air between them. She picked up a piece of pasta and ate it.

  “It must be nice for the women who get that,” she said.

  “What?”

  “The women who know their man adores them that much. It must be nice.” She felt a lump forming in the back of her throat. “Could you excuse me? I need to use the bathroom.”

  Prue left her seat and followed the directions the man gave her to the toilet. The room was empty. She walked up to the mirrors and moistened her hands with the water. She shook off the excess then pressed her fingers to her neck.

  She needed to calm down.

  Her pulse raced in her neck, and her body was in turmoil at what she’d just learned. How could she ever think of finding a man to love, knowing there was someone out there who’d possess her?

  A pair of hands wrapped around her waist. She gasped, opening her eyes and seeing James behind her.

  “You shouldn’t be in here,” she said.

  “I’ve made sure the waiter won’t let anyone inside.”

  His hand moved up against her neck. She bit her lip from the image she saw. His larger hand covered a great deal of her neck. His fingers glided over her pulse.

  “Tell me what is wrong?” he asked.