Moving On (Cape Falls) (3 page)

Over the years she’d grown terrified of leaving her parental home. She wouldn’t last two minutes out in the real world.

****

Brad entered his parents’ home with his friends following behind him. Both his parents were at work, and there was no one home, which was how he liked it. His family were not as rich as the Steer brothers, but they were close to it.

“Did you see the look on her face? She’s terrified of you,”
Adam said.

He smirked, going into the games room and taking a seat.
Thinking about Rose made his dick rock hard.

“Terrified she may be
, but soon she’ll be my woman and I can do whatever the fuck I want with her.”

All three friends turned to him. They’d been with him growing up and knew what he was like.

“What are you saying?” Tyler asked, smirking.

“My
dad put in a word with her dad. They’re following strict instructions to put her through an eating regimen. She’s been reduced to two meals a day and is weighed every morning.”

Adam and Tyler smirked.

“I don’t believe you. There’s no way the Slaters would put their daughter through that,” John said.

Shaking his head, Brad grabbed the notebook, which updated her progress. He threw it at John.

“I told you, she’s going to be mine very soon.”

John shook his head. “If you already like her then why are you
putting her through this?”

Brad looked at his friend. They’d done a lot together. They always had each other
’s backs, and if one of them was to fall, they’d all fall. Their secrets were what bound them together. Brad wasn’t going to jail for messing with a couple of sluts, and neither were any of his friends.

“The power. I’m in control
, and Rose will know who’s the boss. I don’t want a wife who goes out to work. I want a wife who knows her place. Rose will know her place, and then we can all have a chance to play with her.”

He noticed John didn’t smile right away where Adam and Tyler did. In the next second John started smiling, putting
Brad’s mind at ease.

Brad had big plans for Rose. She was going to learn her place when it came to his friends.
He looked forward to training her for his personal needs.

Chapter Three

Peter sat inside William’s sitting room watching him hold one of his daughters. He heard Daisy laughing in the distance
, and he stared at his friend and boss. The last thing he’d anticipated on a weekend was to be called in for a chat. William’s chats were always personal and about problems.

Rubbing his head, Peter glanced at his watch. The last two days this week Rose hadn’t eaten lunch with him. Brad had arrived just as they were leaving, taking her away from him. He despised the man. There was something about Brad that made Peter tense around him. The guy was bad news. He didn’t like him one bit
, and Rose was looking weak. Since he’d last seen her on Saturday, she’d seemed fine. It was Wednesday, and she was already looking pale and withdrawn. He hated it, and what he hated even more was the fact he couldn’t bring himself to stop it.

His heart belonged to another woman. There was no chance for him to enter a relationship knowing Laura was the only one who owned his heart.

“You’ve not taken a sub, Peter,” William said.

“We’ve discussed this before. I’m not ready to take a sub
, and I’m not going to commit to a woman when I’m elsewhere,” he said.

They argued about this regularly. Peter never took a permanent sub. He trained many and gave the women who wanted him some time. He never got too close to the women and always remained impassive.

William looked angered. “I’m worried about you. We’re all worried about you.”

“Edward told you about my cemetery trips?” Peter asked, knowing he was going to hurt the other man when he next saw him.

“Yeah, he did, and frankly I’m worried.” William stood up, tapping his daughter’s diaper covered bottom.

“I don’t see why you’re worried. I’m good at what I do.”

“Dean Riley didn’t die. He was more than happy to step aside and let you have Laura, and you refused. He didn’t die, and he’s still happily married to the woman you’d gladly take a bullet for.”

The
re was a time when those words would have cut through him. Peter fisted his hands at his sides to try to find something to make him feel again.

“Do you think I visit the cemetery wishing Dean was there?” Peter asked, disgusted by William’s assumption.

“Frankly, yeah I do.”

Peter stood. “No, I don’t visit the cemetery because I’m a sick fuck. I’m in love with Laura
, and she’s happy because Dean’s alive. I visit the cemetery to think. I’m not wishing for anything, William, and to be honest, your suggestion is fucking insulting.”

He stormed out of the room and crashed into Daisy. She fell on her ass.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” He reached down helping her to her feet.

“No, it’s okay. The kids keep me on my toes
, and I refuse to hire a nanny. I’m going to be the best mom I can be.”

Peter smiled at her. “You’ll be fantastic.”

He didn’t give her chance to talk to him. William called out to him, but he ignored the shouts of his name. He left the gates of William’s house and club and surprised himself by heading toward Dean’s home. It had been a couple of month since he’d last seen the couple. They’d left Cape Falls to go on a vacation around Europe.

Driving up to their front door, he saw Laura near the side of the house han
ging out washing. He took the time to admire her fuller curves. After a couple of kids, she’d gotten bigger in the hips and breasts. Every time he looked at her, Peter was blown away by her beauty and her strength. Staring at her now, nothing happened. She was a beauty and he admired her, but nothing happened. There was no reaction to her presence at all.

Dean opened the front door, smiling at him.

Climbing out of the car he headed to the front door. “It has been a while since we’ve seen you,” Dean said, holding his hand out for him to shake.

Peter shook his hand and headed inside.

He laughed as their kids jumped on him, demanding hugs and kisses before Laura entered the house, steering them away.

“I’m so pleased you stopped by,” she said, hugging him.

Closing his eyes, he inhaled her scent before pulling away, feeling uncomfortable. It didn’t feel right anymore. Peter frowned when his lower body didn’t respond to her. Usually he had to be careful around her because his cock always hardened.

Maybe he was tired.

“I’m here to see Dean and find out how he’s getting on.”

“Okay,” Laura said, smiling. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

They entered Dean’s study where all the magical stories happened.

“I didn’t think you were going to stop by,” Dean said, taking a seat.

“For a long time I wasn’t going to. I just needed to get away from the club and from William.” He took a seat opposite Dean and looked at the older man. Dean was nearing fifty whereas Peter and Laura were only twenty-eight years old. It was a big age gap, but the two were in love.

“I’m pleased you stopped by. There’s something I wanted to ask you,” Dean said, leaning forward.

“Are you all clear of the cancer? Do you get regular appointments and checks?” Peter asked, cutting Dean off.

“Yes on all counts. It’s miraculous what’s happened. When I was told I had cancer I was expecting the worst. I didn’t want to leave Laura alone in the world.”

Peter nodded. He wouldn’t want to leave Laura alone, period. He wouldn’t want to leave any woman alone at all, not if she belonged to him.

Silence fell on the room. “I’m pleased you survived,” Peter said, thinking about William’s words.

“I need to ask you something, and I don’t want you to take offence, okay,” Dean said.

Rubbing his hands together, Peter waited for Dean to speak.

“Why did you help me get better?” Dean asked.

Peter burst out laughing. “Is this a sick joke?”

“You’ve been in love with Laura for as long as I’ve known her. I knew, when I found out the news that no matter what happened, you’d be there to care for her. She would always have you.” Dean leaned forward, staring at him. “You want Laura, I know you do, yet you could have had her and you made me fight the cancer. You’ve done everything in your power to make sure Laura is happy. Why? You could be in my place right now. I know if I was to go, Laura would get the chance to fall for you.”

Peter
shook his head, standing and pacing Dean’s office. “Why is it so hard for everyone to believe I’ve been a good guy? Why does there have to be an ulterior motive?” Running fingers through his hair, Peter stopped and glared at the man before him. “I was never going to let you die just so I could have a chance with Laura. I love her, yes, and I’ll do everything for her. But I would never be happy being second best, Dean. I could have made Laura love me, but you’d always be number one.”

Staring around the room, Peter needed to get out of their house. He couldn’t be here.

“I’ve got to go.”

Storming out of the house, he got behind the wheel. Laura was
standing in the doorway looking at him. He threw the car into reverse and headed into town. There was only one person he wanted to see, one person who didn’t look at him like he was going to crack under the pressure, and that was Rose.

Finding the first available parking space, he climbed out of his car and headed into the library. When he didn’t see her at the counter, he searched the library looking for her. He found her alone in the history section.

Walking into the room, he closed and locked the door. She turned to look at him. The fear in her eyes died down and was replaced with pleasure.

“Peter,” she said.

He didn’t give her chance to ask him anything. Closing the distance between them, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Rose gasped. Staring into her clear blue eyes, he slammed his lips down on hers. He was being selfish
, but he couldn’t stop himself.

Peter n
eeded to feel her against him. The world was threatening to swallow him whole, and Rose was the only person who could ground him.

****

There was no chance Rose was going to break the kiss. Peter’s arms surrounded her, trapping her against his hard body and the book shelves. Closing her eyes, she opened her mouth for his searching tongue. He deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth.

His grip tightened on her ass as he rubbed himself against her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning. No words were necessary as he kissed her.

After what
felt like days but she knew it was only minutes, Peter broke the kiss.

“I’m not backing away. Brad can go and suck his own dick. You’re eating lunch with me from now on, understand?” he asked.

Words failed her, and she nodded her head, agreeing with him.

“Good, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And like that, Peter left the library. Lunch time was over, and now her thoughts were all over the place. What was she going to do?

Brad could ruin everything
, and he’d not missed a lunch time yet. Pushing her troubled thoughts to the back of her mind, she finished her shift at the library and headed home.

She couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss. Peter sure knew how to use his lips. Rose had never been kissed before in her life. Pressing fingers to her lips, she couldn’t help but smile.

When she got home she was shocked to see her parents home. Entering the front door she found her mother waiting for her. “We’re having guests tonight. You’re to go get bathed and changed. I’ve set out an appropriate dress.”

Her mother dismissed her.

Not seeing the sense in arguing with her, Rose walked upstairs to her bedroom. She saw a peach dress laid out on the bed, along with a pair of black pumps. Shaking her head, she climbed into the bath and washed herself. All the time, she couldn’t stop thinking about Peter and his expert lips on hers. They were the only thoughts she wanted to have.

Once she was done in the bath, she dried her body and hair and started to get changed. She heard
the door go, opening and closing.

Minutes passed
, and her mother shouted up the stairs requesting her presence. Staring in the mirror, she saw the dress was a perfect fit. She hated it. Her stomach growled. She wasn’t allowed breakfast anymore, and her lunch consisted of fruit. Brad didn’t offer her anything more, and whenever he saw her lunch, he smirked.

Spending time with him and his crazy friends scared her. Her only consolation was the fact lunch was spent near other people.

Leaving her bedroom, she made her way downstairs to where her parents were waiting in the sitting room.

“There she is
. Come on in, Rose,” her father said.

She froze when she saw Brad with his parents. What were they doing here? Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she headed toward the only seat available. The room was silent as she took her seat. Brad smiled at her.

“Can I get a refill?” Brad asked.

“Certainly
. Rose, get Brad a refill on his wine,” her mother said.

Feeling sick to her stomach,
Rose moved into the kitchen, grabbing the wine bottle. Brad still had his crazy smile as she refilled his glass. There was water for her. She poured out some wine and took her seat. Her thoughts returned to Peter and the kiss.

Soon they moved into the dining room.
Rose blanked everything out. She’d learned from a young age to keep quiet at her parents’ dinners.

Brad spooned food onto her plate
, and no one questioned what he fed her. She noticed he didn’t put much on her plate, and he didn’t give her seconds. When she reached for more food, her mother shot her a glare, stopping her from eating.

Tears filled her eyes
, but she glanced down at her lap. She sank her nails into the flesh of her thighs, to stop herself from calling out.

After Peter’s kiss, this was turning into the worst night of her life.

“Rose, why don’t you and Brad go up to your room?” her father asked.

She frowned. “Why would I do that?” No boy was allowed in her room.

“Do it, and don’t argue.”

Brad grabbed her arm, leading her out of the room. “
You should learn to do as you’re told,” he said, escorting her upstairs.

Dread filled her, making her stomach turn. She’d not eaten enough
, but with Brad leading her upstairs she was thankful.

He knew where her room was, which she didn’t like.

Brad closed the door, taking a seat on her bed. “This is nice.”

“Why are you here, Brad?” she asked. “Our parents are not friends. There’s no reason for you to be here.”

“Well, you see, that’s where things are about to change.” He got off the bed, moving toward her. She took a step back. Brad reached behind him pulling out a small black box. “Our parents already think it’s a great idea. You’re going to be my wife, Rose.”

The wall stopped her from moving. His hand curved around her waist, halting her progress. Brad opened the box
, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him.