“She’ll come around, James. You’ve got to have faith, or is my friend starting to see the cracks in his appeal?” Stephen asked, smiling.
James chuckled. The sound was foreign to him. For a long time neither of them had a lot to smile about, but now, they could smile without worry. He raised his coffee cup.
“To us.”
They all clinked then sat back to listen to Abigail sing another rich number. James watched her wishing for Prudence in his arms. Every time he saw his friends a yearning filled his chest. Ravage would be open in a couple of days, and that alone should fill his time. Also the Dungeon at the basement of the club would be back in business.
Several subs had requested for him personally to train them. He refused and decided to look for a new head dominant to take the subs in hand. James wouldn’t be dominating anyone but Prudence.
They held a bond, and as far as he knew she still kept his token.
He’d stopped the alcohol as well. Drowning his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle never helped anyone.
Standing up, he bid them good night then made his way out into the bitterly cold air.
“James, wait up,” Stephen called.
He turned. “What’s the matter?”
“Ursula reminded me to ask you about Christmas. What are you doing?”
“I’ve got nothing planned.” He’d wanted to spend Christmas with his woman, but that didn’t appear to be on the plans anytime soon.
“We’re inviting all the guys. Tate and Kevin are coming, along with Sean and Lucas. Cadeon and Violet will be stopping by. Also Isabella and Rebecca are staying. We’re having a feast at our house, and I wanted to let you know the invitation is there. If Prue wants to come, then bring her along. No one should be alone for Christmas.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Stephen shook his hand. “Everything is going to change. I can feel it. The bad is over, and we’re looking ahead to the good.”
James watched him walk inside, hoping he was right.
Chapter Seventeen
“Ouch.” Prue licked her thumb. She’d purchased a machine to peel the selotape easily, but she kept hurting her thumb on the pointed edge. “You’re supposed to make my life easier not harder.”
She grabbed another piece to finish wrapping a present for her sister. Christmas was a few days away, and she had everything in hand for the event. She was spending the day with Veronica. Their parents were on a cruise for three weeks, and Prue didn’t want to be alone. James hadn’t been in touch with her. She couldn’t blame him as she hadn’t reached out to talk with him either.
Cursing, she glared at the tape dispenser and then jumped as her doorbell rang. Sucking her thumb she opened the door without looking. James stood on the threshold. He wore a long leather coat and gloves. She noticed how dominating he looked. His presence alone had the power to freeze her to the spot.
“James,” she said.
Gazing up and down at him, Prue memorized every part of him. She’d missed him.
“Hello, Prudence.”
He made her name sound so good.
“I didn’t expect you. I’ve not heard from you in some time,” she said, moving aside for him to enter. The last time she’d seen him had been a mistake. She hated herself for what she’d made him do.
“Ravage is back open, and I’ve been working at getting the club’s reputation back up to standard.”
“I guess it’s hard work after the shooting and everything else attached to it.” Prue tucked her hair behind her ear then went to kneel at the table. The tension between them made her uncomfortable.
“You cut your hair,” he said.
She’d cut the length out as soon as she could. The length had started to grow back some but was still shorter than it had been. “It’s not long enough to dye.”
“I didn’t know there was a length requirement to dye your hair.” He smiled at her.
She laughed. “No, there’s not. I have my methods, and I don’t like changing them.” Staring at the packages before them Prue’s heart began to pound inside her chest. “What can I do for you?”
With Ravage back open did that mean he was training more subs?
Stop thinking about that, Prue. You wanted this. Stop being difficult.
“It’s Christmas, and I got you a present,” he said.
Prue paused as she stared at him. “You got me a present?” she asked.
“Yes, we may not be seeing one another, but you’re still my woman, Prue.”
He opened his jacket then pulled out a square box. It wasn’t the size of a ring. The box had a bow on the front, and there was ribbon around it.
She took the box turning it over in her hands.
“It’s not going to bite,” he said.
“I’m sorry.” She rummaged through the pile of presents with one hand. When she found the one she was looking for, Prue handed it to him. “I was going to bring this to you at some point. I figured I’d try and get somewhere public because of what happened last time.”
He stared at the parcel.
“You can remove your coat. Would you like a drink? Coffee, tea, or a hot chocolate?” she asked.
James sat in her living room, and she wanted him to stay more than anything else. She’d missed him, and watching him leave now would break her heart.
“I’ll have a hot chocolate if that’s not too much trouble,” he said.
“No trouble.” She stood up and moved into the kitchen. He followed her. She filled the pan with milk then turned to see him leaning against the doorframe.
“I’ve missed watching you in the kitchen.”
She chuckled. “Take a seat. I made a Christmas cake if you want a slice.”
“I’d love some.”
He sat down. She caught her reflection in one of her pans. The bruises had long since faded. She looked like her old self apart from her hair. The hair needed to be changed.
Leaving the pan of milk to heat, she grabbed the cake from out of the cupboard and sliced a piece.
“I’ve not made Christmas cake in a long time. You’ll have to let me know what you think,” she said, handing him the plate with a fork.
Their fingers touched as he took the plate. She gasped at the jolt of electricity running between them. Staring into his eyes Prue saw the warmth in his own as he watched her.
He brought her fingers to his lips. The feel of his lips against her made her gasp. Her eyes closed as her body turned to mush from his touch.