“What are you doing?” Peter wasn’t in the mood to be controlled.
“I’m saving you from making a mistake. Alcohol, even in an experienced Dom, can change our focus. You’re not getting drunk on my watch.” Edward held up the bottled watered and motioned for two.
“Nothing is going to happen between Rose and me,” Peter said, grumbling. He never drank to numb the pain. There was a time he’d hoped something would numb it, but only hard work and determination kept Laura out of his thoughts. Even though, thinking over the last few months, he’d not been constantly plagued by Laura. She wasn’t the first person he thought about, and ever since he’d met Rose, Laura had been the last thing on his mind, if she entered it at all.
“That girl is in love with you, Peter. I saw it in her eyes.”
“You got hard for her,” Peter said.
Edward shook his head. “She’s a beautiful, full, ripe woman. A single man would be crazy not to get hard for her, but her eyes were on you, Peter. You’re the only person she wanted.”
Peter took the bottled water from the waitress and thanked her. She lingered a little, but he refused to give her anything in return. He didn’t play with the waiting staff or any of the staff at William’s club. Peter thought about Rose. How was he going to keep his distance if she was working at the club?
“You can’t deny you don’t have feelings for her,” Edward said, drawing him back into a conversation.
“And why can’t I?”
“If you didn’t have feelings for her, Peter, you wouldn’t have taken her away from her parents. You’ve got feelings for her. You’re just trying to hide from them.”
He hated the fact his friend was right. Edward shouldn’t be right about shit like this.
Sipping down the cold water Peter wondered what he was going to do. He couldn’t stand the thought of setting her up alone elsewhere. The last couple of days of not seeing her had driven him crazy. Rose had become part of his life. The library became his one piece of heaven because he was close to her. When that was taken away from him, he’d been lost.
“Rose is a virgin. She’s never been with another man before.”
Edward nodded. “I saw that. Innocence clings to women, and I can spot them miles away. Rose didn’t have to open her mouth before I saw it. She doesn’t see herself as desirable either. Coming downstairs in that shirt revealed so much about her, Peter. She needs a good Dom and a good man.”
“She’s too young to know what she wants.”
“Yet you settled for being in love with Laura from a young age. You went after her in college, but I recall you saying you felt for her in high school, right? That would put you at eighteen,” Edward said, arguing. “Besides, you don’t need to tie her up and spank her to be a Dom. You can wait for all that. I know you don’t crave it, Peter. You’re an experienced Dom, but it’s not something you need to keep yourself grounded. There is so much more to you than you realise.”
Peter took a long pull on the bottle. He really wished it was whisky. “Have you ever been with a virgin?”
“Yes, I’ve had two virgins in my life.”
Licking his lips, Peter felt embarrassed to be asking such questions. “How do you treat them?”
Edward chuckled. “You start out treating them like bone china. You make sure they know your desire, but you keep it locked away. Never frighten them and always show them how to take care of their bodies. Women have the right to know what to do with themselves more than anything.”
Peter listened. He really wanted to make it work with Rose. He couldn’t give her his heart, but he could give her a life with him.
“The first time will always be painful. There’s nothing you can do to ease it. Ride the wave, listen to their bodies, and then let everything else come naturally.” Edward grabbed his hand. “You’re a natural, and you care for Rose. You don’t need instructions on how to care for her.”
Nodding, Peter threw down a bill and turned to leave. “Thank you for discussing this with me.”
“Take care of her, Peter. She’s a keeper.”
Peter waved goodbye and headed back home.
****
Rose watched as Laura poured another cup of tea. There was a grace to the other woman that Rose knew she was lacking. Laura looked comfortable and confident in her own skin while Rose felt anything but.
She listened to Laura talk about her marriage and the children. The other woman sounded so happy.
“Did you ever love Peter?” Rose asked.
Laura paused, turning to stare at her.
“I’m sorry. That’s rude.”
“No, it’s not rude at all. I know there’s a lot of gossip around town. You’ve not lived with Peter long have you?” Laura asked, bringing over the two cups.
“This is my first night.” Biting her lip Rose stared at the other woman wondering what she’d make of her words.
“Peter’s and my relationship goes a long way back. We went to the same high school. We were not really good friends, and I tutored him in high school.” Laura shook her head smiling. “College was when things started to change. It’s crazy when I think back to that time. Dean hadn’t long been in Cape Falls, and I’d already fallen for him. I found out later that Peter had fallen in love with me.”
Rose waited as the woman paused in her story.
“I fell pregnant with Dean’s baby. He’d left, and everything went to hell and back. Peter was always there. I never let it get far. I knew he was in love with me, but I made it clear that my love for Dean would always hold me back.” Laura laughed. “He was going to raise my child as his own.”
“Peter is a good guy.” Rose agreed.
“He’s the best. Peter wasn’t always good. Growing up he was a bully and a jerk. When I see him now, I’m shocked by the transformation inside him. He’s amazing and nothing like the guy I remember from our early years.”
“His love for you hasn’t changed,” Rose said.
Laura sighed. “I can’t speak for his feelings, Rose. I’ve never encouraged him. He’s my best friend, and yes, he’s the person I turn to.” Laura licked her lips. “I thought Dean was cheating on me, but he’d gotten cancer. Peter was there for me and Dean. I don’t know about his feelings anymore.”
“That kind of love doesn’t go away,” Rose said, hurting inside.