Divided Control (The Control Series Book 2) Read online

  She was even better than he remembered. He was home. He moved her slowly up his length and then back down.

  "Amy, God I love you."

  She stopped. Whimpered.

  Then she scrambled from his lap and out of the car. What the fuck?

  He shoved himself back into his trousers and followed her to the door. She fumbled with the keys.

  "Amy. What’s going on?"

  "I shouldn't have done that. I’m sorry. Thank you for the lift, James." She found the right key, opened the door, entered and went to shut it in his face. He put his leg in the door to prevent it from closing.

  "No, Amy, you ran away last time. I’m not letting you do it again. Talk to me."

  "I can't speak to you."

  "Why not?"

  "Because I want you."

  James pushed the door back and followed her into the main area of the club. A few tables were laid out, and the bar area looked similar, but it was less tacky and more ready for a theatre show.

  "Then fuck me, so we can talk."

  "James. Be serious."

  "This is because I said I love you. I’m not going to lie to you, Amy. I have always loved you. You know that." He reached inside his shirt and pulled out the chain around his neck. On it, he had her engagement ring. "This hasn't left my neck since the day you left me."

  Amy came closer; his heart beat faster. He needed to slow down. He couldn't blow this chance. He had done everything she had asked for the last six months. What he had done had hurt her atrociously. But when she left, he’d wanted to rip the drains out of his arms and die. He’d been sedated for several days after he tried.

  Amy reached out and took the ring in her hands.

  " I don't know how to trust you again. I’m scared we’ll end up hating each other."

  "Amy. Listen to your heart. What does it say to you to do?"

  She snorted a little laugh,

  "I told you what it’s telling me to do."

  "Then do it. Let me put myself inside you and make you scream with pleasure; you know I can. Afterwards, I’ll stay if you want me to. You ask me to leave, and I will. I’m giving you the control."

  "You will never be able to do that."

  "I know you don't trust me, but try. If I fail, I’ll leave your life forever."

  Amy took his hand and led him to the bar. "I always wanted to have sex on this bar." She spread her legs and leant over the counter so that her breasts were pressed against the marble and her bottom was in the air. James nearly shot his load when the non-existent skirt rode up.

  "I think I can oblige you there, Miss Jones."

  "No pressure, James." She turned back to face him, and he could see in her eyes she was turned on but also that she was very scared.

  "Only between your beautiful thighs." He ran a finger over her folds. "Always ready for me."

  "I have been ready since I first heard your voice in the club."

  James dropped his trousers and pants and pulled his cock free. He stroked it a few times, Amy watched over her shoulder. She had always liked to see him touch himself. He positioned himself at her entrance to magical pleasure. He went slowly, to savour every second of her heated touch welcoming his rigid length. He stilled when he was all the way in, to tease her. She began to rock her hips, and he smacked her oh so beautiful naked bottom.

  "Patience, Amy."

  "I thought I had the control."

  "You want the control here as well?"

  "If you don't start moving soon, then yes I do." She ground her hips again. He whacked her bottom harder, and she hissed. He withdrew and slammed back into her several times at a frantic pace. He ran his hands over her back to her shoulders and gripped them. His pace was scorching.

  His legs were already feeling weak, and his balls burned every time he thrust into her welcoming warmth. "Part your legs further. I want to get deeper into you."

  "I don't think you can." She was breathless, gripping the bar with her broken nails. He pushed her legs further apart. He rammed hard again, and Amy screamed with pleasure when he rotated his cock inside her before pulling out again.

  "James, let me come. Please. I beg you."

  He bent over her and bit her shoulder, a silent sign between them of his consent. He thrust forcefully, and she came, shuddering underneath him against the cold marble of the bar top and calling his name. He followed her and released deep inside her. Every tension he had lived with for six months flowed from his body. They remained entwined together, basking in the afterglow of their orgasms. Neither moved. Neither spoke. He must be crushing her, but she never asked him to move, she just tried to recover her breath.

  He finally withdrew from her and pulled his jeans up. He ran his hand along her tender pussy, and she shuddered with an aftershock. He helped her stand and supported her as she was rather wobbly on her high heels.

  "What do you want me to do Amy?"

  She mumbled sleepily. "Do?"

  He scooped her into his arms and carried her into the hallway.

  "Which one is your room?"

  She pointed down the hall. He carried her there, nudged the door open, and placed her on her bed. He removed her shoes and skirt and put the covers over her. She hadn't told him to stay, and she hadn't told him to go.

  "Amy?"

  No reply came.

  He walked out of the room and closed the door. Back at the bar, he poured himself a brandy. Then he took a seat on one of the soft sofas and decided that was where he was going to stay until she woke. He couldn't risk losing her a second time. It would kill him if he did.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Amy

  Amy rolled over in the bed and let out a long sigh of contentment. That was the best night's sleep she’d had in months. The satisfied ache between her thighs suddenly brought remembrance of what had happened. She sat bolt upright in the bed,

  "James."

  He wasn't in the bed with her. Had she told him to leave? She tried to think back, but after they’d had sex, she had collapsed and couldn't remember anything. She had been exhausted. Maybe it had all been a dream.

  Amy got out of bed and removed the remainder of her clothes. She’d only had two glasses of wine, but the way he played her body, she was out of it.

  Amy jumped into the tight-fitting shower in her room and washed away the now crazy hairstyle and excessive makeup. She made a quick coffee and headed towards the bar. When she opened the door, there was a sound of someone’s breath. She froze and peered around the corner of the door.

  On one of the sofas, fast asleep in the most awkward position, was James. He hadn't left, but why had he slept here?

  She must have fallen asleep before she gave him an answer. He didn't want to leave, but he didn't want to stay in her bed without her permission either. Her heart leapt.

  She placed the coffee down silently and tiptoed up to him. He’d be aching today; the sofa was tiny for someone of his build.

  "James?" She tapped him lightly on his arm, and his eyes blearily opened. "Did you sleep here all night?"

  He stretched out an arm and sat up. He cracked his neck and then nodded.

  "What time is it?"

  "A little after nine. Do you want a shower? Might ease the aching bones a bit?"

  He took her hand.

  "Did I do the right thing? I wasn't sure what to do."

  She leant forward and kissed him.

  "Yes, you did the right thing. Go shower. I’ll bring you a coffee. I don't have any clothes that will fit you, so you can't change."

  "That's alright. When Matthew saw I wasn't home last night, he would’ve dropped some off early."

  "He would’ve presumed that we were... doing what we did and brought you clean clothes." Amy frowned, her mind started racing. "But how would he know where you were? You hadn't looked me up?" Had he lied to her?

  "Relax. You know Matthew does these sorts of things. It’s what I employ him for. " He pulled his phone from his crumpled jeans pocket. " And GPS. H
e can track me at all times, the Audi has it. Not to mention I have some device on my watch that I really don't understand."

  "Oh. Sorry." She laughed to ease her discomfort at automatically assuming the worst. "I’m just glad he doesn't have video reception on those things."

  "I’d draw the line at that. Why don't I shower and change? We can go get some breakfast? Now you’ve got the fucking out of the way, do you think we can talk?"

  "I’d like that." She smiled, and her stomach let out a loud gurgle. "I want a full English breakfast, though. I seem to have my appetite back."

  He laughed as he left the room. Amy sat on the sofa. She picked up his jacket and brought it to her nose. It smelt of him—a heady, spicy essence that was her safe place.

  She was still so nervous, but she needed to give him a chance. She hadn't lived the last few months, and that was no way to exist.

  Forty minutes later they wandered into a posh restaurant in Guildhall.

  "James. I wanted a fry-up."

  "You’ll get one. This place is the best in London."

  "There was a cafe a minute's walk from the club."

  "Really? Can you see me in a greasy spoon?"

  "Essentially you’re a builder, aren't you?" She laughed. He grunted.

  "Sit down, Amy."

  She did as she was told. Damn you, body!

  The waiter came over and greeted James in a friendly manner, so he was obviously a regular. Two full English breakfasts, freshly squeezed orange juice, and coffees were quickly brought over, and they began to eat. Amy wasn't going to admit it to James, but the food was fantastic.

  "So, what happens now?"

  James wiped his mouth when he had finished and sat back to drink his third cup of coffee.

  "What do you mean?" Amy looked at him confused.

  "Us? If there is us?"

  "There is." Amy placed her knife and fork together on her plate. "But it can’t be the same way as last time. Not yet. It was too intense, James. The way we were going, we would’ve ended up hating each other.”

  "I’ll never hate you." He folded his arms.

  "James, if you’re not even going to try to listen and understand, then I should just walk out now."

  "Alright. I’m listening," he said hastily.

  Amy bent down to her handbag and pulled out the paper and pen she had packed while James was showering.

  "We’re going to develop some rules, and agree to them."

  "Rules?"

  Amy picked her bag up and stood up.

  "Alright, sit down. Rules. What’s the first one?"

  Amy sat back down and began writing.

  "The first one is that if either of us find out anything about the other we’ll tell them straight away. No secrets or lies."

  "You’ve my word on that. Although I wish to be allowed to keep secrets if I want to surprise you. I love you, and I have the finances to buy you things if I want to."

  "Alright, I’ll give you some leeway on that. Twice a month, and no massive surprises that involve holidays or purchases over one hundred pounds."

  "A thousand."

  "Two-fifty."

  "Five hundred."

  "James, please. I can't reciprocate those sorts of gifts."

  "You give me everything I need when you’re in my arms. However, I’ll reluctantly agree to two-fifty."

  She wrote that down.

  "Lastly, I won’t be moving back in with you. I want to take this slowly."

  "Amy--"

  "This is non-negotiable, James. I don't work Wednesday mornings. I can come to you Tuesday night and stay over. You can come to me on Saturdays, since the school is closed on Sundays. Do you agree to that?"

  "Two nights. That’s all I get to see you?"

  "Yes, at first. We need our space. You still have a company to run, and I’m trying so hard to get my business off the ground. I’m also trying to find spare time to write. When I lived with you, I didn't have a job. I had time to write. I need to be able to do that still. I’m not saying that you can't phone me and talk to me during the days we don't see each other. I’d like that."

  "Can we have phone sex?"

  "Yes, we can have phone sex."

  "Alright, but I want two rules of my own. I know I promised you I’d give you all the control, but I’m adamant on these just as you are on the taking it slowly."

  She swallowed. This had been going so well. "I’ll listen to them and consider them."

  "Firstly, your room at my house is exactly the same as the day you left it. I want you to feel free to use any of the clothes, underwear, handbags, jewellery, cosmetics and so on that I bought you. They’re yours." She timidly nodded. She needed clothes, and it made sense to use what she already had, even if most of it was designer brands. "I’ll have Matthew return your phone and laptop later today."

  "I have a new phone already; I don't need another one."

  "Is it a contract? Or pay as you go? Does it have GPS? FaceTime?"

  "Pay as you go. It’s just a basic one."

  "Then I’m not arguing with you on this point. It’ll be returned for my peace of mind if nothing else."

  "Is that it?"

  "No." James sat forward in his chair and rested his arms on the table. "I don’t like you living in the club. I’ll worry about your safety. You know me, you’ll find Matthew or myself camped outside in the morning if I can't control that worry. To be able to stick to your rules, I’ll need to feel you are safe."

  "I do understand that James, but I can’t afford anywhere else. I need the rent from the flat to fund the business. The income from the school isn't enough to cover all my costs yet."

  "Then that’s the choice you have to make. You allow me to assign Matthew or Sonia to protect you on the nights I’m not with you. Or, I have a property just down the road. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s in a safe location and it’s fully furnished."

  "Sonia is still with you?" The bodyguard had saved their lives.

  "Yes, she is. She’s been looking after my mother." He frowned at her.

  "What do you say?"

  "You know I don't want to live rent-free in a place you own, but equally, I can't expect Sonia and Matthew to give up their comfort to look after me." She looked over the list of rules that they’d already written down. This was a big sacrifice for her pride, but he was sacrificing for her. He wanted nothing more than to have her by his side twenty-four seven but she wasn't ready for that. He was going to find this hard. He’d worry about her all the time, and it would severely test his control.

  "Alright, I accept. You can take me to see the place later."

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips.

  "Thank you. I’d worry too much if you stayed at the club alone."

  "I know. We just need to learn a bit more about each other James. But that has to be away from living in each other's pockets all the time."

  He let go of her hand and brought it up to the ring around his neck.

  "What do we do about this?" The morning sun caught the diamond and glistened.

  "Keep it there, for now. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend only. When the time is right we’ll both know, and I’ll wear it again."

  He looked deflated. Amy hurt for him. But she needed to find her own feet. She had been under the control of her parents, then her uncle, and then James for most of her life. She had never built anything for herself, and she was taking great pride in what she was able to do with the dance school.

  "Shall I get the bill?" He looked back at her.

  "Yes. We can go look at the apartment, and if I like it, you can help me move in."

  "Can we christen the bedroom? It is a Sunday after all."

  Amy laughed. "I wouldn't let you out of the place without doing so."

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Amy

  "Can I get two skinny caramel lattes and a decaf Americano with a splash of milk please?"

  "Eat in or take away?"

  "Eat in, please."

>   "Anything else?"

  "El, you want a muffin?" Amy turned to her friend, who was eyeing up a gingerbread cake.

  "Please."

  "Three gingerbread muffins as well please."

  "What is with the three of everything? Something you aren't telling me?"

  Amy paid the barista and pulled out her phone while they waited for the coffees to be made. A few days had passed since she and James had reconciled.

  "We’ve company."

  "Who?"

  She put her hand up to silence Elena as the call was connected.

  "Hey Sonia, your coffee and cake are in here."

  "Am I that obvious?"

  "No, but James is."

  "I’ll be there in a minute."

  Amy hung up and placed the phone back in her bag. The coffees were ready, so they took them to the table and sat down just as Sonia walked in and joined them.

  "Elena, meet Sonia. She’s my bodyguard, and I suspect she probably knows everything about you already."

  "Matthew gave me a file this morning. Happy to meet you." The two shook hands.

  "And you." Elena looked towards her. "A file? What does that mean?"

  "That you’re not a mass murderer."

  "I'm not?"

  "Nope."

  "That’s good to know. Does he do this sort of thing often?" Elena had such a puzzled expression on her face that Amy was trying not to laugh.

  "It’s his quirk."

  "Are you angry at him?" Sonia leant forward and took a sip of her drink.

  "I thought I would be, but no, I'm not. It’s something James needs for his peace of mind. Just don't sit out in the car again. It’s too cold."

  "I won't. Although, don't tell Matthew. I get more attention from him if he thinks I have."

  "How are you both?"

  "We’re good. Magnificent in fact." Sonia blushed.

  "Matthew is James' bodyguard, right?" Elena asked.

  "Yes, he is."

  "And you and he are together?"

  "We are."

  "Right, Amy. I need a full catch up because I’m totally lost. But first. I want my muffin."

  All three of them laughed and spent the next hour catching Elena up on who was who, and Sonia filled Amy in a little on what had been going on during her six-month absence. She felt so bad at how poorly James had taken their break up, but she was glad that it had seemed to focus his thoughts.