Moving On (Cape Falls) Read online

  He stopped to talk to her. She wanted to go with him, but her sudden fear held her back.

  “Rose, if you stay here you’re going to end up married to Brad. When that happens, your voice will no longer be heard in this town. You know that, right?” he asked.

  Tears filled her eyes. She got the message loud and clear. Once she married Brad no one would care. This was her only opportunity to get away from that.

  “Get me out of here.”

  Grabbing her hand, Peter led her out of her home, across town toward his car. Rose noticed several of the town locals stare at them. She dropped her head unable to meet their gaze. Peter didn’t seem to care.

  “Let the bastards look. What will it take to get these people out of the dark ages?”

  She wished she knew what he was talking about. Rose had lived this way her whole life and didn’t know any differently.

  He helped her into the passenger side of the car. Once her case was in the backseat, Peter climbed in the front and pulled out of the parking lot.

  “You shouldn’t be alone for some time. I don’t think Brad is going to take too kindly to this, and there’s something about him I don’t trust,” he said.

  She didn’t argue. There was a cruelty to Brad, and she hated it. Being near the other man made her feel dirty.

  “Thank you,” she said. Staring down at her hands, Rose couldn’t meet his stare. “I didn’t know what else to do. Before I knew what was happening I was engaged. They’d already quit for me at the library. I didn’t have a say in anything. I was alone.”

  He grabbed her hand, squeezing her tight. “You’re not alone anymore. I’m here, and nothing is going to happen to you.”

  In no time at all he was pulling into his private drive. “This is it, my home.”

  Opening her door, she climbed out and went toward the back. Peter already had her case in hand. She waited for him to unlock the door, and they entered together.

  He put her case down near the door. “I’ll settle you in a room shortly. First, you need to eat.” Peter took her hand once more, leading her to the kitchen. “I can’t do you a large breakfast. We’re going to start slow to bring your strength back, okay?”

  She nodded. He left her to get a seat as he stared cracking eggs into a bowl.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “You’ve not eaten properly in some time. If I put too much food inside you quickly you’ll get ill. We’re going to settle on a two egged omelette and then build it up. I want you to eat small snacks and build your appetite back up,” he said.

  “You know your way around a kitchen pretty good.” She smiled, trying to distract him from his obvious anger.

  “I’m not angry at you, Rose. I’m angry at the town and your parents. They put you in real danger. You don’t deserve to be in danger.” He stopped whisking, leaning his hands on the counter. She noticed he was counting. “Parents should never do that to their kids.”

  “I think Brad’s parents were paying mine. He wanted me to know how much control he had over the situation. I know it doesn’t help, but it’s what he wanted to me to know.”

  Peter shook his head. “He’s a fucking coward and a loser. The boy pretends to be a man when all he’s doing is living off his dad’s money.”

  Rose remained silent.

  “Anyway, let’s get you fed.”

  She stayed silent while he cooked. At home her mother did all the cooking, and it was foreign for her to see a man in the kitchen.

  He brought over a plate, placing it in front of her. “Eat up. I know you’ll want more, but trust me on this.”

  When would he realise that he was the only person she trusted? She couldn’t even bring herself to talk to the sheriff, and he was supposed to be there for people who needed him.

  She took small bites, relishing the taste of the beautifully cooked omelette. Rose wanted more but ate only what he put in front of her. Peter showed her to one of the spare rooms after she finished her dinner.

  “I want you to take a shower and then rest.”

  “It’s a little early for sleep,” she said.

  “No, it’s not. You need your sleep. I won’t be leaving the house today. Do as I ask.”

  Rose nodded not wanting to push her luck. She was grateful to him for taking her away from the mess she’d created for herself.

  Chapter Five

  An hour later Peter checked on Rose to see if she was asleep. She was curled up in bed, wearing a teddy printed shirt. He moved close to the bed, reaching out to stroke the hair off her face. She was such a beautiful woman. It was hard to imagine anyone trying to hurt her.

  Leaving her alone, he closed her door silently. Heading downstairs he made all the necessary calls. There was no way he was leaving her alone.

  Gabriel arrived, and soon after the Steer brothers did. William and Edward arrived last. He hadn’t bothered to call Dean.

  “Is there a reason we’re meeting this late?” Paul Steer asked.

  “Do you know where Rose Slater is?” Gabriel asked, cutting through Paul’s question.

  “She’s upstairs, sleeping.”

  The sheriff erupted. “Do you have any fucking clue how much trouble you’re in? Her parents are screaming at a kidnapping case. You could be arrested, Peter, and charged with her kidnapping.”

  “They were starving her, Gabriel. She was trapped in her own home, afraid and being forced to eat the smallest amount of food. When I went to see her she was shaking with hunger. If you went to their house they’d hide it. I saw the chains on the cupboard. The bottle of milk was fucking marked so she couldn’t even sneak anything.” Peter stopped. His anger was getting the better of him. “I helped her. When she wakes up you can ask her yourself. I didn’t kidnap her. I was saving her.”

  Edward put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Peter didn’t kidnap me,” Rose said. She stood in the doorway with bed-matted blonde hair. He stared at her, struck by how beautiful she looked. Every time he saw her, Peter was always stopped by her kindness. She had the most intense blue eyes he’d ever seen.

  “Rose?” Gabriel asked.

  “My family were starving me. I don’t want to go back there. I can’t.”

  “Your parents are demanding your return,” Gabriel said.

  Peter watched her shake her head. “No, Brad is demanding my return. Not my parents. They don’t give a shit about me. I’m not going back.”

  He saw the determination in her eyes.

  “I’m nineteen. This should be my choice, no one else’s.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear. Rose looked so young. The setting sun cast a glow over her. The night shirt she was wearing came to above her knees. Her large breasts were pressed against the night shirt, showing hard erect nipples.

  Removing his jacket, Peter wrapped it around her shoulders covering her up. Edward cleared his throat turning away. The other men didn’t show any signs of noticing. They all had their own women to deal with.

  “I’ll vouch for Rose. She can work behind the bar at Control to show her independence if that’s what you need,” William said.

  Wrapping his arms around her waist, Peter pulled her close. She went lax under his touch. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself the pleasure her nearness let him have.

  “I’ll tell them you’re safe and you haven’t been kidnapped. Is there any chance you’ll want to talk to them yourself?” Gabriel asked.

  “No, I don’t want to talk to them or have anything to do with them.”

  Gabriel asked her a few more questions. Peter caressed her stomach, trying his best to offer her the support she needed.

  “Go on into the kitchen. I’ll cook you something. I’m going to say bye to my friends.”

  Rose nodded, leaving him alone to deal with their wrath.

  “I know, I know. I fucked up,” Peter said, staring at William.

  “I don’t think you fucked up. None of us know how we’re going to respond when we’re pushed into su
ch a situation. I can see Rose is a submissive, but she’s young, Peter. I need you to understand that,” William said.

  Gabriel and William shook his hand on the way out of the door. Paul and David Steer had been quiet during the whole process. “Call us if you need us,” Paul said.

  “You’re planning on moving away, aren’t you?” Peter asked.

  “We have no choice. The town refuses to change. It’s getting worse, and I’m not about to raise a family in a town that won’t get better,” Paul answered, shaking his hand. “We’ll be around some time yet.”

  Peter nodded seeing them all out until only Edward remained.

  “Take care of her, mate. She looks like she’s been hurt one time too many,” Edward said.

  “I will.”

  His friend glanced over his shoulder but then left. Frowning, Peter watched them all go.

  Turning back into his home, he headed for the kitchen. Rose was sat down waiting.

  “They’re all your friends. The outcasts you talk about?” she asked.

  “Yeah, your family have reported that you’ve been kidnapped.”

  She handed his jacket back to him. “I didn’t think of putting anything on. I’m not used to men staring at me like that.”

  “You’re a desirable woman, Rose. Men are going to want to look at you.”

  Rose shook her head. “I don’t see that, but thank you for saying it anyway.”

  Taking her hand in his, Peter caught her chin in his other hand. “I’m not lying to you, Rose. I’m not trying to make you feel better. I’m telling you the truth. I mean what I say.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not used to it.”

  He dropped her hands and removed his hand from her face, but he didn’t leave. Peter couldn’t move away from her.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked.

  “Stand up.” Peter found himself ordering her without meaning to. He went to open his mouth to speak. The words he was looking for were held back.

  She stood up. Her head tilted back looking up at him.

  “Are you okay, Peter?”

  He didn’t feel okay. Staring down into her beautiful face all he wanted to do was lift her in his arms and carry her up to bed. “Did you want Brad touching you? Being with you?”

  “No, I can’t stand him. He makes my skin crawl.”

  Reaching out, he pushed some of her hair off her face, stroking her cheek with his knuckles.

  “What about me?” he asked. “Did you like my kiss?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I loved your kiss. I like it when you touch me.”

  He tilted her head back and leaned forward. “Do you want me to kiss you now?” he asked.

  “Yes.” Her voice was so soft like a whisper.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  ****

  Was this really happening? Rose watched his head move, and seconds later his mouth was on hers. At first the caress of his lips was light, and then something changed. His hands sank into her hair, fisting the strands. Her nipples hardened, and her pussy grew wet with need. She ached all over, and a fire was burning bright.

  The kiss Peter had given her in the library had been the only thing to keep her stable throughout it all. She was weak where it came to him, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. He tilted her head back, exposing her neck, and he plunged his tongue inside her mouth.

  She moaned, meeting his tongue with her own. Her heart pounded inside her chest so hard that she thought it was going to crash out of her chest.

  He pressed her against the kitchen counter, holding her in place with his hands in her hair. Rose met his strokes and wished she knew what she was doing.

  “Please,” she said, moaning. Peter broke the contact to press kisses down her neck. He sucked on her exposed neck. The night shirt she wore was too big and had fallen down one arm.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said.

  She’d never thought herself as beautiful before. In Peter’s arms, she felt it.

  “Peter.” His name came out as a groan. Nibbling her lip she gasped when he pushed her nightshirt down exposing one of her breasts.

  Refusing him was out of the question. She was so turned on, and she would do everything he asked.

  “I shouldn’t be doing this,” he said.

  “Please, don’t stop.” She lifted her hands up touching his arms. In all the time they’d known each other they’d never really been together intimately. She couldn’t recall really touching him.

  “This isn’t right,” he said. Peter still held her arms, and her breast was still exposed. His gaze went from her breast to her eyes then back again. She saw the fight he was having.

  “This is so right. I’m not afraid with you, Peter. Please, I want you to be my first,” she said.

  The instant the words left her lips, Rose felt him withdraw from her. She cursed her own stupidity as he looked at her. He drew her nightshirt back up, gave her one last lingering kiss, and backed away.

  He didn’t say a word as he made her a sandwich. She ate in silence aware of his emotional and physical withdrawal.

  “I need to go to the club for an hour. Will you be okay by yourself?” he asked.

  She wanted to ask why. Less than a couple of hours ago he’d told her he wouldn’t leave her.

  “No problem.”

  He gave her a card with several numbers on. “Here is where you can reach us all. Don’t answer the door to anyone. If something happens and you’re scared, call me and I’ll be here.”

  Peter hesitated, and all she wanted to do was go back to what they were doing. Instead, she picked up her sandwich and took a bite, not tasting anything. He left a few minutes later. Closing her eyes, she wished there was something she could do to have stopped him. Finished with her sandwich she started to clear away the dishes. She stood at the kitchen sink, washing the plates and putting away the stuff he’d taken from the fridge. Her heart ached for what she couldn’t have.

  The town loved to talk about the outcasts, and she’d heard a lot of rumours about him. She knew he was a Dom and what a Dom was. They’d also been a lot of talk about his feelings for Dean’s wife. She’d seen Laura Riley around town, and Laura was a beautiful woman.

  The sound of the back door unlocking made Rose pause in her tracks. It was like she’d imagined her into appearance. Laura Riley stood removing her coat. “Peter, I’m going to kick your ass if you don’t come here.”

  Clearing her throat, Rose gained the other woman’s attention. “I’m sorry, but he’s not here.”

  Laura’s gaze turned to her.

  “What?”

  “He’s left to go to the club. You’ve just missed him.” Rose turned the tap off. She saw why Peter loved the other woman. There was no way she could compete with Laura.

  “I know I should have called, but he’s been avoiding me.” Laura moved forward, offering a hand. “I’m Laura Riley.”

  “Rose Slater.” She shook her hand. Rose wished she could find fault with the other woman, but there was nothing there. Laura looked happy to see her. Her gaze went up and down Rose’s body. Glancing down, Rose remembered she was in a nightshirt. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, don’t be sorry. If you’re why Peter’s been avoiding me then I’m happy.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not the reason why.”

  “I don’t understand,” Laura said. “If you’re not here because of Peter then why are you?”

  Heat rose in her cheeks. Rose didn’t know how to explain.

  “He’s helping me out of a tricky situation. Nothing is going on with me or with Peter. He doesn’t see me that way.”

  She thought about his kiss and his instant withdrawal from her. This woman was why Peter didn’t start anything with anyone else. He was totally in love with Laura Riley. Any hope she had at having a chance with Peter vanished. She saw the affection Laura had for Peter, and they’d been friends for a long time. There was no way for her to fight for a sma
ll piece of his heart.

  “Well, how did you two meet?” Laura asked, keeping the subject on Peter but changing it slightly.

  “We met at the library. I work there. I mean I used to work there.”

  Laura smiled. “I remember working in the library. He always sat in the historical section. It was always quiet.”

  Rose’s heart broke. Rose had thought he sat there to get some quiet time away from the rest of the library but to also talk to her. He’d probably been in the library hoping to relive memories of his time with Laura.

  “Yeah, I forgot about that.” Rose smiled, wishing the pain would swallow her up. She’d been falling for a guy she had no chance with. The more she thought about it, the harder it was for her to handle.

  “Come on, tell me some more,” Laura said.

  Not wanting to send her away, Rose sat down and talked with the older woman. She answered all her questions, and each time Laura said something, Rose felt her heart break a little more. She didn’t even know if she’d be able to survive the rest of the night.

  Chapter Six

  Peter shouldn’t have left her. He sat in one of the private booths watching as Edward worked over a sub’s ass. The older man knew what he was doing with the leather-bound whip, and all Peter could do was admire his skill. His cock wasn’t rock hard for anything other than the little blonde back at his home.

  He shouldn’t have kissed her. Not only shouldn’t he have kissed her but he also shouldn’t have exposed her glorious full tit for him to see. Now he couldn’t stop thinking about her tits and how they’d taste in his mouth. Downing down the shot of whisky, he relished the burn it made him feel.

  The sounds of male and female moans filtered through the air. None of them would sound like Rose when she came. He’d been so close to spreading her out on the counter and feasting from her body. Instead, he’d backed away. Rose was a fucking virgin. He’d never taken a virgin before in all of his life. The subs that came to him had experience. They knew the score and didn’t expect anything from him. Rose hadn’t even been taken by a man, and he doubted she’d experienced an orgasm.