JAMES: A Night Of The Kings Novel

by Shayne Ford

  The sound of footsteps nearing me makes me raise my eyes.

  “What the fuck was that, Rain?” James asks as he rushes to me.

  “She followed me, and she figured out everything else. She’s gonna tell my mom and dad,” I say, my voice breaking.

  I look at him, struggling to keep myself together.

  “It’s okay, baby. Even if she tells them, you’re going to be fine. Don’t worry, okay?” he says, self-assured, and I’d love to have half of his confidence.

  I nod.

  “Let's go out, then. There’s no reason to hide or feel bad about it. It’s fucking done.”

  He laces his fingers through mine and leads me down the stairs, and the more I walk with him, the better I feel.

  We saunter into a room full of people before we slip into the backyard, and as we strut across, some people gasp in surprise while others furtively glance at us.

  We go straight to the group of men where Lex and Ed stand.

  “You two couldn’t be more obvious even if you tried.”

  “It’s over,” James says, calm, relief beaming in his voice. “Her sister has spotted us.”

  “Good. But I wasn’t talking about that,” Ed says, brushing a wet lock away from my face studying me, his nostrils flaring like a predator smelling blood.

  Without saying anything else, he slowly shakes his head.

  “You two keep and eye on her. No touching, Ed,” he says, grinning, as Ed keeps brushing strands of hair away from my face.

  “Lex, put a leash on him.”

  “He’s no better than me,” Ed says, amused.

  “I know,” James says, surprisingly serious, and Lex finally smiles.

  “Honey, please squeeze their nuts, if they bother you,” he says to me and places a kiss on my lips, and my whole world shifts on its axis.

  It’s the first time he’s actually kissed me in public, and I don’t know if anyone cares, but for me, it’s the beginning of a new life.

  “I’ll be back,” he says and strides to the mayor’s group.

  For a few moments, I stand there looking at him, my mind scrambling as I try to make sense of all the things that happened the last couple of hours.

  And then, I sense the warmth of a body right behind me. The man lowers his lips to my ear, his voice rolling softly.

  “You chose him, darling. Otherwise, you would’ve been mine.”

  I turn around. Not far from me, Ed and Lex are engaged in a conversation with an old couple.

  The house is quiet.

  Cold silver-blue light streams through the windows, washing the rooms and the hallway.

  Barefoot, wearing only a silk robe, I exit the kitchen, climb the stairs and walk into his bedroom.

  I slip out the robe and smoothly slide under the cover. Wide-eyed, I stare at the ceiling. A sense of peace and serenity wraps around me. I know it’s momentary, and perhaps it’s nothing more than the silence before the storm.

  Light rolls over the windows as a car pulls in front of the house. The door seal shut with a deep, thick thud. His Bugatti.

  Moments later, the bedroom door swings open.

  I roll to my side, and prop myself up on my elbow, a smile on my lips. He strides to the bed, his shirt undone, bangs of hair falling in his eyes.

  I push up to my knees as he closes the space between us. His arms curl around my naked body, his lips finding mine.

  He smells like the hot night outside, smoke and pure sex. I slip my hands inside his shirt, drape it off him, and let it slide down the floor.

  “I have to get into the shower,” he says, grinning.

  “No... You don’t,” I say nuzzling his chest, the warmth of his skin intensifying his scent.

  I run my palms over his chest, and then I unfastened his buckle, my hand sliding down his pants, brushing his hard-on.

  Smoothly I cuff him, my gaze tilting up.

  “You know, I could get used to this...” he murmurs, drinking me in as I sweep his silk encased hard flesh with my hand.

  “I think you are used to it...”

  He gives me a cocky smile.

  Slowly, I pull him into my mouth, my gaze locked on his magnetic eyes.

  He runs his tongue over his bottom lip as I take him deeper, welcoming the pulsing hardness inside my hot wet mouth.

  “You’re pretty damn good.”

  I pull him out with a pop.

  “Maybe you’re biased because you like me.”

  “That could be too,” he says, grinning.

  “Or maybe, because I like it,” I say, giving him a seductive look.

  “That’s possible too.”

  I slip my hands inside his pants and peel them off him. He walks out of them, and my hands go to his thighs.

  He grabs the back of my hair, positions his cock between my lips, and drives it in.

  Lust sets on his face as he rubs his erection against his palm before he thrusts into my mouth.

  “Fuck, yes... “ he grunts, watching me with hooded eyes for a few more moments before he pulls my hair back and tears my head away from him.

  My head sinks into a pillow as he pulls me under him.

  He pins my wrists above my head and smoothly enters me, his lips crashing on mine, his tongue filling my mouth.

  “Don’t you fucking move,” he barks as I fight his lock and try to grab him.

  He moves his body and rolls his hips, a smile tilting his lips as I squirm with delight under his weight, captive and completely in his power.

  19

  RAIN

  * * *

  I never thought this day would come.

  It’s almost ten o’clock in the morning when I roll my car in front of my parents’ home, my stomach tied in knots. I slip into the house, dreading the moment when I have to face my mom.

  I head straight to my room, praying for a miracle. Footsteps rush out of the kitchen, coming after me.

  “Rain?”

  I turn.

  “Can you come here for a minute?” my mom says, concern dulling her eyes.

  I follow her into the kitchen, still dressed in my gown, my heart in the gutter.

  She motions to the chair.

  I sense her hurt, yet oddly she seems detached.

  “Why would you do that to me, Rain?”

  “Do what?”

  She studies me for a moment, the sadness lurking in her eyes affecting me.

  Strangely, there’s also so much coldness in her eyes, and then it dawns on me, that’s how she’s always coped with things, because she’s never liked to deal with the inconvenient truth.

  Maybe she knows something about my father, and perhaps she knows about my sister, and yet she’s always fooled herself not to believe any of it.

  Looking from outside, you’d think we are the perfect family, well-off, living in a beautiful house, surrounded by stunning scenery, yet, in reality, things are far from perfect.

  Sure, occasionally we share dinners, and we love our comfort, but our hearts are never here. We all have secrets, and none of us are truly eager to be home, especially together.

  How much misery must lie in Daria’s heart to make her want to see me down, so she can feel better about herself?

  I wonder, what she’s really missing.

  “Why would you get involved with this man, Rain?”

  “What is wrong with him?”

  “Everything, sweetie.”

  As her soft voice travels to my ears, tears come to my eyes. Why can’t she be my mom without judging me, and making me feel guilty and miserable?

  “He’s older than you.”

  “He’s a young man, mom. Dad and Nat are much older than you and Daria.”

  Her eyes dip to her hands.

  “He’s the kind of man who breaks hearts, Rain.”

  Tears start falling from my eyes. What about dad? Isn’t he breaking hearts?

  She catches sight of my teary eyes, and slowly shakes her head before she continues.

  “He
’s a young, very powerful man, who’s not used to settling down or to being loyal, or held accountable. He’s not looking for a long-term relationship. You must know that. You can’t throw your life away because of a man’s good looks.”

  “It’s not because of his good looks.”

  “Yes, it is. You know it is. It’s the way he looks, and it’s also his money and power. But they’re not yours. And one day, he’ll fancy something else, and he’ll move on because they always do. And then you’ll be crushed, and you’ll feel used. And guess what, that thing alone will kill your innocence and your heart,” she says as if she talks about her life.

  A lump forms in my throat.

  “I can’t stop seeing him, mom.”

  Displeasure sets on her face, and her eyes suddenly go blank.

  “Well, I can’t stop you, but your father might, and I expect you to tell him before Daria does.”

  With that, she pushes up to her feet and walks out of the kitchen.

  JAMES

  * * *

  “Alexander Harrington is here, Sir.”

  “Thanks, Lynn. Let him in.”

  Lex ambles into my office, his azure shirt and silver tie bringing out his blue eyes. He slides into a leather armchair across from my desk, and by the look in his eyes, I can tell it’s not good news.

  “What’s the story, Lex?”

  “I’m afraid nothing has changed. The outcome depends on that last vote. Sheryl Lieberman. We either have someone else, or we risk everything.”

  “It’s a zoning change proposal.”

  “It’s a commercial Casino. And an entertainment resort. For some people, it’s like building an obelisk to porn.”

  I lean back in my chair, my hands clasped behind my neck.

  “You know better than mixing business with pleasure, James. You have so much material on the Morgans I’d be surprised if their cat is clean if they have one. I’m sure Darryl Morgan could be nudged a little. Besides, I find it hypocritical that he’s the one voicing a different opinion when he’s also the one who can’t get enough entertainment on the side.”

  “I want to date his daughter, for fuck’s sake,” I blurt out.

  “Do you?”

  I pull a cigarette out, slip it between my lips, ball up the empty packet and throw it in the garbage bin. I flip the metallic lighter open and light up the cigarette.

  “You know the story, Lex. It’s fucking for me, but it’s dating for them, now that they know about it,” I say, tossing the lighter on my desk.

  I lean back against my chair.

  “She’s more than fucking to you, James,” he says, studying my eyes.

  I blow the smoke out.

  “Yes, she is. That’s why it matters to me. I can’t just blackmail him and then invite him out for dinner.”

  “Well, there’s not enough time to charm him into it. We need his vote two days from now.”

  I take another drag and slowly exhale the smoke, holding his eyes. Pondering.

  “You know, if this thing blows up, I’ll lose her.”

  “No, you won’t. She might cry and sulk a little, but she’ll come back to you. In time, she’ll see things differently.”

  I shake my head.

  “You don’t know her, Lex. She has a strong heart, and she believes in this shit. Love, family. She has this idyllic idea about life and the world in general. Besides, she’s never been hurt and scarred, so she’s not used to pain, nor does she know how to forgive and forget. I’m perfect for her right now, but if I hurt her, she has enough power to pull away from me. And it’s stronger than her lust.”

  A dark shadow hovers over his eyes.

  “You didn’t make up that shit, James. That’s her father and her sister, and God bless them, her brother-in-law. She’ll understand. If not, maybe she’s not the woman for you, and you’ll lose her one way or another. She needs to know who you really are and what you do. And you need to know that she accepts you for who you are. Otherwise, you’ll only have another babe on your arm.”

  I let the smoke out, my eyes narrowing at him as he speaks again.

  “Besides, I don’t think he’ll open his mouth. He’s not that stupid. Is she home?” he asks.

  “Yeah...”

  “You don’t sound too happy,” he says.

  “That’s because I’m fucking not. Didn’t I say I never fuck virgins?”

  “Yeah, you did,” he says, cracking up a smile.

  “Now, you know why.”

  “So what’s the problem with her?”

  I take a long drag, blow the smoke to the side and rest my elbows on my desk, locking his eyes.

  “The problem is she doesn’t want my money.”

  “Hmm... That’s something new,” he says, stretching and propping his ankle on his knee.

  “Yeah... The other problem is she needs them, and she doesn’t want to depend on me, and for now, she can’t be on her own. You know the rest...”

  He looks at me for a few moments.

  “She needs to grow up, James, and she has to do it on her own. You can’t do it for her, but you can rush the process by not sheltering her and not sparing her the truth. She needs to grow claws and fangs and lose the romantic view on life if she wants to be with you.”

  I smile, bittersweet.

  “Yeah... I know.”

  “It’s not going to be easy. So buckle up, James. It’s gonna be a hell of a ride,” he says, pushing out of his chair as I pick up the phone. I’ll see you tonight,” he says and walks out the room.

  I pick up the phone.

  “Lynn, I need a business dinner with Daryl Morgan. Tomorrow. At Stern’s.”

  RAIN

  * * *

  No cars passed by for the last thirty minutes. Perched on a bench, I glance down the road, flashbacks from the past coming back to me.

  Almost a year ago, Eve and I were waiting on this bench.

  The return of the Kings…

  “Hey.”

  Eve waves at me as she glides closer. She drops her bicycle next to mine.

  “This thing never gets old,” she says, her face glowing with a smile.

  As I take in her grin, and her beautiful face, tears well up in my eyes.

  “Why are you sad?”

  “I’m not,” I say, trying to smile. “In fact, I have a few good news,” I say blinking back my tears.

  She takes a seat next to me.

  “I spoke to Joanna, and she’s offered me the job. I can start as early as next week. I talked to the person who was looking for a roommate, and I can move anytime I want before I start the job.”

  “That’s awesome,” she says enthusiastically, and then she notices more sadness lurking in my eyes. “I think,” she adds.

  Her face darkens as she notices my tears.

  “Or you can move in with James Sexton,” she says trying to cheer me up.

  Silent, I wipe my tears, unable to smile.

  “I’m so sorry. Did you tell him?”

  I shake my head.

  “No.”

  “Shit. Are you sure moving to New York will do anything for you? Maybe you should wait until the book is released. Perhaps things will change after that.”

  I shake my head.

  “I can’t. I can’t fucking stand Daria and her stupid jealousy and her looking over my shoulder all the time. She’s my own fucking sister and all she wants is to see me crawling so she can be satisfied.”

  “She’s a bully, Rain. You shouldn’t let her affect your life. You should push back.”

  “I do, and she does affect my life because I can’t stop her.”

  “What about your dad?”

  “I have until the end of the week to tell him, or Daria will. He just got back from a business trip. I’m waiting for a good moment.”

  “There’s no such a thing.”

  “I know.”

  “And James?”

  “He’s not going to be happy,” I murmur, a bad feeling unsettling my heart.
/>
  20

  JAMES

  * * *

  “He didn’t fucking budge,” I say, cold as ice.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Lex's voice drifts in the air all the way to the end of the back rooms. I slam the door close and lean against my desk, my arms crossed over my chest.

  “What did he say?”

  “He dared me to use the recording. I can send it to his wife for all he cares.”

  “Are you serious?”

  I nod.

  “Does he know about you and Rain?”

  “No. He was quite agreeable to me in the beginning. He did recognize my name, but he had no fucking idea who I was until I started to talk. I charmed him at first, but it was useless. I tried to sell him the idea, but he didn’t buy it, and then I had no choice, and I used what I had on him. ”

  “Maybe he thought you’re bluffing.”

  “There are three different women he’d been repeatedly involved with. He didn’t deny any of it, yet he didn’t budge.”

  I tilt my head back and stare blankly at the ceiling.

  “It’s done. There’s all there is. Other than killing someone tonight, there’s nothing I can do. We’ll find out tomorrow,” I say patting my pocket looking for my cigarettes.

  “He might try to turn other people against you.”

  “He might, but I can’t control any of that. If it fails, we’ll have to find a different land, one that’s already zoned commercial.”

  “That will be way over the budget.”

  My phone buzzes. I pick it off the desk and glance at it. Tension sets in my jaw.

  I hurl my phone to Lex.

  “You care to take this?”

  “Hi, Rain,” he says, his eyes locked with mine. “Yeah... Mm-hmm. He’s not available right now. What do you want me to tell him? Okay... All right, then.”

  He drops the phone on the desk.

  “She needs to talk to you. It’s something important.”

  I roll my eyes, snatch my jacket and my phone and head for the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Silver. You wanna come?”

  “What about...?” he asks motioning to my phone.