His Obsession(44)

He would change it. Every member was being thoroughly checked from now on. All his existing members would be investigated.

“The man you had to entertain, what was his name?”

“Dominic, and he was British. I never knew his last name.”

And there was the connection he needed. Cadeon comforted her while James and Stephen left. They drove in silence to Possession. He pressed the security digits then waited for the gates to open. Like always he went through the back entrance.

When they were in the privacy of his office, Stephen lost it. All his anger he took out on the furniture in his office. James stood in the corner with his arms folded, watching him.

“Trashing your office is not going to change anything that happened. This was not your fault,” James said.

“Not my fault?” Stephen threw the computer to the floor. The screen smashed. “Do you think my father would have let that slide? He would have known instantly what was going on. What did I do? I sat back and did nothing.” He walked over to where James stood. “That woman has no life because of me. She lives in a house that she refuses to leave. What kind of life does she really have? She depends on a lot of people, James.”

“And you think trashing your office will solve all of those problems?”

“Your father gave you one piece of advice, to look after the club and make sure all members are safe. You’ve done that. Ravage is flourishing, and you’re in complete control of everything you do. My dad asked me to keep Possession in the same high regard. I fucked it up, James. He asked this one thing of me, and I messed it up.” He started to laugh at the situation. James stared at him. “Do you know what the funny thing is? I was jealous of all you. You knew what possession was all about, while I thought it was a load of crap. I now know it’s not.”

He stared round the office, the same office his father had used and his father before him. There was a lot of history in the room, and he’d trashed it.

“You’ve fucked up, so deal with it. You don’t have to spend the rest of your life messing up. Rebecca got hurt. You’re on the ball now. Don’t mess up again.”

“That simple?”

“I wasn’t always a dominant, Stephen. When I found out about my parents’ preferences I freaked out and rebelled. It was only after time that I realised the real person I was. This is who I am. The woman I meet has to accept me how I come. I’m not going to change.”

Stephen nodded, unable to do anything else. There was a knock on the door, and Lucas entered. He took one look at the mess then left.

“I guess we’re meeting elsewhere.” James left him to go find Lucas. Stephen grabbed his cell phone to call Ursula. He needed to hear her voice.

The call carried on without answering. When it went to voice-mail he hung up and re-dialled her number. She answered on the third ring.

“Hello,” she said.

“Hi, it’s just me. I wanted to check in.”

“You couldn’t stay away too long. Are you missing me?” she asked.

He glanced around the room, his temper calming down the moment she began to talk. “You have no idea how much I’m missing you. How come you couldn’t get to the phone?”

“I was sucked into college work. I have this paper to write. When I get interested in it, I can’t do anything but work. That’s the way I am.” She chuckled.

“I’m glad.”

“My sister is going to be at my parents’ next weekend. She wants to meet you.”

“It should be fun,” he said. Every word she spoke allowed him the chance to completely calm down.

“Yeah? What if you see her and decide you like her more than me?”

“That would never be possible.” He knew there was no other woman on the planet for him.

“How do you know?” she asked. Stephen heard the doubt in her voice.

“When I’m with you do you really think I could pass you over for someone else?”

“You haven’t met her.”

He sighed. “She wasn’t the woman who came for the job interview to clean my house. Also, she hasn’t put up with my temper and made me work for a conversation. You do all of those things.”

“What about sex?”

“Are you seeking a compliment?” he asked.

“Always.”

He laughed at her playful tone. “If you’re ever in doubt of my affection, touch the pendant I gave you.”

There was rustling, and he knew she was touching the necklace. “It is a beautiful necklace.”

“I would not give that to any woman in my life. I gave it to you.” He sensed her smile down the line.

“Will it always be like this?” she asked.