Page 69 of Princess For All

I let his answer stand, nodding for James to come with.

He didn’t say anything until we were in the elevator. “Whatever he’s doing for you, I could too, Inez. I told you—”

“No, you couldn’t, James,” I said quietly. I reached over and took his hand. “Please, I’ve given you a lot of understanding and acceptance. I need it this time.” I let out a slow breath.

“You remembered something. Yeah, we’ve figured that out. I even heard Vanessa assuring Kristof that you’ve spoken to her about how you’re acting out and you seem to have a reasonable grip on the situation. I’m glad and I’m trying, Inez. I’m really trying but—”

“But what?” I demanded, dropping his hand. “Where have you been? Not asking to spend time with me.”

“When could I have caught you that you’re not hiding out with them?” he threw right back.

I scoffed at him and was glad Vitor had hit the floor for the lounge instead of my bedroom. Yeah, that was better for sure. “You knew how to get me now. Others leave notes. I’m like clockwork with breakfast. Someone manages my schedule and gives me all of the requests. You could have asked for a fucking date day like others or put in some fucking effort.”

He ran his tongue over his teeth and stared at me. “You’re right. You are, spicy snack.” He waited until that seemed to take some of the wind out of my sails. “You put the collar on and acted like you were taking thereinsof what was going on between us.”

Vitor cleared his throat, waiting until I looked at him. “I actually thought the same and you were intentionally punishing the cat. Most do.”

James lost the rest of his upset when he saw my reaction, whatever expression was on my face. “Okay, so we had a miscommunication. I get it. I’m glad that’s… What’s going on then?”

“I’m going to come clean. In a few days. You’re part of it, but it’s for my husband and… You might want to wait to push for more until you know you can handle this side of me, James.” I cleared my throat and took a step back from him. “I’ve gotten a bit dark and mean since—things.”

He caught my hands and moved closer, kissing my hair. “Are you hurting yourself?”

“No,” Vitor and Tian said together and Vitor continued. “It might bite her in the ass later and that’s her hesitation. But she’s not self-harming or anything you’re worried about. I do think she needs to finally try the fucking pot instead.”

“I don’t disagree,” Tian sighed.

Wow, that said a lot since that meant skipping a blow job for him.

I would reward that.

“Are you hurting one of them?” James asked after a moment.

“No,” they said together. I wasn’t so fast to answer or agree.

“You smell of guilt, spicy snack,” James worried.

“I told you that I’ve been mean,” I whispered.

He cupped my face and gave me a soft kiss that he took up a notch after a moment. I slid my hands into his hair, loving that he grew it out now instead of his short military cut. He lifted me up and wrapped my legs around him.

He cleared his throat and broke the kiss. “This wasn’t why I came here.”

“Don’t,” I warned Vitor and Tian, practically feeling when they both wanted to say something. My eyes were only for James then. “What did you come for?”

His eyes filled with sadness. “I miss you, Inez. Don’t you miss me too?”

I opened my mouth but closed it, hurrying to say something when he looked hurt. “I wished you would make an effort, but we talked now about why. I don’t think you’ve been around me enough for me to like miss you, James. Or I did and grieved you. It just felt like…”

“So you wanted me around, but things are too complicated to like miss me?” he checked.

I nodded. “And things are too complicated inside of me to know what’s really going on too much.”

He swallowed loudly. “Yeah, I want to help with that which is why I wanted you to send them away.”

“They will end you,” Vitor warned.

“What?” I asked, glancing between them.

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