Forbidden Innocence

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Tales of the Forbidden Book 3: Forbidden Innocence By Jaden Sinclair

2

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Published by Mélange Books, LLC White Bear Lake, MN 55110 www.melange-books.com Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3: Forbidden Innocence, Jaden Sinclair, Copyright  2011

ISBN: 978-1-61235-238-1 Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Credits Editor: Nancy Schumacher Format Editor: Nancy Schumacher Cover Artist: Caroline Andrus

3

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3: Forbidden Innocence By Jaden Sinclair Blaine Cedric is considered a big catch in Treece. He's been away from home for a long time, and the only reason he came home now was to prevent an old childhood friend from destroying something pure. Shyla Kabrey was only seven when her mother began working for the Compound of Treece. Without a father, and her mother dying when Shyla was fifteen, she became a ward of the town. For six years she endures the Compound's 'required' classes with the hopes of leaving some day. Blaine's never wanted or felt this need to protect or have, until he saw the lonely girl daydreaming at a party. He's drawn to her innocence, drawn to her in ways he never thought he could be drawn to one woman. She might be forbidden to others, but to him she's a must have. ****

****

www.jadensinclair.com Other stories by Jaden Sinclair at www.melange-books.com The Proposal “Kiss Under the Mistletoe” in Holiday Treats S.H.I.L.O. S.E.T.H. Interplanetary Passion Outerplanetary Sensations SHIFTER SERIES 4

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair Stefan’s Mark Claiming Skylar Dedrick’s Taming The Prowling Cole’s Awakening The New Breed Seducing Sasha Draeger’s Legacy Lucifer’s Lust, with Mae Powers Love at First Sight Tales of the Forbidden, Book 1, Forbidden Temptation Tales of the Forbidden, Book 2, Forbidden Rapture

5

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter One Blaine Cedric sat in the back of his limo, staring at the dark town of Treece, wondering like hell why he came back home. The place hadn‟t been home to him for so many damn years. He wasn‟t even sure if it could be a home again. Yet it was the closest thing to a home he had, and with his friends he had a good feeling they‟d help him make it a home once more. After all, Devon and Dane couldn‟t stop bitching at him about coming back for good. The limo turned south towards the house. Cedric Manor, which was what his father and grandfather use to call it. It was the second largest to the Chateau, and the coldest place in which to grew up. Blaine couldn‟t recall too many warm and fuzzy nights in the house. After his mother died, his father changed and became a man he just didn‟t know. He traveled, screwed around, and fucked many men out of business deals. Once Blaine was old enough to see and act on his great role model, his father shipped him out. The town was told it was to correct Blaine‟s ways, when in fact it was because Blaine became a threat to dear old dad, not only with business men but with the young women also. The women his father brought home seemed to want to have a taste of the younger Cedric man, and Blaine was very willing to give them that sample, if only to piss his father off. He didn‟t mind one bit being sent away from his father, or the customs of Treece—another thing to piss off his father. When he hit twenty-three, his father tried to order Blaine home to get married, but Blaine ignored it and started to travel. Years later, he got the news that his father died, and like his father did to him many times over the years, Blaine didn‟t come home to say a final good-bye. He was bitter at how his father had shipped him off, and still carried that bitterness close to his heart. 6

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Devon saw it, Dane didn‟t and Darius just understood all too well. It was that bitterness that kept Blaine away from Treece and his home. But like Devon told him, there would be a time in everyone‟s life where you had to take a deep breath and come back to where you belonged. Now was that time. The limo turned into the long drive. After the death of his father, Blaine got rid of all the staff. They were his father‟s and loyal to the bastard only. He needed someone there for him and the future, not people that would hang onto the past. His new staff were people not from Treece. They were people looking for work and willing to move away and start over for it. They were Henning, the new driver, and Randal, the new butler, who ran the house. He also hired a cook, and about three others to keep the place clean. He shipped them all to their new home and was informed that they took their jobs seriously. A few months ago he discovered that his cook and maid had family looking for work also, so he brought them to take over the grounds. Even though Blaine didn‟t want the whole house opened, he was told by Randal that the house was being cleaned from top to bottom. With instructions by Blaine, the master bedroom was also redone, getting rid of the dull, dreary look of his father and grandfather. He was assured that when he came home, nothing of the old would be there. And each time he stopped in for a few days he saw the changes that were being done, yet he never ventured upstairs. Hell, he had yet to really sleep in the house and had mixed feelings about moving back in even now. The staff also had a method of keeping in touch with everyone. When the house came into view, there were lights on in parts of the house and Randal standing out front waiting for him. Cedric Manor was huge. It had eighty-three rooms, a grand dining room, ballroom, pool room, library, study, living/entertainment room, kitchen, and sun room. There even happened to be a pool built in the basement to be used during the winter months. When one walked into the front doors they were greeted with a small split balcony over head. The staircase fanned out to the left and right, coming down in an oval shape with marble steps. In the center of the large space, a sitting area had been set up. It was one of the new things Randal and the staff had installed. To the left was the kitchen and dining room, and to the right the living area. Up the stairs one could go either left or right to one of the many rooms. In the center, up two steps and down a long hallway was the 7

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

master suite. The design of the house was different, unique, and with the changes to the colors and the warm feeling it evoked, Blaine got the feeling that these walls would finally be a home to him. “Good evening, sir.” Randal opened the back door of the limo the second it stopped. Henning quickly got out and unloaded the bags from the back. “Welcome home.” Blaine smiled and shook Randal‟s hand. “I trust that everything has been going well.” “Perfectly.” Randal smiled. “The house is finished and can be opened whenever you desire.” Blaine followed Randal inside, Henning behind with the bags. Through the wide archway and a left up the stairs they went with Randal leading the way. Everything had been cleaned, and redecorated. From what he saw, most of the new decorations were things that his father had either stored or took down after his mother died. Blaine liked it all. On the second floor, Blaine went right up the steps and down the hall to his newly decorated bedroom. Randal rushed up in front of him to open the door, took a step in and one back for Blaine to enter. The darkness of the master bedroom was gone and in its place were cream, warm colors. The dark leather furniture had been replaced with cream white pieces, dark carpeting taken out and new hardwood floors laid, accented with white fur rugs. The bed was also new. Blaine recalled the bed had once been a four poster, dark wood. What stood in its place now was a Villagio Eastern King Sleigh Bed of birch and solid cherry veneers with a medium brown hazelnut finish. A carved headboard with diamond cut, crystal finials on footboard. Blaine couldn‟t wait to get into it and see if it was as soft as it looked. “Randal, this exceeds anything I might have thought,” Blaine stated, going over to the bed, touching the footboard. “Remind me to give you a very nice bonus along with the rest of the staff.” “I‟m glad you‟re pleased.” Randal went over to the left, opening a door. “The bathroom has also been redone. Everything‟s new.” He took a step to the right, opening another door. “And all of your things have been moved over for you as well.” “Very nice.” Randal nodded and walked to the door. He stopped, and turned. “Oh I almost forgot. You have an invitation for the Compound‟s winter party. I‟m afraid that you can‟t ignore or decline this one. And Mr. Noved and Mr. Knight will also be here tomorrow evening and the information you 8

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

requested is on the desk.” Blaine glanced over to the writing desk in front of the window. A folder rested in the center with the information he wanted on Kabrey. “You can call them Devon and Dane, Randal.” Randal grinned, nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Blaine smiled, shaking his head. He reached up and released the top three buttons of his shirt, walking to the desk. Randal was going to take his job very serious, he knew that and it didn‟t bother him. At least he had someone with half a brain working for him. Slipping out of his jacket, tossing it to the bed, he picked up the folder, opened it and began reading the small amount of information. Right before he left town for the last time, he had instructed Randal to dig up as much information on one family from his past and one girl he forgot. His gut screamed that she had something to do with why Owen was back causing trouble. If it was the daughter he was after, then Blaine needed to find her first and protect her before Owen destroyed her. There wasn‟t that much on Susan Kabrey and her young daughter as he hoped there would be. She worked at the school Blaine and several others were shipped to. Her husband died right before her child was born, she stayed on for seven years then left. Turning the page, Blaine instantly woke up. Susan Kabrey and her child moved to Treece where she obtained a job as housekeeper at the Compound. For eight years she worked there then she got sick and died, leaving her daughter an orphan of the state. That meant her daughter was still at the Compound and would be twenty-one by now. Ready to present, and Blaine would bet his last dollar that Owen knew it also. Tossing the information on the desk, Blaine strolled to the door, flung it open and yelled, “Randal!” Blaine left the room went back down the hall and met Randal as the man rushed up the stairs. “Sir?” “There‟s nothing on the daughter. What‟s her name?” “I couldn‟t find that out. I‟m sorry.” “Shit,” Blaine mumbled. He rubbed his face, thinking quickly about what he might do next. “How many girls are being presented as this winter party at the Compound?” “I‟m not certain. Some of the families around are also joining and bringing their daughters as well.” Blaine nodded. “Okay. RSVP the invite. I‟ll just have to go and find 9

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

her myself.” He turned and started back up the stairs. “Sir?” “I need to find the daughter before Owen does,” Blaine stated as he walked back up the stairs. “Just hope like hell I can pick her out.” Early in the morning, Dane and Devon showed up. Blaine paced the dining room, waiting for them, thinking about how he was going to tell them that he would be attending the winter celebration at the Compound. “Bright and early.” Dane shook his head. “Not a good sign if you ask me.” “Who asked you?” Devon smarted off. “Okay, give. What the hell is so important that you had to have us come over this early?” “I‟m going to the Compound,” Blaine said, keeping his voice even and as emotionless as he could. Both Devon and Dane stopped, mouths open, shock spread across their faces. “Excuse me?” Dane held up a finger. “But did I hear you right? The one who swore he would never go to the Compound, never get married, is now going to head up there tonight?” “Shut up, Dane,” Devon said. “What‟s going on, Blaine?” Blaine shrugged. “I‟m back. Might as well get the shit over with.” He sat down at the table, picked up the silver coffee pot and poured himself a cup. “If I don‟t then they‟ll just hound my ass to come.” “Oh, that line I‟m not buying,” Devon chuckled. “Want to try again?” Blaine only glanced at him. “Come on, Blaine. After all the shit we‟ve been through don‟t start shutting us out now.” He didn‟t want to drag them in. Couldn‟t. But hell with the way they both stared him down, Blaine knew he wouldn‟t be able to keep them in the dark like he planned. “Fine,” Blaine sighed. “I‟m going to the Compound to look for someone.” “That usually happens when you go to the Compound—willing,” Dane stated. Blaine glared at Dane. “I‟m not going up there to find a wife, damnit!” He rubbed his face before standing back up, pacing the length of the long table. “I never told you two about the shit that happened when I was in that boarding school. The people I met, friends I thought I made. I mean one was a sick son of a bitch. I mean, this guy loved to cause pain to others and what made me even sicker was the fucking fact that my father wanted me to become good friends with this guy. Thought he was so much better than all of you.” 10

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“What the hell are you talking about?” Devon asked. Blaine pulled a thin cigar from his jacket pocket. He put it in his mouth, lit it and took a big drag, blowing a thick cloud of smoke out. “Owen Paterio was the money behind Cameron and Esopo, and I know the fucker.” “What‟s this got to do with you and the Compound?” Dane asked. “I‟m confused here.” Blaine kept his back to them, closed his eyes and let the memories flow over him. He saw Owen sitting on the ground, the seven year old on his lap reading a book with him. Blaine recalled the look in Owen‟s eyes, the way he held onto her, how he slowly released the thick braids to let her hair flow freely. Blaine went right up to them, jerked her off his lap. He was so rough with her that she ended up falling to the ground, but his full attention was on Owen. Both of them were only sixteen at the time, and Owen had become fully aroused with the little girl. After that day forth, he made sure she stayed away from him, just like Blaine did. “Owen‟s a sick fuck. He likes them young, sweet and innocent. Back in school, he mistreated a lot of girls, but there was one he never got his hands on,” Blaine turned around, facing his friends. “I kept her away from him.” “But man that was miles away and years ago,” Devon pointed out. “I know,” Blaine nodded. “Her mother left and came here. She worked for the Compound for years until she got sick and died. Her daughter, the one that Owen desperately wanted, became a ward of the state. She‟s at the Compound, and I‟m going to get her out.” “Whoa!” Dane waved his hands in the air. “You don‟t just go in there and take a girl out that isn‟t your wife. They have rules. They protect those girls.” “And I‟ll put everything I have down that Owen is only doing this shit of smuggling girls, kidnapping and all to get to her!” Blaine worked to get his temper in check. “What‟s her name?” Devon asked calmly. Blaine shook his head, “I can‟t remember. I had Randal find everything he could about her and her mother.” “So how old was she when you were in school then?” Devon asked again. “Seven.” Blaine answered. “Then that will make her twenty-one now,” Devon went on. He whistled, shaking his head. “It‟s a game of Russian roulette, buddy. Like 11

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Dane said, you don‟t walk in there and walk out with a girl that isn‟t your wife. What do you remember about her?” Blaine sighed again, sat back down and tried to think. “She used to follow us around all the time. Blonde hair, big blue eyes, lonely and quiet. I don‟t know. Can‟t remember her damn name for some reason.” “You sure this Owen guy didn‟t do anything to her?” Devon asked. Blaine looked Devon in the eye. “I‟m not sure about anything. Owen wanted her, and back then what he wanted he always got. Hell, he fucked her mother just to get close to her.” “Sounds like a real winner,” Dane remarked dryly. “The party‟s tonight, Devon.” “I know,” Devon mumbled back. “What?” Blaine snapped. “You said she‟s blonde,” Devon pointed out and Blaine nodded. “Then that‟s something to work on. Not too many blonde girls in the Compound.” “No,” Dane shook his head, rubbing his chin. “In fact, I think maybe only a couple.” “There‟s nine years between you,” Devon said. “So she‟s young and I‟m going to guess been sheltered if she‟s lived years at the Compound.” “Guess you might have to put the grumpy old bastard routine away and become Prince Charming.” Dane snickered. “Pucker up, darling, you might just get married after all.” “Stop yanking his nuts, Dane,” Devon stated, sitting down in a chair at the dining table, leaning back and crossing his legs at the ankles. “We know that the idea of Blaine being in a whole room full of panting women causes his balls to creep up in his ass but this is a bit serious for a change.” Blaine picked up an iron statue and threw it at Devon, who handily caught it and set it down on the floor. “Fuck off,” he grumbled, then glared at Dane. “Can we take this serious, please?” Devon laughed. “We are taking it serious, but you also should be aware that once you go in, or I should say that once its let out that you‟re going to the Compound tonight, everyone is going to try their damnest to hook you up with their daughter. You‟re one of the biggest catches still around and single, besides Darius that is.” “I didn‟t come back here to get fucking married and turn into a couple of pussies like you two dip shits,” Blaine snarled, thumping his feet up on the long dining room table. “I‟m trying to stop Owen from destroying this girl.” 12

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Hey there‟s nothing pussy about enjoying the comforts of having a hot body in bed with you every night,” Dane stated, closing his eyes and pressing his hand on his chest like he was day dreaming. Blaine looked over at Dane with a slight grin on his lips and a glare to his eyes. “A few hundreds and I always have a warm body in bed.” “And malaria can give you the hot flashes. Don‟t see me paying for that.” Dane smiled. Devon shook his head, rolling his eyes. “What the hell are you going to say or do in there since you have no intentions of playing the game and getting married? I mean, how the hell are you going to pull this off?” “Politeness?” Blaine smarted back. “Ha!” Dane blurted out. “You‟ve never been polite in your life when it comes to that kind of shit. Go blow smoke up someone else‟s ass.” “I don‟t have to kiss anyone,” Blaine groaned, getting tired of his argument. “And I can smuggle her out once I find her.” “You know, something tells me if he goes in there, he‟s not going to come out a single man,” Dane said to Devon. “Yeah, that‟s what my gut‟s telling me also,” Devon said. “I knew I shouldn‟t have told you two,” Blaine growled. “Dum-dum-de-dumm!” Dane and Devon started to sing. “Oh, now I‟m going to kick your asses!” Blaine quickly stood up and went after Dane first then Devon. All three ran out of the room, yelling and swearing at each other. **** Shyla Kabrey sat at the breakfast table, moving her spoon around the tasteless oatmeal before her. For more years than she cared to count, she sat at the same table with the same breakfast and always went to her morning class with the same hunger and unfilled feeling. She couldn‟t do it anymore. She couldn‟t live like this. And yet, she didn‟t know what she could do either. It felt as if she was no more than a prisoner in a place that told you what to eat, how to dress, and what to expect once you were picked to be someone‟s wife. You had to be twenty-one to attend the parties and even then you only had until you reached twenty-five before considered too old and put to work in the Compound. Shyla just turned twenty-one yesterday. Her first party was tomorrow night and she was scared to death. Already she heard talk that over fifty men were to attend, and there were at least sixty if not more girls. Odds not in her favor of being picked, which was just fine with her. She didn‟t think she was ready to get picked. 13

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Breakfast was always a timed thing. The girls only had fifteen minutes to eat the bland food before being taken off to the one and only class they all were required to take. Sexual education. The things they showed them, told them, had Shyla shivering on the inside. It didn‟t look like something she could do or appeared pleasurable either, and not mention the small fact that the man‟s thing didn‟t look like it could fit inside a woman. Hell, when they showed the movies, Shyla sat with her eyes closed, and today was to be a video. Lunchtime consisted of a meat sandwich, milk and an apple. The motto for the girls was to keep their figures slim for the men. Even though Shyla was somewhat used to it, she still felt hungry after each meal. Her body just wasn‟t getting enough nutrition. “Shyla Kabrey.” Shyla looked up from her lunch. The mistress of the Compound stood in the middle of the room with a few other girls around her. Girls that were the same age. “Come with us,” she motioned. The mistress of the Compound was a cold woman. She always wore black skirts, crisp white shirts and keys fashioned around her waist. Her salt and pepper hair pulled back in a tight bun, and eyes so sharp she saw everything that went on. It creeped Shyla out. Standing up quickly, Shyla followed the other girls out of the dining hall and towards a wing of the Compound they never went into before. Up a flight of stairs they climbed and down another hall and into a large bathing room they went. Seeing this room, knowing that the rest of the day would be a slight pampering, Shyla felt the fear start to build inside her once more. All of this meant only one thing. She had been picked for the party this year, which meant she had a very good chance at being picked as someone‟s wife. “Shyla, come this way.” The girls were split in groups of five, taken to different parts of the large pooling area. Baths, shaves, massages and other things were set up for them all. For the rest of the day they were all to be pampered, spoiled a bit before being sent out to the party which was being set up even as they got ready. Winter party. Shyla wondered as she stripped for her bath, what kind of dress she was going to wear, and how she might look? But the big question that raced in her head—would anyone be interested in her?

14

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Two Blaine‟s limo pulled up to the main entrance of the Compound with his shoulder slightly achy from the wrestling match he had with Dane and Devon. He grinned, thinking how he got Dane on the ground, pinning him with his arms in the air. He ripped the back of his shirt and took one hit to his side before Devon yanked him free. But he was smiling as was Dane. It felt good to mess around with his friends. Felt almost like the old days before his father yanked him from his home, family, and friends. The limo stopped, but Blaine stayed where he was. He looked down at the ring on his right hand. His grandfather sent it to him. The one and only thing the man ever gave him, and it had to be on his death bed. Just like this father, Fintan Cedric, his grandfather, was a bastard who refused to show anyone an ounce of compassion, love, or kindness. So when the ring showed up in the mail, Blaine almost pissed his pants. The ring with the family crest. “Sir?” Blaine came out of his thoughts and looked up at his driver, Henning. “I‟m fine, Henning.” Blaine gave the man a tender smile. “Just have a lot on my mind is all.” Henning smiled. “I understand.” Blaine opened his door. “Go get something to eat. I‟m not sure how long I‟m going to be. This could be a short trip, if I can‟t find her.” “I‟ll keep the phone on. And good luck.” “Thanks.” Blaine nodded his head, buttoned his jacket and took a deep breath, got out, and started the walk to the front doors. “Here we go,” he mumbled to himself. The party was just as he thought it would be. Young women around the tender age of twenty-one stood around, some talking to men. The 15

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

dresses they all wore were of different colors, but the styles all the same. Short, thin strapped, open backs and low-cut in the front. One slip off the shoulders and the thing would fall to the floor at their feet. If he had done this in the summer then they would all be clad in bathing suits. Someone waited at the door, handing out tiny drinks to each man that walked in. The elixir of matchmaking. He didn‟t want it, but Blaine took the drink and swallowed it for nothing more than to keep up appearances. “Ah, Mr. Cedric!” Blaine turned and placed a fake smile on his lips as he was quickly cornered by the governess that ran the Compound with an iron fist. Stories from Dane didn‟t go unnoticed about this woman. “I saw your name on the list and couldn‟t believe my eyes. Welcome.” “Thank you.” Blaine nodded and looked around over her head. “Impressive.” “We have many fine young ladies. Please feel free to walk about and talk to any.” Blaine did just that. He drank many glasses of wine, thought about kissing a couple of girls for the hell of it but changed his mind at the last moment. He kept having to tell himself that he was in search of a blonde. So far he saw one, but she didn‟t have the blue eyes that he did remember. There may be a lot of things he couldn‟t recall about Susan Kabrey‟s daughter, but the blue eyes he never forgot. In fact, thinking about it now, as he strolled around the Compound, Blaine dated and slept with girls that only had blue eyes. How strange was that? After a couple of hours of not finding what he was looking for, Blaine left the party and groups, ending up on the roof. The cool night air woke him up and melted the stress away. The roof top was pretty much deserted. Only a few couples were there and they were busy standing in corners, talking. It was the kind of peace that Blaine needed in order to think and figure out what he might do next. He reached into his jacket pulling out one of his small cigars. Lighting it Blaine looked around for a spot to sit and relax. Instead of sitting, his eyes found a lonely girl that seemed so out of place up here alone. And she had long blonde hair. She walked along the edge of the railing, her shoes in her hand, head cocked to one side, face looking up as if she was far, far away. She was in her own world, deep in thoughts that Blaine could only wonder about. He grinned, wondering in fact what her thoughts were indeed. Leaning against a wall, arms crossing over his large chest, he watched her. He felt a small amount of peace watching her walk around 16

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

with her eyes down and the light breeze moving her dress around her bare legs. Legs that gave him an itching sensation to his fingertips. She was different; different in a way that he couldn‟t put into words. She wasn‟t long legged or skinny as a rail. She was short, standing maybe at five-two or three with those heels on. Plump, not fat with soft looking blond hair reaching the middle of her back. Just looking at that hair had Blaine itching to run his fingers through the locks to see if they were as soft as they appeared. She also wasn‟t the knock down gorgeous kind of girl like the ones downstairs, but she held a soft innocent beauty, the kind that had a man wanting to protect and cherish always. And he also had this strange feeling that he knew her. The thought of approaching her had Blaine all up in nerves—nerves of a teen about to advance on a girl for the very first time, which wasn‟t like him. He didn‟t want to disturb the peaceful scene before him, but the urge to talk to her became too strong, just like the need to look into her eyes. He wanted to discover what she was dreaming about, and to hear the sound of her voice. Hell, he even wanted her to smile up at him. Blaine tossed his cigar away, drowned the remainder of wine in his glass and pushed off the wall. He walked up to her just as she stopped and leaned against another wall, looking out to the woods. He saw the dreaminess in her expression and it pulled at him. He had to know what she was thinking and dreaming. “Now there is a view,” Blaine said. He grimaced inside, thinking that was the lamest thing he could have possible said to her. She smiled though. “I love this view.” Her voice was the softest music he ever heard. It washed over him as a lover‟s hand, sending chills down his spine causing him to want more. Blaine felt as if he needed to hear her speak more. Wanted that feeling again. So long it had been since the sound of a woman‟s voice calmed him. “I‟m wondering who lives in that house. Do they have black and white balls in a grand ballroom?” She smiled in a dreaming manner. “Are they happy?” Blaine smiled. He couldn‟t help himself. When he looked out at what she was looking at his smile almost faltered. The house she was speaking of was his. So she was daydreaming about his home. That was different. Then he wondered how long she been up here. “No one has lived in that house for many years,” he told her, looking down at her once again. “Been empty for a long time.” She looked up at him and Blaine felt the air catch in his lungs. She 17

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

had the softest, prettiest baby blue eyes he ever saw. And the innocence alone had his instinct wanting to protect and to claim screaming in his head. So much sadness showed in them. Even more than what he seemed to carry around. He also knew without a doubt that he had seen her before in the past. “I‟ve heard, and it‟s a shame.” Her brows frowned and Blaine thought it was the cutest thing he ever saw. “And why is that?” She looked back out at it. “Because a place like that should never be empty. It should be lit up like Christmas always.” “What‟s your name?” Blaine asked the question, but held his breath. The urge to wrap his arms around her was overwhelming, as well as the need to kiss her. Her pouting lips seemed to beg to be kissed, and Blaine wanted to be the one to kiss them. She blushed, lowering her head and eyes to the ground. “I‟m no one important,” she whispered. Blaine reached out, cupping her chin, and gently forced her to look up at him. Her skin was the softest thing he could ever recall touching. Silk and satin mixed, yet her flesh was softer. He found that he couldn‟t stop his hand from touching her cheek or the thumb from brushing her lower lip. God he wanted to kiss her. Wanted to lick at that lip, suck it into his mouth and plunge his tongue into hers. He wanted to press her back against the wall and dive into her. To feel her body pressed against his own. “Please tell me your name,” he whispered, lowering his head while he held her chin. She started to tremble in his hand. Her breathing came faster and her eyes slowly lowered. “It‟s…it‟s Shyla,” she got out. Blaine smiled brightly with his mouth mere inches from hers. “I like that.” He kissed her and stars went off behind his eyes. Mouth slanted over mouth and his tongue brushed against her lips, seeking entrance. When it came, Blaine moaned. Nothing, absolutely nothing ever felt so right and tasted as sweet as this kiss. His hand left her face to flatten against the wall over her head. His hard body pressed her back into the wall and his tongue plunged into her mouth. When the sharp sweetness hit him Blaine thought his knees were going to buckle. He pressed harder into her to keep himself from falling over. His tongue tasted each and every inch of her mouth and the kiss 18

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

deepened. He couldn‟t get enough of her, couldn‟t taste enough, or get close enough. Blaine moaned again when her hands fisted into his dinner jacket. He felt her desperation and her need just as he felt the raging agony of that sweet taste. All of it was a drug, fueling his system and demanding more, and Blaine wanted it. He needed it. “I believe she‟s up here.” Blaine stopped kissing Shyla and looked over his arm at the one who interrupted them. The governess stood with Owen by her side, his glare sobering Blaine up quickly. “Excuse me,” the Governess stated, looking at Blaine then back giving Shyla a strange look. “I didn‟t realize you were up here and that Ms. Kabrey was already occupied.” “For the rest of the night I‟m afraid,” Blaine said, matching Owen‟s glare with one of his own. “She‟s prefect,” he whispered, glancing down at her quickly, touching the side of her face. “I believe she‟s the one.” “Then shall I see her to your room?” the Governess asked. “Excuse me, Mr. Paterio. Shyla, please.” She motioned for Shyla to follow her out. “What?” Shyla whispered, the fear apparent in her voice and in the way her body trembled under him. Blaine pushed away with reluctance while the Governess took Shyla by the arm. Not once did he stop staring at Owen. “Well I have to say, I‟m a bit impressed,” Owen said, sliding his hands into his slacks pockets, looking over his shoulder once Shyla was gone. “I really didn‟t think you‟d figure this out or remember her.” Looking closer at Owen, Blaine picked up how the man hadn‟t really changed over the years. He still dressed in designer clothing, had his dark brown hair slicked back and a cocky expression on his face always. Even his brown eyes held the same coldness in them as they did the night Blaine figured out what his game was all about. Owen might have a shit load of money, but he still was a piece of shit to Blaine. “Doesn‟t take much to figure your crap out, Owen,” Blaine stated. “You always did like them young.” Owen chuckled, head back. He turned, strolling over to the side of the building. “Still playing her knight in shining armor. Tell me something, Blaine.” Owen looked Blaine in the eye, all playfulness gone. “You really willing to marry her just to keep her away from me?” “In a heartbeat.” Owen shook his head. “I have to say, Blaine, it‟s a side to you I never thought to see. But then you always were playing the hero to her, 19

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

weren‟t you.” “You‟ll never have her, Owen.” Owen smiled, and it was a cold smile. “We‟ll see.” He turned and simply strolled away, back the way he came. “Have a good evening, Blaine, and enjoy yourself. I know I would if I was in your shoes tonight.” Blaine stood there watching. He didn‟t like what Owen said—we’ll see. In fact he got a strange feeling over it, as if Owen might be making a threat. He brought out his phone from the inside pocket of his jacket and dialed. “Henning, it looks like I‟m going to be here all night after all.” **** Shyla paced the bedroom she‟d been led to, rubbing her arms, fighting to push the panicking down that kept threatening to spill. She was scared, plain and simple. She knew what to expect in these rooms. The classes made sure of that, and from the looks of the man who had her brought here—well he simple was just too big for her. Don’t think about that, girl! Taking a deep breath, nodding to herself, Shyla looked around the room with the hopes of getting her mind off of the real reason why she was in here to begin with. Her eyes kept landing on the huge bed pushed up at the far corner of the room, which didn‟t help her one bit at calming down. A lush, cream bed with silk sheets, comforter folded back and oversized pillows piled to the middle. Robes were folded neatly at the foot. There was a bathroom to her right with a large tub that could easily fit two, not to mention the huge shower. But instead of checking it all out, Shyla stayed put in the middle of the room, hugging herself trying to not freak out. A servant arrived with food, as well as the drugged strawberries and wine. Shyla‟s stomach grumbled for food but she didn‟t go near it only glanced a few times at it resting on the low table in the middle of the room. The lock turned, as did Shyla. The door opened and she held her breath as the one who kissed her walked in. Lord help her but he is huge! Shyla‟s mouth went dry, eyes open wide, body tensed up so much she began to shake. Those dark eyes of his landed on her. He made a gesture with his hand for the guard behind him to leave and the door closed slowly, lock turning, locking them in for the night. He slipped out of his jacket, looked around the room while working 20

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

the buttons on his shirt free. “I‟m impressed.” He tossed his jacket to the only chair in the room and strolled forward. “Very impressive.” “Um, look.” She licked her lips, backing up and shivering when his dark eyes once more landed on her. “I think there‟s been a mistake.” “No mistake.” He stopped with the buttons on his shirt when it opened about halfway down his chest. “Hungry?” “Yes. No.” She shook her head, frowning. “Who are you?” He pulled his shirt out from the waist of his pants, finished the buttons and sat down at the low table, leaning back on the large pillows. “Have a seat,” he said as he extended his hand to the spot across from him. “Please.” Still hugging herself she moved slowly, with caution to the spot across from him. Carefully lowering down, making sure the short dress didn‟t show things she didn‟t want shown, she faced him and sat down. “You don‟t remember me, do you?” he asked. She shook her head. “Blaine Cedric. Your mother use to work for the boarding school I got shipped off to.” He sat forward, lifting the food lids. Roasted whole chicken hit her senses and her stomach rolled with the need for food. “Now that smells good.” “Wait a second, my mother? What does my mother have to do with this?” Blaine began cutting the chicken and plating it. He took the lid off another tray with roasted potatoes and put them on a plate also. Along with some bread, and fruit which he then set in front of her. “Eat.” He nodded towards the plate. “What‟s going on here?” she sighed. “We‟re going to eat.” He picked up a tender piece of meat from the chicken and put it in his mouth. She watched him, fascinated for a second as he ate and licked the juice from his lips and fingers. “Very good.” The next thing he did was open up the bottle of wine chilling in ice. He poured two glasses, handing one to her. Shyla took the proffered glass and simply watched him. “You‟re not eating,” he stated. She sighed. “I don‟t understand this. What does all of this have to do with my mother?” Blaine took a drink, those dark eyes of his on her causing her to feel very nervous. Hell, she started to feel like a mouse to cat. “Does the name Owen Paterio mean anything to you?” Again she shook her head. “He was also at the boarding school the same time as me 21

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

and you. I think you were about seven then.” Shyla pulled her legs up to her chest held them and rested her chin on her knees. “Are you saying you knew me then?” “I knew you,” Blaine stated. “And he wanted you.” “I don‟t understand.” She lowered her eyes. “Why am I here?” “You don‟t remember anything from then, do you?” He sighed. A few seconds went by before she shook her head, long locks of blond hair falling over her shoulder. She took a ragged breath as she set down her untouched glass of wine. “I can barely remember my mother— I‟ve been here so long.” Slowly she raised her eyes to look at him again. “But I do recall this boy who always seemed so angry at the world. Was that you then?” Blaine picked up his glass, brought it to his lips and right before tipping it, taking that drink, and then one simple word passed his lips. “Yes.” “And that other man on the roof…” She could barely get the words out. “Was he this Owen you‟re talking about? The one from your school?” Once again, he placed the glass on the table, but those dark eyes never left her. “Yes.” “I don‟t remember him,” she breathed out. “I don‟t even remember you really.” She got back up on her feet quickly. Blaine also stood up and before she could try to put some distance between them he had her in his arms. Eyes wide open Shyla looked up at him in both shock and fear. He touched the side of her face gently as he held her close. “How could I have forgotten you?” he whispered. His face lowered. She held her breath and his lips touched hers. But before it could become deeper, Shyla pulled back, lowering her face. Again her stomach rumbled and Blaine chuckled. “You need to eat.” He sat back down and this time pulled her with him, placing her right next to him. He reached for her plate, putting it in front of her along with her wine. Shyla‟s hand shook as she reached for a fork. He sat too close, the scent of him overwhelming her senses. Eating seemed to be one of the hardest things she could do at the moment. Blaine ate also and drank, looking at her from time to time. “I‟ve heard that they don‟t like to feed you girls all that much,” Blaine said. “That true?” Shyla swallowed her food and nodded. “Small meals mostly. They 22

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

want us all to watch our figures.” “Meat on the bones isn‟t such a bad thing.” He finished his drink, set the glass down and lounged back on the plush pillows. “Guess not all like fat girls.” He laughed. “Honey, you‟re definitely not fat to me.” When he sat up and reached for the chocolate covered drugged strawberry. Shyla dropped her fork, covered her mouth and stared wide eyed at him. “What‟s wrong?” “You don‟t want to eat those,” she whispered. “Oh yes I do.” He took a large bite, juice slipping down the sides of his mouth. He took two more bites, finishing it off before picking up the second, holding it in front of her. “Your turn.” Shyla shook her head. “I‟m not eating those. Do you know what‟s in them?” Blaine smiled, “Yep.” “And you ate it anyway?” she gasped. “Trust me, Shyla, and take the fruit. It‟ll help tonight.” “Help with what?” Her heart began to pound in her chest. Fear seemed to wrap around her and hold her just about as tight as what Blaine did up on the roof. “Trust me.” The intense look in his dark eyes had her mouth opening it seemed on its own. The strawberry entered, she bit down and chewed the sweet fruit. Swallowing, opening up and taking two more large bites she ate it all and waited. “Relax,” he sighed, pouring more wine in the glasses, taking hold of his and sitting back on the pillows. “Everything is going to be just fine.” “I don‟t think relaxing is going to happen tonight since we ate those strawberries.” He smiled, eyes closing. “Don‟t worry so much Shyla. Everything‟s going to be alright.”

23

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Three Blaine watched Shyla with hooded, half closed eyes. She was nervous and scared and he was pretty sure it wasn‟t because of the past and the information he gave her regarding Owen. She knew about the strawberries, so that took the amount of surprise and the plan right out the window. He really hoped the surprise of what the fruit did would help him with the seduction part. Hell, in all his years with women and his experiences, he didn‟t have to work so hard at getting a woman in his bed, but tonight he decided he had his work cut out for him. Fuck! It hit him and hit hard! The drug in the strawberry, a potent aphrodisiac, went from the back of his neck, down his spine and pooled right between his legs making his balls tighten up in sexual need unlike anything he ever felt in his life. Instantly, he became hard as stone, his cock pressing against the zipper of his slacks, throbbing for impending attention. Blaine couldn‟t suppress the moan from slipping past his lips, or control himself from reaching out to Shyla, pulling her onto his lap. He needed to feel her, needed to simply touch her for the moment, but he knew that need would quickly change. But right now, he needed to do something to take a bit of the edge off and hold him at bay until she was ready. “Come here,” he rasped out, placing her face to face on top of him. Again her blue eyes widened, the fear showing clearly in the crystal depths. “Do you feel it yet?” She shook her head. He moved his hands down to her legs, skimming up and under the dress. Shyla squirmed and tried to get off, but he held her easily and tightly against him. “What are you doing?” Her voice held a hint of uncertainty when she spoke. 24

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Instead of answering, Blaine sat up more, moved his hands to her ass and nuzzled her neck, breathing in her sweet scent. He kneaded her ass, ground her against his aching cock and began to kiss her neck, down to the shoulder and up her throat to her full sweet lips. A kiss, soft and tender. Blaine worked damn hard to not rush things, to simply feel her against him, to take in all the sensations and experience it all. And damn him if she didn‟t feel like heaven in his arms. He became lost to it all. He tried to get the zipper of her dress down and his shirt off at the same time while he kissed her neck and shoulder. Nothing felt as if it was enough. Desperation hit, pushing him over the edge until he ripped her dress right off her shoulders. Shyla cried out and somehow managed to pull back a little from him. Instantly, her arms went up, covering her breasts. Fear filled her eyes and color seemed to drain from her face. Holding her stare, Blaine quickly finished unbuttoning his shirt and tore it from his body. He held her tight and stood up with her in his arms. He strode over to the bed, placed her in the center and stood straight up. “Wh—what are you doing?” she whispered when his hands touched the belt at his waist. Blaine stilled for a moment. He thought about the question and thought about the answer. But for the moment, he had none. A small yank, belt free, slacks opened and the zipper went down. “Oh God!” Shyla turned over to her stomach, shaking her head. “This is a very bad idea.” Naked, Blaine jerked the rest of her dress off before he began to crawl upon the bed, “Says who?” He kissed her lower back, taking in a sharp intake of breath from her and a quick glance over her shoulder at him. Another kiss to her back and grazing his lower lip up her spine, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of her panties with the intention of pulling them down. “Please, don‟t,” she pleaded, grabbing onto one of his wrists, stopping him from sliding them down. Blaine worked his way up to a shoulder. He lowered himself down, half on top of her, half on the bed. He bent a leg right between hers, moving her leg up and parted slightly. Then ran his hand down her back and up again. “Relax, Shyla.” He worked at keeping his voice low and even. “We have all night.” “But you have that drug in your system.” 25

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Yep, she sounded very freaked out. “So do you,” he replied, then again kissing her backside. “And I‟m going to take a guess here and say it should be hitting you very soon now.” He slid a hand back down her back and inside her panties, cupping her rear, getting a quick intake of air from her. She stiffened as he rubbed her ass, slipping a finger between the folds, teasing not only her ass but the far edge of her pussy as well. “I don‟t like this!” she cried out which turned into a moan as she pulled her legs upward, curling her body into a ball. “Don‟t fight the drug, Shyla. It only makes it worse.” She shook her head, hands fisted into the sheets. “Make it stop!” Blaine slipped two fingers as deep inside her wetness as he could and she climaxed right around them. So tight and even tighter with the orgasm that he bit his lower lip to suppress the moan that threatened to surface. The drug was doing what it should, making her body wet, hot and hungry for his own. She just didn‟t know it yet. “That only takes a small amount off the edge off,” he told her, shifting up on his knees. “Just like each orgasm you experience will feel stronger and more intense.” “Each one!” she squeaked out. “How many do I need to have for it to end?” With a fast jerk he pulled her panties down and had them off flying over his shoulder, just in time for another wave of the drug. He saw it in the way she tensed her body up. Her attention focused on the feelings the drug gave her and not on what he was doing at the moment. “Go with it,” he told her, rubbing up her legs towards her back. Bending over he kissed the middle of her back, lowering his body back down so he half lay on top of her. “I promise you that it will help.” “It‟s not. I tried.” Again she shook her head. “Make it stop!” “Okay, but this will be the last time.” “What do you mean?” He reached down between her legs and slipped two fingers back in, stroking her slowly. “I mean that the next time it‟s my way.” “I don‟t understand,” she moaned, her little rear raised up and he once more felt the orgasm contract around his fingers. “You will.” Blaine moved off her and flipped Shyla over to her back. Instantly she covered her breasts with her arms and tried to twist her lower body so he couldn‟t see the bare, swollen and slick folds of her pussy. “You‟re so beautiful,” he breathed out. Her cheeks turned a nice shade of red and those blue eyes of hers 26

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

got so large he thought for a moment he could feel her fear. Using the back of his hand, Blaine skimmed up her leg as he moved to her other side. When she tried to move again he stopped her by going to his back this time and taking the one leg with him. Now she was positioned half on top of him with her bare pussy at the perfect angle to his face. He moved to get his first taste and she saw his intent. Before he could get that taste Shyla moved away from him, scooting as far away as she could before Blaine grabbed hold of her, flipping her back down on the bed, coming over her. “Shhhh,” he soothed, pinning her down with ease. A slight shift of his hips and he was right between her legs, cock touching her belly. “You have to trust me, Shyla.” “I‟ve seen the movies,” she gasped, sweat beaded her forehead and the heat which came from her pussy, touching him had Blaine really thinking he was being tested. “I can‟t do those things.” Once more he reached down between their bodies, massaging her pussy, touching her swollen clit and enjoying the shudder that went through her body. “Don‟t you want to experience great pleasure?” He moved the tip of his finger back and forth over her clit, grinning when her eyes began to flutter closed and nails dug into his arm and shoulder. “How can a man sticking his thing inside me be pleasure? Oh!” She just about climaxed once more, but he pulled back, stopping it before it happened. As slowly as he could he put one finger deep inside her, curved it and began searching for the one spot he needed in order to prove his point. A loud gasp along with her arching closer let him know when he found it. “Because, my little innocent, this spot here will get rubbed by my thing, bringing you so much pleasure and such a strong orgasm that it will amaze you.” He didn‟t move that finger too fast, though. The plan was to show her how good it would feel, not give her the release she wanted. “And once I feel that pleasure you have, it will give me great pleasure also.” “But it will hurt.” This time she spoke low and soft. “Only once.” She shook her head, “No. I saw the way those girls acted on the videos. They were crying out in pain.” Her innocence amazed him. Blaine smiled, brushed her cheek with his free hand and stilled the other, slipping it free from her snug body. 27

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“They were crying out in their pleasure,” he said as he took hold of his cock and rubbed the head up and down along the slit, getting as much of her juices to coat the head as he could. “No way,” she groaned, closed her eyes and made a deep V-shape with her eyebrows. “It‟s starting again.” Blaine growled low in the back of his throat and moved down her body, opening her legs up, holding them open by the inside of her thighs. He didn‟t even let her know what his intentions were, he simple dove right in. He feasted upon her sweet pussy like a kitten to cream. The taste of her drove him mad with desire and lust. He couldn‟t suck enough of her sweetness into his mouth. Couldn‟t get enough of her taste. “Blaine, stop, please!” She tugged and pulled on his hair, but soon her pleading turned to moaning. He felt the quivering in her thighs and kept right on going. Not once with his other lovers did he have this raging need to please his partner. He wanted Shyla to experience all the pleasures two bodies could give each other. He wanted to show her everything he knew and learn more with her. He touched her clit with the tip of his tongue and instantly she wiggled against him, panting, tugging harder on his hair. Blaine circled, teased and flicked it several times before sucking it in for a nip. She screamed. Moving downward, he found the small entrance and pushed his tongue as deep into her as he could. He moaned against her flesh at the feel of her pussy contracting around his tongue. The climax still gripped her, along with the drug, which had his cock pounding for release. It took great willpower to pull away from her. One more long lick and up he went to his knees, licking his lips of each drop of pleasure he‟d taken from her. Still holding her legs open, Blaine looked down at her glistening pussy. The sight alone had him on the edge of climax. He was so damn close that he knew the second the tip touched her head he‟d explode, and he didn‟t want that to happen just yet. Looking around for something to help his problem, Blaine ended up grabbing the sheet, pulling it over to him and, wrapping it in his hand, he grabbed his cock. The one touch and he exploded, just as he feared. Up on his knees, between her spread legs, his head back, eyes closed, he panted for air as he came into his own hand. It felt like it lasted forever and he gave a silent thanks once it was over. Tossing the sheet away, Blaine looked down once more. The orgasm 28

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

did nothing to the hardness of his cock. He still sported one hell of an erection that throbbed for more, and more was definitely what he was going to get. Taking hold of himself he positioned the head at her entrance, stopped and took a deep breath. Reminding himself to go close and doing it was a different matter. All he wanted to do was sink into her and ease this burn of need he felt. **** Shyla looked down at herself, opened her eyes wider at the sight of his engorged cock pressing against swollen flesh. Silk and steal merged together, pushing against her, making her pussy part and take him. She pressed her hands against his stomach, pushed against him as he forced the head of his cock into her. She shook her head, but couldn‟t seem to find the words to ask him to stop, to go slow and give her a moment to think about what was just about to happen. Another wave from the drug hit her then, just as the head entered. She moaned deep, low and arched into it, taking more of his cock inside. “Shit, don‟t do that,” he groaned, lowering his body down to hers, pinning her hands between their bodies. Shyla struggled to breathe through the intense pleasure. She took in as much air as she could, and fought against the orgasm that began to grip her. It all felt like too much, hit to soon, and left her so confused she didn‟t know what to do or what to feel. “I can‟t help it,” she panted. “The drug hits me and I can‟t—I don‟t know what to do!” More of him went into her, parted tender flesh and grazed sensitive parts she didn‟t know she had. Hell, even a flame of heat touched her deep inside her body, warming her in places she felt she couldn‟t handle. “Fuck but you‟re tight,” he moaned with his eyes closed, head back. A frown marred his face, making her think that he might be in pain. He stopped about half way. Shyla felt throbbing from his flesh merged with her own. She knew without a doubt that he hadn‟t taken her virginity yet. If one thing for sure she learned in those classes it was that the first time really hurt. So far she didn‟t feel pain, only a slight discomfort and intense stretching. But her gut screamed at her that all of that was about to change. A hard, heavy and powerful thrust and Blaine tore through her hymen, burying himself deep inside her. Shyla screamed. She couldn‟t stop the sound from leaving her lips or stop herself from digging her nails into his stomach. “It‟s okay, baby,” Blaine soothed. “Won‟t go on until you‟re ready, 29

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

but you have got to stop digging those nails into me.” He took hold of her wrists, pulled both out from between their bodies and had her arms up over her head, hands linked with hands. “Please stop, please stop, please stop,” she begged, holding onto his hands as tightly as she could. “Shhh, just give it some time.” She closed her eyes, swallowed hard and took a deep breath. At the same moment the drug hit her again and this time Shyla cried out in desperation. Tears came to her eyes and she thought this was all so unfair. Life hadn‟t been kind to her since her mother died and now the drug took what little control she had right out of her hands. The tears slipped free, sliding down the sides of her face and a soft sob slipped from her lips. Blaine shocked her by kissing her gently. “Don‟t cry,” he whispered. “Everything‟s going to be just fine.” Yet it didn‟t feel like it would be fine. Shyla couldn‟t seem to get over the feeling of being stretched, split in two. The inner tissues felt like they were on fire, and yet at the same time became so sensitive she feared what might happen if he moved. He jerked and she got the answer to her question. Sparks seemed to shake behind her closed lids and a rush raced down her spine to pool between her legs, causing her clit to throb so hard she ended up moving her hips and tightening around his cock. “Sweet mother of God,” he moaned. “Don‟t do that please.” “It burns,” she blurted out, rubbing her legs up and down his waist. “Please make it stop. I can‟t handle this anymore.” He pulled back slowly and gave her a short, gentle thrust. That little amount of movement had pleasure racing back up her spine. She still felt full, stretched and had a small amount of pain still present, but the new sensations and new feelings that his actions were giving him took the pain away quickly. The movements were easy ones. Blaine pulled almost all the way out and then would ease back in. It wasn‟t anything like what she saw in her sexual education classes. This wasn‟t the hard, fast, fierce motions where the girls were screaming at the top of her lungs and the men pumped into them. This was a slow build up to something that her body felt as if it was racing towards. “You‟re tightening up on me,” he stated, not missing one beat in his movements. “Getting close?” Shyla opened her eyes, looking right into his darker once. “Close to what?” 30

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“To the first orgasm with a man.” Again he kissed her. “Ready to scream?” he whispered against her lips. He picked up the pace, lips grazing against her. She didn‟t understand what he was talking about, until that pace really increased. Heavy, powerful thrusts which began to feel like jackhammer strikes parting her pussy, forcing the unused muscles of her flesh to take all he had to give. And she did scream. Two pounding thrusts and her body got pushed over the edge. The orgasm that hit contracted her pussy around the steal that parted it. Blaine moaned right before kissing her deep, his tongue parting her lips, sinking into her mouth like his cock sank into her body. She even felt his heavy sac hit against her rear and the sound of bodies slapping against each other seemed to ricochet off the walls of the room. “One more,” he breathed hard against her lips. “Give me one more. Make me come with you.” He moved harder, faster into her. The force of his motions had the stretching burn intensifying, causing Shyla to think that he would indeed do some harm to her body. Instead, it gave her one hell of a second orgasm. She grabbed his hips tight, arched into his chest and screamed. Faintly she heard him moan „Oh yes‟, felt his cock swell inside her followed by the heat of his release. She couldn‟t breathe, couldn‟t let go of the hold she had on him. The gratification she felt right then and there she couldn‟t put into words, just like she couldn‟t tell him how drained it all made her feel also. To her, this was beyond pleasure. This was something completely forbidden. It stole her breathe, her mind, sharpened all of her senses to pin sharp points and left her so weak she was nothing but a pile of bones at the same time. She shivered from the inside out at the spurts of his seed inside her. He jerked against her, rubbed against her clit that left her whimpering. He let go of her hands and she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist. The tears came, the silent crying hit, and Blaine held her tight. For the first time, since the death of her mother, someone held her through the tears and the fear. He may still be buried deep inside her, but he held her, and at the moment that was what she needed the most. Where the tears came from, where the sudden fear and uncertainty of the future hit, she had no clue. All she knew at the moment was that 31

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

the dam she had built around herself seemed to crack right then, and she held onto the one man who broke through it. “It‟s alright,” he soothed. “Everything‟s going to be alright. You‟ll see. I‟ll take care of it all, and keep you safe. It‟s all right, Shyla, I promise.”

32

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Four Blaine stood under the hot spray of the shower, water beating over his head, eyes closed, thinking about the woman in the bed sleeping. His wife! He did it. He really did find her and married her. Now the big question for him was, now what? What did he do now? The one thing he wasn‟t ready for when he set out to find Shyla was the afterward part. Marrying her wasn‟t part of the plan really. He thought he could walk through those doors, find her and then walk out. Marriage wasn‟t a thought in his head, until he saw Owen standing there with the same old hunger in his cold fucking eyes as he had years ago. Turning the water off, reaching for the towel he hung up, Blaine dried off, wrapped it around his waist and went over to the large tub. He turned the water on, adjusted the temperature and poured some oil into the water. After the way he took Shyla, he had a good idea that she might need to soak in a hot bath. Making sure she had towels handy and a robe, he waited until it was full enough, turned it off and left the bathroom to wake her up. She cried in his arms. No one ever cried in his arms before, not even in pleasure or pain. Blaine wasn‟t sure why the crying, but he had an idea. Something told him that she‟d been alone for a very long time. Just like him. Sure, she lived in the Compound, had her classes and three meals, if one could call the food meals, but he would bet a large amount of his money that she kept to herself. A loner tired of being lonely all the time. Same as him. Shyla slept deeply on her stomach, arms tucked under the pillow, covers draped lazily over the curve of her ass. Blonde hair fanned around her shoulders and back, giving her an angel appearance. For just a moment he stood there staring at her. From the way she slept, he guessed 33

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

it might be the first time in a long while since she slept so deeply. Instead of waking her, he went over to the phone next to the door and dialed out, calling in the maid with fresh food. That gave him about twenty minutes before heading to his room. Enough time to get her up and into the bath. Blaine grinned while he walked slowly back to the bed. He should call in with Henning and let him know to be here in the morning as well as giving Randal a heads up. But he didn‟t. He didn‟t want to pop this bubble so early. Gently he crawled up on the bed, over her, leaned down and kissed his way up her back. She stirred but didn‟t waken until he reached her shoulders. The big blue eyes widened when she looked over her shoulder. “Wh—what‟re you doing?” she whispered. “Kissing you.” He smiled, landing one more kiss to her shoulders. “And I thought you might like to take a hot bath. Maid service is going to be coming to change the bed and food will also be brought. Since you didn‟t eat much before, you should be pretty hungry now.” She turned away from him, taking hold of the sheet, covering her body. When she lowered her head a cascade of blonde covered her face. Blaine also turned, lounging on his side in front of her with nothing more than a towel. “What‟s wrong?” he asked. She shook her head and slid from the bed, holding the sheet around her tightly. Blaine watched her go and sighed when the door closed behind her. Clueless. That is what he is at the moment. Completely fucking clueless. And let‟s not forget dumbass as well. What the fuck did he expect? Her to wake up and fling herself into his arms? He kissed her on the roof, had her locked in a room and had sex with her. All within the matter of hours and she really didn‟t even know him. Hell, he didn‟t even know himself at the moment for the way he acted. It wasn‟t like him to act like a school boy and not a man who had a woman before. In the bedroom, Blaine sighed got off the bed, picked up the robe and slipped into it. Just as the towel around his waist dropped to the floor, a knock landed on the door, then opened. Three girls came in, one of them carrying a tray of food. They went to work, stripping the bed and clearing away the food brought in earlier. As they worked, Blaine went towards his jacket, digging in the pocket for his cell phone. “Randal, it‟s me,” he said once the other end got picked up. “It looks like I‟ve found our missing girl.” 34

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“That‟s good news, sir!” “Yeah, well I‟ve also married her it seems.” Dead silence. “Randal, you still there?” “I‟m sorry, sir. You caught me a bit off guard.” Blaine smiled. He sure wished he‟d been standing next to the man to see the composure of his wisecrack a bit. “Yeah, well I‟ve caught myself off guard as well. I didn‟t think this would be how I‟d get her out of this damn place.” “What time would you like for me to have Henning be there in the morning?” Just like Randal to quickly get himself back together. “They bring breakfast in early around here, but you really don‟t have to leave until noon. So make sure he knows to be here at least by then. I‟m going to let her sleep and get a good meal before leaving. She hasn‟t walked outside this place in years.” “Understand. Would you like for me to have Sally get a few things for her?‟ “Yeah, have Sally I don‟t know, get those girly things for the bathroom and stuff. Once we leave here I‟ll take her to get some clothes. Oh and hire someone to help Shyla and stuff. I think she should have someone around to take care of her needs for a change.” “Yes sir. I‟ll take care of it. Oh and almost forgot. Mr. Noved and Mr. Knight have called several times. They would like it if you checked in with them.” Blaine couldn‟t stop the growl from slipping. “Wish they would leave me alone sometimes.” “Mr. Knight is very insistent on knowing if you have married. What would you like for me to tell him once he calls again?” “Not a damn thing. Just tell them both that I‟ll call them sometime tomorrow afternoon.” “Yes sir.” Blaine hung up and the servants left the room, locking the door behind them. At the same time, Shyla opened the bathroom door, robe tightly knotted around her waist, hair wet. Just the sight of her made him smile. “Hungry?” he asked. She nodded and he reached out to her. “Come on then, let‟s eat something. We both didn‟t eat shit earlier.” He took hold of her hand, pulling her over to the low table. She sat down next to him watching every move he made as he took tops off dishes. 35

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Steaks! Three different grilled kinds. Medium, medium to well and well-done. There were also large baked potatoes, string beans and hot rolls. Also a large bowl of mixed fruit and some ice tea. “So how you like your steak?” he asked, forking the medium to well-done one. “I don‟t know. Never had one before.” Blaine stopped himself from grabbing one of the potatoes to look at her. “You‟ve never had a steak before?” “The diet here is very strict.” Blaine sat back and cut into the meat, showing her how it looked inside. “Okay, this is medium to well-done. Too pink for you?” She wrinkled her nose and nodded. “Then you‟ll like the well-done.” He put the meat on the plate before her and a potato. “Let‟s load this thing up, shall we?” As she watched, he went to work on her potato. Butter, sour cream, some cheese and a bit of bacon. A roll on her plate, along with a large spoon full of the beans and a nod for her to dig in. He watched her cut into the meat, take her first bite before getting to work on his own potato. “You like?” he asked once she put the meat into her mouth. Shyla‟s face lit up. “Oh this is great!” “Wait until you try lobster,” he chuckled. “Kera, Devon‟s wife, loves lobster and I‟m sure she‟ll kidnap you and take you to her favorite restaurant to try it.” “Do you have lots of friends?” The question had him stilling with his own piece of meat up to his mouth. Blaine thought about it for a moment before shaking his head. “Close friends I have about three. Money friends, a shit load.” “What‟s money friends?” “Its people that call themselves your friends because you have money. I have money, so I have a lot of people I know, but don‟t really consider my friends.” “But at least you have friends,” she sighed. “I really don‟t have anyone.” “You will. Now eat. We have a long night ahead of us.” “What‟d you mean?” Blaine smiled and winked at her this time. It also dawned on him that he was starting to smile a bit more since he found her. “I mean that we have the whole night to get to know each other better.” She blushed then the color drained from her face once his words sank in. “Are—are you saying you want—want to do that again?” she 36

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

finished with a squeak. He bit the inside of his mouth to stop from smiling again. It wasn‟t that he wanted to smile, it was simply because he knew she‟d take his smiling the wrong way. She made him happy, and that definitely didn‟t happen to him. Not even the guys could make him this happy or this relaxed as Shyla did. And it amazed the hell out of him that she‟d done so in such a short time. “Is that such a bad thing?” He took another bite of his meat, watching her from the corner of his eye. Shyla slowly lowered her fork with food still on it. Her whole body tensed up and he thought for a moment she might move away from him. “I don‟t like it.” Well that was one he didn‟t see coming. Taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly he also put his fork down and lounged back against the pillows, ankles crossed. In all his years and with all his experiences, having a partner say she didn‟t like the sex was new for him. Hell, most of the time he couldn‟t get rid of the woman after the night. “The first time is always the hardest. I promise you, there won‟t be any more pain.” “It‟s not all that, it‟s also—” She didn‟t finish her statement. His damn phone went off. Blaine groaned loudly and got up. He walked over to his jacket, dug out the phone and knew before answering who was on the other end. “This better be good, Dane,” he growled into the phone. “You got married, didn‟t you?” Excitement rang in Dane‟s voice. So much so, that Blaine gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes. “What do you want?” He slowly enunciated each word. “Tell me the truth now, golden boy,” Dane laughed. “Did some lucky young lady grab your sorry ass?” “Will you knock it off!” Devon yelled. Blaine heard struggling and some muffled voices. “Sorry about that, I tried to keep him away from a phone as long as I could,” Devon said. “What‟s up?” Blaine sighed. He watched Shyla get up from the table, look around the room and start to pick up the discarded clothing. When she picked up the panties he‟d tossed, he snapped his fingers to get her attention and shook his head, mouthing „no‟. Her eyes widened and her face turned whiter. “This isn‟t a good time, Devon.” “I‟m sure it isn‟t. But I thought you might like to know that the word has already gotten out about you hooking up with someone. The town is 37

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

buzzing and Dane‟s grandmother is insisting that you and your new bride join her for a special diner. In fact, we all are to show up.” “Since when did that old bag get friendly?” Again he shook his head to Shyla when she made an attempt to put her panties on. This time, Blaine held his hand over the phone so Devon wouldn‟t hear him speak. “You put those on, I‟ll rip them off this time and you won‟t have any to wear.” Her mouth opened in a silent O, but the panties didn‟t leave her hand. Instead, she backed away from him towards the bathroom and he watched her every step. “I think Makayla had something to do with it,” Devon went on. “The girl has softened her for sure. Hell, Berdina is even planning on having a special party for Makayla‟s twenty-first birthday. She is working now to get special treatment for the girl, which means she‟s pulling some major strings to make sure the girl doesn‟t get hauled off to the Compound.” “How does the woman get the power?” Blaine stated. Again he bit the inside of his mouth when Shyla closed the bathroom door on him. He knew damn good and well she was slipping back into the panties and looking for something to wear. “Look I really do need to go.” “I understand, but hey, watch your ass. I‟ve done some digging myself and that Owen guy you were telling me about has been looking to becoming a member of the board to the Compound. Not sure what the fuck he‟s up to, but if what you said about him liking them young and sweet—well then let‟s just say it won‟t be good for him to become a member.” “No, it won‟t. Say something in passing to Berdina then. If she has this power to keep Makayla away from the damn place then she has the power to keep Owen from getting on board.” “Will do.” “Hey, have you heard anything from Darius?” “Nothing, why?” “He‟s been extra quiet since we parted after getting Samara and Makayla back.” Blaine rubbed the back of his neck, tension building up when there shouldn‟t be any at the moment. “I don‟t like it when he‟s quiet like this. Means he‟s up to something.” “Would you care to share that something with me?” “Not really, no. but why don‟t you call and check in on him. My gut tells me shit will hit a large fan with him.” “Alright. And I guess we‟ll see you tomorrow then.” 38

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Do you have to?” Blaine sighed. Devon laughed, “As if we‟ll be able to keep the girls away. Later, man.” The phone went dead, and this time Blaine turned it all the way off. He placed it back into his jacket pocket, unbelted the robe and let the damn thing fall to the floor. Naked, hard, he walked right up to the bathroom door and slowly tried the knob. It turned, which he knew it would since nothing in the bedrooms locked, but as for opening it, well that was another matter. “Shyla?” He knocked and sighed. “Let me in.” “Please go away.” She sounded freaked out. “Please don‟t make me have to bust in,” he said casually. “They‟ll make me pay for the damn door.” “Blaine, please.” She sounded as if she might start crying at any moment. “I can‟t do this with you. I just can‟t.” “Fuck,” he mumbled under his breath as he pushed away from the door. “Then you might want to make sure you‟re as far away from the door as you can get.” “Don‟t!” she yelled right before he kicked it in. She had stuffed a hair brush into the doorjamb, locking it. He had to stop and look at the thing on the floor. “Impressive.” Shyla stood at the far end of the bathroom, breathing hard, looking scared to death. He supposed she had good reason to be a bit scared. He was standing naked in front of her and had just kicked in a door to get to her. It didn‟t take too many steps to reach her. When he got close, her hands went up in a defensive manner, tears slipped free and she tensed up. “Please don‟t hurt me!” Her words had him stopping mere inches from touching her. “I‟m not going to hurt you.” Slowly and with more tenderness than he‟d ever displayed in his life, he reached out, touching her cheek with the back of his hand. “I could never hurt you.” Her shivering, the tears and the manner in which she seemed to cower away screamed at him of abuse. “Who hurt you?” he whispered the question. She shook her head and lowered it as well as her eyes. Instead of hugging herself, which he saw some abuse victims do, she fisted her hands into the robe. Blaine lowered his hand, grabbed her around the waist and picked her up, setting her down on the sink counter, coming between her legs. Once more she had the shocked look in her eyes when 39

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

she looked up at him. “I‟ll never hurt you, Shyla. Ever! Period. I came in here to find and protect you, not to hurt or abuse you.” He ran both hands over her face, into her hair, holding her face up so she saw how serious he really was. “God you are so beautiful,” he breathed out softly. Powerless. That‟s how he felt when he had her in his arms. Blaine couldn‟t stop himself from lowering his head, taking her lips, kissing her. She caused an instinct to come alive inside him—to protect, to claim, to simply hold her. Deeper the kiss went, and with it his arms wrapped around her body, holding her closer. Down her back, around her hips, up bare legs to the inside of her robe. He felt the cotton material of the panties once more on her body and he growled into the kiss. Shyla tensed up and he pulled back just enough to meet her in the eye. “You put them back on,” he stated. “I‟m sorry,” she whispered. Blaine looked down, grabbed hold of the knot and tugged at it. She grabbed his hands, trying to stop him from undoing the tie. It didn‟t work. He had it released and the robe opened with her hands going up to cover her breasts. He touched her belly, down to her legs and back up. Prying her hands away, Blaine held her arms down on the counter, looking his fill at her body. Cheeks flared red and eyes lowered at his bold stare. “Do you have any idea the kind of pleasure I get from simply looking at your body,” he said. She pulled her arms away, and he let her. Blaine watched her lower her head once more and close the robe. A shell had been placed tightly around her and right then he decided and made a silent vow to break through it. “Come on then,” he sighed, picking her up, holding her tight, not letting her down to walk. “Let‟s get some sleep. We‟ve got one hell of a busy day ahead of us come morning.”

40

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Five Shyla woke slowly to sun shining in her face, warm covers tucked around her body and the sweet smell of food. It felt strange, the drowsiness she felt and the lazy manner in which she opened her eyes and rolled over to her back. Staring up at the ceiling, she recalled the things that happened to her last night. Married! Boy, she didn‟t see that one coming yesterday morning when she was ordered into line for the special bath and dressing for the party. “You‟re awake.” Shyla stiffened at the deep, dark voice. She closed her eyes, working to get a grip on herself before facing the one man who scared the living hell right out of her. “I didn‟t want to wake you,” he said. “Sort of even enjoyed watching you sleep.” She opened her eyes, turned her head and stared right into the darkest set of eyes she ever saw in her life. Blaine was kneeling down by the bed, his slacks back on and shirt open, showing his muscular chest. The long, black locks of his hair were wet, meaning he‟d already showered. The last thing they had done, he had looked at her body in the bathroom. Shyla feared that he would take her again right there, but he didn‟t. Instead, he picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently and coming behind her. Thick arms went around her smaller frame, holding her close to his hot body. Surprisingly enough she fell asleep like that, surprised that she felt safe in his arms. But now morning came and the uncertainty with it. “Hungry?” he asked, reaching out and touching her face. She didn‟t answer him. Instead, Blaine pulled back the covers and 41

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

had her out of the bed, walking to the low table once more. He sat down, tugging her close to him. A large spread lay before her on the table. Scrambled eyes, sausage, ham and bacon. Toast along with biscuit and gravy, orange juice, coffee, and fruit. She even saw bagels with three different cream cheese flavors. “I‟ve never seen anything like this before,” she breathed out, afraid to touch anything. “Yeah I‟ve heard the food here sucks for you girls.” He plated the food for her. “Try a bit of everything. I‟m going to need to know what you like so Sally can fix it for you.” “Who‟s Sally?” “My cook.” He poured some of the coffee in a cup, a small amount of sugar and took a sip. “I can‟t cook for shit. Can do toast, but that‟s pushing it sometimes. Been known to blow up the toaster when I was younger.” Shyla smiled. She could picture him waiting by a toaster and the thing catching on fire. “Your smile. I like it.” She felt her face heat up and even more so when he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She ate the food, loving the taste of everything, and like he suggested, she tried it all. When she finished, she felt stuffed. Settling back, her hands went to her belly. She felt ready to explode. A knock came on the door and she jumped up, backing away, waiting for the Mistress to walk through and tell her that everything was a joke, time to go back to her room. But it happened to not be the Mistress, but the two servant women from the night before. “That is my clue to disappear for about an hour.” Again, she jumped and this time it was to him wrapping his arms around her again. “The spoiling time begins.” “Huh?” “They‟re going to bath you, and dress you. So when I come back you‟ll be ready to leave.” “This is real then,” she whispered, looking around him at the women who stood waiting for him to leave. One had a large box in her hand. “I‟m not going back to my room or the classes.” “The only place you‟re going to be going is out the front doors with me.” He hooked a finger under her chin, making her look up at him. A light kiss along with a brush of knuckles across her check and he turned, leaving her alone. The door closed and both women smiled at her. The one without the 42

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

box motioned for Shyla to the bathroom. They drew a scented bubble bath that relaxed every muscle in her body. They washed her hair, her body, her everything. When that was finished, they dried her off and walked her back into the bedroom. A pale pink silk blouse with long sleeves went over her head and down her arms to tighten around the wrists. Shockingly, a thong slipped up over her legs, around her hips and fit snuggly between the curves of her ass. The top‟s neckline hung off her shoulders. She wore no bra under it and the silk teased her nipples, making them hard which they clearly showed to anyone who might be looking. A matching skirt followed the thong that was short but had a high slit on the side showing a nice amount of leg. There were ruffles adorning the hemline and up the skirt‟s slit, which matched the effect of the ruffles around the neckline and wrists of the blouse. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, soft pale pink cotton leggings slid up her legs followed by knee-high boots with pale fur to match. With quick efficiency, one of the servants dried her hair, curled it and pulled it back to cascade down the middle of her back in thick curls. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Shyla looked at herself in shock. It was like looking at a stranger. “That‟s how you should look every day,” Blaine‟s low voice said. Shyla‟s eyes moved up to the mirror to meet Blaine‟s. He strolled from the bedroom into the bathroom and stood behind her, towering over her. “Very beautiful, but something is missing, or more like two „somethings‟.” He put a box down on the counter and then opened it. She looked in shock at the contents. Snuggled inside was a pink heart and diamond necklace. Blaine picked it up and put it around her throat. It was short enough that it didn‟t hang down her throat, but not so short that it felt tight enough to choke her. But that wasn‟t all. He also picked up her left hand and placed a matching pink heart and diamond band, following it with a kiss. “Now you‟re perfect,” he said. “Blaine, this is too much.” He placed a finger over her lips, “It‟s not enough. Not even close to being enough. You should never have had to spend so long in this place and never treated as bad as you were. I hope one day you will tell me 43

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

who hurt you so bad, just like I hope you‟ll let me get rid of all the demons you carry inside.” “Are you sure you don‟t want to pick yourself a different girl?” She felt like she just wasn‟t enough for him. Guilt plagued her then when she thought about how she didn‟t want him to have sex with her again. She knew, just by looking at him, that he was the kind of man who liked having sex—often. He turned her around, picked her up and sat her down on the counter again as he moved between her legs. “You are the one for me. We walk out of here together, and together we will overcome your fear.” “But you seem to me the kind of guy who doesn‟t go without it and I‟m sorry I can‟t do it again.” He silenced her with a deep kiss. Even though she might not care for the sex thing, Shyla did have to admit to herself she liked his kisses. It ended slowly, and she refused to open her eyes. “I get the impression you like my kisses.” She licked her lips and nodded. He laughed. “Do it again?” “Let‟s get out of here first, and I‟ll make sure to kiss you anywhere and everywhere you want.” That had her opening her eyes fast. He winked, picked her up again and placed her on her feet. Hand in hand, they walked out of the bedroom and down the long hallway. Her heart pounded in her chest, and it seemed like a small struggle to breathe as she walked with him. No one said a word to them. Down the long wide expanse of stairs and right out the front door they went. It had been years since Shyla saw the outside. The only time the girls got to go outside was for their daily exercise, and that was in the back yard where the high brick fence wrapped around the whole expand of the yard. They couldn‟t look out, and the outside world couldn‟t look in. Everyone inside was sheltered to the max. “Morning, sir.” Shyla saw a man standing next to an open door of a very large and long car. He smiled at Blaine and nodded to her. “Henning,” Blaine said. “This is Shyla. My wife.” “A pleasure, Ma‟am.” He gave her a slight nod. “I took the liberty of already taking her things from the Compound to the house. Randal handled the rest.” “I have to say, you all are worth every cent. I‟m going to have to see about giving you all a raise. Shyla,” he extended his hand towards the open door. She moved hesitantly at first, not really sure what he wanted her to 44

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

do. Then it sort of hit her in the face that he was letting her get inside first. She slipped inside, settled down on the cool leather seat, afraid of touching anything. Blaine came right in after her, sitting across from her. The door closed and she looked around at everything. “It‟s a limo,” he said. “In case you don‟t know.” “I‟ve heard other girls talk about them, but never thought I‟d ever see one for myself or sit in one.” She smiled, rubbing the seat. “Wow!” “Well, if this has you doing the wow number, then the house is going to blow you away,” he chuckled. “It‟s huge and if my memory serves me right, you were daydreaming about it up on the roof.” “You really do live there?” “Well more like I own it. Haven‟t lived in it for years.” “Why?” “My father sent me away,” he sighed. “And after he died I sort of closed it up and tried to forget about it and this town.” “But you didn‟t.” He shook his head. “Nope, I didn‟t. My friends kind of made sure of that. I slowly started to come around the time Devon got married. Kera, his wife, let him know I was back and they kind of found out I‟d been sneaking back here and there. They sort of ganged up on me.” “How so?” “Guess you can say they all showed me how good it felt being around them again.” She smiled. “I love it when you smile. Feels like it brightens up everything dark inside me.” “Why did your father send you away?” “Oh,” he groaned, stretching out in the seat across from her. “We didn‟t get along that well. Think the bastard thought I might be a threat to him and his many lady friends that came and went.” She frowned. “I don‟t understand.” “When my mother died, my father changed. He became someone I didn‟t know and screwed around a lot. Then came along his little boy who happened to grow up one day and draw the attention of those ladies.” “Oh.” Now she understood. “You messed around with them also.” “Man, putting it like that makes me feel a bit dirty,” he shivered. “I‟m sorry. I didn‟t mean anything by it.” Blaine held up his hand with a smile. “I‟m messing with you. And I also have a past. Hell, all of us have one, which is why I think the entire town will get bent out of shape when we get married.” “Huh?” 45

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“The four of us were known as the playboys of Treece. We didn‟t give a damn where the girl came from, just as long as she ended up in our bed. If you know what I mean.” “Yeah, unfortunately I do.” She lowered her head, took a deep breath and looked out the window, watching the town go by. “It all stopped for each one of us…” That had her looking back at him. “One by one we fell under a spell and became the kind of guy we all swore we‟d never be. Husbands.” “So you are the last then to do this?” “Nope, Darius has yet to get himself married, and I sort of feel for the bastard.” “Why‟s that?” “Because I have a good idea who he‟s going to go after.” “I‟m not following you.” “That‟s okay. It‟s not on my list of problems to deal with at the moment.” “Then what is?” The limo then turned and slowed to a stop. Shyla looked out the window again, noticing how they stopped in the center of several stores on a block. “What are we doing here?” “Well you‟re going to need new clothes, so thought we could get you a few things. I‟m sure the girls, later, will take you out for what other stuff you might need.” Blaine got out and took her hand to help her out as well. Instantly, she felt uneasy with where they were at, and it didn‟t help how everyone standing or walking seemed to stop what they were doing to stare at them. “Why is everyone staring at me?” she asked, sidling closer to his body and pressing her face into his arm as if she was a child. “They‟re staring at me. Come on.” He pulled her along and walked into a store. “May I help you?” the clerk behind the counter asked, coming out with a smile on her face. Blaine looked around the place and Shyla stood rooted on the spot. She had no clue as to what to do. “Anything look good to you?” he asked her. He shook her hand. “Shyla—anything look good to you?” “I don‟t know,” she whispered. “Can we leave please?” Blaine gave the clerk his full attention, “As you can see we just got married.” “Yes sir, congratulations.” The woman smiled. “A lovely lady. So 46

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

dainty.” “And in great need of new everything,” Blaine went on. “I‟m afraid she doesn‟t have a thing so she needs pretty much everything.” “Well I can certainly help here with anything she needs.” The woman kept on smiling and Shyla got a nagging feeling that the woman was all fake. “Good, then let‟s see.” Blaine tapped his finger, looking down at Shyla. “Couple outfits for sure, until the girls come around. Panties, bras, something to sleep in, shoes, the works. And please work fast. My phone is buzzing like hell in my pocket.” “No problem. Honey, come with me.” She reached for Shyla. Shyla really didn‟t want to go with her. A nod from Blaine and she followed her to the other side of the shop. Her measurements were taken, articles of clothing were taken off the rack, clothes piled up and soon Shyla was in a dressing room, trying it all on. If two hours was considered fast, then they all had a big problem. She left with three pair of jeans, silk tops, bras, low riding hip hugging panties, no thongs thank you very much. Heels that she couldn‟t walk in very well, sneakers, socks, tank tops, baby doll nighties and one silk robe. Also included were a few chemises she could wear under the silk tops along with some way too sexy lingerie that had her blushing. Henning took everything from them as they got back into the limo. Exhausted she slumped back in the seat and Blaine smiled at her. “Tired?” She nodded. “How can anyone enjoy doing that?” “Shopping?” Again she nodded and he chuckled. “Ask Kera and Samara. They go shopping all the time and love it. Guess it‟s a damn good thing Devon is doing well with his horses or she‟d have him broke as hell.” “You mean real horses?” That had her sitting up in her seat. She‟d seen many pictures of horses but had never actually seen one. “I‟d love to see one. I‟ve only seen them in pictures and once in one of those sex movies they made us watch.” “Well you‟re in luck then. I let Devon use the stables and they are full of them. Maybe he‟ll even put you up on one.” “Really?” She couldn‟t keep the excitement out of her voice or her body. “Oh I‟d love that.” The limo turned and headed out of town. Shyla watched everything, taking in the color of the changed leaves on the trees, and the patches of grass, which also changed in color. Winter was coming, but for her this 47

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

year, the deadness she always felt, might not be there this time. She felt free, freer than she‟d ever felt before. Blaine rolled the window down and she stuck her head out, getting her first real look at the house of her many dreams. The house that for years she would stare at, wondered about, and just wished she could life in. Now it was becoming a reality for her. A long, cobblestone drive way with a long row of trees took you right up to the massive house. There were marble columns, huge thick glass doorway and windows galore! Nothing in her fantasies about this place even came close to what she saw before her. In the center of the drive a large waterfall that had water pouring out from it, giving off a very soothing and homey feeling to the place. She saw bushes and could just about picture the roses in bloom around the fountain as it spit out the water. A man stood on the front steps, waiting it seemed for them. The limo stopped. She heard the popping of the truck and then Blaine opened the door, stepping out first. “Morning, sir!” “Randal,” Blaine said. “I‟ve heard already that your trip has been a success.” Shyla stepped out, took Blaine‟s hand and stared at the man who smiled back at her. The kindness in his aging eyes had her feeling at ease. “Shyla, this is Randal. He runs the house and knows all the ins and outs. Randal, my wife, Shyla.” “Oh, a great pleasure, Miss!” Randal smiled big. He took hold of her hand, squeezing it. “A great pleasure. Please, come inside. Let me show you your new home and introduce you to Linda.” Randal let her go and, with Blaine‟s hand at the small of her back, she followed him inside the house. Right off she caught sight of a small split balcony overhead. The staircase fanned out to the left and right, coming down in an oval shape with marble steps. In the center of the large space a sitting area had been set up. “We have eighty-three bedrooms,” Blaine told her. “To the left here you‟ll find the kitchen in back and dining room off the side. On the right here is our living space complete with your television set and surround sound system. You can also head out back through that room where the outdoor pool and pool house is. You‟ll also be able to see the stables and a maze my mother had put in the first year she lived here.” 48

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“We also have a full basement,” Randal added, going up the staircase, looking down at her with a smile. “Private gym and another pool for the days you can‟t go outside. There is also a hot tub and steam room below.” Up the second stairs Blaine pointed out the extra bedrooms right before taking her hand and leading her down to the far end hallway, up some steps and into a bedroom that took her breath away. White leather furniture facing a massive fireplace. White fur rugs over hardwood floor so shiny she was almost afraid to walk across it. The bed gave her the chills. What caught her eye in the room though was the picture frame on one of the nightstands. It was the photo of her mother and it was framed. It was Shyla, at six, a big smile on her face, hugging her mother. It almost brought tears to her eyes. “I hope you don‟t mind me having it framed,” Randal stated. “I didn‟t want it to get more ruined then it was starting to.” “No,” she whispered, shaking her head, lowering down to the bed as she picked the frame up. “I don‟t mind. I kept it in a box so that no one would rip it up.” “Ah, there you are, girl,” Randal said. “Mr. Cedric, this is Linda Harmon. I‟ve put her in charge of taking care of Mrs. Cedric‟s things.” “Randal, please, don‟t call her that,” Blaine groaned. “Sounds so damn old.” “Yes, sir. Forgive me. Linda, please unpack Ms. Shyla‟s things.” “I can do that.” Shyla put the photo down and stood up. “No, you can‟t,” Blaine butted in before Randal could. “Piss Randal off and he‟s hell to live with. Besides, I want you to look at the rest of the house and meet Sally. You need to let her know what you like and don‟t like.” The three of them walked out of the bedroom. Randal started down the stairs as Blaine took Shyla down one of the long hallways to show her the many rooms. “Oh, sir, I almost forgot—forgive me,” Randal called out. “Ms. Samara called to warn me that Mr. Knight and Mr. Noved will be stopping by tomorrow night. They intend to surprise you it seems and she wanted you to know.” “I sort of expected that,” Blaine sighed. “Does Sally know?” “She already went out for lobsters and steaks.” “Oh, I like steak,” Shyla butted in, then blushed. “Sorry. Didn‟t mean to interrupt you two.” 49

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Let Sally know she likes her steaks well-done, please.” “Yes, sir.” Randal turned and started back down the stairs. “I‟m sorry. I didn‟t mean to do that.” “Don‟t worry about it.” He smiled. “It‟s nice to hear you speak up. Do it more often.” He showed her each and every room, then he shocked her by sliding open a thick set of double doors that led into a big ballroom. From where they stood she would never have guessed there was a ballroom in the house, even though deep down she hoped there would be one. Once she saw everything upstairs, Blaine took her back to the master bedroom to change clothing. All the things he bought her were unpacked, some hanging up in the over large walk in closet. She didn‟t know what to wear for his friends. “What‟s wrong?” Once more he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “This feels like a dream,” she spoke low. “A dream that I‟ll wake up from any moment and find myself back in that room waiting to go to those classes and eat that food again.” “It‟s no dream. You‟re here to stay.” “I don‟t know how to be in your world, Blaine. How do I even dress?” “Well, for one thing, I‟m in jeans so why don‟t you start with putting jeans on as well.” “But your friends—” She could hardly get the words out. “They‟ll be up class and I‟m not.” “Trust me when I say they are all down to Earth kind of people. Dane‟s grandmother is the one you will have to dress up for, and Samara will make sure you have what you need for that dinner. Wear this new top.” He took one of the new silk tops off the hanger. It had tiny pearl buttons. “I can think about undoing each one of those buttons as we have dinner.” Her face heated up and she snatched the shirt from his hand. She also took one of the new pair of jeans that were folded in a build in shelf and walked out of the closet and into the bathroom. The bathroom was unlike any fantasy she‟d ever had. It contained A walk-through shower with bench along the wall and glass windows showing everything. In the center of the bathroom was another bench to use to sit and dress. Off the one side was a huge bathtub in a corner with jets coming out of it from every side. The toilet had its own little room, and on the other side a vanity table. 50

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Shyla sat down on the bench and slowly stripped off the outfit the Compound put her in. She kept looking around as she dressed, fearing that Blaine might come in at any moment. Guilt once more hit her over how she told him she didn‟t like sex. She felt so bad that she was afraid to even try it again. He was just so big that she couldn‟t believe him when he told her that it wouldn‟t hurt again. Flashes of how those women on the videos screamed as a man pumped his cock into them. Thinking about calling it a cock had her thinking she might start to panic any moment. Shaking off the feeling, she finished dressing and when she opened the door she wasn‟t at all surprised to see Blaine standing by the fireplace, waiting for her. “Ready?” he asked. She took a deep breath and nodded. “Good, I‟m starving and have a special treat for you.” He went up to her, took hold of her face and kissed her, lingering for a few minutes before pulling back. “Relax. Everything‟s going to be fine, I promise.” “Don‟t make promises you can‟t keep.” He rubbed her lower lip with his thumb, “I always keep the promises that I make. Never forget that.”

51

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Six Shyla ate the meal Blaine fixed for her. As he watched her eat, he smoked his small cigar, lounging back in the large lounge chair next to his fire pit in the back yard. When Sally came back from the store she had a stack of magazine with clothes for Shyla to go through. And the girl looked at each one, each page slowly while she nibbled on the hotdog he grilled over the fire for her. So far he ate two to her one. “See anything you like?” he asked, getting her full attention. She looked up at him, eyes wide open. “There are so many things. I never thought a woman could wear so much.” “Neither did I,” he said and smiled. She cocked her head to the side and the way she looked at him made him think she was studying him. “You‟ve had a lot of women then.” Blaine blew out a cloud of smoke and sat up to put more wood chunks into the fire. “I‟ve had my share I guess.” She closed the magazine and placed it with the others. “You don‟t like talking about your past, do you?” “Not that part of my past.” Bending to the side, he opened a cooler lid, pulled out a beer and soda, handing the can to her and twisting the top of his. “Do you think I‟ll judge you?” Laying back down, moving the cigar around as she drew her legs up to her chest, Blaine sighed. “I judge myself.” “Why?” “The two of us haven‟t had an easy life, Shyla. Yours was spent sheltered in the Compound. Mine got the brutal fist of the world. And I‟ve done things in my past I‟m not too proud of.” “Are you proud of what you‟ve done now then?” “Not yet, but I‟m hoping to be one day.” He pulled the cigar out of 52

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

his mouth and tossed it into the fire, watching it burn as he took a drink. “The mistress,” she said, getting him to look back at her. She also faced the fire and had a sad expression on her face. “What about her?” “You asked me who hurt me. It was her.” He sort of thought it was. “Why?” “I didn‟t want to watch those movies.” She wrinkled her nose. “Couldn‟t get past the girls crying out in pain.” “Were they really crying out in pain?” Slowly she looked back up at him, “They made sure we saw girls that were doing it for the first time.” “Ah,” he nodded. “So why‟d she hurt you then?” “I wouldn‟t go.” She hugged herself and began to slowly rock her body. “It was to be my second class, second movie. I had nightmares that night about. After breakfast I snuck back to my room and hid. She found me. When I refused to come out, I got my first whipping. She didn‟t break skin, that would leave permanent marks, but she bruised me pretty bad. So I went to the classes but closed my eyes and blocked it all out. Did that for a few months, then she found out and gave me another whipping.” She shook her head, and a single tear slipped free. “Others got whippings for not wanting to go to the classes. I tried to stand up for this one girl. That got me into so much trouble and to add to it all, I refused to do the scrubbing of all the bathrooms. It was the one and only time I ever stood up to her, and I don‟t think I walked straight for a week after that beating. After a while I kind of, I don‟t know, stayed within myself and just went with the motions. I did what I was told, ate the food, attended the classes. Guess you can call it a robot thing I did. Got snapped out of it the morning my name got called for the party.” “Well I say the hell with them all.” He tipped his beer up to her. “They can all kiss our ass,” he finished with a smile. Shyla also smiled and took a sip of her drink. She looked up at the sky and sighed, “It‟s late.” “Yes, it is.” He didn‟t look up at the sky but at her. Putting the beer down, Blaine moved. He crawled over to her and once she looked at him he went in for a deep kiss. Using that kiss, he lowered her down to the blanket, slanted his mouth and pushed his tongue inside. Surprisingly enough, she kissed him back, but when his hand touched under her shirt, she tensed up. Halfway up her belly, right under her breasts, she grabbed his wrist with both hands and broke the kiss, 53

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

turning to the left away from him. She finished pushing his hand out from under her shirt and rolled out from under him, giving Blaine her backside. “I‟m sorry,” she whispered. “Don‟t worry about it,” he sighed. “It‟ll happen when it happens.” “And if it doesn‟t?” He heard the tremor in her voice. Knew she was holding back from crying. “It will.” He didn‟t sleep that night. Blaine stayed in the bed with her, listening and watching her sleep until he couldn‟t stand it any longer. He wasn‟t the kind of man to not have a willing woman in his bed, or more to the point, a woman willing, only not for the sex. That part definitely was new for him. So around three in the morning, he left the bed, dressed in some jeans and went to his office. He did a bit of work, but mostly sat back in the leather chair, bare feet up on the desk, thin cigar between his lips and a large glass of brandy. “You know when I heard you were married, I didn‟t think when I snuck into your house that you‟d be sitting in the dark brooding like this.” Blaine looked up and there stood Darius in the doorway. “Shit happens.” “So they say.” Darius Alistair pushed away from the doorway and went right up to the desk, picking up the bottle and taking a big drink right from it. “I do have glasses,” Blaine stated. Darius hissed once he finished. “Why mess with a good thing.” He put the bottle down and sat in one of the chairs across from the desk. He was dressed in ratty jeans, shit kicker boots and a black t-shirt that stretched across his shoulders like a second skin. His dirty brown hair had grown longer during the few months he‟d been gone. The dark eyes darker, and if Blaine wasn‟t mistaken, Darius also looked harder in both body and in his face. “So what brings you to my humble home?” Blaine asked, blowing out a cloud of smoke and picking up his glass. “Berdina ordered me home for this special party she‟s throwing Makayla.” He groaned in irritation. “I told her no three times, and then she threatened to have Dane come get me. Oh and make my life hell once I did come.” “Why she want you there so bad?” 54

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Darius shrugged. “Who the hell knows? The woman is on a power trip.” “Does she know?” The question had Darius quickly looking uncomfortable. “Know what?” Blaine snorted, “Don‟t play that shit with me. They might not know, but I do!” With a groan, Darius stood back up and took the bottle with him. Blaine kept his mouth shut as one of his best friends paced around the room, drinking. For the past year, Blaine knew that Darius had a thing for Makayla Tabor. It happened the night they went in to get her out of the brothel before she was sold. Blaine saw it on his friend‟s face but kept his mouth shut. It wasn‟t his place to point out to Dane and the others what he saw. That was all on Darius and, instead of the man stepping up, the shit skipped town. Sure Darius came back here and there. The realty property that his family owned made sure of it. The name Alistair happened to be on deeds to every main building in Treece, meaning that Darius inherited not only a name but the legend to go with it. A legend he hated. He was worth a fortune, and every woman in town wanted to grab him for either their self or for a daughter. “What I don‟t understand is how the hell that old bat is able to keep her out of the Compound,” Darius said, taking another long drink. “I don‟t get it. No one has that kind of power.” “Apparently she does.” Darius snorted. “You need to talk to Dane,” Blaine went on. “And say what? You know how protective he is of her. He treats her like a daughter for Christ sake.” “Darius, getting drunk and staying away like you have been isn‟t going to fix shit. Trust me, I know from experience.” Darius shook his head. “I didn‟t come back here to talk about her or my problem.” “Then why did you come back?” “Heard you got married,” he shrugged. “Had to see it for myself,” he finished with a smile. “Yeah, well it isn‟t sweet as candy like Devon and Dane have, trust me,” he groaned, standing up and stretching. Darius chuckled. “What fucking fairy tale have you been reading? Sweet with Devon and Kera has yet to happen. She owns his ass. He‟s 55

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

just too damn blind to see it.” “So you going to the party then?” Blaine had to change the subject. Thinking and talking about his strange marriage wasn‟t something he felt like doing, especially with Darius. “Nice change.” Blaine gave him a smile also, one that said he was being a prick at the moment. “Thank you.” “I don‟t think so.” “You don‟t, then Dane is going to start to really question why you‟re staying away so much and working so hard at it. Plus, you‟ll have the bat to deal with.” Another drink, followed by a loud groan and Darius was sitting down in the sofa next to the fireplace, “I can‟t go there. I do, they‟ll all see it and then I‟m fucked.” “You‟re fucked if you don‟t. So be fucked and go.” “Ah, such wisdom,” Darius smarted off. “Go home. Sleep that shit off then come back here for dinner. The gang is bombarding my ass, you might as well join in the fun.” “I‟ll pass.” Darius took another drink, finishing off the bottle and standing up. He placed it on one of the end tables. “Good luck with the new bride.” “You can‟t keep running, man,” Blaine sighed. “You‟re going to have to face it sooner or later.” “Yeah, well not this soon. I‟ll let you know about the party.” Blaine watched him walk out. He felt for Darius, he really did. No man should have to go through what that one had. But they all had battles they were going to have to fight on their own. Each one of them fought it and came back a better man for it. Devon found his one, got the peace he wanted. Dane was able to get the back bone he needed, and Blaine thought for a moment maybe he might get the home he always hungered for. What Darius needed at the moment he had no clue. Hell, he didn‟t think Darius knew either. Rubbing his forehead, Blaine sat back down at the desk, drew hard on the cigar, blew out a thick cloud of smoke and tried to relax his tense body. He opened the drawer next to him, brought out the bottle of vodka and sighed a silent „hell‟ as he uncapped it and took a nice burning drink. Sitting there, drinking harder than he had in years, Blaine rubbed the hardness that seemed to get harder with each pull he took from the bottle next to him. He never got hard when he drank, but then again he‟d never been told to stop either. Being refused was a new feeling for him, one 56

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

that he knew he didn‟t like. Before he was ready, the bottle was gone. A nice buzz came with it, but it wasn‟t enough for him. Blaine got up, swayed a bit on his feet and went over to the table where more liquor waited. He looked over each bottle, found more of the hard shit and downed it like water, ignoring the burn in his throat and stomach. Now he wanted to drink away the hard on, but it only seemed to get worst the more he drank. “Fuck it,” he slurred out loud. Leaving his office happened to be a bit harder than it was coming in. Blaine bounced and hit the walls, walking out into the darkness. With difficulty, he found the stairs and headed up, stumbling a couple of times and even falling down once. He swore, shook his head and tried like hell to focus on where he was going. Yep, without a doubt of any kind, he was drunk as shit, but he also was very determined. He wanted his wife, and nothing was going to stop him tonight from having her. Come morning he‟d no doubt feel the guilt over it all. Again he shook his head, trying to clear it while he walked to his room. Opening the door, he stood there looking at his wife, sleeping peacefully. His mind went over and over how wrong what he was about to do would be. It did nothing to stop his hand from going to the snap of his jeans. They came off and he stood naked in the middle of the room. The steps to the bed weren‟t steady, not by a long shot. His one and only goal for the moment was reaching her, taking what he needed. Come morning he‟d live with the consequences. Crawling up on the bed, yanking the covers away, Blaine had Shyla up on her knees, in the very nice doggy position before she was fully awake. He worked fast, yanking her nightgown from her shoulders, letting it fall to her waist as he tasted her skin. “What‟re you doing?” she breathed out while he cupped one breast, his lips going to her neck as he held her head up with the other hand. “I need this,” he slurred. “What‟s wrong with you?” He heard panic in her sweet voice, and it should‟ve stilled him, but didn‟t. Instead, it had him going on, wanting to show her that it would all be fine. He didn‟t answer her. Instead, he moved his hand from her breasts, ripped the gown the rest of the way off and cupped her pussy. She gasped loudly and tried to pull his hand away. Blaine parted the soft folds and had two fingers into her, pumping just like he planned to pump into her. Teasing her clit with his thumb, he fucked her using his hand 57

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

only, getting thicker and harder behind her. “Please,” she begged. He blocked out her pleading and kept on kissing her throat, holding her head back against his shoulder and moving that hand faster. She got wet around him, the clit became hard, and he moved that hand even faster. He joined one more finger with the two and pressed harder against her clit. “No, no, no!” she panted, which turned into a shout. Blaine felt her contract around his fingers and he moved like a hunter to the prey. He had her down on all fours with her ass up in the air. Parting her legs with his one, one hard thrust, and he had the whole length of his cock buried deep into her. Shyla cried out, her hands fisted into the sheets, face pressing into the mattress. Blaine closed his eyes at the pleasure and moved. Parting tender flesh with the steal of his cock he took her. He thrust so hard, so powerfully, it stole his breath, urged him to go on, to reach the goal of release that he felt like he hadn‟t had in years. Even though he took her hard, and without much consent, he still thought of her. Holding her tight around the waist, he reached beneath and found her clit once more. Not once did he miss a beat. He surged into her, touched her deeper than he did the first time, and played with her clit. One pinch and he felt her contract around him. Blaine moaned against the back of her head, deeper, harder his movements became and by the time she reached a second climax he really began to wonder if he was too drunk to come. That maybe this really was a mistake, and then he felt it. The first chill raced down his spine, pooled between his legs and built. He felt like he was becoming brutal in his movements. Parting her with blistering steel, yet powerless to take her sweet and easy like she needed and deserved. He couldn‟t slow down, couldn‟t stop himself from branding her to him in that moment. Releasing her clit, he gripped her hips, pulled her back towards his thrust, slammed her into him and welcomed the rush of his release. Head back, Blaine yelled as he swelled inside her. His seed shot out of him in brutal waves, leaving him feeling weak. For those few sweet minutes as he poured himself into her he felt like the alcohol in his body disappeared. Hell, he thought for a second they were back in the Compound. He held her tightly against him, not thinking that he might be bruising her. He shook while he came, feeling like it would never end. 58

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

When it did he dropped onto her, the liquor quickly coming back. The room began to spin, his body felt like it weighed a ton. He couldn‟t move off of her, couldn‟t withdraw from her body. His cock felt too tender, too sensitive to do shit with. Shyla moved and he wanted to whimper when he slipped free from her. He tried to reach for her as she slipped from the bed. He rolled to his back, watched her go to the bathroom and close behind her. Blaine tried to sit up. He wanted to go to her, but instead fell back. His body felt like lead, thanks to all he drank and what he just did. The guilt hit him, just as the room spun even more. “Oh fuck,” he moaned, pressing both hands into his face, waiting for the dizziness to pass. “What‟d I just do?” Once more he tried to sit up with the intention of going to her, but that time happened to be his last. Blackness hit, pulling him in. He couldn‟t fight it, not since he drank hard like he did an hour or so ago. Blaine gave in, his last thought being that he was going to have to make this all up to Shyla. He just prayed, with his last thought, that she wouldn‟t hate him too much come morning.

59

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Seven Shyla sat at the small table in the kitchen, moving the omelet on her plate around with her fork, deep in thought over what happened last night. Her body was sore from it, the memory giving her chills. “If that isn‟t something you like, I can make you something else.” Sally, the cook smiled at her from across the counter. The woman had a kind face, the kind that Shyla dreamed a mother would have. Sally only stood at five foot. A bit chubby, some gray in her brown hair and a few wrinkles around her eyes. She didn‟t dress in a maid uniform, but did have an apron on. The second Shyla saw the warmth in Sally‟s big brown eyes she was at ease with the woman. When Sally asked her what she would like for breakfast, Shyla felt embarrassed. She didn‟t know what she wanted, since for the most part of her life, at the Compound that is, she had oatmeal each morning. Sally sat her down, gave her a large glass of orange juice and told her to be ready for something new. And it was very good. Shyla just had a lot on her mind. “It‟s great,” Shyla smiled. “Guess I‟m not that hungry after all.” “Well that‟s alright, sugar.” Sally came over to her and took the plate. “When you get hungry you just let me know. I‟ll fix you right up.” “Thank you.” Shyla pushed away from the table and stood up. She stilled when Blaine walked into the kitchen, his face white as a sheet. “Can we talk?” he asked. She only nodded, unable really to say a thing to him. He breathed out, ran a hand in his hair and took her hand, leading her out of the kitchen to the cool outdoors. Once outside, she pulled away from him. Blaine pulled out one of those thin cigars of his from his shirt pocket and lit it. She watched him blow out smoke and waited for whatever he might say. 60

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“I‟m sorry, Shyla,” he said. “I didn‟t mean to force you like that last night. I got a bit drunk, which I don‟t normally do either.” “It‟s alright.” She had a hard time speaking and couldn‟t look him in the eye either. “No its not!” he barked, which made her jump. “Damn, sorry. I don‟t act like this. I‟ve never acted like this in my life. It won‟t happen again, I promise you.” “Why did you?” Where she found the nerve to ask the question, she couldn‟t say. Even now, standing with a bit of distance between them, Blaine still scared her some. She hugged herself, waiting for the answer. He tossed the cigar away and came to her, wrapping his arms around her body, holding her tight and close. “You are so fresh and innocent to everything.” She could feel his eyes moving over her face while he looked her over. “A light in this whole dark space in my chest. I‟ve been spoiled when it comes to women, I‟ll admit that. You are the first one to ever not want me.” She felt her face heat up and glanced down at the ground. “I never said I didn‟t want you.” “I know,” he sighed, brushing fingers across her cheek. “I promise you now that we‟ll work on it together. No more me forcing you again.” Shyla looked up at him, “What happens if it doesn‟t work?” He kissed her lightly. “Trust me when I say it will work. “Excuse me, sir,” Randal‟s voice rang out and Blaine groaned, closing his eyes. “Your lawyer has called and refuses to let me take a message.” “That sounds like him.” Blaine turned with Shyla still in his arms. “I‟ll be there in a second.” Randal nodded and left them. “You be okay?” “I‟m fine.” She gave him a smile and fought the shiver that threatened to spill forth. “Your eyes tell me differently.” He cocked his head to one side. “Did I hurt you, physically?” Again she lowered her eyes, averted from looking at him while the heat came back into her cheeks. How could she tell him that yes, the way he did that last night hurt her? She was sore between her legs, almost felt a bit raw. And yet, on the same side of things, he‟d given her great pleasure. The climax that had hit had her screaming into the pillow until her throat hurt, and still he moved inside her—rammed himself in until she thought it would never end. Shyla couldn‟t decide if she liked it all or hated it. 61

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“I‟m okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “You should go take your call.” “He isn‟t as important as you are at the moment.” “Yes, he is. Go, I‟ll be fine.” “I‟ll only go if you promise me that you‟ll go back to the room and soak in the tub. I was a bit rough last night, and a bath will make you feel better.” “Okay,” she breathed out. He kissed her once more, then on the forehead before letting her go, heading back into the house. Shyla took a deep breath rubbed her arms and looked around. The grounds were just like she always pictured them to be. Perfectly cut grass that was beginning to turn color thanks to the change in the weather. Winter was coming and with the chill in the air she guessed it would be a hard one. Rubbing her arms, taking a deep breath of the coolness, she turned and also headed back to the house. A hot bath sounded like a dream. **** Blaine paced his office, the phone up to his ear, listening to his lawyer talk about the deal he had in the works that appeared might be falling through. “You want to explain this to me once more.” Blaine spoke slowly because inside he was steaming. He boiled in anger and each step he took fueled that anger. “What happened?” “I‟m not one hundred percent sure myself,” his lawyer said. “I just got the call an hour ago and have my whole staff looking into it. So far all we‟ve found out is another buyer has come in and so far bought up over seventy percent of the stocks.” “Fuck!” Blaine growled. “I have over two million tied up in this investment, Gardenia, I want someone‟s head for fucking it up.” “We‟re looking for it now,” the lawyer rushed out. “And I‟ve got the paper work getting started right now to sue. I‟ll get your money back.” “It‟s not the money that has me pissed off, Gardenia.” Blaine said the man‟s name through his teeth. “How the hell could someone come in and steal my stock like that?!” he finished with a yell. “This was a done deal!” “I‟ll find out.” “Damn straight you will, or your ass is fired.” Blaine slammed the phone down. His anger poured over, leaving him breathing hard. “Is this a bad time to let you know the girls made us come early?” Blaine turned and there stood Devon with Dane. 62

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Deal gone bad, I take it,” Dane stated, brushing past Devon and right up to the table with the liquor. “Drink?” He poured a large glass of scotch and handed it to Blaine. He downed it. “Someone just went under me and bought the company that I have not only invested a hell of a lot of time into, but over two million.” Dane whistled, “Shit. That‟s a lot to lose.” “Tell me about it.” Blaine went over to the table and refilled his glass. He took another long drink, hissing at the burn with eyes closed. Opening them up, frowning, he looked at them both. “Now why you here so early again?” “The girls,” Devon answered, thumbing behind him. “They got together and decided they couldn‟t wait until tonight. Kera figured your wife might need to go shopping and she‟s dying to show her the sights.” “Samara thinks she needs a new dress for this damn party my grandmother is having for Makayla,” Dane added. “So of course they get together when it involves shopping of any kind.” “Shyla,” Blaine said. “Huh?” Dane asked. “Her name is Shyla. My wife.” “Yeah, you know I can‟t seem to get use to that,” Dane said with a small twinkle in his blue eyes. “Say it again, please.” “Fuck off.” Blaine flipped him off and Dane laughed, as did Devon. “So how is the marriage thing going?” Devon asked. Blaine groaned, rubbed his face and as he walked to one of the two facing sofas in front of the fireplace he pulled out another thin cigar. He lit it, sat down and with a sigh blew out a cloud of smoke. Slouching, head resting on the back, drink in hand and cigar between his teeth he looked at his friends. What to tell them? Just thinking about the way he acted last night had him feeling ashamed. He never got so drunk that he gave in to the dark side. The „Father‟ side, which he liked to call it. What he did to Shyla was something his father might do, not him. And yet, he did it. But could he share that with his friends? “I think she‟s scared of me,” he said, staring up at the ceiling. “Well you do brood,” Dane pointed out. “Was either of your wives scared of you?” Blaine asked them. “Samara was more afraid of what was going to happen to Makayla then she was of me,” Dane said. “Kera liked to fight,” Devon shrugged. “Don‟t think she‟s ever been scared of me.” 63

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Shyla‟s scared of me,” Blaine told them. “Scared to death even to have sex.” “But you did in the Compound right?” Dane frowned. “Once,” Blaine sighed. “Only once?” Dane went on. “Seriously?” Blaine nodded. “Shit, that‟s new. Guys who go in there for even a one night thing have their way with the woman several times. How the hell did you only do it once?” “Told you, she‟s scared of me.” “And you used the strawberries?” Devon asked. With a loud groan, Blaine stood back up and snapped, “Yes.” “Man, I don‟t know what to tell you,” Devon added. “Nothing anyone can tell me.” Blaine walked up to a window, looked out at the perfect grounds. Guilt once more hit him. It felt like a punch in the gut. “You know, there might be a way to get her to feel less fearful of you,” Dane said. Blaine turned his head, looking at the man. “Every woman has to be seduced in a different way. You‟ve only had the kind of woman that pretty much falls at your feet or jumps in your bed.” Blaine rolled his eyes. “Don‟t start that shit again.” Dane held his hand up, shaking his head also and standing up, “No, hear me out. What I‟m saying is you‟ve stuck the one same kind of woman, you know, easy. Even when we were younger you dated and screwed around with the same kind. Hell, when we all would go out together we knew just who would end up going home with you. It was like clockwork.” “Do you have a point this all this?” Blaine could feel his patience slipping fast. “Yeah, I do. You‟ve never had to really seduce anyone.” He snorted with a slight grin. “Which in my book kind of makes you as much of a virgin as she is—or was.” “Dane, I‟ve said it before and I‟ll say it again,” Blaine smirked back. “You‟re fucked in the head.” “He has a point,” Devon said. “You never have had to work to get a woman in your bed. They‟ve all landed in your lap and have given you everything you‟ve ever wanted. It makes sense.” Blaine rolled his eyes and went back to staring out the window. “The hell it does.” “You ever thought about going another route?” Dane went on. “You could somewhat force her to it.” 64

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Blaine closed his eyes and groaned inward, but it came out instead. “You didn‟t!” Devon demanded. When he said nothing, he could hear Devon also standing up quickly. “Shit, Blaine, what the hell‟s wrong with you.” “I drank too much last night,” Blaine blurted out. “And Darius showed up. We sort of—” “Wait a minute,” Dane butted in. “Darius was here last night?” Blaine turned back around, “Yeah, why?” He couldn‟t stop from frowning as a funny feeling settled into his stomach. “I‟ve been trying to get ahold of him for weeks,” Dane went on. “Fucker has been ignoring me. But when Devon calls he answers, and now you tell me he showed up here. What the hell is going on?” “How the hell am I supposed to know?” Blaine snapped. “I have my own problems at the moment, remember?‟ “Oh I think you know something, and my gut screams it has to do with Makayla.” “For Christ sakes will you stop,” Devon sighed. “Why would Darius be interested in Makayla? Hell, he only saw her that one time and hasn‟t been around since.” “That‟s my point.” Dane turned to Devon. “He‟s been staying away, and now with my grandmother throwing a party, to which he‟s invited, he‟s been avoiding me. Why? You answer that one will yah.” “Hello!” Blaine shouted. “Can you two stop and help me with my little problem for once. Please!” “Did he just ask for our help?” Dane asked Devon. “I think he did.” “Wow! I‟m going to have to mark this occasion.” “Fuck you both,” Blaine growled, tossing his cigar into the dead fireplace and reaching into his pocket for another. “Okay, how about this.” Devon rubbed the back of his neck and paced the room. “Start slow. Treat the next time as the first time. Still her fears by giving her the experience of a first touch, or kiss.” “And as much as you might want to, don‟t,” Dane added with a finger up. “Keep the pants on, suffer a few nights with the hard on, and just touch her with your hands and mouth. Let her touch you even and I will stress it again. Keep the big boy behind closed doors. Let her release the beast.” “And how the hell would you know about these things?” Blaine asked Dane. Dane gave him a big smile. “Hey, I‟ve had to work hard a couple 65

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

times with getting a few of the ladies in my bed. Once the pants dropped, heaven awaited me.” **** Shyla walked from the bathroom, towel wrapped around her body and just about screamed. In her bedroom were two women she never saw in her life. One sat on the bed, flipping through some of the magazines Linda got her, and the other was pulling clothes from her closet. Neither saw her. The one coming and going from the closet had soft brown hair that hung past her shoulders. She also had curves, indicting to Shyla that she wasn‟t starved at all. She wore jeans that hugged her hips and gave her legs a nice shape. The same kind of boots that Shyla got the day she left the Compound were on this woman‟s feet, along with a soft pink silk top. On the bed, the other woman dressed very differently. She had wore khaki-colored slacks with a soft short sleeved sweater and her long hair was pulled back into a tail at the back of her head. “Samara, she doesn‟t have much of anything,” the one in the closet said. “We‟ll fix that,” the other said, flipping a page. “Have you gotten your dress yet?” “Nope, just Makayla‟s. Though I‟ll get it while we‟re out, if something grabs my eye.” “What color are you doing?” “Not sure yet.” “Um, excuse me,” Shyla stuttered out. “But, um, who are you two?” Both girls stopped what they were doing to look at her. Shyla felt like she was suddenly on display and didn‟t know what to do. She also feared that something bad might happen. “Oh you are very pretty!” the one in her closet said with a smile. She tossed the clothes she had in her hand onto the bed and came up to Shyla, taking her hand. “I‟m Kera, Devon‟s wife. That‟s Samara. We just couldn‟t wait to meet you.” “Take a breath, Kera,” Samara said, coming up to Shyla also. “Hi.” Swallowing hard, Shyla tried to smile back. “Hi.” Kera laughed, “Don‟t worry, we don‟t bite. Come on and get dressed.” She quickly picked the clothes up from the bed. “We have major shopping to do.” “Kera! Maybe she doesn‟t want to. You ever thought about asking first?” 66

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Kera rolled her eyes, “Fine. Would you like to go shopping with us? You need more outfits then what you have now, and we would love to take you out.” “Please say yes,” Samara whispered loudly. “If you don‟t, I have to put up with her pouting for hours and it isn‟t a pretty sight. She loves to go shopping, or it‟s eating lobster.” She tapped a finger on her lip. “I can‟t remember.” “Oh, you‟re just too funny,” Kera snorted, and Shyla laughed. “Okay,” Shyla told them. “Let me get dressed then.” “Yes!” Kera raised her hand up and fisted it down. Shaking her head, Shyla turned with the clothes in hand and went right back into the bathroom. She dressed fast, and the second the door opened, Kera had hold of her hand, ran ahead, tugging her from the room. They were down the stairs and almost out the front door when someone yelled at them. “Kera, one dress only damn-it!” They went to a different store than the one Blaine took her to. Right off, the clerks came forth, stopping what they were doing to tend to them. Kera had her get more under clothes, more nighties, stockings and shoes. She also got skirts, tops, pants and jeans. By the time they left, the back of the car was stuffed with bags. Next stop, to buy an evening gown. Shyla had no clue what an evening gown might be, or what it would be used for. She walked beside the two girls into a store that was nothing but gowns. “Okay, Berdina has told everyone not to wear white,” Samara said. “Only Makayla is to wear white, since the party is for her.” “Got yah,” Kera said, “Which is fine with me, because I just found it.” Kera walked up to a black evening gown with sparkling crystals all over it. The top was even embellished crystal straps. Tight cups would hug her breasts and it had criss-cross straps between the breasts and down both sides from under the arms down to the hips. A clerk didn‟t waste a second from coming up to Kera and talking to her about the dress. While she did so, Shyla walked around the store, looking at some of the dresses herself. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Samara also talking to someone about a dress she was looking at. A more simple looking gown with thin straps and a tight bodice that went to the hips. It wasn‟t all white either, 67

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

but a black and white mix. The top half had streaks of black, and below the hips the fabric was all white. Shyla stopped when she saw a pink gown unlike anything she ever saw before. It wasn‟t as fancy as the other two gowns the girls had found, but it grabbed her and held her fixed before it, just staring, afraid to touch it. Pink and sliver, the sliver being thick wide straps that not only went around the neck to zip up underneath it, but those silver straps wrapped around the cups of the breasts to the back. The rest of the dress was a pale pink that fanned out to the ground in what looked liked ripped pieces. Shyla never wanted anything in her life, except leaving the Compound, but she wanted this dress. “Good lord, when will they stop letting the trash of this town into our stores?” Shyla stiffened. She didn‟t want to turn around to see who was talking, yet her feet seemed to move on their own. She turned and faced a woman that without a doubt had cruel eyes. Blonde hair pulled back tight, way too much make-up on her narrow face and a shirt so tight it looked like the buttons might burst any moment. Cold blue eyes looked Shyla up and down, her nose wrinkled. “Getting so a respectable woman can‟t shop anymore.” “Piss off, Beth.” Kera came up behind the woman, and Shyla breathed out in relief. From the corner of her eye she also saw Samara head their way. “Well I should‟ve known you‟d be here,” the woman smirked. “Trash does stick together,” she sang. “You know, I‟ve had about as much of your shit as I can take.” Kera moved so fast that no one, not even the woman before her could react. Kera hit the blonde who went down on her ass. Shyla covered her mouth with both hands, looked wide eyed at the scene and waited for all hell to break loose. “Shit Kera!” Samara gasped, grabbing hold of Kera‟s arms. “You bitch!” the blonde cried out, holding her nose, blood coming out the sides and between fingers. “You broke my nose!” “And I‟m about to break your ass!” Kera lunged again for her, Samara held her back. “Time to go,” Samara said, nodding to Shyla. “Right now.” She struggled to pull Kera away. “Have the dressed charged to our account and delivered please,” she said, smiling as she pushed Kera out the front door. “Come on, Shyla.” 68

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Shyla couldn‟t say a thing as she followed the two out of the store and into the car. “Holy shit!” Samara huffed in shock once they pulled away. “Yeah, well I‟ve been dying to do that to the bitch since the first day I met her,” Kera stated, rubbing her knuckles. “Remind me to never upset you then,” Shyla finally said. The two of them looked at her then busted out laughing, Shyla joining in. “Wait until Devon finds out about this one.”

69

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Eight “Now explain to me again what the hell happened?” Devon demanded, pacing the dining room as the others sat trying to eat dinner. “And please, don‟t leave anything out.” Blaine couldn‟t hold back the smile or stop from laughing until the tears came after Samara told them all what happened in the store. Kera hit Beth White, and apparently broke her nose. It was too much. All the tension he felt simply poured out in the laughter. Devon blew up, once the call came in. Shyla sat next to Blaine, touching nothing on her plate, watching the scene with wide eyes and a pale face. Samara smiled at her, gave a pat to the hand, and it seemed to ease Shyla some. Now why didn‟t I think of doing that? “I told you I‟ve had enough of that bitch.” Kera pushed away from the table so fast her chair fell over backwards. “Every time I run into her she has something nasty to say. And I told her the last time it would be the last.” “She‟s going to sue, Kera, do you understand that?” Devon huffed, his face getting red in his anger. “I don‟t have that kind of money to make that scornful bitch happy.” “I‟ll take care of it, Devon,” Blaine said, smiling again. “Hell, it‟s worth it to me to pay. Never could understand what you saw in Beth anyway.” Devon groaned, and Kera went off this time. “That‟s right! You fucked the bitch!” Kera stormed out and Devon was right there behind her, yelling. “Why‟d you do that?” Samara sighed. “Because it‟s fun,” Blaine smiled. 70

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“You‟re sick man.” Dane stated pointing his fork at Blaine. “Yeah, so they tell me.” “They‟re going to be fighting all night now,” Samara said. “No they won‟t.” Dane shook his head, reaching for the bowl with the clams. “He‟ll toss her over something, do his thing, have her screaming in pleasure and she‟ll be all smiles again.” “Excuse me,” Shyla said softly, pushing away from the table. Blaine lost his good humor when he saw her pale face and tense body as she left the room. He groaned, slumped back in his chair and brought out a cigar, lighting it up, blowing smoke. “Shit man, I‟m sorry,” Dane said quickly. “Don‟t worry about it,” Blaine sighed. “What‟s going on?” Samara asked. Dane looked at him and Blaine shrugged, giving him the go to tell his wife. “Samara is a bit scared of Blaine and sex.” “Oh.” Samara also sat back in her chair, facing Blaine. “How long had she been in the Compound?” “Years,” Blaine answered her. “Well that explains a bunch,” Samara nodded. “Kera told me what they do to some of the girls there. What they make them watch and the abuse some of them might go through. It‟s not a surprise then that she‟s scared of everything.” “Yeah, well we only messed around once in the Compound,” Blaine told her. “And then last night I got a bit drunk and kind of forced myself on her.” “That doesn‟t surprise me either.” Samara smiled. “You‟re a man used to having any woman he wants. So what‟s your plan then?” “Don‟t have one.” “I told him to maybe go very slow with her,” Dane added in. “Get her use to the touches, kisses first and suffer a few hard hard-ons.” “Could work.” Samara shrugged and stared at Blaine for a few seconds before also pushing away from the table. “I think I‟ll have a talk with her.” **** Shyla couldn‟t stop shaking or get over the feeling that any moment Blaine could walk through the door and force her again. She rubbed her arms, paced and jumped when the doorknob turned and the door opened. She sighed aloud when Samara peeked in, smiled and took the steps needed to enter the room, closing the door behind her. “Thought I might come up and see how you‟re doing,” she said. 71

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Everything‟s so new.” Shyla tried to smile, but couldn‟t. “Yeah, I understand just what you mean by new, trust me.” “How‟d you do it?” Samara took a deep breath; let it out slowly with a nod. She took Shyla‟s hand, led her over to the bed and they both sat down. “Each one of us has some kind of baggage, and we all need that help to get through it. Understand?” Shyla shook her head, frowning. “Kera was sold by her father to the Compound. She spent I think a few years in there, fighting everything and everyone. She even fought Devon when he went in to marry her. My father was working to sell me as well, but not to the Compound. I welcomed Dane a whole lot more than Kera did Devon, but my life was so very different than hers.” “I don‟t understand.” “Dane offered me a life I could only dream about. He also had the means to help keep my sister safe. At the time, it was him or the life my father was trying to sell me into. What I‟m trying to tell you is don‟t fear Blaine. He may bark, but I doubt when it comes to you he‟s going to bite.” Samara lowered her eyes to the floor. Again her mind went back to last night, and the way he jumped on her. How he had her on her hands and knees, came behind her and took her hard and fast. She had no control then, just like she had none the first time, or any time in her life for that matter. “It scares me,” she whispered. “Well I have a small idea then.” Shyla looked back up at Samara. “We‟ve been talking to him also. You both come from two very different worlds, and there‟s nothing wrong with that. But how about this? You both give a bit. You let him touch, and I‟ll tell him to let you control.” “What‟s that mean?” “It means that when you‟re ready for the next step, you‟ll be the one to take care of it.” Shyla felt her face heat up, “I can‟t do that. I don‟t even know how.” “Then, let me show you a few things I‟ve learned.” Samara smiled as rose from the bed. **** Owen Paterio stood in front of a window in the Compound bedroom, naked, drinking. In the bed, passed out from crying so hard was a young maid he‟d paid for. A blonde who had the same physical characteristic as his Shyla. But she wasn‟t Shyla, which might be the reason he was so hard on her. 72

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

His phone buzzed on the nightstand, drawing his attention away from the night. Turning, finishing his drink in one long swallow he picked it up. “Yeah.” “It‟s done.” “Good. Now make sure he knows it was me.” “Yes sir.” Owen hung up with a sigh and a small grin. Head back he took a deep breath, his cock got hard once more. But instead of having another round with the girl on the bed, Owen got dressed. With coat over his arm he walked to the door and knocked. It opened. “I‟m finished here. Feel free to have a round with her if you like.” He brushed past the guard, not looking to see if the man took him up on his offer or not. “Now my friend, time to play our game.” **** Blaine walked slowly up the stairs, dreading facing Shyla. When Samara came back down she winked at him and dragged Dane out. He stayed in the dining room, smoking and drinking as the staff cleaned things up. But he didn‟t get drunk. Opening the door his eyes went right to the bed, and his heart skipped a beat at the sight; it was empty bed. He feared for a moment that something happened to Shyla, until he saw her curled up in the chair before the window, sleeping. It was one of the most peaceful and beautiful things he could recall ever seeing. Her long blonde hair hung over the arm of the chair, legs curled up, a new nightgown fanning out around her. An angel, he thought; she looks like an angel while sleeping. Blaine closed the door softly, went up to her and as gently as he could, scooped her up in his arms. She sighed, then frowned in her sleep. “I‟m sorry,” she said in her sleep. “Won‟t happen again.” He carried her to the bed, placing her into it, pulling the blankets around her. Shyla sighed again rolled over and snuggled into the bedding. Blaine touched the side of her face, brushing his fingers into hair before moving back and walking out of the bedroom. Sleeping tonight wasn‟t going to happen for him. His mind refused to shut down just like his damn dick refused to listen. Walking back down the steps, pulling out another cigar, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Blaine lit his smoke and flipped his phone open, “Yeah.” “Owen Paterio,” his lawyer said. “Name ring a bell?” 73

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Unfortunately it does.” Down the stairs and right towards his office he went. “Well I have more news to give you then. He‟s red flagged you.” “Which means what?” “Means all the bankers around and investment boys are to report to him if you go to make another deal. He wants to know each step you make it appears.” Smart fucker! “So he wants to steal all of my deals.” “That is how I‟m taking it. We do have one banker though that isn‟t interested in Paterio‟s deals. So that might be good for us.” “Not really.” “Why not?” “Because Owen might threaten the guy and take over the company. He‟s playing a game with me, but what he doesn‟t know is that I‟ve got the means to wait him out. Once he fucks someone over word will get out how dirty he is.” “Can we wait that long?” “Sure.” Blaine sat down in his leather chair behind the new desk leaned back and put his feet up on it. “Think of it as a vacation. Take your wife on a long trip. Hell, we both need one, and I think it‟s a perfect time for one. You let me worry about Owen.” “If you say so, but I don‟t think it‟s a good idea to just sit around and do nothing.” “Never said I was doing nothing.” “Oh and I went ahead on the White thing. She is going to try to sue your friend Kera Noved. I made it known who I was, and that we will go to court if have to and fight her. Even stated we have witnesses who will come forth and state she has been harassing Mrs. Noved for a long time.” Blaine chuckled, “How‟d that go?” “She took the check and dropped all charges as well as signed the agreement.” “You rock. Now take that vacation. I don‟t want to hear from you for at least two weeks. If I have a problem, I‟ll call you.” “Alright, but I don‟t like leaving you alone to deal with this guy. I‟ve got a funny feeling.” “I can take care of Owen. Don‟t you worry.” Blaine sat in his office, lights off, deathly quiet, smoking his cigar, thinking. It was two in the morning and still he didn‟t feel tired. Instead his mind kept going over what game Owen was playing now. When the small manual clock chimed three, Blaine stood up and walked out. 74

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

He went right out to the garage, up to the bike that he sent home but had yet to uncover. A jerk of the rope, yank from the tarp, and there stood his Harley that he hadn‟t ridden in years. He tossed the helmet to the ground, swung his leg over, started it and peeled out. The cool night air felt good on his face. It cooled the burning in his body and had him focusing on what he needed to do. Confront Owen. Even though he hadn‟t been home in years, Blaine knew the place Owen would be at. A high priced membership club where the liquor was imported as were the girls who served them. His father loved the place and spent much money and just about all his free time there. It was a place everyone in Treece knew about, but no one would talk about. The club was located at the end of town, in a plain building. Nothing touched the gray walls, not even a name. Blaine parked his bike right in front of the door, put the kickstand in place, and sat back on the bike, waiting. He knew Owen was in there and had a good feeling he wouldn‟t have to long of wait. Forty-five minutes was all Blaine waited and out Owen came, smiling. The second his cold eyes landed on Blaine, he laughed. “I was wondering how long it would be before you came looking for me. But I must say this is even early for you.” “What‟s the game Owen?” Owen gave him a big tooth filled smile. “What game have we always played Blaine? Knights of the round table, or was it superman? I get so confused.” “Just like you get confused as the rules to all the games.” Owen pointed a finger at Blaine, “That is why I enjoyed your company so much back there. The honor you still carried with you…” He made a smacking sound with his mouth, like a child did after they got a sweet treat. “You had them all falling at your feet then with it. I bet you even got the women in your bed so easy with that game.” “I don‟t play the games, you do. Remember?” “Oh I remember a lot of things.” “So do I.” Owen‟s smile slipped away, as did his carefree attitude. “I remember you abusing a young girl, then tossing her away like garbage. I also recall a time when you asked this one girl out, and then brought her to our party so the guys could take turns with her. Revenge is what you called it, because she made sure that everyone in the school knew that she found you disgusting. So your idea to teach her a lesson was to get her gang raped.” 75

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“And you were there to save her,” Owen sneered. “But not before you hurt her.” “It‟s the past.” Once more Owen smiled, his arms out to his sides. “Is it really?” Blaine brought out a cigar, lit it and blew out the smoke. “What do you want, Owen? You‟re not here to enjoy the town so why don‟t you just spill it.” “I thought it was very clear what I wanted Blaine.” “She‟s mine.” “And yet, I‟ve got this strange feeling that she really isn‟t.” He cocked his head to the side. “Have you even bedded her yet? I sure as hell wouldn‟t let that sweet ass leave my bed for at least a week.” Blaine drew hard on his smoke, the hatred for Owen surfacing faster than what he would‟ve liked. “What I do in my bed is none of your damn business. Never has been.” “Yes, you also kept that to yourself, didn‟t you?” “Leave, Owen. Go back to the hole you crawled out of.” Owen‟s eyes narrowed on Blaine. “Oh I‟ll go, once I‟m done here and have what I came for.” Owen began to head to his car, whistling. Blaine watched him, hating the man more than he ever thought he could hate another man. “You won‟t ever get her!” Blaine snapped through his teeth. “Ever is such a harsh word, don‟t you think? Have a good morning, Blaine, I know I will.” Owen got into the back of the car, then his driver started it up and pulled away. After the car disappeared, Blaine dug his phone out and dialed the one person he knew he could get to dig up shit on Owen. “Talk to me,” Darius said. “Owen Paterio.” “Heard the name, real asshole. What you need?” “He‟s playing a game with me, and I‟m not sure what it is. He‟s also making threats to get his hands on Shyla. Need you to help me find it all out.” “Okay.” “And Darius, you do this for me, and I‟ll see what I can do about helping you with Dane.” “I‟ll see what I can find out.” “Thanks man.” The call ended, he put the phone back into his pocket, and started the bike. Heading home felt different this time. Hell, the drive finally felt like he was going home. Now he just needed to work on Shyla and her 76

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

fear of him with sex. That was a challenge he wasn‟t looking forward to. Shit, as far as he was concerned, fighting Owen was much, much easier at the moment.

77

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Nine Blaine happened to be sitting at the small table in the kitchen, drinking coffee with papers in front of him when Shyla walked in. He stared at nothing as he sipped from the cup, making her wonder just what was on his mind. He didn‟t come to bed last night. She woke alone in the bed which she knew for sure she didn‟t fall asleep in. It also was apparent that he hadn‟t slept in the bed. She had no clue if he slept someplace else or not. And that thought bothered her. She didn‟t want her fears to run him out of his room or house. Taking a deep breath, pushing back any fear that might surface, she went into the kitchen. With each step, she told herself that he wasn‟t here to hurt her and that the night before never happened. “Morning.” Blaine put his cup down and smiled at her, “Morning. Sleep good?” Shyla nodded. “But I have this strange feeling that you didn‟t sleep. Am I right?” “Yeah I have nights I don‟t sleep at all.” “It isn‟t because of me is it? I mean, I can move to another room.” She went to the fridge, brought out the orange juice and set it on the counter. “No, it isn‟t because of you.” He sat back in the chair, watching her move around, getting a cup and pouring herself some juice. “I use to do this when I was younger, drove my father nuts. Have a bit of insomnia.” “So what‟d you do then?” She took her glass, put the juice back in the fridge and joined him at the table. Blaine straightened up took one of the bagels and cut it in half. She watched him spread some cream cheese on both half‟s, handing her one. 78

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Try this.” Shyla bit into it and nodded, “It‟s good.” “Best English bagels in town. The fruit cream cheese is a special that Sally makes herself. Swear I‟m going to get fat eating like this,” he chuckled. “So what do you do when you have this insomnia thing?” she asked again. “Well, when I was younger I would sneak out of the house.” Picking up a napkin, he wiped his mouth before sitting back once more. “In my teenager years I met up with the guys, or sometimes went out alone on my bike looking for trouble. Trouble usually found me.” “Did you go out looking for girls?” She couldn‟t stop the grin. Blaine‟s eyes seemed to light up a bit. “Sometimes.” “I bet you didn‟t have to look too far. Bet they came to you from miles away.” It was a first, she guessed, when she saw Blaine blush. “Some yes.” “That‟s the first time I‟ve seen you blush or smile like that.” “Like what?” “Like I hit a nerve.” “Naw, you didn‟t hit a nerve.” “Good.” She picked up the bagel, took a bite and smiled. The whole time she chewed, Blaine watched her. “What?” she asked with a mouth full. “I don‟t think I‟ve ever seen anyone enjoy eating before.” Her face heated up. “Don‟t think I‟ve ate this good before either.” “You know, I‟ve got an idea.” He leaned forward, elbows on table, a twinkle in his eyes. “How would you like to go for a ride, on my bike?” Shyla stopped chewing and stared open eyed at him. She swallowed hard, lowering the bagel. “Huh?” “I have a motorcycle.” He spoke slow. “I want to take you for a ride on it.” “Why?” She wrinkled her nose, not understanding him at the moment. “Because it‟s fun.” He smiled, standing up, coming around the table and taking her hands, standing her up also. “So run upstairs and get a jacket. Might rain.” “I don‟t have a jacket.” “Then I‟ll get you one right now.” Still holding his hand, Blaine led her from the kitchen out to the garage. Parked in the middle of it stood his cycle with two helmets and a 79

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

leather jacket, hanging from the handlebars. They went right up to it, Blaine let go of her hand to grab one of the helmets which he settled on her head, clasping the buckle at the end of the strap under her chin. He then put the jacket on her, which was way too big. With a nod, he grabbed the other helmet, shoved it over his head then swung onto the bike. “Now step there.” He pointed to one of the pegs. “Hook your leg over and hold on to me.” He started the bike. Shyla felt the power under her. Blaine reached up and closed the visor on his helmet, shutting his face and eyes up completely. A motion with his leg and they took off. It was such a jolt that she jumped then gripped him tight around the waist, holding on for dear life. He sped out, the trees flying by in a blur. It didn‟t take her long to feel the excitement in the ride. She didn‟t know how long the ride was to the store, but felt a bit of loss when it came to an end and he parked in front of it. She got off, pulled the helmet from her head and stood back, waiting for him. He took both helmets, put them on the bike and then took her hand, walking her into the store. The fresh smell of leather greeted her. Everything was made out of leather. Jackets, bags, coats, shoes and more great things. Shyla had a hard time taking it all in as they walked up to the counter. “May I help you?” the man said. “She needs a leather jacket,” Blaine told him. “And only the best will do.” It took less than twenty minutes before she was fitted for a leather jacket and gloves to match. When they walked out, she wore hers and he had his. Once more on the bike and once more Shyla felt the thrill of the ride. He took her everywhere, showed her everything in Treece. Houses she never knew about, stores she could only dream about. Shyla took it all in, finding that she hungered for it all. For lunch he stopped at a small café where Blaine said had the best burgers. And they were great! Sipping a strawberry milkshake, she listened to him talk about the places he saw after finishing school— places where he‟d traveled. He spent over a year seeing places, meeting people, learning what he wanted to do before starting college. Acquisitions. He explained to her that it was like buying and selling, only he did it with companies. The first company he bought was one his father happened to be looking into. He snatched it right out from under 80

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

the man, then sold the stocks. Made a killing off of it, and pissed his father off. Shyla also discovered that once his mother passed, Blaine‟s life became hell. He didn‟t like talking about it and avoided any questions. “You know, I‟ve noticed that you don‟t really like to talk about yourself.” Blaine wiped his mouth, then hands, fisting the napkin. “That‟s all I‟ve been doing.” “No, you‟ve been avoiding it,” she said and smiled. He met her in the eye and gave her a dry look. “Okay. You know what I do for a living, you know I‟ve traveled and didn‟t get along with my father. What more would you like to know?” “Women.” He chuckled, both arms going up over the booth seat. “That is a subject that will only get me into trouble.” “How so?” Thunder boomed off in the distance, getting Blaine‟s full attention. “I think it‟s time for us to head back home. Storm‟s coming and rain will hurt like hell riding on a bike.” He slid from the booth, dug out some cash and tossed it on the table. Shyla followed him out and looked up at the sky. The blue began to change to dark gray. The sight had her shivering. She hated storms and spent each one that hit alone in a dark room. Power always got knocked out and there never was anyone around when she was younger to make her feel safe. She got onto the bike behind Blaine, helmet in place. Blaine started it up and took off fast, jolting her once more. She hung on tight, looking back at the storm, which came in fast. Halfway home the rain started and just like he said it pelted them hard. By the time they reached the house they were soaked and she was cold. He reached the garage just as large balls of hail hit. “Damn,” he huffed, parking and looking back. “This one looks like it‟s going to be a bad one.” “I hate storms,” she said low, taking the helmet off and placing it on the bike‟s seat. She walked slowly to the garage door, rubbing her arms. “Come on.” He came up behind her, rubbing her arms also. “Let‟s get inside and get changed. You‟re soaking wet.” Shyla let him turn her away from the storm and back into the house. They went inside and up to the bedroom. She stopped in the middle of the room, waiting to see what he might do. Blaine went into the closet 81

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

and came out with clothes for both of them. “You go in and take a hot shower. I‟ll use the one in the room next door.” He handed over her clothes and Blaine left. It felt strange for her to be standing in his room when he was going to another one for a shower. The clothes he brought out were nothing fancy, like some of the clothing hanging in her closet, thanks to Kera and Samara. No silk nightie or thong panties. Instead, Blaine brought out her new silk robe and one of her long night shirts with matching baggy shorts. She went into the bathroom, placed her things on the bench in front of the large shower and started the water. Thunder boomed and she jumped. It wasn‟t too long before the lightening followed it, reminding her of the storm. Shyla showered fast and dressed even faster. The lights flickered a couple of times, freaking her out. Back into the room she stood staring out the window, watching the lightning flicker outside, hearing the wind pick up. “You okay?” Blaine asked, causing her to jump. “Yeah!” she rushed out. Blaine‟s hair was still wet and in his arms he held his clothes. He‟d dressed in a pair of lose fitting shorts and no shirt. “Boy you really don‟t like storms.” “Will you stay here this time?” She shivered as the thunder boomed again and bit her lower lip. “Sure.” Shyla tried to breathe a sigh of relief, but couldn‟t. She squealed when it hit again and she dashed for the bed, jumping under the covers and pulling them over her head. She felt Blaine join her, but didn‟t come out from under the covers. “Shyla, it‟s only a storm. It will pass,” he said. A tug and the blanket slid from her head to her waist. “I promise.” She swallowed hard and nodded. “I‟m sorry. I‟ve always been scared of them and alone during them.” Another loud boom, this one shaking the windows and the lights went out. “Oh God!” She jumped right into his arms, holding him tight, burying her face in his shoulder. “It‟s okay,” he chuckled, holding her. The storm raged outside, the lightning flicking into the windows, illuminating the room. Shyla shivered in his arms, eyes closed tight so she couldn‟t see it. Blaine held her through it all. She didn‟t know when she fell asleep, only that when she opened her eyes daylight spilled into 82

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

the room and she still lay in Blaine‟s arms. He slept, one arm draped around her, the other resting on his chest. Her free hand rested on his belly and Shyla had this itching feeling to touch him more. She felt muscle under her fingertips along with a soft patch of hair that went downward, hiding beneath the covers and his shorts. Biting her lip, Shyla gently moved her hand down, feeling the dark hair, glancing up at his face, making sure he still slept. He was soft and hard at the same time. She could feel his muscles while she moved her hand through the soft hair. Once she got to the top of his groin, Blaine stirred in his sleep and his legs parted. She saw the hard outline of his cock and wondered what it would feel like in her hand as well. Looking up at his face again, seeing him still sleeping, she reached further downward, touching the top outline of his cock. It seemed to twitch under her fingertips, causing her to jerk her hand back away. He spread his legs and jerked his hips up from the bed. Shyla decided, with a smile, that meant he liked her touch and once more ran her finger along the length of his cock. Feeling braver, she closed her hand, but didn‟t really grip it, only moved it up and down in wonder. “Harder.” Shyla jumped in surprise at the sound of his voice. He‟d caught her. Blaine took hold of her wrist before she could move away from him. His eyes didn‟t hold on ounce of anger in them. Losing the grip on her wrist, he took hold of her hand and placed it fully around his cock, still covered by the shorts. With her eyes wide, staring at him in shock, she let him place her hand where he wanted and move it as he liked. “Do this, only harder.” Shyla moved her eyes down to her hand and watched him show her how to touch him, how to stroke him. She saw this in the movies, but in those everyone was naked. She could feel his hardness, but not the flesh. Again the boldness hit her and she moved her hand away, but this time she went inside his shorts and underwear, to the source of what she wanted to feel. The moment she closed her hand on his cock, the same way he showed her, Blaine moaned. Looking up at him, he had his eyes closed, head back into the pillow and hands fisting in the sheet under him. She thought he might be in pain, with the way his brows came together in a deep V. She stopped. 83

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Don‟t stop,” he groaned. “It feels good.” She moved her hand again and he sucked in his breath. Shyla kept looking from his face to her hand, taking in everything she did. “Faster,” he moaned, his hips bucking upward. Shyla tried, and he must‟ve known she couldn‟t move very fast either. Blaine looked down at her, took hold of his shorts and pushed them along with his underwear down to his knees. Shyla got an eyeful at the site of his shaft in her hand. Blaine closed his own hand around hers, moving it up and down fast. She took the hint and the lead, stroking his flesh as fast as she could. Silk and steal in her hand. Power she never knew came to her in that moment, just like Samara told her it would. When it came to sex of any kind, whether it be a touch or the act itself, woman usually had the power. She could get anything she wanted by a touch, a kiss, or going to the bedroom. Now she understood what Samara was talking about. In this moment she had all the power all the control over Blaine. “Oh shit!” Blaine grabbed the top sheet and quickly covered himself with it, pushing her hand away. He sat up, both hands going between his legs, head going back. He breathed hard, his chest going up and down fast, and all she did was sit there watching him. “Oh hell.” “Did I do something wrong?” He shook his head, still not looking down or at her. “I haven‟t done that in a very long time.” “Done what?” This time he lowered his head, looking her in the eye. “Came like that from someone stroking me off.” “Oh.” He smiled, then leaned over and kissed her, “Nice way to wake up in the morning, if you ask me.” She felt her face heat up and lowered her eyes. Another kiss to her cheek and Blaine rolled from the bed. She watched him pull his pants up and stretched, turning back to her. “Care to join me for a shower? I promise you I‟ll only give you the same courtesy you showed me,” he said as he gave her a wicked smile and a wink. “I think I‟ll pass.” She saw his face drop in disappointment. “For now.” It lit right back up. “I‟ll hold you to that promise then.” He went into the bathroom and she went to the closet and pulled out jeans and a love sleeve top. She skipped the shoes. 84

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

In the kitchen, Sally worked on breakfast and Randal was on the phone. It sounded like he was trying to get someone out to clean up the mess from last night‟s storm. “Morning, honey,” Sally smiled, flipping a steak. “Steak and eggs sound good to you?” “Yes please.” Shyla smiled, sitting down at the table. “Why does Blaine sit in the kitchen all the time and not in the dining room?” “If you were alone would you want to sit in there by yourself?” Sally asked. Shyla nodded. “I have kind of found out that his father made him sit there for each meal, dressed in a suit no less. Every meal became a formal one, after his mother passed, bless her heart.” “How‟d you find this all out?” Shyla took a sip of her juice, watching Sally add another steak to the pan. “Well, we came around the same time he started to clear out the house,” Sally said. “The old cook filled me in on the do‟s and don‟t‟s around here. One of the don‟t‟s, let Blaine eat in the kitchen. His place was at the head of the table. We‟ll I‟m old fashioned and if it‟s just him then he needs to be in a place where there‟s light. Besides, we already had our orders to strip the house of darkness, if you know what I mean.” Shyla nodded. “Besides, once I started to cook and got the hang of what he liked, he just sort of stayed in here to eat. Now when we have guests, then his place is out there.” The table was already set. Two places, silverware, the pot of coffee in a plain white pot with matching cup and saucer in Blaine‟s place. Two glasses of orange juice, toast, and a bowl of fruit always in the center. This morning there were also two large cinnamon rolls with icing still melting on top. “Morning.” Blaine came in, fresh from his shower, in jeans with a blue t-shirt and suit jacket. Shyla giggled when she saw his bare feet. He looked down and shrugged with a smile. “Something smells good.” Sally came over with two plates in hand, placing them. Instantly Shyla‟s mouth watered. “Sally, you are a god,” Blaine said, cutting into his steak. “You say that every morning, sugar.” Sally winked at Shyla and went back to her corner of the kitchen. “Oh, almost forgot. Mrs. Knight called and said for me to tell you that she‟s having a private dinner tonight. She wants to meet Ms. Shyla here and Makayla is home as well. She also wanted to know if you heard anything from Darius. He still hasn‟t returned her call.” 85

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“And he won‟t,” Blaine said, wiping his mouth, then reaching for the coffee. Shyla sat there, her fork of meat halfway to her mouth as he poured coffee into his cup. “He‟s avoiding them all.” Sally snorted. “He‟s going to get a foot in his tush if he keeps that crap up.” She started to clean things up, the pots banging around. “And who does he thinks he‟s fooling? Everyone in this house knows, does that mean that everyone in hers doesn‟t?” “That‟s what it means, Sally.” Sally stopped, turned and Shyla took another bite of food, chewing quickly. “Dane and Samara don‟t have a clue.” “Clue about what?” Shyla finally asked. “Well, they‟re all going to get a slap in the face once he decides to make his move,” Sally went on. “You two need anything else? I need to go shopping.” “I think we‟re good,” Blaine said. “Then leave the dishes or place them in the sink. I‟ll take care of it all once I come back.” “What‟re you two talking about?” Shyla asked. “Darius,” Blaine sighed. “He sort of has his eye on Makayla, and her grandmother, or step-grandmother has kept her a prisoner of sorts by keeping her out of town.” “Isn‟t that illegal?” “Well, apparently, Berdina has some pull. She‟s been able to keep Makayla out of the Compound and is planning a big twenty-first birthday party for her. She wants us all there, and since Darius has not returned her calls, it‟s pissed her off. She doesn‟t like to be ignored.” “Do you think she knows?” “She could,” he shrugged. “Damn old bat knows too much shit as it is.” “So I‟m confused then.” She put her fork down, shaking her head and frowning. “Don‟t you have to go through the Compound in order to get married?” He nodded: “Yep.” “Then how does he get her, or able to see if she is the one or not, if she isn‟t at the Compound?” “That‟s a good question.” “Couldn‟t he summon her? Samara told me that is how Dane did it. To get her, that is.” “I suppose that would work, but Berdina doesn‟t seem to let anyone know when Makayla is in town.” 86

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Oh.” She went back to her food, taking two more bites before Blaine spoke again. “You know, you still haven‟t gotten a dress yet for that party.” That had her stopping and lowering her fork again. “So why don‟t we go after breakfast to town and get you one. Did you find anything that caught your eye?” She thought about the dress she did see. The pink and silver gown, gorgeous, and unlike anything she‟d ever seen in her life. “Yeah, there was this one.” “Okay then, we‟ll go to town and have a look. Trust me, you don‟t want to show up to one of Berdina‟s parties wearing less than the best.”

87

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Ten Dinner turned out to be an event beyond Shyla‟s wildest dreams. Berdina Knight‟s dining room was something out of a magazine, in her opinion. The table alone could seat twelve, maybe fifteen but only held eight place settings. Servants came and went, carrying out four courses. The room was dark and the furniture too. In the far corner of the room was a hutch with china. Across from that a dark buffet that had shiny silver spread out. A huge flower arrangement rested in the center of the table and on both sides of were bowls of fruit and then silver trays of appetizers and hors d'oeuvre. It definitely had an impressive feel, and a very uncomfortable one for her. But her mind wasn‟t really on the room or the food. Shyla kept thinking about her earlier shopping trip with Blaine, and the pretty things he‟d purchased for her. The silver and pink gown she admired in the shop with Blaine, now rested in the corner of their bedroom on one of the headless and armless mannequins. On the floor, beside the gown, were a pair of matching silver strapped heels, but what had her still in shock was the large wrap around fur lined in fur also, that Blaine insisted on purchasing for her. All white and so soft she ended up almost afraid to touch it. He‟d also purchased her fine silk stockings, a garter belt and matching bra to wear with it, all in a nude color. And as an added touch, he‟d picked out a diamond necklace that had her shaking her head „no‟ and backing away from the counter. He bought it anyway. For the event tonight, Blaine had her get something simple, yet elegant. He told her that Berdina might have changed on some things, but when she had a dinner party, even a small one like this, she still 88

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

expected everyone to dress. So Shyla hunted down a simple dress, nothing too fancy. The dress was white and fitted close against her breasts. It reached down to her knees and the whole top around her shoulders and chest was done up in lace. For an added touch, Blaine had her choose some bracelets, but wouldn‟t let her get just the plain gold ones. He made her get some that had jewels in them, and she had to get four different ones. So she had ruby, emeralds, pink diamond and purple. Last thing he purchased was watch with diamonds inside for the numbers. “I must say, Blaine, she is a doll,” Berdina Knight said, getting Shyla‟s full attention. “Now you must let me know, dear, if he doesn‟t treat you right. I‟ll set him straight.” Shyla blushed and looked down. That had Berdina making a clicking sound with her tongue. “Oh no, never look down like you‟re ashamed. We all must help one another to keep these boys here in line,” she added. “Berdina, you act like I‟m a bastard now,” Blaine said, giving Shyla a wink. “Now what have I said about using that kind of language in my house.” Berdina narrowed her eyes on Blaine. Blaine smiled. “So, have the girls gotten you a dress for the party?” Makayla Tabor sat right across from Shyla. A sweet girl the same age as Shyla. “Well, I sort of had one picked out, but it was Blaine who ended up taking me back to get it.” “You‟re lucky, girl,” Berdina snapped towards Kera. “That Beth White can cause you a lot of trouble.” “She does that, then I‟ll just have to kick her ass again,” Kera stated. Shyla couldn‟t hold back the smile, even though Berdina glared at Kera. “I thought you taught her some manners.” Berdina turned her glare on Devon. “Hey, I can only do so much.” “Oh, Nana, please.” Makayla rolled her eyes. “Beth White is a trouble maker and the whole town knows about it. Kera had every right to defend herself and Shyla here. „Bout time someone put her in her place to begin with.” Berdina shook her head and motioned for the servants to take the soup away. “So, has anyone heard a word from that Darius Alistair?” Shyla felt the room tense up and looked around at everyone. 89

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Why do you want to get ahold of him so damn bad, Gram?” Dane sighed, slumping back in the chair. “Isn‟t it clear he doesn‟t want to talk to you?” “Maybe I need to talk to him, ever thought about that?” Berdina shot back. The servants brought in the next course. Lobster salad. Kera smiled. Shyla learned fast that lobster was Kera‟s favorite meal. Samara was a dessert person. Shyla ate, as did the others except for Dane. “I don‟t understand the desperation to get a hold of him,” Dane went on. “What could you possibly have to say to him?” “That‟s between me and him,” Berdina answered. “He‟s my friend.” “Stop sounding like a baby.” Berdina waved him off, coming back to Shyla. “So, my dear, how long were you in the Compound?” “Well, my mother worked there for eight years, then six more after she died,” Shyla said. “Good lord.” Berdina dropped her fork, hand pressing again her chest. “Such a long time. And you were sheltered all this time?” “If you call being forced to eat shitty food and watching porn sheltered, then yeah,” Blaine smarted off. “Guess you can.” “What?!” Berdina gasped. “Don‟t tell me you don‟t know about the classes,” Kera said. “I most certainly do not!” Berdina huffed. “Oatmeal every morning,” Shyla said. They all looked at her. “God, I hate that shit,” Kera mumbled. “Sandwich and maybe an apple or banana for lunch. And for supper some kind of meat stew. It usually was leftovers from each celebration.” “Don‟t stop there,” Blaine said. “Tell her about the abuse.” Shyla looked at Blaine with wide eyes and shook her head just enough for him to see it. “What?” Berdina shrilled again. “Yeah, it seems that the sweet Governess likes to toss the stick, if you know what I mean,” Blaine went on. “Girls don‟t want to go watch a nice hard-core porn, then she beats them into it. And of course that shit does tend to scare the girl. Make her a bit scared of the man.” Shyla couldn‟t sit there. She felt all of their eyes fall to her. Placing her napkin on the table she pushed away and walked out quickly. **** “Shit,” Blaine sighed, watching Shyla walk out. He also tossed his 90

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

napkin on the table and pushed away. “Good one,” Kera snapped. Samara held her hand up. “I‟ll take care of this.” “No, I‟ll handle it,” he said. He followed her out. “Shyla.” “I want to go home,” she said. He caught up with her in the long hallway, stopping her by taking hold of her arm. “I‟m sorry. Thinking about the hell you went through in there pisses me off.” “I‟m starting to think everything pisses you off.” Blaine smiled. “I think that‟s the first time I‟ve heard you swear.” She shook her head and lowered it. “Blaine I don‟t know what you want from me.” “Who said I wanted anything from you?” “I can see it in your eyes.” She looked up. “You‟re sad and angry and I feel like part of it is because of me.” “It‟s not.” “But the sex thing.” He put a finger to her lips. “Sex isn‟t everything in a relationship. I can wait until you‟re ready. Besides,” a twinkle came back into his eyes. “The way you woke me this morning is very nice and you can do that all you want.” Once more her face heated up. Blaine leaned down, kissing her. “Come back to dinner. Berdina has something special fixed for you.” Shyla returned to the dining room. Her mouth watered at the sight of Filet Mignon and a huge baked potato with melting butter and sour cream. A large freshly baked roll and a tossed salad completed the feast. They ate, talked about the upcoming party and Kera and Samara talked about the dresses. Shyla even got dragged into the dress conversation which pleased Blaine. When dessert came out, Creme Brulee, Shyla told him she couldn‟t eat another bite. Dinner ended and they all left and headed to the sitting room. Drinks were served and more talk about the party, hairdos and what everyone was wearing. Around midnight Blaine called it a night. Shyla finally began to loosen up and that was with the help of a few drinks. Randal and Linda waited for them at the front door. Linda went right up and helped Shyla, who without a doubt was drunk. “Something wrong, Randal?” Blaine asked. “Mr. Alistair is waiting for you in your study, sir,” Randal said. “Shit,” Blaine sighed. “Linda, make sure she gets to bed please. Had a few too many to drink.” 91

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Yes, sir,” Linda said. Blaine went in a different direction as Shyla. She took the stairs and he went down a hallway to the study he rarely used. Opening the door he found Darius. “Missed you at dinner,” Blaine said, closing the door and pulling out a cigar. “Berdina asked about you.” “That‟s because she knows my feelings about Makayla. I‟ll put a large sum of money down she wants me to stay the hell away from her new granddaughter.” Darius appeared a bit tipsy and decidedly pissed. “Just like everyone else does. I‟m the worst of the worst.” Blaine blew out a cloud of smoke, watching his friend closely. “What‟s up, Darius? You‟re a bit more hostile that I‟ve seen before.” “Joann Simoncic. Name ring a bell?” Blaine felt his gut drop. He should‟ve known when he asked Darius to look into Owen, that she might show up as well. His shoulders also dropped and he turned away from Darius, drawing on the cigar hard. “Yeah, I sort of thought you might,” Darius went on. “Why the fuck did you never tell any of us.” Taking a deep breath, letting it out between his lips, he took the cigar out. “It happened a long time ago.” “Do the others know?” “No one knows. I buried it.” “Not that good if I found out about her. Shit, Blaine.” Blaine glanced over his shoulder. Darius ran a hand through his hair. “This explains so much, you have no idea. But what I want to know is why the fuck you took the responsibility for it all?” Yeah, why did he take the blame back then? Because he felt responsible for her, even now. For years he put it all behind him, even what she looked like. But now, with Darius discovering it, it all flooded over him like a tidal wave. He saw her face, the sparkle in her blue eyes, could hear her laughter and see her dancing around, dress flying out around her. He also saw the devastation in those eyes. The hurt, the pain, humiliation and it crushed him. “What happened?” Darius demanded. “I want to hear the truth, not the story you have given everyone else.” Yeah, what happened? The biggest and hardest question he ever had to answer then and now. “Joann was my fiancée,” Blaine said, unable to stop the story from finally spilling out. He heard Darius exhale „shit‟. “She also happened to 92

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

be the headmaster‟s daughter. She lived at the school, went to the classes, and just about everyone chased after her. In fact, Owen and I competed to get her. We both wanted her, but she chose me, not him, and it royally pissed him off.” Blaine went over to the table that held the liquor. He poured himself a large glass of brandy, drank half down before filling his glass up once more and taking a seat on the leather sofa facing the fireplace. “My father sent me there, Darius, because he caught me in bed with his mistress. Hell I was banging the shit out of her when he walked in and I refused to stop until I finished,” he snickered. “Just to piss him off.” “What happened, Blaine?” Darius demanded. “Everyone I talked to about Owen said you two were thick as shit back then. Joann came into the picture and it all hit the fan.” “We were,” Blaine nodded, “And it did. Big time.” “Then go on.” Blaine took another deep breath before taking another big drink. “He loves blondes, Darius, only I didn‟t know how much he wanted her. Shit, I think he was even in love with her, as much as he could love someone, that is. But once we announced our engagement, something in him changed. He began to make rude remarks about how she would smile, like I gave it to her really good the night before. Always asked me how was she in bed, that kind of shit. Then he would poke at me in front of others, calling me a pussy for getting married or why did I have to marry the first girl I saw. I should just fuck her out of my system and be done with it. One night he poked, I lost it and blurted that she was saving herself until we got married. I hadn‟t slept with her yet and respected her for it.” “And that sparked it,” Darius sighed. “Yeah, it did.” Blaine rubbed his face. The weight of the secret he carried on his shoulders felt lighter. “So what happened?” “We were to go out. I was waiting for her because she had a late class. She didn‟t show, so I went to her dorm to find out what happened. Thought maybe she forgot and was studying.” He chuckled lightly. “She was always in the books. But that night she didn‟t study. She didn‟t even leave her room.” Blaine couldn‟t stop the tears forming in his eyes. He hadn‟t cried in years about this, mostly because he blocked it out. “Owen raped her.” One tear fell when he meet Darius in the eye. “He tore her up so bad, man,” he said low. “Did everything to her, and I mean 93

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

everything. She was such a mess when I took her to the hospital. And the shock was even worse.” He sniffed back. “She shut down for a week, wouldn‟t tell anyone who did it, not even her father.” “But you knew.” Blaine nodded. “I knew. I could tell the next morning by the way he acted and looked at me. Owen had a way of bragging to me with his eyes when he got something he wanted or had been working to get. Man I wanted to kill him.” “When did she tell you?” “Months later.” Blaine took a deep breath wiped the tears away and took a large drink. “By then she found out she was pregnant.” “Damn,” Darius sighed. “Her religious beliefs forbade her getting an abortion, and because it wasn‟t mine she broke off the engagement. I don‟t know if she told Owen or not. I still loved her then and was willing to help her anyway I could. I sent her away to have the baby, paid for it all.” “And your father thought you were shipping off your own mistake.” Blaine nodded. “I wasn‟t going to let anyone else ruin her. Owen did enough.” “But she died, right?” “I told Owen she died with a bad infection from getting an abortion.” “He believed you?” “She wasn‟t there, so why not.” “That‟s not the end of the story though, is it?” Blaine shook his head. “No.” another deep breath and he turned away from Darius. “She had the baby, but by then she was already gone. I was told she just gave up on life, and the labor was hard. She had it and then two days later died. I took the baby to her father, told him what happened and paid to relocate him and the child. Haven‟t heard from him since.” “So, that‟s what ended the friendship,” Darius mumbled. “Oldest thing in the book. A woman.” “I broke my friendship with Owen. Made it very clear to him, in front of his friends, that I didn‟t want a damn thing to do with him ever again. He ruined my life and Joann‟s, so he could go get fucked for all I cared. Pissed him off mostly because I did it in front of his friend.” “How long after did Shyla come into the picture?” “Few years later.” Blaine rubbed his face. “Owen slept with her mother to try to get close to her. He put on a front like he was reasonable 94

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

and shit and I called him out on it. Even told her mother the game he was playing. I found him one day with her on his lap and I just sort of snapped. I yanked her off, told him if he even thought about touching her again I‟d kill him. He wasn‟t going to destroy another‟s life like he did Joann. And I kept her away from him, made sure the new school master knew that he liked young girls and wasn‟t opposed to forcing them either. Our friendship turned into hatred when his father was forced to come and remove him. Others came forward then with claims of sexual abuse and molestation.” “Well, he‟s out to destroy you now,” Darius sighed, sitting down next to Blaine. “His hatred for you now runs so deep—I mean he‟s looking into you with a fine tooth and nail. He‟s trying to blacklist your name to bankers so you can‟t do any more deals. There‟s a few who aren‟t buying into his shit however, which is a plus for you. He‟s also got you flagged, which means that any deal you try to make right now will hit him first, so he can steal it right out from under you. Oh, and this is even better. He‟s trying to get your marriage dissolved, which isn‟t working too well either. He‟s out to get you, man, and I have no clue what he‟s looking for.” “He‟s looking for the one who got away.” Blaine rested his head back on the sofa, closing his eyes. “Shyla.” “Is it Shyla or Joann?” Blaine cast Darius a glance, but said nothing. It was a question he couldn‟t answer. “I think we need to find out for sure if he believes what you told him about Joann and the baby. To me, it sounds like the only reason why he would be back now and trying to bring you down. Maybe he knows her child didn‟t die with her.” “No one knows about the baby.” “Are you sure?” They sat there for a while, saying nothing. Blaine finished his drink placed the cup between his legs on the floor and stared at the fireplace. “I‟m not sure about anything anymore.” “You going to tell Shyla?” Darius asked. “No.” “What about the others?” “Nope.” “Blaine—” “No one needs to know about this, Darius. I made a promise to Joann on her deathbed, and another to her father. No one will ever know 95

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

about the baby.” “Shyla does.” Darius stood back up. “She needs to understand you and this Owen better and know what she‟s up against.” “I‟ll think about it.” Blaine watched him walk away. When Darius got to the door he spoke again. “You‟re going to the party, right?” This time it was Darius‟s shoulders that slumped. “I can‟t do it, man. You know that.” “If you don‟t, then Dane is going to ask questions. Berdina already is.” “Fine.” Darius turned around and the look he had on his face, Blaine didn‟t like. “I‟ll go, but only if you talk to Shyla and let her know everything I‟ve found.” Blaine groaned, “You‟re a prick, you know that.” “Yep, I sure do.” Darius smiled. “Call me and let me know. After all, the party is in just two days. Night.” Darius left and Blaine once more groaned. He shook his head, stood up and put the glass on the table before heading up for bed himself, he stood by the window, lit a cigar and smoked it, thinking about Joann. A girl he would‟ve married to save if he could. It was the one secret that he held close, and one would ever know about.

96

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Eleven Berdina Knight went all out for the big twenty-first birthday party for Makayla Tabor. Her whole house was lit up like it was Christmas time and all Shyla could do was stand outside, holding the fur wrap tightly around her body, staring up at the house she visited just two nights ago. People were going inside, limos were being parked. Women were decked out in gowns of all colors and styles, and men wore their finest suits. She shivered at the sight before her, knowing without a doubt that she wasn‟t going to fit in, once she walked through those doors. “You do know that in order to enjoy a party you have to go inside.” Kera came up to her with a friendly smile. Shyla smiled back, but it didn‟t last long, “I can‟t seem to go in there.” “Been there, done that,” Kera nodded. “Where‟s Blaine.” “At the limo arguing with Darius.” “Darius came?” Shyla nodded. “But he won‟t get out of the car, so Blaine is trying to get him to go inside.” “And you‟re just out here waiting on him.” Shyla glanced at Kera and it seemed it was Kera‟s turn to nod. “Been there and done that, honey.” Shyla went back to staring at the house, wishing she was any other place. “Do you mind if I ask you something personal?” Shyla gave Kera her full attention. “Sure.” “Well, I sort of get this impression that you and Blaine haven‟t really, um, you know, messed around much. Am I right?” Shyla‟s face heated up and Kera nodded. “Thought so. Mind if I ask why?” “It‟s hard to explain.” Now she felt embarrassed and ashamed. “Let me tell you what I see. First off, Blaine really does like you. I 97

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

see it in his eyes. Now I haven‟t known him as long as Devon and Dane, but I do know from what Devon has told me that he has never seen Blaine act the way he acts with you. So that‟s in your favor.” “What if I don‟t like sex?” Kera cocked her head to the side. “I think we all feel that way at first, but come on. You two spent the whole night in the Compound. By the time you guys left, you should be very well acquainted with each other.” “It only happened once in there.” Kera‟s mouth dropped open. “Are you shitting me?” Shyla shook her head. “Wow! Well, um, then what if say you take the lead.” “What do you mean?” “I have found out the hard way that the only way in hell for you to get over something you‟re scared of is to take charge of it.” Shyla frowned and Kera rolled her eyes. “What I mean is, you take charge of the sex, until you get use to him. When he‟s in bed, crawl up on top of him and just do it. Besides,” Kera‟s eyes sparkled and she put on a big smile. “You being on top is very nice. Trust me.” Kera hugged herself with the wrap she wore around her gown. Shyla looked around, taking in what she told her, and frowned. “You mean, you want me to do it all?” “Oh, you won‟t be doing it all, just taking the lead. Once he gets the idea that you want to do something, he‟ll take over for you.” “Can I ask you something?” “Sure,” Kera shrugged. “Do you really enjoy it?” Kera put her arm around Shyla‟s shoulders. “Honey, the first night together with Devon I hated him and it with a passion. Now, I enjoy it immensely. Trust me when I say, start it up, climb on top of him and I promise you that the night will end in all smiles.” Kera took a step back, eyed Shyla up and down and kept on smiling. “Hell, I say wear this fur wrap only and shock the shit right out of him. Blaine needs a good shock.” “I‟m not staying for dinner a male voice exploded.” Shyla and Kera both turned at the same time. Blaine was walking behind Darius, and pushing him forward. “Definitely nail him tonight,” Kera whispered in her ear. “Before he becomes a dick to be around again.” “I bet you will,” Blaine grumped, shoving Darius hard once more. Darius stumbled right up to Shyla and Kera. “How the hell do you 98

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

live with him?” he asked Shyla. “Come on,” Kera said, wrapping her arm around Shyla and grabbing hold of Darius. “Before Berdina has a cow.” The party happened to be something right out of a fairy tale for Shyla. Ladies danced and walked around in so many different color gowns it blew her mind away. All she could do was stand there as Blaine took the fur wrap and handed it a man who was taking coats and such. “You ready?” he asked, low in her ear. “No.” He smiled. “Come on. You‟ll have fun. And you,” he slapped Darius on the back of the head, “Behave yourself and go say hello to Berdina. Like Kera said, she‟s about to have a cow.” Blaine walked her around, grabbed two glasses of wine from a tray and introduced her to people she couldn‟t remember for the life of her. She drank, ate some of the food on silver trays and watched everything. After talking with Kera, Shyla also thought she saw what they saw in Blaine. He did seem a bit tense, not relaxed like he happened to be the day they left the Compound. Could having sex really do that to him? Make him relax and happy? She also thought about the how. How could she approach him and take the lead like Kera suggested. For the moment, Shyla felt very stupid and didn‟t know what to do. “I‟ve been looking for you.” Samara slid up to Shyla‟s side, hooked her arm into hers and took a deep breath right before taking a drink from her wine glass. “How‟s things going?” “This is so much,” Shyla said, looking around the room. “You should see the big charity ball they have. The whole damn town I swear shows up for that one.” “Where‟s Makayla?” Blaine asked. “Waiting to make her grand entrance,” Samara sighed. “I swear Berdina has spoiled her to a point that I can‟t even control.” “What‟s she going to do if someone here wants to have her summoned to the Compound?” he asked. Shyla saw the dark look Darius gave Blaine before taking another drink from a tray and turning away from them. “Then I have to say I pity the poor bastard,” Samara went on. “He‟ll have Dane and Berdina to go through.” “You don‟t mind then?” Blaine‟s one eyebrow shot up. “All I have to say is good luck to him, if he‟s here.” Samara smiled. “He‟s going to need it when it comes to my sister.” “Then you didn‟t mind being summoned?” Shyla asked. She had to 99

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

know. “Not really, if you look at my home life back then. Now, Kera, on the other hand—well it‟s a whole different story.” “What you mean?” Samara frowned and smiled at the same time. “You didn‟t tell her the story?” She shot towards Blaine. Blaine shrugged. “Didn‟t think it was that important.” “Kera‟s father sold her to the Compound. Now granted, she didn‟t stay as long as you did there, but she did spend I think a couple of years. She also kept trying to run away, which sort of sealed her fate one day. She ran right into Devon.” “And then he went to work with a plan to have her,” Blaine added in a dry voice. “I think it‟s kind of romantic,” Samara said with a slight pout and wink towards Shyla. “You think everything is romantic.” Blaine rolled his eyes. “Anyway,” Samara pulled Shyla away from Blaine. They strolled around the room, leaving him where he stood. “They had a very rocky start. She fought him all the way and in every way. Now it also didn‟t help things that Beth White kept popping her nose into Kera‟s life.” “Why does she hate her so much?” Shyla asked. “You mean Kera hating Beth?” Shyla nodded. “Oh, well, I guess Beth use to be one of Devon‟s old lovers. Beth‟s a bit bitter about the break up and then for Devon to marry someone like Kera.” “His lover!” “Honey they all had lovers before us,” Samara stated. “Here, try one of these rolls. They are so great. Wish that woman would give me the recipe.” Shyla took the food, but didn‟t eat it. “You couldn‟t tell they didn‟t get along now.” “Nope.” Samara shook her head and wiped her mouth with the small napkin. “They had some kind of truths.” “So Kera hates the Compound then.” It was a statement as Shyla glanced over at the couple they were talking about. “Pretty much.” “But you don‟t.” “I do, and I don‟t.” Samara took a deep breath. “I mean, the rules suck and all, but it also gave me a new life with Dane.” “So if someone did what Dane did to you, to Makayla, you‟d be alright with it?” 100

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Maybe. Might have to do with who the guy ends up being.” Shyla looked around at all the people crowded into the house. Samara finished her drink, placed it on a tray and picked up another. “Can I ask you something?” “Ask me anything.” Taking a big breath, along with getting some courage to ask what was on her mind, Shyla turned to Samara. “Have you ever taken charge, you know, with the, um, sex thing.” “Definitely,” she laughed. “Dane loves it and so do I. Why you ask?” She lowered her eyes, unable to face Samara in the eye. “Kera mentioned I should do that.” “Have you still not messed around with Blaine, even after we talked?” Shyla shrugged, “I touched him some.” “And?” “And nothing.” Once more Shyla got dragged off away from the other people. “Honey, what in the world are you so afraid of? I mean, he‟s not going to hurt you, you have to know that right?” “He‟s so big,” she whispered. “I feel so small around him.” Samara licked her lips and looked around. It seemed that she was thinking about something. “Okay, I know what you need to do, and you have got to do this. It‟s the only way to get over this fear you have. Drink some wine, it‟ll help you relax. When you get home and get ready for bed, wait in the bathroom for him to get into the bed first.” “Why?” “Because you‟re going to come out in nothing but that gorgeous fur wrap of yours, and I mean nothing. Don‟t have one strip of clothing on under it. Simply crawl up on the bed and right on top of him.” Shyla stared at Samara like she lost her mind. Eyes wide open, mouth even open, she couldn‟t process what the woman just told her. “You want me to what?” “You heard me,” she chuckled. “Just crawl up on top of him, begin kissing, and I promise you he‟ll do the rest.” “How is that me taking charge then?” Shyla frowned. “Kera told me to take charge.” “Oh, you‟ll still be in charge. See, with you on top, you control the tempo of the movement. He‟ll just help guide you. And trust me when I say, this will not only break the ice between you two, but you‟ll love it. I 101

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

think being on top is one of my favorite positions.” “You mean there‟s more?” “I thought you saw a bunch of movies that showed you there were.” Shyla shrugged. “Most of the positions I saw were the girl was on bottom. I will admit however that I tended to close my eyes during the movies. Nothing about them told me that the girls liked it.” “Well then you definitely, without a doubt, have a lot to learn. Give Blaine the chance and you‟ll learn it all.” “There you are,” Dane said as he rushed up to them. “Gram told me that Makayla is ready to come down.” “Finally.” Samara took Shyla‟s hand and followed Dane to the large staircase. Other guests were also waiting. Blaine snuck up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist. Shyla jumped and smiled up at him, her mind going over what Samara told her and what Kera had said the night before. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” Berdina Knight announced. “I would like you all to welcome my granddaughter on her special twenty-first birthday party. Makayla Tabor!” Everyone in the room began clapping their hands as Makayla Tabor came around a corner on the top floor. “She‟s breathtaking,” Shyla breathed out. “So are you,” Blaine said low in her ear. Makayla came down the stairs in a white and pale pink gown. The pink happened to be small roses in the gown that gave it a very sweet, innocent look. The top of the gown hugged her body like a second skin with short straps that went off the shoulders and around the upper arms. From the hip down, it flowed easy as she walked. “Isn‟t she lovely?” Shyla turned to a smiling Berdina. “You have clearly spoiled her rotten,” Blaine said. Berdina pulled away from them and up to Makayla. Shyla watched her say something to the girl then pull her away, introducing her to the people around. From the corner of her eye, Shyla saw a dark forbidding expression on Darius‟s face. “What‟s wrong with him?” she asked Blaine. Blaine turned his head in the direction of Darius, who happened to be downing another glass of wine. “You don‟t want to know. Come on.” They walked around the room, Blaine nodding to people but not stopping to talk. She lost count of how many glasses of wine she drank, but she did know it was enough that she was more than ready to head home and put to test what both Samara and Kera told her. 102

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“So don‟t I get to meet your new wife?” Shyla put her last empty glass on a passing tray and turned with Blaine. Makayla Tabor smiled at her and quickly took her hand. “You look good, Makayla,” Blaine said, leaning close and kissing her on the cheek. “And you‟ve been keeping her all to yourself I see,” Makayla smiled. “I‟m Makayla, in case you haven‟t figured that out yet.” “Shyla.” “Oh, now there‟s a name I like. So tell me, has the big brute been treating you good?” “Not this shit again,” Blaine groaned, rolling his eyes. Shyla laughed, “Brute?” “Sure.” Makayla hooked her arm into Shyla‟s, just like Samara had done earlier. “He growls a lot, scowls and grumbles about everything.” “I do not,” he said behind them. Makayla laughed, “See.” Instantly, Shyla liked Makayla. “This is some party.” Makayla nodded. “Nana went all out. Told her not to worry about it and to be cautious, but she doesn‟t listen. You should see the kind of party she wants to throw me when I graduate from college.” “Aren‟t you afraid someone here might try to have you taken to the Compound?” Shyla could sense Blaine stiffen behind her, but ignored him. “Hell, yeah,” Makayla laughed. “Then why you do it?” “Because I have yet to be able to tell that woman no,” Makayla shrugged. She turned to Blaine. “Heard you got Darius to come. Care to introduce me?” “No,” Blaine said. Makayla shrugged, “Okay. So, have you been out to the barn to see the horses yet?” “No.” Shyla shook her head and laughed. “Are you always this happy?” “Yes,” Blaine grumbled again behind her. “Well, I‟m here for the next couple of days so I‟ll come out and we can see them together. It‟s what I‟m studying you know. I want to be a veterinarian with a specialty in horses.” Shyla glanced over her shoulder at Blaine. He rolled his eyes once more at her and she giggled. Makayla told her more about the horses and how once she graduated she would like to become Devon‟s prime vet. 103

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Devon was thinking seriously about it. Dane didn‟t like the idea, mostly because he didn‟t want her to be forced into a marriage. Ironically, since he had Samara summoned, his two best friends had secured wives from inside the Compound. But Shyla kept that bit to herself. Around midnight, she was more than ready to call it a night. Her feet were killing her in the new heels and Blaine did seem a bit grumpy. Blaine was all for them leaving, even though the party didn‟t seem to be slowing down one bit. While she waited for him to get her wrap and his coat, Samara and Kera both came up to her. “Leaving already?” Samara asked. “It‟s still early.” “I‟m sorry,” Shyla said. “My feet are killing me and I really want to go home.” “God, I understand about wanting to leave,” Kera said, rubbing her shoulder. “I would love to get out of these shoes myself.” “You‟re a wimp,” Samara said. Shyla couldn‟t help herself and laughed. “Yeah, well I‟m also hoping to get a bit lucky.” Kera winked at Shyla. “Night, girls.” “She is so bad.” Samara shook her head. “Ready?” Blaine asked, placing her fur wrap over her shoulders. “Night, Samara.” “Night, honey.” The limo was waiting for them outside, back door open. Shyla got in first, Blaine followed. Once the door closed she snuggled up to him, sighing from exhaustion and too much wine. “Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked. “I guess. I‟m tired.” “Same here,” he sighed. She almost fell asleep. Jolting herself awake, Shyla yawned just as the limo turned into the drive. Linda and Randal waited for them outside, Randal with some papers in his hand. “Give me a few minutes and I‟ll join you upstairs.” Blaine kissed her forehead and followed Randal towards his office, she with Linda up stairs. With Linda‟s help she slipped out of her dress. Linda hung it back up on the mannequin in the far corner. Shyla carried her wrap into the bathroom where she sat on the stool and began to form her plan. Her hands shook as she thought about the step she was about to take. It scared her to death simply thinking about walking out to him in nothing but the wrap. She didn‟t think she could crawl up on him and do 104

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

what Kera suggested. Deep down, she knew she had to. She needed to get over this fear of him she carried when it came to sex. After all, even though it hurt both times she‟d done it she couldn‟t deny he‟d make her feel good too. “Get a grip, girl.” She stood up and began to strip her under clothes off. “You can do this.”

105

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Twelve Blaine signed all the papers that Randal handed him, sat back in the chair and lit a cigar, hoping like hell it would help to ease the tension he had in his whole body. He lost a fifty thousand dollar real a state deal, thanks to Owen. That fuck! The son of bitch was now riding his ass, snatching every deal Blaine was in the works of getting or looking at, costing him a lot of money. Then there was Shyla. He sighed, resting his head back on the leather, moving the cigar around in his mouth, blowing the smoke in the darkness. God he wanted her, but the little fact that she was so damn scared of him and sex, prevented him from touching her. Granted, she did do wonderful things for him, like releasing his tension, but it wasn‟t enough. He wanted to feel her body, not just her hand, wrapped around his cock. Is this what it’s like being in love? The notion of love never came to his mind when he decided to go to the Compound and find her. Yet now, having her so close, he felt different. It was hard to explain, hard as hell to understand. Just about as hard as the damn piece of flesh he had between his legs. With another sigh, and a very weary body, Blaine put the cigar out and stood up. He dreaded heading up to the room and sleeping next to a woman he wanted desperately but couldn‟t have. Without a doubt it was all very new for him. The house was quiet, staff sleeping, hallways and rooms all dark. Blaine walked slowly up the steps, feeling the weight of the party on his shoulders. He didn‟t want to go, dreaded the whole thing and didn‟t have that good of a time because he kept an eye on Darius. Blaine didn‟t pay attention to anything in his room. The lights were 106

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

off, a fire burning low, giving off a soft orange glow. He didn‟t even notice if Shyla was in the bed or not. He stripped down to his boxer/briefs and flopped down on the bed with a deep bone tired sigh, eyes closed. Arm across his eyes, he heard a door open, assumed it was Shyla, but didn‟t look at her. He couldn‟t. If he looked at her now then he‟d only be tempted to do something stupid once more. “Blaine?” “Hum.” “You tired.” “Yeah. You?” “Some. But, I—um.” Shocked and surprised, unable to process a damn thing slapped Blaine in the face once he felt Shyla crawl up on top of him. He moved his arms and looked up at her, wrapped in the fur wrap he bought her for tonight. “Thought I might give it another try.” She shrugged, her cheeks getting bright red. Blaine sat up, both hands to her face and he kissed her. Instantly, he was hard as stone and no way in hell was he going to let her back out of this one. She kissed him back, her hands going to his shoulders, the wrap slipping down. Opening his eyes he looked down at her naked body and groaned. “God, you are beautiful.” He touched her with the back of his hand, over her breasts, down her stomach. “So damn beautiful.” He touched her clit with his thumb and she jumped. “No pain, Shyla, only pleasure this time. You trust me?” “I trust you,” she whispered. Kissing her again, rubbing her clit, Blaine gave in to the pleasure. Even though for the moment he was doing nothing more than touching and kissing, he got great pleasure in the act itself. Nothing in his life, nothing in his stained past equaled to what he felt right there. He moaned into the kiss when her hands went down his chest, nails scraping the flesh. She tugged on his underwear and brought out his cock. Again he moaned when her hands closed around the base, moving up and down. She matched his motions to the clit and she did it perfectly. However, he did still when she shifted on his lap. The head of his cock touched the hot wetness of her pussy. Blaine met her eyes and felt fear for the first time in her movement. He feared that there wasn‟t 107

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

enough kissing and touching for her body to be ready for him. If so, then this time might end up being as bad as the last time and she‟d retreat again into that shell of hers. “Shyla, I think you need to slow down so I can get you—oh shit!” She lowered down, taking him slowly into her body. “Let me do this,” she breathed out, her eyes closed, head rolling back on her shoulders. Blaine struggled to breathe. Her hands rested on his shoulders, hair fanned out down her back, the fur wrap dropped to her waist. An angel sat before him, taking him into her body, taking him to heaven. He could actually feel her pussy stretching for his width. Felt the tightness, the snug grip that had him on the edge of madness. Cupping a breast, closing his lips around a perky nipple, Blaine gave her complete control. She stopped about halfway, pulled back upward and lowered down once more in the same slow motion. Once more he played with her clit, rubbed it slowly as he sucked on the nipple, bringing forth a gasp from her sweet lips. “It feels so different!” she gasped, moving up and down on only half of his length. “Take the rest of it and see how that feels.” He licked between her breasts to kiss her jaw, and Shyla did just as he said. One swift downward motion and she was completely inside her. It felt great. A strangled sound came from her, something that sounded like a moan. “You read?” he asked. Shyla kept her eyes closed and nodded. Blaine took hold of her hips. “I‟ll show you have to move, then it‟s all up to you.” Upward halfway, down with a rotation of her hips. Blaine bit his lower lip while he showed her the move. Already he felt so close to his release and it sucked big time. He wanted this to last. Needed it to last. Shyla was without a doubt a very fast learner. She took over the motions, stealing his breath, leaving him mindless and speechless. All it seemed Blaine could do was stay focused on the pleasure, the feelings she slammed him with. “Something‟s happening,” she said, brows coming together, eyes opening wide. “Blaine?” “Let it happen.” Once more they held eye contract and he knew just what she was talking about. A climax was building, unlike the other two she‟d experienced. “Don‟t fight it.” Shyla shook her head and her movements became choppy A sob left 108

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

her lips and tears came to her eyes. He gripped her hips tighter and kept the motion going, bit the inside of his lips to push back his own release as hers hit and hit hard. Shyla cried out, her pussy contracted around his cock tightly, and this time she cried tears. “Shhh,” he soothed. “I‟m right here.” Her arms went around his neck in a tight hug while she cried her release. How the hell he was able to hold his back he didn‟t know. Blaine held her tight as she cried. Felt the tears land on his shoulders and rubbed her back. “Now that was a climax,” he stated. Out of nowhere Shyla laughed and sniffed at the same time. She didn‟t pull back like he thought she might. Instead, she held on tighter to him, grinding herself against him, driving him nuts with the need of release. Time felt like it stood still, him just holding her, his cock so deep inside her he thought he could feel the beating of her heart. “You haven‟t had yours yet,” she said against his neck, giving him a light kiss where her breath touched. “No I haven‟t.” “Are you going to?” “You want me to?” She pulled back then, her cheeks reddened once more. “I want to feel you move again.” “Then you will.” **** Blaine moved and lowered her down to the bed, coming over her. His cock still throbbed inside her and it felt like her body responded to it, throbbed on its own to match his. Shyla shivered and held onto to him tightly with the use of her legs. She feared he might pull out from her, leaving her feeling empty and unfilled. But he didn‟t. Blaine lowered his body to hers, arms over her shoulders holding part of his body weight up. She didn‟t even think about her actions. She wrapped her arms around his waist and moved her hips some. Blaine moaned, his eyes closed and head went back. “God, do you have any idea what that feels like?” “No, what?” “Heaven.” He opened his eyes back up and looked down at her. “You make me feel like I‟ve died, went to heaven and have been 109

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

reborn.” Shyla raised up licked his nipple in the same manner in which he did hers. He gasped. “Then take me to heaven also. Please.” Eyes locked on each other, Blaine moved. The first slow withdrawal and she held her breath. With his sharp thrust, it rushed out and new sensations gripped her. And this was how he moved. Out slow, in fast. Just like he said, no pain, only pleasure. Shyla couldn‟t hold the eye contact like she would‟ve liked. With the steady rhythm and the wonderful feelings she had she just couldn‟t concentrate on keeping eye contact with him. Eyes closed, nails into his sides holding on for dear life, she rode the ride he gave. True to what even Samara and Kera said, this round was much, much better than the first or second. The pleasure built quickly, leaving her feeling like she simply couldn‟t catch her breath. Faster his movement became and closer to the exploding pleasure she drew. It hit hard and fast. Before she could brace for it the climax came and she felt it all the way down to her toes. She didn‟t cry out or yell, mostly because she couldn‟t breathe that well. Faster Blaine moved. He lowered himself down more, face buried in the crook of her neck. She heard him whimper, felt hot breath on her neck and the swelling of his cock inside her. “Oh shit!” he moaned. Shyla gulped in as much air into her lungs as she could. Raw, mind blowing sensations gripped her and seemed to refuse to let her go. Every nerve ending in her body seemed to be in tune with the pleasure between her legs. Even her clit throbbed almost painfully to the aftermath of the climax. “Breathe,” he said, kissing her shoulder. “Don‟t pass out.” Shyla let the air out in a rush and he chuckled. The sound seemed to vibrate into a motion that triggered one more aftershock, one more sensation, leaving her whimpering. “Don‟t move,” she groaned with a soft chuckle. “Oh, man, it‟s so sensitive.” “Then that means I did my job right.” He smiled. Shyla smiled back at him and stretched as well. His smile seemed to falter when she did that. “Something wrong?” He groaned, “You‟re testing me.” “Am I?” She batted her eyes, hoping that it would help with the innocent act she was working to give. 110

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Another laugh, shake of the head and then his cock left her body. It felt like she was now alone with him gone, but he still lay on top of her. Gently he brushed hair from her forehead, said nothing, only looked at her with a strange expression on his face. “Something wrong?” she asked. “You make me feel things I haven‟t felt in a very long time.” “Is that bad?” He shook his head. “It‟s nice. I think I forgot how peaceful one can feel when the right person is with them.” Shyla frowned. “Huh?” Blaine rolled off of her to the side and she turned with him, to face him. He rested his head on his hand, elbow dug into the mattress. “I didn‟t want to tell you this, mostly because I didn‟t think it was important, but now that I‟m looking at you—hell, you do look like her some.” “I‟m confused.” “There was this girl years ago.” He sighed, touching the side of her face once more. “Long before you and your mother came to the school.” “You loved her?” Her gut dropped. Why she cared if he loved another before her, she couldn‟t say. The need for him to love her had her fighting to not start crying. The only other to ever love her had been her mother, and that was a long time ago. “I think I did,” he answered, rubbing down her arm. “Shyla, my past is so damn ugly it even has me feeling ashamed right now.” “But this is the now.” She reached out, touching the side of his face this time. “I know that I don‟t much since I‟ve spent most of my life in the Compound, but I have learned one thing. The past is the past. Your friends are proof of that.” “That they are.” He rolled over to his back, arms up under his head. Shyla snuggled up next to him, resting her head on his chest. “So what about this girl from your past? What‟s her name?” “Joann.” “Was she pretty?” The question came out before she could stop it. Why she had to ask, she didn‟t know. Just like she wasn‟t sure if she really wanted to know the answer to it either. “She was.” Again he sighed. It sounded like it pained him for whatever strange reason to talk about it. “What‟s wrong? I can tell this is hard for you to talk about.” She rose up and looked down at him. “Did she break your heart that bad?” “She did when she died.” 111

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

And that finished the bad feeling she had in her stomach. Shyla pulled away from him grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around her body. “I‟m sorry,” she whispered, not knowing what else to say to him. She felt Blaine move behind her but didn‟t look at him. He wrapped his arms around her body, holding her tight. “I‟m telling you about Joann because you need to know about her. She is the reason I think Owen is after you.” He loved her. “What do I have to do with her?” “You remind him of her.” She closed her eyes, telling herself over and over again to not start crying. I remind you of the one you loved and lost also. “And you?” She held her breath, fearing and waiting for the answer. She didn‟t want to know, yet felt she had to know at the same time. “I don‟t see you as her replacement,” he said low against her the back of her neck. “I see you as my wife.” But not my love. She took a deep breath and nodded. “Hey.” He turned her head so she looked at him. “Let‟s not think about the past. We both need some sleep and in the morning we can talk more about all of this. Okay?” “Okay,” she whispered. **** Blaine waited until Shyla fell asleep before slipping from the bed. He reached for a pair of his faded jeans he‟d earlier tossed over a chair, slipped them on and left the room quietly. The house was dark and deathly quiet. He should be asleep, but couldn‟t. His mind seemed to refuse to shut down, especially since now Joann was on it. “Don’t do this, Jo,” he begged from her bed. Blaine knelt on the floor, on his knees, the tears falling down his face as he looked upon her white face. “Don’t leave me like this. Please.” She said nothing to him. Her once bright blonde hair, now a dull, lifeless color to match the spirit it seemed within. She had the child, a healthy baby boy, but the nurses informed him that Joann seemed to give up on life and was now willing herself to die. “You leave, who’s going to take care of me?” He sniffed back the tears, trying another tactic to get her to snap out of it. “You’re the only one who wants me, and if you go I’ll have no one.” He picked up her hand, brought it to his face and lost the control he’d been holding onto, finally giving into his tears. Her hand was cold 112

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

as ice against his skin, a sure sign that his Joann was gone. “Oh God!” he sobbed, lowering his face to the bedding, holding her hand tightly. “Mr. Cedric.” The nurse that called him to let him know Joann was slipping stood in the doorway. “She wanted me to give you this after—” She swallowed hard and acted like she might start crying herself. “She asked me to make sure you got this letter.” The woman placed it on the dresser and left as silently as she came in. Blaine stood up kissed Joann’s hand and took the letter. He didn’t open it, only slipped it into his pocket and left the room. Down the still hallway to the nursery he walked, stopping to look into the window at the baby in the crib. Joann’s son, wrapped in a warm blue blanket had his eyes closed and a pout on his lips. “Have you contacted her father?” he asked the same nurse that handed the letter over. She now stood next to him, looking at the baby as well. “I just made the call.” “Have the baby ready to go once he gets here, and Miranda…” The woman stopped when she turned away after he called her name. “Joann and the baby died. She died getting an abortion. Understood?” “Yes. Mr. Cedric, I understand.” Blaine opened the lower drawer to his desk brought out the lock box and opened it. Inside, under some cash and a few deeds was the letter Joann wrote to him. He hadn‟t read it back then. Couldn‟t. Now he needed to know what her last words were. Slowly he broke the seal on the envelope and brought out the letter. It surprised him that his hands shook while he unfolded it and looked up on the words of his past. Dear Blaine, I don’t expect you to understand what is about to happen. I don’t understand it myself. I know you would’ve done what is right and marry me still, raise this child as your own without the shame, but it has shamed me to even think that you’d do such a thing for me. I need you to please forgive me. I have done the unthinkable and lied too. The rape incident didn’t happen the way I told you and I ask you now to please forgive me. I love you so much that I couldn’t face you after that night with Owen, and before you even think what I’m sure you’re going to think, I didn’t go to his bed completely willing. 113

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

He came to my room, drunk, with a gun, and threatened to hurt you. He was upset over our engagement and told me of his feelings for me. I did the unthinkable and laughed at him. He showed me the gun, telling me how he was going to hurt you—even kill you. I don’t know why I believed him, I just did. I begged him to not hurt you and said I’d do anything he wanted. He jumped on my words and used me all that night in ways I never thought were possible to be used. I carry my shame like a second skin. There is no way I could let you marry me, knowing how Owen used me. It wasn’t until the next morning I learned of the bluff and before I could tell you about it all, you found me in that state. The rape is the only story I could think of to tell you and my father. After all, would you have believed me or looked at me the same if the truth came out? How could someone willingly go through what I did? I didn’t tell Owen about the baby. Finding out about the pregnancy is the last nail in my coffin. I can’t abort this child, for its innocent in all of this, but I will ask one more thing from you, the man I love more than life. Please take care of my child. Raise him or her as your own. I don’t want this baby to know about the horror of its birth or about his father, who would think nothing about using someone for his own pleasure. I also ask for you to go on without me. Find yourself another who will stand by your side and not let anyone in, like I did, Owen. Don’t stay in the dark. Come back out in the light once more and love another. I beg you, Blaine. Please go on and don’t mourn me. Joann Blaine fisted the letter in his hand, pressed it up to his forehead, his body shaking in anger. All these years he thought Owen had raped Joann. Well in his eyes, the bastard did. He tricked her into going to bed with him. “Owen, you bastard,” he said low. “How could you do that to her?” Tears didn‟t come this time, only the anger and bitterness. Now he had the whole story behind what happened to Joann, and yet it didn‟t seem to do a damn thing to him besides piss him off. And then it hit him. He cared for Joann, but what he felt for Shyla was very different. Is it love? The question had him thinking and thinking hard about his future. Tossing the letter aside, he opened his cigar box on the desk, lit one 114

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

and sat back in the chair, bare feet up on the desk. He took a big drag, blew out a cloud of smoke, and thought about the game Owen now played. Shyla reminded him of Joann. She had the blond hair, tiny frame, innocent eyes—like Joann. But what tipped the scale this time was the small fact of Blaine already being married to Shyla. So now what? What does he do now to get Owen out of their lives and for good? It was a question that would keep him up all through the night.

115

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Thirteen Shyla woke early and alone. She rolled over in the bed with the intent of snuggling up to Blaine, opened her eyes to see a pillow that didn‟t appear like it had been slept on. With a sigh, she flung the covers off, slipped from the bed and picked up the new satin robe from the foot of the bed. It was still early, the sun had yet to show itself when she left the bedroom. No one, it seemed, was about yet, making the large house feel deathly quiet and a bit creepy. Her gut told her that she would find Blaine in his study. Down the stairs, around to the back and through the doors he showed her, she saw the faintness of light coming from under the closed doors. She didn‟t bother with knocking. Shyla turned the knob, pushed the heavy door open and went inside. The fireplace was aglow. She looked around, saw him behind the huge desk sitting back, feet up staring at the flames. As quietly as she could, she closed the door behind her, stood there looking her fill at him. The light from the fire illuminated him in gold, making him appear even darker in appearance than what he really was. Barefoot, shirtless, powerful looking in his golden glow. Muscles on his bare chest rippled in a soft manner when he took a breath. Slowly she walked toward him, almost afraid of disturbing him. Clearly, he was deep in his own world. “Blaine?” she called out softly. He didn‟t say anything or act like he heard her. Closer to the desk she drew, and still he didn‟t move. “You alright?” He didn‟t look at her or move, but he did speak. “She lied to me about the rape.” “Who?” 116

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Joann. Owen tricked her into going to bed with him.” “How do you know?” He moved then, turned in his chair, legs going down to the floor. He reached for her and she went closer, standing between his legs. “She left me a letter I never read, until now.” Blaine picked her up and seated her on the desk, her feet on the arms of his chair, slightly open. The move had her robe opening up slightly, draping over her legs. “You stopped me from doing this our first time,” he said, rubbing his hands up and down the inside of her legs, parting her further. “Don‟t stop me now.” Shyla held her breath as his head went down between her legs. A kiss to her thigh, a rub of the cheek and right to her pussy his mouth landed. The first touch seemed to be her weakness. She fell back on the desk and Blaine feasted upon her flesh. His tongue touched her, parted the lips of her vagina and licked her like a cat to cream. She sucked air into her lungs when he touched her clit. He moved the top of his tongue around it several times before sucking on it hard, pulling raw, unbinding pleasure from deep in her soul. It felt so good she couldn‟t hold back the moan from slipping from her lips. Blaine moaned back against her, moved down and his tongue went as deep as it could inside her. He did with his tongue the same as he did with his cock inside her. In and out, building the pleasure; she wanted to scream from his unrelenting pleasuring of her. “God, you taste good,” he mumbled against her. “I can get hooked on your taste alone.” Shyla gulped in as much air as she could into her lungs and still it felt like it wasn‟t enough. She needed more. Once more, he lapped at her like a cat, pressing against her clit, teasing the nub until she was on the verge of begging him for release. Two fingers went inside her as he closed his lips around her clit. He pulled, fucked her fast and Shyla lost it. She arched up, mouth open but nothing came out. The orgasm washed over her in tidal waves, stealing her breath, her mind, leaving her limp and weak. She heard him stand up, felt him move over her but couldn‟t get the energy at the moment to open her eyes and look up at him. Hell, she didn‟t even know when she closed her eyes in the first place. One swift motion and Blaine had his whole length buried inside her. Shyla opened her eyes, arched up to sit up on the desk. Instantly, she 117

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

wrapped her legs around his waist, got as close as she could to him with hands on his shoulders. Their eyes locked and Blaine sat back down in his chair with her on his lap. Shyla didn‟t hesitate one second. She began to move, up and down, taking what he offered. Blaine held onto her waist loosely, head going back on the chair, but those dark eyes of his never left her face. “Love me.” Blaine whispered the words so softly, so low, Shyla wasn‟t too sure if she heard him or not. His eyes closed and facial expression changed. He didn‟t seem hard to her, or aloof, but more like broken and in need of fixing. The faster she moved on him, the closer she felt the climax coming, the tighter his hold on her waist. He swelled inside her, felt the first spurt of his release and grinded herself on him as hard and as fast as she could. The orgasm wasn‟t as powerful as it had been when he was kissing her between the legs. This time the climax felt softer, had a different intensity to it, one that had her thinking of them as lovers coming together for the first time. Blaine pulled her down to him hugged her and she hugged him back. He sighed against her shoulder, but said no more. Only when she couldn‟t stand the silence any longer did she speak. “Are you alright?” she asked. “I am now,” he said against her shoulder. “With you in my arms, I‟m more than fine. I feel safe.” **** “She‟s here.” Owen looked up from the papers he‟d been reading. He glanced over at the young boy seated in the chair over by the fireplace. A sixteen year old—that would be his leverage. The one to help him get what he needed and wanted. Hiis name was Tyler. “Send her in,” Owen said, putting the papers down. The boy looked up at him, but didn‟t move from the chair. The young girl who showed up at his rented house walked into the study, acting both scared and angry at the same time. She didn‟t look a bit over the age of twenty-one. A tiny thing, one that Owen knew without a doubt he could break and bend at his will. “Linda Allen,” Owen smiled. “I‟m glad to see you got my note and decided to join us.” “Tyler!” Linda cried out, rushing to the boy, dropping to her knees, embracing him. “Are you alright?” “As you can see, Ms. Allen, your brother is just fine,” Owen said. 118

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“What do you want?” she demanded, looking over her shoulder at him. Owen smiled. This was going faster and smoother than what he thought would be possible. He half expected her to fight, scream or try to negotiate with him, not come right out and want to know what he wanted. He snapped his fingers and one of his men brought in a small box. Owen took it, opened the lid and showed her what was inside. A syringe filled with a powerful sedative. “We‟re going to have a little talk, Ms. Allen. After we finish, you can decide if you wish to help me, which will benefit you and your brother greatly, or not. And I must inform you, if you chose to not, well then things might get a bit ugly. **** Blaine leaned against the mantle of the fireplace, a cigar in his mouth, a drink resting on top and his friends gathered around him. His mind, he thought, should be on the letter and what Joann told him and what Owen might be up to. Instead, he thought about Shyla and how he was starting to feel for her. Things were changing and changing fast for him. “You‟re too quiet, man,” Devon said. “Am I?” Blaine took a drag blew the smoke out but didn‟t turn around. “Why would she lie to you?” Dane asked, tossing the letter aside. He was the last one to read it. “Why do any of us lie?” Darius tossed back. Blaine didn‟t have to look over his shoulder to know that Dane was watching Darius closely. For the past few days Darius has made himself as scarce as he could and the others were starting to wonder as to why. “What you thinking, Blaine?” Devon asked. “I‟m thinking that Owen is planning something.” He pulled his cigar out of his mouth, tossed it into the fire and turned around to face his friends. “He‟s working on something only I don‟t have a fucking clue what it is.” “But what is the gut telling you?” Devon asked again. “To keep Shyla as close to me as I can,” he answered, pulling out another cigar from his pocket and lighting it. “Can you really do that?” Dane asked this time. “I mean, you don‟t want to keep her locked up here. Hell, that‟s like her being in the Compound still.” “Then what else would you fucking suggest I do?” Blaine snapped, 119

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

his anger surfacing faster than what he could control. “Let the bastard get his hands on her? He‟d tear her apart, just like Joann.” “Excuse me, sir.” Randal walked into the study with a package in hand. “This just came for you and the boy said it was very important.” “Thank you, Randal.” Blaine took the package and ripped it open. He stared down at a cell phone. He flipped it open and the thing instantly dialed a number. “Hello?” “We need to talk.” Owen! “What the fuck you want, Owen?” Blaine growled the words and held the phone so tightly he feared it might crack under his fingers. “I want to meet and talk. We really do need to talk, Blaine, don‟t you think? And since I didn‟t have your phone number, thought I‟d send you a phone so we can chat.” If he didn‟t know better, Blaine would‟ve swore he heard humor in his voice. “I think you need to go back to whatever shithole you came out of.” Owen laughed, “Blaine, you never seem to disappoint me. But do trust me this one time when I say we need to meet face to face. Twenty minutes in the field behind the Compound, and please make sure your friends stay home. I hate unexpected guests.” The phone went dead and Blaine lost his control, throwing it as hard as he could against the wall. “Care to share that?” Devon asked. “Owen,” Blaine barked. “Playing his fucking games again.” Blaine didn‟t bother with the guys anymore. He stormed from the study, rushed to the stairs and went up two, then three steps at a time. He needed to talk to Shyla, needed to assure himself that she was fine and would stay put until after this meeting Owen demanded. “Shyla—” He went into the bedroom only to stop dead in his tracks. She wasn‟t there and something felt off in the room as well. He went to the bathroom, opened the door and nada. “Mr. Cedric!” Sally‟s yell brought him back out to the hallway. She was running up the stairs, waving a letter in her hand. “Sally?” “Oh, my God, Linda!” Sally huffed. “She‟s done something. Oh, Lord help us all!” Sally handed him the letter, which Blaine quickly read. Mr. Cedric, I’m so sorry. Owen Paterio kidnapped my brother, forcing me to drug Mrs. Cedric and bring her to him. I feared he would kill my brother if I did not do what he wanted. I’m so sorry. 120

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Linda “That motherfucker!” Blaine yelled, fisting the note in a ball, throwing it away. Blaine didn‟t look at Sally. He went around her, ran back down the stairs and right out the front door into his waiting car. He sped away, tossing up gravel behind him. **** “What the hell was that?” Darius rushed to the window, flipping back curtains, watching Blaine take off like the gates of hell were on his ass. “Blaine‟s leaving.” “What?” Devon snapped. Darius turned away from the window as Devon and Dane rushed to it. He yanked the door open just as Sally came down the stairs, a wrinkled piece of paper in her hand. “What happened?” he asked her. “It‟s Linda,” Sally huffed, clearly out of breath. “She helped that Owen guy take Ms. Shyla.” “God damn-it!” “He had her brother and threatened to kill him unless she helped.” “Argh!” Darius turned and went back to Devon and Dane in the study. “Owen has her. Blaine just went to meet him. Fuck!” “How the hell did he get her out of the house?” Dane asked. “I don‟t know, but we need to find him and fast,” Darius said. “Lord only knows what that dick will do to Blaine.” **** Blaine passed the wet grass waiting for Owen to show up. His anger boiled over. He didn‟t like getting fucked over. Owen had the upper hand and Blaine had no clue how that happened. Lights shined in the dark, got closer and blinded Blaine. He brought his hand up, shielding his eyes while the car pulled up, stopped and the back door opened. Owen stepped out looked around and his hand went up to his tie. No one else got out of the car with him. “Where is she?” Blaine asked. Owen smiled at him. “No hello? Here I thought you had some manners, Blaine.” Blaine reached behind his back, pulled out his hand gun and cocked it, aiming for Owen‟s head. “Where the fuck is my wife, Owen?” Owen made a tasking sound, shaking his head. “How rude.” Blaine didn‟t see the men behind him or the bat that went up in the 121

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

air, landing right behind his legs, knocking him down to the ground. Another hit to his arm, the gun went flying. Kick to the ribs, and he gasped for air. “That‟s enough,” Owen said, stopping the beating. “He isn‟t useful to me all beat to hell.” One more kick to his gut and the men backed away. Blaine tried like hell to catch his breath. Each one he took a sharp pin needle pain hit him. “Help him up now.” The men took hold of his arms, jerking Blaine to his feet, holding him tight and steady. Owen came up to him, a smile on his face. He looked Blaine up and down. “You had asked me what I wanted so now I‟m going to tell you. My son. I want the son you stole from me, Blaine. Bring him to me, and I‟ll give you your wife back.” “I don‟t have your son,” Blaine gasped. “He died with her.” Owen grabbed Blaine‟s chin roughly. “We both know that is a load of bullshit. You see, I looked into it. Call it the only wisdom my father ever gave me. Never trust anyone that might be a friend, and never trust some bitch who says she‟s pregnant. So you see, back then when Joann told me she was pregnant I didn‟t believe her, because after all, she was going to marry you.” He shoved Blaine‟s face away, wiggling his finger in the air. “Then I thought about it. Our one night together could have, and if she was having my child then I wouldn‟t need to get married and do all that shit for my heir. She did it for me,” he laughed. “She aborted it and died!” Blaine tried again. “You killed her that night, so she killed it.” Owen struck hard and fast. He hit Blaine in the face, busting his lip open. “Let‟s try this again, shall we? I want my son, and you‟re going to get him back for me. Is that understood?” “You‟re out of your mind!” Blaine lunged for him, or tried to. It got him another hard hit to the gut. “I‟m going to break it down even more for you.” Owen tapped a finger on his lips, a small grin in place. “You have twenty-four hours to locate and bring my son home to me. If you don‟t, then I‟m going to keep your wife and,” he shrugged. “Have her give me a replacement.” Again Blaine lunged, only to be stopped by the two holding him. So Blaine decided to try a different tactic. “Owen, I don‟t know anything about the kid. When I got there, Joann was dead. I don‟t know if the baby lived or not.” This time Owen backhanded him. “Lie to me again, and I‟ll make damn sure the trip to my son is harder. Find her father, find my son.” He nodded to the men, and one stuck him in the arm with a needle. “Time‟s 122

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

ticking, Blaine. Don‟t piss what little of it you have away.” Blaine felt light headed and his body heavy. The two holding him let him go and Blaine dropped to the wet ground face first. Everything began to spin and getting up or keeping his eyes open, seemed to be an impossible task. With blurry eyes, he watched Owen and his men walk away, back towards the car. They got in and drove away. Somehow, Blaine managed to get his phone out of his pocket. Rolling to his back he fought the drug and dialed a number. Which one of the three he called, he had no clue. His eyes were dropping. “Blaine! Blaine, where the hell are you?” Was that Darius or Devon? “Field, Compound,” he rasped out. “Help me!” and then he lost the fight. Everything around him went dark.

123

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Fourteen Shyla woke slowly, feeling drugged and heavy. She brought up her hand to her face and had one hell of a time holding it up. It felt like it weighed a ton. But what had her jolting herself awake fully was the simple fact that she felt like she was naked under the thin sheet. Her eyes opened for her, she sat up in the bed, sheet to her chest, and gaped in shock. The bedroom she happened to be in wasn‟t hers. Dark wood walls and furniture. The bed she was on rose high off the floor and had two steps to ease going up and down. Then the door opened and in came a large woman with something light sliver draped over her arm. “Good, you‟re awake,” she said, walking in like she owned the place. Shyla watched her go over to a door, open it, showing Shyla the bathroom. “Your presence has been requested to join Mr. Paterio for dinner. Put this on. I‟ll be in the hall.” Shyla took the silver silk from her. A long sleeveless dress with matching strapped heels. The woman nodded, turned and left, closing the door behind her. Slowly Shyla got out of the bed, went into the bathroom and used the toilet. She splashed cold water on her face, clearing the sleepiness still in her eyes. She dressed, slipped into the shoes and took a deep breath, opening the door. True to the woman‟s‟ word, she stood out in the hallway waiting on Shyla. Shyla followed her down a short marble white hallway, down marble steps and around a corner to a formal dining room. A man sat at the head of the long table, drink in hand. His cold eyes followed her as she moved, taking the seat to his right that another woman held for her. “Thank you, Janet,” the man said. The woman nodded, turned and 124

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

left. He put the glass he held down on the table and smiled at her. “I must say, you are very lovely. Silver looks very nice on you.” “Who are you?” she asked. He made a motion with his hand and two men came out with trays in their hands. They placed both trays in front of them and took the lids off. Shrimp bowls with sauce. He took the tail of one, dipped it and brought it to his mouth. Shyla watched his every move, not touching the food in front of her. “You really don‟t remember me,” he said after wiping his mouth with a napkin. She shook her head. “Pity. I never forgot you.” Then it dawned on her, and her gut dropped. “You‟re Owen,” she whispered. He smiled. “See, you do remember me.” He put another large shrimp in his mouth before waving to the servant to come and get the plates. “What do you want?” She could barely get the question out. Her hands shook with her fear and her stomach rolled. “My son,” he said, picking up his glass, taking a drink. “See, I know for a fact that Blaine knows where he is.” The servants came back out, put plates in front of them and once more took lids off. “Ah, beef wellington. One of my favorites.” Steak wrapped in a pastry, cut in half sat on her plate. Next to it, creamy mashed potatoes and some vegetables. A small crystal cut bowl held a dark brown sauce that Owen poured over his meat right before cutting into it. “You really should try and eat something,” he said. “I would hate to tell Blaine that you got sick because you refused to eat.” “I‟m not hungry.” “That‟s a shame.” Again, he wiped his mouth and reached for the wine glass. “I heard you enjoy steak. Wellington is very nice and tender.” “Are you going to hurt me like you did Blaine‟s fiancé?” Owen‟s arm stopped about halfway up to his mouth food. The fork went back down to the plate and his eyes, no longer friendly, turned to her. “She was never his fiancée. Joann belonged to me. I simply reminded her of this fact.” Shyla swallowed hard. “You mean you hurt her.” Again he smiled at her, but didn‟t deny or admit he hurt Joann. Shyla sat there watching him eat his meal, touching nothing. Once he finished, he motioned for it to be taken away and the final course 125

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

brought in—dessert. He ate that as well, nodded and pushed away from the table, tossing his napkin over the now empty plate. Her chair was also pulled out for her and she knew without a doubt she was to follow him into the other room—she soon saw—a library. Owen sat down with a loud sigh. “You really should‟ve tried the food. The cook outdid himself tonight.” “It wasn‟t the food, but more like the company that stopped me.” She moved to the far end of the table, sitting down slowly, keeping her eye on him. Owen laughed, “You know I didn‟t think you had the fire in you. But I can see that time with Blaine put some in. Good,” he nodded. “I would hate to have you timid all the time. Make things boring around here.” A servant brought in a tray and served coffee into cups, then crystal glasses filled with ice and liquor of some kind. Owen went for the coffee first, picking up the cup, sipping it. “What are you using me for?” she asked. He finished his coffee, put the cup back on the tray and then took hold of the crystal glass with the liquor. “It‟s very simple. He wants you back then he‟ll get my son back.” Shyla crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. “Somehow I doubt anything with you is that simple.” **** “How‟s he doing?” Devon asked Darius the second he opened the door to Blaine‟s study. Blaine called Devon. Within five minutes of getting that call the three of them were in the car speeding down the roads, heading to the field behind the Compound. They got there just as Owen pulled away, leaving Blaine out cold in the grass. Beaten some and drugged, it was enough to have Darius wanting to put his hands around that fuck Owen. “Out still,” Darius answered. “Doc said they drugged him pretty good and he should be out for most of the night.” “Great,” Dane groaned. “Now what?” “Now I go and get Shyla,” Darius said. “Whoa!” Devon held his hands up. “Just hold on there. What makes you think you‟re going to go and get Shyla back while Blaine is held up in that bed?” “I owe him one, that‟s why.” Darius had a small stare off with Devon. “For Makayla?” Dane snapped. 126

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Darius tried like hell to keep his face masked of all emotions, but he couldn‟t stop it fast enough. He lowered his eyes just enough for Dane and Devon to see, confirming it. “You fucker!” Dane lunged at him. Devon grabbed hold of him. “Calm down,” Devon said. “The fuck I will!” Dane jerked out of Devon‟s hold and pointed a finger at Darius. “Makayla isn‟t one of your fucking toys or one of the girls for this God damn town to play with. She‟s off limits. End of story.” “No one‟s off limits,” Darius tossed back. “And don‟t stand here acting all high and fucking mighty when you had Samara summoned so you could have her!” he finished with a yell. “Knock it off, both of you!” Devon exploded. “Now isn‟t the time for this shit.” “It never is when it‟s about someone else.” Darius glared at Dane, turned and started out the door. “Where the hell you going?” Devon called out. “Away from here.” “Darius, this isn‟t helping shit!” Devon yelled, going after him. “Let him go, it‟s what he does best,” Dane tossed. “Fuck you, Dane,” Darius snapped. “No, fuck you!” Dane yelled back. “This shit is just like when we were kids. You wanted something and when you couldn‟t have it you went away pouting like a fucking bitch.” Darius lost it then. He turned and once Dane got close enough he hit him as hard as he could with his fist, knocking Dane down to the ground. “Go to hell.” “Stop it!” Devon yelled, getting between the two of them. “Now is not the time to start turning on each other. Blaine needs us to be together, not fall apart here.” “I was going to come to you when the time was right,” Darius huffed. “To give you all the heads up, but now I‟m not giving you shit.” He breathed hard in his anger. “You want to be a bastard about this, then fine. I‟ll be just as much of a bastard as you. And when I‟m ready to have her, she‟ll be mine!” “The fuck you will!” Again, Dane lunged towards Darius only to be stopped by Devon. “I‟ll keep her out of his fucking town forever if it means keeping her away from you. You won‟t destroy her like you have every other woman that‟s crossed your path.” “And you did nothing?” Darius frowned at Dane as if he lost his 127

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

mind. “We all fucked around, used them and left them.” He pointed a finger at Dane. “And you were there! Don‟t start acting like you‟re the only one here who has changed. We all change, Dane. All of us!” “And we‟re all falling to shit!” Blaine yelled. He leaned against the stair railing, face white. “You look like hell,” Devon said. “Feel like it,” Blaine sighed. “Can we please deal with one mess at a time?” Dane gave Darius a dirty look before turning and heading back into the study. Darius stood where he was, hands on hips, waiting for Blaine to come down. “Let me do my thing and find her,” he said to Blaine before the man reached the bottom step. He had his head down, staring at the floor. “This is my fight.” “Bullshit!” Darius looked up then. “We do this together.” “Yeah, I can see just how your togetherness is going.” “Blaine, he‟s more dangerous than what you think,” Darius sighed. “I don‟t think you‟re up to handling him with that damn drug still in your system.” Blaine shook his head. “I‟m not going to give him Joann‟s kid.” “Never said you should. I‟m saying let me deal with this. I owe you that much.” “You don‟t owe me shit.” Blaine made it down to the last step and sat down, breathing hard. “I didn‟t smooth crap out with Dane. He figured it all out before I could smooth it over. If anything, I owe you.” Again, he shook his head. “I can‟t let you get dirty over my mess.” “I‟m already dirty.” And dead inside. “Keep your phone close and make sure he hasn‟t found the kid already. I‟ll call you once if find her.” “Darius!” Darius turned and walked out of the house without a backward glance. **** “Shit!” Blaine mumbled, standing back up. He swayed on his feet, went into the study and slammed the door. “He went after Owen.” “Dumb fucker is going to get himself killed,” Devon said. “Good!” Dane snapped. “You should‟ve told me man.” He pointed his finger at Blaine. “Tell you what exactly?” Blaine glared back. “He hasn‟t done anything, and as far as I can see isn‟t going to do anything we three haven‟t done already!” He went over to the table with liquor and poured 128

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

himself a large glass of brandy. Drowning half of it he turned and went over to his desk. “Are we supposed to turn our backs on one of us just because the right girl for him happens to be close? Come on, Dane. You owe Darius a bit more credit then what you‟re showing him now.” “She‟s my sister,” Dane said. “She‟s your wife’s sister,” Blaine corrected. “And for the record I don‟t think she‟s that opposed to someone claiming her sister either.” “Not Darius.” Dane shook his head. “Not him.” “And why the hell not?” Devon put in finally. “Do you really think he isn‟t good enough for Makayla?” “I can‟t believe we‟re having this conversation right now,” Blaine groaned, rubbing his face. “Look, you need to get your shit together. No matter what strings your grandmother pulled to keep Makayla out of the Compound, she has the same chance of being summoned. If Darius pulls that off then good luck to him.” “You can‟t be serious!” Dane said. “Yeah, I am. If you didn‟t get your hands on Samara, and he got Makayla first then we‟d all be having this conversation about you instead of him. So for now, stuff a sock in it! I have other shit to deal with and I need you all to have my back, including Darius.” “Fine, but this shit isn‟t over with,” Dane said. “What do you need us to do?” Devon asked. Blaine rubbed his face, patting himself down looking for a cigar but finding none. “How about getting me a damn cigar. Randal!” he yelled. Within seconds the man came in. “Where the hell are my cigars?” Randal looked strangely uncomfortable. “Well, um, sir, you see—” “What?” Blaine snapped. “Ms. Shyla asked us to remove them all.” Blaine stopped searching and looked over at Randal. “Huh?” “She said that they made you taste bad, and left an odor on your clothing. We removed them all and she told me to not get you anymore.” Dane and Devon both snickered loudly. Blaine didn‟t know what to say. All he could do was stare at the man as Devon and Dane burst out laughing. “It has begun,” Devon said between his laughing. “And it‟s great to be here when it did,” Dane added, also laughing still. “You all suck, and I want my cigars,” Blaine said, standing up. “Go out, get me a few. I think under the circumstance I can have one or two.” “Um, yes, sir,” Randal said. 129

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Hurry up then. I need to find Shyla and I‟m already pissed at the word.” “Right away, sir.” Randal turned and left the study quickly. “You really shouldn‟t take it out on the man,” Devon snickered, his laughing stopping. “He‟s only doing what he was told.” Blaine made a „humph‟ sound, sat back down and brought out a thick leather book from the middle drawer. “I do find it funny though that she took the cigars away. I kind of thought it as his trade mark in a way,” Dane said. “After all, you never did see him without one.” “Are you two finished?” Blaine looked up after he found the page he was looking for. “Yeah,” Devon smiled. “What you need us to do?” “Devon, I would love it if you would go out and find Darius. Since we can‟t stop him, help him find out where Owen is staying. It‟s going to be something big, he loves living the high life.” “What‟re you going to do?” Devon asked. “Call Mr. Simoncic, Joann‟s father, and give him a head up that Owen knows about the boy.” Blaine called and got a shock. Mr. Simoncic left word that if Blaine called he was to come immediately. Refusal out of the question. Devon left to find Darius and Dane getting in the back of the car with Blaine to go and meet up with Joanna‟s father. For the past fourteen years, Blaine had not only supported Joanna‟s father and her child. He kept them well hidden, yet close at the same time. The drive to the house in which he‟d purchased for them only took a few hours. He also paid for the child‟s education and last he knew his grandfather sent him to a boarding school as far from Treece as he could. “Please tell me you have a funny feeling also,” Dane said once Henning‟s turned into the drive. “Yep,” Blaine said, looking out the window. The whole house was dark. Only one faint light from an upstairs room shined, breaking up the spooky feeling around the place. A maid greeted them at the front door. “You must be Mr. Cedric,” she said. “Mr. Simoncic is waiting for you. Please follow me.” They followed her into the house, up some stairs and into the room that had the light. Blaine hadn‟t stepped foot in this home, or seen Simoncic in fourteen years. The years hadn‟t been kind to Robert Simoncic. At one time, he‟d 130

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

been a man one didn‟t fuck with or try to pull shit over. Now he appeared like a broken man, staring into a dying fire, waiting for his time to end. His silver hair was slicked back from his face, a heavy blanket draped over his shoulders and an air tank rested right next to him with that mask in his aging hand. The moment Blaine got close to the fire, Robert opened his eyes. “He knows, Robert,” Blaine said. “As does my grandson,” Robert rasped out, his voice sounding as frail as his body looks. “It‟s time for you to stand up and do what Joann wanted. Time for you to take the boy. Finish what I‟ve started.” Blaine looked at Dane, keeping his mouth shut. “I‟m dying, Blaine,” he sighed. “Nothing more anyone can do. I need to die in peace and need to know he‟s going to be well taken care of, not shipped off or used. You owe her that.” Blaine took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Yeah, I owe her that.” Robert extended his hand with two envelopes in them. One of them he knew right off was another note from the grave. A letter from Joann. “She wrote you up two, but only gave you the one. I think she knew you would send the boy here. This other one here is my will. I‟ve already called up at the school for you to go and get him. The staff has packed his things up. They should be loading them in your car now.” “Robert, I—” “You tell me you‟re sorry again and I‟m going to slap you with my last bit of strength!” He began to cough and when Blaine made a move to help him Robert waved him off. “I know you loved her. Now love him, please. Do this and be forgiven.” Again he started coughing which had the same maid who showed them in come rushing back in, going to Robert. Blaine made a motion for Dane to follow him out. They left the room, leaving Robert to be tended to. True to his word, the boy‟s stuff was being loaded up his car with things. “Now what?” Dane asked. “You going to get the boy?” Blaine turned and looked back up at the window. He thought about it for a few seconds before shaking his head. “No. I‟m not going to get him just yet.” “Okay, then what are you going to do?” “I‟m going to find Owen and kick his ass. After that, then I‟ll go get the boy, with my wife.” 131

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Dane smiled. “Okay then. Let‟s go kick some ass.” Before they got back into the car, Blaine looked Dane in the eye. “About this Makayla thing.” Dane rolled his eyes. “Can we have this conversation later, please?” Dane got into the limo and Blaine smiled, following him inside. “We have a long drive back home.” “Don‟t make me hit you again.” “I‟m only saying.” They began to argue about it, which helped to calm Blaine down. He didn‟t want to go to Owen angry and pissed. If he did that, then Owen would have the upper hand. He needed to get Owen off guard, so while he rattled Dane‟s chain over the whole Darius and Makayla thing, he also thought up a plan. One that he hoped Owen wouldn‟t see coming. “Hold that thought.” Blaine raised is finger up, silencing Dane from his ranting. Pulling out his phone he called home. “Randal, I have a job for you. One that you need to have done by the time I get home. It‟s very important.”

132

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Chapter Fifteen Nicolai Simoncic sat in the large leather seat in front of the Dean, who sat behind his desk. Hands folded together, he waited quietly, as did the Dean, for the ride which was due to come for him any moment. His grandfather called him, told him that today was the day he would be leaving for his new home. For the past fourteen years, his grandfather told him the story of his birth, his mother, and about the man that should‟ve been his father. And for those fourteen years, Nicolai listened and hungered to meet the man his mother loved with all her heart; according to his grandfather. Nicolai also knew about the circumstance of his birth. He knew the name of his real father, and knew the story that went with it and the lie his mother tried to attach as well. He wasn‟t stupid. He knew he was a mistake, but his grandfather told him long ago that sometimes a mistake can turn into the greatest gift ever. Nicolai was his gift and nothing would ever change that. Nothing but time. His grandfather was dying. Lung cancer. It tore Nicolai up inside. Unable to sit any more, he stood up and went over to the window, the Dean saying nothing to him. He kept telling himself that he knew this day would come, yet the change and move scared him to death. The phone on the desk buzzed and Nicolai jumped. “Sir, he‟s here.” Nicolai didn‟t turn. He heard the Dean get up from his desk, heard him move to the door and open it. Muffled words exchanged followed by the door closing. He knew someone was with him, but couldn‟t seem to turn to see who. **** Blaine changed his mind halfway back to the house about going and 133

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

getting the boy. He had Dane dropped off to help Devon and instructed Henning to take him to the boarding school. Now he stood in the Dean‟s office, looking at Joann‟s son for the first time in fourteen years. Nicolai Simoncic had a lot of resemblance to his father, Owen, but Blaine could see a lot of Joann also. One thing for sure, with Joann being a blonde, and Owen dark head, Nicolai had dark brown hair. His build was all Owen. Just being only fourteen, Blaine could tell that the boy would be tall and have a large build. Being in a boarding school, Nicolai not only had to keep well dressed, but his hair had to stay above the collar. Shoes were shiny, pants pressed, jacket starched, he appeared to be the gentleman that he knew Robert raised him to bed. Now what to say to him? “Nicolai, I‟m Blaine Cedric.” “I know who you are.” He turned to them and Blaine got the shock of his life. The boy had his mother‟s large blue eyes. “My grandfather told me all about you.” “You have her eyes,” Blaine whispered, shocked to his toes and unable to move. Nicolai smiled. “So my grandfather has told me.” Blaine stayed rooted to the spot and Nicolai came up to him. He extended his hand and Blaine took it. “It‟s nice to finally meet you.” “Same here,” Blaine said. “So am I to now be moving in with you?” “Guess so.” Nicolai nodded and backed up a couple steps, arms crossing over his young chest. “Is he looking for me?” “Robert said you knew the story.” Blaine looked hard at the boy. “He figured out that the story I laid out was a lie. So yes, he‟s looking for you. In fact, he has my wife. Wants to do a trade, you for her.” “And you‟re considering this.” “Hell no!” Blaine barked. “I‟m sorry,” he rushed out. Taking a deep breath, Blaine got control over his anger. “Owen won‟t get his hands on you. I‟m here to make sure that a very good friend of mine comes and takes care of you. You‟re going to go with him.” “You mean hide? “That‟s just what I mean.” “He‟s that dangerous?” “Oh yeah.” It took him less than ten minutes to have Nicolai in the back of the 134

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

car with Darius. Blaine stood at the steps, watching the car leave, making sure the boy left the school safely. He trusted Darius, knew he‟d make sure the boy stayed safe. He held a small piece of paper with the address to where Owen was staying. Blaine didn‟t look at it, his eyes were still fixed on the fading brake lights to the car. Mind still on Joann‟s son. Joann, I’m sorry. Only when he couldn‟t make out the car did he look down at his hand and read the address. Fisting the paper once more, Blaine turned and went back to his own car. For the trip out there, he drove himself, leaving Henning home. Alone, Blaine got into this car and pulled away from the school to have his face off with Owen. He drove fast, going through traffic lights, stops signs and passing anyone that might be out this late. His whole focus was on the road ahead that he didn‟t see the truck bearing down on him, not until the headlight blinded him from the side and the crash came. The crash happened fast. Glass and metal hit him in the face, the leg, and his side. His car took a skidding ride to the side of the road then flipped up in the air, turning a few times before coming down hard. The slam down knocked out what little air he had in his lungs. He could hear people moving around him but couldn‟t see. Blood covered his face and he couldn‟t open his eyes. “I got him,” someone said. He heard the side door being forced opened. Crunching of metal, bending and forcing. Rough hands jerked him from his seat, pulled him from the car and dragged him away. “Hurry up before the damn cops show.” “You carry him then. This fucker is heavy.” Blaine opened his eyes just enough to see a trunk open and someone tossed him inside, closed it and the car pulled away. Wherever they were taking him, the ride sucked. Not just because he was in a trunk but because his damn body felt like hell. He had no clue what might be broke but he knew something had to be. He must‟ve passed out. Blaine jerked back away when the truck opened and brutal hands grabbed hold of him. Someone yanked him out of the truck, dragged him into a house, up some stairs and into a room, finally shoving him onto a sofa face first. “Blaine, Blaine, Blaine. I thought we had a deal.” “Owen, you fuck!” Blaine yelled, ignoring the pain in his body so he could sit up and face the man he hated with a passion. “You were supposed to bring my son to me, not give him to your 135

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

little piss ant friend,” Owen went on. “Where is she?” Blaine asked, wiping the blood from his face so he could see Owen. “Where is my wife!” “In her room of course, waiting to see what you were going to do,” Owen smirked. They were in a seating room, one that didn‟t have much furniture. There was the sofa upon which he sat, wooden chairs and a desk. It all looked to him like a house where the things had been sold off. That had Blaine quickly thinking about something he had heard a long time ago. Owen got cut off by his father. Another girl ended up pregnant, got an abortion because Owen not only refused to marry her and accept the responsibility for the child, but he didn‟t claim it was his. After the abortion her family went to his, informing his father that this wasn‟t the first time Owen used a girl from a good family. His father disowned him then, leaving him only what his mother had and the rest to any grandchild Owen might be unlikely to have. Which made all the sense now to Blaine. Owen needed Nicolai in order to get a hold of the family money. Without the boy, Owen would be broke, or, from the looks of things, not as rich as he used to be. “You sold your shit to ruin me, didn‟t you?” Blaine stated. “And it didn‟t work, but you‟re still broke. The deals you took fell through, didn‟t they? And now you need the boy to get your hands on your father‟s money.” He shook his head. “Guess you should‟ve asked yourself why I didn‟t jump on them when I had the chance huh?” “Smart. I always knew you were smart.” “He left it all to Joann‟s son, didn‟t he?” Blaine laughed. “He found out about the boy before you did and left him everything!” Now Owen didn‟t look so smug. He brought out his cell phone from the inside of his shirt pocket, handing it to Blaine. “Call your friend and have my son brought to me.” Blaine also sobered up. “No.” Owen narrowed his eyes and snapped his finger. One of the guys that brought him in was still there. He went to the door, opened it and jerked Shyla inside. “Blaine!” she cried out, twisting out of the brute‟s hold, rushing to Blaine, only Owen stopped her. Blaine‟s gut dropped when Owen brought a gun out. “I‟m tired of playing this game with you, Blaine. Because of your friends, I‟ve lost my businesses.” 136

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“You mean the kidnapping and whoring of young girls,” Blaine spit blood out of his mouth onto the floor. “You‟re sick if you think that was a business. You‟re nothing more than a slaver, and it was a pleasure to put you out of business.” Slowly, he stood up, swaying on his feet. Pain in his body intensified but he ignored it. “You‟re father caught on finally about you, just like everyone else in this town will. Joanna was right to keep him away from you. She knew, even as she lay there dying, what kind of monster you were.” Owen put his arm around Shyla‟s throat and held the gun to the side of her face. She paled, blue eyes getting huge in her fear. “Joann never knew, but you will. Make the call, or I‟ll take her away from you, just like you took Joann from me.” “I never took Joann, you did!” He pointed a finger at her and yelled, “You killed her the night you forced her.” Shyla did the unexpected. She bit Owen‟s arm so hard he yelled and let go of her. Blaine used that distraction. He lunged at Owen, shoving him up against the wall, fighting to get a hold on the gun. It went off, Shyla screamed, and Blaine got distracted by taking a quick look to see if she got shot. That distraction cost him. Owen hit him in the side, the same spot where the car hit him. The blow knocked the wind out of Blaine, giving Owen the upper hand. “Blaine!” Shyla screamed right before Owen landed another blow to his side. A kick followed that hit and Blaine went down. He heard the gun cock and looked up as Owen took aim. “No!” Shyla screamed again. Blaine saw her move towards Owen. It felt like everything stood still and moved in slow motion at the same time. She lunged at Owen and he backhanded her hard, knocking her down. Blaine used that distraction to also rush Owen. Once more they struggled for the gun and this time it went off. The two of them stood still, staring at each other, shock on Owen‟s face. But it was Blaine who dropped down to his knees, both hands going to his stomach, blood filling his hands. Just as he fell back and Owen came over him, gun pointed at his head, the door busted open. “Freeze! Police!‟‟ Owen turned—not only his head but the gun on the many police that were charging into the room. That turn of his arm sealed his fate. At least five, if not more, shots went off, each landing in the chest of Owen Paterio. He went down hard, feet away from Blaine. 137

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Blaine, oh god!” Shyla cried out, coming over him, her hand going to his, the other over his forehead. “Someone help, please!” “Shyla,” he breathed out. “Don‟t you leave me now,” she sobbed. “Please, no. Someone help!” “Lo—lo,” he couldn‟t get the words out. “Blaine, Blaine, stay with me. Do you hear me!” she yelled in his face, her tears hitting his cheek and nose. “Blaine, stay with me, please. I love you. Don‟t leave me alone, please!” The world faded, darkness closed around him. He could hear Shyla, see his body, felt nothing. He watched the people in the room, some going over to Owen, more coming to him. Two paramedics showed up, rushed up to him and pulled Shyla away. She screamed. “We need to get him to a hospital,” one of the paramedic said. “We‟re going to lose him.” “No!” Shyla screamed again. “Get the gurney in here! We need to move him stat!” Blaine looked up from his body and there standing in the corner was Joann. She looked like an angel. Her blonde hair flowed around her, the white dress also flowed and her sweet face was so innocent it tore at him to even have to look at her. “I lost the pulse.” “Blaine!” Shyla sounded so desperate, so lost, but he couldn‟t tear his eyes away from Joann. “It’s not your time, Blaine.” He heard her speak, but didn‟t see her mouth move. “Go back to her. She’s your love, not me.” “Stopped breathing, CPR.” Once more he looked down at his body, then back up to the corner and Joann was gone. In a rush he was back in his body, felt the pain. “He‟s breathing.” “I‟ve got a pulse.” “We need to move him, now.” **** She was so numb, she didn‟t even remember how or who brought her to the hospital. She sat in a chair, a blanket over her shoulders and a hot cup of coffee untouched in her hands. In the waiting room with her were Devon, Kera, Dane, Samara, and Darius with a boy named Nicolai, and the small staff Blaine hired. Dane‟s grandmother was also coming and with her, Makayla. News spread fast in town about Blaine getting shot and Owen 138

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Paterio being the one who shot him. It also got out fast about Owen‟s trafficking of women and the kidnapping of Shyla. Shyla only heard maybe half of the things Owen had done to this town, and to some of the young girls. She couldn‟t listen to it, didn‟t want to know. “Mrs. Cedric?” Shyla snapped out of her daze and stood up. The doctor came in, looking tired and worn. How long had they all been there, waiting for news on Blaine? “Your husband is stable, but in critical condition. He‟s lost a lot of blood, but I do think in a couple of days he should stabilize and be just fine.” Shyla let out a sigh and he smiled at her. “The bullet did some damage. Maybe a few minutes longer and you would have lost him. This was close, very close.” “Can I see him?” she whispered, fearing what he might say. “Sure, but only for a few minutes.” Shyla followed him back into the surgery area. On a bed lay Blaine, with many machines hooked up to him. She covered her mouth to stop herself from crying out. Her hands shook as she reached out for his, and the second her fingers touched his, he closed his hand around it. She looked at his face, Blaine opened his eyes, turning his head, meeting her eyes. “I love you, Blaine Cedric,” she told him softly. “You‟re my fairy tale come true.” His eyes lit up and the corner of his lips tugged in a grin. A very faint „ditto‟ left his lips right before his eyes closed again. Shyla leaned in, kissing him on the forehead and released a much needed sigh of relief. Blaine was going to be alright. She didn‟t lose him, she still had him. He stayed in the hospital for one week, and would‟ve a bit longer if he didn‟t act like such a grump. With everyone‟s help, Blaine went home and a big dinner for them all was being planned by Sally. At home, Shyla found him alone, leaning against the wall, staring out the window with a drink in hand and an unlit cigar in his mouth. “I thought I had Randal get rid of those things,” she said, coming into the room, closing the door behind her. “You did, I just got more.” Right off she felt it. Distance between them. It had been showing its ugly head after he woke up fully and instead of the distance getting smaller it only grew having her feel like a guest in the house, not a home. 139

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

Normally she wasn‟t the kind of person to poke. In all her years at the Compound she did what was told or expected, but now things felt like they changed and she couldn‟t hold back what was on her mind any longer. “Blaine what‟s wrong?” “Wrong?” “Yeah, since you‟ve come home you‟ve been distant. You don‟t even touch me or kiss me, nothing. I feel like you‟re pushing me away.” He took a deep breath, finished what was left in his glass, and turned his head towards her. “Have I?” “You know damn well you have,” she huffed. He smiled. “That‟s the first time I‟ve ever heard you swear.” “And that‟s the first time I‟ve seen you smile in weeks.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Is it because of what I said?” He frowned at her and she shrugged. “I‟m sorry if you feel uncomfortable with it. But I‟m not going to take it back. I love you. I don‟t know when it happened, it just happened.” “What‟s going on with me has nothing to do with what you said to me,” he sighed. “Then what‟d I do?” Her chin quivered, the tears threatened to come but she refused to give in to the weakness of crying. “You didn‟t do a thing.” He pushed away from the window, went to the bed and sat down. Shyla couldn‟t stop herself from rushing up to him, going down to her knees between his legs, holding him. “Then talk to me, please. I don‟t understand.” “Neither do I,” he sighed, rubbing his face. “Shyla something happened to me when I got shot, something I can‟t explain.” “Try.” He took a deep breath, his eyes going around the room. “I think I died, Shyla, after Owen shot me. I think I died and saw Joann.” She stiffened, couldn‟t help herself. “And she made me come back. Come back to you.” His eyes landed on her and she shivered with the amount of emotions she saw in them. His hand reached out, knuckles grazing her cheek. “I love you, Shyla. Only you.” Shyla smiled, tears falling down her face. “I love you.” She bit her lip, looked at the door and got up, rushing over to it, locking it. Feeling like a little girl she went back to him and down in the same spot. “I want to do something. Something I‟ve heard Kera and Samara talk about.” 140

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“Honey, I don‟t think we have the time for that if they all are coming over here in about an hour.” “Oh, I‟m not talking about that.” She reached up, yanked on his belt and had the zipper down, cock free in seconds. “I‟m talking about something very different.” He hardened in her hands. “Well, maybe we should—” She didn‟t let him finish. She opened her mouth, took the head in and sucked down as much of his shaft as she could. “Holy shit!” She heard the girls talking about doing this and how and Shyla took mental notes. She sucked him hard, pulled at the flesh, teased the underside with her tongue and moved in a lazy slow motion. He tasted good, very good. A wildness she couldn‟t put to words, didn‟t want to. Up and down, harder she pulled, more she took, and Blaine panted, moaned, fisted his hands into her hair, bucking under her. “Shyla, I‟m not going to last very long, I swear it,” he groaned. She moaned her pleasure and he swore again. Faster she began to move, flicking her tongue quickly. Another thing she had heard them say was that when doing this massage of the sac between his legs, and when you feel him tense, put a finger into him. It would drive him nuts and heighten his pleasure. So Shyla did that. She reached into his pants, cupped his balls and massaged them while she sucked on his cock. “Fuck me!” Blaine moaned. “Shyla, I‟m going to come.” She moved a finger back, found the spot and pushed her finger as far into him as she could. Blaine yelled, pulled at her hair and came. She drank him, took each and every drop he had to give and pulled more until the swelling went down. When she released him he flopped back on the bed, breathing hard. “Where the hell did you learn that?” Licking her lips she crawled up over him and smiled. “I heard Kera and Samara talk about it. So I wanted to try it, and I do have to say I like.” “Baby, so do I.” Darius didn‟t show for the meal. Dane, Devon, their wives, Berdina and Makayla all showed. It was fun, light and relaxing, the meal heavenly. Around midnight everyone left and Shyla pushed Blaine up the stairs for bed. She saw he was very tired, but wouldn‟t say so. In bed, snuggling up against him she knew without a doubt he was still away. 141

Tales of the Forbidden, Book 3, Forbidden Innocence ~ Jaden Sinclair

“What are you thinking about?” she finally asked. “Darius,” he sighed. “What‟s wrong with him?” “His desire is going to bust up his friendship with Dane.” Shyla raised up, looking down at Blaine. “He wants Makayla, doesn‟t he?” “Yes.” “Do you think he‟ll get her? I mean, she isn‟t in the Compound and Berdina seems to have the power to keep her out.” “He might,” he sighed. “Darius also has power in this town. If he wants her bad enough, he‟ll have her.” **** Darius stood in the driveway of his home with a contractor right by his side. “Are you sure about this?” the man asked. “Yes,” Darius said. “Tear it down. I want the new house built within the year just like the plans state.” “Do you know how much this is going to cost?” “I don‟t care. Just do it.” The contractor nodded. “It‟s your money. It‟ll be done within the year.” Darius nodded, turned and walked away from his home. The next time he planned to step foot on this ground would be to see a new home with a new life.

142