CHAPTER 24: UNTITLED IV
After the previous business call had ended, Jared remembered that he still had some family business to settle with his brother so he dialed him up again. James picked on the first ring.
"Yes, Jared, what is it?"
"About our father thriving on chaos James", Jared felt he should address that issue first.
But with one look his brother gave him, Jared shuddered and swallowed his next words. He still couldn't come to terms with the fact that his brother James always called their father by his name. Even him feared their father, but this brother of his was indeed very fearless seeing he was also on par with their father. It wasn't always like that, the resentment and lack of respect from James, until their father had lost all respect where James was concerned.
"No more mention of Higgins here Jared, i said nothing wrong."
Jared swallowed. "Ok. Noted." while they discussed, Diana opened the study door and walked in with a tray in her hands.
Across the room, Diana set down the tray on James' desk with a sigh. "Since you'll be working late, I brought you tea and biscuits."
James glanced up, his eyes lingering on the tray, then flicked to Diana. Her nightgown, the same pale blue chiffon monstrosity, snagged his gaze. He scrunched his nose, irritation flashing across his face. "Why are you still awake?"
Jared stared at the blank screen, the echo of his brother's voice ringing in his ears. "Sister-in-law over here!" He exclaimed.
"Jared!" Diana cried in surprise when she heard his voice.
"Oh shut up Jared", James cut in on their conversation before Jared took it far. He even went as far as ending the video call.
On Jared side, he blinked at the blank screen and smirked, So, even the mighty James had his insecurities.
He turned his gaze back to Diana and repeated his question, "why are you still awake?"
Diana ignored the edge in his voice. "Worried about you," she said, placing her palms on his desk.
"By the way, why did you end the call?" Diana continued.
"I don't want you talking to him so he does not spoil you".
Diana laughed, mainly at the indignant way he said it. "He just wants to chat, James. Relax."
James' jaw clenched, but he took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he met hers. "He shouldn't be bothering you."
"Well, You will be surprised by the amount of things i actually know". Diana blurted.
"Oh yeah?" James asked cocking a brow at her.
Diana swallowed and backed away from his table. Enjoy your snacks am going to sleep now.
Before she could get to the door, she felt a hand draw her back. She twirled from the effort and fell into his embrace shrieking in the process. Diana looked up at him and noticed that his eyes had heated up.
The tension in the room crackled, thick and heavy. Diana felt her heart skip a beat as James held her closer, his eyes burning into hers. She remembered that look, the heat it promised...the same heat that had tried to devour her on their wedding night. She suddenly felt her heart throb painfully against her chest.
"James what are you trying to do," Diana asked albeit fearful.
James swallowed. He really wanted to devour her now starting with this dreaded night wear of hers but he held himself back when he saw the fear on her face and quickly let her go, turning his back away from her.
Diana felt a sense of relief when he let her go but also a sense of loss. She panicked. Was he angry at her? Did he think she was scared of him? Diana bit her lip and encircled her slender arms around his waist from behind.
James growled out her name warningly but she still did not let go. Then he barked, "Diana let go now or else...". She only flinched a little and held on to him rather tightly.
This darn woman will be the death of him James thought. He turned to face her and grabbed her chin, then his lips pressed down on hers forcefully biting and sucking at the same time. Diana felt pain on her lips but she tried to respond nevertheless and opened her lips to him.
It wasn't until James felt her cheeks were damp did he calm down and release her. He looked into her eyes and noticed she was crying he felt guilty and mentally kicked himself hard. He used his thumb to swipe her lips and discovered blood from a corner of her lips.
"I'm sorry" James said, his voice laced with every bit of regret.
Diana nodded and held his hands that were on her face. "I'm sorry too she said".
"For what?" James asked her.
"Earlier before now when i wouldn't let you touch me, you thought i was scared of you well its not because of that. You don't know but my first kiss was taken away by you at the altar so am still a virgin at 23. I know, Diana bent her head feeling sorry for herself. You can laugh if you want to".
James raised her chin and the cloud in his eyes disappeared his eyes became clearer as he looked at her, "you should not be ashamed of it".
"I know but i can't help it. When i was only 15, a boy i used to have a crush on had tried to rape me. I fought him off with all the strength i had, but i couldn't beat him or put him off me. Luckily for me, my brother Jackson found me just in time. If it wasn't for his timely intervention, i would have become a mother by now. So since then, I've been wary of the opposite sex.
Well this explained some things James thought. Why that particular brother of hers was overly protective of her than the rest of her siblings and also why she had reacted the way she did on their wedding night. James eyes darkened again at the fact that one stupid boy would have raped her before this time.
"What about now Diana, what do you want? James asked. I mean if you haven't gotten over the trauma i can very well understand and am willing to wait".
Diana looked at him for awhile without blinking, "it's a big relief talking to you about this James, but i don't think i want to wait either"
James felt his heart leap in his chest as he smiled. He carried her bridal style and walked towards their bedroom.
"Don't you have work?" Diana asked him.
"Work can wait, but this can't".
Authors Note: This is the first time for your author to write a s** scene, so please don't judge and read kindly with an open mind😊