Read Online Simply Pleasure by Kate Pearce - Free Book Online Page A

own keep. If you like, I’ll ask her to offer you a special rate when you get over your insufferably pompous behavior and want to fuck me again.”
    â€œYou’re certainly staying here for a while, but not as a whore.”
    â€œI’m not staying anywhere when you are in the same room. Damn you.” Peter strode over to the door and tried to open it. After a fruitless struggle he turned to Val. “Give me the bloody key.”
    â€œI don’t have it.”
    â€œI don’t believe you.” Peter advanced on Val, his hand held out in front of him. “ Give it to me. You have no right to keep me here against my will.”
    â€œIf I let you out, would you promise never to steal or lie to me again?”
    Peter widened his eyes and slowly blinked. “I’ll promise you anything you like.”
    â€œWhich is why I can’t give you the key.” Val sat down again. “I don’t have it anyway. Now, please have something to eat and calm down.”
    â€œI’m not hungry.”
    â€œTea, then.”
    Peter eyed Val suspiciously. It wasn’t like his friend to be so amenable.
    â€œAll right, if it will stop your nagging.”
    While Val poured the tea, Peter licked his lips and thought about the night to come, the places he would go, and the people he’d encounter who were just like him, eager to trade anything just for the promise of oblivion. When Val handed him the cup he was captivated by the shaking of his own hand that made the porcelain cup sing in its saucer like a trapped bird.
    â€œWhat do you want to talk to me about, then?”
    Val sat back. “I cannot allow you to steal from my father.”
    â€œWhy not? It’s not as if you like the man or anything.”
    â€œI don’t, but if you steal from him it undermines my plans for the future.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Val looked at him as if he was stupid. “Because I need his continued goodwill so that I can come into the Sokorvsky inheritance.”
    â€œAnd what’s that got to do with me?”
    â€œYour behavior reflects on mine, you know that.”
    â€œYou’re no saint yourself.”
    â€œI agree, but I don’t steal and lie.”
    â€œYou don’t have to. Your father would lie down and let you walk over him if he thought you’d forgive him for what happened on the ship. Dammit, he already does!”
    â€œHe’s my father.”
    â€œAnd he isn’t mine. I know that. If it weren’t for you, he would’ve kicked me out on the streets years ago. I’m a continual disappointment to him, I lead you astray.” He waved an airy hand at his best friend. “I’ve heard it all before, Val. I’ve tried to do and be what he wanted, but I never stood a chance really, did I? I’m an aristocrat’s little man whore and he’s never forgiven me for it.”
    Silence greeted his outburst and he glared at the other man. “Well?”
    â€œYou don’t have to be what he thinks you are. And let’s be honest, Peter, your behavior recently can hardly have changed his mind.”
    â€œBecause it was already made up. He tolerates me when you are around but when you’re not there?” He shivered. “He makes me feel like filth.”
    â€œSo you’re going to let him win? Let him define you?”
    â€œWhy not?” Peter shrugged. “I enjoy being a disappointment to him. I thought you did too.”
    God, he wanted a drink . . . Peter glanced around the room, but there was no sign of any brandy or any alcohol at all.
    â€œI don’t mind disappointing him,” Val said slowly. “But I don’t want to disappoint myself.”
    â€œWhat the hell is that supposed to mean?”
    â€œI accept who I am. I’m not ashamed of myself.”
    â€œYes, you damn well are.” Peter’s temper rose. “Every time you crawl back into my bed and expect me to let you fuck me,