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

you’re bloody ashamed of yourself.”
    Something flickered in Val’s eyes. “You’re right. I am uncomfortable about using you like that.”
    â€œThen find someone else. I’m sure Madame could help you.”
    â€œI hate other men touching me.”
    â€œThen what does that make me?”
    Val’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “My problem? I can’t let you kill yourself with opium, Peter.”
    â€œYou’re the one who is always lecturing me about taking responsibility for oneself, and not relying on others, so why can’t you just let me make my own choices?”
    â€œBecause—” Val looked away. “I can’t.”
    Peter had to put down his cup before it shook itself out of his hand. He needed to get away from Val and his moralizing and find his own personal salvation.
    â€œI need to go out. If I promise not to steal from you or your father again, will you give me the key?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou can’t keep me here forever.”
    â€œCan’t I?” Val replenished his teacup and sipped at the steaming brew. “Helene knows that we are here and has promised not to interfere. She is the only one with a key. I left a note for my father explaining I would be absent for a few days, so I am quite free.”
    â€œThis is ridiculous.” Peter tried to laugh. “Come on, Val, let me out.”
    â€œNo.”
    His hands clenched into fists. “I need—”
    â€œI know what you think you need, Peter, but you are not going to get it. Now why don’t you sit down and talk to me, or if that doesn’t appeal, go back to sleep?”
    â€œDamn you!”
    Val ducked as Peter threw his cup straight at his head. From what he’d been told, he was in for far worse than Peter losing his temper, but he hadn’t expected him to lose it so fast. It was yet another example of how addicted his friend was to opium. Helene had peepholes set in the walls that meant she could check in on them at regular intervals and send help if necessary. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Peter looked far too weak to put up a fight against anything, but then addicts were notoriously good at getting what they wanted and deceiving those around them.
    He set his jaw and bent to pick up the pieces of the cup while Peter paced the room, trying the door once more and then the two windows that looked out over the mews.
    â€œDid you have these boarded up?” Peter asked.
    â€œWith Helene’s permission, yes.” Val shrugged. “We didn’t want you smashing through the glass and hurting yourself.”
    â€œThis is ridiculous!”
    Val ignored him and finished his tea. He had made sure that there were no metal implements on the tray before placing it on a table near the door. Peter watched his movements like a stallion scenting a mare. Without saying anything more, Val resumed his seat by the fire and opened the morning paper. When he sneaked a look at Peter he found his friend had returned to bed and lay slumped against the pillows.
    There were no clocks in the rooms at the pleasure house. Val checked his pocket watch and silently groaned. It was late afternoon. Helene had said she would check with him every two hours to see if he needed anything. He suspected it was going to be a very long day, and that he and Peter had a very long way to go.

    Peter woke up and stared uncomprehendingly up at the ceiling. His mouth was dry and he was nauseous. He rolled onto his side and the whole room revolved with him and everything went black for a moment. He blinked hard and stared at the fire in the grate, steadying himself with that familiar sight. What in God’s name was wrong with him? In an instant it all came back to him. Val locking him in the room and refusing to let him out until he did—what?
    Promised to give up opium—that was it.
    He narrowed his eyes and focused on the fire again, aware that