Cruel Games Read online

  CRUEL

  GAMES

  BY

  ELAINE MAY

  DEDICATION

  To all you girls out there who have ever been wronged

  by a naughty boy and wanted revenge.

  This one is for you.

  I hope you enjoy

  Xx

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Whether you’re an avid reader of mine or not I just wanted to say that I had so much fun writing The Truth Series, especially Harry’s story. I loved it so much -Ayria really did give him a run for his money and I loved every moment of it. So much so that I had to see what else could happen in the type of scenario where you have a woman scorned. There was so much more that I imagined, that I wanted to say, and before I knew it there was a new couple and they had their own story to tell you. As an author I just had to go with the flow and there are parts that you may find similar to Harry’s story but hopefully you’ll see it for what it is, another beautiful love story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, I’ve loved every moment of it. Xxxx

  ‘There is never a time or place for true love

  It happens accidently, in a heartbeat, in a

  single flashing, throbbing moment.’

  Sarah Dessen

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are strictly the product of the author or used fictitiously. Any similarities between actual persons, living or dead, events, setting or locations are entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  A Note from the Author

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty One

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek

  Unworthy Prologue

  Chapter One

  Other Books By Elaine May

  About the Author

  Acknowledgements

  PROLOGUE

  SUMMER 2006

  “Are you sure about this?” It’s deathly silent as I nod my head, no one else is here except us and my young heart starts to gallop with excitement. He looks at me with that stare that has always managed to plough through all my senseslike a damn tank. I want to crawl into his arms and stay there forever. We’ve had so many ups and downs but he will always be my Charlton, my one and only love. I’ll love him until the day I die. My heart starts to flutter as my pulse begins to thump inside every vein and every limb begins to feel weak.

  This could be it.

  I may be about to lose my virginity to the only boy I will ever love.

  My Charlton.

  My one and only love.

  “I’m sure.” I say with a shaky voice and he gives me a beautiful smile in return, a smile that says I’ve made his night. He’s made mine too but I can’t say it, I’m still so insecure. I take a long breath, this is it and my fingers start to tremble as I try to take off my own dress. The fabric kisses at my skin as it slides down my shoulders and past breasts that are now aching for something I didn’t even know I wanted till now,to fall down my legs to the floor. I step out of the puddle of fabric; my whole body shaking with nerves and need. He steps closer towards me, his lips feel soft as they meet mine, consuming me as his fingers start to run up my arm and my neck and then through my hair. A shuddering breath claims me as he deepens the kiss and I never want it to end. It’s just how I always imagined it. Perfect, just like him. His fingers reach my scalp, holding me in place with gentle hands as his tongue begins to dance with my own. I let him in and my body melts into his as if we are just one body and soul. His fingertips start to sweep down my neck, leaving a trail of lava in their wake until he reaches my breasts. My nipples are already standing to attention and I gasp into his kiss as he flicks and then pinches mysensitive nubs. Pleasure overload is all I can think of as he continues to claim my mouth and wreak joyous havoc on my nipples, playing my body like an instrument he seems to know so well. He shifts to get closer to me and as he does I can feel his hardness against my leg, he’s enjoying this just as much as I am.

  This thing between us isn’t just me.

  It’s him too.

  He feels it too and I just want to jump up and down with glee.

  He starts to lead me backwards towards his bed and I can feel my legs against it as he gently pushesme down.

  “You’re sure?” He asks me and again I can only nod my head in confirmation. I try to get myself comfortable as he stands before me in his naked perfection. He looks perfect, just how I always thought he would. A soft six-pack coats his stomach and as my eyes travel down his hips, they kiss his skin with a deep v where he stands waiting thick and proud for me.

  I never realised it could be that big.

  Will he even be able to fit inside me?

  My body starts to prickle all over. It burns up only for him as he starts to crawl towards me, my inner self crying out just for him. He’s on his knees between my legs and without warning his fingers travel higher up my leg until he gets to where no one else has been before.

  Will I be enough?

  Will I do it right?

  I try and swallow away my nerves as two of his fingers spread my lips wide and then I can feel the wet heat of his tongue as it runs along my heat before slipping inside. Electricity runs through me as I moan into the room. His thumb brushes my clit as his tongue keeps lapping up all the juices I can feel start to coat us both. My body becomes tight as a piece of rope as he keeps teasing me with each brush of his tongue. He is my master and I am the puppet doing whatever he wants me to and I know I don’t want it any other way. I can hear the dry rasp of my own breathing as my body starts to come down from the orgasm I think he has just given me. I’ve read up on them, my best friend has told me all about them, but no one has ever said how amazing they are. No wonder everyone else at school has been doing it for so long. My body just wants to collapse from all the pleasure he has just given me.

  Charlton really is amazing.

  “I’m not done with you yet, princess.” He whispers like a prayer. I try to move but he holds me back. My breath catches as he starts to ease himself inside me. My body screaming as it triesto stretch to allow him in. His breath tickles my skin as his head rests close to mine.

  “Are you ok, Noelle?” He asks as he tries to move as gently as he can, but the pain starts to melt away as the initial burn starts to diminish. My hips start to rock all on their own with every move he makes.His face comes close and he
starts a long slow kiss against my lips. I can feel my clit start to flutter as he begins slow strokes against it, it feels nice, it feels amazing as pain melts away into nothing but pleasure. His fingers stay on my clit as his hips know exactly how to move, making me moan more for him. Every now and then his face pulls away to look at me, to check I’m ok, sweat glistening his forehead but his lips come back.

  I feel the warmth of his body against mine.

  I feel the firmness of his chest against my softer one.

  The softest touch as his fingertips dance across my skin. He’s all over me and I’ve never felt more at home in my life and I have an amazing life.

  He’s making love to me.

  I love him and I always will.

  My one and only.

  ****

  I awake some time later within the confines of Charlton’s bed, his smell engulfing all my senses as I breathe him all in.

  I’ve just had sex with Charlton.

  I’m still in his bed and I feel exhausted. My core feels full and sore from where he made love to me.

  We made love.

  I have had sex.

  I move and reach my arm out to touch him, make sure it really happened, but he’s not there.

  Where is he? I suddenly realise how dry my mouth is and I decide to go downstairs and get some water and see if I can find him. I get dressed and try to be quiet as I walk down the hall and down the stairs. It’s getting lighter outside but it’s still early and I’m sure the party didn’t finish until a few hours ago, I don’t want to risk waking anyone up. I go into the kitchen and fill a glass of cold water before standing by the back door to get some air. I hear footsteps coming from the garden and then laughing before I hear Charlton’s voice. My heart starts to stutter in my throat as I hear his words. They take on the role of executioner as he ends the life I thought I knew.

  I thought he loved me.

  He’s never loved me. His twisted truth takes a hold of my heart, I can feel the muscle breaking apart inside my chest as more words spill from his lips.

  Lips that were all over me just a few hours ago.

  How could I have been so stupid?

  I have to get out of here.

  I can’t stay and be confronted by all their laughter and they’ll all be laughing, that’s all they have ever done, but I thought Charlton was different. Without looking back I storm out of the kitchen and then out the front door as tears start to fall down my cheeks.

  I love him.

  I loved him so much but I can see the finality to everything my stupid little crush had on my life as I walk away from him. Walk away from the only man I will ever love.

  CHAPTER ONE

  NOW

  Daddy has a tight hold of my hand. Every now and then I can feel him look down at me with a big smile on his face and then look at Mummy who has a hold of my other hand.

  The three of us.

  The three of us together, that’s what Daddy says, but as they both stride forward I find it hard to keep up and they don’t seem themselves.

  They seem worried about something.

  They’re on a mission and I can tell something important is about to happen.

  Daddy is very nervous, his whole body is tight.

  I think I feel nervous too, but I don’t know why. A man and a woman start to walk closer to us and I can see a boy and a girl with them as they come to a stop in front of us, like a line of soldiers suddenly standing to attention.

  “Mr and Mrs Williams it’s so nice to see you again.” Daddy says as he lets go of my hand and places both of his on top of my shoulders, pushing me out for display. What’s going on here then?

  My innocent mind thinks to itself.

  “This is my daughter, Noelle.” I can feel the hushed tones of the four adults and the lady and man opposite me smile down before looking back up at Daddy with smiles on their faces. I can see the boy standing in between his parents before being pushed in front of them like I was. He must be a little older than I am, I want to say he’s six maybe seven and that would make him a few years older than I am. I’m going to start school after our holiday and I can’t wait, I can make lots of new friends. The little girl smiles at me from where she stands in front of her Mummy.

  Why is Daddy making me meet these people? I’ve never met them before. I can’t help but notice how handsome the boy is with a suit on just like his and my Daddy have on, but I can tell he would much rather be somewhere else. I know what he means, I would much rather be playing but Daddy wouldn’t hear of it. He said we had to do something very important today, I thought we were going somewhere fun and this doesn’t look like too much fun to me. I keep looking at the boy, he’s looking at me and I take no notice of what the adults are saying, I’m just trapped in his hazel eyes. They are really hazel with bits of green and his lips look like they should be covered in the nicest pink lipstick there is but he can’t because he’s a boy. I feel my Daddy’s hands make a beat on my shoulder and I can hear the adults’ conversation again.

  “They will get married in twenty years’ time.” My father says as he pulls out a hand that the other man shakes.

  Married? Why would I want to get married, I’m only four, but as I look over to the boy I can’t help but think that if it was with him it couldn’t be that bad. He looks nice and his parents must have lots of money like my Daddy because they wouldn’t be somewhere like here. Yes, what could go wrong if I had to marry this boy, he could be my prince charming like with Cinderella.

  I wake up with a start, my heart thrashes against my rib cage and my sheets are wrapped around my shaking body like a snake waiting for the killing strike. I’ve had the same dream again, but I have no idea why. A dream that is based around a childhood that was perfect, perfect until a little boy came to ruin it. I was blessed with an amazing childhood, I was showered with the powerful love of two besotted parents. There was nothing I went without, I wasn’t spoilt and I knew I was the luckiest girl alive. The green eyes of mychildhood love consume me as I try to calm my breathing. I fell hard for the green eyes of the boy I once loved, all his perfect features that all became a lie. He forced me to take a step back from him and now he’s long gone. It was only a dream, there’s no truth in it and besides the boy in question broke my heart and tossed me to the side long ago.

  He’s long gone, I haven’t seen him for years but the hurt he caused comes alive inside me as if it were only yesterday. A crushing headache demands to make its presence known with all the memories that try to swirl and twirl inside my head. His words from the past reverberate through my heart, leaving it crushed in their wake. I haven’t thought of him for years but the pain he left me in is still as strong as ever. I feared there was nothing left of me, that I was the shadow of the girl I once was and I don’t think I ever got her back no matter how hard I tried.

  I haven’t been close to anyone else, there was only one man for me and he had destroyed me before we were adults. I had no hope so what was the point? We had been childhood friends but that meant nothing to him or so I learnt far too late. He spoke of his love and a future and his perfect face made me believe him, but it was all a lie, he took advantage of my trust and yearning for him. I wipe away a lone tear and then feel my bed dip and then the wet firm stroke of my dog’s tongue lapping at my cheek. I open my eyes and there he is, waiting for me like he does every day.

  My Sammy, the only male apart from my Daddy I can trust.

  “Good morning, my handsome boy.” I say as I wrap my arms around his neck. Sammy is a three year old black lab and I can still remember the day I got him. I had gone to my local shelter and there he was with his brothers and sisters barking away at anyone who walked past them, just begging for their attention. Someone had left the litter by the river like they were nothing but rubbish. My heart broke at the cruelty we humans could do. We could do wonderful things but we could also be the devil. I bent down on my knees to start playing with them and Sammy was the first to take small steps over t
o me, he took a couple of attempts to jump on my lap and as soon as he did he started to lick my face. His fur was so soft to touch and as I tickled his chin he started to bury his head in my neck.

  I fell in love that very moment and I knew he was the one for me. I gave a rather large donation and two and half weeks later I was able to take him home. Ever since then he has been with me pretty much all the time, Daddy wasn’t too sure the first time I brought him to the offices but he was as good as goldand he’s come with me ever since.

  Everything in my life is almost perfect. We lost Mummy years ago and it still hurts daily but for some strange reason as the years go by it becomes moremanageable. How can that be when the person who’s the glue to your family dies? She wasn’t supposed to die, she was too young and I was too young to be left without my mother. It wasn’t fair, but life rarely is. I still have my Daddy. I have anamazing loving father and our business is thriving. Daddy owns a department store in the heart of London. My great-grandfather on my Daddy’s side opened a department store just off of Oxford Street, we sell all sorts of designer products. Homeware, clothes, accessories, luxury foods and we even have an amazing beauty salon that does loads of treatments for the hair and body. You name it and our department store sells it. It’s gone down from father to son for three generations and one day it will all be mine and to say I’m scared shitless is an understatement; but it’s my family and I’ve learnt to go with it even if it feels like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders. I love working with Daddy but there is so much more that I feel I could do but I’m managing to get on with everything that’s expected of me. The whole of London seems to have expectations on me and I can feel them weighing me down, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I live a privileged life and expectations flow alongside it. I help Daddy to run the business of course, it’s what I have been groomed for, but I also do a lot of charity work too. I love the family business, it’s a legacy that has been brought to me through my family name, but sometimes I find it so overwhelming. I want to do the best, I want to make my family proud, but sometimes the overwhelming load upon my soul becomes too much to bear. I find it easier helping people, people who need help. Helping seems to reach my character, it seems to know me better than my own family legacy. I don’t like seeing pain and if I can help just a little bit then I want to do it, I have money, my family has money and I don’t want to hide behind it. Daddy is happy for me to help the business where I can and then spend the rest of my time helping different charities, Sammy sometimes helps too, he’s wonderful with the children and the old people. Daddy laughs every time I tell him that I took Sammy to the hospital, he thinks it’s silly.