Prince's POV*

 "Thank you, Prince, but  I usually have to wait till summer to be less pale. I try and get somewhat of a tan so I don't have to use a darker foundation or powder on my face.," I reply and realize I don't sound a bit convincing. He steps closer to me and brings his hand back up on my face. I look into his eyes and see concern.

"That's just it, Grace, you are what's considered a natural beauty. Your skin is flawless, other than the bruises you have on it, and don't even try to tell me nobody is hurting you, I know better. I know there is no possible way you got that horrible black eye from falling out of the shower, and the bruise I saw on your arm last month was shaped like fingers, like someone had a death grip on your arm, and I already why you have that darker foundation on your face.  Grace, I want you to wash off all the make up you have on your face, and don't tell me you're fine, and don't tell me you ran into a door once I see the bruise on you cheek, cause I already know that's why your wearing the darker foundation and powder," I snap and step back waiting for her to wipe off the make up.  Her body begins to slightly shake and I feel myself becoming angry, not at her, but because I know why she's looks so scared.

"Prince, please, we don't have time. I need to start the Christmas dinner, and I,-" 

"And you are more important than a damn Christmas dinner, Grace.  Look at me," I snap and gently place my hands on her arms. Her tear filled eyes look up at me and her body trembles under my hands.

"Prince, please. Your guest are going to be here soon, and I have to finish cooking," her trembling voice replies. I lower my head till my forehead is next to hers. She surprisingly grips my hips almost as if she doesn't want to let go of me and to keep me here comforting her.  Without even realizing what I'm doing, I wrap my arms gently around her and pull her trembling body next to mine. Every instinct in me is screaming at me, not to let her go, she needs you, and you need her. I pull back and gently place my hand on her neck, and she instantly stops trembling. Her hands still have a death grip on my hips. Her beautiful eyes look up at me and for the first time, I can see the fear is gone.

"Grace, do you trust me?" I asked her. A slight smile forms on her beautiful face and she steps towards me. Instinctively, I step towards her and I once again, lower my head. Our lips are barely touching.

"Yes, Prince, I do trust you, and believe me, trusting anyone doesn't come easy for me," she whispers and places her hands on my chest.  My hands grip her soft neck and this strong force takes over and I press my lips on her hers.  I find myself being as gentle and as compassionate with her as I have ever been with anyone else. There isn't one single part of me that wants to hurt her, scare her, make her feel uncomfortable.  Before we both even realize it, I now have her against the wall and her hands are going up under my shirt. My hands are gliding down her waist and her legs.

"Oh god, Grace. "

"I know we shouldn't be doing this Prince, but it's been so long since I've felt like,-"

"Like what, Grace?" I asked her and lift her chin forcing her to look at me."

"Like anyone has wanted to be with me," she replies and I kiss her again. I do want her and I do have these strong desires when it come to her, but there is still that big part of me that is so afraid to open my heart to her.

"Prince," she whispers as she feels me gently biting her neck and my hands squeezing her tits. I am so lost in her soft body and her intoxicating lilac body scent, my hands lift her black skirt up around her waist and her hands rips my shirt open.  As I look down at her, that's when I see the bruise on her cheek. Her make up is fading from the heated passion between us and her bruise is very visible. I instantly step back and her confused eyes look at me.

"Prince, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" Her concerned voice asks me and I feel a rage building inside of me. I bring my hand up to her bruised cheek.

"No, Grace, you didn't do anything wrong. But, I can't do this. You have already been hurt, and don't tell me you're fine, cause I already know you're not fine.  This bruise on your cheek is telling me something is very wrong, and someone is hurting you. I know you don't want to tell me the truth, but I can't be apart of hurting you even more. If I let this happen between us, I will only end up hurting you even more, and I can't do that.  What I will tell you is this, you have got to get yourself away from whoever is beating you, hurting you, and I am more than willing to help you get away from them. You said you trust me, I really need you to trust me when I say, if you don't leave him, he's going to end up killing you."

"Prince, I, it's not that easy. You don't understand why I can't leave him. All I can tell you is, I'm not the only who's involved," she says and I'm standing here wondering who else is involved."

"Grace, there's someone else involved? Who else is involved? Is he hurting someone else, someone you know?"

"Someone I know, and someone I love very much. I can't just walk away from him, or,-"

"Or what, Grace? Tell me, you can trust me with anything. Let me help you get away from him."

"I'm sorry, Prince, but I can't. Look, if you want to end this, whatever this thing is between us, fine, but I have to do whatever I need to do not only to protect myself, but to protect her."

"Her? Who, her, Grace?"

"Prince, there you are. I am so happy you invited me," Linda cheers and she walks over and kisses me. I look at Grace and it looks like someone just kicked her in the gut. She walks over to the island and grabs some pots and pans.

"Dinner will be ready in about an hour, Mr. Nelson," she says with tears in her eyes."

"Grace, I never meant to hurt,-"

"Come on Prince, show me your bedroom. I want to see your new bed," Linda says as she grips ahold of my arm. I look back at Grace and I can see I've already hurt her even more.

"Prince, and Linda?"

"Hi, Jerome. Prince is about to show me his new bed."

"Is he? Prince, damn it, I need to speak to you...In private."