End Game Read online

  “You needn’t know much, truthfully. My father apparently knew very little as well. My sister is in a state of despair because he left nothing to her. She’s no saint, but that was a very hurtful thing he did to her.”

  I watched Jillian’s dark eyes widen through her glasses and her perfect mouth dropped open. “Why would he do that? She is his daughter.”

  I shook my head and my brow creased. “His reasoning doesn’t make sense, but there is not a damn thing anybody can do about it now. The man is dead.”

  There was a pause of silence and I noted the deep expression of concern all over Jillian’s face as she studied me through the screen.

  “When will you be home?” She finally asked as that beautiful mouth curved into a soft pout.

  “Soon. Very soon, my love… and then I will really show you how much I’ve missed you.” My lips curled into a wolfish grin at the thought of cuffing her to the bed and tormenting her body with delicious pleasure. It pleased me greatly to watch her pale cheeks become crimson from my suggestions.

  “You look like you’re feeling better. Did you go to the doctor?”

  “They had no open appointments, but mom and Aunt Mel made me some soup and I’m feeling so much better today,” she smiled.

  “I’m glad to hear it. I still have some legal matters and business agenda to take care of, but I anticipate I will be returning to the States sometime next month.”

  Jillian was obviously delighted and her face lit up a little more.

  “I’ll have to fill you in on everything else that has happened as well, when I get back. Hopefully it won’t be much longer than a month.”

  “Oh good. I have something I want to talk about, too.” She answered as she raked a hand through her wild, dark auburn waves.

  Something suspicious hung in the air with those words, and my jaw instinctively knotted. I arched an eyebrow as I gazed at the screen. “What is it?”

  Jillian noted the expression on my face and the tone of my voice, and she scrunched her nose. “It’s about the wedding. I decided I want to have the wedding in the church where my parents were married in Brooklyn. What do you think about that?”

  I relaxed, and didn’t realize how rigid I had become in those two seconds until I exhaled. Thank fuck. I had a deeply rooted fear that she had been sick for another reason, and then when she said she wanted to talk… Bloody hell.

  “Of course, darling. As I said countless times before, everything you want. Just tell me what to wear and I’ll be there.” I flashed her a charming grin and she rolled her eyes, but smiled.

  ****

  The following evening was an eventful one- for everyone else. I stood beside my typical post at an event like this. With a crystal tumbler of scotch in one hand, I surveyed the scene. My family’s home was brimming with London’s elite. They smiled in my direction and paid double the attention, now that I was head of my family’s name. I politely nodded in their direction, but couldn’t give two fucks about them or this event.

  This was another bloody benefit, yet this one was marked in my late father’s honor. Truly, it was just another excuse for the rich to show off their wealth and for the elite to parade their status. I downed the scotch in my glass and winced from the burn, but the sensation was delightful. The eyes continued to linger on me, coming from all directions. From across the marbled ball room, I watched my mother converse with Piper and Zara. They each held flutes of champagne, although none of them sipped from the glass. Jackson was not to be seen this evening.

  My eyes continued to absorb the scene as I sensed a gaze upon me, although the feeling was not due to paranoia. Keenly, I glanced up toward the banister of the balcony, which jutted out just above the rounded bar station.

  Three men, all dressed in the most expensive tuxedos money could buy, were staring down at me. They whispered amongst one another, and then gave me a nod. The man in the middle, with salt-and-pepper hair, raised his champagne flute to me. I recognized these men, although I had not seen them in quite some time. During my frequent visits to my father’s London office, the front man with salt-and-pepper hair was often seen exiting as I was entering. We had never been formally introduced. I didn’t care for the way he smiled down upon me from the balcony, but I passed this feeling off, and blamed it on my already-sour state of mind.

  With a polite nod, I acknowledged the man silently, before I knocked my last round of scotch back, just as Zara approached me. I sensed her glance upwards briefly, in the direction of the balcony, and then she leaned in and whispered very quietly. I could barely hear her above the music.

  “Those are old business associates of father’s. That man in the middle is Mr. Wei. Be very careful. He’ll look for anyway to put a man in his pocket. I think he’s the one who killed-”

  I held up my hand to stop her, and she paused mid-sentence.

  “Watch what you say, Zara. You play a dangerous game with spreading rumors like that.” My voice was hushed as I whispered to my sister, but my tone was sharp and laced with warning. Every person in the corporate world knew about Jian Wei; How could they not? The man established a multi-billion dollar gambling empire in all corners of the globe, and there had even been speculation that he was involved in questionable and immoral means of getting what he desired, although nobody has ever been able to provide evidence from such rumors. Over the years, I brushed those rumors off as fabricated, exaggerated stories. Even I had been guilty of blackmail, slander, deceit and manipulation as a means to an end. Of course, it was dirty business, but I have yet to meet a saint in the corporate world. I gazed up and caught Wei’s subtle smile one last time, and then he disappeared from balcony, with his men in tow. I had a strong feeling the man would be meeting with me very soon.

  At that very moment, I felt my mobile vibrate within the inside pocket of my tux. Jill’s message lit up the screen and I couldn’t mask my smile.

  Jill: I love you and I’m thinking about you! Xxx

  Of course, I thumbed a reply to her: The things I’m going to do to that sweet little body when I see it… be warned.

  Immediately, my mobile alerted me to her response, but I pocketed the device when I noticed my mother approach. I closed my eyes momentarily, attempting to conceal my irritation. There was only one reason why she would approach me at this event. The woman has been persistent in trying to pair me with the banking heiress, Aislinn Meadows.

  “I just had a lovely chat with the Meadows. Did you realize that Aislinn is graduating Oxford this Spring?” This is my mother’s not-so-subtle attempt at casual talk and match-making.

  “Brilliant. Good on her.” I wished I had another refill of scotch in my hand at this moment.

  “You really should go talk to her, darling-”

  “I am already engaged. Do not call me your darling.” My hiss was low and left absolutely no room for an argument.

  The woman sighed. “Truly, I thought you were going through some rebellious phase when you gave that woman your grandmother’s ring. You cannot be serious. You cannot possibly have a future with that woman.” Now she was sounding like Zara. Christ.

  “How can you possibly marry a woman whom you are embarrassed to be seen with in public?”

  I understood that my mother was not trying to argue my decisions, but she was treading on dangerous ground at this moment. My blood boiled in my veins.

  I turned to look at her sharply; my nostrils flared, and she took a step back. I didn’t give a shit whether other guests were witnessing this.

  “I do not conceal her, nor am I embarrassed to be seen with her. She will be my wife, whether or not your impractical and irrational standards approve of her. I do whatever is fucking necessary to keep her protected, even from the likes of you. What could Jillian possibly gain from hearing your subtle, arrogant insults during this time of mourning?” I piqued my brow at her as I challenged her to answer me adequately.

  As I suspected, she had no reasonable response. “I will keep your lavish lifestyle s
upported, as long as you adhere to my terms. I don’t think I need to explain them further.” Silence followed. Despite my hushed threats, the few spectators who had gathered were also silent.

  “Good evening, Mother.” I left the scene, rigid and ready to combust. The sooner I left London, the better…

  The waltz of music within the ballroom was nothing more than a blur in my ears as I stormed from the charity event. I thought of the woman staying with her family in Ohio, most likely wearing a Led Zeppelin t-shirt and listening to Pink Floyd at this moment…

  As soon as this mess is settled, I’ll be returned to her. I gave myself this silent reminder as I exited the building.

  I pulled my mobile from my inside jacket pocket and read her waiting text message.

  Jill: I’ll be ready and waiting, Sir.

  My lips twitched into a slight smile. Her words alone caused my anger to dissipate and during the car ride back to my flat in Soho, I thought about the last time I touched her…

  2: Jillian Pryor

  Mason: You’ll certainly address me as Sir when I have you cuffed on West 87th Street.

  I read Mason’s text message as I walked down the sidewalk in town with my cousin, Allie. I sucked on my lower lip, as a wave of heat washed through my body. I couldn't even begin to imagine the possible ways he would have me bound and cuffed. It had been so long since he took me to the apartment on West 87th street. Mason and I had been having this sexy text fest back and forth for the last few days. His time zone was currently six hours ahead of mine. He knew I was going to be out with my cousin during this time, and I imagined him lying in bed looking at his cell phone with that half-smirk he often gave me just before he tore my underwear off my body.

  Oh, yes please. I sucked on my lower lip as a crackle of energy rushed through my body and settled within my panties. I kept my eyes on the commanding message he sent, and I couldn’t stop thinking about his blazing, intense stare. Tingles settled within my core as I pictured his handsome face, and those strong hands, caressing my body-

  “Jilly, hurry up!” The fifteen year old walked at a fast pace about ten steps ahead of me and I blushed when I remembered that I was not alone with my phone.

  The stomach virus was long gone and I was feeling so much better these days. I agreed to take my teenage cousin dress shopping for her school dance. It was going to be a brand new experience for me- dress shopping with an energetic fifteen-year-old. Mom and Travis didn’t have money for me to have brand new dresses for school dances, and so I usually didn’t go to my school dances. I remember that I pretended to be sick or that I had a huge project due for school. Now, Allie wanted my advice while dress shopping.

  Allie chose an armful of dresses and sported a fashion show, just for me. As she slipped behind the curtain to change, my mind drifted to Mason.

  His latest message had my mind reeling. I couldn’t stop thinking about our last time together, the last time he touched me...

  One month previously...

  On the night we learned of his father’s accidental death, Mason was radiating with intense sexual energy. He held me so tightly in the foyer of his penthouse and I was prepared to hold him all night if that’s what he needed from me. I knew there was so much turbulence going on within his mind and I was going to give him whatever he needed.

  He stepped away to gaze at me, just before his cell phone vibrated. His jaw knotted tensely as he reached into the pocket of his black pants.

  “Yes.” He answered someone tersely. His light brown eyes flickered toward me for a split second, and then he turned away as he spoke into the phone. “It’s settled. We should be arriving in Cleveland at six in the morning. I’ll be heading to Heathrow straight from Ohio. Yes…”

  Mason turned and gazed at me again, before his expression contorted while speaking into the phone. “I don’t know how long I will be in London. There is a lot to handle, but I need you to keep on eye on things while I’m gone.”

  I watched him listen intensely for a moment. “Right. We’ll discuss when I return. Ciao.”

  He ended the call and exhaled deeply. “Everyone is in a tizzy now that my father is dead…”

  I nodded. He didn’t need to explain anything to me. In fact, I was expecting his phone to blow up with incoming calls from the company and from his family. Still, there was something very dark about him as he stood there with blazing eyes and knotted-white knuckles. It was like he was teetering on the edge of a cliff.

  I moved my hands up to caress his face, but he caught my wrists with a single grasp. Holding my hands above my head, he directed me toward the bedroom.

  “We leave early in the morning, but tonight, you’re mine.” His voice was hoarse. He kept a single grasp on my wrists while his other hand gripped my shoulder and walked me down the hall.

  Once inside the bedroom, he stopped me just at the end of our bed. My hands were freed once his fingers raked over the curves, leaving a trail of tingles from my breasts down to my hips. I was ready to hear the tear of silk, but instead the light trail of a zipper greeted my ears. The cool air clashed with my heated skin as the dress pooled around my ankles. He turned me to face him, and my breath caught when his lips crashed down on mine. His lips were smoldering, sending a fire straight to my core. His hands gripped my hips possessively. So possessively, and his lips never left mine as his tongue enveloped mine. The passion was consuming. I caressed his handsome face with both hands as his teeth lightly pulled on my lower lip.

  “God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered.

  I stared up into his gaze, as I caressed his face again. His eyes were intense, stormy, but held something special just for me. Firmly, he grasped my forearms with both hands, and threw me against the mattress. I landed on my back lightly. His eyebrow quirked upwards, ever so slightly, as he admired my body. His fingers grazed my skin as he pulled the thin black silk of my panties down my legs. Then he prowled around to the side of the bed, never taking his eyes off my form. My body was wired with anticipation as I watched him admire me.

  I opened my mouth to say something but he suddenly gripped both hips fiercely and flipped me onto my stomach. I gasped from the sudden turn-around. His grip remained on my hips as he positioned my ass into the air. My whole body flamed with nerves- the pleasurable, tingling kind that comes when I’m left anticipating, in a vulnerable state.

  “Good. Stay just like that. Don’t move.” His rich, sultry British voice hung in the air above me. I sensed him undress, and I knew I was soaked. I sucked on my lower lip, waiting for his command.

  I felt him position himself against my ass, between my legs. His fingers trailed up and down my bare back, and against the sides of my breasts.

  “Aren’t you going to tie me up?” I asked in a blurt.

  He said nothing at first, and I only felt his stern handprint against my left cheek. “I can’t be bothered with ropes and ties right now.”

  I gasped from the light sting his hand left on my heated skin. My body writhed a little more from the contact.

  “What was that for?” I asked.

  His fingers dug into the skin on my hips. “I saw the way you looked at me earlier tonight. Do not ever question how much I love you-”

  His hand bared down on the other globe of my ass and I gasped. “And that, my dear, is for questioning me at all.” Without another word, he thrust into me and I whimpered in pleasure.

  “Mm. Fuck.” He whispered hoarsely as he pushed into me deeply. I could feel every inch of him on every nerve-ending within my body. I dipped my head lower, overcome with pleasure, combined with the force of his thrusting. He gripped my hair and held my head upright as he continued pumping in and out, in and out, going so deep. Then suddenly, he pressed my head down into the mattress and picked up the pace. I felt every inch of his length drilling into me. His hand held me down, pinning me between my shoulder blades.

  “You’re mine- you understand that?” He demanded gravelly.

  I was overwhelmed, gaspin
g and moaning. How can anyone think to speak during a time like this? My toes curled from the pleasure, but he tugged sharply on my hair.

  “An answer, Jillian.”

  “Yes- yes, Sir.”

  He continued his pace, never letting up, filling up every inch within me until I felt the exquisite build-up of pressure and I came undone. I moaned his name into the pillow and he continued to fuck me through my orgasm. I clenched around him repeatedly and he nearly collapsed on top of me as he released. I felt his breath heavy on the back of my neck as he took a few minutes to collect himself. A few minutes passed and I listened for him to catch his breath.

  “I love you, Mason,” I whispered, reveling in the tingles that still spread between my thighs.

  I could feel how much calmer he was now, and he planted soft kisses between my shoulder blades, on the back of my neck and the area behind my ear. “I love you, my Jilly Bean. There isn’t a damn thing I won’t do for you.”

  That night, he held me as though we would not see each other for a long time… The more I thought about him, the more my heart ached. I missed everything about him- the intense, yet tender way he gazed down at me, the masculine but clean scent of him, the way he held me, the way he-

  Present Day…

  “How does this look?” Allie appeared in front of me, flashing a slinky red dress that had a high slit up to her thigh. It was enough to tear me away from my sensual memory. The material clung to my fifteen-year-old cousin’s body. The cleavage was extremely low.

  You have got to be kidding me.

  “I really think I like this one,” Allie turned and admired her reflection in the mirror. She fluffed her blonde hair as she vainly admired her own reflection. I couldn’t believe this girl. I knew my Aunt Mel would buy her the dress just to shut her up, but I am not Aunt Mel. Most of the dresses Allie tried on were questionable for a school dance, and I talked her away from each one, but this dress topped them all.