Queen In Play (The Manhattan Tales Book 2) Page 5

  His eyes suddenly caught Elyse on the dance floor. At this point, she was dancing against another drunk brunette. Jackson’s gaze became fixated on her.

  The brunette who Elyse had been dancing with suddenly moved off the dance floor and joined a group of friends she must have accompanied. A random man suddenly began dancing with Elyse and she immediately moved away from him.

  Jax quirked a brow. “I see your friend is having a good time. Does she prefer women only?”

  Jillian nearly choked on the water she’d been sipping. Jackson was never one to dance around any subject, and his straightforwardness caught Jillian by surprise.

  “No, she’s had some bad experiences with men… things haven’t been easy for her,” Jillian responded pointedly. She frowned slightly, but said nothing more about Elyse.

  I caught the lustful, icy stare my cousin gave Jillian’s friend. Christ. Not this one, Jax. Jillian mentioned that Elyse had trust issues; she should be the last person on his radar. And yet, there he was, blatantly studying every inch of that girl’s body.

  I leaned in and whispered to him. “NO.”

  Jax only grinned and ordered the bartender to get me a gin and tonic.

  Jillian looked between us and then moved off the stool she’d been sitting on. Without a word, she moved to the dance floor and fetched Elyse. Together, the girls returned to their table, where Piper had been in a deep conversation with another woman. I’d leave Jillian alone for the rest of the evening, but I was determined to ultimately have her to myself.

  3. Jillian Pryor

  My body betrays me. The way I respond so quickly to the memories of him is terrifying. Despite my resentment, I continued to fantasize about him as I sat in class, and as I sat at the receptionist desk in Piper’s practice. The stunt I pulled Friday night at the club toyed with my body as much as it toyed with Mason’s. I just wanted to give him a little taste of his own medicine. There is no denying what I do to him. There’s no doubt that he’s genuinely attracted to me- Jillian Pryor, a Brooklyn nobody. At night, I would lay in my bed, hugging my pillow as I stared up at the dark ceiling. My memories of him had become so vivid as I rested in bed at night.

  I can almost feel his hands, strong and dominating, as they grip my hips and pull me over the edge of the bed...

  My ass hangs over the bed as I wrap my thighs around him. He moves forward and hovers over my entire body, overpowering me. The scent of him still lingers so strongly in my mind. I feel his lips on mine before they trail in feather light kisses down to my breasts. He claims each nipple as though he owns my entire body, and he does. His tongue trails over my breasts roughly, planting lush kisses, one by one, down to the apex of my thighs. I’m soaking down there. I need him so badly I ache.

  “I need you,” I plead.

  “Beg me.” His voice is harsh and commanding as he looms over me, pressing his thick cock into my slick folds, not quite penetrating me yet.

  He’s shirtless, sporting nothing but the black silk tie that still hangs loosened around his neck. His perfectly muscled, olive torso presses against my body as he sucks on my breasts again, lightly bruising them. I let out a soft moan and grab the black tie still around his neck. He suddenly jerks my hands above my head. His eyes are flaring with lust as he looks down at me. He suddenly grabs me, and roughly flips me over onto my stomach.

  “Fucking beg me to give you every inch,” he says as he pulls my head back by my scalp.

  His hands caress down my back, sending shivers down my spine, until he reaches my wetness. Two fingers rub my pussy with such expertise and I moan. His other hand pins my head down to the mattress.

  “Mason-”

  Beep! Beep! Beep!

  My obnoxious alarm clock blared at six a.m., pulling me out of my dream. I groaned and pulled the pillow over my head before I slid out of the bed. I showered and dressed to the tunes of Metallica. Coffee and music were the perfect morning combination. It’s been my morning tradition since I was old enough to appreciate music. I grew up under the influence of my brother’s tastes. I was basically raised by a grunge rocker. Travis used to pull out my dad’s old guitar and play it in my ear whenever I refused to get out of bed in the morning. Now, the sounds of bass and drums have become a security blanket.

  I finished getting ready and then joined Piper in the kitchen where she was rummaging through the refrigerator.

  “We are so dry,” she sighed.

  “I’ll pick up a few things tonight after the office closes,” I said. I moved my way around the small kitchen as I set up the percolator to brew some coffee. The rich smell of dark roast quickly filled the tiny kitchen.

  Piper’s apartment was small but very comfortable. It wasn’t anything fancy like Mason’s, and she never bothered with a housekeeper and never insisted on a French press. Sometimes she brought women over, and I stayed out of her hair. I gave her a portion of my paycheck every month for rent and utilities and we got along just fine as roommates.

  “Oh right. Don’t forget Jax is meeting us for dinner. That new burger joint in SoHo just opened. He’s bringing a friend. Did Elyse say if she’s coming?”

  “Wait. Jax has friends?” I blurted. I didn’t mean to be rude, it was simple curiosity. Sometimes I lacked a filter. Piper turned to look at me. She suddenly started laughing and I nearly spilled the coffee that I was pouring as I started giggling. As I calmed myself, I handed her the yellow porcelain mug and took a sip from my own.

  ****

  I can’t imagine Jax eating a burger anywhere, no matter how swanky or upscale the restaurant claims to be. Guys like Jackson and Mason didn’t go out to eat burgers and fries. They ate filet mignon or the type of Italian pasta that I can’t pronounce. I figured it would be interesting to see a guy like Jax Rochester sitting in a burger joint. Elyse was going to meet us there when her shift at the coffee shop ended.

  I walked with Piper into the new restaurant. It had a cozy feel to it and there was a jukebox and a pool table off to the side. Jackson was already there, wearing a white linen shirt and dark wash jeans. He was standing at the bar with another man who was almost as tall. The man’s back was to me as he leaned over the bar counter with a beer. He straightened and turned to face me and my eyes widened.

  Good God. It’s the stranger who kissed me at the club last Friday!

  “Jill, Piper. This is Ian.” Jackson introduced as Ian held his hand out to Piper. I spotted a trail of black ink from beneath the bicep of his shirt sleeve. He wore a regular white crewneck T-shirt and ripped jeans. The lean muscles in his chest and biceps made that shirt look so good. His longish light brown hair hung in his blue eyes slightly. Without the magenta lights of the night club shining all over, he looked even more handsome. He looked at us with a casual smirk. There was an “I don’t give a fuck” vibe about the way he carried himself.

  “Hey gorgeous,” Ian said as his eyes fixated on me. He grinned before he kissed my hand as though he was a debonair gentleman. He looked like a regular working class guy, like a carpenter or maybe a plumber. Ian never took those beautiful blue eyes off me, even as we walked to our booth and sat down. He deliberately sat next to me, leaving Piper to sit next to her brother.

  “Maybe now you’ll let me buy you a drink?” Ian asked me.

  “Water,” I answered. My mouth suddenly felt dry as I stared at the intricate tattoos etched on his biceps. I noticed a Celtic cross on his right forearm. It made sense; The man had a strong Boston accent. So sexy. Maybe Ian is the kind of guy I should try to date, if I want to date at all. He seems down to earth, and he finds me attractive without the rules of a contract. It didn’t make sense how he and Jackson were friends. They seemed like complete opposites, but Travis and Mason were complete opposites in so many ways as well. Travis sported the rocker grunge while Mason often visited our apartment in his Armani. Sometimes opposites attract… I guess.

  We ordered appetizers and a few beers. Ian drank Guinness and let me take a sip. I flinched at the strong taste
. If I drank beer, it was the pale ale. He laughed at the disgusted face I made. Even though Mason was still in the back of my mind, I was enjoying Ian’s company. He was naturally very flirty and I really liked that. It wasn’t hard to talk to him or joke around with him. He was charismatic and could make conversation easily.

  Elyse showed up as our food arrived at the table.

  “Sorry I’m late. I’m so late. The bus broke down- again! I couldn’t wave a cab for the life of me. Damn cabs won’t stop unless you’re dressed in some expensive shit-”

  She stopped her vent when her eyes fell on Jackson. Her face suddenly flushed when she realized he was staring at her with a smirk.

  “Sorry. No offense or anything,” she mumbled as she squeezed in next to me forcefully. And just like that, she clammed up and turned the lights off.

  “You should have called Jillian. I would have sent my car if I had known,” Jackson said smoothly with a smile. His tone was all business, but I doubt he looked at his business associates the way he was looking at Elyse.

  “I don’t need anyone’s help.” Her response was a mumble and she reached for a fry from my plate. Jackson’s gaze was intense as he studied her. Then, his brow furrowed slightly, and he looked away.

  Awkward.

  “So Jax, how do you know Ian?” I asked, before taking a sip of my beer.

  “Oh that’s easy. His uncle introduced us,” Ian explained with his lazy smirk.

  “It’s not that easy. I was helping my Uncle James with some major proposals. This goes years back, when Mason was still working on his MBA so he wasn’t available much. Uncle James hired Ian as the consultant to deal with the takeover of a company in Singapore.”

  “Interesting. I didn’t realize Uncle James needed a consultant for that case,” Piper added. She looked to Ian. “What type of consultant are you?” She took a gulp from the frothy ale in her glass.

  “My expertise is settling disputes over hostile takeovers,” Ian gave a charming grin as he stretched. His arm casually landed across my shoulders. My face flushed, but I liked him, so I said nothing about it.

  “Interesting. So you can mingle and play nice with people at work,” Piper teased her brother.

  “Oh, I can do more than play nice.” Jackson smirked, but did not look at Elyse.

  Elyse busied herself with a few more fries from my plate, and looked relieved when the waitress brought her beer to the table. Something was clearly going on between Elyse and-

  My thoughts about Jackson and Elyse were fleeting. I looked up as a slight draft blew in when the front door opened. I tensed when I noticed Mason walk into the restaurant. What? Why is he here?

  He was with a beautiful brunette who was about my height. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail and she looked up at him with starry eyes. It was the same look I used to give him back when I was a green college student with no real clue. His hand was on the small of her back as he guided her over to the bar. I was purely disgusted. The girl made sure to show off her abundant cleavage that was shown beneath her very low cut, tight-fitting red top.

  “You’re so sexy when you’re pissed.” Ian suddenly smirked in my ear. I had forgotten Ian was sitting next to me, and that I was at a table full of friends.

  “Is it that obvious?” I asked, whispering to him.

  “I know a pissed bitch when I see one.” He winked at me. “Not that you’re a bitch. You seem like a really sweet girl. Maybe too sweet, eh?”

  “You think I’m too nice?” I asked, blinking.

  “Yep.” He took a swig from his Guinness.

  I looked over at Mason out of the corner of my eye as he now had a hand on the woman’s hip while they stood by the bar. My blood boiled. I saw red. It’s sick that I am so jealous. Maybe I should move to Ohio to get away from this mess. I was running into Mason way too much lately. I needed a fresh start.

  “If you want to play at his game, I’d be more than happy to help. Let me take you out for a real drink.” Ian grinned with a take-it-or-leave-it casual tone.

  I bit my lower lip. He was really handsome. I sipped my water and glanced at Mason as he pulled away from his latest flavor. Mason’s gaze looked over and met with mine. His eyes were stormy, and there was no satisfaction on his face. I saw the flare in his eyes when he saw that I was sitting with Ian. Mason looked positively murderous as he raked his eyes over Ian. I rolled my eyes. I love this double standard.

  I turned to Ian. “Okay, that sounds like fun. When?”

  “Next Wednesday,” Ian gave me another sexy grin.

  I could only smile, and we exchanged numbers.

  “I’ll text you, sweetness.” That term he used for me reminded me of Mason.

  “Hey, I’ll be right back,” I looked to Ian with a smile, but Elyse overheard me.

  “Do you want me to come with?”

  “No, I’ll be quick.”

  She shrugged and sipped her drink. “I’m going to eat your fries.”

  “You do that.” I laughed lightly, but inside, my heart was still aching from the obnoxious public display Mason gave, obviously for my benefit. Asshole.

  I walked around the corner toward the lit sign that pointed toward the restrooms. I made my way down the shallow hall, when suddenly I felt a firm hand grab me, whirl me around, and pin me against the wall. I saw Mason’s fiery gaze look down on me.

  “Get off me!” I pushed him away. The strength in my arms surprised even me, and I watched him back up.

  He was relentless, and pushed me against the wall again. Before I could move away from his grasp, he grabbed me and hoisted me up against the wall as he used to… I was resentful, and yet I still wrapped my legs around his waist.

  “I’m not letting you go,” He growled against my ear. “I’m tired of these fucking games. Give me five minutes.”

  I turned my head away from him.

  “You just had your hand plastered against some other woman. You’re the one playing games!”

  I was bold, and poked him right in the chest to emphasize my point.

  “You’re fiery,” He said with appreciation, but there was still darkness in his eyes. I really wanted to punch him.

  “I’ve learned a lot.” I responded coolly. I glared at him defiantly, but he held me in place against the wall, and pressed his cock against the apex of my thighs.

  “I’m tired of playing these games.” He repeated in a low voice. The sexual current between us was crackling. It was suffocating.

  “It’s not a game, Mason. You’re trying to control me because I won’t give in to your demands. You just want to order me around.”

  The darkness faded from his eyes and he looked at me in all seriousness. “No more games, Jillian. I’m determined to have you, and not for the sake of winning, but because I’m still in love with you.”

  I shook my head, putting distance between us. I slumped to my feet. “No, I already have a date.”

  “Jill, give me another chance-”

  “How many chances do I have to give you? Do you think I’m an idiot? That I’m just going to run back to you after you pushed me away countless times? After you positioned everything so that you’d have leverage on me to use against my brother?” I gave him one cock-eyed look.

  “Jillian, I swear it’s-” his tone was adamant but I didn’t care. After seeing his public display at the bar, I was in no mood to hear his bullshit excuses.

  “Don’t.” I stormed away from the hall, completely forgetting my trip to the restroom. I was exhausted.

  4. Mason Woodward

  One week passed since Jillian refused me in the hall outside the restrooms. It was another Wednesday evening. The only company I had was my laptop and a bottle of MaCallan… and Piper, on the other end of the line.

  “How was Vegas?” Piper’s calm voice filtered through the speaker as I poured a bit of whiskey into a tumbler.

  “Everything is on point. It should be opening in June as expected.”

  I didn’t care to talk ab
out my hotel’s expansion to Vegas. I was angry with myself for trying to simmer jealousy within Jillian at the pub the week before. What the hell was I thinking?

  There was a pause of silence between Piper and myself as I balanced the mobile on my shoulder and sat at the desk in my study to get some work done.

  “What are your plans tonight?” Piper asked.

  I glanced up at the ceiling, inwardly annoyed. I wish she’d just get to the point of this call.

  “I’m sitting in my study, attempting to get some work done. You seem idle this evening. Don’t you have some case studies to review?”

  “I’m going to ignore that comment.” Piper quipped. “For your information, I’m sitting at the apartment with a carton of takeout. Jill is out this evening so it’s just me and the TV.”

  My lip twitched and I felt that knot in my jaw tighten.

  “She must be enjoying the fact that she is finally feeling better. Is she out with Elyse?” Of course, I was digging for information. She better not be out with that fucker…

  “She has a date this evening,” Piper responded calmly, as though that statement would not at all bother me. My entire frame went rigid with pure venomous jealousy.

  “With who?” I demanded, but I corrected myself. “I hope he’s a nicer bloke than I am.”

  Piper scoffed.

  “Is she with that friend of Jackson’s?” I asked, my tone sounding much more furious.

  “She may or may not be at Finley’s. You didn’t hear that from me.”

  I swear smoke escaped my nostrils. I ended the call. My knuckles were knotted white as I debated what to do. Finley’s? He took her to Finley’s? I’d never been there, but I knew of that place. It was a dive bar just off Lexington Avenue. He took her to a dive bar as a first date? I was stewing. I knew that man had one intention, and one intention only.

  With nothing more than tunnel vision, I left my penthouse.