Page 13 of Endure the Pain
He arched a brow. “And by birdie you mean Jameson.”
I shrugged. Stefan let it go and the meeting officially started.
Once the meeting was over, almost everyone beelined for the door. It had been a long meeting. We'd gone over the shipment of drugs arriving in less than a week and how I had to come up with a plan to retrieve it and house it until I had to deliver it to De Luca. Our relationship with the Colombians was hanging on by a thread. Samuel had done something to piss them off.Surprise, surprise. Stefan had been able to convince them to continue doing business with us by explaining that Samuel had beenretired.That tidbit of information had prompted them to inquire as to who they’d be working with. Stefan had been honest and said the conversation had become strange after that. The Colombians had agreed to one more shipment, but wouldn’t sell any more to us until they met me in person. Stefan had agreed and invited them to the family’s annual charity party held here at the house, and that was one month away.
Almost all of those who belonged to or were allies of the family were invited. It was a lot of criminals under one roof. The charity part was real and everyone had to donate to help the New England area, but it was also a way for Stefan to rub elbows and check up on thefamilythat ranbusinessin other cities.
I’d never been allowed to attend the party growing up. Stefan had liked to keep me hidden for my safety and kept goons stationed at the top of the stairs, preventing me from going down and anyone who might go venturing up. That didn’t stop me from spying from Jamie’s room. His windows had overlooked the pool and backyard where the party was always held.
“I think the party will be a good opportunity to introduce you and your new status within the family,” Stefan had said.
I’d kept my expression blank. “Any way I can talk you out of that?”
Stefan frowned. “Why?”
I had more than one reason. The main one…I wasn’t completely sure how I felt about being Stefan’s heir. I wasn’t going to tell him that, though. “People tend to act differently—honestly—when they don’t know who I am. Just let me do my thing before you make any announcements.”
Stefan had studied me as if not completely convinced but had relented with a, “Fine.”
The topic had then switched to the Aryans. We needed to strike back at them—a task Rourke and I had fought over.
“It was my guys who were killed, Maura,” Rourke had grumbled.
“And it was my guys who saved you,” I’d shot back.
“Enough.” Stefan had glanced back and forth between us with an admonishing expression. “You’ll both work together.” Rourke and I had looked at each other, seeking what the other thought. Rourke had shrugged, okay with the order.
Jamie, of course, had not been thrilled and stayed standing next to his chair when everyone went to leave. Knowing he wanted to talk to me, I stayed behind as well and told Dean to head out without me. Jamie and I waited quietly for everyone else to exit the chamber. Stefan was the last to leave and glanced at us on his way out. Just before the door closed behind him, I caught the corner of his mouth lifting.
Jamie’s posture relaxed a little once the door closed. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his slacks and said, “You didn’t need to come today and you don’t needto rush to get back at the Aryans. Stefan and I can handle things until you’re better.”
I was grateful that he was willing to shoulder my responsibilities and I loved that he worried about me. But I was over being treated like I was made of glass and he should trust me to know what I could and couldn’t handle. I didn’t want to fight with him and I sure as hell wasn’t going to give in. Which left me one option.
I leaned forward a little and placed my hands flat on the table. Jamie had a direct view down the top of my dress. As expected, his gaze dropped from mine and heat flooded his eyes. A devious smirk pulled at my mouth. “I guess I’ve been a bad girl. Maybe I need to be punished.”
He shook his head. “And you call me a fucking tease?”
“It’s not teasing if I let you.”
“Maura, you know what the doctor said—”
I pushed away from the table. “She said to listen to my body,” I argued and stalked around the table, closing the distance between us. “Apart from being a little sore, I’m pretty much back to normal.” I touched his forearm, reassuringly and because I needed to feel him.
He stared down at me, stubbornly still as a statue. It pissed me off. Clearly, I needed to up my game by showing him the true definition of a tease.
I yanked Rourke’s chair away from the table and slipped off my shoes before sitting on top of the table next to him. I scooted back until I could bend my knees and my feet could rest on the edge of the table comfortably. The skirt of my dress bunched at my hips, flashing him my black silk panties.
Jamie watched me stoically.
I lay back on the table and lifted my hips slightly. Using my thumbs, I slowly pushed my panties off my hips, over my slightly parted thighs, and down to my ankles. I unhooked my underwear from my feet and threw them at him. They hit his chest and he quickly yanked a hand from his pocket to catch them.
I opened my legs, baring myself to him. His nostrils flared as his eyes raked over my exposed flesh. My fingers sought out my clit and did slow strokes over it. I knew it turned him on to watch. I also knew his control was close to breaking by his hooded eyes and his quickened breaths.
“Do you want to know what I’m thinking right now?” I asked. His eyes slowly traveled up to mine. “I’m imagining it’s your mouth instead of my fingers. I want you to fuck me with your tongue until I’m begging you to fuck me with your cock.”
“Christ,” he cursed.
The more I touched myself, the wetter I grew. I let outa wanton little whimper and he shoved my panties into his pocket. He moved quickly, lust riding him hard, and scooped me up. I was placed on my feet before I was spun around to face the table.