End Game

by Willa Thorne

  “I think I’m going to murder you if you try to wear that to a school dance.” I quipped. I was trying to be the supportive older cousin, but if I had any idea the dress would fit her in that way, I never would have let her take it into the dressing room.

  “You’re just joking!” Allie giggled, but when she noticed the serious expression on my face, her smile faded. “Are you serious?”

  “Very. And Travis will have a field day if he sees you in that.” I quirked an eyebrow.

  “Oh come on! You don’t love this dress?”

  “That dress is so inappropriate for a school dance.”

  Allie frowned. “I brought you along because you are fun!”

  I softened. I wasn’t about to argue with a teenager in a dressing room.

  I bit my lower lip, trying to think of a tactful way of telling my cousin she looked like a twenty-five year old call girl in that sort of dress.

  “Well… I like the fabric and the material, but the whole design reminds me of something a hooker would wear. You can definitely rock that dress, but I doubt your teachers would let you into the dance in that sort of outfit”

  Allie looked like she was about to argue.

  I sighed inwardly. My thoughts had been so consumed by Mason, and I wasn’t even paying attention to the choices my cousin was hauling into the dressing rooms.

  I picked up the plum, knee-length design that Allie had also tried. “I really loved this one on you. I spotted the perfect necklace that can go with this, and it would match those heels you saw in Macy’s the other day.”

  Allie’s eyes lit up and she immediately took the plum dress from my hands. “You’re so right! Why didn’t I think of that?” She was instantly ecstatic, much to my relief.

  She returned to the dressing room, and I was already exhausted. How do people survive having teenage daughters? I made a mental note to thank Travis for putting up with me during all those adolescent years…

  Allie chose the plum dress that I showed her, and she also agreed on the necklace I pointed out. She left the store with a huge smile and I needed some coffee. I looked at the time on my cell phone, wondering if Mason was still awake. He’d been dealing with insomnia, especially after the death of his father. Something seemed “off” about him, and I knew it was because he was dealing with grief- losing a father so suddenly in such a tragic accident, and knowing that he never had a healthy relationship with his father had so much to do with his temperament lately. He was often so warm and affectionate with me over the phone or on Skype, but then he could also be cold and distant and didn’t tell me much of his business while he was in London.

  ****

  After our shopping excursion, we returned home. Aunt Mel and Uncle Joe were not home yet, and neither was mom or Travis. Allie rushed upstairs to get ready for a party which she was attending that night for a friend. She was upstairs for a full hour, then rushed down the stairs.

  “Tell mom and dad I’ll be home by ten. I promise!” She waved in a hurry as a car horn beeped from the gravel drive. Just like that, I had the house to myself and all was quiet.

  I tried to call Mason, assuming he was still awake. The phone rang a few times before going to voicemail. He’s probably sleeping. Good.

  I decided to start dinner. I’ve learned my way very well around the kitchen during my weeks living with Aunt Mel and Uncle Joe. I began chopping carrots for a salad, glancing through the kitchen window from time to time. The sun was beginning to set over the horizon when I noticed the mail truck pull away. I’d just started a pot of water to boil on the stove for pasta, so I decided to get the mail quickly.

  A breeze blew lightly as I walked down the gravel drive. The days were getting shorter because of the time of year and I was expecting mom and my uncle to arrive home very soon from work. The gravel made a crunching noise beneath my feet as I walked, but a sickening feeling washed over me as I neared the mailbox. I stopped briefly to look around.

  A strong intuition washed over me. I was not alone. The feeling was almost supernatural, and my skin prickled.

  It reminded me of that night at Jackson’s party… I shuddered and decided to skip the mail. I skimmed the property line, and the line of trees that surrounded the acre of property, and saw absolutely nothing. There was nothing out of the ordinary, aside from that invasive feeling. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and walked quickly back toward the house. Once inside, I locked the door and made sure the windows were sealed tightly.

  I felt so spooked, and I had no explanation for it. I’d never felt that way at Aunt Mel’s and Uncle Joe’s property. They lived on a quiet acre of property. Their closest neighbors were about half a mile down the road. It was a severe contrast from the Brooklyn neighborhood I grew up in.

  Twenty minutes later, Travis’s blue Nissan parked outside and I was relieved when he walked through the front door. He rented the in-law apartment off to the side of the house, but Aunt Mel and Uncle Joe still insisted that we eat dinner together as a family every night.

  “It smells good. What are you cooking, Jilly Bean?”

  “Spaghetti,” I answered, and for the moment, decided not to mention the haunting feeling I’d gotten on my way to the mailbox. It was a strange feeling, and it was based on nothing more than intuition.

  3. Jillian Pryor

  “You’ve reached Mason Woodward. You know what to do.” Beep.

  The phone didn’t even ring; it went straight to his voicemail. Our fun and sexy text chats had ended weeks ago. After the reading of his father’s will, there was always a reason why he couldn’t return to the states just yet. Aside from a brief, occasional text, I barely heard from him in the last two days. But, my trust in him was strong. I kept my fingers crossed that he would have all legal matters and company transitions smoothed over soon so he could return home. I missed him so badly.

  Lyrics from my favorite pandora music station played from my laptop as I fixed the guest bed with the fresh sheets I had just pulled from the linen closet. A storm was brewing outside and I could hear the faint rumbles of thunder in the distance, but I was so ready for sleep.

  My family was planning to have a small get-together for Travis’s birthday the next day and I spent the entire day shopping, and in the kitchen preparing. Birthdays have always been a big deal in my family, and my family planned to have a small party at the farmhouse to celebrate. It was especially important to me that Travis had the best birthday because he has always been so selfless when it comes to me and my mom. I reflected on everything he has done for our mom and for me, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank him enough for stepping up and taking care of us both after dad died.

  I hadn’t heard from Mason in two days, aside from sporadic little text messages stating that he couldn’t wait to see me. I missed him, but planning Travis’s birthday party was a welcome distraction. Besides, it was the least I could do for my older brother.

  “You still owe me a movie night,” Travis poked his head around the corner to the spare bedroom I had been staying in while visiting.

  I’d left the door open so it was hardly intrusive. He wore a plain black t-shirt and his typical ripped jeans in a light wash. His wavy dark hair fell in his eyes. Just like me, he had taken his contact lense out for the evening and was wearing his glasses.

  I turned and grinned as I pointed a finger at him. “You’re the one who is always busy! Workaholic.”

  Travis held his hands up in a surrendering gesture. “Blame my boss. The dickwad thinks I’m married to the company.”

  I played along with his sarcasm, and pressed a hand over my heart. “It’s so endearing that you feel I’m grown up enough to use terms such as dickwad in front of me.”

  Travis shrugged, as if to say “my bad.” Truthfully, he stopped watching his mouth in front of me as soon as I turned eighteen. The older I’ve gotten, the stronger our relationship has become. I realized this during my month-long stay in Ohio. Travis has confided in me about things that he
never would have while I was in high school or even college. I have spent a lot of time with him in the garage while he worked on an old Chevy.

  Travis turned and padded barefoot down the tiny, carpeted hall of the in-law apartment. I followed him.

  “So what movie do you have in mind?” I asked as I fastened my wild hair into a ponytail.

  Two steps later, we were in the cozy living room. This place has definitely been turned into a bachelor pad, but it was really nice that Travis opened his guest bedroom to me. I plopped down on the shabby navy sofa while Travis flipped on the television and set up Netflix.

  “God, there’s nothing but chick flicks on this thing.” I watched my brother grimace as he scanned the options.

  A loud crack of thunder nearly shook the house and the lights flickered.

  “Maybe the movie should wait,” Travis grinned. The lights flickered again, and then blacked out before flickering back on.

  “Yeah. Good idea,” I agreed.

  He turned and headed toward the small kitchenette and opened the fridge. He grabbed a beer, and then paused and looked at me.

  “You want one?” He offered.

  “No thanks, I’m good.”

  A torrent of rain suddenly crashed down around the house, and I noticed that my brother kept looking toward the front door with slight concern on his face. He pulled his cell phone from the pocket of his ratty jeans and checked it, frowned, and then pocketed it.

  “Are you waiting for someone?” I asked.

  “Nah.” Travis crossed the living room and reclined back on the opposite end of the navy sofa.

  “So, little sis.” He began, and I knew where this conversation was heading. “Have you heard from Mason lately?”

  I was glad Travis no longer had an edge to his voice whenever Mason’s name was mentioned, but their friendship was still on the road to recovery.

  “He has been so busy with everything in London,” I answered. “I’ve barely heard a word from him in two days, but I know he misses me.”

  Travis nodded thoughtfully, solemnly. He twisted the cap off the bottle and took a swig of beer. “It’s fucking crazy.” He thought out loud, and then shook his head. I waited a few moments to see if he would elaborate.

  His brow creased as he thought quietly to himself, and he took another gulp.

  “We lost dad when I was sixteen, and even though dad has been gone, I always sensed that Mason was a little jealous of the bond I had with him.”

  I could understand that. I have memories of our dad taking me to the park and to father-daughter dances when I was in kindergarten, but he also passed away just after I turned six. I sometimes felt a little envious that Travis had more time and more memories with him.

  “It’s hard to imagine what it feels like to have a shitty relationship with your father, only to lose him like that.” Travis murmured before taking another swig of beer. “I met the guy once- his dad, I mean. He was a real dick. The first time he met me, we were seventeen. He didn’t like me from the second he saw me. I could see it on his face. He gave Mason an earful about his grades, how goddamn disappointed he was… then fucking clocked Mason right in the face. Right in front of me.”

  My mouth fell open. I never knew this. Of course I knew that Mason’s relationship with his father was horrible, and Zara was proof that their father was abusive, but hearing Travis say this… my heart dropped to my stomach.

  “Oh yeah. I know a lot about his relationship with his father, if you want to call it a relationship. It was toxic.” Travis only shook his head.

  I opened my mouth to ask a question, but there was a knock at the front door. It was harsh and demanding. The torrent of rain was relentless outside and hadn’t let up yet. Travis stood and strode over to the door.

  Who could it possibly be at this hour? It was too late for a pizza delivery...

  “Finally, man.” Travis stated after opening the door. From my seat on the sofa, I couldn’t see who was at the door. Curiously, I stood and took a few steps so I could get a good look.

  Travis opened the door wider, and I sucked in a deep breath when Mason stepped into the tiny living room. He was soaked through, and large drops of water cascaded down his face. Even wet, I could see that he was overdue for a haircut and he had week-old stubble on his face.

  But fuck. Me. The man is gorgeous. I thought my chest was going to explode- from shock and pure joy!

  Mason slicked his long black hair from his face.

  “I tried to call but the storm …” Mason began his explanation, but then his eyes fell on me.

  My heart continued to swell within my chest, and I thought it might burst through the cotton shirt I was wearing. With a huge, beaming smile, I jumped into Mason’s arms.

  “I’m soaked through!” He grinned, immediately dropping the black bag in his hand. He wrapped his strong arms around me and he held me as though I weighed no more than a feather.

  “I don’t care!” I laughed as I embraced him fiercely. I was not letting him go. Ever.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back tonight?”

  “It was supposed to be a surprise, but the storm put a damper on the plan.” Mason grinned. I pulled away slightly to get a good look at him. He appeared exhausted and disheveled, and not because of the rain.

  “He told me not to say anything,” Travis added with an impish grin.

  I turned to look at Travis. “Must you always do everything he says?”

  Travis only shrugged nonchalantly. I suppose this explains why they are friends.

  I turned my focus back to Mason, and his mouth crashed against mine, bruising my lips with the intensity of his commanding kiss. I wrapped my thighs around his waist tighter as his mouth ravaged my lips in hungry passion. We hadn’t seen each other in little over a month…

  Travis groaned. “Oh hell. I don’t need to see this. I’m going to bed.” My brother turned his gaze away quickly and started walking down the hall. “Please, if you have any love for me, keep it down.”

  I thought I faintly heard him mention something about being scarred for life. I could only giggle softly. I couldn’t accurately put into words how elated I was to have Mason back in my arms. His lips continued to envelop mine, our tongues dancing. His clothes had completely soaked the front of my pajamas but neither of us even noticed. His hard, bulging erection rubbed against my pubic bone as he carried me down the tiny hall.

  He was cold and wet, but I still felt a warm dampness spread in my panties.

  “I missed you. So much,” his breath grazed my ear in a whisper.

  I breathed in his masculine scent, a scent that was all Mason. A dull ache formed in my clit as desire pooled between my thighs.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call much these last few days,” Mason said, but his voice was husky and gravelly. “Whenever I had a minute of peace, I realized it was about eleven your time.”

  I put a finger to his lips. “You’re here now.”

  His grip on the globes of my ass was so powerful, and I felt secure enough to grind the apex of my thighs against his tented bulge. He grunted and momentarily closed his eyes.

  “Fuck, Jillian,” he hissed. “If you keep that up…”

  I continued rocking against him in a slow, circular motion, and his grip on my cheeks only tightened. I knew I would have his finger indents there the next morning. Yes, please…

  He walked me into my guest bedroom and kicked the door closed before he threw me down on the bed. Without wasting time, he stripped out of his wet clothes- an expensive suit and tie. It’s as though he’d boarded the plane straight from a meeting in London. His large, hard cock stood straight and proud.

  There was a dark glint in his eyes, but his expression was also one of love and tenderness. It’s hard to accurately describe the way my Mason was looking at me.

  He knelt at the edge of the bed, where my legs dangled. I bit my lower lip and curled my knees up at his unspoken command. His fingers latched onto the elastic w
aistband of my pajama bottoms and he pulled them down my legs with controlled restraint. I could tell by the hungry look in his eyes that he was barely holding on. I sucked on my lower lip as his eyes roved over the lower, exposed half of my body.

  The ache in my pussy had grown from dull to throbbing, and his movements were too practiced, too slow…

  “Can you be quiet?” His whispered question was hoarse.

  “Yes. Mason, please…” my body writhed with need.

  “I’m going to take my time with you, darling. I’m going to savor every minute, every drop you give me.” His fingers raked up my inner thighs and his hands forced my legs apart even wider. I was fully exposed to him, glistening and throbbing for this man.

  His fingers wrapped around my ankles and pulled my ass closer to the edge of the bed. He bent forward and breathed in deeply.

  “Fuck yes. You smell so good. I missed it.”

  My heart was palpitating rampantly in my chest as I watched him breathe in my scent. For a man who was raised in posh society, he can be so feral behind closed doors.

  With his hands still gripping both ankles, he lifted my ass slightly above the mattress. Then his lips planted sensuous, warm kisses up the insides of both thighs. I was desperate to feel his mouth on my most sensitive spot, and I wriggled my ass lightly, trying to draw him in…

  His fingers raked up my calves and he gripped my thighs as my legs were thrown over his muscular shoulders. Without wasting another second, his lips slammed into me, and left me with shuddering gasp from the contact. Shocks of pleasure erupted up my core.

  Good God. I gripped the duvet as my toes involuntarily curled over his shoulders. He was kissing me down there just as he did my mouth moments earlier. It was passionate, hungry and fierce. A slight gasp escaped as he gently took one fold between his teeth and tugged. Then his tongue caressed and massaged my clit in a way that left me writhing in intense pleasure.