Champagne Brunch: The Stiletto Sisters Series

by Ainsley St Claire

  “I don’t know.” Jeremy sits back on the couch and crosses his arms. “That seems rather extreme.”

  Jim sits down in one of the chairs across from him. “I understand that it can feel overwhelming. I’d like to bring the guy I’m thinking about around to meet you sometime soon. He’s been working in Nevada with one of our clients. He’s a few years older than you, but he has a baby face and will look closer to your age. He was in Army special forces and played baseball at Nebraska State. He’d go with you out to the bullpen and into the locker room.” Jim pauses, but Jeremy stays silent. “You’re very popular right now, and we want to safeguard you.”

  Jeremy squirms. “I don’t… It seems a little…”

  I watch Jeremy struggle with what will probably be the reality of his life moving forward.

  “Jeremy, I understand,” Mia says, surprising me. “I know it’s a huge adjustment. I’ve been there. But I’ve worked with Jim and Bash for many years, and I trust them without question.”

  Jeremy relaxes and nods. She’s like magic with him. I can tell she makes him feel safe and supported, without making him feel like a child. This also makes me wonder in what capacity she’s worked with Jim and Bash. Does she need a bodyguard?

  “Jim, Jeremy will be here tonight, and he often stays in the guest room.” Mia looks at me with her eyebrows raised to confirm, and I nod. “What’s the name of the guy you have in mind?”

  “Bryan Shepherd,” Bash supplies.

  “Maybe when Bryan arrives, we can meet him and make sure Jeremy is okay with hanging out with him,” I suggest. “Meanwhile, Jeremy can stay with me?”

  “It may take a few days before I can get him here, but if the timing works, I’m good with that,” Jim says. “Does that work for you, Jeremy?”

  Jeremy nods, seeming much calmer, but I can tell he’s skittish. He’s like SoBe was when he came to live with me. He wasn’t sure if he’d found his forever home and could really rest and relax. It took some time, but now he knows he’s in charge around here.

  Jim bobs his head toward the door, and I nod. I look over at Mia, and she’s settled in next to Jeremy.

  I step outside to talk to Jim.

  “My plan is to move Bryan off his current assignment at the Shangri-la in Vegas and bring him here ASAP. In the meantime, Bash can come by in the morning and go over to the ballpark with Jeremy.”

  “I think that should work, but Jeremy only has a one-bedroom apartment. We’ll have to figure something out.”

  “I have some ideas, but chances are he’s going to have to move. I’ve engaged Fiona McPhee, who will handle the restraining orders, and she can work with us to figure out a new living situation.”

  “He can stay with me until he has a place.” I take a deep breath, feeling a little overwhelmed myself. “Jim, he’s a young kid. He’s not overly worldly, if you know what I mean.”

  Jim nods. “I get it. I actually have a client who has a three-bedroom guest house. I need to talk to him about this. He has a sixteen-year-old daughter and may not want a seventeen-year-old boy without parental supervision living on his property.”

  “If it’s too big a deal…” I breathe out, frustrated as I think this through. “I can move in temporarily. It’s not ideal, and I would have to bring SoBe.”

  Jim grins. “You think Mia would be okay with that?”

  “Nope. She’ll dump me.”

  “I’ve known her for a long time. You never know. She’s full of surprises. But we can figure out something better. I mean, money is not really an object, so we have lots of possibilities.”

  I nod, and after Bash and I make plans for meeting up tomorrow, I go back inside my place.

  Mia is sitting alone on the couch with her overnight bag in front of her on the floor, and Jeremy is nowhere to be seen.

  “Where did he go?” I ask.

  She smiles. “Jeremy has turned in for the night. This is very stressful for him.”

  “I totally get it.” I slump into the couch next to her.

  Mia reaches for my hand and laces her fingers with mine. “How bad is it?”

  I take a deep breath. “Your search tonight should be an indicator—he’s definitely on a lot of radars. But beyond tonight and this one particular person, we don’t know. Clear Security has someone working on restraining orders, and they want Jeremy to move. One of Jim’s other clients has a guest house that might be a possibility, but he also has a sixteen-year-old daughter.”

  Mia grins. “I’m pretty sure he’s talking about Nate.”

  I turn and look at her, a bit confused. “You think so?”

  She chuckles. “Absolutely. Katrina Lancaster is sixteen and a little boy crazy. Nate’s pretty protective, so who knows if he’ll go for it.”

  Now to drop the bomb. “They may want me to move in there with Jeremy initially.”

  She just nods, seeming unfazed. “That makes sense. You saw him tonight. He’s overwhelmed by all of this. He’s going to need you.”

  I sigh. I know she’s right, and a few months ago I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. But now, I like having a life outside of the ballpark. I hope there’s a way to make this all work. I remember what I’ve learned about Mia this evening. “So, you’ve been working with Jim?”

  I see conflict on her face. “With my job has come some unwanted attention. I run a publicly traded company, and some people think what we do is an invasion of privacy, though we only pull from public sites and records. You might have noticed my bodyguard, Peter, around. He’s always close, but not so close that it’s intrusive.”

  Peter? I feel foolish that I didn’t realize who he was. I can’t believe I was so unobservant. “Is he outside waiting all night for you?”

  She chuckles. “No. He doesn’t always stay with me. He drives me to the office or wherever I need to go, and sometimes he stays, but if not, he’s always a quick phone call away. Tonight, he dropped me off and went home. I could call him to come to pick me up, but he’s married with kids, and I don’t want to interrupt his personal time, so I’ll grab a rideshare—which I do on occasion. He’s not crazy about it, but he knows.”

  I shake my head as I process this. Mia needs a bodyguard sometimes. I suppose if I were single and living in a big city, I might want some protection. I can only imagine how often guys get too aggressive.

  “I was introduced to Jim because of my sister, though,” she continues after a moment. “She’s a mega pop star in China, and a growing number of people here know her as well. She gets mobbed wherever she goes. She and my parents joined me to ring the bell the morning my company went public. She was mobbed, and it made the Chinese papers that we were related. After that, I had some strange things happen. I’m a single woman, and I got nervous for my personal safety. I was working with a friend of Jim’s at the time, and he referred me to Jim and Clear Security. The rest is history.”

  She looks at me with her big brown eyes as she stands and picks up her bag.

  I step in and kiss her softly. “You don’t have to go.”

  “Go talk to Jeremy and make sure he’s okay with me here. I think he needs time with his big brother. He probably went to his room because he feels like he’s intruding. If you can convince him to come out, and he’s comfortable with me being here, I might stay.”

  “You’re really amazing.” I kiss her softly. “I hope you know that.”

  I walk down the hall to the guest room. It’s behind the kitchen, but the room is directly below mine. I knock on the door.

  “Come in,” Jeremy says.

  He is sitting on the bed in his clothes. “Should I go home so your girlfriend can stay over?”

  I shake my head. “No, I want you to stay. In fact, I promised Jim you’d stay over.” I relay what Mia told me about her having security always around.

  “I get it. Mia’s a big deal, but I don’t know. It sounds so creepy to have some guy hanging out with me all the time. The press may think I’m weak or something.”

&nb
sp; I take a deep breath. “First, lots of people have bodyguards, and it doesn’t make them weak. You heard what Mia said about public interest in you after she ran that search—and that was only the first hour after you broke the record. I want you to concentrate on baseball, not rabid fans. Let Bryan worry about them, and you can work on your fastball. And if you don’t like Bryan, Jim will find someone you do like.”

  “I don’t know…” he hedges.

  “Listen, Mia said if you’d rather just the two of us to hang out tonight, she’ll go home.”

  “I don’t want to cockblock you.”

  I laugh. “Man, you build my cred. I’m more worried she’s gonna like you better than me.”

  “Naw. I see how she looks at you. If she’s not comfortable with me staying, I can go back to my place.”

  I stifle an internal scream. “No, you need to stay here. But if you’re fine with Mia staying too, can you tell her? I do really like her, and she’s worried about you.”

  “Me?” Jeremy stands. “I’ll go talk to her. She can stay.”

  When we walk out to the living room, Crispin, Jake, and SoBe have returned.

  SoBe comes up and nudges Jeremy. When Jeremy sits down on the floor with him, he climbs onto his lap and waits for the petting to begin.

  “Sorry, guys,” Jeremy says. “I didn’t mean to make everyone bug out so early.”

  “You didn’t. We just wanted to be sure you were all right,” Crispin says.

  “Yeah. Just another day in paradise.” He looks at the guys. “I’d love it if we could go back to playing Fortnite and forget all this.”

  “Sure,” Jake says. He plops down next to him and picks up a controller. Crispin does the same.

  Before I know it, it’s like Jim and Bash never came over. Jeremy leans over and whispers something to Mia, and she nods and smiles at me.

  My stomach flips. She’s staying the night.

  “After all the excitement, do you guys need more pizza, or something else?” I ask.

  “Too bad there isn’t a Dairy Queen,” Jake says. “We could order some Blizzards. That sounds pretty good.”

  “There are some in the Bay Area. They’re just inside malls,” Mia says. “We can try to get you some another day. Anything else tonight? We can get almost anything.”

  I get no takers—they’re focused on the game. So, I pull Mia into the kitchen.

  “They can go all night,” I warn her. “We can head upstairs whenever you’re ready. We don’t have to do anything, if you don’t want to.”

  She bites her lower lip. “I bet we can figure out several ways to be quiet.”

  “Then what are we waiting for?”

  I let the guys know to lock up when they’re ready to go home, and I take Mia upstairs to my bedroom.

  We’re clearly craving one another by the time we mount the stairs to the second floor. Our hands are everywhere.

  “I don’t have any massage oil,” I say.

  “Hmmm… I know where to get you some,” she says. “Maybe if you’re nice to me, I might order some for you.”

  It’s past midnight now, but the guys are yelling—with headphones on. We could have earth-shattering sex and they’d never know it. I point this out to Mia, and she gives me a wicked smile.

  When we reach the bedroom, I press Mia against the wall, and we kiss with fiery passion. There’s a sense of urgency and desperation in our groping. Soon we’re naked, and my fingers find her center. She pushes me back to slow me down, and I lead her to my bed.

  I kiss her neck, and she moans her appreciation as I explore. This always makes her hot. I work my way down her body, tonguing and kissing her, paying particular attention to her beautiful breasts. I lift her leg onto my shoulder and brush my mouth softly against her inner thigh. She lies back on the bed and closes her eyes as my tongue explores her sex. Her breathing becomes labored and she grips the sheets for leverage as she raises her pelvis to my mouth.

  Her head rocks as I work her core feverishly. Her orgasm hits, and she groans as I lap up her sweet honey. I love her disheveled look when the last tremors have subsided, and I kiss her so she can taste herself on my lips.

  “All I can say is…wow—amazing, incredible,” Mia breathes.

  I chuckle. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself as much as I did.”

  She reaches down and finds my rigid cock. “I think it’s your turn.” She strokes me a few times, but I don’t need any encouragement. If she’s near, it’s as hard as a rock.

  She guides me to her entrance. As I push the head of my cock between her velvety folds, she lets out a throaty moan.

  That's it. That's where I belong. Filling her up with my cock.

  Slowly, I slide my shaft inside her wet, hot pussy. She’s so tight that I have to inch in. She arches her back as I stroke into her.

  “Yes, fuck me,” Mia moans as I push in. She caresses the muscles of my shoulders and back as I pivot in and out of her. “Oh, fuck yes. It feels so good.”

  She reaches down and grips my ass with both hands, pulling me deeper inside. I arch my back and press my cock as deep as it will go—to the hilt. She cries out. I thrust my hips, and she cries out again. I can tell her orgasm is close as her breathing becomes labored, and so is mine. I reach down and strum her clit with my thumb. Her body begins to shake, and her legs splay wide. I rut into her again and again, bringing her to a shattering climax.

  “Oh God... Yes... Yes... Yes... Yes... Come... come with me!”

  I feel an electrical charge shoot through me and straight out the tip of my cock. Big loads of cum fill the condom, and strangely, I wish I wasn’t wearing one. Mia has definitely rewired my brain. With each spurt, I grunt with an animal passion, our bodies convulsing with pleasure. Finally, I collapse beside her, out of breath.

  We lie there for a moment, catching our breath. She runs her hands over my legs to my ass.

  “That was incredible,” I say with a grin. “As always.”

  Mia rolls toward me, and together we fall asleep.

  Chapter 13

  Mia

  At breakfast the next morning, Axel and Jeremy goof around and tease each other—so unlike the way I grew up. With William and Francis Couture, we dressed for breakfast, and we were never permitted to make much noise. My father didn’t have the patience for people who were loud or interrupted his train of thought. He’s important and has a lot going on between his office and his clients. I like breakfast with the guys much more.

  I need to go to Marci’s office in time for us to head over to the Federal Building together, and I still need to shower and prepare.

  “What do you have going on tonight?” Axel asks as I gather my things.

  “I’m meeting with the government today about my ex-friend I mentioned to you. I don’t know how long it’s going to be, but I’m assuming I’ll be too tired to do too much tonight,” I tell him.

  For a moment I think he’s going to ask a question, but then he just nods and wishes me luck. Jeremy looks away as I kiss Axel goodbye, but he gives me a wave on my way out.

  After Peter runs me home, I take a quick shower, dry my hair, and put it in a high ponytail. I dress and look at myself in the mirror. I’m wearing a classic—a navy blue sleeveless pencil dress with white zig-zag edging around the hem and a high neck. It has a slender white belt at the waist, and I’ve paired it with nude Gucci stiletto pumps. My makeup is subtle, but I look fresh and professional. I take a breath. I can do this.

  My phone buzzes, letting me know Peter’s around back and waiting. I walk out, and Jim, who is sitting in the front seat, steps out and opens the rear door for me. I slide into the rear passenger seat and see Jennifer Talbot, another member of Jim’s team, seated in the driver’s side rear.

  “Wow. I didn’t know I was going to a party,” I say.

  Jim turns around. “Marci called this morning, and there’s press waiting for you outside her office. She’d like us to meet her and her team at the Federal Building instead. The
y’ve agreed to give you a private room to conference in before your meeting. I have a jammer so you’ll be safe to talk.

  “What does the press care? I’m being interviewed. This isn’t even the court case yet, and it’s no surprise that I’m being interviewed—we were friends.”

  Jim shrugs. “Good question. Our plan is to drop you at the back entrance. Bash is already onsite, and he’ll take this car once we arrive. The three of us will escort you in and through security.”

  My stomach rolls. They think I may need three highly trained guards? I wish I had only eaten toast this morning. “Jim, is Marci not telling me something? Do I need to find other counsel since she’s representing so many of my friends?”

  Jim gives me a half-smile, and there’s a softness in his eyes. “You can certainly hire someone else, but I think you’re fine with Marci. There’s going to be a growing interest in the case. Remember how many people adored Cecelia. This chaos is rooted in people who want to see her killer come to justice.”

  I nod. “Add me to that list.”

  The city streets are packed with people on their way to their offices. Sirens wail. As we stop at a stoplight, a homeless man approaches the vehicle, and Peter shoos him away. Suddenly flash bulbs are popping, and it’s crazy. Peter lurches into the cross traffic despite the red light, and we escape an oncoming car by only a hair. Jim is talking into his sleeve as we come to a hard stop, and we hurry out of the car while Bash jumps in the driver’s seat and tears off.

  Jim leads the way into the Federal Building, and I follow.

  We walk into the front room and beyond reach of the crush of press, which still baffles me.

  The receptionist greets us. “US Attorney Clifton has provided us with all of your information. Please hand me a driver’s license, and I will verify that I have everyone, and then you’re free to go upstairs. Your attorney has already arrived.”

  We walk through metal detectors and are escorted to the fourth floor.

  Walker is there to greet us when the elevator doors open. “Quite the party outside.” I give him the side-eye, and he grins. “They’re anxious for the case to start.”