REMEDY: A Mafia Romance (Return to Us Trilogy Book 3) (14 page)

Jacade

The serene stillness of Ivy's darkened room plows into me like a head-on collision. Her wall supports my back as I loosen my tie and attempt to calm the unholy havoc in my brain.

She's lying on her side, one knee bent, hands folded beneath her cheek. The strap of her green nightie outlines the porcelain skin of the shoulder I can see. My mouth dries knowing she's naked under there.

Working the buttons of my shirt, I pause at the foot of her bed. If I take her the way my instinct is telling me to, the panther will shred her. With a deep breath, I let the shine of her hair and the peace of her repose lull the beast. This is what she brings me, quietude in a maelstrom.

She stirs and her breasts sway as she rolls to her back. I light three candles, placing one on the nightstand by her head and two on the dresser so I can see every bit of her.

I slip under the sheet and press my lips to the soft skin of her ankle. Touching her grounds me in the moment. The external chaos is allayed by her sleeping form. For now, I'm victorious. Tomorrow she'll be a target again, but in this minute fraction of time, she's safe in my hands.

The curve of her calf against my lips is an invocation, calling me home.

She bends one knee, widening for me.

My nose nudges the apex of her thighs. Her intoxicating aroma is so uniquely Ivy, it's engrained in my memory, eclipsing the scent of all women before her.

"Mmm," she hums, her arms rustling on the bed.

I freeze in my shrouded hiding place, thinking I've woken her, but the rise and fall of her supple stomach remains even. With my hands on her hips, I sit up and raise her to my face, leaving only her shoulders touching the bed. Holding her like a watermelon, my lips graze over her slit and kiss the hood of her nub. I suck her sweet clit into my mouth and tease it with the tip of my tongue.

Her breath hitches. "What the…" Her hands flap on my head through the sheet.

"Hello, love. Welcome to my feast."

"Jacade?"

"Uh huh. You awake now?"

"Yes. I can't see you."

"But you can feel me."

She gasps as my tongue tells her exactly where I am. Her fingers fumble on my head, but she can't get hold of me. She tugs my cloak off my head with a grunt, and it settles on her tits.

"None of that." I yank the sheet off her and cast it to the floor.

She watches my movements with sleepy, confused eyes.

I love catching her off-guard like this. "Hi."

"You scared me."

"Sorry." Not sorry. I lower my head and tease her with my tongue again.

Her ass writhes in my hands. "Oh god."

"Mmm," I murmur into her mound.

I rotate my palms until my fingers slip into the tempting crevice between her ass cheeks. It's fucking good to be home. Five weeks is entirely too long without the euphoria of playing with Ivy till she comes.

"Please. So good."

My dick twitches in response to her mumbled plea.

"Should I stop? It hasn't been five weeks yet."

She lifts her head and presses her palms flat to the mattress. "If you do, I'll kill you."

Ahh, death threats from Ivy I can handle.

Her ass tightens around my fingers probing at her back entrance. I return my tongue to her clit and suck the way she likes. I take her higher and higher till she's at the edge… and stop.

Her back and legs stiffen. "Ungh! No! Don't!"

I laugh at her garbled demand. Yes, dear.

Engulfing her clit, my tongue strums her nub, fast and furious. She jolts, holds her breath, then pants in little short breaths as her clit pulses on my lips.

What a fucking sight to behold.

She purrs as I lower her to the mattress and climb on top of her. I kiss along the lace draping over her cleavage and work my way up to her mouth. She attacks my lips, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I pull away, but she locks her hands behind my head. "Did you win?"

"Yes. I'm the boss. Top of the food chain. No one can order me to do any heinous shit again."

Her languid smile beams in the flickering light. "Good. I had no doubts." Her warm lips kiss up my cheek to my forehead.

"Missed you." I nuzzle her nose with mine.

"You too. Never do that to me again, you ass." She yanks on my hair, pulling my head back.

"I won't. Longest fucking ten days of my life."

She laughs. "Mine too."

Refusing to be ignored, my hard cock presses against her thigh through my pants. She wiggles against it.

"God, I want to fuck you. Four more days."

I press my lips to hers but she grumbles in protest.

"What?"

"I saw Dr. Kelch today. He said the five weeks started the day of the surgery not five weeks from the day I left the hospital. We're clear."

I scan her face and take in what she said.
We're clear
. "You sure?"

A catlike smile appears on her lips. "He said intercourse and orgasms were fair game. I asked. Several times."

"Jesus, I need you so bad."

"Take me then." She grabs my ass and squeezes.

Don't have to tell me twice. She watches me stand, loosen my belt, and drop my pants and briefs to the floor. She quickly pulls her nightie over her head and licks her lips. Ivy's wide awake now.

I kiss up from the swell of her breast, pressing my nose against her nipple. So hot. Every inch of her skin is on fire for me.

Her juices coat my tip as I line up with her entrance. "I'll be gentle."

"No. I'm fine. Fuck me hard, Dr. J."

I'm glad she wants it, but I slide in slowly. Her tight heat surrounds me and sucks me in. My lips float over hers in a subtle dance of air and skin.

I stroke in and out once. "I was your first."

"Yes."

"I'm back."

"Yes, Jacade. You're back… where you belong."

I pump into her, but not all the way. I can't push it to the hilt. Our kiss is electric, and she thrashes under me. We're connected from head to toe. My hips press into her soft curves, her breasts squashed under the weight of my chest. The sweltering friction between us lubricates our rutting. Her scent, her taste, her sounds. All my senses are flooded with Ivy.

"You feel that?" I ask her.

She presses her palms against my neck. Her thumbs caress my outer ear, her fingers gliding into my hair. "Yes. I feel it. It's huge."

"Well, yes, it is. But I mean the pull between us. I couldn't resist you if I tried." My thumb travels across her plumped lips.

"Yes, I feel it. It's overwhelming. My heart's exploding. I can't get close enough to you. I never want it to end."

"It won't end. It'll go on forever."

She presses her feet to the mattress and rises up to meet me. "Harder, Jacade. Faster. Please."

"Don't wanna hurt you."

"I'm strong. Let go. I need all of you right now. Fill me."

"You got it." I push my cock to the base and swivel my groin to mash into her clit.

My name is a prayer on her lips. "Jacade…"

"Yes, say my name again."

"Jacade."

"I'm the king."

"Yes."

"Say it."

"You're my king. Oh god!"

Her head flies back and her jaw drops. Sharp pain slices across my shoulder blades as she digs her claws in. Her hot cunt seizes around my cock. I stop moving in her and watch the glory of Ivy in the throes of climax.

"Eyes."

She lowers her head. I pin her hooded gaze and resume my stride, pulling her hips up to get a better angle. "Wrap your legs around me."

Her thighs squeeze my torso and her feet dig into my ass.

"Ungh!" A tidal wave crescendos and rolls through me, wrenching my soul by the roots and pouring it into her. All tension and stress spurts from me with my come, leaving only solace in its wake.

I slide in and out until the storm subsides. Her breathing evens, and her body relaxes into the bed. Keeping our connection, I roll us to our sides and gaze at her. She wraps a calf over my hip, offering me access to her ass, which I grab and twist.

I can't stop kissing her mouth, her neck, down to her tit. I take a nipple between my teeth and swirl my tongue.

She moans and writhes against me.

"Too much?"

She answers me with a sigh and a smile.

Her hair tickles between my fingers as I grip the base of her scalp. "I'll give you a beautiful life. Whatever you want, you'll have."

"I only want you."

"You've got me. No question. Forever."

I pull her hips closer, and she snuggles into my chest. "We don't have to stay. If you want to leave, we can still take off."

She angles her head back, and her eyes shoot to mine. "What?"

"We can alter our appearance and run."

She shakes her head. "Let's stay. We can do it together. Besides, you're too addicted to the adrenaline to leave." Her leg tightens around my thigh.

"Huh. True. You're addicted to it too, ya know."

"Also true."

Our bodies rub together as we laugh. I withdraw from her, and she grumbles at the loss.

"I have one more confession to make." This one is good news, for a change.

"And that would be?"

"I've been clean for five years."

She scrunches her brow. "Clean? Were you an addict?"

"No, I've never done drugs."

"What do you mean then?"

"All my businesses have operated legit for the last five years. No drug money. No blood money."

"Oh. Wow. I guess we hadn't talked about the details."

"I'm taking the CSA legit too. Five more years, the whole outfit will be above ground. Got some housecleaning to do to make it happen, but I think I have enough support."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"If I didn't win the vote, I'd be forced to stay dirty. Needed the knowledge you'd accept that if it happened."

"I accept you however you come. Clean, dirty, line-dried."

I kiss her fingertips and stare into her loving eyes, shimmering in the light from the candles. "I know. Unconditionally. No one has ever loved me the way you do."

"Good. I'm your first then."

"You're my first and last."

"So, we'll be safe in five years?"

"Relatively. I can't erase what I've done, but I've worked my entire life to give this to my girl."

"And I'm your girl?"

"My one and only. You taking what I'm offering?"

"I'll take any offer as long as you come with it."

"Oh, I do, baby. I come with it, and I come often."

Ivy

Knock-knock
.

"Coming!"

I run my palms down the sides of my silver pencil skirt and check my reflection in the mirror. This silver chiffon blouse drapes low over my cleavage and flares nicely at my waist. A hint of my garter imprints the skirt, but it's not that noticeable. The weather's probably too cold for these ankle-strap stilettos, but I don't care. No more yoga pants and T-shirts for me. I'm bringing sexy back.

My stomach flutters as I lean close to the mirror and wipe a smudge of blackberry lipstick from my lower lip. Why am I so nervous? It's just work. Yeah, but my first day of work knowing the details of who and what Uncle Bernie does.

My mind recalls my conversation with Jacade last night. He pursed his lips and planted his feet when I told him I was going back to work today. I'm losing my mind being cooped up all the time. He didn't say no or argue. I was impressed at his restraint. His only requirements were that Shane drives me to and from, I stay in the office all day, and I go straight to his penthouse after work without passing Go or I go directly to house arrest again.

With my Coach clutch in tow, I walk past Shane and out into early daylight. The security system beeps, and Shane opens the rear passenger-side door of a giant, black Hummer.

"Hey, mind if I sit up front?" My recon mission for my bestie will work much better in the front seat.

"Wha—"

My shoes shuffle on the sidewalk as I scurry behind him to the front of the Hummer. I pull the door open and attempt a flying Wonder Woman nosedive into the front seat.

Whoa! I grunt as I catch myself with my elbows on the seat and my ass hanging out the door. My feet dangle above the ground. This is one big car.

Not graceful, but there's no way to save face now. I'm climbing this bad boy.

I lift my right leg and blindly search for the foot rail. My shoe slips and scrapes along the metal. Like a cat clawing up a Christmas tree, I find some leverage and jump for the handle at the top of the doorframe.

Damn, just missed it! Why don't they put some decent treads on the bottom of these shoes? Girls in heels gotta climb shit sometimes!

I take in a fortifying breath and lift my knee higher to get my foot flatter on the rail. I jump and the tips of my fingers catch the handle, allowing me to heave my booty into the leather seat.

Whew! What a relief.

I look back at Shane and give him a little wave with a wiggle of my fingers.

Hey, Shane. No big deal. Everything's cool here. No worries.

He stands on the sidewalk with his hands on his hips inside his jacket, exposing not one but two holsters with guns. My little show made his face harden and ridges appear in his forehead.

Well, shoot. That was embarrassing, but he's not asking me to move, so it worked.

When he settles in the driver's seat, the heat of his displeasure fills the cavernous space. Before he starts the car, his eyes sneak a glance at my outfit. He looks again and locks his gaze on my thigh.

What?

He clears his throat and returns his attention to getting us on the road.

As I'm smoothing my skirt, my hand runs over an exposed garter clip.

Darn. I ripped the slit in my skirt. I try to pull the fabric together, but it won't close. I give up and just put my hand on my thigh to cover it. Oh well, hope Shane can handle the sexy.

I peruse the inside of Shane's new car. "What's up with the tank? Where's the new Escalade?"

"Safer transport for you."

"Great. Next he'll have me ride around in a flippin' armored vehicle with a gunman sticking out the roof."

Shane frowns and responds with a defensive tone. "Weapons are stored here." He points to a panel on the console. "The roof retracts."

"Oh." Wow. I was just joking, Shane. Yeesh.

He stops at a red light. The cross traffic moves into the intersection.

"Just drive over them," I say as I wave my hand out in the air.

He grunts.

I'm making zero progress with him. "So… Shane, how's life?"

"Fine." He flips on his right turn signal and waits for the truck in front of us to move.

"I'm so happy to get out of the house. Maybe have a night on the town, ya know? What do you do on your nights off?"

"I'm rarely off, Ms. Summers." He stares ahead at brake lights, unsmiling.

Hrmm. Incremental progress.

"Oh, come on. No women trying to lasso your ankles? Total hogwash."

His eyes turn to me, but his head stays forward. "Hogwash?"

"Yeah, hogwash. You're telling me no one special has caught your eye? That's a crock of crap."

He quirks his lips but doesn't respond. I blow my bangs with my breath and look out the window. He's a tough cookie to crack.

Shane pulls into the underground parking garage at the office and parks by the elevator. "Dr. Jordan will be in shortly."

His low, deadly voice halts my first step of the perilous climb down. "Ivy."

My body stiffens at his utterance of my first name. My head snaps back to him.

"I won't hurt her." He stares out the windshield, his gaze a million miles away.

I suck in a sharp breath. How did he… I didn't even mention Bryn. I should've known his military intellect would suss out my motives.

He turns his head and focuses his solemn gaze on me. His eyes darken and glint. "Not intentionally."

Oh god. He let me see! In that brief flare in his eyes and those two words, I caught a glimpse inside. Determination. Integrity. I believe him. He's a good man. He won't hurt my Bryn.

I look down and finish my descent from the monster machine. My garter and the top of my stocking peek out as I walk into the elevator and press the eleventh-floor button. Oh boy, I'll need to do something about this rip in my skirt. I turn and wave at Shane.

He watches me stoney-faced. A split second before the doors close between us, he flashes me a grin. No teeth, but definitely more than a smirk.

Yep, I'm making huge progress with him.

Ping
.

The elevator doors separate as I hunt for my keys in my clutch. My heel catches on the rug, and my skirt tears more.

Fantastic.

The frosted glass windows on the office door welcome me to normalcy.

With one push, the unlocked door opens. Aunt Helen and Uncle Bernie's impassioned voices filter to me. Why are they here this early?

I tiptoe into the waiting room, careful my feet aren't visible underneath the gap in the employee door.

"C'mon, Ellie. What's wrong?" Uncle Bernie's voice.

"Don't call me Ellie. It reminds me of Vera."

I wrap my arms around my stomach. Did my mother call her Ellie?

I've never heard Aunt Helen bicker with Uncle Bernie like this. They're usually all lovey-dovey when I'm within earshot.

"Bernard, give me the truth. None of your silver-tongued crap."

"Fine."

"In the hospital, Gerry whispered in my ear. He said that you're… that you're…"

"I'm what?" His pitch rises. "Jesus, Helen. Just say it!"

"That you're gay." The defeat in her voice slashes my spirit.

Uncle Bernie snickers but doesn't counter.

"Tell me it isn't true." She pleads with him.

"Stop. We're not discussing this here," Uncle Bernie snaps.

"When are we going to talk about it? You're rarely home. It's been bothering me for weeks." Aunt Helen's voice cracks. "Bernard, are you sleeping with… men?"

"Shut up, Helen. You're talking fucking nonsense."

My hand flies to my chest, and my heart thumps under my fingertips. I can't believe the belligerence in his voice.

"You don't deny it?" Aunt Helen whispers.

She's right. He didn't deny it. Be straightforward with your wife, Uncle Bernie.

Whoosh
!

A rough hand covers my mouth and spins me around.

Jacade! Fuck, you scared me. My heart pounds in my throat.

He holds his index finger in front of his lips. His arm wraps around my waist and lifts me. He steps back and settles us on a chair with me sitting in his lap. I try to catch my breath without being heard.

"Your crazy is showing, Helen. Look at the source. You'd believe Gerry Boothby of all people?"

Jacade's hand wanders down my thigh and lingers over the tear in my skirt. His finger skims under the rip and explores the tip of my stocking. He swallows and licks his lips against my neck.

His other hand tickles my waist. I squirm in his lap and tug at his hands. Do you mind, Dr. Wandering Hands Jordan? I'm trying to eavesdrop here.

"Are you unhappy with me? Do you want to be with men?" Aunt Helen asks.

Jacade's lips press a warm, wet kiss to the nape of my neck.

Uncle Bernie's voice thickens with malice. "It doesn't matter what I say, Helen. You're not gonna believe me anyway. You have to control everything and everyone around you!"

"You're getting defensive and I was only—"

"You were only pushing your authority around. Just because you're Ray's daughter doesn't mean you can go around accusing me of shit."

"This has nothing to do with my father."

Snap
!

Ow! Pain stings my leg. What the… Jacade snapped my garter on my skin. Dang him!

I scowl at him over my shoulder while I rub my thigh with the heel of my hand.

He bites his bottom lip.

"Be direct with me, please. That's all I've ever wanted."

He's lucky they didn't hear the snap.

"Haven't I always given you the whole story, Ellie?"

Aunt Helen growls. "I'm not sure anymore, Bern."

I dig out my cell phone and text Jacade.

Me: I'm going in there.

His phone vibrates in his pocket. He pulls it out, and his fingers glide over the screen.

J: Your outfit is hawt.

Me: Stay focused, Dr. Jordan.

J: I'm focused on the slit in your skirt.

"I can't believe you're having an affair with a man," Aunt Helen says.

"There is no affair," Uncle Bernie responds offhandedly.

Me: There is totally an affair.

J: Let's have an affair right here on the floor.

Me: Jacade! He's lying to her face!

J: Do not get in the middle of this.

He pins me with his eyes. I scrunch my face at him.

Me: Why not? She deserves to know.

J: Because then I'm in the middle of this.

I drop my phone and break away from him. I stomp to the employee door and shove it open.

Aunt Helen turns to me and fiddles with her collar. "Oh, Ivy. Hello. You're uh, back."

Uncle Bernie coughs and focuses on the check-in desk. Can't look me in the eye, huh?

"Morning, Ivy." Uncle Bernie paints a warm smile on his face that I now know is a practiced lie.

Deceitful swine.

I stand next to Aunt Helen and face Uncle Bernie. Jacade waltzes in behind me and leans his shoulder on the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. He frowns at me because now he's involved.

"I heard you guys talking." They glance at each other then back at me, their faces blank. I wait till Uncle Bernie looks me in the eye. "Tell her you're cheating on her."

Uncle Bernie's eyes flare. He takes a step to the left and talks directly to Jacade. "You told her about Chowder?"

Jacade clears his throat. "No. She heard it through my cell phone." Jacade smirks at Uncle Bernie. "But you just told your wife."

"Chowder? Trip's friend?" Aunt Helen glances between Jacade and me, her jaw hanging open.

Uncle Bernie's body goes rigid. Where are your smooth lines now, dear uncle?

"Yep." Jacade stares at his fingernails. "She also heard all about Viktor." Jacade speaks casually without looking up.

The air in the room turns to cement, and we all stand frozen like ice sculptures.

Aunt Helen is the first to unthaw. She inclines her head toward Uncle Bernie. "Viktor?"

She takes a stunted step toward him. "Viktor?" Her hands tremble and her voice shakes.

"Helen. Calm down. Of course not."

"Viktor?" Her shoulders rise, and her back stiffens. "He's been causing Ivy trouble for years. He nearly killed her. And you had"—her voice lowers to a hiss—"sex with him?"

Uncle Bernie's face puffs up and turns red. He marches past me and stops in front of Jacade. "You piece of shit!" He launches his right fist at Jacade's face.

Jacade catches his punch without moving from the wall. His fingers tighten, and he wrenches Uncle Bernie's arm back at an awkward angle.