Uncollared Read online

  Mia blinked heavy-lidded eyes, slowly awakening. She and Chess lounged side by side on his couch. The room was dark, lit only by the black-and-white film playing on the television. She cuddled into the chenille throw that Chess had placed over her. “I fell asleep?”

  Chess touched her arm. “Mm-hmm. Poor thing, you were exhausted.”

  “I guess.” The day at the work and the evening’s fun and games had tuckered her out. She smothered a yawn. “Sorry.”

  Bailey was tired too, snoozing next to the couch. “What time is it?” Mia asked.

  “Not quite nine thirty.”

  “Oh.” How embarrassing to conk out so early. “What are you watching?”

  “Just an old movie.”

  Feeling cozy by his side, her brain still a bit muzzy, she snuggled against him. Peering again at the television, she recognized the movie at once. “Oh, Laura.”

  “You’ve seen it?” he asked.

  “Lots of times,” Mia answered. “But I love it.”

  As they watched the rest of the film silently, Chess draped his arm around Mia’s side, pulling her closer. She melted into him, his encompassing warmth filling her. When the film ended—the mystery solved, the murderer exposed, and the final words “Good-bye, my love” spoken—Chess and Mia remained pressed against each other in silence.

  At last he sighed, shaking his head. “It’ll never last.”

  The romantic film had left Mia in a fog of bliss. It took her moment to emerge. “What do you mean?”

  “Laura and the detective. They’ll never make it. She should’ve stuck with the other guy.”

  “Laura and Mark? Of course they’ll make it. They’re in love.” Mia refused to have her bubble popped by a cynical wet blanket.

  “He fell in love with her portrait. He only loves what he imagines her to be. And she fell for the big handsome cop. But it won’t last in the long run. They’ll get married, and he’ll expect her to quit her fancy job and leave her ritzy apartment. Did you see that place? You think she’ll be happy living in a dumpy flat with a bunch of kids trying to survive on a cop’s salary?” Chess gave a snort of disgust. “No way.”

  “It’s not about money.”

  “Trust me, it’s always about money. She’d have been better off with what’s-his-name. Waldo. He’d have kept her in style.”

  Mia wouldn’t give up without a fight. “But she didn’t love Waldo.”

  He looked at her, opened his mouth as though to give her an argument, then just smiled. “You’re a real romantic, aren’t you?”

  Funny. Mia had never thought of herself that way. “Maybe I am. At least when it comes to movies.”

  “And not real life?” he asked gently.

  She thought of her parents’ marriage. As unhappy as it had been, Mia hadn’t given up hope on romantic love. “I suppose I believe in the possibility of love.”

  The arm around her tightened just a bit, pulled her closer. Their eyes met for a long moment. As if to break the tension, Chess jiggled her a bit. “Tell the truth. You liked that big handsome cop too.”

  “He was hot,” Mia admitted, running her tongue across her lower lip. Feeling naughty, she added, “Very in charge. Masterful.”

  “Masterful, huh?” The heat in his gaze made her nipples tingle and her pussy soften. “You know, your phone rang while you asleep. I didn’t want to wake you, though. You might want to check, see who it was.”

  His abrupt shift in topic disoriented her. Again she felt it, that slight pulling back as they got too close. “Oh. All right.”

  Mia pulled the phone from her purse and checked her messages. “My brother, Joey.” She hit speed dial and got him back. “Hey, Joe. You called?”

  “Hey, Sis. How you doin’?”

  “I’m good. What’s up with you?”

  “I’m okay. But I’m in kind of a bind. Shit, I hate to ask, but you think you can lend me a couple hundred bucks?”

  “I…” She did a few swift mental calculations. “Sure, if you really need it…”

  “I do. It’s for some books I need for this business course I signed up for. I feel shitty even asking. I know you’re not rolling in the cheddar. But I’ll pay you back, I promise. I thought I had it covered, but these textbooks are so fuckin’ expensive—”

  “Don’t worry about it. Two hundred, you said?”

  “Yeah, if you can manage it. I’m sorry, Sissie.” His name for her from back in the day. “I, uh, I did call Mom, but she—”

  “You don’t need to explain. If I get a check in the mail tomorrow, will that be all right?”

  “Yeah, that’s awesome.” Mia could almost see her brother’s face relax in relief. “Thanks a lot.”

  “How’s it going otherwise?”

  They spoke for a few more minutes before she let him go.

  She felt Chess watching her as she slipped the phone back into her purse. “My little brother, Joey…Joe.” She had to get out of the habit of calling him by that diminutive now that he was a man. “He’s a freshman at SUNY Albany.”

  “Nice.”

  “Yeah. He got a scholarship there. He’s a really smart kid.”

  “Mmm. But even scholarships don’t cover all the essentials.”

  She sighed. “That’s true. He needs a few extra dollars for some textbooks.”

  “And calls you for help.”

  Her cheeks heated as her temper rose in defense of her brother. “Only because there’s no one else to help. Our mother—” She cut the explanation short and took a deep breath to calm herself. “He’s not lazy or spoiled. Not one of those kids that feels entitled. He has a part-time job, but even with that, he can’t cover everything. And he’ll pay me back when he can.” She didn’t worry about that part of it. But the money would be something of a sacrifice for her. No eating out or entertainment for her this month.

  As she pondered this, Chess spoke. “What about your mother? She can’t afford to help him?”

  “She can afford it. She’s still working. Still pulling extra shifts in the ER. But she’s one of those parents who feels that when her kids are eighteen, they’re on their own.”

  “Really.”

  “Yep, really. Nobody gave her any breaks, so she doesn’t see why anyone else should expect them. She’s a tough cookie, my mother. Well, I guess she had to be. But it’s made her a little too hard.”

  “And you’re the soft one.”

  She blushed at the description. “People need a little extra help sometimes. Not everyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” But she didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. “My mother’s not a cruel woman. I don’t mean to make her sound that way.”

  “No worries, Mia. You’d never do that.”

  He smiled warmly at her. She leaned into him, her eyes closing, her lips tingling, sure that he was about to kiss her. But the kiss landed on her forehead. “You’re tired. You need to get to bed.”

  She blinked. “You want me to stay? I didn’t bring anything.”

  “Don’t worry. I have an extra toothbrush you can use.”

  “Are you coming?”

  “In a while.” He pointed the remote at the TV, channel surfing. “Gotta take Bailey out for a quick walk.”

  At the word out, the dog’s head popped up.

  Mia didn’t argue. “Good night.” She let the throw that covered her drop to the sofa and was left completely naked. As she sauntered to the bedroom, she felt his gaze follow her. He wasn’t as dispassionate as he pretended. Mia purposely added an enticing little switch to her walk.

  She slipped under the bedclothes, a bit disappointed to find them so crisp and fresh. She’d love sleeping in sheets that smelled like him.

  Mia wrestled impatiently with the bedclothes. She wanted Chess with her. Wanted to feel his warmth next to her, to bump against him in the night, to hear him breathe.

  She hoped that walk with Bailey would be a very quick one.

  * * * *

  When she awoke Satu
rday morning, the other side of the bed was rumpled but empty. Mia rolled over and sank her face into Chess’s pillow, breathing in the scent of him.

  She turned her head when she heard his voice from the doorway.

  “Good, you’re awake. Breakfast’s ready.”

  She sat up. “May I shower first?”

  “Later. The food’s hot now. Come right now, and come as you are.” Her nipples peaked at his command. He wanted her naked.

  She hurried to the bathroom only long enough to relieve herself, wash her hands, brush her teeth, and run a comb through her hair. Morning breath and bed head were not a turn-on.

  When she padded into the kitchen, he was already seated. Mia pulled out the chair across from him but stopped when he gave her a look. “What are you doing? You’re not sitting there.”

  She blinked in surprise.

  He pointed to a spot beside him on the floor. “I want my slave right here, on her knees.”

  Mia obeyed, sinking to her knees on the cool vinyl. Chess ate from a hearty plate of scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, and toast and drank from a tall glass of orange juice. Mia’s mouth watered.

  She wondered if he would ignore her through the entire meal, but after a few moments he fed her as well. From his plate. With his fork. Alternating bites of food between his mouth and her own. Dabbing her mouth with his napkin.

  Mia tried not to move, to kneel tall and still like a good sub, but by the time they finished the meal, her knees were growing numb from the hard floor. When she shifted slightly, trying to ease them, Chess lifted her to her feet.

  “You’ve had enough to eat?” He spoke quietly.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Then come with me.”

  He led her to the bathroom and had her wait while he turned on the water in the large, glass-enclosed shower. The room grew warm and steamy, and the large mirror over the sink fogged over. Chess slowly undressed, pinning Mia with his gaze. He drew her under the pulsating jets of water.

  He lathered her, his hands smoothing and lingering on her skin. Mia tingled everywhere he touched. She sighed as he massaged her scalp while shampooing her hair. He put her under the spray, and she closed her eyes as the water sluiced over her.

  “How are your knees now?” His voice rumbled like a cat’s purr.

  “Fine…” Mia’s eyes were still closed. She was lost in a warm, misty dream.

  “Good. Now kneel and suck me off.”

  She was eager to comply, in gratitude for all he’d done for her. Once she went down on her knees, Mia saw how hard he was. She took him in her hand and marveled at how wet and silky his skin felt. She pumped him, then licked his cockhead with the flat of her tongue, tasting saltiness along with a trace of soap. Swirled her tongue around his corona, trailed it along the bulging vein. Enclosed the head in her mouth, sucking as though it were a lollipop.

  “Stop teasing. Get busy.” His voice was a rumble.

  Mia couldn’t help but smile at his impatience. She must be doing something right. As she opened her mouth and relaxed her throat, Chess began feeding her his cock. Slowly he pushed in, then withdrew, then pushed forward, prodding the roof of her mouth. Every time he pulled back, she sucked harder, coaxing him to stay. At last she won him over. Chess grasped her head, cradling it in his big hands, forceful but not cruel. He thrust into her over and over as she tried to give him everything he needed. Finally he rewarded her with his climax, his cum pulsing into her mouth.

  After he came, he pulled her up and placed her on a built-in seat. He unhooked the wand from the showerhead and handed it to her.

  “Play with yourself.”

  By then her clit was hard and heavy, aching with need. The hot needles of water against it were both torture and relief. Chess watched her with heavy-lidded eyes, his arms folded over his chest, his face impassive. But he didn’t fool her. The flush on his skin and the way his cock twitched while she played told her that he was not unmoved.

  As heat flashed through her and steam misted her vision, all she saw was Chess. She was so worked up that it took almost no time at all for her to reach the precipice, but before she could topple into orgasm, he grabbed the showerhead from her. Before she could even moan with disappointment, he pulled her up and turned her around to place her hands flat against the shower tiles. After arranging her to his satisfaction, with her arms extended and her back arched, he stepped away.

  “Don’t move.”

  Mia waited, trembling, aching with the need to come as the hot water pelted her back. Then he was back, snugged against her ass, his latex-covered cock hard again. The realization that he’d left her to fetch a condom came and went in a flash. She bumped her ass back against him, on fire for him. “Please.”

  Chess tightly gripped her hips. “When I say.”

  But he didn’t make her wait long, and knowing he was just as hot for her felt as good as his long, slow plunge inside her. When he began to withdraw, her pussy squeezed around him, begging him to stay. Though he set the pace, when his thrusts came quicker and tighter, Mia knew he was close.

  He moved his left hand down to flick her clit. “Come, Mia.”

  Whether it was his command or his touch that sent her over, Mia couldn’t help herself. The contractions pulsed through her as Chess went still, his pelvis pressed hard against her ass. She soon felt his cock jerk inside her as he came too. Mia’s arms trembled as she recovered, and Chess set his hand on the wall next to her to steady them both. Mia turned her head and smoothed her lips along his biceps before he took her mouth in a searing kiss.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The following Friday Chess sat in his office, shuffling through the pile of papers on his desk. He and Mia had spent last weekend getting to know each other. Lounging, talking, having sex. Cooking meals and taking Bailey for walks. Enjoying each other’s company, just like any couple at the beginning of their relationship.

  And Chess felt like a bastard the entire time. Because he was a liar and a cheat, leading Mia on. Letting her think they had a future when he knew that soon he’d have to cut her loose.

  Doris’s voice yanked him out of his funk. “When did you get to sleep last night, Frankie?”

  No one else called him Frankie. Doris had been his father’s secretary back in the day when “Big Frank” was the man in charge.

  “What makes you ask that?” he responded, looking up at her as she stood beside him.

  “Those suitcases you’re packing under your eyes,” Doris said, tucking a pencil behind her ear. She must be at least seventy now but her hair, thanks to Clairol, was still the same impossibly bright red it had been for decades.

  He drew himself up in mock self-importance. “You mean I’m not my usual handsome self?”

  Doris shook her head in disapproval. “You’re too handsome for your own good. When are you going to settle down?”

  He decided not to remind his secretary-slash-assistant that he’d been there, done that. “What, and bring an end to my unbelievably wild and dissolute bachelor existence?”

  “No, I don’t think wild parties are to blame. I’m pretty sure the luggage can be blamed on late-night worries about the business.”

  Doris had him there. With the downturn in the real-estate market, Francesco Ryan was caught between a rock and a hard place. If he declared bankruptcy and closed down the business, it would be like losing his father all over again. But he’d racked his brain to come up with another answer and could find none. Going on this way, he was only throwing good money after bad.

  He’d sold his properties, the house in the country and the beachfront property, both of which he’d purchased when he was riding high. All he had left was his apartment, which he’d lose anytime now. He’d soon be moving to a smaller place more in line with his smaller income. Or lack thereof.

  That didn’t matter. He’d live in a dumpy studio apartment if necessary. It wasn’t so much the loss of possessions and demise of the high lifestyle that troubled him. It was the fact tha
t the Ryan family would be going from rags to riches to rags in three generations. And it was all his fault.

  When Chess looked up from his ruminations, he found Doris gazing at him with sympathy. She was the only staff he had left now—he’d had to let all the others go. He kept Doris out of loyalty because she’d never shown any inclination to stop working, and because she was the last link to his father. But now, with his back against the wall, he could no longer do even that.

  “You don’t need to worry about me, you know,” she told him. “The only reason I haven’t retired up to now is to keep an eye on you.”

  Even now she was giving him an out, making it easy for him. He just couldn’t bring himself to tell her that there was no place for her here anymore. No place for him either. It was all over.

  “Ah, Doris.” He stood and gave her a gentle hug. “You’re a gem.”

  “Lenny’s been after me for years to retire. He wants to move to Florida and play golf. I tell him he’s crazy; they got alligators down there!”

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you,” he said with a croak.

  “You’re gonna do just fine. Believe me.”

  Chess shook his head, a black wave of gloom washing over him. “I let him down, Doris.”

  “Shhh. Stop that, now. No you didn’t. You couldn’t predict how bad things would get. Even those smart guys in Washington didn’t know.”

  But he couldn’t blame just the market downturn or the real-estate crash. Chess knew he held plenty of responsibility as well. He’d been arrogant and overconfident when he was riding the wave, purchasing too many properties on credit. When the market tanked, he was underwater in all his holdings. The malls closed down; the business parks sat empty; the condos didn’t sell. Forget selling them—he couldn’t give them away. The taxes alone were killing him.

  Suddenly images of Mia flashed in his memory. Their time together had been amazing. He wanted to call her now, hear her voice, see her again. Just thinking about her made the humiliation facing him recede. He wanted to hold her in his arms, take care of her…

  Like the way you took care of the business your father handed you? Who are you kidding, Ryan? You can’t take care of anything, not even yourself. You were a big shot, thinking you had all the answers. Well, you’re not riding so high now, are you? Mia will be lucky to be rid of you.