Chapter 14

Jay leaned back in his chair and touched the snifter of brandy to his lips, taking a slow sip. He had work to do, calls to make, even at… he glanced down at his phone… 10:23pm. He'd spent the afternoon in his spacious office conducting long distance meetings. His evening had been spent down at the vineyard offices meeting with the estate manager. The vineyard itself was marginally profitable and run entirely by the manager with Jay handling only minor details. Jay used the vineyard to clean up several sources of income. Sources that would soon become legitimate. Now that Allie was in his life he was less willing to associate with his dirtier business dealings. There would be fewer profits, but he was already an extremely wealthy man several times over. Their future was secure.

His thoughts inevitably drifted to the woman slumbering peacefully in one of his guest rooms. After her storm of tears had passed that morning she had exchanged her moccasins for running shoes, thrown open the patio doors and started running. Jay had watched her dispassionately through the property cameras. He thought about going after her to insist she come home, but he knew she needed an outlet, and running on the property was relatively safe. Allie wasn't much of a runner anyway, she would burn out soon. Jay had called down to the guard house and set a tail on her, describing her projected location and arranging an intercept.

"Try to stay out of her way. She doesn't need to see your guy if he can help it," he'd ordered quietly.

Allie had stayed outdoors for about two hours before coming grudgingly back to the house where she had proceeded to ignore Jay as completely as if he wasn't there. He had watched in amusement as she fixed herself a sandwich and some raw vegetables, eaten on the patio and then washed dishes in complete silence. Jay told her of his work plans for the day, but she ignored him, walking past him as though he didn't exist.

Jay quirked a brow at her and followed behind to watch while she chose a book from his library, went out the library patio doors and settled onto a lounge chair in the shade to read. Jay had thought about showing her exactly how long her silent treatment could hold up if he chose to actively disturb her peace, but instead decided to leave her alone until later.

Now he found himself smiling in amusement as he thought of her small defiance earlier in the day. His phone vibrated on the arm of the chair next to his elbow. Jay glanced down, his lips tightening into their customary line. It was Li Wei, probably wanting to negotiate payment on a shipment coming into the harbour in five days. Jay downed the rest of his brandy, placed his glass on the table next to his chair and scrubbed a hand across his face and hair while he ignored the call.

Fuck work. The Chinese could sweat for another day. Allie's gorgeous body lay just down the hall. Finally within his reach, after all these years of waiting. Jay placed his phone next to the brandy snifter and stood. Pacing stealthily through the house, he made sure all doors were locked and the alarm was set. He checked in with the guards at the gate. Satisfied that his property was secure for the night, he strode purposefully down the hall toward the room Allie had chosen for the night.

He'd wanted to go gently with her after their argument that morning. He'd intended to show her more of the delights she had missed over her years of having a selfish lover for a husband. But first, Jay needed to impress on Allie how much he meant what he said when he told her she would be sharing his bed from now on. Even if it meant scaring her into compliance. He didn't care that she'd given him the silent treatment. Hell, he thought it was cute. She could rage at him if she wanted. The end result would be the same. But the one thing she would not be allowed to do was go to any other bed except his.

Silently, Jay removed his clothes, letting them drop to the hardwood floor. He could see Allie clearly in the light of the moon and stars coming in from the glass windows. She hadn't bothered to close the blinds, preferring to have them open at night. His eyes gleamed possessively as he looked down at the woman he'd loved for as long as he could remember. The blanket had been pushed down to bunch around her small, bare feet. She wore light cotton pyjama pants that were loose around her hips and a white tank top. He could barely see her dusky nipples through the thin cloth of her shirt. His cock grew impossibly harder as he stood over her, taking in every curve. One of her arms was curved against her waist while her other hand rested against her cheek.

He could watch her forever, but his body insisted he do much more than look. He took his cock in one hand and squeezed, then let go, stepping toward the bed. He kneeled over her for a few seconds more, hesitant to disturb her peace before sighing with regret. Eyes growing hard he thrust his knees between her legs and wrapped long fingers around her wrists before she had a chance to fully wake up. He brought them together over her head and held them in one hand while tugging her pyjama pants ruthlessly off her body with the other. She cried out in surprise and fear as she came completely awake in his arms.

"Quiet Allie, its me," Jay said in her ear, flattening himself along her body as he continued to tear the cloth from her legs.

Her chest heaved as she sucked in air. She tilted her face up to his, her eyes wide and luminous. "Jay, what are you…?!"

"I think that's obvious," he said, kissing and licking his way down her body.

She began heaving against him now that she was fully awake and aware of his intent. "Jay! I said I wouldn't… I don't want…!"

He ignored her, continuing his sensual assault. He had to release her hands to reach her pussy his with mouth. She immediately tried to shove his head away. He recaptured her wrists, but she managed to wriggle until she was sideways and he was unable to reach her soft folds with his tongue. With a frustrated growl he flipped her over onto her stomach and smacked her ass with his palm. She shrieked in surprise and tried to crawl away but he hauled her back and spanked her ass several more times.

"This defiance is getting old, Allison!" he snapped.

"Then leave me alone!" she gasped, still twisting in his arms.