Chapter 7

Jaime

T he soft knock on my doorframe brings my head up from my Kindle, a smile settling on my lips seeing Jasmine in the doorway. It's our weekly Sunday dinner but she's early. I'm sure it's to check in on Jennie.

It's been two weeks since Troy died but she's still here with us at Mom and Dad's. I think it's been a bit easier for Zack to get through the days since he at least has school to go to than it's been for her. She's never had a routine so now she's mostly been quietly staring out the windows unless Mom or one of us force her to do something.

Which is what Jackie's been doing by bringing over her youngest Andrew during the days this past week while Jamison and a crew finish up some renovations at their house. They're adding in a guesthouse and second garage to help with having places for cars since Archer will be sixteen in July and Alex just turned fifteen.

The guesthouse is in case the boys decide to go to Presley as Ashton's leaning towards, or for Andra and Abby when they're finished with college. The noise has been upsetting Andrew's naps and since he just turned three, if he doesn't get one in, it's hell on Jackie the rest of the day with the ‘terrible twos' rolling into the threes it seems.

"Hey, how's she doing?" Jasmine asks coming into my room when I put away my Kindle.

"A bit better but she's so quiet it's unnerving," I admit as Jillian and Maia poke their heads into my room.

"I thought I heard your voice," Jillian says, giving Jasmine a hug.

"We wanted to stop in early and check on Jennie before dinner," Jasmine explains and Jillian nods looking my way, the same worry in her eyes. "Jackie said she wasn't acting herself at all, which I can understand, but she's worried at just how much different she's been even when she had the opening to say something…"

"Completely Jennie," I offer and Jasmine nods. "Yeah, as annoying as it could be sometimes, her snark is just something you learn to love."

"Even if at times you wanted to strangle her for it," Julie states, joining us with Jackie making me smile at the look of true concern on Julie's face. The two of them always had the biggest love-hate relationship of the entire family. Julie would never turn her back on her but keeping distance between them was definitely something that helped keep that snark at bay. "So, there's no change?"

"Not really," Jillian answers as Maia tries to back out of the room.

"Stay, you're family, even if you don't share any DNA with us. Serena's with the kids or she'd be up here too," Julie reassures her, and Jasmine gives her a little hug putting a hint of color in Maia's cheeks. "We choose our own family around here, and sometimes we like the ones we pick a bit more than those with our DNA," she adds to her in a whisper.

"Isn't that the truth," Jillian states shooting a look my way making my brow lift curiously. "Don't give me that look. Who was it that went out with Natalie last weekend and didn't invite me?"

"We had a double-date with Jamison and Natalie. I didn't go out with her by myself," I argue returning her look. "And it's not like we planned to do a double-date. It's not our fault the restaurant didn't realize that Jamison and I both made reservations since the restaurant only included the first initial and last name on them and thought it was a duplicate, resulting in them being short a table."

"Why did you make the reservation instead of Bryan?" Jasmine asked and I let out a soft laugh as a flush slipped onto my cheeks.

"Because it was supposed to be a surprise. Wyatt and I finished up the second series of videos we were asked to do, so I don't have to go in early anymore. Which meant being able to stay out later or meet him more often than we had been," I state with a little shrug. Not about to add that I'd hoped the romantic spot would get him to finally give me a damn kiss.

The man is driving me mad with want—need. I could deal with the depth of it a whole lot better if he'd just give me some kisses. I didn't think I'd end up having to share the romantic evening with my brother which kept Bryan from really even touching me unfortunately.

"Stay out later as in stay out all night?" Jasmine asks, wiggling her brows at me with a grin. "It's going to be a whole lot harder for you to keep Dad from knowing you're out than it was for me still being over here instead of in the east wing."

"Well, it's not like he's got anything to worry about," I grouse drawing five curious faces my way as Jillian's jaw dropped a hint.

"Wait, he still hasn't kissed you?" she asks.

"No," I sigh. "He told me before the dance that he was sure if he did it'd spiral out of control too fast but that's been over a month ago now and he's still holding back."

"Guess that's something else you and Jackie seem to have in common," Julie says giving us both little grins. "I mean she's the one that was calling to complain to me when Ethan wouldn't…"

"Stop it," Jackie says with a groan, her cheeks filling with color. "Yes, Ethan wouldn't fully make love to me until we were married because he was certain Dad would flip out if I got pregnant before the wedding. He did plenty of other things with me that I loved then and still love now to get us by until then at least. I wouldn't worry about what Dad might do; he's mellowed a lot more since then."

"Plus while you're one of his little girls still, everyone knows that he was so overboard when it came to Jackie because she was Mom 2.0 in looks and needs," Jasmine adds. "I mean, he knew I was living with Adam before we got married."

"But you were also engaged the majority of the time you were," Jillian states and Jasmine gave a little shrug of acknowledgement over it. "Not to mention Adam while not a full-fledged extrovert like you, was a lot more comfortable with the big group than it seems Bryan is."

"I don't think it's that," a new voice behind the girls says drawing our attention to Jennie in surprise.

"You don't?" Julie asks her and she shakes her head no, giving me a grin that's nowhere near a normal Jennie smile but so much better than that blank stare that's been a near permanent fixture on her face unless she was crying.

"No. I've seen the way he looks at Jaime. I think it's more likely that he's trying to be cognizant of the fact that Jaime's not the kind of girl who's comfortable being the center of attention," she adds making my brow lift a bit in surprise. "Every time he stops in to pick you up his eyes devour you. He's holding on by a very thin thread. When it snaps, he's not going to be able to hold back, and since it seems most of your dates are in public…"

"They all have been," I admit with another sigh, telling them about Bryan's concerns about the guys thinking he was just someone to date rather than someone I was serious about with their lack of concern towards us, as well as his statements about us being from different social circles.

"So it sounds like you're going to have to make the first move again," Jillian says giving me a grin. "It worked out well the first time, didn't it?"

"What's that mean?" Jackie asked as I flush again, the color easily seen.

I fill them in on what led us to going to dinner that first night, then tell them the one thing I'd been holding onto the last two weeks. "He had flashes of his ex…fiancée when he saw me out with Jill, or the girls, and even us out shopping or getting something to eat so often."

"I'm sorry, did you say ex- fiancée ?" Jillian snorts, her eyes a bright blue burning shock.

"Yeah, they dated in high school and got engaged before they went to college. Him here and her out in LA. She didn't want to come back when they were graduating so he went out to see her only to find her ‘knocking boots' with two guys when they'd said they'd wait until marriage for that," I add making brows lift again. "While they were in school, she never wanted to stay home with just him."

"So us dragging you out of the house was doing the opposite of what we'd wanted to happen?" Jillian asked, her face scrunching a bit when I nod. "At least I convinced you to make the first move."

"Convinced me? I think it was more of a challenge, wasn't it?" I tease her. "It's fine, really. He knows that I'm not lying when I say I'd rather be at home than out, he just hasn't picked up the hint that it also means I'd rather stay in with him than even go out to eat."

"I'd say then you're going to have to tease or talk him into it the way I ended up pushing Ethan into us doing more before the wedding. At least he has his own place, and the guys don't have keys to it," Jackie adds making me laugh a little.

"Just make sure he knows that you don't care how big and grand it is too," Jennie says giving my hand a squeeze. "He may feel a bit hesitant to take you to his place when he's always coming here to pick you up."

"Ooohh…what if you surprise him by just stopping by his place one night," Jillian suggests her eyes twinkling and I have to admit, it's not a bad idea if I can't get him to take me there himself.

"You could wait at the office one night to make sure that he's home. Then take your favorites over and just surprise him at the door wearing something that will have him swallowing his tongue," Jennie says with a nod and another grin for us that makes me feel so much better to see. I don't know if I'd be saying the same thing if positions were reversed, wanting to see a new couple together and happy.

"And if you don't know his address, I'll get Jesse to get it from Chief Davidson," Julie adds, and Jackie shakes her head at us. "What?"

"You get his address from Jesse and he's going to know that you're up to something, or that you're getting it for Jaime to do something. Do you remember what he was like with Ethan? Now let's add twenty-two years onto that and see what it comes up with."

"Alright, I could probably get it from Jamison if he knows it, say you're buying him something and want to ship it straight to him," Julie suggests as I just laugh at the group.

"I have his address."

"You do?" Jillian says and I nod, turning a bit redder at the looks sent my way. "And did he give it to you or not?"

"He told me he bought the place ten years ago and real estate records are online…" I shrug at the grins my sisters shoot me as Mom comes down the hallway calling for us.

"So he has a house and not just an apartment?" Julie asks as Jillian pops her head out my door answering Mom.

"Yeah, he does," I answer her before Mom comes in, smiling at all of us together.

"And what are we plotting in here?" she asks us pulling giggles from all of us.

"Ways to get Bryan to break his control and kiss her finally," Jillian answers making my eyes widen in shock that she told her.

"Ah…wait, that boy hasn't even kissed you yet?" Mom states, her jaw dropping as I let out a sigh. "Well, your dad would be very happy to hear that, but we'll make sure to give you two some space after dinner."

"Thanks Mom," I muse, and Jennie slips her arm around me, giving me a squeeze.

"So then if he doesn't give in tonight, you'll help cover if Jaime decides to stop by his place and surprise him one night this week?" Jennie asks, her tone so close to normal that it makes Mom's eyes widen again.

"Not at all, I know plenty of ways to distract your daddy," Mom muses pulling soft groans from all of us as we head out of the room.

"I think it's cute how much they still cuddle and kiss all the time," Maia says earning a hug from Mom.

"Yeah well, you never walked in to see things happening you shouldn't have," Julie states but thankfully the most any of us has ever seen is them with their hands in not so suitable for public places and nothing worse like Jamison apparently did a couple years ago.

A deeper smile hits my lips when we get downstairs, finding Bryan coming through the door with Jesse, Maddie, and their kids. Jesse gives him a nod before heading back out the door and I know he's going to park the car. He's insistent that he drop them off at the door whenever they have a newborn or when Maddie was heavily pregnant. Even with Tabby being three months old now he still does it.

"Hey princess," he says, making my heart melt as I slip over to him, reaching up to kiss his cheek surprising him a bit it seems, and I like it a lot.

It stays with me throughout dinner, and even Dad and the guys pulling Bryan aside shortly after we were snuggled up in a big comfy chair doesn't bother me. I am a bit curious about what's going on, but I know Bryan can hold his own against them.

Jennie slips over as the minutes turn from ten to fifteen, giving me a soft smile while Heath, Jesse and Maddie's two year old little boy, is using her arm as a pillow. "If things don't work out by going to his place, you can always slip over to the guesthouse at mine."

"Jennie!" I gasp softly at the offer because she never has the family over there, let alone offered to let any of us stay with her. Her house is far more of a statement piece than anyone else's in the family is, so I'm shocked at the suggestion.

"If there's anything I could tell you it's don't hold back. Ethan and Jackie had mentioned Troy for years, even suggested I come over to have dinner and meet him before we finally did accidentally, but I was certain he wasn't going to be the one for me. I was wrong and wasted a lot of years I could have been with him if I hadn't been so stubborn. If the two of you met four years ago, maybe things would have progressed slower since you were in school and he was newly promoted to being a detective, but now…grab hold of what you want and don't let anyone make you feel bad about it, got it?" Jennie says, holding my gaze and I nod, fighting against tears at her words. "And don't worry about the boys. None of them can say a thing about how fast it might be without sounding like a hypocrite, and if Dad were going to flip out about a daughter being pregnant at their wedding, he'd have done it nearly sixteen yeas ago when I got married."

"Thanks Jennie," I state, hugging her around Heath whose eyes flutter as he holds tighter to Jennie's arm. She gives me a nod before heading back over towards Maddie who sends me a wink nodding at the door and it's a relief to see the guys coming back with Bryan who's smiling.

He picks me up, settling back into the seat, and I snuggle deep into his arms as his lips press a soft kiss to my forehead. It's absolutely perfect for now and I stay wrapped up with him until the family's gone, leaving us alone in the space. My cheeks heat a bit when Jillian shuts the door behind her with a knowing look, but the gaze in Bryan's eyes more than make up for any slight embarrassment she caused.

"So, how was your first family dinner?" I ask because he ended up having to work last week and wasn't able to make it.

"Good, I like your family. Being with you like this more than makes up for the grilling I just got too."

I laugh at the look on his face, there's a pleasure on it that has nothing to do with the heat simmering in his gaze as his eyes roam over mine. "You're probably the only guy who is happy to get the third degree from the family, you know that?"

"Probably," he agrees, his fingers tracing my lips sending shivers entirely through my body. I can't hide them or the way my nipples pebble beneath my top. "You have no idea how much I want to steal you away with me right now, princess. Claim these lips until you're shivering and shuddering with bliss underneath me. Being daddy's good little princess," he adds, and a jolt of hunger runs through me so deep I can't stop the little moan that slips up and out of my throat.

"Bryan," I whisper arching up a bit more trying to get my lips on his, but his arms hold me tight in a cradle, keeping me from being able to.

"I know, princess," he states a smile on his lips that aggravates me but also arouses me further. "I want it too. Want to taste every bit of my princess. Want to bury myself deep inside you until we both explode with how good it's going to be. There's no going back once it happens, Jaime. Once I have you, I won't be able to contain it—my need for you. I've never felt anything like it, but every night I lay in my bed, my hard cock in my hand, stroking it, picturing you doing everything I tell you. Being daddy's good girl, my sweet little princess, and I come so hard, baby. The first time is going to be over way too fast if I don't control myself though and I want it to be perfect for you."

"Anything with you will be perfect, Bryan," I promise my nipples hurting from being so tight, so turned on, as he turns me more in his hold until his chest brushes against them, making me whimper.

"Do you need daddy to make it better, princess?" he asks, his voice thick against my ear, his breath flowing over my skin making it pimple.

"Yes, please," I cry softly as his hand brushes against my hard tip, making the need deepen even further from the tiniest touch.

"What was that, princess?" he asks, as his fingers slip the buttons of my blouse through their holes, filling me with an urgent need I've never experienced.

"Please Bryan," I whimper as he pushes the material away, revealing one of my flimsiest bras beneath it. It's sheer lace, hardly any support but I'm nowhere near being top heavy and don't need much. I know my nipples are showing through it, the darker skin of them shows when I'm not aroused let alone now.

"Am I going to have to pull it out of you, princess?" he questions, his eyes sparkling with hunger as his thumb slips across my peak and I nearly come apart from it alone.

There's a look in his eyes though and I know what he wants. I've been so careful to not reveal just how much I want what my parents have to anyone but without a word, he knows somehow. "Please daddy, make it better."

"Always," he says, his tone deeper than I've ever heard it, but I can't focus on it too much as his mouth comes down, not on my lips, but over the tight bud poking against the lace.

It brings a cry to my lips that's loud in the quiet room, and Bryan's head lifts, his eyes glowing with hunger as he studies my face. "Shh, we don't want your brother to come in to make sure I'm not hurting my princess, now do we?"

"No daddy," I agree, letting out a soft gasp when he lifts me, turning us until I'm straddling his lap. My blouse is hanging open and his eyes glitter as they roam over my upper half, a smile crossing his lips spotting the front clasp of the bra.

"Those sweet sounds are just for daddy's ears, so you be a good girl and hold them in until we're completely alone, princess," he warns before his fingers unclasp my bra and his mouth covers my skin.

"Daddy," I cry as the sensations roll straight through me, his hardness pressing upwards against my pussy, and it feels so good even with the layers between us. It's barely a whisper but his eyes light up as I choke back the cries that want to come.

I never thought I could come easily. Even when I'm alone and touching myself or using a vibrator on my clit it seems to take forever, but between Bryan's mouth hungrily roaming between my breasts and his hard cock brushing up against my clit, I come before I know it's about to happen.

It pulls a deeper moan from Bryan's throat, but he doesn't let up. His hands roam over my body, touching and holding me, pressing me deeper and deeper against his and I lose track of how many times I come until my entire body is shaking. He presses up against me again and I can't quite stop the soft cry that slips out this time. My body's so sensitive that it hurts, and I jerk back a bit, "Daddy…"

"Shh, shh, I've got you, princess. Daddy's got you," he returns, his lips pressing soft kisses over my face, avoiding my lips as he holds me tightly to his chest.