Page 71 of Loved By You

I don't care that one of our friends could come in and see us. I just need him, crave him. I have been on edge all day. I need a release. He groans, and it’s the hottest sound. I grip the counter firmer as he inserts another finger and quickens the pace.

“Fuck, sweetheart, if I’d have known you were this ready for me I would’ve taken you upstairs hours ago.”

“Let's go, now,” I beg.

“Get that sweet ass upstairs now.” His tone is low, full of want, as he eases his fingers out of me and smacks me on the ass. I've never moved so fast. Grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the stairs, he smacks my ass again and I will squeal with excitement, my body vibrating with anticipation.

As we take the stairs, there is a loud banging on my front door. We whip our heads round at the same time, and a figure fills the glass panel.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Jack asks.

“No, no one.” I squeeze past him and head towards the door, opening it with a slight hesitation and stop dead in my tracks, staring at the older, blonder version of me.

“Mom?”

Chapter Thirty-One

Ria

“Surprise, baby. Give your momma a hug.”

What the hell?

She flings her arms around me and it takes me a second to reciprocate. She smells of cheap perfume, cigarettes and booze. My mom’s signature scent, reminding me of the worst parts of my life. I blow out a breath to stop the bile that’s rising in my throat, as memories of my mom, drunk, random men, take over.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, stunned at the fact she's actually here. Late, in true Stella style, but she's here and I don't know what to feel first.Confused, happy, upset, glad?

“It’s my grandbaby’s birthday party. I wasn't goanna miss that now, was I?” she says in her southern accent. She’s lived all over but never lost her twang.

“The party was this afternoon, Mom. It's 8 o‘clock. Elle isn't even here. You should have called,” I say, trying not to raise my voice.

“Oh… well, never mind. We were passing through anyway. Sid’s taking me to New York for the weekend.”

“Who the heck is Sid?” I fire back angrily, scrunching up my face.

“Oh, he’s parking the car. He’ll be in a minute.”

I stand in the doorway, staring blankly at her. It’s been nearly a year since I saw her, yet here she is, acting like everything is fine. Her bleached hair in need of a root touch up, her clothes are two sizes two small and her boob job, that she convinced some poor guy to pay for on full display. If it wasn't for the years of drinking and smoking, my mom was a stunning woman. But like everything in her life, booze, nicotine and men were her top priority. Consequences be damned.

"Aren't you going to let me come in properly? Offer me a beer?"

No, is my first thought. You missed it all, is my second, but something inside me softens slightly because I've never been able to say no to my mom.

"Sure, come in." I sigh, stepping aside.

“Well, hello, who is this gorgeous creature? Is this the upgrade?” She winks.

“Mom,” I scold.

“What, I always told you, never downgrade, always upgrade, and your Alex was a catch, but I can see why you ditched him for this one,” she says eyeing Jack up and down.

She reaches out her skinny arm, covered in bangles, and holds her hand out with her staple red nail polish like she expected him to kiss the back of her hand. “Stella Jones, it’s a pleasure to meet ya,”

“It’s nice to see you, Stella,” he says, taking her hand and shaking it.

Looking at him like it’s finally clicked that Jack spent most weekends at our house when we were teens. “I remember you; you hung around with my Noah back in high school. Damn, Maria, you did upgrade, girl.” Leaning towards me, she whispers, “I bet he fucks damn good too.” Clapping her hands together, she walks towards the kitchen. “I’ll get us some beers.”

I didn't need to say a word. Jack knew, he always knew. He wraps me in his arms, and I let out a shaky breath.

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