Page 86 of Love Beyond the Illusion
I round the corner from the shallow hallway and into the kitchen to find Jack standing at the stove with his back to me. He’s completely naked. My eyes scan the landscape of his body from behind, enjoying the sight of his bare ass, which I’ve had my mouth and hands all over.
Jack doesn’t notice me right away, but as I creep closer, I can faintly hear him singing the words to “I Miss You” from Blink 182 that plays in the background. I fight the urge to bite those tight cheeks and instead wrap my arms around him. “It smells good here,” I say into the skin on the back of his shoulder.
Jack raises his free arm and places it on top of mine, firmly hooked around his hard ab muscles. “I hope it doesn’t taste like shit. I’m not much of a cook.”
Circling his body, I leave a trail of soft kisses along the warm skin of his shoulder, making my way around to his chest. At the same time, Jack steps away from the stove and twists until my body is flush with the front of him. “From the looks of that pasta sauce, I’m sure you’re much better than you’re letting on.”
His arms come around and link behind my back. “Thanks. I really hope you like it. If not, there’s always takeout.”
“I’m sure it tastes fine,” I tell him before moving to the side to check out the ingredients and produce on the counter. “I can make the salad.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” He chuckles sarcastically. “Oh, and I poured you another glass of champagne.” He gestures to the glass flute on the table.
“Thanks.” I lift it to my lips and take a sip. Then, I set it next to the cutting board and the salad bowl. “Tell me about the look on Steve and Preston’s faces when you and your mom countered their offer with your own buyout.”
Jack shoots me a side-eye. “They were surprised, to say the least. But it got better when they got their greedy eyes on the amount we were prepared to offer. Such a little prick Preston is. He wanted to turn it down right away, I know it. He wouldn’t even make eye contact during the meeting.”
My forehead creases. “What? Why do you think he’d want to turn it down?” I ask Jack, but I can only think of a couple of reasons why. One is that this whole thing is based on jealousy. The other is that he’d want to decline out of spite. Either way, it speaks to the type of person Preston is, and with what I’ve seen during our few encounters, I can say he isn’t a good one.
“I have my theories, but truthfully, it wouldn’t matter anyway. He’s always been a shady guy. His dad—also a piece of shit—jumped at the chance to take the money. He was foaming at the mouth when he saw those dollar signs.” He picks a cherry tomato from the bowl and pops it into his mouth.
I chop the celery and carrots, then add them to the salad. “What’s the next step for you and your mom?” I ask. As much as I have been a part of this with him, I won’t be able to experience all the excitement that comes after the buyout and as Jack settles into his role. I won’t be spending endless days on his beautiful family property. I won't have Gemma, or Heidi, or this community as anchors.
And I’m never going to experience what having a family is like. I always wanted it, but it never stung until now. Being so close to what I want, but being reminded that it is not mine. A few tears slip from under my eyelid. I dip my head, wiping it on my shoulder before Jack can notice. I swallow my sadness like I always do and force a smile.
Jack plucks another tomato from the bowl and brings it to my mouth. I part my lips and suck it in, making sure to take one of his fingers with it. “The lawyers will finish drawing up the paperwork, but by the end of the month, everything should be ready to sign,” he explains in an uneven voice. I wrap my tongue around Jack’s index finger, then lick down the sides. His eyes flare, and he gulps in a breath. Sucking harder and drawing my head back, I release him from my lips, causing a popping sound to echo between the walls of the kitchen.
“That’s good. I’m sure you’re ready to put all this behind you and start your new life,” I choke out.
Jack blinks a few times, his eyes staring directly into mine. “Yeah.” He sighs. “I guess that’s true.” A heavy silence enters the room for a beat before Jack speaks, “I’m going to put some clothes on. Standing this close to the oven, I’m afraid my dick might catch on fire.”
I remove two plates and bowls from the cupboard. “Probably a good idea. However, I am enjoying the show.”
A few minutes later, Jack emerges from the bedroom dressed in a plain white tee and pants that always seem to ride below his waist. I wipe the drool from the side of my mouth. I wonder if people who’ve been married for years still fawn over their partners. Jack and I are married, and he will still be my husband for a little while longer.
Skimming my tongue over my teeth, my mind drifts from one dirty idea to another. I think of everything we can do together until I leave on Sunday. “Not as sexy.” I flip my hair around. “But I’ll take it.”
“I’m sure these clothes won’t last long—and neither will yours.” He raises an eyebrow.
“So sure of yourself, Mr. Bradley.”
“You’re my wife.” He steps into me, biting his bottom lip. “I’m looking forward to experiencing, once again, how hard you can suck.”
I have to look away because my cheeks redden. Jack’s eyes flicker in apparent satisfaction with witnessing his ability to command my body, which only serves to enhance them. “I love the way you taste.”
Suddenly, we both startle at the sound of the noodles boiling behind us. Jack quickly turns off the flame and removes the pasta from the stove.
“I know you do. And I plan on giving you whatever you want, whenever you want,” he continues, picking up our conversation.
I playfully roll my eyes in his direction, then finish the salad before bringing it over to the table, trying to hide the beaming grin inching across my face.
After we bring everything to the table, Jack and I take our seats.
“I have to say, I think we did an excellent job on this meal.” He smiles.
Staring at all the items on the table, the salad bowl, pasta, meat sauce, and our two glasses of wine, I’m overcome with emotion again. I blink a few times to relieve the sting from the back of my eyelids. A lump forms in my throat.
Jack stills with the salad tongs in his hands. “What’s wrong?”
