Love Torn Read online

“Thanks, let me turn it off.” She retrieved the phone, and as she was about to turn it off, she saw she had a missed call and a text message from Kate, her best friend. She clicked to see it; call me, I have some very important and exciting news to tell you. Kate x. Jackie looked up at Jason, “Sorry, let me deal with this.” She punched out a quick message; can’t talk now – hot date x. She snapped the phone closed and turned it off.

  Jason raised his eyebrows, “Finished?” He asked.

  “Sorry.” She sighed.

  “I want you to myself Jackie Forbes.” He kissed her again. She could feel the fire igniting within her once more.

  She giggled and pushed him away, “At this rate, we’ll never eat this meal!”

  They both sat down on the floor with their backs against the sofa and ate from their plates on the coffee table. Jackie was surprised to find that it was delicious. Jason teased her that she hadn’t believed him. She unwillingly admitted that to have been true. They ate quickly and chatted away, and the wine bottle emptied faster than they had anticipated.

  “Do you mind if we finish the white? I don’t have another red.” Jason asked her as he leapt to his feet and trotted back into the kitchen. He returned with the bottle and topped up her glass. “You know I am really glad we finally got round to doing this.” He told her as he sat back down on the floor.

  “Doing what?”

  He smiled. “All this, the dinner, the wine, the love making.” His eyes were on her mouth again as she involuntarily licked her lips. “I’ve wanted to be with you for so long.”

  “You have?”

  “Yes and I sincerely hope it will be repeated often.” Jason leant towards her and kissed her again. Jackie responded with all her former passion. He had a way of turning her on as no other man ever had before.

  “You want to take the wine into the Jacuzzi?” His eyes were gleaming.

  They both rose, and Jason led her into the bedroom and through to the bathroom. The size of it still impressed her. What would he say, when he saw her rabbit hutch of a home?

  She watched as he put in the plug and ran the water. He fetched fresh towels from the airing cupboard and set them on the chair next to the bath.

  “This is one impressive bath.”

  “Well, I am… was,” he corrected, “a bachelor. I had nothing else to spend my money on.” He laughed, “Besides, when I have had a day full of conference calls from his majesty Mr CEO; then I really need this to unwind.”

  Jackie smiled at him, “I’m glad to know he grates on your nerves too.”

  Jason stepped towards her and pulled her against him. “I don’t want to talk about him. I want to talk about us.” He kissed her again, and her mind reeled. Had he really said he wanted to talk about us?

  He lifted up her t-shirt and paused with it in above her head, to lick at her nipples again. Jackie had the t-shirt over her face and sighed to feel his mouth on her again. She yearned to make love to him again, and threw the t-shirt off. She grabbed at his and helped him to undress. In the bathroom light, she could appreciate his body more. He certainly was fit and lithe. Not overly so, she hated those muscly types, but it was obvious he didn’t live a sedentary life. He slipped down her sweatpants as he kissed her again, and lifted her up and placed her into the Jacuzzi. The sensation of being plunged bottom-first into the hot water made her gasp. Jason climbed in next to her and picked up the remote control.

  “Remote control?”

  “Yep.” He laughed, “I can be a lazy boy at home.”

  The Jacuzzi kicked into life, and the still water began to bubble from the jets all around the edge. Jason passed her a glass of wine.

  Jackie laughed, “Oh yes, this is definitely a good way to unwind from that function today.”

  “Do you think you could get used to this kind of treatment?” Jason was watching her reaction.

  She sat open-mouthed, “That depends.”

  “On what?”

  “On whether you are asking me if I would like to do this more often, or if you should get me the brochure for the company that installed it.” She looked slyly at him.

  Jason laughed. “You are a funny woman, but if you push me, I’ll spell it out. I want you to be here, in my home and with me, more often. I want you in my life, not just in the office, but also in my real life. As I said before, I want there to be an us. If you want that too, of course.” He sipped from his glass, all the while watching her.

  Jackie was speechless, which for her was unusual. She didn’t know what to say to him. She put her glass down on the tiles and moved over to Jason’s side of the Jacuzzi. She took his glass from him and set it down, then straddled him. He smiled up at her.

  “Is this a yes?” He grinned.

  She inched forward, laying her body against him and kissed him. Jason put his arms around her. He felt her silky, soft skin and pulled her tight against his body. She moaned with pleasure as he slipped his tongue into her mouth.

  He kissed along her jawline and down her neck. Jackie groaned softly as his teeth nipped the skin. She leant backward to present her breasts to him, when he kissed along her collarbone. Jason felt himself harden as his face nuzzled against the plump flesh of her breasts. He took one deliciously hard nipple into his mouth and sucked on it, flicking it with his tongue. He rolled the other one between his finger and thumb. Jackie groaned and pushed her hips towards him. Jason moved over to the other nipple and gave it the same exquisite treatment he’d given the other.

  He then slipped his hand down the flat of her stomach and teasingly played with the hair between her legs. Jackie wanted more, and her body moved to encourage him to explore further. Jason felt that her clitoris was already swollen and ready; it wouldn’t take much to tip her over the edge that way. But he wanted to explore, he wanted to feel her more. He rolled the delicate skin of her labia between his fingers; she groaned and gyrated on his hand. She lifted herself up slightly to give him easier access. Gently he slipped a finger between those already wet lips and slid into her vagina. It was as hot as he remembered before. He sighed with pleasure. Slowly, he entered a second finger inside her and began to move them in and out.

  Jackie closed her eyes, savouring every delicious moment. Jason explored a little inside her vagina; it felt so good and he wanted his penis to be in there. Jackie moaned loudly, and shuddered, she gripped his shoulder tighter. He knew he’d found what he wanted to find; her g-spot. Jason gently rubbed the tender area with the fingers that were inside her and watched her face as her orgasm drew nearer. He could sense it building in her. She tensed and started to thrust about on his hand. She threw back her head and let the ecstasy overtake her as the orgasm ripped through her entire being. She was completely lost in the moment. Jason loved every second of seeing her get so much pleasure at his own hands.

  As the spasms subsided and Jackie came back to reality, she saw Jason watching her.

  “Wow!” She whispered and kissed him. Jason was on fire; he needed her. He wanted to put his penis inside her hot vagina and take her. She sensed that and flipped over onto her back, offering herself to him.

  He groaned as he realised her intent. He positioned himself between her thighs and sighed as she wrapped them about his waist. Slowly, he entered her. She took his breath away. She was so tight he knew that this time would not last much longer than the last time. Gently he pushed himself in and out of her; he didn’t want to be rough. She, on the other hand, saw his need and pushed hard against him.

  Jason let out a groan; she wanted it hard. He pumped himself into her, and she pushed harder against him. Harder and harder, they both pushed against each other. He knew that the water was sloshing out of the tub and didn’t care. On and on, they thrust until Jason could feel his scrotum tighten. That was when he heard Jackie moaning loudly; she was going to orgasm again. She gyrated her hips, and bucked wildly against him as the spasms coursed through her body again. Jason could contain himself no longer; he gave into the ecstasy and let the orgasm rip
through him. Wave after wave of frenzied delight washed over them both as they thrust against each other until they lay spent in each other’s arms.

  After a while, Jason reached for the soap and together began to wash. “I don’t want you to get cold in here.” He said.

  They hurriedly cleaned up, and Jason pulled the plug and helped Jackie out of the bath. He wrapped her in an oversized bath-sheet and kissed her on the nose.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “No.” She replied stifling a yawn.

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently. “Then, I think that we should go to bed. You look exhausted.”

  Jackie nodded as she laid her head against his shoulder. Jason took her towel and handed her the t-shirt that she was wearing before. Jason took her into the bedroom, slipped on a pair of clean boxers, and led Jackie the bed. He had to admit that their lovemaking had exhausted what energy he had left, from such a long day. He helped Jackie into bed, and she giggled at him. Then he snuggled up to her. She lay with her head on his shoulder, and within minutes, they were fast asleep.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning Jackie awoke as Jason called her name. She sleepily opened her eyes and saw that he was grinning at her with a breakfast tray in his hands.

  “Breakfast is served.”

  “You’re in a good mood this morning.”

  “Yes, I am, and with good reason.”

  “And what reason might that be?” She asked as she propped herself up against the headboard.

  Jason placed the tray on the bed, and leant forward and kissed her. “I am seeing the most beautiful woman in the world, that’s why.”

  “Am I going to get to meet this mystery woman?”

  Jason shook his head at her, “Yes, the very next time that you look in the mirror.” He sat beside her in the bed and pointed to the tray between them. “Scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee. I would have done fried the eggs, but they always end up scrambled no matter what I do.”

  “Scrambled is perfect.” Jackie picked up her plate and began to eat. She hadn’t realised how hungry she was until the aromas hit her nose, and her stomach growled in response.

  They quickly finished up their last bites of breakfast and drained their coffee mugs.

  “What are you going to do today?” Jackie asked tentatively. She didn’t want to rush things. She was excited that he seemed to want a relationship, but didn’t want to scare him off by being too eager.

  He pulled a face at her, “I am sorry, but I have an important meeting at lunchtime. I can’t miss this one. How about I call you this evening?”

  Jackie felt deflated. Was he letting her down gently? “Yeah, sure.”

  Jason heard the edge in her voice. “Hey, if it were avoidable, I would cancel this meeting. But it’s really important to me. I promise I will tell you every single detail tonight on the phone, ok?”

  Jackie nodded and tried to smile brightly. She was amazed at how hurt she felt.

  “My whole morning is yours, however. Would you like to take a walk down to the marina? There’s a gorgeous little place there that sells the best coffee.”

  Jackie perked up a little, “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  “And then we can plan what we’re going to do at work.” He winked slyly at her.

  “Er… Work?”

  Jason laughed. Jackie loved the sound of it. “Us, work? After last night?” He sucked air in through his teeth. “I doubt that, very much. At least, I doubt my ability to keep my hands to myself.”

  “Then maybe I should put in for a transfer?”

  Jason looked shocked and threw a pillow in her direction. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “Well, I would if the boss couldn’t keep his hands to himself.” She laughed and threw the pillow back at him.

  Jason hugged the pillow to his chest. “No, seriously Jackie. Don’t do that. Not now, not now something great has begun.”

  Jackie knew then that he was serious, that he wanted them to be an item. She smiled back at him and said she’d stay.

  Jason took the tray back into the kitchen. They showered and then made their way down to the marina. It wasn’t a long walk and Jackie was amazed that something as beautiful as the marina was tucked away in the city. Jason ordered them both a coffee and they sat at a table that over looked the canal.

  “I didn’t even know this was here.”

  “They built it about three years ago. There was a lot of bother about it in the local paper. Don’t you remember? Environmentalists and all that.”

  “I remember something about them not wanting to enlarge the canal.”

  “That’s it. But, as you can see it’s teeming with wildlife.” He pointed to a duck leading her young out for a swim in the canal. “It’s a great place to live.”

  She nodded in agreement.

  They finished their drinks and then took a walk, hand-in-hand, along the canal, before starting a slow walk back to Jason’s apartment building. Jackie hadn’t felt so happy and serene in a long time. She had no regrets whatsoever and looked forward to their future. She was, however, a little sad to be saying goodbye to him.

  They stood in the foyer and kissed. He held her tight, and she drank in the heady scent of his cologne.

  “Oh I wish I could postpone this meeting.” He muttered into her hair.

  “So do I.”

  “I’ll call you, and maybe even pop round tonight, if you don’t have your hair in curlers or something.”

  She laughed at the imagery. “Oh yeah, I do that every night, I hope you don’t mind.”

  He threw back his head and laughed that hearty laugh she loved. “That is something I definitely want to see.” He paused, suddenly serious, “But your taxi is here babe.”

  He called her babe; she almost melted at the sound of the word. He led her to the taxi. “Speak to you tonight, ok?”

  She nodded and smiled back at him, “Ok.”

  Jason closed the door and waved as the taxi pulled away.

  Jackie turned around to look out of the rear window of the taxi. Another taxi was pulling up in front of the building. She saw Jason turn to it and smile. The door opened, and Jackie couldn’t believe her eyes; out stepped Kate, her best friend.

  Jason stepped towards Kate with his arms open wide and Jackie’s stomach sank. She sat in the back of the taxi with her mouth wide open and her eyes filling with tears. She watched with dismay as her best friend and her new boyfriend embraced and held each other until she could no longer see them.

  Chapter 7

  Macavity, Jackie’s cat greeted her at the door when she got home. She slammed the door behind her and slumped down to the floor. She’d held herself together pretty well on the drive home but couldn’t hold it in any longer. As Jackie cried, Mac wanted hugs. She was grateful for that. She always said that Mac was the only male she could ever depend upon.

  Jackie sobbed as she sat on the front door mat. She wept until she was exhausted. She then climbed to her feet, because Mac needed feeding. She entered the kitchen, fed Mac and closed the blinds. She just felt like shutting the world out. As she re-entered the hall, she disconnected the phone. She felt like such a rat. She felt used. How could she face Kate again?

  In the living room, she closed the curtains, plugged in her mobile phone and switched it off. She couldn’t bear it if Kate called to tell her about her new boyfriend. She collapsed onto the sofa and burst into tears again. Surely, that was what Kate wanted to talk about last night, wasn’t it? Kate had a new boyfriend – Jason. Jackie had just slept with her best friend’s new boyfriend. He’d used her and cheated on Kate with her.

  Jackie ran up to her room and closed the curtains. She stripped out of her clothes and stuffed them into the linen basket. She needed to shower. She didn’t want Jason’s scent on her any longer. She couldn’t stand the betrayal. She felt torn in two. She wanted Jason, but she loved her best friend dearly. She couldn’t do this to Kate. As she stepped into the shower and let the water f
lood over her, she knew she would have to start the hunt for a new job. She owed Kate that much.

  Kate had always been there for her, through thick and thin. She couldn’t, she wouldn’t, let her down no matter how much it hurt her. When Jackie’s mother had died of cancer, Kate had taken over for her, while Jackie broke down. They had been best friends since they were in junior school, and no man would stand between them or tear them apart. Jackie loved Kate like a sister. Although her heart felt torn between them, she knew her head would win. Loyalty to Kate always came first.

  Jackie stayed longer in the shower than she normally would have. She didn’t want to be reminded of Jason any longer. She felt lousy. She walked into the bedroom and pulled a fresh pair of pyjamas from the chest of drawers. They felt good and comforting.

  She climbed under the duvet and flicked on the TV. There was some American cop show on. She usually liked to laugh at how the actors posed for the camera and messed up their crime scenes rather than wear sanitation suits. But this evening she didn’t care. She watched it with her mind numb and her heart aching. Macavity jumped up onto the bed and cuddled up to her, purring.

  “Oh Mac, what am I going to do?” She rubbed his ears. “Men are rats, you know that?”

  The cat purred louder.

  “I knew you’d agree.”

  Around ten o’clock, she was hungry and made her way to the kitchen. She’d been crying again, and was in no mood to cook or prepare anything. She opened the freezer and pulled out a tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She grabbed a spoon from the drawer and made her way back to bed. She knew she’d have to share a little of her ice cream with Mac, but he was worth it. She smiled for the first time in hours at that thought.

  Jackie changed over to the shopping channel and tucked in to the ice cream. Mac woke up and begged for his portion.

  “The Vet will kill me if he found out Mac. So don’t breathe a word, ok.” She spooned a little into the lid for him.

  At some point between then and the alarm clock going off, Jackie had eaten the entire tub of ice cream and fallen asleep. The TV was chattering away to itself. Mac was asleep on the end of the bed. She leant over to the clock and turned it off. There was no way she was going in to work today. She crawled out of bed and headed downstairs again. She turned on her mobile phone and winced as it continuously beeped at her. There were fifteen text messages and nine missed calls. She knew who they were from and couldn’t face even checking them. She dialled the number for Human Resources. Jackie knew Angela Higgs would be in early; she was a workaholic with no life. Jackie lied to Angela. She told her that she had Delhi Belly and wouldn’t be in that day. Angela bought it. Apparently three other colleagues, who’d been to the function had come down with it. She heaved a sigh of relief as she hung up the phone. That had been easy. She climbed the stairs and went back to bed.