Page 35 of Anything For This Love

“Of course not.” Affronted, I take a step back. Does she think I would step out on her just because there’s an attractive woman working at the same office as me?

“Don’t you trust me? Why does it matter if she’s attractive when all I want is you?”

She shakes her head. “Idotrust you. I just wish you’d trusted me enough to tell me about her. Now I have to ask myself why you kept it from me.”

“I didn’t want you to worry.” She stares at me, unimpressed by my lame explanation. I decide to tell the truth. “She reminded me of Maggie, and I was afraid of how it would make you feel knowing I was around her day in and day out. I didn’t want to burden you with that.” It sounds completely idiotic when I say it out loud, but it’s too late to take it back.

“Ugh,” she grunts out in disgust and turns to walk away. I gently grip her arm, stopping her from leaving.

“Please don’t walk away.”

“Do you have any idea how ridiculous that excuse sounds?” she seethes, nonchalantly pulling out of my grasp. “Poor little insecure Abby can’t handle her baby daddy working with someone prettier than her, so she needs to believe the new hire is a dude.” She rolls her eyes as her words hit their mark.

She makes it sound like all I am to her is the father of her child, but that’s not what bothers me the most.

“Come on.” I grab her hand and lead her out of the room before she has a chance to protest.

“What are you doing?” she whisper-shouts, too afraid to dig in her heels lest she fall on her ass. It’s a dick move, but I take advantage of her precarious position, using her unsteady gait to my advantage.

I shove through the door markedRestroomand usher her toward the sink. “Look,” I command, pointing toward the mirror.

“Look at what?” she asks, fury blazing in her eyes and cheeks. She folds her arms defensively over her chest, but all that does is push her breasts up until the soft globes are spilling over the top of her dress.

“Look at yourself. Do you have any idea how fucking beautiful you are?” I lean in, bracing my hands on the sink and caging her in. “There is not one woman in that room who is prettier than you. And that’s going solely off looks.” Her lips turn down into a frown, but I press on. “That doesn’t even take into account the kind, giving soul that lives within you. It doesn’t account for the gentle, loving heart that beats inside your chest.” I skim my fingers over her collarbone and trace her necklace, dipping them just to the top of her cleavage. She sucks in a breath, her eyes flaring with equal parts lust and surprise. “If you look on the inside, it’s even more beautiful than what the world sees on the outside, which is already fucking breathtaking.”

My head dips and my lips find her bare shoulder. She moans and lets her head fall back, exposing her neck to me. “Don’t ever compare yourself to another woman again,” I warn before feathering kisses across her skin. “Because they aren’t even in the same league as you.”

“Where are you going?” she asks when I step away and walk to the door. I turn the lock over, and the click echoes through the room loudly. “Oh,” she says, her face flushing with recognition.

I walk slowly back to her, unbuttoning my jacket as I go. “You are the only woman I want,” I proclaim, snaking my arms around her waist. “And I’m going to make sure you never forget it.” I crash my lips down on hers, swallowing her groan. I’ve wanted to do this all night, ever since the moment she stood at the top of the stairs, looking like a Hollywood starlet, her lips painted a sinful red and her tantalizing leg showing through the slit of her gown.

Slipping my hand under her skirt, I tug at her panties until I hear the unmistakable rip of fabric. Her gasp of excitement goes straight to my cock, begging to escape the confines of my trousers. Cupping her ass, I lift her onto the counter and step between her legs.

“Only you,” I whisper against her lips as I free my erection and rub the crown against her hot, slick flesh. She’s already wet and ready for me. “It will only ever be you.” I fill her in one hard thrust and still as she grips my shoulders. “I will never want anybody like I want you.” I start to move as her moans fill the space around us. “You’re it for me.” I pick up my pace, needing to feel her shatter beneath me. “For the rest of my life.” She leans back, her breath coming in pants as her inner muscles clench around me.

“Fuck,” I roar, pumping in and out of her tight channel. My fingers dig into her hips as I slam into her over and over until she finally cries out, her release shaking her entire body. I follow her over the edge, momentarily losing myself in pure and utter bliss.

Chapter Thirteen

Abby

It feelslike everyone is staring at us as we make our way to our table. The high color on my cheeks and swollen lips are a dead giveaway of what we just did if anyone looks closely enough. I managed to touch up my makeup with the little emergency kit Veronica gave me. No one will ever know how badly my lipstick was smeared or that Jacob’s hungry mouth was the cause. Thanks to the makeup remover wipes, his mouth no longer bears any evidence of his punishing kisses.

As we cross the room, our table within sight, a figure dressed in dark blue, the color of the midnight sky, steps into our path.

Evelyn.

I draw up short, my heart skidding to a stop along with my feet. Jacob’s hand tightens around mine and he instinctively draws closer to me, tucking my body slightly behind his.

“Mother,” he grits out.

“Jacob,” she replies, her wide eyes pleading. Whether they’re asking him to avoid making a scene or to give her a chance to say her peace, I can’t decide. “Abby,” she greets, remorse coating her words.

I swallow thickly; fear, anger, and hurt churn in my gut. I’d hoped not to come face to face with this woman again for a while. Having this reunion in public makes it even more uncomfortable. I can’t seem to force my mouth to open and form words for a reply. I stare at her in silence, hoping this encounter is over quickly.

“What do you want?” Jacob asks, his terse voice leaving no room for her to misinterpret his feelings toward her. He doesn’t want to talk to her any more than I do. I’m overcome with sadness for him. Being estranged from your mother is one of the most difficult positions to be in, and this betrayal is fresh. I’ve had years to process my feelings for my mother, but Jacob has had mere weeks.

“I just wanted to say hi and see how you’re doing.” She wrings her hands as she stares up at her son, worry pinching her perfectly manicured brows. Barely a wrinkle creases her forehead, a sure sign of recent cosmetic work. It’s all I can focus on right now. If I let myself think of what this woman did to us and the unnecessary heartache it caused, I won’t be able to keep my composure. “Both of you,” she elaborates, letting her gaze land on me.

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