Page 46 of Only Forever

I didn’t know what to say or how to console Chloe. I didn’t know how someone could be so stupid as to cheat on her. She was a ray of sunshine and I know she had supported Gareth so much during the years, only to be repaid by lies.

After we were finished breakfast, we were cleaning up when I heard the doorbell ring. I knew it was Jason, because he had already texted that he was on his way over. He had insisted on driving Chloe to the airport, and I was glad that she would be in safe hands.

“I missed you,” Jason immediately said when I opened the door. Just the sight of him brightened my mood. The golden highlights in his brown hair were glinting in the sun, and his blue eyes were warm and welcoming. It had only been a day apart, but I realized I had missed him, too. I had gotten used to spending so much time with him, that even a day seemed like a long time.

He stepped in and pulled me close before I could even close the door behind him, giving me a long, lingering kiss. I wanted to get lost in his embrace, but I was cognizant of Chloe in the kitchen. I pulled back before it got too intense. I wanted to tell Jason I had missed him too, but the words didn’t come out as easily as it seemed to for him. I just smiled up at him.

“Thanks for taking Chloe to the airport,” I said, surprised at how breathless I sounded.

“Of course,” he said. “I’m happy to.”

Chloe came out of the kitchen, smiling widely at the two of us. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “I’m just going upstairs to grab my suitcase.”

“I’ll carry it down,” Jason said. Before Chloe could answer, he bounded up the stairs to retrieve her luggage. Chloe waggled her eyebrows at me.

“I would have waited in the kitchen longer, but your kiss ended so quickly.”

“Get out of here,” I said, playfully pushing her arm and laughing. “I should have known you were watching.”

“Not watching,” Chloe corrected. “Monitoring. I didn’t want to interrupt your private time.”

I rolled my eyes but grinned. I would take any joke at my expense if it would make Chloe smile.

Jason was back in a flash, and all too soon, I was hugging Chloe goodbye.

“Let me know when you land,” I said, hugging her tight. I felt myself getting emotional. Not only was I sad to see her go, but I was sad for what she was going to have to deal with when she got back home. “And come to visit again anytime.”

“I will,” Chloe said, returning my hug fiercely. “It was so good to see you.”

When she pulled back, I saw her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. I wanted to grab onto her, to tell her to stay. But I knew shecouldn’t. My heart was heavy as I waved goodbye while Jason backed out of the driveway, and soon she was gone.

Although she had only been here for the weekend, the house seemed quiet with Chloe gone. I passed the time waiting for Jason to return by deep cleaning my stove. The airport was over an hour away, so I knew it would take some time for him to get back.

I had finished cleaning the stove and was knitting while watching TV when the doorbell rang. I quickly checked the camera and saw that it was Jason. My pulse quickened, excited to see him although I had just seen him a few hours ago.

We snuggled on the couch when he came inside. His arms around me were warm and comforting, his hand resting on my shoulder with his thumb stroking my arm.

“How did Chloe seem on the drive to the airport?” I asked, laying my head on his chest.

“Fine,” Jason answered. “But I don’t think she’d show being upset in front of me. We just talked about our former classmates and what they’re up to.”

I sighed, feeling forlorn. “Poor Chloe. It sounds like her husband is having an emotional affair, and who knows if it’s gone beyond that. He’s an idiot, She supported him so much while he was trying to rise in ranks at his financial firm, both emotionally and financially. Since he’s been promoted, he’s been getting cozy with a female co-worker.”

“He’s an idiot,” Jason said bluntly. “He’s living the dream and doesn’t even realize it.” He lifted his hand to brush the hair back from my face. “I would give anything to have you in my house, for you to be my wife. To wake up next to you every day.”

My breath caught in my throat. “Jason,” I said, feeling my insides melting. I didn’t know how Jason said things like that so easily.

“It’s true,” he said softly. “All I need is you to be happy.”

I didn’t know what to say, and fortunately, I didn’t have to, because before I knew it, Jason’s mouth was softly caressing mine. I lifted my head, meeting his kiss. It didn’t matter how many times we kissed. Every time, I felt a spark of excitement and desire.

Jason shifted so that he was facing me, gently pushing me back until my upper body was lying down on the couch, his weight pressing into me. His lips moved against mine more insistently, and I opened my mouth at his silent command. His tongue instantly invaded, caressing my own, and I was soon lost in the kiss. Our tongues laved against each other, our mouths open, and I instinctively pressed my body against his, opening my legs so he was cradled in between them. I felt a growing need that made me feel helpless. Since Jason had come back into my life, we hadn’t done anything more than kiss. Not because I didn’t want to, but I was afraid of what the implications of doing more would be. And I knew Jason was respecting my desire to go slow. But in this moment, I wanted to lose myself in him. I wanted to be taken by him in every way possible, and screw the consequences.

I pulled my mouth from his, practically panting. “Jason,” I said, breathless. I pulled at his shirt, suddenly resenting the layers of clothes between us. “I want more.”

“I’ve been waiting to hear you say that,” Jason said, his voice low and guttural. “I’ll give you anything you want.”

I held my breath as he unbuttoned my shirt, trailing kisses on the bared flesh, moving down my chest and stomach. My muscles jumped reflexively when I felt his warm breath below my belly button, dangerously close to the aching center of my need.

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