His hips began to move faster as he lifted her arms over her head, pinning her upper arms to the bed with his palms before dipping his head and running his tongue along the tip of her breast.
Panting, Mollie pulled her legs up, arching toward him, knowing she was making desperate pleading sounds but too far gone to be embarrassed. She went over the edge with a keening cry, her body stiffening in exquisite pleasure as her orgasm overtook her.
Moments later, Jackson’s fingertips bit into the flesh of her arms as he slammed into her and came with a roar against her neck.
He collapsed onto her, his hands sliding up slightly until they were palm to palm. Jackson’s fingers linked with hers as their pounding hearts began to slow, their pulses returning to normal.
Mollie closed her eyes, losing herself in the perfection of the moment. Of feeling the man she loved completely spent. Completely hers. At least for tonight.
Eventually he pulled away, gently coaxing her around so that her head found the pillow. He pulled the covers over both of them as she snuggled against his chest, her fingertips resting above his heart.
Jackson kissed her forehead. “Night, baby.”
His voice was sleepy, and Mollie felt a stab of panic. Panic that they’d go to sleep, and when they woke up, this would all be over—before she had a chance to say what was on her mind.
In her heart.
“Jackson.” She tilted her head up. “Jackson.”
“Hmm?” He didn’t open his eyes.
Maybe that was better. Easier. “Jackson, I just…I need you to know. I think that I—”
His eyes opened, locking on hers, and her words broke off in confusion at the turmoil she saw there.
He lifted a hand and touched her cheek gently before resting his fingers over her mouth. “Don’t, Mollie. Please don’t.”
She swallowed dryly.
He held her gaze a moment longer, his eyes begging her to understand. She did. She really did. And yet she wanted to ask him to be brave. Wanted him to—
His eyes drifted shut again, and although Mollie’s brain tried to tell her that he was just tired, her heart knew better.
Her heart knew that he had just rejected her love.
Chapter 27
When Mollie woke up the next morning, there was no Jackson beside her. No bracing smell of brewing coffee.
A glance at the clock showed her why. It was well past ten, and she’d learned that Jackson rarely slept past six. He’d likely made coffee hours ago.
She sat up and blinked groggily before crawling to the side of the bed. A quick scan showed that he’d picked up her dress and panties, setting both on the dresser.
Grabbing her clothes, she slowly opened the door of the bedroom. “Jackson?”
Nothing.
She darted across the hallway to the safety of her own bedroom, where she pulled on underwear, sweatpants, and an ancient tank top.
Heading toward the kitchen, she made a beeline for the coffeepot, smiling when she saw he’d set it so that all she needed to do was hit the button to get a fresh pot brewing.
She was grabbing the water pitcher from the fridge when she saw his note on the counter.
At the gym. Tried to wait for you, but you looked dead.
J
Mollie rolled her eyes. Well, that was romantic.
While she waited for the coffee to finish, she headed into the living room, where she’d left her cell on an end table.
She gave a happy little jump when she saw a text message from Grace Malone, the wife of one of Jackson’s colleagues. Mollie had assumed when the group had insisted on getting her number last night it had just been out of politeness, but Grace had invited her to their girls’ night on Thursday. Mollie quickly typed back a happy acceptance.
Her smile faded when she saw the next text. It was from her sister.
Hey. Sorry I’ve been busy lately. Forgive? Also, I’m in NYC again—new club flew me and the other Housewives gals up to attend their opening. Not busy till later though. Can u do lunch? I want to catch up with my baby sister!
Mollie blew out a breath. On the plus side, at least Madison had told her about being in New York this time.
On the other hand…
It was time.
No, it was past time to tell her sister what was going on. Especially after last night. Mollie had almost dropped the L-word, for God’s sake. She owed Madison the truth. Her sister deserved it.
Plus Jackson deserved more than to be someone’s dirty little secret.
And Mollie deserved…She didn’t know what she deserved. She only knew that the secrecy was tearing a hole in her heart.
Still, this was not going to be an easy meeting—not at all.
Sure. What time? she texted back.
Madison’s response was immediate. Noon. Fig & Olive on Lex?
See you there, Mollie texted.
Setting the phone aside, she waited for a surge of panic, but felt oddly numb.
Deep breaths. You can do this. You’re an adult—accept the consequences of your actions.
An hour and a half later, Mollie had had too many cups of coffee and was jittery, her palms sweaty, as she walked the few blocks to the restaurant.