by Josie Leigh
“You’re insatiable,” he laughed, pulling her to him. “But, I believe your stomach would protest another go this morning, don’t you think?”
“Stupid need for nourishment,” she pulled her face into a disappointed frown.
“I know,” he pulled the lip she’d stuck out in her pout with his fingers before replacing them with his mouth. As the soft kiss started to turn ravenous again, he lifted his head. “You have to stop doing that for now, you need food!” he smirked. “How about we head to that diner you love for some biscuits and gravy? I know it’s nearly lunch, but breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
“Oh hell yeah!” she agreed, pushing him away from her and swinging her legs from the bed, in an effort to ready herself for their lunch plans.
“Oh, I see where I rate now!” he teased. “Above pizza, but below the promise of biscuits and gravy.”
“When you taste them, you’ll understand how I can push you aside for them. They are the most amazing thing I’ve ever had in my mouth,” she said, somehow holding a straight face at her words. She shot him a smirk as she pulled a clean pair of jeans from her dresser and stepped into them.
“Thanks, that makes me feel really special,” he mocked, grabbing his long discarded clothing from the floor. “And did you just put those pants on without underwear?”
“Um, yeah? They seem like they would be a waste of time today, not to mention, they’d just get in the way,” she blinked at him, giving him her most innocent look before sliding into a cream button down blouse.
“Great,” he groaned. “Now I have to spend the whole day knowing that there is nothing between us but a thin layer of denim.”
“Behave,” she winked at him before disappearing behind her bathroom door to finish her morning hygiene. Although she enjoyed getting him all worked up, she knew that she was going to have a difficult time getting through the day, too. With the promise of what their night would have in store for them again, she wanted nothing more than to tear off the clothes she’d just dressed in and start right now. The answering protest from her stomach when her thoughts derailed again reminded her that she needed food so she’d have the energy to keep up with her body’s current demands.
“Ready?” he asked when she reemerged from the bathroom.
“Absolutely!” she followed him to the door and handed him the keys to her car. “I was thinking of calling it early today, maybe only go in to run the weekly staff meeting,” she told him, her eyes drinking in the power of his body as it moved to open the passenger door for her.
“That sounds like a great idea,” he approved, closing the door behind her and slipping in behind the wheel. “That’ll give me just enough time to pick up Corigan before I come back to your office for you.”
“Perfect,” she settled. “Now, let’s go get my traitorous stomach some biscuits and gravy.” Laying her head against the rest behind her, she reveled in the feel of his fingers entwined with her as he drove, the jolts of electricity from their reconnection skittering through her body.
**
As Missy watched Jason and Samantha drive away from the house, her heart sank. When he hadn’t come home last night, she knew why, but she’d hoped that it wasn’t true. They were back together in every sense of the phrase. Jamie would not be happy with this turn of events, and she didn’t know how to break the news to the woman. It would be nearly impossible to get between them now.
“Mrs. Wright?” Missy said when she heard the click on the other end of the line.
“Just calling now, eh? All must have been successful last night,” Jamie assumed, sounding chipper at the news.
“No,” Missy answered, shaking her head, solemnly, even though Jason’s mother couldn’t see her.
“What do you mean, no?” the previously jovial voice turned cold on a dime and Missy could almost see Jamie rushing towards her living room bar.
“He didn’t come home last night after their date,” she whispered.
“WHAT?!” Jamie screeched and the unmistakable sounds of glasses clinking filled the line on the other end of the phone. “I get him out of his house so that you can be there when he arrives and he never shows up?”
“Um, I just saw him and Samantha leave her house. I think we’re too late, Mrs. Wright.”
“No, we can’t be, and so what if they are together now, we can fix this!” her words and thoughts now rushing together through the phone. “We can make this work; we just need to get a new plan! That’s it! It’ll just take a little bit of planning on our part, just a little longer and it’ll be over for good this time.”
Missy couldn’t help but cringe at the obvious desperation coming through, knowing that if they could figure out a way to be successful, Samantha would never trust Jason again. The wedge between them this time would be the size of the Grand Canyon and completely insurmountable, no matter how close they were.
She was starting to wonder if this was what she really wanted, if she shouldn’t just let Jason be with who he thought would make him happy. With a heavy sigh, Missy pushed her doubts away, knowing that he’d never be completely happy with Samantha because she didn’t know the truth about him. She’d make him pay everyday for the rest of their lives and he deserved better than that.
“Okay, Mrs. Wright. We’ll have to sit down and make another plan. I think getting Samantha to doubt his loyalty again will be a piece of cake. I mean, I’m sure she still has lingering insecurities about his ability to stay faithful to her,” Missy shrugged. “Preying on that should the easiest part. It’s just a matter of being in the right place, at the right time. And taking pictures, lots and lots of pictures,” she cackled.
“Sounds like you’ve got the right idea, Miss,” she felt the smile return to Jamie’s voice, even though it was slurred a little more than it had been when she answered the phone. “But we have to take our time, do this right; otherwise, they’ll start to put two and two together. Is Garrett still in a position to help out?”
“Are you kidding?” Missy scoffed, not believing that Jamie would think any less of her abilities to get a man to do her bidding. “Of course, but Samantha tends to steer clear of him when he’s in her office. I’m sure I can get him to drop gossip to that guy she assigned his campaign to. All he has to do is mention seeing Jason and me out and about, and the dude’ll run straight to Sammy with it. I have to work on Jason letting me be in the same room with him again, too,” Missy stared out the windshield of her car, perplexed on how she could make that happen.
“I’m sure we can figure out a way for coincidental meetings, like at the coffee house he loves so much, or at the movies, stuff like that. Then, I’ll ask Sven if he knows anyone who can take the pictures for Garrett to show Samantha’s guy as proof?” Jamie picked up on Missy’s train of thought.
“That’s just right! If we execute this flawlessly, we can keep them from making it to the altar again this time,” Missy smiled at the possibilities.
“Nothing would make me happier, Missy. We’ve got to get this done!”
Chapter 23
“Where were you, Jason?” Sammy cried, pulling her knees to her chest.
“I was picking up Missy, Sammy. I’m so sorry,” he said, rushing over to pull her into his arms, but she blocked his attempt at the last second.
“Don’t,” she warned.
“Don’t what? You’re my fiancé and you are hurting. I want to hold you and help you feel better,” he was confused at her rejection.
“I needed you two hours ago, Jason, and you weren’t here,” she wept into her knees.
“I said I was sorry, Sammy. Missy was stranded in Federal Way,” he said, feeling defensive.
“Missy’s always stranded somewhere and, apparently, there is no one else on this whole fucking planet she could call to pick her up,” Sammy was now growling at him.
“You know she doesn’t have many people she can count on. She’s an only child and neither she nor her mother took her father’s dea
th well. My mom asked me to look after her, too,” Jason said. “Since you and I have been together, she’s come to think of me as her brother.”
“I just lost my grandpa, Jason,” she said. “You know, the man who was more of a father to me than my own dad? And you’re actually standing there defending Missy?”
“She needed me, Sammy. I didn’t know that you were going to lose your grandpa. Neither did you!”
“Are you sleeping with her?”
“What would give you that idea? I love you, I’m marrying you.”
“Because I woke up to a phone call two hours ago and you were gone, and you walk in here smelling like her. And you are drinking so much, Jason. Like you’re carrying guilt…at least that’s what my dad used to do when…”
“I’m not your father, Sammy. I’d never do that to you. You are my life, that’s why I’m there for Missy. She’s your best friend, how can you expect me to just leave her to fend for herself like that? If anything happened to her, you’d never forgive yourself for not being there for her. That’s what I’m doing when I help her get home; I’m helping you be there for her.”
“And the drinking?”
“It’s not that bad. I just like to unwind at the end of the day, that’s all.”
“Why do I not feel any comfort in that explanation?”
**
Staking out the coffee house without being seen by Jason wasn’t difficult because it was nearly always busy. Getting him alone was another thing entirely. Because of the shop’s proximity to Samantha’s company, he met her there for lunch with Corigan frequently. Missy knew that if she was diligent, eventually, she’d catch him without Samantha.
Although it took a nearly a month of watching them moon over each other, finally, her persistence was rewarded with a perplexed Jason and a sleeping Corigan sitting at an outdoor table. Samantha was, apparently, running late or had cancelled, because she was nowhere to be seen. Seeing Sven with his cell phone camera in position, she made her way toward Jason’s table and sat down before he seemed to notice her.
“Penny for your thoughts,” she drawled, draping herself across his table, seductively, and resting her hand, intimately, on his forearm. She prayed that Sven got the shot he’d needed, because less than two full seconds later, Jason was out of his chair and grabbing Corigan from hers.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Jason asked, accusatory.
“You looked forlorn,” she shrugged, looking up at him from her seat. “You looked like you could use some company over the age of three, well over the age of consent,” she winked at him, trying not to notice the look of disgust on his face at her words. If she hadn’t had her game face on, she would’ve flinched at his response. Although Jamie had plans for her and Jason to end up together, she didn’t harbor the same delusions anymore.
She wished that things could be different though, that he wasn’t so upset by her sheer presence. A small frown found its way to her lips and she quickly replaced it with a large grin. This wasn’t about getting Jason anymore; this was about getting him away from someone who didn’t deserve to have someone as kind and caring as him. He was an amazing man who deserved to have everything in life, and whether he appreciated it or not, Samantha wasn’t worthy of him. Maybe in time, he’d realize it and forgive her for what she had to do.
**
“Something is definitely fishy,” Jason said into the phone as he helped Corigan get strapped into her car seat as they left the coffee house. Climbing behind the wheel of his truck, he switched to his hands-free set up and Sammy’s voice boomed through the speakers.
“I know what you mean!” she whispered. “They must have an express line to Garrett, because Joe just rushed him into my office to show me a picture of you and Missy at the coffee house.”
“Wow,” Jason shook his head in disbelief as he backed out of the parking space. “That literally just happened five minutes ago. They really want you to doubt me.”
“Yeah,” Sammy’s voice wavered through the car, hanging between them, letting him know that even though they’d come so far, it was time she knew the truth.
“I want to make sure you have no reason to doubt me again, Sammy,” he answered.
“I don’t doubt you, Jason,” she said in a guilty rush. “It was obvious that she’d blindsided you. I’ve never seen you look more uncomfortable.”
“Good,” Jason breathed a sigh. “I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, merging with traffic.
“Of course,” he could hear her smile through the phone. “I’m sorry I got called into a meeting and missed our lunch. I’ll make it up to you tonight, I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Jason finished, ending the call and focusing on the trip to Sammy’s. He needed to tell her what really happened all those years ago, but he didn’t know how to bring it up.
**
“She didn’t even react?” Missy screeched at Garrett through her phone, still sitting at the table Jason had vacated.
“Not even an eyelash, babe,” he groaned. “I don’t think this is going to work. I feel like we’ve wasted enough time here.”
“I’d agree, but Jamie seems determined,” Missy moaned at the thought of telling Jason’s mother they’d failed, again.
“Well, I think this is over. I’m going to move on to Laura, I think,” he said, flippantly. “Samantha’s assistant is smoking hot, but you and I can still hook up, if you want.”
“Whatever,” she frowned, ending the call and trying to keep her tears at bay.
“Miss, are you okay?” a soft, familiar voice asked from her shoulder.
“No,” she choked out, pushing away from the table and bolting for her car. She didn’t want him to see her this way again.
“Miss! Wait!” he yelled, tracking her to the parking lot. “I want to give you another chance!”
Chester’s words stopped her in her tracks. “What?” she breathed, not wanting to give herself too much hope.
“I stopped the divorce, Missy. I--,” he paused as she turned to face him. Running a hand through his coal black hair, his piercing brown eyes pinned her to her spot. “I know how you can get when things get serious. I didn’t take into account your ability to damage your own happiness before I said the things I said to you. I was so mad at what you and Garrett did, and I still am, but you told me what you were capable of…I doubted that. I’m not saying I’ve forgiven you, not even close, but I want to work on it with you. I want us to see a counselor. I need to try.”
“But--,” she started, not knowing what to say. No one had ever given her a second chance like this. Was this what Jason had been talking about? She wanted to seize it with both hands and never let it go. As awareness of how similar their situations were washed over her, she started to feel guilty for everything she’d put Jason and Sammy through these last six years.
“Above the anger and pain, I still miss you,” he said, moving a step closer to her. “Will you come home?” he asked.
“I would love to, Chester, but there’s one last thing I have to do before I can be with you again and work with you toward a future where I don’t sabotage myself,” she smiled at him. “Give me a week to fix something I messed up?” she asked, hoping he could see the love and determination his faith gave her.
“Make it quick, Miss,” he chuckled before planting a soft kiss on her lips and walking away.
“I will,” she whispered, feeling the smidge of hope she felt earlier bloom in her chest. Jamie wouldn’t be happy, but she knew how to fix everything with Sammy and Jason so she could be free to live her life again. Walking to her car, she pulled her phone out and dialed.
“I’m tired of pussy-footing again, Jamie,” Missy said. “I’m ending this tomorrow night at Jason’s house,” she continued.
“I like the sound of that. Jason’ll be back at his house tomorrow night, I’m sure! He has to work Friday and he usually stays in his own bed so he doesn’t wake everyone as Samantha’s. Ugh, she doesn�
�t deserve him!” Jamie answered, and Missy could almost hear the woman rubbing her hands together in anticipation like a comic book villain. “I’m glad it’ll be over soon. I’ll get you the key,” she said before ending the call.
In twenty-four hours, she’d have everything she ever wanted. She needed to tell Jason the truth about their past and who was pulling the strings. She needed to let him be with Samantha, regardless of whether she or Jamie thought they’d be happy. Then, she’d be able to go back to Chester with a clean slate.
Chapter 24
“Sam!” Sara yelled at her as she approached. “You have to come with me! I just caught Missy going down on Jason in your bedroom!”
Samantha let her sister’s words flow through her, as she followed her, numbly, toward her bedroom. Seeing Jason, wearing only a pair of boxers, standing beside the bed they shared, looking at a topless Missy sent her over the edge.
“WHAT THE FUCK?!” she yelled, causing Jason to turn toward her, anguish visible in his eyes.
“Oh, hey Sam. I’m sooo glad you’re here! We can finally get this out in the open,” Missy said, bouncing up and down from her position on Samantha’s pillow. The sight of her naked breasts on the bed she and Jason shared caused bile to rise in her throat, but she swallowed it down.
“And what might that be?” Samantha asked, taking in the scene in front of her, trying to calm her anger.
“Jason and I are fucking, we have been for awhile,” the blonde continued, looking completely at home and all too pleased with herself. “I mean, you can’t possibly be naïve enough to think he was just picking me up during all those late night visits, right?” she finished, batting her eyelashes. Clenching her fists at her side, Samantha fought hard for the control it would take to keep her from dragging the blonde out of her bedroom by her hair.