Love Left Behind

by S. H. Kolee

  I was helpless against his words and mouth as he leaned down and caught one of my nipples in his mouth, sucking hard. The feeling was so exquisite that I felt like I was going to come then and there. Jackson gave the same attention to my other nipple as I threaded my hands through his hair, feeling as if it was a lifesaver in a sea of sensations.

  I reached down and started pulling up his shirt, wanting to see him and feel his chest against me with no clothes. Jackson propped himself up and pulled his shirt over his head and then leaned back down to kiss me. The sensation of his bare chest against my sensitized nipples was almost too much to handle as I kissed him back wildly, running my hands down his muscular back.

  "I need to see all of you," Jackson muttered against my mouth. He kissed his way down my body, running his tongue down my stomach until he met the top of my leggings and skirt. He slowly and excruciating slipped my leggings and panties down my legs.

  I was too aroused to feel any nervousness about baring myself to Jackson. All I could think about was how much I wanted him inside of me. I reached down to pull off my skirt, but Jackson stopped me.

  "I want you wearing that skirt while you have your legs wrapped around me. I've been imagining you naked with nothing on except that see-through skirt since I saw you wearing it.

  My insides clenched as warmth flooded between my legs at his words. Jackson leaned down and started kissing my thighs, working closer and closer to my wetness until I thought I would scream with desire.

  When he gently stroked my swollen lips with a finger, I had to bite my lip to stop from begging him to take me.

  "So wet," he whispered as he looked up at me. "You're dripping wet for me."

  I stared into his eyes, seeing my own need mirrored in his. It was intensely erotic watching him lower his head, his eyes still locked on mine. When I felt his tongue lick my wetness, I cried out shamelessly.

  "So sweet," he muttered as he drew my swollen bud into his mouth, suckling hard. My hips shot off the bed as he kept his mouth on me, sucking on my aroused bud until I felt like I could take no more. Until I felt him slip a finger inside of me.

  "So tight and wet for me."

  I sobbed, thrashing my head back and forth on the pillow. "Please. I need you inside of me."

  I heard a zipper and the crinkle of a foil packet and then Jackson was hovering over me, his face tight with desire and the muscles in his arms corded as he supported himself above me. My black skirt pooled around my waist as I wrapped my legs around him.

  "Tell me if I'm hurting you," he said through clenched teeth as I felt the head of his arousal invading my swollen lips. I arched my hips off the bed, eager to have him inside me. My movement caused part of him to slide into me and I reveled at how tightly he stretched me even without entering me fully.

  "Fuck," Jackson hissed as he held himself still. He tried to smile at me, but I could see the effort it was taking for him not to move. "Careful sweetheart or this is going to be over before it's begun."

  "I don't care," I said, my need making me bold. "Please. Fuck me."

  Jackson grinned, looking almost feral as he slid deeper into me. "You got it."

  I cried out in sweet agony as he pounded into me, the fullness of him stretching me to the point of pain. But I didn't care. All I cared about was him slamming into me, driving the coil of pressure inside of me tighter and tighter until I couldn't take it anymore. When he reached down and flicked the bud of my arousal as he continued thrusting into me, I keened in pure pleasure as I felt waves and waves of my orgasm undulating across my body.

  After the pleasure of my release faded, I looked up at Jackson. His teeth were gritted and his eyes were dark as he continued to thrust into me, his clenched jaw showing just how close he was. I reached up and caressed his jaw and that seemed to be his undoing.

  "Christ, Emma," he groaned as he shuddered, his arousal pumping inside of me as he found his release. It was a beautiful sight and I thought I would never forget what Jackson Reynard looked like losing himself in me.

  Jackson collapsed on the bed and rolled over next to me, dragging me with him so that I was half on top of him. He looked exhausted as he fought to catch his breath, his eyes closed.

  "Jackson? Are you okay?"

  Jackson opened his eyes, their green depths sparkling as he grinned at me.

  "I'd say I'm more than okay."

  I felt my sanity return as the glow of the incredible hot sex I had just engaged in wore off. I was uncomfortably aware of my legs sprawled on top of Jackson and my skirt bunched up around my waist. My right arm was across Jackson's chest and he was lightly stroking it with his fingertips. I was glaringly aware of how naked I was and I got a good look at Jackson's arousal for the first time, impressive even at half-mast.

  I shifted my head to look up at Jackson to find him watching me with a self-satisfied expression on his face. I didn't know what the protocol was for one night stands since this was my first one. It was still yet to be determined whether this would become a full-blown fling.

  "Well," I said intelligently, not knowing what else to say.

  Jackson raised his eyebrows. "That's all you have to say? Well?"

  "Well," I repeated stupidly.

  Jackson smiled gently and craned his head down to kiss me softly on the mouth. Despite the mind-blowing sex we had just had, I still felt the stirrings of desire from his kiss.

  "I seem to have rendered you speechless. Hopefully in a good way."

  I smiled, telling myself I didn't have anything to be embarrassed about. People did these kinds of things all the time. It had been fun. I shouldn't be embarrassed about it.

  "I'm still trying to figure out how many more times we have to do that for me to work off the chicken marsala."

  Jackson chuckled. "Four or five times. At least."

  I raised an eyebrow. "Then I won't be able to walk out of here."

  "Who said anything about you walking out of here?"

  I looked at him blankly, not knowing how to answer.

  "What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?" he asked.

  "Nine o'clock."

  Jackson moved to his side, shifting me so that I was on my side as well facing him. He propped his head up with his hand and absently started stroking my back with the other.

  "If you stay over, I promise to get you back to your apartment tomorrow morning so that you have enough time to get ready for work."

  I felt tingles of pleasure at Jackson's apparent desire to have me stay.

  "I guess it's okay then," I replied, masking my eagerness.

  Jackson quirked his mouth. "Don't sound so excited by the prospect."

  I grinned, shedding my facade of nonchalance. "I'll jump up and down in excitement about it later. Right now, I'm too worn out from the workout you just put me through."

  Jackson beamed and I felt a warmth flood my insides at the boyish happiness on his face.

  "That means you get rewarded with dessert."

  I arched a brow. "Didn't we just have dessert?"

  Jackson winked at me. "I like those naughty thoughts. But I have an actual cake waiting for us."

  Jackson gave me a quick kiss and got up from the bed. I looked at him with unabashed admiration. Jackson clothed was out of this world, but Jackson naked was a revelation. His body was perfectly chiseled with muscles without the heavy bulk. And that was before my eyes traveled lower. It was hard to look away as he peeled off the condom and threw it into a nearby trashcan.

  Jackson pulled on his shorts and grinned at me lying in bed watching him.

  "I could look at you like that all day."

  I flushed as I realized how wanton I must look, draped across his bed naked except for a sheer film of a skirt. I tugged it down, but the material was so flimsy that it was see-through and didn't hide anything. My body was marked with our recent passion, my nipples swollen and my inner thighs red from the scrape of Jackson's stubble.

  I pulled a sheet to cover myself but Jackson
stopped me. "Don't do that. You're beautiful."

  He bent his head down and softly kissed one of my nipples. I held my breath as he looked up at me. He smiled at me faintly.

  "I better stop or we'll never get to dessert."

  I laughed and got up from the bed, feeling desirable as I saw Jackson's eyes rake over me. I reached down to grab my leggings and shirt from the floor where they had been discarded earlier.

  "Can't you just wear that skirt?"

  "Jackson, I'm not parading around here almost naked. Especially while I'm shoveling cake into my mouth."

  "Okay," Jackson relented, although he looked disappointed. He rummaged through his dresser and pulled out a t-shirt. "Why don't you just wear this. I'll be a lot more comfortable and you can sleep in it."

  I took the t-shirt that Jackson handed me and slipped it over my head, thrilled that he was being so considerate. I slipped off the skirt and pulled my panties back on, running my fingers through my hair and hoping it didn't look too much of a mess.

  "Did you go to Columbia?" I asked, looking down at the lettering of the shirt I was now swimming in. The hem of the shirt went halfway down my thighs since Jackson was so much taller than I was.

  "Yeah," Jackson said as he took my hand and drew me into the living room.

  "Smart and a good cook," I observed as I sat down on the couch. "What girl could resist?"

  "Certainly not you," Jackson said, looking at me innocently.

  "Very funny," I replied in a stern voice, but I ruined the effect by laughing. "Now where's my cake?"

  Jackson sighed in mock disappointment. "Now that she's had her way with me, she only wants me for my dessert."

  I felt myself grinning widely as Jackson disappeared into the kitchen. I couldn't remember the last time I had so much fun bantering with someone. Especially after a hot session of sex. Yes, I was definitely going to have a summer fling.

  Jackson walked back out with two plates, each with a large slice of white cake with about ten thin layers, frosted generously with white frosting and coconut shreds.

  "I hope you like coconut," Jackson said, handing me a plate and fork.

  My eyes lit up. "I love coconut." I took a bite and it was heavenly. "Don't tell me you made this!"

  Jackson grinned as he sat down next to me and started eating his own slice of cake. "As much as I'd like to impress you and say yes, I picked it up from a bakery."

  "It's okay," I said, relishing each bite of the cake. "You get points for picking out a terrific cake."

  I paused mid-bite as I looked up at Jackson.

  "You're doing it again," I said accusingly.

  "Doing what?"

  "Watching me eat!"

  Jackson reached out and tucked my hair behind one ear. My breath caught at the sweetness of the gesture. "Is that such a bad thing? I like watching you enjoy yourself."

  "Well,” I said, drawing out the word. There wasn't much I could say to that. So I decided to change the subject. "What did you study at Columbia?"

  Jackson smiled as if he knew I was changing the subject on purpose, but he complied. "Business management. My father wanted me to join the family company, but it's not for me. I can't imagine spending my whole life on dry mergers and acquisitions."

  "What type of company does your father own?"

  "It's a management consultant firm. Boring stuff."

  "What about your mother?"

  "She spends most of her days on charity boards. As much as I like making fun of her about being a lady that lunches, she actually does a lot of good through her charities."

  "That's great," I said, smiling. "I think my mother just uses her charity group as an excuse to socialize."

  "What about your dad?" Jackson asked, setting his now empty plate on the floor next to the couch since he didn't have a coffee table. "What does he do?"

  "He was a lawyer. He passed away while I was in high school."

  "I'm sorry to hear that. Do you mind if I ask what happened?"

  I shook my head. It was amazing how easy it was to confide in Jackson. Maybe because it seemed like he actually cared, instead of just asking out of obligation. "He had a heart attack when I was a sophomore. It was totally unexpected. One day he was healthy and full of life. The next day he was gone."

  Jackson reached out and cupped my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. "That must have been hard."

  "It was, but fortunately my mom and I are pretty close. We were able to get through it together." I didn't add that Sean had been my anchor during that time of my life. Despite what I told Jackson, my mother had been too wrapped up in her own grief to help me through mine. Sean had kept me sane and grounded. I couldn't count how many times he stayed on the phone with me all hours of the night while I sobbed about the unfairness of it all.

  "I'm happy to hear that."

  "Are you close with your parents?"

  Jackson dropped his hand and took my empty plate from me, stacking it on top of his on the floor.

  "I'm pretty close to both of them. My dad can be a little heavy-handed about him wanting me to join his company, but I think he's accepted that I'm really giving this acting thing a go."

  Jackson put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. I snuggled into him, relishing the feeling of his bare chest against my cheek. The music we danced to earlier had ended long ago and Jackson picked up a remote to flick on another playlist. I relaxed against him as I listened to Frank Sinatra croon about the way you look tonight.

  "You really like the oldies, huh?" I commented.

  "They're the best."

  I yawned, the long day and the earth-shattering sex having taken its toll. We sat there for a while, just listening to music as we cuddled. I felt myself drifting off as Jackson gently stroked my arm, lulling me to sleep.

  I woke up with a start, sitting up. Jackson's head was against the couch and his eyes fluttered open at my movement. He sat up and stretched, pulling his arms above his head, and I admired the rippling effect it had on his muscles. He caught me gawking and smiled at me.

  "How long have we been asleep?" I asked, flushing a little. I was the one who had balked at Jackson watching me, and now I was the one mooning over him.

  Jackson checked the clock on the wall. "For about an hour. I'm supposed to be the trainer, but I guess the workout you gave me wore me out."

  I smiled at him mischievously, running my fingers down his hard muscled chest. "Ready for your next session?"

  Jackson looked at me with amusement. "Shouldn't we be pacing ourselves?"

  I shook my head. "You had your way with me before. Now it's my turn to be in control."

  Jackson arched an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Is that so?"

  "Yup."

  I grabbed his hand and this time it was me that dragged him into the bedroom. I showed him just how in control I could be with my hands, my mouth and my tongue, until he couldn't take any more and flipped me on my back, pounding into me until I was the one begging for my release.

  Chapter Five

  I squinted at the sun streaming into the room, trying to get my bearings as I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. The memories of the night before rushed through me as I looked over at Jackson who was still sleeping peacefully. He was lying on his stomach, his face turned towards me with one arm hooked around my waist. I drank in the sight of him now that I could stare at him in leisure. His ridiculously long eyelashes cast shadows on his face and my gaze trailed down his straight nose to his kissable mouth, resisting the urge to reach up and stroke his lips.

  Jackson looked vulnerable in his sleep and I felt a stirring inside me. I pushed the feeling aside and just enjoyed the feeling of waking up with a gorgeous man next to me.

  I craned my neck up so that I could see the alarm clock over Simon's shoulders on the other side of the bed. It was almost seven in the morning and I needed to get home so I had time to shower and get ready for work.

  I gingerly lifted Jackson's arm from my w
aist and tried to slip out, but his arm suddenly tightened around me.

  My eyes shot to his face and I saw that he was awake and watching me.

  "Where do you think you're going?"

  "I have to get back home to get ready for work."

  Jackson turned his head around to check the time. He then pulled me close and nuzzled his face in my neck, enveloping me in his arms.

  "It's still early."

  "Jackson, I can't be late for work." I tried to make my voice firm, but I was weakening against his caresses. Being so close to him, wrapped up in him, was intoxicating. He smelled warm and masculine and felt even better.

  I squealed as Jackson licked my neck. "That tickles!"

  Jackson lifted his head and grinned at me. "That was supposed to tempt you into staying in bed."

  I rolled my eyes and smacked his shoulder. "You're supposed to be making sure I get to work on time. Remember? That was the deal for staying over."

  Jackson groaned but rolled over, releasing me. "Okay, okay," he grumbled but I knew he wasn't really disgruntled because of his sparkling eyes.

  I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom. I gasped when I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a fright with my hair sticking out in all different directions. I quickly changed back into my leggings and top, threw some water on my face, and then wrangled my tangled hair into a ponytail.

  When I stepped back into the bedroom, Jackson was gone. I made the bed and folded the shirt he had given me to sleep in and laid it on the bed.

  I heard Jackson rummaging around in the kitchen as I left the bedroom and I walked over to join him. He had thrown on a t-shirt and jeans and was fiddling with the coffee maker.

  He looked up at my approach. "How do you take your coffee?"

  "Jackson," I said warningly. "I don't have time to drink coffee."

  "I have to-go cups we can use. Now how do you take your coffee?"

  "Milk and one sugar, please."

  I watched Jackson pour coffee into two paper cups with plastic tops, just like the ones you would get at a coffee shop.