She wiped her hand across her face. She’d felt more last night than she ever had with anyone. That was why she had this heaviness in her chest. She swung her legs out of the bed and padded into the shower.
The hot spray massaged her aching muscles, and she tried her best not to feel sorry for herself. She was the problem here. If she knew what she was doing, if she thought she could see herself staying in Benalmadena, then this didn’t need to be casual.
“Fucking hell,” Payton muttered to herself as she turned off the water and dried herself off. She really wasn’t cut out for this. Good thing she hadn’t tried it before. She wanted to wake up beside Jackie, to wrap her arm around her waist and go back to sleep for another hour.
They could be having breakfast together right now, but instead, Payton was standing in front of her refrigerator in her white silk robe wondering if she could even eat anything right now. Why did she feel sick? She should be happy. She should be feeling like she did this time yesterday when the memories of kissing Jackie the day before were fresh in her mind.
This was what she wanted. Jackie had fallen into her bed last night. The chemistry had been off the charts. Why couldn’t she just enjoy this without worrying about the future?
Payton poured herself a glass of orange juice and took a long drink. She went back into her bedroom to get changed and tied her wet hair back in a messy bun, bringing her orange juice out onto the balcony. She swept her eyes across the apartment buildings to her left, then to the beach and the waves calmly rolling into the shore.
Could she see herself living here? A part of her could. She’d already fallen in love with this part of Spain but spending a few weeks at a time here wasn’t the same as calling this her permanent home. On the flight over, she’d drifted off to sleep trying to imagine herself living in London or Benalmadena, before remembering how much she loved New York.
Payton knew this was a first world problem. She had three amazing places she could call home, and right now, she couldn’t make a decision. There were things she loved about each of them, and if she wasn’t going to be a lawyer, she could figure out a career that allowed her to move between the three. Photography seemed like the obvious winner, but that was before last night.
Payton rested her forearms on the balcony wall and watched the waves coming in. She didn’t need to put herself under this kind of pressure. There was a reason that she booked a one-way ticket. She had time to think, but she hated the idea of leading Jackie on.
Yes, Jackie had said that she was okay with this, but Payton wondered if that was something she’d said in the heat of the moment, because if she hadn’t said that, last night wouldn’t have happened. They would have agreed that they should forget about that kiss, that they should just be friends until Payton knew what she was doing.
She blew out a long breath. This was so new to her, having this many choices. In college she’d been so busy, between studying and working at a coffee shop, and she’d spent the last year just trying to get through the days.
It was like she’d come up for air after being underwater for a dangerous amount of time, her eyes wide, her senses heightened, searching for anything to cling onto, to keep her afloat.
What if that’s what this was with Jackie? What if she was running towards the nearest source of comfort?
Payton finished her glass of orange juice, still standing, unable to sit down and relax. She glanced at her watch. It was only five thirty in the morning in New York. She’d call her friend from college in a few hours and see if Tara had any advice for her, anyone she’d be willing to introduce her to. Maybe that would help her make some sort of a decision.
Payton picked up the pace, her sneakers pounding the tiled promenade as she got closer to her building, finishing her run strong. She took a few deep breaths as she slowed down to a jog and then a walk, her hands above her head, her legs like jelly.
She’d been too restless this morning, waiting to call Tara, and since her building didn’t have a gym, a run was the next best thing. She’d gone for a run at least four days a week when she lived in New York, and it would have been easy to let that habit slide here, replacing it with lounging on the beach or sitting by the marina with a glass of wine.
This was something she would do if she lived here, and Payton knew she had to start thinking like that. She had to start looking at this as a trial and not a holiday, and that’s how she was going to spend the next few weeks. She’d start setting an alarm in the mornings, go for a run just like she would in New York, take some photos in the afternoon and start thinking about what a photography business would look like.
Would she use her name, Payton Sutton Wedding Photography or come up with a completely different business name? She knew enough about websites that she could create something this week. She’d also have to ask Oliver and Alvaro if she could use their photos as part of her portfolio.
Payton’s breathing was almost back to normal as she climbed the steps to her building and waited for the elevator in the lobby. Going for a run had been a good idea. That was when her best ideas came to her.
She bent down to stretch, reaching for her toes, straightening up when she heard the elevator ping and the doors slide open, and she nearly collided with whoever was coming out.
“Sorry,” Payton said reflexively, but her eyes met Jackie’s, and she forgot to breathe.
“Hi,” Jackie said, her lips sliding into a smile. She was wearing black pants and an off the shoulder gray top, her hair tied back in a ponytail.
“Hey.” Payton brushed a loose strand of hair away from her eyes. “Off to work?”
Jackie nodded. “I’m working a bit more this week to cover for Oliver.”
They stood there in the empty lobby for a second until they both started talking at the same time.
Jackie cleared her throat. “About this morning-”
“Last night was-” Payton stopped, looking away as she smiled. “Sorry. Go ahead.”
“I was just going to say that I’m sorry that I left this morning. I was tempted to stay, for the record, but I didn’t think it would be a good idea. I should have said something, but then I didn’t want to wake you,” Jackie said in a rush. “I guess, I didn’t know what the best thing to do was.”
Payton smiled, relief washing over her knowing that Jackie hadn’t just lept out of bed without another thought. “It’s okay,” she said, her hands on her waist as she met Jackie’s eyes.
Jackie took a step closer, her hand on Payton’s hot cheeks, her thumb light caressing her.
“I’m pretty gross right now,” Payton said as Jackie inched forward.
“Not to me.” Jackie brushed her lips across Payton’s.
Payton sighed as Jackie’s lips parted against hers. They were soft and warm, and Payton held onto Jackie’s hips when her tongue skimmed across her own. She loved the way Jackie kissed her, somehow possessively but still tender, and she wished they were upstairs and not in the lobby.
Jackie broke the kiss. “I’m finishing up at nine tonight.”
Payton wet her lips. “Okay.” She could get lost in those hazel green eyes.
“You can come over any time after that, if you want to have a drink...”
Payton nodded. “Sure.” Words were a struggle right now. She was still dazed from that kiss.
“Or not? If you have other plans, that’s okay.”
“No. I’ll be there.”
Jackie smiled, her eyes almost sparkling. “Alright. I’ll see you tonight then.”
“Bye.” She pressed the button for the elevator, waiting a second for the doors to open again and stepped in. She watched Jackie leave the lobby, admiring the way her black pants clung to her legs and hips. “I have it so bad,” Payton whispered as the doors closed, and she leaned back against the mirror, her eyes fluttering closed, already thinking ahead to tonight.
Chapter 15
Jackie made the short walk home from the restaurant with a bottle of one of their nicest
Riojas in her hand. She got back to her apartment at ten minutes after nine and uncorked the bottle, letting it breathe while she went to get changed.
She’d spent most of the day on her feet, greeting customers, filling in when their waiters were busy. She always did a little bit of everything even though they had a manager and six waiting staff working every day. Jackie liked being involved, and Oliver was the same. They still wanted to be hands on even after all these years.
Jackie had a quick body shower and pulled some black lacy lingerie out from the back of her drawer. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d put this set on, but as she stood in front of the full-length mirror, she felt more confident than she had in years. Sexy, even. She put on a pair of jeans and a black scoop neck top, and the doorbell rang just as she was touching up her makeup. She tied up her hair again in a loose ponytail, letting a few pieces slip out as she went to answer the door.
Payton stood in her doorway wearing a white tank top and jean shorts. “Hey,” she said, tucking a lock of her blond hair behind her ear.
“Hi. Come in,” Jackie said, holding the door open for her. She almost leaned in to give her a kiss but thought better of it. That wasn’t where they were at. This wasn’t the start of something. Not anything real anyway. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.”
“I have a nice bottle of Rioja if you’re okay with red wine?”
“That’s perfect.”
Jackie brought two glasses into the living room and poured them each one while Payton got comfortable on the sofa. The confidence she felt when she was standing in front of the mirror in her room was gradually slipping away. Why did Payton make her so nervous?
“Cheers,” Jackie said, breaking the silence.
“Cheers.” Payton gave her a warm smile as she clinked her glass against Jackie’s, and they both took a sip. “Hmmm. This is nice.”
“It’s one of my favorites.” Jackie took another drink, enjoying the taste of the the full-bodied wine. “I talked to Oliver today.”
“Oh yeah? Are they having a good time?”
“Yes. Although I had to keep the phone well away from my ear. He couldn’t stop raving about the photos. Then Alvaro jumped on. They’re thrilled. I don’t know if they’ve reached out to you or not.”
“I sent Oliver an email to thank him for the check and show them a few of the photos, and he replied saying that they were happy with them, but I didn’t know if he was just being polite.”
“Definitely not.” Jackie laughed softly. “He rarely gets that worked up.”
“I told him I’d have them all finalized by the time they got back, so I have a bit of work to do, but I’m really enjoying it.”
“I’m glad. I felt bad for roping you into that.”
“Please don’t,” Payton said, her hand lightly resting on Jackie’s forearm. “I never would have thought about wedding photography. Taking pictures was something I thought of as a hobby. I’d never even considered the idea of doing it full-time, not until this wedding anyway. So, thank you.”
Jackie took another drink, aware that her cheeks were heating up. What if asking Payton to the wedding had inadvertently led her on a path right back to New York? If Payton hadn’t done the photography, she’d still be thinking about digital marketing and maybe staying here.
Jackie pushed those thoughts aside. She was in no position to be wishing that Payton would stay. They weren’t a couple. They weren’t even dating, really. At the moment, they were just sleeping together, assuming that last night wasn’t a once off.
“You okay?” Payton asked as she turned to face her fully.
“Yeah.”
Payton sighed. “I know we kind of talked last night. About how I didn’t know what I was doing and how you were okay with that, but it’s okay if you’re not. I’d understand. I just don’t want to lead you on. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Jackie took a deep breath. That wasn’t what she thought Payton was going to say. And what was Jackie supposed to say? If she admitted that this was too much, that she’d wanted to stay this morning, then the only solution was to call it off, to stop whatever this was.
“Jackie?”
“I know said that I was tempted to stay this morning. And I was. But it’s more than that. I made myself leave because I didn’t want to get too caught up in this. I really wanted to wake up with you.” Jackie darted her eyes away and cleared her throat. She wasn’t going to get emotional. They hardly knew each other. “I am okay with this, but I won’t lie. I’m kind of hoping that you decide to stay.”
Payton reached for her hand, her palm pressed against the back of Jackie’s hand on the couch between them. “I’m kind of hoping that I stay, too,” Payton said with a smile. “There’s so many reasons to, and this is one of them.”
“I don’t want to pressure you. I’d hate for you to regret staying here and passing up an opportunity in New York.” That was Jackie’s biggest fear, more than getting her heart broken again. She’d hate to distract Payton from what she really wanted, from where she’d prefer to live.
“Right now, I don’t care about New York.” Payton took another drink, her words hanging in the air.
Jackie watched her leave her glass down on the coffee table. “What do you care about?”
“Kissing you.” Payton’s eyes locked onto hers. She brushed a strand of Jackie’s hair away from her eyes, tucking it behind her ear as she inched closer. “This morning seems like days ago now,” she whispered, her voice laced with desire as her lips parted against Jackie’s.
Jackie leaned forward, meeting her halfway, blindly putting her glass down as she cupped Payton’s cheek and kissed her back. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of kissing Payton. It didn’t matter if it was passionate and heated like it was right now or delicate and sensual liked they’d kissed last night when they were exhausted after another earth-shattering orgasm. Kissing Payton was just intoxicating.
“Hmm,” Payton hummed as their tongues met.
Jackie’s hand threaded through Payton’s silky blond hair, lightly raking her nails across her scalp, eliciting a soft moan from Payton’s lips as they continued to kiss. Payton’s hands were on Jackie’s hips now, urging her closer, and then they were sliding lower, groping her ass.
Jackie groaned as Payton’s tongue danced with her own while Payton guided her onto her lap, only breaking the kiss for a second. Jackie straddled her waist, remembering how hot it was to have Payton on top of her last night.
Payton’s head tilted back as Jackie bent to capture her lips in another heated kiss, her hips moving with Payton’s hands still on her ass, slowly grinding against Payton.
“Fuck,” Jackie breathed between kisses. The feeling of her black pants rubbing up against her had her clit pulsating.
Payton shifted her weight, moving her leg in between Jackie’s. “You’re so sexy,” Payton whispered, looking up at her as Jackie’s palms pressed against the back of the sofa, and Payton’s grip on her ass strengthened.
“I’m coming.” Jackie’s eyes slammed shut as she came. Hard. She held on to Payton as her orgasm took over. She’d never been that easy. Payton had barely touched her, and she was a complete mess, her body pulsating with desire.
When she finally caught her breath, Payton was looking up at her, tucking a lock of Jackie’s hair behind her ear.
“I need you in my bed,” Jackie said, kissing her again before standing up. “Right now.” Jackie led Payton into her bedroom, and she knew they wouldn’t be getting much sleep tonight.
Chapter 16
Payton uncurled her legs, stretching her arms as she opened her eyes, giving them a second to adjust to the dimly lit room. It took her a moment to remember that she wasn’t in her own bed.
She hadn’t meant to fall asleep here, in Jackie’s bed, but there was something different about last night. Maybe, it was just wishful thinking on her part, but Payton could have sworn that they’d
shared something special last night, that it hadn’t been just another night of sex with her neighbor.
Jackie had admitted that she didn’t want to leave yesterday morning. That was something, but it was more than that. It was the intensity of their connection, the way their eyes had locked when they’d come together. A flush of heat spread through Payton’s body as she remembered everything they’d done last night.
She turned to see if Jackie was still asleep, but the space beside her was empty. A sinking feeling came over her. What if she’d overstayed her welcome?
She pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed, letting her bare feet hit the cold tiles. Payton shook it off, taking a deep breath as she stood up. Jackie didn’t want to leave yesterday morning. The chances of her changing her mind in twenty-four hours were slim.
Payton found her clothes scattered around the room and picked them up, getting dressed as she went. She padded into the bathroom and freshened up, combing her hands through her untamed hair and tying it back in a loose ponytail.
The aroma of eggs and toast drifted towards her as she walked down the hall and into the kitchen. Jackie had her back to her, facing the stove, her toned arms working as she flipped the eggs.
“Hey,” Payton said as she entered the kitchen.
“Morning.” Jackie gave her a smile over her shoulder. “How do you like your eggs?”
“Runny? If it’s not too late.”
“Perfect timing,” Jackie said, sliding two eggs on to a plate as two slices of bread popped up from the toaster. “Orange juice?”
“Yes. I’ll get it though.” Payton found the cabinet with the glasses and took two down. “You’ll have some?”
“Please.”
Payton poured them each a glass and followed Jackie out to the balcony where she set their plates down along with some cutlery. “This looks delicious. Thank you.”
“No problem. I have work at twelve again today, so I thought we could have a nice breakfast together before I head off.”
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