The sharp pain was what made me snap out of my madness. I dragged my mouth away from hers and lifted her off my thighs, depositing her on the couch before getting to my feet and rubbing my unfocused eyes. My head spun and I had to clutch the side of a table to steady myself.
"Neither of us is sober enough for this," I managed to rasp while blinking a few times. I knew I shouldn't have smoked so much pot and then combined it with alcohol. Last time I did that had been during my college days.
After a minute of silence and when I felt like I was a little more in control of my body's reactions, I glanced at Jasmine. She was sitting there staring out the window with her robe wrapped around her once more and my drink in her hand which she took several sips from. She seemed awfully calm for a woman who had just attempted to seduce someone else's boyfriend.
I frowned at her. "Were you even going to stop us at any point?" I asked her, suddenly glad that I had come to my senses. This would have been the fuck-up of the century.
Jasmine just shrugged. "I don't know. You didn't seem like you wanted me to stop."
I sucked my bottom lip through my teeth and closed my eyes. She wasn't wrong.
"I was an idiot. This is inappropriate. We both know that. I shouldn't have come here." After taking several long, deep breaths, I started to walk away from the hell I had almost cast myself into.
"Have a good night, Jasper," Jasmine said in a soft, sad voice from behind me. "I'm really sorry."
I paused and looked at her over my shoulder. She still hadn't moved. "I don't like your husband," I said to her. "But I know love when I see it and he doesn't seem like the sort of person who deserves this."
I left before she had a chance to reply.
****
Skye
The guards at the front entrance of Armaan’s place did not question me since I was on the guest list and luckily, I didn't encounter any of Armaan's family members either as I made my way upstairs and into my room.
First things first, I had to call Cole and let him know I had made it here safely. My poor baby. I knew he wouldn't appreciate being stuck in that strange place without us but Armaan couldn't be left alone and he didn't want Jasmine to know. It was just for a night. I was about to dial Cole's number when Jasper walked into the room, appearing very pale and somewhat disturbed.
"Whoa...you okay there?" I asked him slowly, taking in his ragged appearance.
Jasper gave me a lost look and next thing I knew, I was being swallowed up in his bear-like embrace, my face crushed against his chest. Confused and hesitant, I managed to wrap my own arms around his waist and stayed that way until I couldn't anymore.
"Baby, I can't breathe," I told him in a muffled voice and he released me immediately but didn't step away.
"What's going on? Are you o- Have you been drinking?" I suddenly shrieked and Jasper winced slightly. "Jasper-!"
"I know. I'm sorry," he breathed out, looking guilty as hell. "Please...please don't start on me. Not tonight, Skye."
I felt sorry for him. Angry too. But mostly sorry. There was a pleading note in his voice, a desperation in his eyes. Like he needed me, needed-
"Cole. Where's Cole?" Jasper asked me abruptly.
I swallowed a little and took a deep breath. "Ummm...you see...the thing is...Cole...is...he is...You can't be mad at him," I finished desperately, clutching Jasper's arms. "Please. It was my idea!"
Jasper gave me a weird look. "Skye. Where is he?"
"He's safe!" I blurted out. Shit. Why was this so hard? "You have to trust me. I...I'm going to tell you. Just let me speak to him first."
"You're freaking me out, baby," Jasper said roughly and just then, his phone rang and my eyes widened in horror as he fished it out of his pocket and we saw Cole's name flashing on the screen.
"Don't answer that!"
Jasper frowned at me and muttered, "Do all pregnant women act like this or is it just you?" before he swiped to accept the call.
I sucked in a breath and held it as Jasper talked to Cole but then I had to release it because I started running out of oxygen.
"Yeah, she's here. She's fine....what?...Oh okay. Uh-huh...are you sure?....Why can't he just come home?....Oh. No, it's fine...Hmm...Yeah. Love you, too."
He hung up and stared at me.
I gulped.
Jasper started to look amused.
I scowled at him.
"He's taking care of his friend. What's the problem?" Jasper finally said and put his arm around me. "This country sucks by the way."
I stopped panicking, surprised by how well he had reacted to Cole spending the night with Armaan even if it was just on friendly terms and breathed him in again, this time paying attention to the fact that he smelled strange. Yeah, there was the whiff of alcohol on his breath but it was combined with something else as well.
He seemed to realise I was studying him and backed away a little. "I'm going to go take a shower," he said quickly but I held onto his arm.
"Help me out of this dress first," I requested with a small smile and turned around so he could unzip me.
Jasper didn't move.
I glanced at him over my shoulder. "Baby?"
He cleared his throat and then I felt his fingers, pulling down the zipper of my blue dress slowly. A sigh escaped me.
"I missed your touch," I whispered as he finished and I shrugged out of the dress before turning to face him. Jasper's eyes went to my black lingerie and lingered.
"Cole and I had our fun, you know," I continued with a mischievous smile and dropped to my knees. "I understand you've been feeling a little neglected here." My fingers went to his jeans and worked on his own zipper. "Why don't you let me make you feel a little better?"
His hands clasped over mine before I could remove his cock from inside his pants and I looked up to see him giving me a serious look. He shook his head at me.
My frown was one of confusion. "Seriously?"
Jasper got to his knees as well and held my face in his hands. "I love you, Skye."
Happiness flooded into my heart and I gave him an adoring smile. "Thank you," I whispered. "You two are the best gifts a girl could ever ask for." I took his hands and brought it to rest on my stomach. "And so is this. I have never been happier."
He caressed the skin of my tummy affectionately, his dark eyes going soft. There was a pause and then he said, "I need to shower so badly right now. And I'm tired. Can we just sleep?"
His words made my smile fade. Slowly. Something was wrong. If it was Cole who said that to me, I wouldn't question it for a second. But Jasper had never said no to me. Except when he had been in a wheelchair and clearly suffering. But never because he claimed he was too tired. The man was like a machine in the bedroom.
Was it my pregnancy? Did it turn him off or something? Or was he afraid he might hurt me with how rough he liked to get during sex? Another conversation we needed to have once we got back to Italy.
My eyes lowered and I simply nodded, squeezing his hands. "I'm actually kind of tired too. It was quite a night out there. I'm going to get in bed and you better join me soon."
Gently, he pulled me to my feet as he got up and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. "Sure. Give me five minutes."
I tried not to think about it as Jasper held me that night. Close. Like I was an extension of him. He wore only boxers and looked sexy as hell. I just wanted to mount him but I respected his decision. It didn't make sense though. He was hard and straining against my thighs but his jaw was clenched, eyes shut and he made no move to kiss or touch me sexually.
So I tried to ignore it as well. It took some effort but I managed to fall asleep without questioning him about it.
****
Chapter Ten
Cole
I opened my eyes to find myself gazing up at a completely unfamiliar ceiling and blinked several times to clear my vision. Where was I?
Oh. Right. The club. Armaan. Too much alcohol. Him, not me.
Groaning a little bec
ause I was still fully dressed and had been cramped in that couch all night, I made myself sit up and look around. Armaan was still asleep, snoring lightly. I checked my phone and saw that it was six a.m. Perfect. Early mornings were my thing. Deciding to freshen up and then wake up Armaan, I strolled inside the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, I was ready to go and be with my people. I noticed Armaan still hadn't woken up despite the fact that I wasn't trying to be quiet and checked my phone again. I frowned. Two missed calls from Jasper. I was about to call my boyfriend back when I looked up and found Armaan watching me. He didn't say anything for a good five seconds and I thought it was creepy but then he moved and rubbed his head with a pained grimace. "Shit."
I pursed my lips and tried not to make fun of him. "Should I ask Ozzie for a hangover remedy? That's if he is still here."
With a sigh, Armaan sat up slowly, forearms braced on his knees, head buried in hands. "Shit," he said again. "Did anyone call me?"
I eyed his phone which was on the bed next to him. I guessed the last thing he wanted to look at was a phone screen with that hangover.
"I'm not sure. Shall we head back or do you need a moment?" I asked tentatively. I was anxious to get back to Skye and Jasper but I didn't want to just abandon my friend.
He looked up at me, maybe noted the impatience on my face and exhaled again. "Let me just use the bathroom and then we'll go," he croaked, his magic voice slightly raspy. I doubted he remembered what he had revealed to us last night but I needed to talk to him about it later.
When my relationship had been falling apart, this guy was the one who had knocked some sense into me to step up and be a man. I owed it to him to at least give him a chance to see if he wanted to confide in me.
But first...my two loves were waiting. Jasper, in particular. I knew there was a reason he was awake this early and calling me. My instincts were telling me that he needed me there as soon as possible.
...
Armaan and I reached his place twenty minutes later and he headed straight to the kitchen to get some fluids and food into his system while I went upstairs. As soon as I entered my room, Jasper looked up from his laptop and then eyed me from top to bottom like he was trying to reach a conclusion.
I smirked at him and held up my hands. "I swear he didn't touch me. And I didn't take advantage of him. I slept fully clothed and on the couch."
Jasper sighed a little as he stood up. "I need to talk to you."
I nodded, glancing at Skye who was all snuggled up under the blankets, her blond hair spread across the pillow.
"Aww," I said automatically and started to walk over to her because I couldn't help myself. "She's so fucking cute. Let me just kiss her good morning."
"No, Cole. Don't wake her."
I stopped in my tracks and frowned at Jasper, taking in his solemn expression, his stiff posture. He inclined his head towards the balcony of our room and I quietly followed him there.
"What is it? What's the matter?" I asked, leaning against the stone railing as he sat down on one of the black, plastic chairs.
Jasper looked out at the sunrise, his handsome face alight with the rays of the morning sun but his expression so tense. What the hell was going on?
"I fucked up. I really fucked up," he finally said, not taking his eyes off the horizon.
"What do you mean?" I queried, frowning at his profile. It was a rare thing to see Jasper looking out of sorts.
"Last night...I was hanging out with Jasmine," he began and turned to look at me directly. "I got high. I had a drink. She kissed me."
My eyes widened as I absorbed his words. Was this for real? Jasmine and Jasper?
"Wait, you got high?" I asked and he gave me an incredulous look.
"That's what you find shocking after what I just told you?" he retorted.
I shook my head at him. "No. Of course not. All of it is shocking. But...fuck, never mind. Why did Jasmine kiss you?"
He blew out a breath. "She was...not in her right mind," he explained slowly. "I don't know. Something is up with her. Don't tell Armaan. But I...kissed her back. I didn't plan it. And definitely stopped it. I'm really sorry."
I was glaring at him by the time he had finished speaking. "Jesus, Wells. What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"I told you. It was a mistake. I got a little carried away. She came on to me, Cole. Please...forgive me. It was the drugs. I blame the drugs."
My eyes narrowed at him. "Yeah? Nothing to do with the fact that she looks good enough to eat?" I demanded.
He exhaled roughly, running a hand through his short, blond hair. "I feel like shit. I will never do it again."
"Damn right you won't. Jasper, this isn't like old times," I hissed at him. "I know we had hook-ups when we wanted women before but now we have Skye. And the baby. And the fact that she's married didn't enter your head? Married to one of the most solid guys I have ever known. He's my friend, Jasper."
"I know."
I shook my head at him in disappointment. "Did you do this to get back at me? Or him? Because we've been so cozy with Armaan."
Jasper leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "No, I swear. We were just relaxing with a few drinks. I never thought she'd make a move on me. And I wasn't thinking straight at the time."
I frowned as I studied his demeanor. How guilty he looked. How devastated. Years back, we acted like nothing was forbidden to us. Like nothing could break us. We found a hot woman sometimes, brought her home and had a good time. Nothing meaningful. Nothing to worry about. Everything to forget about the morning after.
But...it couldn't be like that anymore.
"Skye will never forgive me," Jasper said in a helpless tone.
"I don't think we should tell her."
He gave me a sharp look. "I have to. I just haven't figured out how. You and I have been in this situation before but I'm not sure how she'll take it."
I held up a finger. "First of all, not exactly this situation. I was with you when we got with those other women and none of them were our friends' wives," I pointed out. "Second, we're going to have to talk about the drinking later. And third, thank you for not keeping this from me."
He noted the gratitude in my tone. "Why would I keep it from you? I've always been honest with you, Cole."
I shrugged. "The Skye thing..."
"That was because I had feelings for her and I knew that was dangerous. And you loved her way before I did. I was trying not to hurt you."
I bit my lip. "I know. Skye...she changed everything, huh?"
"It was rough there for a while but we're in a good place. Fuck, I can't believe I was about to screw it up," Jasper growled and kicked at a chair leg.
"Poor guy," I murmured, remembering how Armaan had been acting last night. "No wonder he was such a mess." I looked away at the sunrise for a long minute and tapped my fingers on the railing, thinking hard. "But we can't tell Skye," I declared loudly, turning back to Jasper. And froze when I saw Skye standing at the entrance of the balcony regarding us in confusion.
****
Armaan
I gulped down a tall, chilled glass of orange juice as I stood in front of the refrigerator in the kitchen and then fished out a peanut butter sandwich to munch on. I hadn't had dinner last night plus the hangover was killing me as well.
"Safia, please take some breakfast up for my friends after you're done here," I told the maid who was cleaning the kitchen sink, hoping she understood me since I had spoken through a mouthful of sandwich. I closed the fridge. +And came face to face with my mother. Oh shit.
She stood there with her arms folded, eyeing me like a general in some army and I swallowed my bite of sandwich and hid the rest behind my back. When her eyes narrowed, I dredged up the most charming smile I could muster.
She pointed to a chair and dismissed the maid. Yeah. It was going to be that kind of morning.
As I sat at the table, a plate appeared in front of me. "First rule of my kitchen," my mother said quietly as she
pulled up her own chair. "Don't stand and eat."
"Sorry," I mumbled and chewed some more. She fixed those sapphire eyes, so like mine, on me and I prayed to Allah that she would not smell the alcohol from last night which I hadn't showered off. Instead, I had asked Ozzie for some spare clothes and sprayed myself liberally with perfume before borrowing his car.
"So...how are things going?" my mother asked casually. "We haven't had a chance to talk much since you came on Saturday."
I smiled again although I couldn't meet her eyes. "Everything's great," I answered quietly and took another bite.
She sighed. "I know you're an adult. And you have given up your old ways." Her hand came up to rub my shoulder. "But I still feel worried when I see you leaving with your friends for an evening out and not return home for the entire night. You're a married man now, Armaan."
I said nothing as I licked the peanut butter from my lips.
"You haven't done something like this in a long time and it just made me wonder."
My smile this time was forced. I ached to confide in her. She was my mother and she had always looked out for me, loved me. But...this was about Jasmine. I didn't want my mother to resent my wife because of our personal problems. She was already so upset regarding the situation with Alex.
"I'm okay. I just wanted my friends to enjoy themselves," I said and finished my sandwich.
She gave me a kind look. "Always the giver," she murmured and ruffled my hair. "Why don't we have a family dinner tonight out in the backyard and your friends can come too? The ceremony was so formal. This time, we'll make it...fun," she promised sincerely.
I laughed a little even if my heart ached at the realisation that Jasmine would be conspicuously absent from said dinner as well. "Sure. I'll let them know.” I dropped a kiss on her cheek and exited the kitchen before she caught that sliver of pain in my expression as well.
When I entered my room, I found Jasmine sitting on the bed as though she had been waiting for me. Freshly showered, dressed in jeans and a long, white t-shirt, her dark hair loose. She looked absolutely stunning. As usual.
Once A Cheater Page 5
