I decide to go ahead and change my clothes for the party. I’ve set out a pretty yellow sundress since the party will be outside. In my bedroom, I notice something on the dresser and I cautiously approach it before bursting out in laughter.
In the middle sits the dispenser of icing with a note saying that he wants to use it later.
Guess that means I’ll be leaving the window open tonight.
*
The party is in full force as the handful of kids jump around the unicorn shaped bounce house. I didn’t even know that they made such a thing, but once I saw it on the website, I knew that Kennedy would have to have it. No other bounce house will do. Luckily, I promised the owner I would bake his daughter’s birthday cake, so he gave me a steep discount on the rental.
We’ve already opened the presents and eaten as much cake as their little tummies can handle and now they’re burning off that excess energy. I pour a few cups of lemonade, pink per Kennedy’s request, and set out the cups for the kids and parents to grab. I’m secretly hoping that the parents will begin corralling their children back home, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
As I look around the yard, my already hot temper fires up more. My parents are relaxing on the deck with Dan’s parents and Jackson’s, who so kindly accepted the invitation last weekend. They were both smitten with the children and adding two more people didn't break the bank with the food order I had placed.
That also means Jackson is attending the party, and as I suspected, all of the mothers are huddled around him. He’s only one of two men our age in attendance, and it seems like the mothers are frantically seeking his attention. I even witnessed the other single mother slipping her number in his back pocket earlier.
He’s not mine. I completely understand that part, but it hurts all the same. My crazy mind feels like he’s cheating and I’m having a hard time telling myself that he’s not.
And to top it all off, Dan hasn’t shown up. He is missing his daughter’s fourth birthday, and if he thinks she hasn’t noticed, he would be dead wrong. Right after she blew out her candles she asked where her daddy was. She had wished to have a family again, and it took all my strength to not simultaneously cry on the spot and go find Dan to beat some sense into him.
All the parents had looked at me in pity and that may have been the worst part of all. That look in their eyes that I have been trying to avoid for months. The look that I couldn’t keep my husband and that I’m the reason my daughter’s wish won’t come true.
“Hey,” Scott, the single father in attendance says, startling me, causing some of the lemonade to spill from the pitcher. Luckily I’m using disposable tablecloths.
“Hey, Scott. Are you and Toby having a good time?” I ask as I smooth down my dress, which causes Scott’s attention to fall to my legs. It’s then that I notice how short my dress really is, exposing the majority of my thighs.
“Um. . .the party is great. You’ve kind of ruined any of us for birthday parties at this point. Yours have always been the best, but this is - wow.”
“Thanks,” I reply, blushing slightly at the praise.
I watch Scott as he fiddles with his watch, turns to check on Toby in the bounce house, and then brings his gaze back to me. Scott is handsome, no one can argue that, with his dark hair, yearly tan, and black framed glasses. He’s probably feeling the loss from Jackson’s attention since the mothers in our playgroup usually flock to him relentlessly.
“So, I wanted to see how you were doing. Are you and the kids adjusting well?”
Scott lost his wife in a car accident right after Toby was born.
“I think we’re doing the best we can. Of course, it would help if their father was more involved,” I disclose, instantly wishing that I could take it back. I don’t need to be sharing my burdens.
“Well, if you ever want to get together and take the kids somewhere let me know. Toby would love it.” I watch in fascination as he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a business card.
“Are you. . .are you asking me on a date?” I ask confused.
“Maybe? I think so. I haven’t done this in a long time,” he explains shyly, a smattering of red creeping up his face.
I’m kind of surprised that the first time he asks out someone, it just happens to be me. And then I wonder if he’s been crushing on me since I joined the playgroup when Kennedy was a baby.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about dating, to be honest. I’ve had a lot going on. But when I decide that I’m ready I’ll give you a call, okay?”
He nods his head, and I can tell that the rejection stings but I’m being honest, I’m not ready to date. At least I don’t think I am. That’s why my arrangement with Jackson works so well.
As if my thought of him can conjure his attention, I watch from the corner of my eye as Jackson pulls away from his harem of mothers and makes his way to where I stand.
Scott’s gaze notices his approach as well and his shoulders sink down slightly, and I do begin to feel a bit bad for him. He grabs a lemonade from the table and heads toward the vacated group without a backward glance.
“What did you and mister CFO discuss?”
“CFO?” I reply as Jackson moves behind the table to stand next to me. His business card does seem thick and important. I hadn’t paid close attention to the embossed words.
“Yep, he and I were chatting earlier about business things. Very boring.”
“It can’t be as boring as this party is to you. You don’t even have kids.”
“Elle,” he says, pulling my attention away from pouring more glasses of lemonade. He waits until I’m looking at him in the eye to continue. “We both know that I’m not here for the party.”
Somehow all the air escapes my lungs and I struggle to ask, “What are you here for?”
One of his fingers tugs on a curl hanging over my shoulder. “I’m here for the cake, of course. Always the cake.”
“You’re an asshole,” I reply, and his laughter draws everyone’s attention.
Great. I’m standing here red from embarrassment and with wet panties because being within a five-foot radius of Jackson has my body melting on the spot. Let’s not even mention that I’ve been on the verge of an orgasm since I had to pull away this morning.
“Yeah, I know,” he replies smugly as if I’ve complimented him. “My parents are raving about the cake, by the way. They may ask you to cater their anniversary party.”
“Oh, that would be fun. I’d be happy to. Just tell them to give me a date before they leave.”
A small stack of cups suddenly falls to the ground at our feet and Jackson bends down to grab them, telling me to stay where I am. At first, I’m confused by his demand, but as he begins to stand he reaches out and trails the back of my leg with the tips of his fingers.
“Jackson. . .I-”
“Don’t move, Elle. No one can see anything,” he insists as he stands to his full height placing the stack of cups back on the table, his other hand slowly moving across my panties before moving the fabric to the side to expose my center. “Pretend like you’re doing something and I’ll continue. If you stop, I stop.”
“What do you want me to do?” I ask as I spy my cupcake container nearby. I can start to pack them up.
“Don’t care,” he responds as his thumb brushes against my clit and I have to grip the edge of the table hard.
“Are you sure no one can see?”
“I’m sure. No one is paying us any attention.”
My shaking hand reaches out to grasp one of the cupcakes and gently places it into the container as Jackson begins to slide one of his fingers deep inside my sex. Somehow he’s able to find my most sensitive spot and I almost drop the cupcake as my legs practically give out.
“So sensitive,” he whispers. “I bet you’re still waiting to come, aren’t you? You didn’t even get yourself off after you left the kitchen this morning. Your muscles are pulling my finger so hard.”
&n
bsp; “I couldn’t,” I breathlessly reply as I place another cupcake in the container, my eyes darting around the yard where no one pays us any mind.
“Do you want to come now?” Jackson asks, as his free arm wraps around my waist and tugs my body against him. His grip on my abdomen is hard and firm, as if he’s using my body to control his own needs.
“Yes, please,” I plead as I feel my orgasm forming in my body, the waves of pleasure building with every pass of his finger in my core.
Then a new sensation occurs and I’m lost in the feeling. His thumb caresses the rim of my most secret place, a place untouched, and it catapults me over the edge. I bite my lip so hard to keep from crying out that I can taste a trickle of blood on my tongue.
That is the most intense orgasm I’ve ever had, and now I will be spending the remainder of the party wishing for another.
As I begin to come back into myself, I realize that Jackson has taken a significant step away from me. I turn to look at him, thank him, but I can’t decipher the grimace on his face. Is it regret?
“Jackson, I. . .,” I begin, but my mother steps up to the table.
“Hi, sweetie. Your dad and I are going to head back. It was a wonderful party.”
I skirt around the table and wrap my arms around my mother. We haven’t always had the best relationship since the divorce, but she and my father finally spoke the other night and I can see that they’re trying to make an effort.
“Thank you for making the trip. I know Kennedy and Noah loved having you here.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it. It was nice to see Dan’s parents too. It’s been a while. Oh, Jackson,” my mother says as she looks over my shoulder. “It was wonderful to meet you and your parents today. Keep an eye on my little girl, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Jackson replies, but I don’t miss the glimmer sparkling in his eye. Yeah, he’ll make sure to keep a special eye on me.
“Love you, Elle. And let us know how the contract meeting goes,” my mother mentions in passing. She must have been speaking with Sara.
“I will. Love you too.”
I wave them off with Jackson by my side, which feels a bit weird and right at the same time, but I don’t have a chance to think about it further when Dan’s parents say their goodbyes, and finally the rest of the party-goers make their way to their cars.
The crew comes to pick up the bounce house and then I gaze out at the mess in my yard from my kitchen. Who knew four-year-olds could destroy so much grass? I hadn’t anticipated so much cleanup after the party, but as I watch Kennedy and Noah in the living room opening all of her new toys, I know that now is a better time than any to do it and get it over with.
I’m surprised to find Jackson and his dad tossing away plates and cups left behind while his mother repackages some of the food.
Rushing out into the yard I exclaim, “You guys don’t have to do this.”
Jackson’s mother, Naomi, stares at me as she fastens the cupcake container and I instantly blush as I remember what Jackson did to me earlier. “Sometimes it’s okay to ask for help. You’d be here for hours if you did this by yourself. And it’s not like we’re going far.”
By the tone in her voice, I know better than to argue. She has the “mom voice” down pat. I should try to learn from her.
“Yes, ma’am. I appreciate the help.”
I help Naomi finish packing up the food and desserts while Stan begins folding the tables I rented.
“What else can I do?” Jackson asks as he helps me carry a few of the platters inside to store in the fridge.
“I think all that’s left is to attempt to pick up any of the confetti and streamers in the yard and look for any leftover candy from the piñata. I don’t want any of it to end up in your yard or my kids’ mouths.”
Jackson laughs deep in his chest as we step back outside. “You know, this is the perfect time to mention that a fence would help with that.”
I gaze at him in mock anger, my eyes narrowing just the slightest bit. “You shush it.”
“Just stating a fact,” he says, bending over to pick up a few pieces of candy and paper confetti.
“Yeah, yeah.”
The four of us work together for another fifteen minutes, and finally my yard begins to resemble what it had been before the party began.
“Whew, who knew four-year-olds could be so destructive?” Stan asks as he takes a seat in one of the patio chairs.
“I know, right? I was asking myself the same thing. Thank you all for your help. Can I get you a drink or anything? I have a few beers in the fridge.”
“I think we’re okay,” Stan replies. “I don’t remember kids being so exhausting. I think we’re going to go take a nap.” He laughs, and Naomi eagerly nods her head in agreement.
“I hear ya. I wish I could take a nap, but I’m pretty sure Noah and Kennedy will be wired for hours. We’re going out for pizza tonight if you all want to come. The kids would be thrilled.”
“They aren’t going with their dad?” Jackson asks from behind, startling me.
“That is a subject I really don’t want to discuss, but please,” I say, turning my attention back to Jackson’s parents, “we’d love to have you join us. We were going around six.”
Naomi looks up at Jackson who is standing behind me and then her already radiant smile grows.
“Sounds like fun, we’ll be there.”
I’m not sure what passed between her and her son, but either he nodded and said they could go or he shook his head furiously and that egged her on. With Jackson, it’s hard to say.
“Alright, we’ll see you tonight. Just text Jackson when you’re leaving,” Naomi insists as she stands, Stan quickly following.
“Oh, I don’t have Jackson’s number.”
“Oh, dear,” Naomi says as if I’ve told her something truly shocking. Because why would I ask for the number of the man that’s only been nice to me three times in the month that I’ve known him? “Jackson, sweetie, give her your number. What if there was an emergency?”
I guess she does have a point.
“I don’t have my phone on me. It’s inside.”
Jackson comes closer with his phone in his hand and asks me for my number. After I give it to him, he sends a text from his phone to mine.
“Thanks,” I whisper as I look up at him, his blue eyes matching the color of the clear summer sky.
“So, I’ll see you later?” he asks after his parents leave the deck and begin walking back to his house.
“Sure. I mean, the kids would love to have you come to dinner. It’s just pizza, not a date or anything,” I scramble as I try to make sure he realizes that I know we’re only doing the casual thing.
“I know, Elle.”
He peers over his shoulder and before I have a chance to say anything more he bends down and presses his lips against mine. This isn’t just any kiss like before, he is devouring me as if I’m his first taste of sugar. Before I know it he’s pulling back and stepping off the deck.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all day. I’ll see you tonight.”
Breathless I reply, “Okay,” before I’m watching his backside as he retreats across the yard.
I take a moment to gather myself then I turn inside to find Kennedy and Noah playing with some of the toys she received today. Apparently, we’re playing dragons versus unicorns. They’re so lost in their battle that they don’t even hear me step inside and tell them that our new friends are joining us for dinner.
My phone pings on the kitchen counter and I remember that I need to program Jackson’s number into the contact list. I unlock the screen and see the first of two messages.
Unknown Number: This is Jackson.
With a smirk on my lips, I program his number into my phone with the first thing that comes to mind then read his second message.
AHole Neighbor: You look sexy as hell in that dress. I can still feel you coming on my fingers.
My muscles contract in anothe
r small wave just remembering how he made me come apart with just his hand, something no one else has been able to do. I’ve always had to make myself come with a vibrator.
For a second I consider changing his contact name, but then another message comes across.
AHole Neighbor: I found a shoe in my yard. Why the fuck would someone leave a party with their kid missing a shoe? This is why there was a fence.
Then I remember that he really is a certified asshole despite his occasional niceties.
After getting the kids cleaned up and changed, because grass stains don’t always look so nice when you’re at dinner, I barely have enough time to change and recharge myself.
In a rush, I throw on a blue wrap dress that I’ve had hanging in my closet forever. Dan always hated that it showed off a hint of cleavage, so I’ve never worn it. Today seems like the perfect opportunity. Most of the curls I put in my hair this morning have fallen, so I pull a brush through my hair and leave just the ends with a hint of a curl remaining. I refresh my makeup with a few swipes of eyeshadow and one recoating of mascara before the alarm sounds on my phone signaling that it’s time to leave.
I shoot a text to Jackson, and as I wrangle the kids out the door, he’s standing beside my SUV waiting for us. I almost stumble down the steps as I take him in. His dark jeans hang low on his hips and they wrap around his muscular thighs. I bet from behind, the denim cups his ass perfectly. He’s wearing a faded red V-neck shirt that molds to his body like a second skin. The shape of his chest and abs are clearly defined beneath the soft material.
His arms flex as I make my way toward him and I’m surprised that the sleeves of the shirt don’t break at the seams. The kids jump around him, excited for him to be joining them tonight, but his focus lies solely on me, searing my skin with his penetrating gaze.
“Hey,” I call out as I step off the walkway onto the gravel about a foot away from him.
Since Jackson doesn’t respond immediately, I open the back door to let Kennedy inside the car, while Noah is already inside and strapped in after opening the door on the other side. I finish buckling all of Kennedy’s straps and then close the door to find Jackson still leaning against the car in the same manner, his eyes never leaving me.
Stolen Nights (The Stolen Series Book 1) Page 10
