Page 58

Willow

I kept myself busy cleaning the kitchen to within an inch of its life. Dishes were stacked in the dishwasher, clothes in the washing machine, and the dogs had a toilet trip in the garden. I simply couldn’t sit still.

So when I heard footsteps on the stairs, I couldn’t help myself and opened the kitchen door. Jack held Fran in his arms, and I almost felt like I was intruding. But before I could step away, she was out the front door and there was silence.

Jack faced away, a palm against the door. After a few tortuous seconds, he turned, his eyes meeting mine. He put his hands in his pockets and slowly moved towards me with the soft smile I adored.

“It went okay?” I breathed.

His mouth split into an enormous grin, and he held out both hands.

“It went perfectly. Come here, sweetheart.”

Like I needed to be told . I launched into his arms, my arms and legs tangling around him. He stumbled back but clung onto me.

“What did she say?”

“That I’m a lucky guy, and I couldn’t agree more.” I gripped his jaw in both hands and kissed him until I couldn’t breathe. “Come on, I need to remove this dress immediately.”

When I didn’t return to the floor, he took the stairs like I was weightless.

I’d assumed he’d take us to the bedroom we’d been sharing but opened his instead. I gasped with excitement.

“Didn’t think I was going to leave you in there, did you? My girl belongs in my bed.”

I squealed when he dropped me on the bed, laying back, and humming at the perfect mattress.

“Oh my, this is perfect.” I stretched as he removed his socks and jumper.

“I know, its climate controlled too. Stops me getting too hot at night.”

“I didn’t know you got hot at night?” I perched on my elbows, cocking my head .

“Baby, I’ve been sweltering every single night for the past month. Another perk to levelling up with you.” He laughed as I gently nudged him in the stomach, but he caught my foot.

“You’re so romantic.” I rolled my eyes. “You realise you still have making up to do? I wouldn’t get cocky if I were you.” I turned and crawled up the bed, my bum in the air to tease him. I yelped when he yanked me back by my foot until I was on the edge of the bed.

“There’s only one cocky bone in me, sweetheart, and you’re going to take every inch,” he grumbled into my ear, and I shivered. Grumbly Jack was scrumptious.

“Promises, promises,” I teased but gasped as he flipped me back over by my waist, thoroughly enjoying the way he flung me around like I was a feather. I kneeled on the bed, teasing my fingers down his bare chest and stomach, stopping just above the waistband of his jeans.

Peeling my jumper over my head and arms he revealed the satin dress in all its glory, its thin straps and a scooped neck. I followed his gaze down my body, goosebumps pebbled knowing Jack Lambert liked what he saw. With a palm under my jaw, he lifted my face to his.

“Sweet girl, you are the most beautiful thing in the world.”

Tears pricked my eyes, and I kissed his chest until they disappeared. I pushed gently until he stepped back and I could stand. He watched engrossed.

With one arm, I tugged the concealed zip, letting the straps fall naturally down my arms. The dress floated perfectly down my body, pooling at my feet leaving me completely bare.

Jack’s eyes widened, roaming all over my body, taking in every detail. His mouth popped open and shut as he tried to speak and failed.

“You okay, lamb?” I asked sweetly.

He choked before speaking, grazing a hand down his chest to ground himself.

“You’re telling me you’ve been wearing nothing under that dress all evening?”

“Mhm, I thought you’d like it.” I bent to pick the dress up from the floor and loosely draped it over me to hide my intimacy. “But I can put some clothes on if you’d prefer—”

The dress was out of my hands and in the air before I could finish. He tugged me to his lips, his hands caressing all over my body like he couldn’t tell where to begin.

“On the bed, sweetheart.”

I followed his instruction, eager to please, placing my head on the soft pillows. He watched me with hunger in his eyes, removing his jeans and crawling up the bed until he was between my legs. His erection strained against his boxer briefs, and my mouth watered, ready for my next meal .

“That looks painful, want a hand?” I playfully dragged my nude-painted toes over his length. He shuddered, his jaw tight as he grabbed my foot, bringing it to his mouth and pressing a soft kiss to the arch.

“What I want,” another kiss, “is for you to lie back, close your eyes and let me make you feel good.”

I wiggled further into the pillow, sighing and closing my eyes, thrilled by his promise.

I palmed my breast, luxuriating in the wet, soft kisses over my foot and down my leg.

Soon, he was grazing his teeth and tongue along my knee and towards my centre.

Panic rose, and just as he neared my mid-thigh, I clamped them shut.

My eyes remained closed, but I was no longer in a dreamy state, instead full of embarrassment and frustration. I could feel Jack’s eyes on me, and real, heartbroken tears formed. I covered my eyes with my arms, hiding.

“Willow?” Jack neared as he spoke, concern filling his voice.

I shook my head as tears streamed down my cheeks.

He pulled my arms away, holding them at the side of my head.

“Open your eyes, baby. It’s just me. Your lamb.

” I weakened and peeled my eyes open. “There she is.” Jack’s worried face formed into a soft smile. “Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

I shook my head, and he kissed my cheeks, absorbing my tears.

“You’ll think it’s stupid,” I croaked.

“I promise I won’t. Do you not enjoy being touched down there?” He knew it wasn’t that, he’d touched me perfectly well with his fingers and cock already.

“I do… but—” I stared into his hazel eyes, lost in the warmth and love that reflected in them. “It’s too messy.”

His brow furrowed with confusion.

“I need you to explain, baby.”

I huffed so hard, my stomach and breasts met his chest, but I avoided his eyes.

“I don’t know if I’d like your mouth there, because C” —Jack’s jaw ticked at the brief mention of his name— “he always told me I was too messy, too unappealing to put his mouth down there. ‘It hangs outside, not tucked away neatly’.”

“That’s the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard.

I’m sorry he’s made you feel any less than you are.

Your body is perfect because it’s yours.

It’s my nirvana and I’d love nothing more to taste and touch you there.

If you don’t want my mouth here, I won’t.

But bodies are different, and there’s nothing wrong with yours.

Some bodies are tucked away, some hang differently.

Fuck, there’s bits of my body that I wish didn’t exist but they’re part of me. ”

“What don’t you like?”

“Well, I’m terrified I’m too old for you, I’m half Scottish and genetically prone to moles so have to have check-ups more regularly, and I’d love it if I didn’t have a birthmark the shape of Italy on my arse.

And I’ve been greying since I turned thirty-two, so I absolutely look older than I actually am. ”

“Jack, no. Your age doesn’t matter to me. I love those things about you, freckly, moley skin and all.” I hadn’t noticed the birthmark, and now I was dying to see.

He kissed my nose as he continued.

“That’s my point. Bodies are different, but it’s what you make of it. The cliche is true, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And this beholder thinks every inch of your body, including your pussy, is absolutely perfect.”

I took a deep breath. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I believe you.”

“Do you trust me?”

I didn’t need to think before answering.

“Yes.”

Jack pushed off me, standing and offering his hand.

Even with my tears and insecurities, his erection still stood firm and proud, but he paid it no attention.

I took his hand, and he tugged me into his walk-in wardrobe.

As I followed, I glanced between his arse cheeks, wondering which held the birthmark.

Reading my mind, he called out.

“The right cheek.”

I reached out and pulled the waistband down, finding a five inch birthmark just to the right of his crack in the shape of Italy. I swatted it with the back of my hand, and he laughed.

“I don’t want to say I have a favourite bum cheek, but I think I might.”

He pulled his boxers up, still laughing.

I looked around the wardrobe and Jack watched me as I walked towards the suits, shirts, and ties.

“Where my lamb becomes everyone’s Mr Lambert,” I mused.

My fingers fluttered between his silk ties. A variation of colours, meticulously in colour order. I hovered around the greens a little longer.

“You have a favourite?”

I did. I couldn’t tear my eyes from him when he wore it. I nodded and pulled out the olive green tie with foliage patterning.

“You only wear it with a mottled grey and brown double-breasted suit and cream shirt for special occasions. It brings out your eyes and tan.”

He breathed out, and stepped towards me, taking the tie.

“You really do have had a crush on me, don’t you?”

I slapped his chest, and he smiled.

He kissed my hand and pulled me until we stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirror. I gulped, suddenly nervous. He stood behind me, holding my shoulders.

“Do you still trust me?”

I caught his eye in the mirror and nodded.

“Yes.”