A knot formed in Jacqui's stomach as she entered the kitchen and noticed how beautiful the other woman was, her wheaten hair, her slim, yet curvy figure, firm breasts, and a smile that dropped a person's defenses. She looked beautiful—and not angry at Jacqui. Instead, Faith walked around the counter and took her hand. "Hi there. My name's Faith. Morgan's told me so much about you and, for the record, I told him he needed to warn you, but when do men ever listen."Jacqui smiled back, squeezing Faith's hand in greeting. "They don't. And I'm sorry my mind went…"Faith just laughed. "It's Morgan. My mind would've gone there as well. I love the blouse you have on, by the way. It's gorgeous.""It is at that," Morgan said, looking Jacqui up and down for the first time since she arrived. "Not your typical business attire. I'm glad you decided to relax some." His eyes settled on her cleavage and lingered a moment, a grin spreading across his lips. "I like it. Now I wish I would've left Faith a
Allowing her father to wheel himself ahead of her, she passed through the doors of Sharkie's, a small bar off Popp's Ferry with a rustic motif and an ancient feeling about it. Standing there a moment to allow her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, she tried scanning the faces for Morgan or Lily, or anyone else she knew for that matter. While she had driven past the place a few times, she had never been inside, and unlike the bar she visited out by I-10, this one she could appreciate. The booths were quaint with leather couches and the tables were of an old finish that glistened when they were polished. The clientele was also of a higher caliber and not leftovers from the day labor place. "Jacqui!" Glancing in the direction her name had been shouted from, she spotted Morgan waving as he crossed the room to meet her. Behind him, she noticed Faith, Lily, Kari, Vince, and a few others she had not met yet. Faith's sendoff party had a decent turnout, it seemed. Her stomach did a small curl
Faith began telling Bert about life on the East Coast, Morgan filling in his comments here and there, as Jacqui half-listened. Her mind drifted to her parents, specifically her father at the moment. He just insinuated that he was having sex with Sophia and it wasn't so much that it bothered Jacqui because it was her housekeeper, but because her father had moved on with his life. He lost his wife only a year before she had lost Marc, and yet, here he was joking around about being with another woman. She knew he loved her mother. She witnessed his grief at her passing while she was deep in the throes of her own mourning over the loss of her mother. Yet, here he was getting on with his life while she was struggling with being stuck in the past. She couldn't just up and leave the memory of Marc and all they had shared, even though another great man stood in front of her, wanting to take the next step with her. Truth was, she wanted to take that step as well, but still had bouts of guilt ab
A knock came at Jacqui's office door and before she could give permission to enter, Lily sashayed in, her hands clasped in front of her. "I just thought I'd check on you, see if you needed stronger coffee…some aspirin…an ear to tell how the rest of your night went." Her eyebrows bounced up and down as her tongue grazed over her lips.Jacqui just laughed. "I'm not the one who went home with someone last night. I should be asking you for the dirty details." Lily had taken Faith back to her hotel at the casino before the party at Sharkie's ended. When Jacqui questioned Morgan about it, wondering about Faith being married, his response had been "Describing Faith's relationship is a lot more complicated than just saying she's married." Jacqui wasn't exactly sure what that meant and was afraid to ask for an explanation. However, when Lily arrived at work that morning, the personal assistant was in the best mood she had been in for a while. Of course, she said the same thing about Jacqui that
Morgan stepped out of his office, pulling his keys from his pocket. He was leaving early, but he had promised Jacqui he would have her father's place finished tonight and he still had a few more things to finish up. With the farewell party last night for Faith, he was still a little behind. Kari and the others were still at their desks, working on the inventory that had been delivered to the warehouse earlier. The Maggie Karston Community Center would be breaking ground Monday morning and Rutherford Construction was ready to get to work. Neal would be proud, and Jacqui could finally see that everything he said about his company was true. She'd be proud as well.And she'd be surprised. Neal had agreed to make him in charge of the area as long as he agreed to help branch out all over Mississippi. That was one obstacle hurdled. He'd reach out to Jeannie after the groundbreaking and start the custody discussions. Of course, all of that was centered around Jacqui's reaction to him staying i
One of the things Morgan enjoyed about working with his hands was that it left his mind free to travel its own paths of thought, which was good because there was quite a bit going through his mind at the moment. He role-played the conversation he was going to have with Jacqui about his decision to stay in Biloxi, trying to predict every question or objection that would come up. He wanted to be prepared for every detour of the conversation or reaction she might have. Then, he worried he was making a major mistake. He had been married twice and royally screwed those relationships up. Of course, he wasn't the same man he was back then. He had never ceased chasing skirts before and yet, with Jacqui, he didn't want her love while he was checking out another woman's ass. He wanted Jacqui. Period.Morgan old man, perhaps you've finally grown up.He finished installing the ramp on the back porch, leading down to the yard, and went inside to wash his hands and grab one of the beers he had broug
You got home late last night," her father said from where he sat at the kitchen table, nursing his morning coffee. Sophia could be heard in his bedroom, packing up the few items that remained. Jacqui's mind quickly went to her dad's conversation at the bar, but she shook it away, not wanting to even wonder such things about Sophia and her dad. "Out with anyone I know?"She went to the coffee and poured herself a mug. "Actually, I was at your house, watching Morgan finish getting it ready for you to move in today."He chuckled behind her. "Uh huh, sure that's what you were doing. Why don't you just come out and tell me you like the man. I can see that sappy looking smile on your face when you think about him."Joining him at the table, she just laughed. "I never said I didn't like him.""So you do like him. Good. I like him, too.""Oh? Should I be jealous?""What? Don't be rude. I'll run you over with my chair." Bert took a sip of his coffee. "I meant I like him for you. You're happy wh
Following her into the house, Morgan couldn't keep his eyes off the way her ass swayed as she walked. Her jeans were snug, cupping her firm cheeks, making his hands jealous. He remembered the way she felt in his arms last night, the warmth of her body under him. He smiled as he remembered her little whimpers when her orgasm hit her, her fingers clawing at his back. God, how he wanted to feel her legs wrapped around him again.She locked the door behind them, then proceeded to the kitchen where she dropped her purse and keys. "How about some wine before that shower?" she asked.He leaned closer to her. "Sounds perfect to me."He watched as she pulled two wine glasses out of the cabinet and a bottle of wine from the stand behind her. He could watch her move all day, the way her body just seemed to flow with each movement. "Would you open it?" She noticed him watching her then and cocked her head at him, her brows bunched up in her own question mark. "What?""Just enjoying the way you lo
Dropping the arm holding the towel to his side, he walked over to where Cherish sat and joined her on the bed. He reached out, placing a hand on her leg and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "I'm sorry you're having to deal with this," he told her. He gave a weak shrug. "I guess we never know the full extent of our actions and their consequences until it's too late." He quickly held a hand up, stopping her from saying anything else. "That wasn't a judgment. Promise."She offered him a weak smile. "I didn't take it that way." She shrugged. "Besides, you're right. I didn't realize while I was...you know...how it would hurt you or Jordie, and I sure as hell didn't realize how it would follow me to another job. I was too caught up in what I was doing to even think of anything else." She reached out, placing her hand on top of his. "I'm sorry I was such a selfish bitch."Glen leaned over and kissed Cherish's forehead. When he pulled away, he grinned. "You're my selfish bitch, so it's all good.
Cherish shoved her phone into her purse, closed the final file folder, and shoved herself away from her desk. This day was over, and she was more than happy to see it go. As she stood, however, she realized the day was not completely over. She stood at the edge of her desk, adjusting her purse on her shoulder, as Mary Overton stepped into her doorway, arms crossed over her chest, looking as if she had a corncob shoved deep up her ass. What Bernie saw in the woman, Cherish would never know. Cherish sucked in a deep breath as she paused, waiting to hear what had brought the grump of a woman to her door. "Is there something I can help you with?" Cherish asked.Mary glanced over the room, scowling as she took in the changes Cherish made to the small office. "I see you've rearranged. Making the place more to your liking." Cherish could have sworn the woman gave a disgusted sniff as she said it. "I thought the way Kim had it set up was quite efficient." She glanced around the room with a sn
Glen soaked in her naked body, making no qualms about devouring her with his gaze. He had always thought Cherish was gorgeous and hated when she started to hide her body in baggy shirts and shorts. He wanted to see more of her flesh, more of her body tempting him under tight clothes or low-cut tops. He wanted her to be seductive, sultry, sexy. Hell, he even wanted her to dress slutty for him.Reaching out, Glen ran a hand over her freckle-covered shoulder, up her neck, and into her strawberry-blond hair. Gazing into her eyes, he sucked in a breath as he stared at her. "You, Cherish Lansky, are beautiful."He saw her cheeks redden with her blush, felt her squirm under his touch as his words embarrassed her, but he didn't care. While he thought the words often enough, he failed to say them out loud for her to hear. She needed to hear them. He needed to say them. They needed to get back to the spark that was them when they first ignited each other's passions. Looking at her right then, he
Cherish took a deep breath, deciding to tackle the topic of Rutherford even if Glen hadn't brought it up. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Jed. It's been a pretty emotional week all around, and I swear, it just slipped my mind."Glen cocked an eyebrow at her. "A lot of things have slipped your mind lately. I should probably do something about that, eventually."She bowed her head. "Yes, sir," was all she said, but she couldn't deny the tingle between her legs at the thought of Glen punishing her again. She would never have thought the idea of him spanking her would have such an effect on her.He took a sip of his coffee as he studied her, and Cherish just stood there under his scrutiny. After a stretched-out moment, he said, "So, tell me about the conversation now. You said you weren't interested in returning. Is that the truth?"She shrugged. "I don't know, to be honest. And, in the way of full disclosure, it was sort of a mixture of him asking if I would want to return and me aski
Cherish placed the last of the glasses back in the cabinet, her back screaming at her due to the lengthy day she just endured. Jordie was already sound asleep in his bed, his tired little body crashing as soon as everyone left, and the constant energy faded away. She could relate as exhaustion tugged at her as well. She had to admit, however, Glen's idea of having the party at their house opposed to her parents' was definitely a winner, minus the cleanup part afterward. Jordie loved every gift he opened, and he and the other kids made full use of the bounce house. Even a few of the adults climbed inside to get their inner youth on while they made the little ones stand outside the giant inflatable while they took over. The children, of course, were far from happy about not being permitted inside, but they laughed like crazy as they watched their parents bouncing around, trying to do flips, and falling on their asses.Valerie surprised Cherish with how she interacted with everyone else a
Cherish felt the tears streaming down her cheeks, felt the anguish clutching at her heart as she sat there, staring at her mother, the woman crying openly now as she stared back at Cherish. How could her mother ever doubt Cherish's love for her? Because I did a shitty job of showing it. I pushed her with everything I did. Cherish reached out, taking her mother's hand in her own, squeezing it tight. "I've always loved you, Mom. You did nothing wrong. It was all me; I was the selfish bitch who never seemed satisfied and happy. I'm so sorry I ever made you feel that way." She squeezed her mother's hand again. "I should never have treated you that way."Her mother gave her a weak smile, squeezing her hand back before pulling it away. "I love you, too, and I'm sorry I ever made you feel as if you couldn't tell me you were pregnant." She shook her head. "Not a very good mother, huh?"Cherish settled back in her chair. "I think we both made mistakes, but that was then. This is now. I need to
Cherish left the others and walked over to her mother, taking one of the remaining chairs beside the other woman. "Why don't you come join the rest of us? Has to be better than sitting over here all by yourself."Her mother didn't even look at her, keeping her gaze on the children. "Why is she here?" she asked, her back stiff, hands clasped in her lap."There are a lot of shes here," Cherish said, even though she knew to whom her mother referred. "You'll have to be a little more specific.""Your sister's new friend," her mother said, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Why did they have to bring her to a family event? It's rude."Cherish glanced over and watched as Tracey Williams laughed at something Arni said, her feet barely touching the ground from where she sat in the chair. "She's close to Selby and Faith," Cherish said with a shrug. "We permitted Brent to bring Bonnie; why wouldn't we allow Faith and Selby to bring Tracey? She seems to be getting along with everyone all right."
Glen stepped back out into the yard, two camp chairs in his hands. Valerie Driscoll was accustomed to calling all the shots, and he knew she set up her area far away from his mother to try to force a division in the party, drawing the crowd to her, so she could show off. That was one of the reasons he wanted the party at his house, so she wouldn't be able to pull a stunt like this. Yet, she still wrecked division wherever she went.Glen moved to the middle of the yard, close to the bounce house, and set up the two chairs. He turned to find Cherish near her mother, two beers in her hand as she watched him, one eyebrow raised and a smirk turning up the corner of her lip."Excuse me," he heard her tell her mother. "I think I'll go join my husband." She then left her mother's side, Valerie's mouth ajar as she gawked at her daughter's retreating back. When Cherish reached him, she handed him his beer as she slid into her chair. "Your beer, sir," she said, smiling at him.He glanced over at
Glen just needed a few minutes to calm his temper. He knew he had acted rude since returning home, and he didn't mean to snap at everyone, taking out his frustration with Cherish on everyone but her. He shoved his way inside the house and headed for the bedroom at the back of the house. Just a few minutes, that's all he needed.However, what he needed and what he received were two different things. As soon as he plopped down on the bed, his hands clasped together as he rested his elbows on his knees, doing his best to take deep breaths, Cherish walked into the room, shutting the door behind her. He didn't even turn to look at her. He couldn't right then. She had lied. Again. That's all she ever did lately.Cherish walked in front of him and dropped to her knees, sitting back on her heels, her hands on her thighs as she stared up at him. She said nothing. Just knelt there, waiting.Glen closed his eyes, taking another fortifying breath. Before opening them again and staring at his wife.