Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
A BETTER LOOKING HUGH GRANT
Neve
Jack came with us to Hope’s next chemo treatment, he held my hand. He helped keep Hope occupied; it would be the last session and then she would get a month’s break and in that time they would rescan. Then if no change they will schedule further chemo sessions.
Hope was becoming quite the popular patient on the ward.
She would insist on bringing the nurses cakes and always brought her little Bluetooth speaker to play music.
No one complained about the music, it seemed to put a smile on other people’s faces.
And the nurses seemed to have a spring in their step as they danced to each patient.
Hope lifted the mood and spirits of everyone there, her smile was infectious, as was her personality.
“Have you told Hope’s father about the situation?” Jack whispers to me as we grab a coffee form the vending machine.
I frown. “No, he has never wanted anything to do with her. I saw him when she was weeks old in a park, he was getting remarried. He didn’t ask about her then, he didn’t beg me to see her and he has never contacted me since. I’ve been in the same flat all this time, he has no excuse.”
Jack nods. “Your parents offering their support?”
“What is this, twenty questions? No, they have not. When I told them I was pregnant they too sent me packing. So yeah, any other questions?” I snap.
“This is tough, it’s tough on you and Hope. You need as many people supporting you as you can get,” Jack states.
“I have Bella, I have Pearl and I have you, right?” I ask.
He nods. “Of course.”
“Then I don’t need anyone else,” I say before walking back to Hope.
After her session, we head back to the flat.
Hope has been sleeping a lot since having chemo and after her treatment I like to let her sleep for as long as possible.
Usually by the next day she is being sick.
She lays in her bed, curled up cuddling her favourite teddy.
I stroke her hair, only for a large clump of it to come out.
I swallow the lump in my throat and place a kiss on her head.
Each night Jack stayed over nothing was said or asked.
It just happened like he had been living with us forever.
Hope loved having him around and I had to admit I did too, but I had questions.
I wanted to know what was going on. My head has been so consumed and focused on Hope, my normal neurotic behaviour had taken a backseat.
With Hope fast asleep, I knew now was the best time to bring up this discussion.
I walk into the living area and see that he has poured me a glass of wine. I sit down and take a sip. “Anything you want to watch?’ he asks, scrolling through the channels.
“What’s going on between us?” I ask abruptly.
He turns his attention to me. “What do you think is going on between us?’ he asks.
“Nuh-uh, no way. You ain’t doing that switcharoo thing.”
“Switcharoo thing?” He smirks.
“Yes, you know by answering a question with a question. I don’t have time for games. We still don’t know hardly anything about each other.” I sigh.
He leans forward, taking my wine glass from my hand. “So you get to ask me three questions right now. Anything you want to know. Fire away,” he states.
“Just three questions?” I ask back.
“Now who’s answering a question with a question?” he counters back.
I sigh. “Right okay fine, first question. Where are you from? Where did you grow up?”
“Isn’t that two questions?” he teases. I frown at him and he laughs. “Okay, okay, fine. It’s just one. So I grew up in Cambridge but I’ve lived here for about eight years.”
“Cambridge? Really? You said you were born in Surrey.” I raise my brow.
“I was born in Surrey. We lived there for a year then moved to Cambridge,” he clarifies.
“Cambridge. So you’re a posh boy, huh?” I smile.
“I wouldn’t say I was posh,” he states.
“Did your family have more than two cars and did you have a holiday home abroad?” I ask.
“Well yeah but –” he tries to defend.
“You’re a posh boy and it’s okay, my folks were like that too. Well, in the least they were middle-class and probably pretended to be posher than they actually were,” I state. Reaching forward I pick up my wine glass ad take a sip while thinking of my next question.
“Okay question number two, have you ever been married?” I ask.
“Never,” he answers honestly.
“Okay final question, what age and to who did you loe your virginity to?” I smile. “Fyi, all these questions would have been answered had we had more than two dates.”
“Okay. I was sixteen and it was with my then girlfriend. I thought I was all romantic. My parents were away, so I had the house to myself. I put roses on the bed, lit candles.” He smiles.
“Aww you’re sweet.” I laugh.
“Yeah, it wasn’t a bad first time, well for me. I’m sure it sucked for her but she pretended that it was all good. Even when she was being stabbed with the thorns from the roses.” He laughs.
I choke on my wine. “Wait, you laid down full roses, thorns and all?”
“Yeah. I was young I didn’t know what I was doing,” he defends.
“Wow, what a prick,” I joke, laughing. Jack laughs at my little joke too.
“So come on then, do you want to ask me anything?” I question.
He shakes his head no and I frown. “Don’t you want to know stuff about me?”
“No, I already know enough about you. I know that you can’t function until you’ve had your coffee and it has to be strong.
You can’t help but love reading cheesy romance novels, but you pretend you’re reading some high-brow fiction so people won’t judge you.
You work hard to provide for your daughter, and you will do anything to protect her,” he states.
“What no questions about my virginity?” I smile.
He shakes his head no. “I don’t want to hear about your past boyfriends,” he answers honestly.
“So to go back to the question you had earlier, where are we going. The answer to your question is, I love you, and you love me. So from here on out I just see it as we are now. I’m not going to push you for more, I’m not even going to try to sleep with you.
Even though I really, really want to. You are it for me.
I don’t get what you find so hard to understand, he states.
“You love me?” I ask, raising my brow.
“Yes, I thought that was fairly obvious,” he answers.
“And you think I love you? That’s a little arrogant,” I question, even though I know he’s right.
“I know because I see it every time you look at me. I feel it with every touch. Just because those words haven’t left your lips, doesn’t mean you don’t love me.” He winks.
I sniff. “Jesus Christ, you’re like a Hugh Grant character from one of his rom-com’s. Or well, any one of the characters from the movie Love Actually.”
Jack laughs. “Thank you, I think.”
“But you’re much better looking,” I add.
Jack sits there smiling a soft smile, his eyes pouring with love.
How have I never noticed this before? He has just confessed his love for me, well he also confessed my love for him too and yet we are both sat on either ends of the sofa.
Even now he is giving me space, rather than taking what he needs or rather what he deserves.
I place my wine glass down and move across the sofa and straddle his lap.
I thread my fingers through the back of his short dark hair and lean in, slowly pressing my lips to his.
He kisses me back, following my lead, letting me set the pace.
I glide my tongue against his, teasing him.
I grind myself down, feeling his hard length pressing against his jeans.
God I’ve missed this, I’ve missed feeling good.
I’ve missed the connection, the intimacy.
His hands grip my ass as I dry hump him like my life depended on it.
I break the kiss, lean back and remove my top.
I get off his lap briefly and slide my underwear off from under my skirt.
I watch as his eyes darken, the twitch ticks in the side of his jaw.
I know he wants to let go and take control.
I bite my bottom lip as I kneel down between his legs, undoing his jeans.
I free his hard length, wrapping my hand firmly around the base.
My eyes never leave his as I lean forward and take him in my mouth.
I moan, tasting a bit of pre-cum. I clench my legs together, so turned on I’m desperate for release.
I take him deep, hitting the back of my throat.
He groans deep in his chest but before I can continue he’s lifting me up, pulling me onto his lap.
I slide the tip of his dick between my wet and wanting folds.
“Take what you need,” he grits through his teeth.
I smile and lower myself onto him and we both let out a moan as my body stretches to accommodate him.
I don’t waste time, knowing this isn’t about to be a sex marathon, it’s about us being in this moment, taking what pleasure we can.
I rotate my hips and ride his cock hard and fast. Jack’s hands grip my hips tightly, his eyes hooded as he watches me.
The pleasure in me is building and my walls begin to tighten.
“I can feel how much you’ve missed this, you’re close. ” Jack pants.
“Uh-huh.” I nod and moan.
He licks his fingers and starts circling my clit. “Cum for me, let me see you come apart.” He groans.
And I do just that. My walls clamp down around him so tightly as my orgasm hits me hard.
I arch my back. “Fuck yes!” I cry out. Jack’s hands grip my behind tighter as he thrusts up, filling me with his release.
I slow my rhythm, rocking my hips slowly, catching my breath.
I look down at Jack and smile softly. “I love you Jack,” I whisper.
“I know.” He smirks. I slap at his chest playfully, making him laugh.