Chapter 19
We finished up in the attic that afternoon, both needing a shower from how dusty we’d gotten.
It'd be eerily quiet up there. I'd heard horror stories of what Jade had done to Jana before, but hearing Jade tell me one herself made things feel different.
As if it hadn't been just stories from the past but living wounds that still bled between the two of them.
It was easy to pretend that the Jade Jana knew was not the same one I did.
But they were the same person, and while I did believe that she had changed, I could also recognize my denial of exactly who I was falling for.
I cooked us dinner, and Jade helped me chop some vegetables while keeping our wine glasses full.
"Are we okay?" Jade asked. Standing over the stove, I turned to face her where she leaned against the kitchen island. Her voice had been small, and her mossy green eyes gazed at me from under her lowered brows.
"Yeah, I—." Stopping myself from lying, I walked closer to her and grabbed my wine glass, needing the liquid courage.
"I'm not upset with you. I think what we talked about earlier just made me realize how much I'd been concealing from myself and Jana.
" Her expression remained one of concern as she listened.
"I've communicated to her that you aren't the same person you used to be.
Which is true, but I think it's important that I remember the validity of Jana's anger. "
Turning her face away from me, she stared blankly at the cabinets.
Feeling instantly guilty, I moved forward and grabbed her hand, curling my fingers around hers.
She'd never been dishonest with me, never concealed her regrets or mistakes.
I was the one who wasn't letting myself truly acknowledge everything.
Acting as if Jana didn't truly know what she was talking about.
Yet here I was making it Jade's problem, punishing her for something that I'd repeatedly told her wasn't her fault.
"I'm sorry," I said. Looking back at me, her nose wrinkled.
"You didn't do anything," she said, setting down her wineglass and placing her free hand on my upper arm.
"I'm making you feel bad for something that I basically already knew about," I said, laughing without humor.
"No, I feel bad for the fucked-up things I did to Jana when we were young. That's a consequence of my actions."
I nodded at her, stepping forward to wrap my arms around her. She embraced me, burying her face in my neck.
After a few moments, Jade lifted her head, and I firmly placed my lips on hers.
It took her a few seconds before she started kissing me back, not having expected my eagerness.
Her touch felt so gentle, her palm warm against my neck.
Slipping a hand under my shirt, she cupped my breast through my bra, massaging the skin there.
I moaned against her lips, pressing myself closer to her.
Pushing me, my lower back hit the island, and then her hands were sliding down to my hips, helping to lift me on top of it.
Thankful she'd already placed the cutting board in the sink, my lips sank back onto hers as she unbuttoned my trousers.
I leaned back on my hands as she slid them and my underwear down my legs, letting them fall on the tile floor below us, along with my flats.
Jade got on her knees. Wrapping her arms around my thighs, she kissed them before spreading them apart.
I lifted one leg until my foot was on the side of the island.
Placing her mouth on me, I watched as she dripped saliva between my folds before diving in with her tongue. I couldn’t help the moans slipping from my throat as she tasted me, lazily swirling her tongue all over my pussy. Sucking my clit, she rubbed her tongue against the sides of it.
"Jade," I cried out, adjusting so I could grab a handful of her hair.
I glanced over at the stove, confirming that our dinner wasn't burning.
Not that I was in a position to care at the moment.
Jade dipped her tongue inside my cunt, wiggling it and obviously hoping to drive me mad.
Thrusting it slightly, she moved her hand that was gripping my thigh over until her fingers were circling and tugging on my clit.
"Feel good, Princess?" She asked, her words bringing me extremely close.
Despite my squirming, she showed me no mercy as she continued to work me with her mouth and fingers.
I started scooting myself forward to meet her thrusts, and it was so erotic to ride her face.
Somehow everything with her was so passionate, something I’d never used to describe my sex life before.
Every moan of hers shot vibrations against my sensitized clit.
“Oh, oh!” My words increased in tempo as I came against Jade's mouth.
She kissed her way back up my body while I caught my breath. Her beautiful face came into view, and she looked so deliciously flustered, lips swollen and eyes full of desire. I pulled her until I could wrap my arms and legs around her body, kissing lips that were wet from my release.
"Hungry?" she asked, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes.
"Oh, fuck," I said, having forgotten the sizzling skillet again.
A week had gone by in a flash. Our routine of eating together, my helping pack between meetings and spending the night in each other's arms stayed the same.
Jana had been busy with work and had only been able to talk briefly a couple of nights this week.
I wasn't complaining when I knew I needed to be more honest with her about things.
She apologized for it clearly taking longer than two weeks, and I had to play it off as if I was just okay with it.
When in reality, I was over the moon to have more private time with Jade.
It was Saturday, and Jade had gone to Riley for the morning to check on her place and run a few errands.
She said it would be late afternoon before she got back.
The appraiser had come by yesterday to take photos of the art pieces we’d found so far.
We’d finished packing inside the house, except for the areas we were using frequently, and planned to work on the storage building this coming week.
I packed up some things here and there, like dishes in the kitchen that we didn’t need.
I’d also been trying to think of a way to surprise Jade, do something special for her since she had been the one treating me to so many dates, as she called them.
After I cleaned a bit and put away some laundry, I went to town. Well, more like the neighboring town since it had more options. I stopped by a boutique called Tia’s first. I wanted to find something cute to wear, kicking myself yet again for not bringing cuter clothes with me.
Browsing, I tried on a floral, spaghetti-strap sundress that accentuated my breasts and waist. I found a pair of white strappy heels that were uncomfortable, but would have to do.
I may have snagged a few other items that I thought might help the evening go as I planned.
My next stop was the grocery store, where I grabbed the ingredients I needed for dinner and the chocolate mousse I wanted to make for dessert.
I also snagged a bouquet of cheap flowers they had; it was the best I could do on short notice.
When I got back, I texted Jade to see her ETA. I needed to know how much time I had to get things set up and myself ready. Not to mention, I missed her.
About to leave now.
She added a kissy face emoji, and just that stupid, innocent gesture had my heart speeding up. I sent back a similar emoji before heading to the kitchen.
Okay, I thought. Strategist that I was, I loved a good plan.
I put some water on to boil and turned on the stove to preheat.
Running upstairs, I hid some of my new purchases under the sink in Jade’s bathroom.
That way, it’d be easy access later. I slipped on my new dress and heels, and then touched up my lipstick and mascara.
What should have been an hour and a half drive would be closer to an hour if I knew anything about Jade’s speeding problem.
I snickered as I thought about her. I had already curled my hair this morning, but I pinned some curls back, creating a half up half down look.
Satisfied, I headed back downstairs to tend to the cooking.
While the noodles boiled, I cut and buttered the toast before sticking it in the oven.
Then, I shredded cheese for the alfredo I was making and started the roux.
Next up was the chicken that I cut into strips before seasoning and then throwing into the pan with some olive oil.
I quickly made the mousse while everything else was cooking.
Once the food was ready, I plated it and poured two glasses of wine.
I grabbed a couple of candles from Jade’s room and set them on the dining table.
Finally, I released a sigh of relief that I had finished everything before she got back.
I just needed to sip my wine and wait with girlish anticipation.
I may have paced around the kitchen and dining room a few times in my giddiness.
Hearing Jade walk through the front door, I leaned against the bar-top.
I bit my bottom lip, awaiting her expression when she saw everything.
“Libby?” she called, probably expecting me to greet her at the door. Walking into the kitchen, she took me in, stopping dead in her tracks. She looked me up and down, and I saw my favorite pink blush grace her cheeks.
“Hey Jade, have a good day?” I said in a sultry tone, wanting to milk this moment.
“Princess…” Walking forward, she set her purse on the kitchen counter before coming closer.
Her hands went to my waist, and she pulled me flush against her before kissing my lips.
“You look devastatingly gorgeous, baby girl. Did you get dressed up just for me?” I could tell she was trying to tease me, but her flushed cheeks gave way to her true feelings.
“Maybe…okay, definitely. You have been taking me on dates, and I wanted to put one together for you.” I kissed her plump lips again before tugging her toward the dining room.
“Oh, I like this new view,” she said, placing her free hand on my ass and squeezing.
“Stop,” I giggled, trying to swat her hand away. “Come sit and have dinner with me, sweetheart,” I said, turning to take in her expression and offer another smile.
“You have outdone yourself, princess,” she said, taking in the scene before sitting across from me.
“Fuck, this smells amazing,” she groaned after leaning in and taking a deep inhale of the pasta.
I laughed, but internally I was beaming at the praise.
She made me feel so wanted and special. I still wasn’t used to that.
“Oh!” I exclaimed before getting up and walking back into the kitchen. Grabbing the bouquet I’d stuck in a vase from the kitchen cabinet, I made my way back over to Jade.
“These are for you,” I said, setting them down beside her. She smiled at me brightly and then brought the flowers to her nose and took a sniff.
“This is so nice of you, Libby,” she said, voice sounding unusually timid. Looking back at the flowers, she grabbed a stem and twisted her fingers around it before smiling down at her lap.
We ate our dinner and dessert while we chatted and laughed about nothing in particular. Jade had raved about every bite of food she ate, and by the time I served her the mousse, she was practically moaning.
“So, what’s next on the agenda?” she asked. We were enjoying our wine and holding hands across the table. One of her feet was nuzzling the side of my calf. I could have stayed there all night, just enjoying the moment.
“Well, we can finish that movie if you want to. Or…” I trailed off, giving her hand a light squeeze.
“Or?” she asked impatiently.
“We could always head to bed early.” I winked at her, already knowing what answer she’d give me.
“I’ll get the movie started,” she said, standing up and dropping my hand.
I was taken aback for a moment, assuming that she’d want to jump into bed with me as much as I did with her. Before I could think too hard about it, her arms slipped around my neck from behind, and her lips kissed my hair.
“Princess, you are so fucking adorable it hurts sometimes. You thought I’d turn you down?
Have you seen what you look like tonight, baby girl?
” Her hands slid down my sides, gripping my waist tightly.
“I want to peel this dress off you and make you come on my face.”I shivered at her words and hot breath on my skin, unintentionally letting out a moan.
“Mm, come on, let’s go to bed.” She grabbed my hand and started pulling me out of my seat.
“Wait, I need to clean up first. Just finish your wine and I’ll be done shortly,” I said, holding my seat.
“Fuck cleaning up. I want you in my bed right now, or you will be punished.” I swallowed hard, unsure how I wasn’t a puddle on the floor at this point from how sexy she was.
Without another word, I walked with a very handsy Jade up the stairs to her room.