Chapter 13
Jane stopped outside of her bedroom. After her conversation with Luke, he left early for Mark”s lunch. When he returned, he locked himself in his office, and she hadn’t seen him. She didn’t have the courage to knock on his office door and say goodbye before she left for the day.
She sighed and rested her forehead against the door. Her visit with Mama J had gone horribly tonight. Mama J didn’t know her, and she cursed repeatedly and threw whatever items she could reach. Somehow, hearing sweet, soft-spoken Mama J cursing loudly and vehemently was the worst part. The staff finally sedated her, and Jane spent the last half hour of her visit trying not to cry while she watched her foster mother sleep.
Her lack of sleep last night had left her exhausted. Working at the club was the last thing she wanted to do, and she was almost tempted to say screw it and call in sick. Instead, she had taken the bus to the club. She rubbed at her ass and winced. The pinching and squeezing were over the top tonight, and she was pretty sure the guy at table five had left a bruise.
She rubbed her aching back and then gripped the door handle. Luke wouldn’t be in her bed - of course, he wouldn’t. He was angry with her earlier over her refusal to tell him the club”s name. It was better that he wasn’t here, anyway. She was tired and needed sleep.
Are we going to bed or just going to stand in the hallway?Her inner voice asked grumpily.
Despite her belief, she opened the door and squinted at the bed in the darkness. Her breath caught in her throat, and she hurried across the room and flicked on the bathroom light. Luke was a quilt-covered lump in the bed, and a rush of happiness went through her. She closed the bathroom door and quickly showered and scrubbed the makeup from her face before brushing her teeth. She dropped her towel and slid into bed next to Luke. He was breathing deeply, and she pressed a kiss against the back of his shoulder. He didn’t move, and she hesitated before turning her back to him and curling on her side.
It was enough that he was here with her, she thought happily. He was probably as tired as she was, but he was still in her bed. She scooted backward until her back touched his warm back. She yawned and pressed her head into the pillow. The bed was toasty warm thanks to Luke’s body heat, and she smiled again. There was nothing bad about having Luke in her bed.
He turned and molded his body against hers, throwing his arm over her and cupping her breast. He kissed the back of her shoulder before mumbling, “I like finding you naked in my bed.”
She smiled in the darkness. “You’re naked in my bed.”
“Tomato, tomahto,” he mumbled again. “Work, okay?”
“Yes,” she said as he yawned. “I asked one of the other girls to take my shift tomorrow night so we could have an extra night together.”
She shouldn’t have taken tomorrow night off, but couldn’t resist.
“S’good,” he muttered. “Ready to be fucked?”
She giggled. “You’re half-asleep.”
He squeezed her breast as he yawned again. “Too tired, honey?”
“Yes,” she said. “Go back to sleep, Luke.”
He pulled her even closer and kissed her shoulder again before his body relaxed, and he began to snore. Her smile widened as she snuggled into him and closed her eyes.
* * *
“Luke?What time is the meeting with the investors tomorrow?” Amy stuck her head into his office.
“Three o’clock.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Thanks for agreeing to meet with them,” he replied.
She shrugged. “It’s my company, too, and I agree with you that it’s time to go international with the clothing line. I’ll do whatever is needed to make that happen.”
“I know,” he said. “But you were just saying that you hated the business side, remember?”
She shrugged again before saying, “Can you do me a favour? I told Jane I would give her a ride to see Mama J tonight, but Valerie texted me. She got some last-minute tickets to see the Florida Georgia Line concert, and I really want to go. But I need to leave to meet her right now. Can you give Jane a ride to the care home? It’s so cold out, and I hate thinking about her waiting for the bus in this weather.”
“Yes,” he said. “That’s not a problem.”
“Great!” Amy said. “Also, I’ll be in late tomorrow.”
“I figured,” he said.
She grinned at him. “Can I assume you’ll give Jane a ride to the office in the morning?”
He cleared his throat. “Yes.”
“Have a good night, young Skywalker.”
“You too, Yoda.”
Amy flipped him the bird and left his office. Luke checked his watch. It was half an hour before the office closed for the day, but he closed his laptop and stood up. They could leave a little early. He would take Jane to see Mama J and then take her out for dinner. After, he’d take her home, undress her and spend the rest of the night touching her and making her come. Amy would be gone, so there was no concern about keeping quiet. He grinned at the thought of making Jane scream his name again.
He’d woken a little after four this morning with Jane’s small body plastered against his. She was snoring softly, and it was ridiculous how adorable he found it. He’d studied her sweet face and ignored his temptation to wake her for morning sex. She was tired and needed her rest. He’d never been much for cuddling, but waking up with Jane in his arms was comforting.
He grabbed his jacket and left his office, checking his phone. “Jane, I’m giving you a ride tonight, and I think we should leave a little early so...”
“Mr. Dawson,” Jane’s voice was too loud and anxious, “I finished the documents you needed.”
He glanced up. Maria, the head of HR, was standing in front of Jane’s desk.
“Hello, Luke.”
“Hello, Maria. What brings you up to this floor?”
“I had a meeting with Mark and thought I’d stop by and see how Jane was enjoying her new position. But seeing as you and Jane have plans, I’ll head back to my office and -”
“We don’t have plans,” Jane said.
Her face was red, and Luke said, “Amy asked if I could give you a ride to your appointment tonight as she’s had a sudden change in plans. It’s on my way home, so I said yes.”
Jane gave Maria an anxious look. “That’s very nice of you, Mr. Dawson, but I can take the bus.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “But I do need to leave a bit early.”
Maria studied Jane’s red face.
“Yes, of course. Thank you,” Jane said.
“Good to see you, Maria,” Luke said.
“You as well. I’ll need to book a meeting with you next week. I’ve already got a few potential resumes for the website upgrade.”
“Good. You can book it with Jane. She has my schedule.”
“You bet. Good night, you two.”
“Night.”
Maria walked away as Jane busied herself, closing her laptop and grabbing her purse. She gave Luke a look of panic as soon as Maria disappeared, and Luke said, “It’s fine, Jane.”
“It isn’t fine. I can’t lie worth shit.”
“That’s for sure,” he said with a small grin. “You need to work on not looking so guilty.”
She glared at him. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s kind of funny,” he said. “Don’t worry, she didn’t suspect anything.”
Jane pulled on her jacket. “I think she did.”
“She didn’t,” Luke said. “Amy said you were going to visit Mama J?”
“Yes. Is everything okay with Amy?”
He nodded. “She just had the chance to go to a concert.”
“I really can take the bus,” Jane said. “I’m not expecting you to -”
“I don’t mind. After we visit Mama J’s, we’ll go for dinner. Do you like Thai food?”
“I do,” she said.
“Good.”
She gave him an odd look, and he arched his eyebrow at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“All right. Let’s go visit with Mama J.”
* * *
“Is she sleeping?”Luke whispered.
“I’ll check,” Jane said.
Mama J was sitting in her chair by the window with her eyes closed. Her frail body was slumped over, and he followed Jane as she hurried across the room.
“Mama J?” Jane touched her shoulder. Josephine lifted her head and squinted blearily at her.
“Hi there.” Jane pulled up a second chair and sat in front of her foster mother. Their knees touched, and Jane stroked Mama J’s thigh as Luke sat on the edge of the bed.
“Did you have a good day?” Jane asked.
“Who are you?” Mama J said in a quavering voice.
Sorrow crossed Jane’s face. Luke suddenly wanted to pick her up and carry her out of the room. She didn’t deserve this kind of hell.
“It’s Janie,” she said. “I’m your daughter.”
“I don’t have a daughter.”
“I’m your foster daughter.”
“I wouldn’t foster kids. I hate kids. I hate you. You’re ugly!”
“Jane, maybe we should go,” Luke said.
Jane rubbed Josephine’s knee. “You don’t mean that, Mama J. You love kids. You fostered a lot of them, and everyone loved you. In fact -”
Quick as a snake, Josephine slapped Jane viciously across the face. “My name is Josephine! Not Mama J!”
“Jane!” Luke rushed over and placed his hand protectively on her shoulder.
Jane shook her head at him before smiling at Mama J. “I’m sorry, Josephine. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Who is that?” Josephine glared at Luke. “Is he here to steal my jewelry? Where’s Walter? Walter knows what to do with fucking no-good jewelry thieves!”
“He’s not a thief, Ma – Josephine,” Jane said. “His name is Luke and -”
“Are you his whore? Is that it? You’re his ugly little whore?” Josephine spat at her.
“No. Luke is my friend. He’s not -”
Josephine tried to slap her again, but Jane caught her hand.
“Don’t do that, my love,” Jane said in a low, grief-filled voice. She kissed Mama J’s knuckles as Josephine’s face crumpled and tears flowed down her wrinkled cheeks.
“What’s wrong with me?” she moaned as she slumped in her chair again. “What’s wrong with me? I’m so tired.”
“I know,” Jane said soothingly. “Why don’t you lie down, Josephine? I’ll help you into bed.”
Josephine stared blankly at her. “I’d like that. I’m exhausted. What did you say your name was?”
“Jane.”
“You’re a good girl then, aren’t you, Jane?”
Jane helped her stand. “Let’s get you into bed, my love.”
Mama J shuffled to the bed, and Jane helped her lie down before tucking the covers around her. Luke stood at the end of the bed and watched as Jane smoothed back Josephine’s thinning white hair.
“Is that better, Josephine?”
“Yes,” she said. “Where’s Walter?”
“I’m not sure,” Jane said.
Mama J yawned as her eyes closed. “Can you find him? Tell him I’m waiting for him.”
“I can do that.” Jane stroked Mama J’s hair. “Go to sleep now.”
“Find Walter?” Mama J mumbled.
“Yes, I’ll find him.” Jane continued to stroke Mama J’s hair until she fell asleep. She sat and watched her thin chest rise and fall for a few minutes before leaning forward and kissing her forehead. “I love you, Mama J. I’ll see you later.”
She stood, and Luke watched as she discreetly wiped her cheeks before turning and smiling at him. “Ready to go?”
He stared at the red mark on her cheek as she gathered her purse and stood beside him. “Jane, are you all right?”
“Fine,” she said. “But would you mind if we skipped dinner and just went home? I’m not very hungry.”
“I’ll pick up something on the way home,” he said.
She shrugged. “Sure.”
With a final look at Mama J, she started toward the door. Luke hurried after her and took her hand.
* * *
“Jane, you should eat more,”Luke said worriedly. He had stopped and picked up a pizza before driving Jane home, and he watched her pick at the slice on her plate.
“Right.” She ate a few bites before putting the slice down and dropping her napkin over her plate.
Luke frowned but didn’t have the heart to berate her about not eating. Hell, he barely had an appetite himself. He’d only met Mama J once, and seeing her tonight upset him. He could only imagine how Jane was feeling.
Not that she would tell him anything. He had tried twice in the car to bring up what happened, but she had changed the subject both times. He watched as she carried her plate to the counter and tossed the slice into the garbage before putting her plate in the dishwasher.
“Do you want any more?”
He shook his head, and she closed the pizza box and stuck it in the fridge. Her face was pale except for the lingering red mark on her face. She drank the rest of her water as he said, “Jane, I’m sorry about what happened tonight.”
She shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
“You should talk about it,” he said. “It’ll help.”
She shook her head and turned away, but not before he saw the glint of tears in her eyes. She stared out the small window over the kitchen sink. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not,” he said. “It’s okay that you’re not. Talk to me, honey.”
“Talking isn’t what you want from me,” she said bitterly.
He didn’t reply, and she made a choked sound before glancing over her shoulder at him. “I’m sorry, that was unfair, and I didn’t mean it. I’m just…”
He gave her a look of sympathy. “I know, honey. It’s okay.”
Her lower lip trembled, and he tugged her into his lap as she burst into tears. He pressed her face into his neck and rocked her gently. He rubbed her back and whispered low words of comfort as she cried.
When her sobs trailed off after a few minutes, he grabbed a napkin from the table and pressed it into her hand. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose before sitting up and giving him a watery smile. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he said.
“Your shirt is soaked.” She stared at his dress shirt. “There’s makeup all over it.”
“I don’t care. Do you feel better?”
She nodded and dabbed at her eyes again. “Yeah, actually, I do.”
“Good. I’m sorry about what happened tonight.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “You’ll probably bruise.”
“She didn’t mean to do it,” Jane said defensively.
“I know,” he said. “I know, honey. How often is she like that?”
Jane sighed and didn’t object when he pressed her against his broad chest again. She rested her head on his shoulder as he rubbed her lower back. “It’s happening more and more. The disease is progressing rapidly now. She used to have more good days than bad, but the last month or so…”
She made a soft sob, and Luke kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too,” Jane said. “I wish you could have known her before, Luke. She was the most amazing woman. She and Walter fostered over fifty kids. Did I tell you that?”
He shook his head, and she snuggled closer to him. “She did. She had pictures of all of them in a big photo album. She kept in touch over the years with at least thirty of them. They would email her pictures of their kids, which made her so happy. A lot of them would still visit her until she went to the care home.”
“Do any of them visit her at the care home?” Luke asked.
“Not anymore. They did at first. It helped her to remember, I think. Seeing all those familiar faces visiting her. But then it stopped helping, and the others they – they just drifted away.”
He muttered a curse under his breath. Knowing that Jane had to deal with this alone made him sick.
“I don’t blame them,” Jane said. “It’s horrible to watch what’s happening to her. I wish every day that I could just remember her the way she was. Does that make me an awful person, do you think?”
“No, honey. Not at all.” He pressed a kiss against the top of her head.
“She had this way of making you feel special, you know? You could have the worst day in the world, and Mama J would find a way to make you smile and feel better about it. She had a gift that way. I wish – I wish she’d been able to have kids of her own. If anyone deserved children, it was Mama J.”
“She had you and the other kids,” Luke said.
“It’s not the same,” Jane said. “She gave so much to us but never got what she wanted the most.”
“I don’t think she believes that,” Luke said.
Jane didn’t reply, and he rubbed her back as they sat silently. After a while, Jane sat up and gave him a small smile. “What time will Amy be home?”
“Late,” he said. “She’s also coming in late tomorrow. I said I’d give you a ride to work in the morning.”
“I’ll take the bus,” Jane said.
“I’m going to be here. It makes sense for you to drive in with me,” he said.
“You’re staying the night?”
“Yes. I’ve spent the last two nights here. Why would tonight be different?”
“I’ve spent the last half hour sobbing into your shirt. My eyes are puffy, and my nose is swollen and bright red. That’s not exactly a sexy look,” she said.
He pressed a kiss against the tip of her nose. “I find you sexy no matter what.”
She smiled. “Spoken like a man who is looking to get laid tonight.”
He shook his head and gave her a solemn look. “No, I’m being honest. You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met, Jane Smith.”
She swallowed and licked her lips before her gaze dropped to his mouth. He cleared his throat and tried to think of a reason to get Jane off his lap before she felt his rapidly hardening cock. She’d had a horrible evening, and she wasn’t interested in having sex. He knew that and was more than happy to just sleep in the bed with her again, but his damn dick had different ideas.
The problem was solved when she slid off his lap. “I know it’s early, but do you mind if we go to bed?”
“No, of course not,” he said. “I need to grab my bag from the car. Go to the bedroom. I’ll lock up and be upstairs in a few minutes, okay?”
“Okay,” she said.
She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss against his jaw. “Thank you, Luke.”
“You’re welcome.”
* * *
Jane staredat the ceiling of the bedroom. She kept the covers pulled to her chin. She was naked, and she wondered for a moment if she was being too bold. She knew Luke thought she wanted to go to bed early to sleep, but the truth was, she was unbelievably horny for him.
A part of her knew she was using her lust for Luke as a coping mechanism. If she was fucking him, there was no room for sorrow or fear.
She’s getting worse, Janie. You know she is. Maybe she’ll never remember you again now. Maybe she’ll –
She cut off her inner voice as fear skittered down her back. She didn’t want to think about her sorrow at losing the Mama J she knew and loved – not tonight.
The bedroom door opened, and Luke, carrying a garment bag and a leather overnight bag, slipped into the room. She had left the bedside lamp on, and she watched as he hung the garment bag in the closet next to her clothes and carried the overnight bag into the bathroom.
She stared at the ceiling again and thought of nothing but how good it would feel to touch Luke. She would give him another blowjob, she decided. She loved his reaction, and this time, she could take her time. She didn’t have to worry about someone walking in on them.
The bathroom door opened, and Luke appeared wearing sleep pants and nothing else. They hung low on his hips, and a surge of desire went through her as she stared at his v-line. God, his body was perfection. The narrow line of dark hair below his belly button made her mouth water. She had the sudden urge to pull on the drawstring of his sleep pants with her teeth. She stifled her nervous giggle as he shut off the bathroom light and crossed the room to climb into the bed beside her.
He reached for her and made a grunt of surprise when he felt her smooth skin. “Jane,” he said cautiously, “why are you naked?”
“Why are you not naked?” she asked.
Boldly, she threw back the covers and straddled his hips. She could feel his erection against her core, and she ground against him as he groaned and cupped her breasts. He kneaded them gently as she traced small circles across his chest.
“Jane,” he said, “are you sure this is what you want tonight?”
“Yes,” she said. “I need you. I need this.”
He jerked under her when she pinched one flat nipple. “I want to make you feel good.”
She leaned over him and kissed him. He immediately deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue past her lips to sweep inside her mouth until she was dizzy from her need for him.
“I want you so much, Luke,” she whispered against his mouth.
“I want you too,” he said. “Let me make this about you tonight.”
“No. I want to taste your cock again.” She smiled at him before kissing her way across his chest. She admired the defined muscles of his abdomen, scratching her nails across them until he moaned. She kissed his chest and tasted his warm skin with her tongue before sucking on his flat nipple.
“Fuck!” He muttered as his hands clenched around the sheet.
She licked at his nipple before continuing downward. She nuzzled his belly button, tracing a circle around it as she pressed her breasts against his cock through his pants. She traced his v-line with her tongue, and he made a low moan of need.
“Please, honey,” he whispered.
She pulled on the waistband of his sleep pants with her fingers before grinning at him and grabbing the drawstring with her teeth. She tugged, undoing the neat bow he’d tied, as he panted harshly and his fingers fisted into the sheets again.
She wiggled back until she was straddling his shins and curled her fingers into his waistband. “Lift your hips.”
He lifted, and she pulled his pants down. He kicked them off his feet, nearly knocking her off his legs and onto the floor in the process, and she giggled. “Careful, Mr. Dawson.”
“Please,” he said as she stared at his erect cock.
“Please, what?” she said innocently as she ran her fingers over his balls.
“Please suck my cock,” he groaned.
“Yes, sir.” She leaned over and took his cock into her mouth.
He moaned, and his fingers threaded through her hair as she sucked. He smoothed her hair back from her face and held it in a loose ponytail as he watched her suck.
“Such a good girl,” he said hoarsely. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you look right now?”
She traced her tongue along the vein that ran along the underside of his cock, and he shuddered all over. She swallowed his precum and pulled away before licking her lips. “You taste good, Mr. Dawson.”
“Oh God,” he whispered. “Keep sucking, Jane.”
She bobbed her head up and down, sucking firmly as he moaned and pleaded and thrust his hips against her mouth. God, she loved his reaction. It made her so damn hot she thought her lower body would catch on fire.
When she couldn’t stand the throbbing in her pussy any longer, she released his cock with one slow, long lick and straightened. He reached down and fisted his cock with a desperate look of need. She pulled on his wrist.
“Stop.”
“Please,” he moaned but released his cock. “Fuck, I was so close.”
She grinned at him. “I know, but I want to fuck you.”
“I want that too.”
She reached into the nightstand drawer and produced a condom. He raised his eyebrow at her, and she said, “Always be prepared.”
He made a sound that was halfway between a laugh and a groan. His hips arched when she rolled the condom onto his dick.
“Fuck me,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Patience, Mr. Dawson.”
She squeaked in surprise when he sat up and grabbed her around the waist. He lifted her, and she gasped when his cock dragged along her clit before sliding into her tight entrance. She sank onto him, moaning as he cupped her shoulders and held her against him.
Without speaking, he thrust in and out rapidly. Jane tipped her head back, and he kissed the column of her throat as she clung to his shoulders and rode him.
His fingers found her clit and rubbed as she ground her pelvis against him.
“Jesus,” he muttered before rubbing her clit harder.
Her orgasm rolled through her, unexpected and shocking in its intensity. Beneath her, he groaned as her pussy tightened around his dick and held him deep inside of her. His hips bucked, and he climaxed, thrusting so roughly that she would have fallen off his lap if he hadn’t held her in a tight grip.
He collapsed on his back, dragging her down with him. She rested her head on his chest as he stroked her back with the tips of his fingers.
“Did I hurt you?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. It was perfect. Thank you, Luke.”
He squeezed her ass. “You’re welcome, Jane. We should get some sleep.”
“Hmm,” she said sleepily.
He eased her off of him, and she watched blearily as he disposed of the condom before curling up behind her. He cupped her breast and kissed the back of her shoulder.
“Night, Luke.”
“Night, Jane.”