Chapter 86. An unexpected move
Lilly Bradley
My back was against the dark tile, my legs wrapped around Jackson's waist, his hands on my butt, holding me. I pulled away from our kiss to catch my breath, and suddenly, from dinner, we were naked under the cascade of water in his shower, making love as if the world were about to end.
"You're fire, Lilly," he whispered before leaning in to take my lips again. We got lost in the kiss once more, and he thrust impeccably until we reached our own climaxes. When we got to the bed, we couldn't stop touching, caressing, whispering how we felt, and we made love again. A couple of hours later, in the early morning, I felt his hand around me from behind. I opened my eyes moments after Jackson left the room, still groggy, and looked at the time: 4:48 am. I frowned, wanting to follow him, but I was too tired. I thought he must have gone for water or something, so I closed my eyes, waiting for him to return... but he didn't. I put on my robe and left the room to search for him. I went downstairs to the first floor, but it was dark, with only a couple of dimly lit lamps, just enough to see where to walk, I supposed. I entered the kitchen and didn't find him, so I decided to go back to the room and wait for him. When I put my foot on the first step, I heard voices in the distance. I turned my head towards the other hallway; it was dark, but I kept hearing voices. I hesitated about going, but... what if something happened? So I took the risk to find out what was going on. The further I walked down the hallway, I saw a line of light on the floor coming from one of the rooms. I approached and then recognized the voice: Richard.
"Do you want me to send something in your name?" But I didn't hear an immediate response. "If you want, I can take care of it, unless you want to go personally." Richard's tone was one of concern.
"No," I finally heard Jackson's voice. "I'll go personally."
"Alright, my condolences, Mr. Johnson." Then I froze. Who had died? I heard him saying goodbye, and I managed to get to the stairs, but stopped on the first step when I heard Richard.
"Are you alright, Miss Bradley?" I jumped at being caught sneaking away and tried to pretend I wasn't.
"Oh, Richard, I was looking for Jackson."
"He's in the study. Do you need anything?"
"No, no, thank you." He nodded, and before he left, I stopped him. "Wait," he turned to me as I approached him. "Is everything okay? It's almost five in the morning and..."
"What are you doing awake?" Richard said goodbye and left me there, near the hallway where Jackson was coming towards me.
"Oh, I was looking for you, I didn't see you in bed..." I could see the tension in him.
"I was just heading back to bed."
"Is everything alright?" I asked. He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. As he pulled his lips away, he nodded slowly.
"Let's go to bed," he said. When we got to the room, I noticed he was quite serious. I got into bed, and he did the same, his hands taking me from behind to pull me close. My back was against his chest, his breath close to my ear. "Sleep," he ordered.
"I'm not sleepy anymore. I'll be getting up in half an hour."
"I'll make some space in my closet for your clothes."
"That's not necessary."
"It is necessary. I don't want you rushing every morning to change."
A silence settled between us. I looked out the large window with the sliding curtains; the sky was starting to lighten. Then Richard's words in the office echoed in my mind. Who had passed away?
I arrived at my parents' house. Jackson's driver had brought me before six-thirty. I was already showered; I just needed to get dressed and put on my makeup before heading to the office. Jackson had been pretty quiet. I didn't want to ask more until he was ready to talk. I would listen, but I noticed his black tie. I hadn't seen him wear one since he started working for me.
"Well, if it isn't Lilly," my father said, surprised to see me. I walked over and kissed him, then my mother, before heading to my room. They were already leaving for the hospital; it seemed they had a lot of work. My sister was showering when I started putting on my makeup. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. This fifth date had been... strange. We had made love, but it had also been uncomfortable. Jackson knew the topic of Oliver was completely off-limits. Talking about the future had made me think carefully about what I really wanted. My heart had been broken. But it was healing. I was moving forward. That's good, right? I let out a long sigh. There was a knock at the door, and I guessed it was Leah.
"Come in." The door opened, and she appeared, smiling.
"Wow, I have a sister."
"That's right." I continued with my makeup, getting ready for work.
"By the way," I paused to look at her, "I have a date with Jacob today."
"Really? That's great! Are you nervous?" She nodded, her hair still damp, wearing her bathrobe.
"I'm pretty nervous because it won't be just the two of us."
"It won't?" I asked, confused.
"His family." My eyes widened almost to the point of popping out. "Yes, that's how I felt when he invited me to dinner at his parents' house."
"Jackson has invited me too."
"Really? Oh my God! That's amazing!"
"Wait, shouldn't he take you to dinner so you two can get to know each other better?"
"I thought the same, but I don't want to wait for the typical thing. This is new for both of us."
"I understand."
"Liar. You went to dinners with your in-laws."
"But not on the first date." She pouted.
"How should we dress?" she asked suddenly, excited.
"Casual," I resumed my makeup. "Just be yourself. That's why Jacob noticed you. Don't let anyone make you change, Leah." I heard her sigh. I finished my makeup, stood up to gather my things, and grabbed my coat to leave.
"I have to tell you something, and you won't like it at all," she said suddenly. I turned to her. "Michelle and Oliver live in the same building."
"What?" I asked in surprise. She nodded. "How is that possible?"
"They were moving in the furniture last night. I ran into Michelle. She told me they had moved in. I asked how long they'd be here in New York, but she said there was no return date."
"This is a damn joke! I left England to put distance between us, and now they have to live in this building!"
"And right across the hall."