My eyes widen. “Really?”
The reality of her being out, of being back in my life, is not something I’m willing to come to terms with right now.
“Yes, isn’t it wonderful?”
I force a smile. “Of course.”
A lie.
“We can finally be together again. Jenny, too. We’ll fix our relationship. It’ll be better this time. I know you’ll give me a chance, you’ve grown, you’re not so selfish anymore, and I love that about you. I think we can actually mend things.”
I glance at Sarah, who gives me a small sympathetic smile.
My mother thinks our relationship is strained because of me. She always blames everyone else. Even now, she thinks that it’ll be better because I’ve grown. She refuses to see her part in anything and blames everyone else for her being the way she is. That’s the real reason we can’t have a relationship.
“Right,” I mutter.
She beams, completely oblivious to my hesitation, and begins prattling on about how much fun we will have. When the visit is over, I walk out exhausted. I can’t deny that seeing her happy does bring me comfort. I don’t want her to suffer. I guess part of me, deep down, knows she didn’t mean to hurt me, that she’s sick and her mind isn’t how it should be. That doesn’t mean I can fight the feelings of anxiety knowing she will be around again. I can only do my best to move past it and try to slowly build a relationship with her again.
“Baby,” Jagger murmurs when I walk out.
“Hey,” I say, looking up at him when he wraps an arm around my waist.
“How did it go?”
I exhale. “The same as always, but she’s doing better, so that’s something.”
“Glad to hear it. Listen, how would you feel about having dinner tonight with Maggie and me? Also, my aunt Mary ...”
“Aunt Mary?” I ask, brows raised.
“She’s really the only family I have left. I don’t see her enough, and Maggie has been badgerin’ me for us to get together, so I told her we would do it tonight because it’s Mary’s birthday.”
I blink. Talk about zero to a hundred. “And you want me there?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Does Maggie know about Sharleen?”
“No.”
My brows go up. “She still thinks she’s dead?”
“Yeah, and that’s how it’s goin’ to stay. For her safety. If you don’t want to come, that’s okay ...”
“No,” I say quickly. “I do. I’d love to meet her, and I’d love to see Maggie again. I’ll cook, we all know that I can do better than you ...”
His mouth lifts in a slight grin, the first I’ve seen from him in weeks.
“Pot roast?”
I laugh. “On it.”
He smirks and grips my hips, pulling me close. He looks down at me with that intense gaze, and I feel heat creep into my cheeks. Looking into those crystal-blue eyes makes everything fall into place. Even when times are tough and my mind refuses to settle, Jagger somehow makes that better.
“What’s in it for me if I present some epic cooking?” I ask, running a finger down his chest.
“Whatever you want,” he murmurs.
“Anything I want?”
He narrows his eyes. “Within reason.”
I grin. “Wonderful, I’ll think about what I need while we go to the store and get supplies.”
He grunts. “Fuck.”
“Come on, it won’t kill you.”
We leave and get into his truck, making our way to the store. As we drive, I wind the window down and let my hair whip about as the breeze tickles my face. This is the best I’ve felt in so long, it almost feels too good to be true. Like if I blink, reality will come crashing down around me. I’m going to enjoy every single second of it while it lasts.
“You look fuckin’ perfect sitting beside me right now, Willow.”
Jagger’s voice is husky, and when I turn and look at him, he’s watching the road, but that doesn’t mean I can’t see the desire in his eyes.
Oh, the desire.
I smile at him, “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Enough to let me sink down onto that cock?”
His eyes flash, and I know my sudden outburst has shocked him.
“Fuckin’ say that again,” he growls.
I lean in closer, until my breath is on his ear. “Cock.”
“Fuck me, I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
“You know what I love?” I murmur, nipping his earlobe.
“When my cock is fuckin’ filling you?”
I tremble. “You have a filthy fucking mouth, Johnny Black.”
He smirks. “You fuckin’ love my dirty mouth ...”
I bite my lip. I love the way those words roll off his tongue. I love the way his deep, husky voice flows from his lips when he talks to me like that. It’s a massive turn on. I need him. Now.
“You want me inside you?” he asks, pulling the truck over.
My eyes widen, and my heart flutters as I look around and see we’re in a parking lot. It’s not a busy parking lot, but it’s still public. Why does this thrill me? The idea of him fucking me and knowing that people can see?