Chapter 8

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 “Second Chance Romance”


2011 Copyright All Rights Reserved


Chapter 8    

   
    Jade let out an exaggerated sigh.  What was she doing?  Standing here, with nothing but a towel wrapped around her, kissing the daylights out of Oliver.  What kind of example was she setting for her daughter?  This was so unlike her it wasn’t even funny.


    Holding up her hand; she addressed Oliver.  “Can you please just give me a minute to put something on,” she said tiredly.  “We’ll talk later,” she told him, looking pointedly in Libby’s direction.  


    For a long minute Oliver just stood there; staring at her, his face void of any emotion.


    “I promise that we‘ll talk later,” she pressed further.  After a terse silence between them, he finally responded with a curt nod of his head.  Turning around, effectively dismissing her, he smiled down at Libby.  “Why don’t you show me what you were doing in the living room little bit.”


    Libby grinned from ear to ear.  She loved attention and especially when it came from Oliver.  He was always so nice to her and that made her feel extra special.  “O-tay,” she said excitedly.  “Follow me Olly.”


    Jade watched as her daughter held out her small hand and Oliver’s much larger one grasped it; letting the tiny child lead him into the living room.  That little display of affection warmed her deep to the marrow in her bones. 


    Seeing him; so tender with her daughter sparked a longing in Jade that she had never before even considered.  She wanted a family.  A whole family that included someone who could be a loving father to Libby as well as a good partner for herself.


    Could Oliver be that person?  She wrestled with the idea in her mind and decided that a decision didn’t have to be made tonight.  This time she had to be sure before she dove head first into a serious relationship.  She had to be certain because this time; she not only had herself to think about; she had a daughter too.


    When they disappeared from her sight; she quickly ran to the dryer and grabbed her clothes.  With the freshly warmed garments in her hand; she dashed back to her bedroom and dressed as fast as she could.  Standing in front of the mirror, she brushed her hair and noticed her still slightly swollen lips. 


    Setting the brush down on the bathroom sink; she touched her sensitive lips and reflected on the kiss.  She remembered the warmth of masculine lips covering her own.  The taste of coke and a hint of chocolate.  The feel of strong fingers tangling in her hair.  A kiss that blew her away but when she opened her eyes; to her own chagrin it wasn’t Oliver’s kiss that she was remembering.  It was Austin’s.


    Disappointed in herself, Jade stared at her frowning reflection in the mirror.  Why in the hell would she remember Austin’s kiss over Oliver’s.


    Austin was an ass.  She didn’t want a thing to do with him and if she never saw him again; that would suit her just fine.  Irritated with her self, she turned away from the mirror and headed out of the room. 


    She was determined to salvage what was left of the evening; enjoy a nice dinner with Oliver and her little girl and then when Libby was tucked into bed she would simply explain what happened on the street with Austin.


    That kiss only took her by surprise. It was a mistake and one that she had no intentions of repeating.


    “Mama,” Libby cried when she appeared in the doorway.  “You look pretty.”


    Jade bent down and picked up Libby.  “Why thank you little Miss.  You are looking mighty pretty yourself too.”  Libby giggled and hid her face in her mother’s neck.  Jade wrapped her arms around her and glanced up; her gaze meeting with Oliver’s.  “Are you hungry?” She asked him with a hint of a smile.


    At first his face was stiff and for a heart stopping second she thought that he may decide to leave before she had a chance to explain but then he flashed her that Emmy winning smile of his.  “Yeah, I do believe that I am.”


    The three of them sat down at the table and had a casual dinner.  Some of the tenseness left Oliver’s face and everything seemed surprisingly normal.  They joked and laughed while they ate.  After dinner; Oliver helped her rinse the dishes as she washed them.  Later in the evening he read to Libby and when the time came; Jade prompted that it was Libby's bed time.  Libby pouted but didn’t put up much of a fuss.  She carried her daughter to the back room and after changing her into her pajamas she tucked her into bed.


    “Good night muffin,” she whispered to her daughter.


    “Mama?” Libby said and then opened her small mouth to let out a huge yawn. 


    Jade chuckled.  “Yes baby?”  She responded, brushing the hair back off of her forehead.


    “Do you like Olly?”


    Jade thought for a second and nodded her head.  “Yeah, I do sweetie.  I like him a lot.  Why do you ask?”


    “Cause I like him too,” she said on another drawn out yawn. 


    “Good,” Jade replied and bent over to press a kiss to her daughter’s cheek.  “Get some sleep muffin and I’ll see you in the morning.”


    “O-tay.  Night-night mama.”


    Jade was already standing up and backing out of her room.  She turned off the light and pulled the door partially closed; leaving it cracked just enough to let a little light in so that she wouldn’t be scared.


    Walking back down the hall; she thought about Oliver and the talk that they were going to have.  When she stepped back into the living room he was sitting on the couch; staring at the blank screen of the TV.


    “She asleep?” he asked quietly.


    “Yeah,” Jade replied; wringing her hands and suddenly feeling nervous. 


    Oliver stood up and turned around to face her.  This time; the blank face was gone and in its place was a wealth of emotion.  “So,” he started and held out his hands.  “You kissed Austin.”


    He said it as more of an accusation; rather than a question and the way that it came out rubbed Jade the wrong way.


    “It wasn’t like that,” she countered. 


    A distorted laugh bellied from his chest.   “This isn’t rocket science.  It’s either you did or you didn’t Jade.”


    She huffed and defensively crossed her hands over her chest.  She didn‘t like the way that he was acting one bit.  “Yes, he kissed me and I was taken off guard.  It all happened so fast and when I realized what was happening I pushed him away and told him that he better not ever do it again.”


    Oliver stood there in front of her and stared at her thoughtfully.  The tension that spanned between them was thicker than molasses and Jade wished like hell he would just say something.


    “So that was it?“ Oliver finally spoke.  “He kissed you and you didn’t have any old feelings of lost love crop back up or anything.  You told him to get lost?”


    Actually, she did respond to him just like she always had.  In the past Austin always had a way to get behind her defenses and drive her mad.  But it wasn’t going to happen again.  Ever- because she would never let herself be caught up in a situation where Austin would have the opportunity to take advantage of her.


    She learned her lesson years ago the hard way.  She refused to repeat the same mistake twice.


    “No,” she said sounding exasperated.  “I don’t have feelings for Austin, not anymore.  What we had died years ago and yes, “ she breathed out, “I told him to take a hike.”


    Oliver took a step forward and placed his hands on her hip; pulling her close to him.  “Are you sure?”  He asked; his voice barely above a whisper.  “Because Jade; I think I’m falling for you and I don’t think I would be able to handle it if you went back to him.”


    The tremor in his voice was evident and Jade wanted nothing more at that moment than to kiss him again.  “I’m sure,” she said and then went on to tell him, “I think that I’m falling for you too.”


    “Good,” he leaned in with a crooked smile and ever so lightly brushed his lips against hers.  “That’s real good.”


    Jade closed her eyes and they kissed.  It didn’t last long and it was Oliver that regrettably pulled back.  When he did, she stuck out her lips in a distinctly feminine pout. 

     He chuckled after seeing her petulant expression and lifted his hand to touch her lips.  “I need to head down to the station,” he said; breaking up the moment.  “I have third shift tonight.”


    Jade frowned and stepped back out of his arms.  “Do you have to go?” She asked; staring up at him with wistful eyes.


    Oliver shook his head.  “Yeah, unfortunately I do.  Taylor’s wife is very pregnant and I told him that I would give him nights off until the babe arrived.  He was worried that she would go in labor at night and there would be no one to take her to the hospital.” 


    “In that case,” she shrugged, “I suppose I have to let you go.”


    “In that case,” he retorted, “I think I need one more thing before I go and you, Ms. Jade Sampson are the only one that can give it to me.”


    “Really?  And pray tell what that would be officer.”


    “This,” he replied; grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her up against him.  He covered her mouth and this time the kiss wasn’t as sweet as others.  There was something new in this kiss.  Something greedy, something exhilarating, something that left her wanting for more.


    When he was done and only when he was done, did Oliver release her.  She stayed rooted in place while Oliver had to force himself to turn away from her and head towards the door.  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he called out and in the very next second she heard the sound of the door being closed behind him.


    Unable to move quite yet; Jade could only stand where he left her and grin stupidly.  Several minutes passed when there was another brisk knock at the door; bringing Jade out of her dumb struck phase.


    Thinking that it was Oliver and maybe he was coming back for a repeat of their last kiss; she ran like a giddy school girl to the door.  

     She stopped behind the closed door and patted her cheeks in anticipation; before swinging it open wide.  “Oliv-,” she started and seeing who was on her porch she suddenly stopped, the bright smile dropping from her face.

     "Go away Austin," she seethed and moved to close the door.


    “Not this time, Jade.”  Austin stepped up and leaned against the edge of the door, making himself a permanent fixture there.  “We need to talk.”  


    “There is nothing to talk about,” Jade bit out between tightly clenched teeth.  Austin was the last person she wanted to see tonight, or any other night for that matter.  And she most certainly wasn’t up  to talking with the irritating man.


    “I beg to differ,” he quickly countered.  “I think there is a lot that we need to talk about; especially after what happened earlier this afternoon.”  His intense gaze pierced her, challenged her to argue with him.  “Because Jade; something did happen this afternoon, didn’t it?”


    They both stood there in the doorway and stare at each other.  “Nothing special,” she finally told him after a long minute had passed.  She even took a step backwards in an effort to get a better grip on the door.  “And nothing that I plan on repeating.  Good night Austin and have a great life,” she said with finality and for the second time in a matter of minutes she made an effort to close the door on him.


    “Oh no you don’t.  Not this time Jade.  This conversation has been a long time coming.”  Stepping forward, he gently grabbed Jade by her shoulders and with ease he lifted her up several inches off the ground, setting her back down inside the house.  “You ran from me the last few times that we have come face to face Jade.  This time- I’m not giving you the chance.  I need you to hear me out.”


    Jade was furious.  She wanted nothing more than to smack the living hell out of the man standing before her.  “I don’t want to hear you out,” she snapped in an angry whisper; keeping her voice down as to not wake up Libby.


    “Too bad,” he remarked in the same low, angry whisper.  He pushed past her as he walked into her house.  There shoulders just barely touched; more like rubbed against each other setting off a string of emotions that Jade had thought she had buried long ago. 


    The betrayal, the pain, the hurt and then the- longing.  The incessant longing for this particular man who had so easily claimed her heart all those years ago when they were just kids.  And that was a bitter pill for her to swallow because she didn’t want to feel anything at all for this man. Nothing whatsoever!


    ‘I’m guessing the kitchen is still this way?”  Austin didn’t bother to wait for an answer from Jade.  Just as pretty as he pleased, he made his way through her house as if he belonged there and that only added fuel to her anger.


    Closing her eyes, she breathed in; then breathed out really slow; reminding herself that her daughter was just a few rooms away, sleeping.  No matter what happens; she had to keep the noise down, for her sake at least.


    When she felt like she had control over herself, she took the same path that Austin had just taken and walked towards the kitchen.  As she approached the kitchen she was galled by the fact that he was making himself at home in her kitchen.


    He was running water in the Carafe for coffee and had taken down two mugs, setting them on the table.  “Have a seat,” he mumbled.


    That did it.  Jade was already walking a tight wire when he came to her control and this particular man.  That tight wire finally snapped and she felt like she was in a free fall headed for catastrophe.  She had to put a stop to this nonsense now.  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”


    Austin stopped what he was doing and looked up at Jade.  He raised his brow.  “What does it look like I’m doing?  I’m making coffee.  You seem a little tense and I thought this would mellow you out some.”


    “Mellow me out?” She asked, her tone showing her incredulousness.  “Are you serious?  I was doing just fine until you showed up on my doorstep, thank you very much.  If you want to mellow me out as you so casually put it; then leave and never come back!” 


    Austin turned back around and started to pour coffee into the two mugs that he had set out as if Jade had never said a word.  She wasn’t getting rid of him so easy this time.  “Sit down Jade,” he said calmly.  “And I suggest you keep your voice down unless you want to wake up that darling little girl of yours.  All we’re going to do is talk.”


    She glared at his back.  Didn’t she just tell him that she didn’t want to talk to him?  Why was he not listening to her?  It’s like everything that she had said, fell on deaf ears.  “Did you hear me Austin?  I said that I don’t want to talk to you.  Why Can’t you get that through that thick skull of yours?”


    He picked up the two mugs and slowly made his way to the table.  He sat one of the mugs in front of one chair and then he took the opposite chair and sat down himself.  Lifting the mug to his lips, he lightly blew the steam from the cup while keeping his gaze locked on Jades.  After a terse moment, he sipped the coffee and sat it back down on the table, never once leaving Jade’s eyes.  “Why not just take a seat Jade.  I’m not going anywhere until we have this conversation.”


    Jade watched him with narrow eyes before letting out a reluctant sigh.  It was obvious that the only way she was going to get rid of was to if she sat down and humored him with this conversation.  “Five minutes,” she told him as she pulled out the chair to the table.  “You have five minutes and then I want you gone.”


    “Fair enough,” Austin inclined his head.  He waited for her to get situated and could stop the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips when she picked up the coffee and blew away the steam that hovered above the liquid, much in the same manner that he had done just moments earlier.


    “What?” She asked, setting the mug away from her.


    “Nothing,” he shook his head.  “Look, first of all I want to tell you sorry for what happened to us.  What happened to you.” he clarified, his eyes taking on a peculiar seriousness that she wasn’t used to when in came to Austin Giles.  “I was a stupid kid and I know that doesn’t excuse me from what happened-”


    Jade opened her mouth to tell him that it was too late for apologies now but Austin held up his hand to her; palm facing out.  “Please, just hear me out first,” he pleaded.


    She frowned but nodded, “Go on.”


    Austin took a breath before he started again.  “As I said, I know that what I did is inexcusable and I don’t expect you to forgive me for it neither.  But, none of that changed the way that I felt about you.  Feel,” he corrected himself.  “I loved you Jade.  At seventeen years old; I loved you with all my heart and knew even then that what we had was something so special that very few have the opportunity to experience it in a lifetime.  Unfortunately, in a moment of pure stupid dumbness on my part; I ruined it.  I stole a very important part of our relationship from the both of us and ruined our very special relationship-  that part being trust.”


    Jade was staring down at the table now, her hands cupping the mug tightly.  He was right on so many levels and to hear him admit everything, was killing her.  He knew what he had done and yet he did nothing to avoid it from happening.


    “Jade,” he whispered and reached for one of her hands.  She hesitated before letting him take it; enclosing it in his own much larger hands.  “After that kiss that we shared on the sidewalk, one thing has become crystal clear to me; that love that brought us together was still there.  My heart has always belonged to you and will never belong to anyone else.  I love you now just as much as I did five years ago and I believe,” he paused to squeeze her hand; willing her to look up at him.  She didn‘t disappoint him.  With watery eyes, she lifted her gaze to meet his.  “I believe that you love me too.”


    Jade shook her head back and forth and ripped her hand from his.  Feeling unbalanced, she stood up from her chair and struggled to hold back the sob threatening to break free.  She didn’t want to feel anything for this man.  She didn’t trust herself when he was around.  He alone, had the power to break her like no other and that was a risk she couldn’t afford to take.  Now that she was a mother; she wouldn’t allow it.  “No, Austin.  Please, please don’t go there.”


    “Jade, I have to.  It’s the only way to make you see.  I love you and I’m not giving up on you.  Tell me that you didn’t feel anything earlier,” he challenged.  Standing up, he stepped away from the table and took a step in her direction.  “Tell me that when I touch you; you don’t burn and ache for me the same way that I do for you.  Can you tell me that Jade?  Can you deny your own feelings?”


    Tears started to fall down her cheeks.  She couldn’t deny him or any of those things

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