Liv Constantine - The Last Mrs. Parrish

When Jackson looked up at her, his eyes were filled with confusion and pain. “She laughed about it? How could she?”

She put her arms around his neck and pulled him close to her. “I don’t understand it either. Let me help you,” she said, kissing his cheek.

He pushed her away again. “Amber, no. This is wrong.”

“Wrong? And what she’s done is right? Betraying you? Laughing at you?” Amber rose and stood before him once again. “Let me make you feel good. It doesn’t have to change anything.”

He shook his head. “I can’t think right now.”

“I’m here for you. That’s all you have to think about.” She slowly untied the sash of her robe and let it fall from her shoulders, standing before him in only the lace panties. He looked up at her, and she pulled his head toward her until it was buried against her belly. She pushed him back so she could straddle his lap, and once she had, she put her mouth against his ear and whispered how much she wanted him as she moved her hips and ground against him.

She found his lips and thrust her tongue deep inside his mouth. She felt his resistance weaken as he pulled her closer to him and returned her kiss.

Their lovemaking was fierce and powerful. They barely let go of each other when they moved into the bedroom in the middle of the night. Finally, at dawn, they fell into a deep and satisfying slumber.

Amber awoke first. She turned on her side and looked at Jackson, sleeping next to her. He had been an expert lover, an added bonus and one she hadn’t expected. She was so used to planning every move that it now seemed impossible that their being alone together in the apartment had happened so serendipitously. She closed her eyes and lay back against the pillow. Jackson stirred beside her, and then she felt his hand gliding up her thigh.

They stayed in bed until after twelve, dozing off and on. Amber was still half asleep when Jackson got up to shower and dress. He was in the kitchen making coffee when she came out, now in a long white T-shirt of Daphne’s.

“Good morning, Superman.” She moved toward him, but he backed away.

“Listen, Amber. This can’t happen again. I’m sorry. I love Daphne. I would never want to hurt her. You understand, don’t you?”

Amber felt as if she’d been struck. She took a moment to think things through, to alter her game plan. There was no way she was going to let him cast her aside. “Of course I understand, Jackson. Daphne’s my best friend, and the last thing I would ever want is for her to be hurt. But don’t beat yourself up. You’re a man, and you have needs. There’s no reason for you to be ashamed of that. I’m here for you whenever you want. Just between us. Daphne doesn’t need to know.”

Jackson looked at her. “That’s hardly fair to you.”

“I would do anything for you, so hear me again: Whenever you want. No questions asked, no strings attached, and no spilling secrets.” She put her arms around his neck and felt his close around her.

“You’re making it impossible for me to resist you,” he whispered, his lips against her ear.

She pulled slightly away and looked up into his eyes as her hand moved below his waist to caress him.

“Ah.” He put his head back and closed his eyes in pleasure.

“Why would you try to resist me?” Her voice was silky. “I told you. I’m here for you. Come to me for whatever you need. Our little secret.”

Amber clutched a silky pillow to her, closing her eyes to get a few more minutes of sleep. She and Jackson had been sleeping together for over two months now, and they had stayed up all night making love. She was drifting off again when she felt him shaking her arm.

“You’ve got to get up. I forgot! Matilda’s here to clean.”

Her eyes flew open. “What should I do?”

“Get dressed! Go in the guest room and make it look like you stayed there last night. We’ll have to make something up for Daphne.”

Annoyed, she threw on the robe at the foot of the bed and ran down the hallway to the guest room. Would it be so terrible if Daphne found out? Yes, it was too soon. She had to make sure he was firmly in her grasp before anything happened to jeopardize her position. Outside of his office she was the consummate professional, but inside, with the door shut, she used every trick at her disposal to make sure he couldn’t get enough of her. It got a little tiresome — especially his affinity for blow jobs — but she could retire her services after she had a ring on her finger. And afterward, she demanded nothing and went about the day as if they had nothing more than a professional relationship. They usually stayed together at the apartment a few nights a week. She loved that the best. Waking up next to him, in that fabulous apartment, as if it was all hers. Now she made sure to schedule late appointments and dinners for him so he’d be more inclined to spend the night, and she always had an overnight bag at the ready.

It was becoming harder and harder to play the part of Daphne’s best friend. She hated having to pretend that she was nothing more than Jackson’s assistant; that she didn’t know every inch of his body probably better than his own wife did. For now, though, she had to play it cool. But when Daphne phoned to send her on an errand, she was livid.

“Amber, dear. Can you do me a big favor?” Daphne had asked.

“What is it, Daphne?”

“Bella has a party to go to and needs an accessory for one of her American Girl dolls. I just can’t get into the city in time. Would you mind picking it up for me and bringing it to the house?”

She damn well did mind. She wasn’t Daphne’s servant. Amber had planned to stay overnight at the apartment, but now she had to change her plans.

“Certainly, Daphne, what is it?” she said with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

“She wants the Pretty City Carriage. They’re going to pretend they’re in Central Park. I’ve called and charged it already. They’re holding it in your name.”

Amber was still fuming when her train got in to Bishops Harbor just before six. She took a cab right to their house and wondered if Jackson had returned from his business trip yet.

When she arrived, Daphne was in the kitchen with the girls, and Jackson was nowhere in sight.

“Ah, you’re a doll. Thank you!” Daphne gushed. Tilting her head toward Bella, she went on, “I would have had a major meltdown on my hands if you hadn’t come through.”

Amber forced a smile. “Can’t have that.”

“Drink?” Daphne held up a bottle of red wine, half empty. It was a little early for her, Amber thought.

“Just one. I have a date with Gregg tonight,” she lied. She didn’t want to get stuck here all night. “I see you’ve gotten a head start.”

Daphne shrugged and poured a glass for Amber. “TGIF.”

Amber accepted the glass and took a sip. “Thanks. Where’s Jackson?”

Daphne rolled her eyes. “In his office, where else?” She lowered her voice so the girls wouldn’t hear and stood closer to Amber. “Honestly, he’s been gone all week, and the first thing he does when he gets home is complain that Bella left her shoes in the hall.” She shook her head. “Sometimes it’s easier when he’s away.”

Don’t worry, honey , Amber wanted to tell her. You won’t have to put up with it for long. She put on her concerned face instead. “You’re ruining my fantasy of marriage.” She laughed.

“It’s okay. After he cooled down, he and I had a little afternoon delight. It was the first time in a while.” She put her hand up to her mouth. “I can’t believe I just told you that! Enough about me, tell me more about what’s going on with Gregg.” She linked her arm in Amber’s, and they went into the sunroom, Daphne calling over her shoulder, “Sabine, please give the girls their baths when they’ve finished eating.”