Jessie's pov
I take a bite of pizza and close my eyes to savor it. I think my favorite part is the cheeseâthe salty, sour taste that arouses my taste buds.
"So why aren't you at your house?" I ask him.
"It's quiet and soulless," Grey replies.
"You can give it life with your presence."
"It's not like this house. The memories here keep me company. Every corner of this house holds something I remember." He shakes his head. "I'm where I always wanted to be in life, but I feel more empty and lonely than ever."
"You shouldn't be. You worked too hard to feel this way," I say softly.
"I was working for us, Jessie. I have everything I wanted, but I don't have you. That was never part of the plan. Now, I don't know how to enjoy any of it because you were always supposed to be here with me. And now... you're not. I don't know what to do with my life anymore."
I feel his pain because I've felt it too. He was my first love, the one who made me believe I could be loved. He saw what I could be before I became it, made me feel worthy of something. But then he started flirting with other women, and that thought ruins the moment. I don't think I'll ever get past it. Even my love isn't strong enough to do that.
"I'm going to sleep. You can use the other bedroom," I say, standing up.
Grey stands up with me immediately. "Why can't we sleep together?" he asks.
"Because... I'm married. It's complicated," I say, surrendering to the truth.
"It's just an agreement. You told me that yourself. And you're here because you left him, right?" he pushes.
"Grey..." I whisper as he steps closer.
"Why can't I share a bed with you, Jessie? Why can't I hold you, kiss you, when you were mine first? That marriageâit's a sham, and he's just a stranger who took what was never his to begin with." His voice is soft, inching closer and closer.
"Please..." I say, though I don't know if I'm begging him to stop or to continue.
He chooses the latter. He cups my face, and his lips find mine with a hunger I've never felt before. I take a moment before I kiss him back.
But something feels off. Guiltâthat's what it is. I feel like I'm betraying someone, but I can't tell if it's Grey, Oliver, or myself.
I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, kissing him harder, hoping it will feel right, like it always used to. I feel Grey's hand sneak under my T-shirt, cupping my breast. I wait for that uncontrollable heat to come, but it doesn't.
Quickly, I push him away. "I can't do this. Not this way."
"Yes, you can," Grey says. He looks down, and I follow his gaze to the bulge in his pants, making me more aware of the situation. "It's me, baby. Your Grey."
I take a step back, my mind hazy with confusion. Without another word, I turn on my heels and rush to my bedroom, locking the door behind me.
Oliver's POV
She left.
I'm not surprised. Subconsciously, I wanted this, but that's the problem. Most things seem doable in our minds until they actually happen, and reality contrasts sharply with the expected outcome.
I wipe my face and find one of my painkillers. I toss it to the back of my throat, take a gulp of water, and swallow. As I head to the bathroom, I notice all her shampoos and conditioners still there.
I inhale deeply and take out my phone. I open my gallery and stare at the photos my man sent me. Of course, she would run back to him.
Greyson. If I didn't hate him, I'd be impressed. He's a young man who rose from rags to riches. He's a CFOâbigger than the CEO, really. He controls the money, and he's built himself a reputation. He's good at what he does.
Maybe I should just let her be with him. They have historyâa long one. I should let her father win. After all, who am I building this empire for? I'm dying, and Cara has her own wealth from her father and the Nickels. Her generation is sorted. So, who am I doing this for?
Jessie was rightâI've lost my mind. How I handled the situation was uncalled for. I didn't rise to this level by acting immaturely. I've built and retained business relationships through communication. That's what I'll do now.
I'll drive there, apologize, and give her my blessing to be with her boyfriend. This should never have gone this far.
I raise my hand to knock but stop midway. What if she isn't here? I go ahead and ring the bell. I decide not to ring it againâif she doesn't open, I'll tell myself I tried.
To my disappointment, she opens the door. Every thought I had vanishes once I see her. Her hair is wet, and her T-shirt is drenched in water and color. I glance down at herâIs she wearing only a T-shirt?
"It's you?" she says flatly.
"The enthusiasmâI could die for it," I answer sarcastically. Why am I being sarcastic? I'm never this immature. Why do I act like this around her?
"Did I forget something?" she asks.
"No, but I'm here to apologize," I say before I ruin it further.
"Okay, apology accepted. You can leave now."
She tries to shut the door, but I stop her. "I want us to talkâhave a real conversation," I say.
"What is there to talk about?" she asks.
"Let me in first," I beg.
She stares at me for a moment before saying, "Okay."
Chapter 4O is now available at Inkitt.