Craving Jessica

Chapter 11

Jessica POV

"Wh... what?" I stuttered out, clearly not expecting her to ask something like that.

What does she mean, how and why did I get married to her son? Did she perhaps suspect something?

Without even realizing it, my fists tightened against the tablecloth. My eyes stayed fixed downward, not wanting to meet hers.

"Um... I... uh... please, I don't get you, ma'am," I murmured quietly, then finally lifted my gaze to her.

"Oh, sorry." The pointed look on her face softened immediately, obviously noticing how her words were affecting me.

"I didn't mean it that way, you know..." she said with a warm smile.

"I'm just curious, that's all... why you married him despite his cold attitude. With this beauty of yours, millions of men would be ready to worship your feet. But Marcus..." She waved her hands in the air, almost dramatically. "I just don't know how to explain it. I hope he doesn’t treat you bad, seeing how he was so controlling just now?"

Relief slipped into my chest, so subtle I almost sighed out loud. Oh... so that’s what she meant? And here I was thinking she had somehow found out that my marriage with Marcus was just an act, that we didn’t love each other. That was supposed to stay between us. If anyone found out, Marcus wouldn’t take it lightly with me.

"Oh yeah." I forced out a small smile quickly.

"He's really good to me. Though sometimes he can be a little extra, but he’s caring," I lied smoothly.

She exhaled sharply. "Yeah, you’re right," she said, leaning back into her chair while keeping her gaze locked on mine.

"You know, Marcus wasn’t always like this before. He’s naturally a cold person, but after an incident five years ago... it got worse. And the problem is, he’s not ready to be redeemed. He thinks by treating people like trash, he’s doing the right thing. Not knowing he’s only making it worse. Now... the reason I’m telling you this, Jessica..." She leaned forward, clasping her palms together on the table.

"Is because I like you. I’ve seen you’re a good person and you’re the kind of person Marcus needs. I trust you can help him with his issues right? Promise me you’re going to help change him aren't you?" She reached forward for my hands, holding them firmly, her eyes pulling mine in.

My chest tightened instantly. She seemed like a good woman... but there’s no way I could promise her that. I mean everything is way more complicated than that and If only she knew....Yeah, if only she knew that while I was married to one of her sons, my body and soul craved the other.

"Jessica..." she pressed again, giving my hands a light squeeze.

"What do you say?"

I kept staring at her, my lips frozen. God, what do I say now?

---

Ethan POV

"Jesus, babe, have you been eating at all? Gawd, you look so thin!" Karin’s voice practically screamed from the other end of the line as she studied my face through the video call.

"Um... yeah, not really, I’ve been sick but have been on drugs. When did you say you’re coming again?" I asked, trying to change the topic because there’s no way I could tell her the truth—that I’ve been like this because I made a sin and now I’m punishing myself for it.

"Next month. Yeah, I know you’re disappointed because it was supposed to be this week. But you know Jenna’s still new to this marriage thing, and I want to stay for some time to keep her company."

"Oh... ok." I swallowed hard, a sharp sting pressing against my chest.

Gawd... I’d been thinking she would be coming back this week. Maybe then I could finally get over this Jessica mess once and for all. Didn’t know she was gonna stay another month. F**k.

"It’s okay, bae," she said with a small smile, clearly noticing the sad look on my face. "I understand how you’re feeling now, but don’t worry. Everything will be over soon and I’ll be back soon."

I forced myself to nod.

"Alright.Um... babe, there’s something I want to tell you..." I started, my voice low.

Her brows lifted curiously. "What is it?"

"I..." My throat tightened all of a sudden. gawd how the hell do I tell her that while she was away, my brother brought home his wife... and his wife started seducing me... and in a bid to resist her, I ended up in another woman’s bed?

"Come on, babe, tell me what’s going on?" she urged again when I stayed silent.

I exhaled sharply and tried. "Actually, when you were away, I..." I paused, taking in a deep breath. She leaned closer to the phone, her brows knitting.

"Yes? When I was away... what? Did you kill someone?"

"No, that’s not it, bae. Never mind just For....forget about it. it’s nothing," I said quickly, dismissing it.Hell there’s no way I could tell her. It would definitely stir up trouble Karin might be sweet, but I know exactly where her sweetness ends.

"Are you really sure?" she pressed again, her brows raised. "You know I hate it when you hide things from me. If I find out myself, it’s always going to be trouble. You sure you still don’t want to tell me?"

"Nope, it’s not like that. I think it’s best if we discuss it when you come back. It’s not something to discuss on the phone, you know..." I said, my voice coming out a bit frazzled.

"Oh, alright then. Well...If there’s nothing else to talk about, I’ll hang up now..."

"No, wait one more thing, Karin—" But before I could even finish, she’d already hung up.

I exhaled sharply as I stared at the now blank screen this is how it’s been these past few days now. Recently, I’ve noticed Karin's seemingly becoming detached she’s always in a hurry to hang up and our calls no longer end with the usual ‘I love you, bae.’ And all this was even before I found out she was planning to extend her stay in Spain until next month.

And of course her reason still doesn’t sit right with me. Like what does she mean she wants to accompany her friend into marriage?

But I didn’t want to overthink it. No matter what, Karin would always remain a sweetheart to me and If only I hold myself together for a few more weeks and maybe try to resist this Jessica temptation.

At the thought of her made an instant stomach flip. I gritted my teeth immediately and set my phone down.

Hell, ever since the stupid thing I did because of her last week, I’ve been trying to ignore her... or avoid her completely. But nothing heck nothing works. Even now, my body still responds to just the thought of her, and worst of all—I still have those wet dreams about her.

"Argghh!" I groaned, pressing my hands to my head, as soon as I closed my eyes, her face appeared.

"F**k!" My teeth clenched hard as I tried to push the thoughts away but as usual they wouldn’t leave. It’s like she’s stuck in my head.

Even though I’ve stayed in this room for almost a week now, only coming out when necessary, I still feel her. She doesn’t even have to be near me for me to hear her voice... or feel the heat coming off her body. Sometimes, I swear I still smell her perfume even though she’s never stepped inside here.

I don’t know if it’s just my messed-up mind playing tricks on me, but at this rate, it’s safe to say I’m going crazy. Yeah... and I’m going crazy for her.

Jessica POV

I was lying in bed, staring into the dark, restless and unable to sleep, when an unexpected knock came at our room door.

My eyes flicked to the large wall clock as I wondered who it could be the time says 10 p.m. and of course the maids and servants would have gone to sleep by now, so it couldn’t be them. And Marcus—he hasn’t even returned from work yet but he never knocked before coming in.

So... who could it be?

I sat up slowly, my heartbeat picking up without warning. Pulling my nightie tighter around me, I swung my legs off the bed and moved toward the door, my bare feet making soft sounds against the floor. My fingers wrapped around the knob, twisting it with slow caution. The hinges gave a slight creak as the door began to open.

"Who’s—"

I didn’t even finish the word when a sudden hand clamped around my wrist. I gasped sharply, my breath catching in my throat.

"Who the—" I opened my mouth to scream, but before I could, I was yanked into another room. My back slammed hard against the wall, the cold surface biting into my skin through the thin fabric. Two large hands came up against me almost immediately caging me in them, their heat closing in around me.

My chest rose and fell fast. My eyes lifted, slowly, almost afraid of what I would see.

"Ethan?" My voice came out small, shocked as I stared at him. His face was pale, like he hadn’t seen sunlight in days, but his eyes, God—his eyes were burning. There was something dangerous there, something that made my knees weaken even as I pressed harder against the wall.

"Y—you’re a witch, aren’t you?" He rasped his voice low but sharp, almost breaking. "Because tell me... how the hell did you manage to haunt my mind for one full f**king week?"

His breath hit my face, hot and uneven. My lips parted, but my throat felt dry.

"W... what do you mean?" I stuttered and noticed his eyes darkened even more.

"Fine. You win."He muttered his eyes not leaving mine even for a second. "I want you as bad as you want me."

My heart slammed in my chest, but my body stayed frozen.

"But just know..." His voice dropped, slower now, each word thick and heavy. "...once I st

art, there’s no going back." He said and before my mind could catch up he leaned forward and crashed his lips against mine.