Unexpectedly, Mutually Yours

Chapter 7

Jackson was positively horrified to realize that Madison was the one standing outside the front door of his and Mollie's penthouse on New York's Upper East Side.

Mollie was at a prenatal yoga class, and he had managed to answer the doorman's call that someone was there to see him. Yes, Jacob, his doorman had said that the visitor was for Jackson, and not for Mollie. A sinking feeling was in his gut, and he immediately texted Mollie about their unwanted visitor. She wouldn't see it right away, but Jackson knew that it was the right thing to do because of their conversation in his hospital room over a month ago.

Madison seemed surprised when he pulled out his phone and texted Mollie... not only that, she looked insulted. He didn't care, but admittedly, it proved he was right to distrust her.

"So, where's little Mollie?" Madison quickly pulled herself together and made her jab.

Jackson narrowed his eyes. "Prenatal Yoga a block away. It's good for her. The OB/GYN suggested it. It started about seventeen minutes ago.... And it's a half-hour class. She'll be back before too awful long. The better question, of course, is why the hell you're here."

Madison shot him a haughty glance. "I'm her sister."

"When was the last time you came to visit then? When was the last time you called or texted or emailed, or sent a letter, Madison? Give me a break. You don't care about Mollie. Or if you do, it's for what she can do for you and nothing more. And besides, if you came at the one time during the week she's not here, and asked for me and not for your sister, I have to assume you have something up your sleeve. Luckily, with my shoulder and hips the way they are, I know at least one thing can't happen..."

His eyes glared at her. She tried to look innocent, but Jackson realized that she'd probably forgotten or chosen to ignore the fact that he was injured... His jaw clenched.

"Ah. Well, Madison- as I told you just a second ago, I couldn't even if I wanted to. But the part you should listen really close to is the fact that even if I could, I wouldn't. For one thing, I loathe you. You treat Mollie and everyone else like pawns in your twisted chess game... not an attractive quality. But even more importantly- I love Mollie. She's the only woman I've ever really wanted. And damned if you try to ruin that. Get this through your head, Madison; I am never going to fuck you. We are never going to be together like that. I am married. The only person aside from a doctor who gets to look in my briefs is Mollie- your sister... my wife. I know marriage- the sanctity of it means nothing to you... but I swear, if you try this crap again, I will have to do something drastic. And you won't like it. Honestly, I'm thinking about doing one of those things regardless..."

Madison's facial expression shifted about twenty times during his speech.

After a pause which could have been twenty seconds, Madison huffed. "Why are you so stuffy? Surely little Mollie doesn't know how to satisfy a real man- and an older man like you... why not have some fun? She's so clueless, she'll never know."

Jackson's jaw clenched yet again and his eyes flashed. "You better leave now. I won't stand here and have my morals, dignity- and certainly, not my wife's insulted by the likes of you."

Madison rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Why don't you answer the question?"

Jackson gritted his teeth. Still against the door frame, not allowing her into his and Mollie's home.

"First of all, Mollie isn't clueless, she's been onto you since the beginning. Plus, I would give it away... we are honest with each other... and we know each other so well that I could never get away with lying to her. But again, I would never cheat on my wife. Never. And here's a news flash, Madison" he hissed, fighting the urge to push her out of his sight.