Obsessed

I settle onto the couch my eyes scanning the room, noticing all of the jewelry boxes have been removed from their spot on the table. I don't see them anywhere.

He reappears carrying two half-filled wine glasses. "For you." He hands one to me before sitting beside me. He crosses his long legs as he skims his hand across the black material removing a stray piece of lint. His black trousers, coupled with the black dress shirt he's chosen offers a muted look I haven't seen him in before.

I take a long sip. "It's delicious."

He smiles before speaking. "How was your day?"

"It was fine." I enjoy another swallow.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing exciting. I rested, sketched some new designs ideas, and tidied." I place the wine glass down before turning to face him. "What did you do?"

He ignores the question as he leisurely takes a sip. "Did you talk with Mark or Liz today?"

I sigh out of sheer frustration. "No. I didn't."

"Are you going to?"

"I should at some point, no?" I retort.

"No, you shouldn't, Ivy." He once again brings the wine glass to his lips, his gaze falling from my face to the glass.

"I should. I need to."

"Why?" He places the glass down next to mine before turning his body to face me.

"I need to put this to rest and I can't do that until I talk to Liz, at least."

"What exactly happened?" He rests his arm on the back of the sofa, his index finger leisurely running a small circle along my bare shoulder.

I shiver from the touch knowing that my erect nipples are pressing against the material of the sheer sleeveless dress Jax chose for me to wear. I search his face looking for some of the understanding I saw not more than a few hours ago.

"It will help if you talk about it, beautiful." His hand reaches for mine. "Please tell me."

I take

a deep breath. "They've been sleeping together for years."

"Who?"

"Mark and Liz," I say the words quickly, hoping that it will help to ward off the tears I can feel approaching.

"Mark was sleeping with your best friend?" His hand drops mine as he reaches for his wine. He empties the glass in one gulp before I have a chance to answer.

"Yes. I found out last night."

"He told you?" He leans back just a bit as if to gain more perspective. His eyes scan my face searching for answers.

"No." I shake my head slowly from side-to-side. "Liz was already at my apartment when he got there and she overheard us talking and she put two and two together, and..."

"Jesus." He stands quickly picking up his wine glass. "Nothing is off limits to that asshole."

"What does that mean?" I call after him as he disappears into the kitchen.

He strides back into the room, the wine glass, now completely full, gripped firmly in his hand. "You didn't know until last night that she was one of the women he was sleeping with?"

"How do you know there was more than one?" I try to recall when Jax first asked about Mark and if I offered that he had more than one lover.