Ice and Fire novel Chapter 83

Jackson did not respond in haste. Instead, he lifted Sally's chin with his fingers and caressed her. He carefully measured her delicate face with his gaze.

"You tell me", Jackson finally retorted.

Sally knew already that Jackson had no intension of answering her question. She came forward in a jiffy, kissed his lips and did not let it go until several minutes had passed.

Staring deep into his eyes, she spoke intently, "Jackson, I love you."

Slowly moving forward, she pressed her breasts against his chest. Her face only inches away from his, she whispered into his ears tantalisingly, "And I want you."

Jackson didn't push her away. He reached for her waist. Although Sally was perfectly beautiful and she had been loved by him before, Jackson had never felt his heartbeats accelerate in her presence. On the contrary, the only woman whose beauty could take his breath away, had now become his pain spot.

Feeling his hands on her waist, Sally smiled and thought Jackson was still attracted by her charm and he still loved her, thus wanting her body. Tonight, she would do anything to bring him to his knees.

She started to unbutton her blouse. She continued to undress slowly, making sure to get Jackson restless.

Just when she was about to take off her G-string, Jackson suddenly grabbed her hands and stopped her midway.

Taken aback by this suddenness, she looked at Jackson puzzled and muttered, "What's wrong?"

He collected her clothes, that she had taken off only moments ago, and put them back on Sally's naked body. Then, he pushed her away.

Jackson set off, taking several hesitant steps forward, until he finally stopped and turned back to look at her one last time, "I'm leaving. Goodbye."

But even before he could leave the room, Sally ran forward and embraced him from behind. She cried, "Jackson, please, don't leave me alone! I'm so scared. I need your presence."

And yet, her pleading tears couldn't touch Jackson's heart. For him, her coquetry meant nothing.

Deliberately moving her hands away from his chest, Jackson turned round and looked into her eyes with an intense gaze. He stroked her cheek tenderly and said, "Be good. Now, go to bed. I have to go."

With those words, Jackson went away.

Sally stood there, still for a long time. Tears streaming down her face, she stared at the fading silhouette of Jackson and she screamed desperately, "Cherry has left, will you refuse me forever?"

The thought of Cherry stabbed through Jackson's heart like a sharp knife.

He got into his car in a fury, started the engine and drove away.

His hatred of Cherry had deepened. That dammed woman had dared to leave him! If she ever met him in the future, she would have to pay the price. Nobody could get away with provoking him.

Instead of going to the military's residential compound, he drove at full speed to his apartment.

Jackson entered the house, walking inside slowly. His heart ached at the sight of the familiar decoration.

He looked around the living room, then went upstairs, as though dragging his heavy heart. The memories of him carrying Cherry upstairs flashed across his eyes.

As he pushed the bedroom door open, he was overwhelmed by a gust of coldness. The absence of her fragrance and breath froze his heart.

Jackson walked inside, stroking the familiar quilt and looked at the still intact wedding pictures, reminded of the happy face of Cherry.

Slow tears streamed down his face. Cherry's perfect being brought back to his memories, "Where are you, babe?", he muttered.

"Why didn't you come back? Without you, I might as well die!"

Late that night, he still stood there, unable to control his sadness. He hardly felt sleepy. The bed before him seemed too large for his lone body to lie on.

He walked to the French window of the balcony, and sat down unthinking, holding his legs with hands. He stared at the sky, studded with twinkling stars. The thoughts of Cherry engulfed him again, like an unending darkness.