“I almost got kicked off the team my senior year for using uppers and steroids to improve performance. It was a big scandal for the team and Dad was banned from coming to any further games, though with our money, they managed to keep it a secret so my college prospects weren’t damaged. My coach called Ellen directly to make sure she understood what had been going on. She was horrified and so guilty. If she’d been around more, maybe she would’ve known he was teaching his underage son to use chemicals to improve his performance. They divorced and I continued playing, but I’d learned those lessons well. Too well. It’s probably a very good thing I got hurt. I wasn’t even playing—I was driving home for the holidays, high as a kite and running on no sleep after finals week. Hit a patch of ice and spun out. My car slid off down into some trees so they didn’t find me until daylight. By then, the drugs had worn off, thank God, but my knee was twisted up in the accident pretty bad. I never played again.”
“When did you decide to become a lawyer like your mother?”
“After I lost baseball. It was a wake-up call for me, so I thought. I didn’t want to end up like Dad, where winning was everything and if a little sneaky dirty pool was necessary, so be it. Given that most people associate attorneys with sharks, I guess I probably picked the wrong profession. I turned all of my competitive nature onto law. I killed myself to get my grades back up and managed to get into Harvard Law. Passed the bar exam on my first shot and turned down every offer to join Ellen’s firm here in Chicago. At last, I was going to spend time with my mother and really get to know her.”
He laughed wryly and swallowed to clear the lump out of his throat. “Everything and nothing changed. I saw her, sure, but I never really got to know her any more than I already did. I always knew she loved me, that she’d do anything for me. She’d show up for as many games as possible and cheer as loudly as any other mom, but she might also have to get up and find a quiet spot to have a business conversation. She worked long hours and didn’t do any of the normal mom things. We didn’t do bake sales or PTA meetings and Dad did the cooking. We hired out everything else. But she was there for me, you know? I never worried about telling her anything, except when it came to Dad. I hid how mean he was, because I didn’t want her to feel bad for leaving me with him so much.”
“You love her very much.” Her fingers combed through his hair, lulling him toward sleep. “I understand why you’ve been working so hard to ensure she wins the vote.”
He fought to keep his eyes open and tried to lift his head. She’d seen to his need, but he hadn’t taken care of hers.
Her fingers tightened in his hair, keeping his head pinned down to her chest. “There’s plenty of time for that after you take a nap.”
“Promise?”
“You got it. Now let me hold you while you get a little sleep.”
He wanted to protest and insist that he at least make her climax once, but it was incredibly nice to have her there taking care of him. To fall asleep in her arms, to not be alone. He’d fallen apart and she still cared. She hadn’t turned away from him in disgust. The handful of people who’d stood by him even when he screwed up was extremely small. Yet maybe he could add her name to that list.
The bed was ridiculously fluffy, lifting him toward sleep. He laughed groggily. “Damn, this bed is heavenly. Like a cloud. Can’t believe I never slept in it before.”
His words slurred together, but he was pretty sure she understood because she laughed too. “Ride your cloud to sleep, Angel.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jackson might not have had much food in the kitchen, but he did have a coffee pot. Actually, he had two, but one was a complicated espresso machine that she’d probably need a foot-thick manual in order to operate. Diana opened the cabinet above the regular coffee pot and found a brand new can of coffee. She didn’t recognize the brand—evidently even coffee had designer brand names—but it smelled good and was already ground. “God bless you, Louisa.”
While the coffee brewed, she looked in the fridge. A whole carton of eggs, goat cheese, and in the freezer, English muffins. Whatever he was paying Louisa, he ought to double it.
The last thing she expected was a quiet knock on the door at seven in the morning. There wasn’t a peephole but with the guard desk downstairs, she was fairly confident they wouldn’t have let a complete stranger come up to his door. She’d grabbed his dress shirt from last night and put on her panties, but that’s it. Her hair was a mess and her makeup had smeared, but she’d found a brand new toothbrush in the cabinet. Hopefully she wouldn’t scare off an important guest.
As soon as she opened the door, she recognized Ellen, Jackson’s mother. She had his golden good looks, and despite the early hour, wore an impeccable shell-pink suit that must have cost a mint. Dismay swept over her in a swift rush, followed quickly by resignation. She wasn’t at her best. But it probably wouldn’t matter anyway.
“I’m Ellen Montgomery, Jackson’s mother. I hope I didn’t disturb you, but I didn’t have the opportunity to meet you last night.”
Diana shook her offered hand and stepped back, opening the door wider so the woman could enter. “I’m Diana Temple. Jackson’s still in bed. Would you like for me to wake him?”
“No, no, please don’t.” Ellen looked around as if she’d never seen his condo. Maybe she hadn’t. She saw the fresh steaming cup of coffee Diana had just poured. “May I have a cup? I’d love to just have a quiet talk with you.”
Of course, I’d love to sit down bright and early on a Saturday morning with my boyfriend’s mother who I’ve never met and have a chat. While I’m wearing his shirt and little else.
She poured another cup and brought it to the small cafe-style table. As if she wore an equally beautiful suit, she sat across from his mother and sipped from the delicate bone china cup. The humor of the situation made her mouth quirk. At least it couldn’t get much worse, right?
“I’m sorry to barge in on you like this, but Jackson’s never brought a date to the company party. That told me you were something special.”
Pleased but still not sure what his mother really wanted, Diana smiled over her cup. “It’s fine, though it’ll totally freak him out if he wakes up and stumbles in here.”
Ellen smiled back. “He’s happy?”
Her smile faltered a little, not because she thought he wasn’t happy, but from the sadness of the situation. They worked at the same firm day in and day out, yet his mother was reduced to asking a complete stranger if her son was happy. Diana decided to push a little, to see how much Ellen knew about his addiction. How hard he’d been pushing himself for her. “He will be, if I have anything to do with it.”
Ellen dropped her gaze and sighed. “It’s been a rough few months. I’ve hardly seen him and I know he’s running himself into the ground trying to make the impossible happen.”
“Do you?” Diana sharpened her voice. “Do you honestly know the lengths he’s gone to trying to win this vote for you? And for what? So he can work even longer hours in the future? How long has he owned this condo?”
Jackson had definitely inherited his haughty pride from her. “I… Honestly, I have no idea.”
Softening her voice, Diana said, “Last night was the first night he’s slept in his bed.”
Ellen’s defensive stance melted away and her eyes pooled with tears. “He’s using again.”
“Was. He’s clean now and seeing a therapist again.”
“Your work?”
Diana didn’t answer, sipping her coffee with a steady gaze.
“Thank you,” Ellen whispered. “I should have noticed. I should have realized how hard he was pushing himself.”
They sat together for several moments, drinking coffee and watching the sky brighten. Diana got up and retrieved the coffee carafe to fill both of their cups. “He needs to talk to you about something that happened last night. I don’t k
now if he’ll bring it up if you don’t ask.”
Ellen sighed. “I’ve been waiting for Larsen to bring out the dirty laundry. He’s that kind of fighter.”
“What happens if he wins?”
Ellen set her cup down and stared out the window for several long moments. “Nothing. We go on as before.”
“So the female associates keep getting told to bring coffee to the important menfolk and generally given the shaft?”
Ellen choked back a laugh. “A very apt description of the current testosterone-laden atmosphere at the firm, yes. I’ll keep working to change things for the rest of women in the firm, but change will come at the speed of a glacier. We’ll lose some fine people, both men and women, because Geoffrey doesn’t have the same skill that his father had. We’ll lose clients. But the cream will continue to rise to the top and we will go on.”
Diana wrapped both hands around her cup, tracing her fingers over the delicate, fine lines of the china. “Would everything still go on if Jackson wasn’t there?”
Ellen turned a sharp look on her, but Diana didn’t react in any way. “Does he want to leave?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “No idea. Just asking.”
Ellen’s fierce gaze softened. “I was so thrilled when he chose to come to our firm. He could have gone anywhere.” She grimaced, dropping her gaze to her cup. “Probably should have, honestly. He would have made partner already without the constant stress of trying to prove himself to me.”
“He’s not trying to prove himself to you.” Ellen lifted her head, searching her face for the truth. “He joined the firm to spend more time with you.”
She laughed, even though tears dripped down her cheeks. “That dear, sweet, stupid boy. Working together, we barely even have time to say hello as we pass in the hallway. I can’t remember the last time we sat down to dinner, just the two of us.”
“Sounds like a date tonight, then, just the two of you.”
“You’re not staying?”
Diana smiled apologetically. “I’d love to, but I can’t. I have to check on Mama every day. She’s in a nursing home and our time is limited.”
Ellen opened her mouth but the bedroom door opened. Jackson froze in the doorway, looking from one woman to the other with growing horror on his face. His mother covered her mouth, but Diana laughed outright. At least he’d pulled on some boxers…and not the torn-up pair from last night.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. If you want coffee, you’ll have to make another pot. We just finished this one.”
He couldn’t imagine a much worse situation than waking up to find his lover and mother sitting at the table talking. He checked his watch, unable to remember what day it was. “Did I miss a meeting? I need to shower but I can head in…”
Ellen shook her head. “It’s Saturday, Jackson. Everyone but you and I is probably so hungover and miserable that no one will show up until noon on Monday.”
He ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out why she was here. He couldn’t remember even giving her his address. Had she ever come to see his condo? He couldn’t remember.
She kissed his cheek, making him jump. “You and I are having dinner tonight after Diana goes home.”
“Okay,” he answered slowly, still mentally reeling at the sight of them sitting together. Ellen was a formidable opponent. Had she decided to try and scare Diana off? Because that would only happen over his dead body. If his mother thought to try and intimidate Diana in any way… Then her words sank in and he jerked his attention to Diana. “Wait, you’re leaving? So soon?”
“This afternoon. I have to get back to check on Mama.”
“I could go with you and then fly back tomorrow.”
But she was already shaking her head. “You have a dinner date with your mom tonight. You need to strategize.”
“But—”
“No, Jackson.” Her voice was still gentle, but an undercurrent of steel made her intent clear. The Priestess had spoken and would not be swayed.
“I have some errands to run.” Ellen’s eyes sparkled with curiosity but thankfully she didn’t push for embarrassing answers. She headed for the door. “Thank you for the coffee, Diana. I’m so pleased to meet you.”
“Me too.” She stood and joined Jackson. His cheeks flooded with heat at how little she was wearing in front of his mother, no less, but he was also thankful that Diana stood in front of him, so his immediate interest wasn’t visible. “Thanks for stopping by.”
Ellen saw herself out none too soon, because he gripped Diana’s hips and drew her back against him. Nuzzling her neck, he whispered, “Come back to bed.”
“We need to talk first.”
He groaned and ducked his head closer to her, wrapping his arms around her. “No more talking. If you’re leaving soon, then I want to spend every precious moment skin to skin with you.”
She turned in his arms, her lips twitching toward a smile. “Compromise. We’ll shower together, and then we’ll talk. Deal?”
“You drive a hard bargain. Maybe I should start calling you Judge instead of Priestess.”
Showered and fed and, more importantly, not alone, he couldn’t help but sigh with contentment. This was how it was meant to be. Laughing in the kitchen with her, trying to find an omelet pan in his own cabinets that were as foreign to him as a complete stranger’s. Drinking coffee side by side with the sexiest woman he knew. In the summer, they could sit out on his balcony and watch the lake come to life. Today, it was too cold and blustery. Heavy clouds filled the sky and the temperature dropped, promising a brutal storm. But with her by his side, it didn’t matter. Nothing else mattered.
“By the looks of those clouds, I should head to the airport early today.” Her voice was subdued, as if she didn’t want to leave him any more than he wanted to let her go. He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer, sharing the warmth of his body. “I can’t risk getting stranded by a snowstorm or stuck in traffic. Mama might not remember exactly who I am every day, but she sure expects a visitor.”
“There are some wonderful homes for the elderly here in Chicago. I’m sure we could find one that specializes in care for Alzheimer’s patients.”
She shook her head. “She’s not well enough to make the trip. Her mental state is very fragile. If I took away all of her familiar surroundings, she’d just fall into a catatonic-like state. She knows the home she’s at now, because we went to visit Grandma there. In fact, she keeps asking for Grandma, so she remembers the place well. I can’t move her. I can’t leave St. Paul.”
“I understand.” If Ellen were in the same condition, he’d do anything for her, even stay in Chicago when the woman he loved…
His breathing stilled, his mind shattered by that thought. Do I love Diana? Is it possible to fall so fast, so hard, in such a short amount of time?
“You’re not going to like this.” She set the cup down, her voice flat and resolute. “But I have to say it. It’s time.”
He tried to get his mind to shift back into gear, but he was frozen in place, still reeling.
“I can’t go on like this. I want a life with you, Jackson, a real life. But this isn’t the kind of life I want.”
He blinked rapidly, trying to get his mind to work, but everything inside him was stalled out, broken, unable to function.
“What we’ve had the past few weeks was nice. I’ve loved every minute of our time together, showing you the ropes, breaking you in to the lifestyle. I’ll always remember the way you trusted me to take care of you. But a few phone calls and frantic hours together here and there aren’t enough for me. I can’t go for weeks at time, waiting for you to have time to pencil me in for a quickie call from your office for a little phone sex. You can’t keep running on empty like this, flying back and forth to see me instead of fueling up your reserves. Not with the kind of lifestyle you lead. T
his is nice, Jackson, but it’s not enough. I want more.”
She stepped closer and laid her hand over his heart. “I want to take care of you. I want to hold you every single night. I want to know that you’re safe and rested and fed, not high on speed so you can run to the next client and the next and the next. I want you to have a wonderful, rewarding life, not this crazed impossible pace that is slowly killing you. I care about you too much to watch you destroy yourself like this. I can’t bear it. You’re killing yourself for your firm and you don’t even realize it.”
“What…?” He licked his lips and cleared his throat, trying to make his mouth work. “What are you saying? We’re done?”
“Of course not. But I want to be with you, really with you. Not just for a weekend fling, or brief, hurried phone calls or texts as you run to the next meeting or hop on the next plane. I want you, by my side, connected to me and plugged in, wholly present and committed to our life together. I want you, Jackson, all of you, every day and every night, for the rest of our lives.” Her eyes shimmered with tears and her lips trembled as she pressed a kiss to his mouth. “Your mother’s here. I know that. But I can’t help but want you with me. I’m a selfish bitch that way.” She laughed wryly and picked up her bag. “You’ll always know where to find me. Maybe someday you’ll come to stay.”
That quickly, she was gone. She walked out the door to catch her plane, leaving him standing in the center of his million-dollar condo completely bereft and empty. All of this wealth and status, his high-powered job, his investments, all the plans and deals he’d made over the year to advance to this spot, right here, and it meant absolutely nothing. Not if she wasn’t with him.
The Billionaire's Ink Mistress: Billionaires in Bondage, Book 2 Page 20