by Holly Hood
“Of course.” I squeeze his hand. “Always. I just got you back. I wouldn’t leave you now.”
He grins. “Make sure you let your boss know that. Because I have a feeling that soon he won’t want to let you go.”
***
Sophie taps the counter where I’m sitting with a bowl of soup.
“I’m pretty sure that soup is cold by now.” She tilts her head looking me over. “Are you okay?”
I don’t know where to start. “Do you think it’s possible to be involved with two men at the same time without feelings getting hurt?”
Sophie scratches at her brow. “Men are wired to think with their dicks.”
“So you think it is?”
“I think anything is possible. As long as they’re getting what they want when they want it, all is well.” She points a finger at me. “The first time they’re deprived of what they so desperately want, all will go to shit.”
I can’t say that I don’t agree. “Ryker is and always will be the sweetest boy I’ve ever known. But there is something about Jackson…I just feel his passion.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll feel his passion,” she says winking at me.
I take my bowl to the sink. “So you don’t think it would be wrong to explore my options?”
Sophie snorts. “Are you kidding me? You are twenty-one years old. That is the only thing you should be doing right now.”
Ryker did say he wasn’t going to be angry with me. He pretty much gave his full approval. If there was ever a definition of fuck buddies, we for sure defined it the other day on the car ride home.
“I’ll see you later,” I tell her. I have another meeting with Jackson, and I plan on making it to this one.
***
Jackson adjusts his tie, swiveling in his chair as the men across from us talk numbers for the old department store we saw the other day. His Dad had other plans for the day, so he left the work to Jackson. So, I was doing my best to take notes. But nothing that I was hearing seemed worth writing down. It was more back and forth about products and what would bring profit for all involved.
I yawn, covering my mouth. I look at Jackson, and he smirks. And then nudges my foot with his leather dress shoe. I nudge him back keeping my eyes on the paper. He takes the tablet and slips a pen from his inner jacket pocket. And scrawls something on the paper.
He slides the paper across the table, and I drop my chin to my palm reading it over.
I can think of a lot of things a whole lot more fun than this meeting.
Like? I slide the paper back and smile at the men talking, pretending I am truly amused by what they just said.
He slides it back. Use your imagination.
I think it would be more fun if you just told me.
He scoots closer, his leg pressing against me. It’s hot, and I lean closer.
“What do you say, Mr. Luckman?” one of the men ask.
Jackson straightens up in his chair. He clears his throat, running a hand through his hair. “I say absolutely.”
The men stand. “Well, that was a lot easier than I imagined.”
I’m not quite sure what just happened.
“We’ll have our secretary draw up the papers.” They leave us sitting in the giant conference room alone.
I look at Jackson. “Did you just buy that place for what they were asking for?”
He drops back in his chair. “I think I just did.”
“What are you going to do?” I drop my pen and look at him.
He grabs the arm of my chair and pulls me closer. “I’m going to sign the papers so we can get out of here and do something fun.”
“You need to take this more serious. I don’t think your father wants you spending more money than you should be on this property.” I push my hair behind my ear. “Maybe you should say something.”
He shakes his head. “Look at you trying to think about the bigger picture. It’s fine. He would have paid anything they asked for it.”
I lean closer and watch him fidget with his pen. “If it’s any consolation, I think you pulled it off. They had no idea you didn’t know what they were talking about.”
The men come back. I sit back and let Jackson work his magic. He assures them the property is going to be in good hands and tells them about his hopes and dreams for the area. He smiles and nods and signs the paperwork. Before I know it, we’re done and heading across the parking lot to his car.
“You hungry?” he asks when we’re both seated.
I buckle my seat belt. “Not really.”
“You want me to drop you off at home?”
I shake my head. “I have to get my car from the shelter.”
“That’s right.” He starts the car up. “You sure you don’t want something to eat?”
An awkward silence fills the car. I purse my lips, an intense heat surging through me at the thoughts going on inside my head. The only thing I want him to do is kiss me.
“I took care of the thing.” His eyes hold mine.
He raises his eyebrow.
“There is no thing. I am a completely single girl, free to do whatever she wants.” My cheeks ignite in embarrassment.
He brushes my bottom lip with his thumb. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”
He moves in toward me and presses a kiss against my cheek, but doesn’t pull away. I touch his hand, giving my silent approval for him to continue. He moves even closer, as he slowly kisses me. Soft kisses are exchanged at first and then they deepen. He explores my mouth with his tongue. He’s a good kisser. I move closer to him and pull him in to me, my lips crashing against his.
We continue to press and push against the other, our bodies throbbing and pounding as lust pulses through my veins. I grasp his hair as I pull him closer, and he eases forward and presses me against the steering wheel.
He bites my bottom lip. When the horn sounds, ending our heated moment, we both laugh. My lips are throbbing and chafed from rubbing against the stubble on his face.
He kisses my hand pressing his forehead into my arm and sighs. “Goddammit.”
I stroke his hair. “What?”
“You’re killing me.” We both look down to see the bulge in his slacks.
I kiss him on the cheek. “Maybe we should get lunch.”
***
I shake two packets of sugar and catch Jackson staring at me from across the table.
“What?”
He settles back in his chair. “I want to know about you.”
I shrug, stirring my tea. “What would you like to know?”
“I want to know what makes Savy tick.”
I laugh. “Seems like a very odd question.”
“It’s odd to want to know more about you?” He touches his chin. “What scares you the most in life?”
I hesitate. “The same things that scare everyone else.”
“You’re dodging.” He purses his lips and leans forward. “Come on, this is fun. It’s called getting to know one another.” He raises his glass.
“Well, I don’t know.”
“You don’t know or you never thought about it?” He crosses his arms. “I’ll tell you what I’m afraid of most. I’m afraid of never falling in love.”
I hold back the eye roll.
“And I know what you’re probably thinking. You think I’m trying out some smooth line on you now that we’ve shared a kiss.” He lifts his chin. “You think maybe this is my way of trying to get in your pants.”
I cup my hands around my mug and bring it up to my lips and blow. “I never said that. I just think people worry way too much about love and finding the one, if you want to know the truth.”
He smirks. “Oh damn. You really don’t hold back, do you?”
“You look like you can take it.” I swallow down my tea. “Anyway, I don’t believe love only happens once in a lifetime. Call me crazy, but I think a person can fall for anyone, given the right circumstances.”
“That sounds like s
omething from someone who’s had their heart broken.”
I don’t want to go there, so I stop him. “I thought I loved someone when I was in high school; he slept with my friend. Turns out I wasn’t meant to live the rest of my life with the first guy I slept with. So I moved on and learned from it.”
“What did you learn?”
“I learned to not be so stupid.” I cross my arms. “I learned what it felt like to have someone play with my emotions. And, most importantly, I learned I don’t like people dictating how I’m supposed to feel.”
Jackson drops his gaze away from me.
“I want you to fall for me.” He drops an elbow on the table and stares me down.
What can I say to that? I shake my head, looking away from him.
“Take a chance and fall for me, Savy. If love is everything you say it is, then maybe I’m the one for you.”
I look at him and roll my eyes. “That’s just stupid.”
“You had a thing—another guy--what if he’s the one?” He taps the table, getting my attention. “What if he’s not? I dare you to let me get to you.”
I shake my head. “This isn’t funny. What are you trying to prove?”
“What do you have to lose?”
“My dignity,” I shrug.
Jackson smirks, shaking his head at me. “No sex. Sex is not part of the deal. Sex is the reward if I can do it.”
I laugh loud enough for the entire place to hear. I don’t know what he’s trying to do, but if he knew anything about me, he’d know I don’t back down to a challenge.
“Fine. And if you lose, what do I get?” I look him over.
“Whatever you want.”
I extend a hand, and he shakes his head. “No. No handshakes. I want you to kiss me.”
Before I can object, he climbs out of the booth and slides in beside me.
“I can’t even describe the way I feel right now,” I tell him. “but it’s not good.”
I stroke his face and move in to plant my lips on his. He doesn’t move, but he doesn’t have to because I can’t keep my hands to myself. I run my fingers through his hair, butterflies bouncing around in my stomach. He finally joins in, fingers grazing my spine, slowly moving down to my backside.
When someone in the restaurant cheers, I pull away, licking my lips.
Jackson’s challenge has suddenly become very interesting.
Chapter 12
I can hear talking coming from the other room, so I get up.
I open my door and head down the hallway trying to figure out what Sophie is so amused by.
“And, she is awake,” Jackson says.
I immediately look down at my underwear and tank top. He isn’t who I imagined would be there.
“You have got to be kidding me.” I mess with my hair.
“I brought you breakfast.”
Sophie grins. “He brought you breakfast.” She wags her eyebrows from behind Jackson.
Jackson smiles, and I’m immediately reminded how handsome he is; how chiseled and perfect his face is. And how we had eagerly kissed each other like hungry animals the other day. And here I stand in my pajamas looking like crap.
I rake a hand through my hair and sigh. “Thank you.”
Jackson walks over to the island in Sophie’s kitchen. He lifts a coffee. “And coffee. I brought you some of that, too.”
Sophie nods. “I am totally impressed right now.”
“You would be.” I accept the coffee and the kiss he puts on my cheek. “I see you two met each other.”
“Yes, we did.” Sophie collects her things. “And I wish I could stay and watch this game play out but I have to be to work.”
Jackson watches Sophie quickly shove all her things into her purse.
“Goodbye, Sophie.”
When the door shuts, I look at him. “Did you tell her what’s going on?”
“She has a way of getting anything she wants out of people.” He sits down.
“She does.” I look in the bag. “You brought doughnuts.”
“The best ones in town,” he informs me.
I take one from the box and bite into it, chewing thoughtfully. I feel conflicted; one part of me thinks it’s sweet that Jackson went through the trouble of bringing me breakfast. The other part of me thinks it’s just a game he’s playing in an effort to win the challenge.
“What?”
I shrug, licking frosting and sprinkles from my finger. “I don’t want to be a game.”
“You’re not a game.”
“I just want to be Savy. Not something you’re trying to prove,” I tell him.
He takes a doughnut. “That’s all you are. You’re just Savy.”
I raise an eyebrow, confident I got my point across.
“I came here to ask you something.”
“What?”
“I want you to be my plus one to an event.” He leans forward. “What do you think?”
“Why me?”
“Because you’re a hell of a lot of fun. And I’m tired of the boring girls I have to put up with.” He smirks.
“What’s the event?”
“A celebration.” He nods. “My brother is getting married.”
“A wedding?”
“An engagement party. We Luckmans like to do everything big.” He stands, and I watch him walk over to the couch. He lifts a garment bag from behind the couch. “And I want you to wear this.”
I scratch my head. “You didn’t have to buy me a dress. I have dresses.”
“I thought it was beautiful. And with all you are putting up with working for me, I thought you deserved it.” He unzips the bag.
“Wow, Jackson. You’re right.” I cross the room to look at the beautiful white dress with a gold belt. “This is amazing.”
“It’s yours. And the party is tonight. I can pick you up at seven.” He tugs at his collar. “I have to get going; I have some work to get done.”
I lay the dress over the arm of the sofa and turn around. “You don’t need me to come?”
“I was hoping you could stop by the shelter and check inventory. See if there is anything we need.”
I nod. “Sure. I can do that. And I’ll see you tonight.”
***
I normally don’t get nervous. But I am.
The girl I see in the mirror before me is anything but what I am used to. She’s stunning.
I keep my hands in my lap to protect my freshly polished nails.
Jackson is a sight to behold in his black tuxedo. He’s lookin’ good and smells amazing.
I let him help me out of his car and he leads me across the dimly-lit parking light to sidewalks lined with lights.
“Wow.” I look around. “This looks beautiful.”
“Not too bad.” He takes my arm, and we follow the guests to the entrance of the fancy hall all decked out for his brother’s big event. There are even people at the door checking the guest list as well as others waiting to collect coats and purses.
“Jackson,” someone says behind us.
Jackson turns me around. “John Stevens. Long time no see.”
John smiles, a beautiful redhead on his arm. I notice she’s wearing a dress almost as stunning as mine. She gives me a smile, and I smile back.
“I was hoping to run into my old partner in crime.” He smirks, giving me a look. “And who is this?”
Jackson introduces me. “This is Savy Arnold.”
John politely takes my hand. “I wasn’t aware you were seeing anyone.”
I bite down on my bottom lip.
“We’re just friends.” He looks at me and winks. “For now.”
I smile as John introduces us to his fianceé Enid. She’s very nice and looking forward to the festivities. So, before we can spend too much time together, they excuse themselves and head inside.
We slip through the door. I look around at all the fancy tables and decorations, the sparkling lights, and the marble floors. It’s all a bit over the top, but beauti
ful.
“Are you going to force me to dance?” I ask, watching all the couples dancing to a live band.
“You know it,” Jackson tells me. “But first, I want to introduce you to my mother.”
I let him lead me over to a group of woman. One in particular stops what she’s doing when she sees us coming.
“Jackson.” She smiles, taking his hand and pulling him in for a hug. “You look handsome.”
“And you look beautiful,” he says kissing her on the cheek. He looks at me. “This is Savy. The one I told you about the other day.”
Interesting…he’s mentioned me to his mother. I sigh, and rake a hand through my hair before stepping forward to show myself. “Right. The one you hired to assist you.” She hides her amused smile. “Savy, so nice to meet you. Jackson has nothing but amazing things to say about you.”
I look at Jackson. “I can imagine. Not that I have anything bad to say about him. Your son is an amazing guy.”
Jackson makes a face at me, teasing me for my compliment.
“See, mom. I told you she was sickeningly sweet.”
I purse my lips. His mom touches my arm. “You’ll have to get used to his sense of humor. He gets it from me.”
Jackson slips an arm around my waist. “Oh, she gets it.”
I nod. “One of the reasons I can stand him.”
His mother reaches up to fix her barrette and then looks at me. “Well, I see she’s everything you said she was. I wish you the best of luck working with this one. I hope we get to talk again soon, darling.” She kisses me on the cheek and goes back to her conversation.
“I love this song,” I tell him when we are facing the dance floor.
“Does that mean I am supposed to ask you to dance?” He grins.
I look at him, admiring how handsome he looks and how well he seems to fit in, no matter where he is. “If you wanted to ask me, I wouldn’t hate you.”
He leads me to the dance floor, his hands on my waist. I put my arms around his neck and smile. “This is different than what I am used to.”
“What are you used to?”
“Nothing this sophisticated. When my brother got married, nobody threw an engagement party. And not a single guest had a tuxedo on.” He married in Hawaii by the waters. It was the most authentic and casual kind of ceremony I ever saw. There were flowers in all the women’s hair, tropical shirts on all the guys, and we all had sand between our toes.