First Kiss

by Sophie Bright

  There was a knock on the door and Meredith peeked her head inside. My mom ran to her and hugged her tightly. Meredith came over to the side of the bed and Jackson helped me get the bed to sit up.

  Meredith frowned as she made notes of all the marks on my face. “I need to talk to you,” she said in a low tone.

  I nodded and regretted it immediately. “Can we do this alone?” I asked and Jackson growled.

  “I’m going to need to talk to little joy rider alone,” Meredith said with an air of authority.

  “I don’t like that,” my dad said as he stood next to my mom who was trying to keep herself from sobbing.

  “It’s fine, dad. It’s just Meredith. I’ll be fine and when she’s done you can come back in.”

  My mom and dad kissed me on the forehead letting me know they would be right outside when Meredith left. Dean and Trina moved toward the door. Dean stopped when he noticed Jackson standing like a statue next to the bed.

  “Don’t make me fucking hit you again,” Dean said as Trina wrapped her arm around his.

  “I’m not going,” Jackson stated crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Jackson get the hell out of here. I’ve been Lucy’s best friend since middle school. I’m not going to hurt her and she said herself she doesn’t want anyone in here.” Meredith stood with her hands on her hips her uniform crisp in the hospital lighting.

  “I’ll be right outside,” Jackson said.

  I looked down at the blanket not meeting his eyes. “Go home, Jackson I don’t want you here.”

  The room was silent except for the machines I was attached to. I could feel Jackson’s heavy stare on me but I refused to look up. If I did all my resolve would melt.

  After what felt like hours the sound of Jackson’s shoes turning and walking through the hospital door died away.

  Meredith climbed on the bed and held me gently as I let tears run down my face. “I think you may have done the impossible and made Jackson Hollar fall in love.”

  I shook my head no longer living in a fantasy. Hell, not even a week ago if Meredith would have uttered that statement it would have lit a fire in my heart for years to come. I would have fought for Jackson’s love but now I realized it was all for nothing. I was making a fool out of myself and I needed to let him go.

  “No he just feels guilty.”

  “If you say so. I’m not going to argue with you right now. You look like shit and I have other things I need to talk to you about.”

  “My brakes didn’t fail did they?”

  Meredith shook her head and a hard lump formed in my chest. I took care of my car. Dean and Jackson had instilled the importance of car care in me since I was a little girl. It didn’t take a genius to figure out my brakes were tampered with. But hearing Meredith confirm it made me sick with terror.

  “I had my mechanic check it out for me. Your brake lines were cut.”

  “Shit, can you keep this a secret? I don’t want my family to worry.”

  “I figured you were going to say that but I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep this from them. If they know you’re in danger you will be better watched and safer until I can find out who is doing this to you.”

  “I promise you Dean and my parents aren’t going to let me out of their sight. I have all the confidence in you. You’ll find whoever’s doing this to me.”

  “I’ve checked out Richard and his wife. They have solid alibis for every time something has occurred. There has to be something I’ve missed. Has Richard or his wife tried to contact you again? ”

  “No, I blocked his number after the last time. And I haven’t had a private call since the last one I told you about.”

  “I won’t tell your family, Lucy but I need you to stay safe. Don’t go out alone. And always have your phone on you.”

  “Yes, officer.”

  Meredith rolled her eyes before going to the door to let my family back in. I refused to acknowledge the pain when Jackson didn’t enter the room.

  19

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come stay with us?” my mom asked wringing her hands as my dad and Dean helped me up the stairs to my room.

  “No, Mom. All of my stuff is here and I just want to sleep

  Every bone, muscle, ligament, and tendon hurt. Even my hair hurt. The whole drive back to Dean’s house all I could think of was sinking back into oblivion. “You can come over and fuss over me tomorrow if you want.”

  My dad squeezed me lightly letting me know I was saying the right things to calm my mom. “I have a meeting in the morning and I’ll be here right after. Is there anything you want for breakfast?”

  “Whatever you bring me will be fine mom.” I yawned loudly and snuggled into the bed.

  My mom tucked me in like she did when I was a little girl and my dad kissed me on the forehead. I heard them whisper in the hallway but I was too tired to eavesdrop.

  “Do you need anything, Lucy?” Dean sounded just as tired as I felt.

  “I’m fine. Go to bed I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Dean moved to turn when the front door opened and slammed shut.

  “Lucy,” Jackson yelled as he pounded up the stairs.

  “What the fuck are you doing here? I’m getting tired of yelling at you to leave my sister alone.”

  “You’re going to have to get used to it because I’m not leaving without her.”

  “Like hell you aren’t. Get the hell out of here Jackson before I have to kick your ass and end our friendship.”

  Dean and Jackson glared at each other and I rolled my eyes at the testosterone filling my room.

  “Jackson get out of here before Dean hits you again. I’m tired and all I want to do is go to sleep. I don’t want to deal with your shit right now.”

  “I’m not leaving without you Lucy. So either get ready to come home with me or scoot over. Those are your only options.”

  Dean lunged at Jackson with a loud roar. With a lot of effort and pain I sat up and pushed the covers down. A hiss of pain stopped Jackson from fighting off Dean.

  Dean slugged him in the face a bright red mark marring his cheek. Jackson ducked under Dean’s arm and jogged over to me.

  “What do you need?” he asked brushing my hair away from my face.

  “I need you to leave me alone so I can sleep.”

  “Sorry, baby. I will do anything else you ask me but I’m not leaving you. I love you.”

  “What did you just say?” Dean asked just as stunned as I was.

  “I said I loved her. I’ve loved her for a very long time. And I’m not going anywhere without her. Even if I have to kidnap her stubborn ass because I pretty sure she loves me too.” His green eyes were bright and the smile on his face was dazzling.

  “I don’t love you,” I told him my voice high pitched with alarm.

  “Fuck, Jackson why didn’t you tell me you loved her?” Dean sat down hard on the chair in front of my desk. He leaned back and gripped the edge tightly.

  “Would it have mattered?”

  “I don’t know,” Dean answered truthfully.

  “I didn’t tell you because I wanted to make sure she was completely in love with me before I broke it to you. I was afraid you would talk her out of it if she wasn’t fully in love with me.”

  “I don’t believe you,” I told him trying to push away from him. A deep ache pulsed out of me and I bit my lip to keep from crying out.

  “Stop it, Lucy. You’re in pain. You need to rest. If you would stop being such a pain in the ass I can get you in bed and healing.”

  “I am in bed,” I pointed out.

  “Maybe you should let her sleep here tonight and you can come talk to her tomorrow.” Dean’s suggestion didn’t sound very convincing and I had a feeling I’d lost my brother to the dark side.

  “Not going to happen. I have everything she needs at the farmhouse. Before I left the hospital I asked the nurse what would help her heal faster and I went to the store and got it.”
/>
  “I don’t know she needs to take her meds and sleep. I don’t like the idea of her moving any more than she needs to tonight.”

  “Yeah, but we also have to take in account whoever is bothering her knows she’s staying here. Having Meredith show up I’m pretty sure her accident wasn’t an accident at all.” Jackson’s eyebrow went up as if he was challenging me to contradict him.

  “I was thinking about that too,” Dean said. “I think you’re right. Lucy would be safer at the farmhouse.”

  “Hello, I’m right here. You two are making decisions for me when I’m laying right here.”

  “Tell me what Meredith said,” Jackson said moving around my room throwing stuff in the duffle bag I had stored in the top of my closet.

  “I don’t have to tell you anything,” I huffed getting up and shuffling around Jackson removing the things he was packing. “Are you going to help me?” I asked when Dean continued to sit on the chair a stupid smile on his face.

  “Sit down Lucy, and let Jackson pack your bag so you can get to the farmhouse faster. The more you unpack the longer it’s going to take. I can tell you are hurting and need to sleep so why are you making things harder for you? There I helped.”

  Jackson chuckled beside me and I gave him the evil eye making his turn his chuckle into a cough.

  “Not helpful at all.” I muttered sitting on the bed and rubbing my temples.

  Dean came over to me and kneeled in front of me taking my hands in his. “Lucy, I’ve been friends with Jackson a long time. He has never in the time we’ve been friends told me he has loved a girl.”

  “Truth,” Jackson said grabbing the clothes I had taken out of the duffle bag and stuffing them back in.

  “If you don’t love him I get it. It’s not like Jackson has ever been hard up for women but he’s not an easy guy to stay with.”

  “Not helping, Dean.” Jackson hit Dean in the back of the head with one of my shirts.

  “You’re right. Sorry, Lucy. All I’m saying is you’ll be safer at the farmhouse with Jackson. You don’t have to love him or talk to him and I know he has plenty of rooms if you don’t want to-“ Dean cleared his throat looking uncomfortable thinking of his sister and his best friend naked together.

  “Well, you know what I mean. Jackson’s family and I will take care of you while we figure out who the hell is fucking with you.”

  “Lucy will be in my bed where she belongs. She can fight and claw all she wants but I’m done staying away. I haven’t had a good nights sleep since I moved out.”

  “Jackson I love you but please stop talking about my sister like that.” Dean groaned getting up and sitting next to me on the bed. “What did Meredith say?” he asked with brotherly concern.

  I shrugged and Jackson threw the packed duffle bag on the floor so he could sit next to me on the other side. He put his arm around my shoulder and admitting defeat I put my head on his chest.

  “Come on, baby. Just give us what we want to hear and I’ll take you home and pamper the hell out of you.” Jackson’s breath lifted the hair on the top of my head and I closed my eyes.

  “She had her mechanic look into my car. The brake lines were cut. Someone had tampered with them.”

  “Fuck,” Dean launched off the bed and paced the room. I watched him for a second then closed my eyes again.

  Jackson’s pec jumped under my cheek. The arm draped around me grew tense. “I’m going to kill, Richard.”

  “I don’t think it’s Richard. I was more inclined to think it was his wife, but Richard and his wife have alibis for every time something has happened,” I explained to him.

  “Well then someone has to be doing it for them. Or someone is lying,” Dean hit the wall with his open palm showing his frustration.

  “Did you piss anyone else off?” Jackson asked into my hair.

  “Not that I know of. Only one married man and his wife.” I yawned and Jackson lifted me up in his arms.

  “Dean grab the bag and her computer.”

  I was half asleep when Jackson carried me downstairs. With a bottle of water he handed my pill and helped me into the truck. I sank into Jackson’s body as he drove us to his farmhouse.

  “I’m sorry, Lucy. I know you’re tired and hurting. I should have waited until tomorrow to come get you, but I’m selfish and I don’t want to sleep in bed without you another day.”

  My brain was sluggish and the pill was making it hard for me to think. “Do you really love me?”

  Jackson brushed a kiss over my cheek before driving. “More than I can ever tell you.”

  “Try.”

  Jackson laughed and the sound brought a smile to my face. “Later. Let’s get you to bed and I’ll confess my love to you all day tomorrow. Just know I love you with everything I have.”

  Sleep pulled at me but I didn’t want to let it win just yet. The bumping of the truck alerted me we were close to the farmhouse. My mouth went lax and the pill was making my body heavy.

  “We’re here.”

  “I know,” I slurred laying harder into Jackson. “I can’t move.”

  “Shit, baby. I’m sorry.” Jackson got out of the car and slipped his arms under me.

  I put my arms around his neck and with the last bit of strength I had.

  “I promise you can sleep as long as you want tomorrow. Anything you want you will have. Please, forgive me for taking you out of bed. Fuck, I keep messing up with you.”

  Jackson carried me up the stairs and deposited me into the most comfortable bed I’ve ever been in. My body sunk in it and I moaned at how good it felt.

  “I’m in love with this bed. I forgive you.” I murmured halfway asleep.

  “I guess it’s a step in the right direction. In love with my bed today. In love with me tomorrow.” Jackson put a heavy comforter around me and kissed me on the lips. “I’m going to get your stuff and then I’ll be back. Go to sleep, Lucy you’re safe.”

  20

  I slept until the afternoon. Jackson checked on me during the early morning hours. He did his best to be quiet as he came into the room but I was attuned to him not able to ignore him.

  “Lucy, you need to take your pill.” His lips moved over mine in a gentle caress.

  I smiled and pushed my lips harder on his refusing to allow him to treat me like an invalid.

  “Don’t start something you can’t finish.” Jackson jumped away from the bed as if it were on fire.

  “Who says I can’t finish it?” I sat up and plunged my fingers under his t-shirt.

  The smooth hot expanse of his abdomen bumped under my palm. As my hands made their way up to close around his neck his shirt bunched up until he had raise his arms to stop from being choked.

  “Now you have my shirt off. What are you going to do about it?”

  My tongue circled his nipple before moving to his other rigid peek. “I was going to start right here.” I told him letting my teeth scrape over the sensitive skin.

  “Lucy, I’m doing my best. You’re ruining my intentions. So I’m begging you to stop.”

  “I don’t want your good intentions. I want you to do your worst.”

  “You’re not playing fair. Come on, Lucy you were in a car accident less than twenty four hours ago. Behave.”

  “Make me forget.” I let my tongue travel up his chest. The hard throb in his neck pulsed under my lips.

  I sucked on the beat telling me he’s alive. His hands were on the mattress curling into the comforter. Realizing he needed a little more encouragement I tore my lips from his and took my shirt off. I wanted to rip it off but the soreness made it impossible.

  “Lucy,” Jackson breathed shaking his head as he helped me take off my shirt. “This is a bad idea. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Then don’t.”

  Jackson eased me back onto the bed. For a moment I thought he was going to refuse me but he fluttered kisses over my face. His hands drifted over my abdomen tracing the bruises that have marred my skin from th
e seat belt and air bag.

  “Tell me if something hurts.” He watched my face until I nodded lifting my hips to help him remove my yoga pants.

  “I promise.” He nodded and continued stroking my naked flesh.

  When his lips pursed over my nipple giving back what I’d just done from him I knew I won. My hands wound into his thick dark hair keeping him where he was.

  Jackson lifted his head with a wicked smile putting my hands back to my side. “I don’t want you overexerting yourself. Let me take care of you.”

  “But I want to touch you too,” I pouted before he sucked hard on one of my heated peeks. I groaned and my back arched.

  “Baby, we have all the time in the world for you to touch me. You know this isn’t a fling, right?”

  I couldn’t think while his hands and lips were assaulting me. An embarrassing sound ripped from the back of my throat when he stopped touching me.

  “Lucy, I meant it when I said I’m in love with you. I want you in my house I want you in my bed because you’re already in my heart.”

  I studied him. The tense stance as he poised over me. His green eyes blazed with fierce determination.

  “Are you sure?” I asked my voice hesitant. Fear overtook the lust and I moved up on the headboard not caring about my undressed state.

  “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve been in love with you for a long time. I was going to give you time before I told you. Let you figure out you couldn’t live without me. Seeing you in the hospital was the push I needed to tell you. To not care about the consequences between me and Dean.”

  “What does Dean have to do with us?”

  Jackson chuckled and moved next to me pulling me against him. He was levered on his elbow gazing down on me. “I promised Dean I wouldn’t hit on you. He said it was the only thing he considered would end our friendship.”

  “Are you serious? When?” I moved to get up but Jackson put his hand on my shoulder keeping me still.

  His hand traced his finger over my belly as he explained. “When you started high school. He saw how all of his friends watched you when you got older.”