by Tigris Eden
“I want to give you this,” she whispered.
“You will, darlin’.” Jackson kissed her cheek and watched his nephew yawn in his sleep. He was going to be a handful. Jackson could see a lot of his sister, but he also saw Treat.
“You want to hold him?” Anna asked.
“Yeah, hand him over.”
Anna transferred Xavier into his arms, and the baby squirmed, then settled and went right back to sleep. His nephew wasn’t small like other babies he’d seen before so holding him wasn’t too much of a task. Anna walked over to Joey and Treat and smiled over at him. They were all smiling.
“You’re next, Anna,” Joey said.
“We’re working on it,” Anna replied.
We’re on the same page, he thought. And because they were, this moment was memorable for other reasons besides the birth of his nephew. Life with Anna would not be easy, but the time they would have together was enough to sustain him. He’d always wanted a family, people to come home to, and he had that now. All he had to do was expand on his dream. It had come a lot sooner than what he’d expected, but life was like that. It was always throwing curve balls when all he wanted was something right down the middle. He was looking forward to a life filled with Anna’s kindness, her love, and all the moments they created together.
Treat looked over at him, tossing out a chin lift as if he knew where Jackson’s mind had gone. Jackson was entering into his life in a way that meant he, Anna, and Ava would settle into the adventure that was their family.
“All right, you two. Stop hogging our son,” Treat said, walking over and taking Xavier. It was like Treat was a pro the way he tucked his son into his arms.
“Let’s let them rest. Grab Ava, and we’ll head out.”
“Okay, can we stop and see if I can get in to see the doctor this week?”
“Everything okay?” he asked, concerned.
“Yeah, just need to get in there and not fall behind. Just because I’m given the all clear doesn’t mean I can’t show up.”
He nodded. Anna had to see a kidney specialist, and Beau had already promised to drive up later in the week for physical therapy.
“When is Indi coming?”
“Later on tonight. They’ll be across the street.”
“They?” Jackson asked.
“The twins. I guess they’re seeing each other,” Anna said hesitantly.
He knew the twins were into sharing, but he hoped they weren’t sharing India. She was too good for them.”
“You mean she’s seeing one of them?”
“Nope. Both.”
Treat and Jackson cursed at the same time.
“She’s an adult. Let India figure things out for herself.”
Fair enough, but he was still going to talk to them first chance he got. He was meeting with Catcher and Dorian to get updates on what Oliver was dealing with in New York. He’d touch base with the twins then, too. Anna kissed Joey and Xavier before giving her brother a hug goodbye. They left the maternity floor and made their way over to the kidney center where Anna made her appointment for the next day.
When they’d made it back, the block party was still going strong. Trill was playing music, and the neighborhood was out making a day of it. When they got out of the truck, Bren was there. She was ridiculously underdressed and trying her best to get attention.
“Hey, Anna, do you think Jackson could come take a look at my mother’s sink?”
Jackson answered for Anna. It wasn’t that he couldn’t fix a sink, but he knew when a woman had a hard-on for him.
“Sorry, not a plumber. You’ll need the yellow pages for that.”
Ava was asleep in the back, and Jackson unbuckled her from the car seat and pulled her into his arms.
“Oh, well, I guess I’ll see y’all later.” Bren turned on her ridiculously high heels, almost tripping in her attempt to look attractive.
Anna laughed, and Jackson shook his head as Anna whispered, “Not if I can help it.”
“Baby, there is no way in hell I have a taste for anybody but you.”
She smiled and made her way over to him and Ava.
“Well, this makes me happy, but you’re falling short on your duties.”
“Am I now?”
She winked before making her way into the house. It was an old house, and the walls were thin. Anna liked to sing. A lot. Timing was everything. Ava was sleep, and everyone was at the block party. He could grab maybe a quick ten, fifteen-minute shower before they needed to wake Ava and join the others.
Sounds like a plan.
Jackson laid Ava down on their bed and went in search of Anna. He found her in the kitchen, sipping ice tea.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Jackson?”
“Like what?”
“Like you have wicked plans.”
“Because I do. Follow me, baby.”
He watched as Anna sat her cup down. Then he led them to the bathroom. The shower wasn’t roomy, but he’d work with what they had.
He started the spray.
“A shower?"
"It’s hot outside.”
"Not that hot."
She was being difficult on purpose. Playing hard to get.
"Anna, ass in the shower. Now."
"Just my ass, Jackson?" she said playfully.
"Baby, we're pressed for time. You said I was falling down on the job. I'm ready to get back up."
"Get back up…" Her voice was breathy, and Jackson grinned.
"Yeah, up and inside you." He tugged his shirt over his head as he toed off his shoes. When he got to his pants, Anna was already naked. She made her way over to him just as he stepped out of his pants.
“Christ. Hop up, darlin’."
She placed her hands around his shoulders and hopped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He held her by the ass as he stepped into the shower, the water warm against their skin.
“Love you," Jackson said as he positioned himself at her entrance. Anna fit him perfectly. The snug walls of her pussy hugged him along his shaft as she slid down.
"Love you, too, Jackson." She rose up slowly and slid back down, slower. They didn’t have time for the slow and steady. This time would be fast and hard, and he prayed the sounds of the water covered their sounds of pleasure.
Jackson backed her into the tile, her slight hiss, his only sign it was cold. With her back against the wall, he could free up his hands to do other things. The water hit them both as Jackson kissed the side of her neck. He worked the hard length of his cock inside her in quick jabs. He moved a hand up to her breasts and squeezed one while using his other hand to hitch her left thigh higher so he could dig deeper. Hard thrusts of his cock had his knees hitting the wall over and over as he slammed up into her, faster and faster until he knew she had no choice but to come. Anna had long since started singing, but the water pressure wasn’t as strong as he would have liked.
“Bite my shoulder, baby, you’re gonna wake Ava.”
Anna bit down hard as he ground up into her. His pelvic bone rubbing against her clit as the walls of her vagina milked him of his seed. She bit down harder, and Jackson covered his shout by burying his face in her neck.
“Fuck, baby.”
She giggled.
He was slowly setting her down when a loud knock startled them both.
“Y’all done in there?”
It was Pookie.
“Get the fuck way from the door,” Jackson yelled.
“Man, I’m trying to help y’all out. The window’s open. You two loud asses have given us grown folks something to aspire to, although Jackson, man, last time I checked, women needed longer than a handful of minutes. Your stroke needs to be strong and long.”
There was absolutely nothing wrong with his stroke.
Anna was still laughing when they finally made it out of the shower.
“Your cousins are a pain in my ass.”
“You wanted somewhere safe, Sheriff. Here is what safe looks like.”
Jackson slapped her on the ass.
“Get dressed.”
“Bossy boots.”
Jackson opened the door to where Bear and the guys were all standing.
“Should have warned you about the window.”
“Yup, would have been nice.”
“Jackson, I like you, you’re a cool cat, but if I ever hear you making my cousin make noises like that again up in here, I’m gonna have to whoop your ass.”
“You shouldn’t have been listening.”
“Kind of hard not to hear. Especially after Trill was done spinning. Besides, only someone getting ass in my house is me, and since I’m not getting any...”
The guys all looked at Bear with a strange look on their face.
“What? Why y’all staring at me like that?”
“Cuz, you’re fucking talking about our sister. Gross.”
Anna came out of the bathroom; hair wet and piled on top of her head, a big smile on her face and glowing.
“Stop giving my man a hard time.”
“Stop fucking in the bathroom and I won’t,” Pookie said back.
Bear broke the conversation up by asking about Xavier. Anna was quick to gush over her nephew. Lola motioned to him, and Jackson made his way over to her.
“I’m all for you knocking boots with Anna, y’all are good for each other, but your performance had a group. I know I don’t have to tell you Bren is a ho and a half. But you need to watch her. She’s a crafty bitch, and she’s on a mission to get her and her daughter outta the hood.”
“Lo, I love Anna, and I already know Bren’s story. I’m not going anywhere near the girl.”
“Good to hear, because although I like you with Anna, I’ll fuck you up if you hurt my cousin again. I don’t care who you are.”
“Messaged received, Lola.”
Until Her: Chapter 18
“Indi, why do these wedding invitations say August twenty-first on them?”
I look at my cousin, who smiles and winks.
“It’s your wedding day, silly. Why?”
That’s not even three weeks away,” I yell.
“Hey, your man gave me the date. He was adamant about it. Hotel is booked, as in all the rooms are gone. Even the empty ones. He bought them all out.”
Was he fucking crazy? He promised me I had more time. We talked about it.
I pick up the phone to call Jackson, but it goes straight to voicemail. I hang up and call again. Same thing. Damn. Why aren’t you picking up?
India arrived last night with Sawyer and Finn. The three of them had dinner with us, and Ava was glad to see them all. She’d already taken an instant liking to the twins.
“He’s not answering.”
“I know, he’s busy.” How does she know?
“Too busy he has to send me to voicemail?”
I can’t get married in less than three weeks. There’s my dress, shoes, hair. Hell, Ava’s, too. India smiles a knowing smile; like she’s in on a secret I’m not privy to.
“Calm down, cousin. Your man is out with Skrill, Poo, and T. We’ve got shit to do today, too. Q is ready for you.”
I almost forgot about Q. He’s doing my tattoo. The tattoo itself is going to take several hours.
“I have an appointment today, as well.”
“I know, so let’s get the day started. Ava is with Lola, Chanty, and the girls for the rest of the afternoon.
Indi still hasn’t answered my question about where Jackson is. I don’t think she intends to. I thought we were having a fall wedding. Like I really thought late September was our day. But, apparently, boss Jackson Storme has other plans, and once again, he’s not clued me in on them. I’m not going to dwell on it; instead, India and I hit the doctor’s office and leave to Q’s directly from there. I still haven’t heard from Jackson, and I’d be crazy if I didn’t admit I’m worried.
The ride to the tattoo shop is short. Q is there, waiting with a smile on his face.
“Anna, you beautiful girl you, so good to see you again.”
“You too, Q.”
“I can’t wait to get started on your back. Did you bring the proper clothing? You do realize, backless shirts or dresses for at least two weeks, right?”
I nod. I wanted to surprise Jackson, but there is no way around this. I’m getting this tat. It’s symbolic. Everything from the start of my life to the journey I’m about to embark on with Jackson all has to do with this tattoo. I haven’t told Jackson about the feathers, or that I could hear his voice while I was in my coma. I was saving it for our wedding. Madea once told me that when my peacock presented itself, it would be during life’s greatest adventure. That in it, there would be such an abundance of good fortune I’d be stupid to pass it up. She wasn’t talking about true love either, or the meeting of like-minded souls. She was talking about any person who would push you to be the you you’re supposed to be. I get that from Jackson, and I get that from Ava. I’m almost positive she is my other peacock.
I am getting a full body peacock on my back, and inscribed on a feather is going to be Jackson’s name along with Ava’s. As our family grows, I’ll add more names to the feathers. The peacock is going to be under an enormous cherry blossom branch. That piece will come much later. All Q will have time for today is the peacock. But that is enough.
“This tattoo is going to rock so hard, Anna, I’m green with envy!” India says as she sits down next to me. I’m lying flat on my stomach, back fully exposed. It’s still pretty early in the morning, and I know we won’t be done until well into the evening. Q said he’ll take breaks here and there, but if I want to get this done in one sitting, we have to stay on task.
“You have my phone in case Jackson decides to call?” I ask my cousin.
“Yup, phone, food, and music.”
“No music. I have what I plan to listen to,” Q says.
India and I both groan. We have no idea what Q likes to jam to, but if I were to guess, I’d say heavy metal rock. I like some bands, and I can dig the music. What I can’t do is listen to the music for long stretches of time. Q surprises us both when he puts on The Hics. I’m very familiar with the band. They’re mellow and smooth. Can’t get mad about that. And as the music plays, and the sound of the needle starts to buzz, I brace for the first sting of pain. It comes, and I almost flinch. But it quickly evens out, and then I hardly feel it anymore.
“All right, Anna, this is going to hurt, but once you get used to it, you’ll realize it’s a walk in the park.” Q continues, and I close my eyes.
Until Her: Chapter 19
Catch was serious about his work, and Jackson was thankful. This was their third meeting this week. He didn’t want to send Anna to voicemail, knew he’d have to answer for it later on, but the information he was getting needed his full attention.
“Fabiano’s in the area, you’re sure of it?”
“Yeah, I clocked the fucker the day he came into town. He knows exactly where you are.”
But the only people who were aware of Jackson’s location were Gaines and the people he was staying with. Peretti’s fingers couldn’t stretch that far, could they?
“Back up. If he knows, then someone Oliver is talking to is in on it with Peretti.”
“Yeah, my brother is smart, but Peretti is staying one step ahead of us. My guys are airtight. So it’s someone inside my brother’s camp, and I know for a fact that he’s told his boss nothing. Since the fire at the hotel, we’ve all kept dark. His boss only knows what we want him to know, and you and your family’s whereabouts isn’t knowledge.”
So who the fuck was getting the drop on them?
“There has to be someone. Who all knows about this?”
Catch thought for a moment, seeming to go over a list in his head. Then his head snapped up, and there was a flash of hurt before disbelief crossed his features.
“The only person who knows and isn’t involved in this case is Morales.”
“We’ve known Morales since befor
e we went our separate ways.”
Jackson, Treat, the Gaines brothers, and Morales had all been in the service together. Catch had been a lieutenant back then, and the two younger twins had gone in and joined up with their company just as they were all getting ready to turn in their uniforms. It’s what had made them all so close. Like brothers. If it was Morales, Jackson couldn’t understand why their brother would betray them. But there was only one way to find out.
“We’re going to have to test that theory, Catch, no matter how fucked up it seems.”
“Yeah, I know. I don’t want it to be true.”
“Neither do I.”
No one would want that. Jackson had even invited Morales to the wedding. Fuck. Even when you thought you knew someone, you never truly did until shit got dark and nasty. Jackson finished his coffee and was about to stand when Catch stopped him.
“My brothers are fucking your girl’s cousin. You cool with that?”
No, he wasn’t. But India was grown. Anna told him to let her deal with it. And so far, India seemed okay.
“I’m not cool with it, but Anna says we have to let India figure things out for herself. What about your brothers? Are they serious about her?”
“Who the hell knows. Those two think with their dicks more than anything else. I haven’t heard talk of bringing her ‘round to my mother and father, so I’m going to say no. They are just having a good time. Hopefully, that’s all India is looking for, too. A good time.”
Jackson hoped so, too because things would not go well if that weren’t the case. Especially if Tiny got wind of them fucking around with his girl. He was damn overprotective when it came to his daughters.
“You know, her father Tiny is an ex-marine. If he finds out, he’s going to go hunting for your brothers.”
“Won’t be the first time those two have pissed off someone’s father. I just hope they don’t fuck shit up.”
“Me, too.”
Catch stood, and this time, they both got ready to leave the café.
“Congrats on your nephew. Dorian says the baby is quite the looker.”
There was hurt in Catch’s eyes when he said that. He’d been married once, and had had twin boys. Both the mother and boys were taken from him before he’d even gotten to know what it was to fully embrace the good life. Because of his tragic circumstances, Catch stuck to one-night stands, never getting involved again. He was all about detachment. Detached from his feelings, and life.