The Twin Contract (The Contract Series Book 1)

by Ceeree Fields

  "No, Father caught me with Grandmother and said Mother's new psychiatrist thought it would be better if I didn't show up, but Father didn't call and tell me. So we need to go before Mother sees us."

  Galvanized by those words, he dug the keys from his pockets and had the doors unlocked and Briony in the front seat in seconds. "I'm glad this is over."

  Briony laughed, her eyes glistening with joy. "Me too. I can't believe I never have to answer to Briony again."

  He shared in her relief and go them the hell off the property. Now, he needed to wipe Briony from his mind, so there was only one woman there. Brianna.

  * * * *

  Brianna led the way to her bedroom, leaving Jackson to lockup and check the other doors were locked. Within seconds she was in Briony's room for the last time. She shed the designer dress and heels that she had forgotten to kick off in her excitement of never having to wear these clothes again. Within seconds she was down to the black lace merrywidow Callie had talked her into purchasing for tonight's celebration.

  The black matched Jackson's eyes in the heat of passion. She had pictured him ripping it off of her the second her eyes landed on the barely there slip of lace and satin.

  Grinning, she hurried to her bedroom and froze at the foot of the bed. The covers still mussed from this morning and imprints on two pillows, one from where she slept and the one Jackson had bunched under his head. Her gaze swept the room. The bubbly feeling of anticipation was replaced with a steady warmth when her eyes landed on the bowl that she had taken from downstairs and put here for whatever Jackson dug from his pockets. Her closet now held his uniforms and button-down shirts. A drawer was left half-opened, and she remembered emptying it for his lounge pants and t-shirts. It even smelled like a mixture of them with her apple and cinnamon body lotion and his aftershave that held hints of the forest.

  Her hand drifted to her stomach. Before she met Jackson, no one except Callie had been allowed in here. Derrick had helped her move the furniture in but had never been back, respecting Brianna's need for space. She and Callie had never had those boundaries. Until Callie had married Derrick, then Brianna had never entered their bedroom without permission.

  It was the same now that Jackson lived with Brianna. And she realized at that moment that was what had happened. He lived with her. But was it permanent? She delved into her emotions and found no panic, no nerves, only hope. She hoped he never left.

  "Jesus, Bri. You're gorgeous."

  Jackson's voice startled her from her thoughts.

  "Hey, it's just me." His thick arms wrapped around her from behind, and she turned in his loose hold.

  "No, I know," she replied, nerves slowly taking over. Her gaze tangled with his, and she swallowed hard at the predatory heat flaming to life. "I was hoping you would stay."

  He stepped away, and she opened her mouth to call him back only to stop as he tossed his tux jacket across the chair set in the corner. One she had never used preferring her club chair in front of the fireplace downstairs.

  "Oh, I plan on staying." He lifted his left hand and with a few deft twists, had the cufflink off and in the rainbow-colored bowl.

  "No, I mean, move out of your rental and live here … permanently."

  If she thought that would give him pause, she was mistaken. It seemed to ignite the passion in him turning the flames into an inferno. "Yes."

  With that single word, her nerves settled, and the bubbly joy returned. Flinging herself in his arms, he lifted her and set her in the center of the bed as if she were precious. She watched as he flicked on the lamp and turned off the overhead light. His lips curled into a delicious smirk. "No more secrets. No more lies. No more contracts. Just us and our future."

  Brianna shivered. Since he revealed the guilt he was carrying about Chase, he had opened up more. She felt as if she knew Chase as much as Jackson talked about his friend as if a wall had finally broken, and he needed to get every memory he had out in case he forgot them. It was the same with his parents. The past week he seemed lighter as if a burden had lifted.

  That was all she ever wanted. A partner that would share his burdens with her and help shoulder her own. And Jackson had done that for her. He had taken on the weight of keeping her safe while she finished out her time as Briony. She was more forthcoming of where her mind had been when she had signed the contract all those years ago.

  Every thought in her head disappeared as he shrugged out of the pristine white shirt. The sleeveless undershirt accented his olive skin and hugged every dip and ridge doing nothing to conceal the pelt of black strands curling around the edges. Then it went the same way as the shirt, and he was left in his black pants, which were quickly shed.

  His fingers tugged his hard erection as his eyes roved over her. She wanted to demand he take her, but her tongue was tangled as she took him in. It was the first time she had seen him. Oh, they had made love many times, but usually, it was hurried between snatches of sleep. Her fingers and mouth had memorized every piece of him, but her eyes only caught glimpses.

  This time he stood proudly before her. He looked like a warrior of old with his mane of black hair in disarray, shadowed stubble, and a heavily muscled body that cradled her close but could also defend her from attack if needed. He wasn't what most would call gorgeous. Jackson was too intent and too rough for that with the scar that bisected the corner of his eyebrow from breaking up a bar fight when he was a rookie to the rugged features that seemed carved from granite instead of marble. Her man was more of a street brawler than a cat burglar. Direct and unapologetic. And his entire focus was on her.

  She shivered, anticipating him ripping the material from her own body in impatience to reach her skin. But her eyes widened in surprise when he gently slid the slender straps from her shoulder and placed an open mouth kiss on her skin where a scrap of fabric had been.

  He inched the material from her body kissing, nibbling, and sucking up marks on each patch of skin he revealed. Her fingers wrapped in the midnight strands of his hair as she tugged, trying to urge him to hurry. He released a rough chuckle and untangled her hold on the silky strands. Her hands were placed on either side of her head, and she arched into him as his body blanketed her. "Keep them there. I'm taking my time on loving you tonight."

  Her heart clenched at the words while her core pulsed at the dark threat. Jackson went back to tasting her as if she were a fine wine he wanted to savor. He never lingered in one place. Lapping, mapping, and holding her at the highest peak, not allowing her to tumble over. She never felt the silk slide over her legs and off her feet only felt the wet heat of his mouth as he sucked up a mark on the arch of her right foot.

  It wasn't until he broke through the haze of desire with, "We're keeping this," his voice held the sharp edge of dark desire. "I'm going to find garters that match and thigh-high stockings. Then you'll wear this and serve me dinner one night."

  The picture slammed into her head, and she saw herself being taken on the kitchen table. Jackson dressed in his uniform while filling her with his cock. The scene dragged her over the edge she had been hovering on. Stars burst behind the lids of her eyes as she moaned her release. Before she could plunge from the heights, Jackson was there, luring her back to the peaks. His mouth at her center, tugging on her folds with gentle bites.

  She lifted to her elbows to watch him, his gaze meeting hers over her heaving chest, then he stalked up her body. "My turn."

  When he pressed into her, it was as if the vision he'd put in her head merged with his claiming now unable to keep her hands still, she dragged them down his back to his ass to spur him on.

  Breathless whimpers passed her lips as she begged for release. Begged to be taken. Broken words of 'yes' … 'please' … 'harder' were a litany that fell from her mouth, driving them both on. The glide of his chest hair elicited a moan from her the sting of her sensitive nipples mixing with the arousal he drew from her so effortlessly. It was as if he had the key to awaken her body. Not just awaken it b
ut incite every nerve ending toward one goal. Decadent pleasure.

  Her legs tangled with his until he pushed them aside to settle more firmly over her. His steely muscles tightened under his hair-roughened skin as one hand held her steady with an iron grip as their flesh slapped in a primal rhythm. The beat maintained by his pistoning hips. His other hand cupped the back of her head as his mouth devoured hers. Their tongues tangling, falling into the rhythm of his claiming.

  The dual onslaught dragged her back over the edge with a shout, but instead of allowing her to wallow in the bliss of her orgasm, he growled and sat back on his knees. He gripped her thighs, spreading them further apart and watched as he took her. The need and desire in his gaze dragged her back into the passionate inferno. When she climaxed for the third time, he followed her with a roar before falling next to her.

  Sweat glistened over his skin, slicking down pieces of hair around his temples. Panting gasps fell between them as they both worked to catch their breath. His blunt fingers pushed a strand of her hair plastered to her cheek away before he kissed her.

  "Give me a few, then we'll go again."

  Her eyes widened as shock filled her. Again? A grin stretched her face. "Only if I get to be in charge this time."

  It was his turn to be surprised but not for long as his lips quirked in a familiar half-smile. "Deal."

  Hours later, when they were both exhausted, Brianna snuggled her back to Jackson's chest, his arms wrapped tight around her as soon as he flicked the lamp off. His face nuzzled into the crook of her shoulder, and his moist breath tickled her sensitive skin. "Sleep, hon."

  Love filled her to overflowing for this man. Unable to keep the words in any longer, Brianna released them into the night drenched room. "I love you, Jackson."

  She thought he hadn't heard her as she felt the rise and fall of his chest as the silence stretched between them. Her eyes weighted down by the week-long drama and nerves from today finally closed as her body gave way to exhaustion. But she woke with a muffled 'umph' when he kissed the patch of skin behind her ear before whispering, "I love you too, Briony."

  Brianna jolted up, but Jackson snored peacefully next to her. Had she dreamed that? She lifted her hand to wake him and demand answers but stopped. Where she had only dealt with the drama of each event, while Derrick, Vince, Callen, and Erica taking over the care of the animals and the veterinary calls. Jackson had worked split shifts and overnights in between each engagement. He needed sleep.

  And it wasn't like he wouldn't be there in the morning to confront. Brianna curled back into Jackson though it took a bit longer for her to fall asleep. Only telling herself that it had been hearing things due to the stress of playing Briony all week was she finally able to find enough peace to sleep.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jackson woke with a jerk as his cell blared, breaking through his exhaustion. The second he awoke, the events from the night before flooded back to him, and guilt wound into him. He'd called Brianna Briony after sharing his feelings. Snakes took up residence in the pit of his stomach. How the hell was he going to apologize for that? Was there a bouquet?

  Shit. He needed more than flowers. Just as he was racking his brain on how to fix his screw up, his cell sang out with Tristan's ring tone. Catching the time in bright red numbers on Brianna's clock, Jackson swore. Nothing good ever came from phone calls at three a.m.

  Gently rolling away from Brianna, Jackson stumbled to the foot of the bed and snatched his pants up as his cell fell silent again. Unwilling to wake Brianna since she hadn't made a peep yet, he hurried into the hall and closed the door before sitting on the top stair to call his friend.

  He hoped Tristan's soon to be ex-wife hadn't gotten out of rehab yet. The court-mandated rehab came after endangering their kids. It was the straw that broke their marriage, and Tristan immediately filed for divorce and petitioned for full custody of their children. With his wife's father being richer than Croesus, Jackson expected Tristan to be forced to share custody. Though it wasn't in the best interest of the kids.

  The second his phone broke the silence, Jackson accepted the call and put it to his ear. "Do you need me to come get you or the kids?"

  A gasp followed by a sputtered cough as Tristan caught his breath. "No. Jacks, you're going to need to come to Chicago."

  Worried, he gnawed on his thumbnail. "Why? I'm not due there until July second."

  Tristan sighed. "Ray had a heart attack—"

  "What?!" Jackson roared as he jumped to his bare feet and rushed into Brianna's room, flipping the light on and in his haste, forgetting she slept. "When? What hospital?"

  "Slow down. The doctors are running tests now, and we're at Saint Joe's. I'll stay with him until you get here."

  "Okay, I'll get the first flight out. Tell him I'm on my way." Jackson ended the call and pulled his gym bag out of the closet.

  "Jackson," Brianna called from the bed, worry pinching the skin between her brow.

  He didn't stop packing. "Ray's in the hospital. He had a heart attack, I don't know how bad but Tristan's there. I need to go."

  "Of course." Her tone hesitant. "Can I ask you… When you said, you loved me—"

  "Shit," he groaned.

  "You said Briony, didn't you?"

  It was a statement and not a question, so he didn't answer, but his guilt was plain for her to see. "I'm so sorry, Bri." He stopped shoving things in his bag and went to cup her face. "I love you. Not your sister. I love Brianna."

  But it felt hollow now as his mind was only half-there in that bedroom while the rest was filled with worry over his dad.

  "I'm being selfish. You get packed, and we'll talk later." She rolled out of bed and dressed. "I'll go book you a seat."

  With that, she was gone, and Jackson cursed himself for getting too far into his role the last week.

  His heart told him to follow her and explain, but if he did, he might not be there if something happened to Ray. Might not see him before he died. After everything the man sacrificed for Jackson, Ray needed him this time, and Jackson wouldn't be late. Brianna would be here when he returned.

  And between now and then, he would call and explain that he had called her Briony in his damned head for a week so as not to screw up the contract. She should understand. He used every trick in his parents' playbook to assume the role of the doting boyfriend that would hang off Briony's arm at every single event. All so, Brianna wouldn't be defenseless. Scrubbing a hand across his jaw, the rasp of his morning beard told him he needed to shave, but the clock perched on the nightstand showed he didn't have time. Shrugging the strap of the gym bag over his shoulder, he jogged down the stairs to be met by Brianna at the bottom.

  "Here, your plane leaves in three hours with a caveat if you're there waiting you might be able to catch an earlier flight." She passed him a handful of papers with his itinerary printed on them.

  "Thanks, hon." He leaned in and pecked her lips, but she turned her head, and he grazed her cheek instead.

  Fire flashed in her eyes. "We'll talk later. But you need to go."

  Feeling pulled in two different directions, Jackson knew he would regret not being there for Ray if something happened. So he ran for his car even as he left his heart behind with Brianna.

  * * * *

  Jackson raked his hands through his hair. He should have pushed Ray to retire already and move down here. Instead, his dad was in a hospital being taken care of by strangers while Jackson had to wait for the damned airplane to take off.

  Granted, Tristan was by no means a stranger considering he was Jackson's best friend and had spent a lot of weekends at Jackon's house.

  But still. Ray should be with Jackson. He looked at his cell again and groaned. One minute since the last time he had checked it and still no word from Tristan, nor Brianna.

  His gaze caught the flight attendant as he checked boarding passes and herded the passengers on. Instead of looking exhausted for as early as it was, the man's uniform was crisp, and t
he smile never left his face as he answered questions. His name tag flashed in the light, but Jackson didn't need to be close to read it as he had already talked to Sean about boarding this flight for Chicago.

  Sean had sworn he could get Jackson on this flight since only half the passengers had checked-in, and the plane was due to leave as soon as everyone boarded.

  But Jackson wouldn't believe him until Jackson's ass was in a seat, and the plane was in the air. The brown-haired female flight attendant waved Sean over to the desk and hurried to take his place to herd the last of the people on the plan.

  Sean's smile brightened as he met Jackson's gaze. "Mr. McCord, we've got you a seat with. Come get checked in."

  The tension in Jackson's shoulders rolled from him as he rushed to the counter. With only a carry on, he didn't have any luggage for the airlines to lose. After his ticket was in his tight grip, Jackson pumped the man's hand. "Thank you for your help."

  "You're welcome. I'm just glad you didn't have to wait for two hours. I hope everything goes well with your father."

  "Me too." He jogged onto the plane and followed the new attendant to his seat.

  Jackson had used his lights and siren to get to the airport quickly. He probably shouldn't have, but if this didn't constitute an emergency, then he didn't know what did. Because if it had been someone he pulled over with a family emergency, then he would have escorted them so they could get to their loved ones as fast as humanly possible. After storing his bag, he buckled his seatbelt and waited as the attendants went over the safety protocols.

  Jackson leaned his head back as the plane raced down the runway, his ears hurting the higher they climbed until the chewing gum he chomped on finally helped them pop. Jesus, he'd fucked up. With Ray. With Brianna. Scrubbing a hand over his jaw, he knew he'd have a lot of groveling to do after checking on Ray. He couldn't believe when he finally told a woman he loved her, he used the wrong damned name.

  His mind churned between needing to call Brianna the second after he checked on Ray to hammering out what he would say to her. He prayed his use of Briony wouldn't be what broke them. And hoped with everything in him that he hadn't messed up so badly that Brianna took back the offer for him to move in.