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“He added me because of his loyalty to you,” Reagan retorted.

English smirked in response. “Hell, no. Jacky doesn’t work that way. If he included you in his circle, it’s because you earned his respect. Don’t take it lightly. People have underestimated Jacky his whole life. He’s always proved them wrong. He’s worthy of your trust, even if I never was.”

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

“I had a gut feeling you needed to hear it.”

Reagan glanced at him from the corner of her eye and saw him touch Jackson’s shoulder and look into his face. After a moment, he turned to pierce her with his stare.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I should have moved heaven and earth to be there for you and your mother. I thought I was doing the right thing at the time, but if I had it to do over, I could make a different choice. I know it doesn’t change a thing, but I wanted to say it all the same.”

She heard him shuffle out of the room, leaving her alone and lost in her churning thoughts.

∞∞∞

Damn, she’s gorgeous.

Jackson’s brain felt fuzzy and heavy, a side effect of the pain killers the doctor prescribed him. He hated the feeling, and now that he was awake, he would make sure to tell the nurses to hold off on anything strong than over-the-counter pain reliever.

She hasn’t realized he was awake. He’d kept his eyes closed since the fluorescent lighting bothered his eyes. The feel of her hand holding his gave him something nice to focus on. Her fingers were long, her palm warm, her skin soft.

When he heard English come into the room, he almost told him to leave. He expected Reagan to be tense and withdraw her hand from his. He enjoyed it too much for it to end. While she did stiffen when she talked, she never pulled away.

She insisted she was only offering comfort. She said she was only there out of gratitude. But his memories of her in his arms, of her lips kissing his, of her fire when they sparred – it all told a different story. It was a story he wanted continue to experience.

He’s worthy of your trust.English’s words pierced his heart. He’d been trying to prove it to her, and to find her by his side and holding his hand when he woke sparked hope that she believed him.

The conversation with English disturbed her. She stared into space ever since he left. She never noticed that Jackson opened his eyes, so he looked his fill.

Her raven hair was pulled away from her face and secured at the nape of her neck in a low ponytail. Her face was makeup free. Despite her splotchy skin and reddened eyes, her features were still striking. High cheekbones, slender nose and kissable lips. Her eyes were troubled but beautiful. He thought of whirlpools when he looked into the dark irises that flashed golden sparks when she was angry.

He enjoyed witnessing her anger, though he wished her ire wouldn’t always directed at him. As hot as her anger ran, her passion was just as fiery. Once he got a taste, he was a goner. He wanted to taste her every day for the rest of his life.

“I’ve never seen someone look so serious over something English said.” His words held a slight slur that supported his decision to stop the prescription pain killers making him feel like he was encased in a haze.

Reagan’s head snapped around to face him. Her troubled expression cleared to show her concern.

“You’re awake. You heard all of it? I thought you were out of it.”

He managed a small grin. “I am definitely out of it, and yes, I heard all of it. I didn’t expect for it to bother you though.”

“I’m not bothered,” she snapped, and his grin widened to see the fire flashing in her eyes.

“You are. I am a little. I’ve never heard him say stuff like that about me before.”

“He’s not exactly the warm-and-fuzzy type,” she agreed.

“No. But he never hurt me, and he gave me a purpose with my life. That’s more than I ever had from anyone. Until now.”

Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

He trailed a finger along her smooth cheek. “I mean you’re making me rethink some things about my life. I never imagined having a family outside of the boys. I never thought of doing anything but being a Legend and running the bar. But I met you, and I think of different things now. Like how you felt in my arms, how you looked in my bed, how you drive me crazy one minute and make me want to kiss you senseless the next. They’re things I didn’t want, but I realized now I do want them. I only want them with you.”

“Jackson, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying I’ve been awake for a while, and I haven’t gotten a kiss from you yet. Don’t you think it’s about time you do?”

He regretted his words the minute she pulled her hand away.