Page 19

JACKSON

It’s a good thing dinner is already served because you could cut the tension in this room with a knife.

Four shocked faces stare back at me and I let my gaze brush over the three strangers until I reach Rosie.

“Smells delicious,” I say with a wink. That gets Rosie on her feet.

She rushes over to me. “What are you doing here?” she asks in a low voice.

“You say Glitterball, I come running.” Well, I received a glitterbalddghts , which I interpreted to mean dear God come and help me now .

I smirk as Rosie takes a deep breath, curving into me slightly as if I’m holding an umbrella that can shield her from her guests. “You good, pretty girl?” I whisper.

She nods. “Better now,”

I gently clasp her shoulders and step around her. “Jackson,” I say, extending my hand to her father. He’s tall and slim, with Rosie’s blue eyes behind his glasses. He warily clasps my hand in his.

“Rosie didn’t tell us you were coming.” Rosie’s mother stands with a simpering smile. Rosie didn’t know you were coming , I think. “I’m Andrea.”

Andrea is slim with neat blonde hair around her shoulders and looks almost nothing like Rosie. I gently place a kiss on each of her cheeks and flash her a winning smile. “We all hate an unexpected surprise.”

Andrea stares at me. “Has anyone ever told you you look just like that guy from those superhero movies?”

“Once or twice,” I shoot her one of my friendly camera smiles.

It’s always a little awkward meeting people who recognize me but can’t place me.

That split second when they can’t figure out if they’ve seen me on TV or if we go to the same gym.

But, then again, I feel like I already know enough about this woman myself.

“Same person,” Rosie rushes out from my side, her cheeks pink. Andrea gapes at me but Rosie drags my attention to the other people gathered around the table. “This is my Dad, Terry and my sister, Cleo.”

Her sister, Cleo, stands and angles towards me with a smile that I assume is supposed to be seductive. Despite her conventional good looks and heavy makeup, she’s got nothing on Rosie.

I cut her off with a friendly wave before crossing back to the kitchen counter where Rosie is dishing up a bowl of risotto.

I take a dramatic sniff. “Smells lovely.” I spot little white chunks swimming in the stew and lower my voice. “Updating the recipe?”

Rosie’s shoulders stiffen as she whispers, “Mum brought some cooked chicken to add.”

I frown at her but she shakes me off and takes my bowl back to the table and sets it beside her seat. Unfortunately, it sets me right next to the sister, who brushes her hair back in such an exaggerated motion that I think she might topple off her chair.

“So Jackson ,” she says, resting her hand on her head and leaning closer to me. “How do you know Rosa-pee?”

The way she says the nickname sets my teeth on edge, a little malicious glint in her eye as she enunciates the ‘pee’. I lean back, resting my arm lightly along the back of Rosie’s chair.

“Mutual friends,” I say with a tight smile. “What are you guys doing down this way? It’s nice of you to come and visit your daughter.” I’m being a dick but I don’t care.

Rosie straightens in her seat and I gently tug a strand of her hair before trailing my hand along her shoulder.

“No, we were at Cleo’s launch event,” Andrea says sitting up straighter in her seat. “She wore such beautiful a dress, you should have seen it. Everyone there was saying that pink is just her color.”

I nod my head politely.

“Her post got a quarter of a million likes.” Andrea emphasizes it like I should be impressed.

I’m not.

“Yeah, I saw it,” Rosie says quietly, scooping up a spoonful.

“Is it true you’re dating Ashley Peters?” Cleo asks, leaning her head on her hands and tilting her body towards me, fluttering her false eyelashes.

I feel Rosie freeze up next to me and I restrain myself from tugging her into my lap and claiming her in front of her entire family. “No,” I say firmly, angling away from her and closer to Rosie.

Cleo shares a look with her mother. I’ve spent enough years watching my sisters and mother communicate with their eyes that I know something passed between them .

“How are you finding London?” Andrea asks me brightly. “Cleo can always take you on a tour. There’s an amazing restaurant in Kensington–”

My blood boils under my veins. Why do they think I’m here? Do they think I spiritually connected with Cleo from LA and something tugged me to a random flat in Clapham so I could sit here at a dinner table where none of the occupants were invited?

I hope that whatever delusions these guys have misses our kid in the gene pool. I grimace. “No, thank you.”

I curl my fingers around the back of Rosie’s chair, almost ready to pick it up and carry her out of here.

Cleo flicks her hair over her shoulder and rests her hand close to my arm. Before she gets any ideas I pull my hand under the table.

“If you change your mind, I can give you my number.” Cleo purrs. “Or you can DM me, I won’t let you get lost. I get so many messages it’s hard to keep track sometimes, you know how it is.”

Rosie’s fork clatters against her bowl and I watch her shoulders hunch inwards.

I remove my hand from the back of her chair and drape my arm over her lap instead, gripping her thigh and running my thumb along her jeans.

It will be a cold day in hell when I willingly message that girl.

Rosie’s cold hand gently rests over my fingers and I try to take a calming breath.

Changing tactics, I turn to Rosie’s father. “Terry, Rosie tells me you’re retired.” Terry blinks in surprise, but I shoulder on. “Picked up any hobbies?” Please have some hobbies, Terry. Please.

“Well yes…I’ve got a 8700 Vintage Model Train set set up in the?—.”

“He spends all his time in the garage,” Andrea interrupts, rolling her eyes. “It’s like I haven’t even got a husband anymore. He’s gone full granddad.”

Rosie tenses under my hand.

“Good timing,” Cleo says, with a sinister smile. “Isn’t that right Rosa-pee?”

The room stills, with all heads turning to Rosie.

What. The. Fuck? How did she find out?

“What are you talking about?” Andrea asks.

Rosie shifts underneath me pushing my hand away. I take the hint and return to my seat. I refuse to look at Cleo, keeping all my focus on the woman next to me.

She takes a deep breath and faces her parents, angling her body away from her sister. “I’m pregnant.”

She releases it in a rushed breath, shoving her shoulders back and sitting up straighter.

When I told my mum, she shrieked and cried and I couldn’t get her to shut up. When Rosie tells hers…nothing.

Andrea’s mouth hangs open as she processes.

“How did you find out?” Rosie asks her sister, barely turning her head to address her.

“Nanny’s care home rang to congratulate me ,” she snickers, as if this is all one big joke. “She must have gotten confused, or maybe she just forgot. You know what she’s like nowadays.” She shrugs her shoulders as she flips her hair again.

I grind my teeth at the comment.

Terry clears his throat, his eyes shining. Before he can say anything, Andrea barks, “Are you serious?”

Rosie flinches ever so slightly but doesn’t reply.

“How could you be so—so irresponsible?” Andrea snaps, “Are you going to keep it ?”

“Yes,” Rosie says sharply. “Yes, I’m keeping my baby. ”

I clench my jaw, wanting more than anything to jump in and bulldoze, but also wanting Rosie to lead this.

“Plus, that window has passed. I’m due in February.”

“ February ,” Andrea shrieks and I wince as the sound pierces my eardrums. “It’s October! This is ridiculous, you’re having a baby in five months and you didn’t even tell your own mother? I can’t believe this, Rosalie. Why didn’t you say anything?”

Rosie shifts ready to open her reply but her mother cuts her off.

“How have you let this happen? Are you going to raise it here? In a one bedroom flat that you’re renting?”

“You’re acting like that’s never been done before.”

“You’re not even married for God’s sake, what were you thinking ?” Andrea asks, her voice pitching further upwards. “Who’s the father?”

“Don’t be surprised if it’s a turkey baster and a man in a van,” Cleo giggles behind her hand.

“That’s enough,” I bellow, rising to my feet.

The chair slides back with a screech as four pairs of eyes jump to mine in surprise.

“I’ve had enough of this. I appreciate this is a shock which is why we were going to share our news in our own time.

” I glare at Cleo, “But if you can’t process this news respectfully and quietly, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. ”

“ You’re the father?” Cleo sputters in disbelief.

I glare at her, almost ready to say duh . Are these people well ? “Yes, and it’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”

I cross to the door holding it open and gesturing for them to make use of it.

I watch in stony silence as they slowly rise to their feet.

“Well,” Andrea says, throwing her hands up. “It’s just a shock is all. ”

“Process it on your own time and then get back to us.” I send her a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes.

I hold it open as Andrea scurries past. I step further away from the door as Cleo attempts to brush past me. This woman makes my skin crawl. How has Rosie put up with her for her whole life?

Out of the corner of my eye I see Rosie’s dad pulling her into an awkward hug.

I glance away respectfully but honestly he sat there and let himself get steamrolled by his wife and daughter, without so much as moving a muscle to step in to shield his youngest. I know for a fact that I will never stand by and allow that to happen to my daughter. Ever.

He approaches, offering me a handshake which I warily accept. “Thank you,” he says, avoiding eye contact before adding a quiet, “and congratulations.”

I nod my head once, not trusting myself to open my mouth.

He leaves and I close the door behind him, resting my hands on the wood and dropping my head

“I’m sorry Rosie,” I say, turning finally. “I just couldn’t sit by and let?—”

Warm lips land on mine and it only takes a second for my reflexes to kick in before I circle my arms around Rosie, tugging her to me.

I almost groan as her curious tongue slides past my lips, widening them further. Her small hands cross my shoulders and tug at my hair, sending lightning shooting down my spine.

“Rosie,” I mumble as she presses kisses along my jaw. “Slow down.”

“I don’t want to,” she mutters into my skin.

“I’m sorry, I know it’s not my plac– ”

“Don’t say sorry,” she whispers against my lips, pulling back to look in my eyes. “Don’t say sorry for that. No one’s ever stood up for me like that before.” She blinks rapidly, as she runs her fingers across my jaw. “So, don’t be sorry.”

Her lips find mine again and I sink into her, pulling her closer as if I can meld her body to mine.

I’ve not kissed her since that first night, at the wedding, and I want to kick myself for not chasing after her sooner, not kissing her sooner.

How have I lived thirty two years on this planet without this woman?

Her breasts crush against my chest, and I slip my hand under the hem of her jeans, clutching her ass.

She tugs me backwards until her back hits the counter, and it’s second nature to lift her and place her on top of it.

She moans breathlessly as I grind into her pussy, my cock harder than a steel pipe.

My hands explore her, running along her back and around to her throat. Her pulse jumps wildly under my hand, and I pull my lips away from her lips to press a kiss to the jumping point.

“Are you sure?” I mumble into her neck.

“Please, Jackson.”

I clasp her jaw with my hands and pull back to look at her. With her cheeks flushed and lips swollen, she looks ready to be fucked.

“Rosie.” I swipe my thumb across her swollen lip and watch as her eyes darken. I swallow harshly. “I want this to be real,” I confess, unable to hide how desperately I want her. All of her.

“You do?” she asks, licking her lips.

“Hmm,” I rumble, sliding my lips across her jaw and to the soft juncture of her neck. “I want us to be us. ”

I’m glad I’m not looking at her. Buried in her warm skin, I can safely imagine that she’s going to agree with me.

“Yes,” she says breathlessly. I lift my head gazing into her eyes.

“Yes?”

“Yes,” she says, a smile pulling at her lips. “I want it to be real too.”

“You really mean that?”

“Yes, Jackson, I mean that. I think a part of me wanted that the whole time but I thought you wanted to keep it casual.” She lifts her hand to my cheek, her soft fingers brushing against my lips.

“There’s nothing casual about us baby.” I nibble on her fingers before pulling away from her with a playful groan. “Hold on, so you’re saying this whole time, you’ve been pretending to be overcome with pregnancy hormones just to get into bed with me?”

She rolls her eyes with a laugh. “Yes, yes okay? Now, can we please get to the fucking part.”

I gasp. “Rosie Taylor, who are you right now?”

I swallow her laugh on my tongue as I grind my hips into hers. I love the way her eyes flutter at the friction and I let out a low growl as I eat up her sigh.

“Fuck me now please,” she whimpers.

Jesus.

“You got it, pretty girl.”