Page 79

Jackson

Don’t think I didn’t walk like a damn lion, the pride of my tribe, into the restaurant holding hands with my girlfriend. Because I did.

Although Rad is laughing while shaking his head, I overhear Cade grumble, “Oh fuck.” Tealey and Cammie are on my team, sitting there rooting for the hometown hero.

Tealey says, “Hi, guys.”

Marlow glances at me and then replies, “Hi.” Her smile is so wide that I know it’s not embarrassment but happiness.

I pull her chair out and help push it in when she sits. “I see you guys ordered without us.”

Rad sets his drink down. “We had to. Who knows how long you two would stand out there trying to figure your shit out.”

“Don’t mind them. We only ordered drinks,” Cammie says.

I sit down beside Marlow and rest my hand on her leg.

Her hand covers mine, and when she looks at me, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this beaming with joy, like she stole the shine right out from under the sun.

A damn thief in the night. Makes me wonder what she’ll steal next.

I’m not one to get into the mushy stuff, but I might check on my heart later.

The server not only arrives to take our drink order but we also order four appetizers.

Cade finishes his beer and sets it down with a thud, grabbing our attention. “Should we round-robin the news? I have a feeling we have some items to get through on the agenda this evening. Jackson? Marlow? Want to go first?”

I wish our drinks were here first, but I’m not sweating it. It’s the announcement they thought they’d never hear from us, but I won’t hide it. I do double-check with Marlow first, though. A blush has colored her cheeks, and she elbows me. “You tell them.”

“Marlow and I are fucking.”

“Oh, my God, Jackson!” I’m whacked on the back of my shoulder. She drops her head into her hands as those same sweet cheeks flame red. “You’re the worst, you know that?”

“I do.” I take her hand and pull it onto my lap, holding it between mine. “But you just can’t resist me, baby.”

She’s laughing when she says, “I knew making it official would have everything going to your head. Now we’re adding pet names?”

“Well,” I say, cocking my head to the side. “I know how much you love my head. Both?—”

“You’re insufferable, St. James.”

“Hello?” Cade says, snapping two fingers. “You do realize we’re here, right?”

I kiss Marlow on the closest hot cheek of hers and then turn to the others. “Marlow and I are dating.”

“Yay!” Tealey cheers and claps excitedly. Cammie joins in, causing patrons from other tables to look over because of the noise. I don’t care. These women are my personal heroes.

Our drinks arrive, and then Cade pipes in first, holding up a pint glass. “Here’s to you two. It’s about fucking time.”

Six glasses swoop above the middle of the round table to clack together before we pull back and drink to us. To top it off, as if it couldn’t get any better, Marlow leans over and says, “Kiss me.”

“I’ll kiss you all right.” I cup her face and lean in and kiss her like I’d kiss when there’s no audience around to witness.

Cammie laughs nervously. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence sweeps across the group, and we all stare at Cammie. Then, in unison, we turn our attention to Cade when he says, “We’re having a baby.”

Tealey practically treks across the top of the table to get to her friend.

While they lock in an embrace, Marlow rushes over to join in.

I stand and move around the chairs, holding my hand out to Cade.

“Congratulations.” When he shakes my hand, I pull him into a hug and pat him on the back. “Great news, man.”

“Thanks,” he replies and then turns to Rad, who is waiting to do the same.

It takes a minute for us to get around each other, but I finally get to hug Cammie. “Congratulations, Cam.”

“Thanks, Jackson,” she replies with her chin just barely reaching my shoulder.

When we settle back in our seats, Rad raises a glass in their direction and says, “We’ve been there since the moment you guys met .

. . not when Cade showed up to deliver a pizza, but pretty much since then you two were inseparable.

I know I can speak for everyone and say, we couldn’t be happier for you.

Here’s to the soon-to-be new parents and to the crew expanding into the next generation. ”

“Cheers,” echoes across the table.

With so much good news, the night flies too fast, and we’re all heading off in our own directions right after. With my arm around Marlow’s shoulders in the back of the car, I ask, “Did you have fun?”

“So much fun.” Her head rolls to the side as she looks at me. The outside lights trapped in her eyes. “Tonight was wonderful.”

I kiss her because she’s my girlfriend. Damn, I love that I can finally call her mine. “It was pretty fucking fantastic.” We have a few more blocks to travel, so I figure I might as well make the most of the time. “Do you have plans tomorrow?”

Tilting back, she grins. “You already trying to get rid of me?”

“No, I’m trying to devise plans to spend more time with you.”

“I like that. I’m all yours. What are we doing?”

We stop at a light, and hoards of people cross the street in front of us.

One bangs on the hood of the taxi, but that’s normal in the city.

I turn my attention back to Marlow, and ask, “I’m having dinner with my family tomorrow.

I’d already promised my sister at dinner on Tuesday since I haven’t been around in a few weeks. Will you come with me?”

She slides upright, her expression soft like her skin. “You want me to have dinner with your family?”

“It’s not like you don’t know them.”

“But this is different.”

My arm tightens around her shoulders, and she moves closer, snuggling in. “This is different. That’s why I want you there, not as a friend but as my girlfriend.”

Lifting up, she kisses me and then rubs the gloss she applied after dinner from my lip.

“I’d like that.” A quick breath is stolen between us, and she kisses me again, deepening it this time.

I reach to hold her, her frame almost a wisp compared to mine.

Pressing her against the seat, I hover over, kissing her as deep as she’ll let me.

The car comes to a sudden stop. I look back at the driver. Not amused, she says, “We’re here.”

I lick my lips and then pull my wallet from my pocket to pay. The interruption doesn’t last long. Marlow and I pick up where we left off as soon as the elevator door closes. Pinning her in the corner, I cage her in with my hands on the wall next to her head.

Her hands slide over my shoulders, digging in even through the thickness of my suit jacket.

The elevator reaches my floor, and we’re rushing toward my door.

I unlock it and toss the keys on the table.

With our lips still locked, I strip her coat off and kick the door closed.

While she’s scrambling to remove my jacket, I can barely free myself enough to lock the bolt.

My shoes are coming off as I spin her to the side to find the zipper under her arm.

As she reaches down to release the buckle at her ankle, she’s steady enough for me to unzip her dress, which runs the length of the material. When the dress falls to the floor and reveals her tight and curvy body, my dick twitches.

I leave her balancing on one heel and using my shoulder to hold while I drop to one knee to undo the other strap around her ankle. While I hold the shoe, she slips her foot out. I set it aside, but I stay kneeling in front of her.

Taking in every inch of her body until I reach her eyes, I lick my lips, thirsty for this woman. As soon as I take hold of one of the sides of the lace on her hip, her hand grabs me. “You never did replace the last pair.”

“I’ll buy you the fucking store.”

I don’t get more than narrowed eyes as her mouth twists in contemplation, but then her shoulders drop, and she grins. “Okay. Do it,” she says, sounding a lot like she’s compromising.

With a smirk, the lace is shredded, causing her to laugh. “You’re wild, St. James.”

“Wild for you, Marché.”

Dragging her fingers through my hair, she says, “So cheesy.”

“I’ll give you that. It’s not my best work. You know what is?”

Her hand runs down the side of my face, and a finger then grazes over my bottom lip. “Don’t tell me. Show me.”

With my hands anchored to the wall on either side of her legs, I lean forward and lick her thigh, stopping just at the apex. Then I move higher, closer to where I know she wants me. Her hands just reach my shoulders until I’m high enough for her to rest her palms over my muscles.

Running my nose along her seam, I let her fill my senses, inhaling her deep into my lungs, covering my tastebuds in all that this woman will give me. Her moans fill my ears as her nails scrape my skin.

I stop, sitting back on my feet, and look up at this goddess before me. I thought I was ready to fuck her, but my thoughts changed like a song on an album, switching from fast to slow.

Questions fill her eyes, but I don’t want her to feel anything less than I’m feeling for her right now. I stand, bringing my jacket with me, and wrap it around her shoulders. “Jackson?” Her voice is so soft, but there’s no shame entwined.

“I want to make love to my girlfriend.” Taking hold of her hand, I lead her into the bedroom.

A bedside lamp is already on. I close the blinds because she once told me this is how she blocks out the world.

Tonight, I want the same. When I turn back, she’s slipped off her bra and sits on top of the bed.

She makes it so fucking hard to be good and not ravage her.

But I control myself, and say, “Just you and me.”

“You said make love.” She slides under the covers.

Unbuttoning my shirt, I grin. “I did.”

“You said that earlier tonight, too. You said you wanted to stay home and make love to me.” I nod. She cocks an eyebrow while a restrained smirk belies the playful look in her eyes. “I never thought I’d hear Jackson St. James, former player of Manhattan, use terms like ‘make love’ instead of fuck.”

“I use the words that fit the situation.”

“Turning a new leaf.” She licks her lips, knowing exactly what she’s doing. The vixen.

I’d tell her that making love is just a gentler version of what we do already, but that would be a lie. Emotions are involved and growing exponentially with every day I get to spend with her. “I wouldn’t give me too much credit.”

“You never disappoint me. And as the benefactor of your actions and words in this bedroom, I like this new side of you.”

“As long as you don’t get sick of my other side.”

“Never.” She flips the covers open as an invitation. “Now hurry up. Get over here and make love to your girlfriend.”

She knows how to get me moving. I strip down and climb into bed next to her.

We both settle in, lying next to one another and staring into each other’s eyes.

The starter gun is shot when she smiles and then taps my wrist with her hand.

We roll into each other’s arms, our lips finding purchase as our limbs tangle together.

I roll on top of her, kissing the curve of her neck. The deep-seated desire to mark this woman as mine is strong. I restrain myself in that way, but in others, I don’t. “I’m so fucking glad you’re on the pill.”

“You feel so good when you’re inside me.” She tilts her head into the pillow, and says, “I need you. Please. I need you to fill me again.”

I nudge her legs apart with mine and don’t waste time pushing inside her. Her warmth engulfs my whole body and soul. She’ll never understand how I’d sell my soul to the devil if I could stay here, just like this, forever.

The rush of losing myself in her becomes too much. I pull back, wanting to see her. When she opens her eyes, I slowly, so fucking slow, push back in. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she pulls me closer until we start kissing again.

As I taste her moans and we share our panting breaths, slowing down gives me the pleasure of enjoying the little things instead of racing to the finish line.

A small smile always comes after I kiss her behind her ear before it disappears, and her body seeks friction against mine.

A little cluster of freckles—three to be precise—across the left side of her collarbone reminds me of Orion’s Belt. I move down to kiss there before going lower to her nipples.

Taking the pink bud between my teeth, I gently clamp just enough to tease, causing her back to arch. Another trick I’ve learned with her.

But as much as I want to take my time, I can’t resist. Grabbing her wrists, I drag them higher on the bed.

The first thrust is a warning. A fire flickers to life in her eyes, challenging me.

I kiss her sweetly and then place another on the corner of her mouth before whispering, “I’m sorry.

I can’t hold back with you. I need to be buried as deep as possible inside you. ”

I push in so hard that her body jerks higher on the bed.

I steal the gasp that threatens to leave her mouth and start fucking for pleasure, for pain, for her, and for my own satisfaction.

Her nails scratch against the headboard as I rise higher over her and fuck with intention. “I’m going to make you come so hard.”

“Jackson.” My name falls from her mouth in a plea as her wrists wriggle free. Holding my head, she bounces against me, my thrusts taken and then her body leaving mine as she seeks her release. “I’m so close, babe.”

I thrust faster and then slide my hand between us. She’s so wet for me already that I run my finger through the slickness and start working her clit. Fuck my release. A promise is a promise, and I’ll keep the one I just made.

Her legs squeeze around my middle as I pump in and out of her. Her hands leave me and rub over her tits. Fuck. I can’t fight against the sight of her touching herself. “Come for me.”

I feel the constriction around me just before her body trembles. Closing my eyes, I keep fucking her until it’s too much for me to hold on any longer. I fall into my orgasm right after her, my body giving her every ounce of how I feel for her.

She fucking owns me.

But I fucking own her too.

When the electricity that zaps all my energy subsides, I turn, placing my lips to her ear. “You’re mine. You understand me, sweetheart? You’re mine, and I’m yours. There’s no one else anymore.”

Dipping her head, she brushes our cheeks together and tightens her arms around me. “Only us,” she whispers.

“That’s right. Only us.”