Pepper
I responded with my confirmation to dinner and quickly looked up when Jackson’s door swung open. Before I could ask him about lunch, he stalked past me and out the front door. So he couldn’t even talk to me now. What an a*shole!
Ignoring my stomach, I answered some calls and input the appointments on Jordan’s and Jackson’s calendars. I could smell microwaved meals being heated up by the other employees in the breakroom. My stomach growled again. I was screwed because I hadn’t seen any vending machines earlier when I’d taken the tour with Margie.
The front door opened back up about twenty minutes later and Jackson came back in. Not looking at me, he stalked past me with a sack of food back into his office, slamming the door behind him. Feeling a little sorry for myself, I felt a tear slip down my cheek. Realizing I was going to have to talk to him, I shakily stood up and walked over to his door.
When I knocked, he gruffly shouted, “Come in!”
I tried to calm myself as I walked to his desk. He still wouldn’t look at me. “Um, Jackson? I was wondering what time I could leave for lunch,” I meekly spoke.
My stomach growled loudly and his eyes met mine. They were full of heat and anger but he still didn’t say anything. I could feel another stupid tear fall. His gaze softened but his tone was still harsh. “Sit,” he commanded.
I sat down, trying to keep my shaking to a minimum. By this point, I was starving, and now I was in a battle of wills with Jackson. This day really sucked.
Pulling out two to-go containers from his sack, he sat one in front of me. I looked down at it, confused. “Eat,” he ordered. My eyes darting back to his, I frowned. He was opening his own container, avoiding my gaze. I started to stand, grabbing the box so I could eat in the lunchroom but his voice growled at me, stopping me in my tracks. “I said eat. Here,” he barked, glaring at me.
Margie wasn’t kidding. He was such an a*shole! How had I not seen this over the weekend? This couldn’t be the same guy who had tenderly stroked my hair while we watched a movie. It couldn’t be the same guy who had laughed like a little boy when I tickled him. This man was cold. I didn’t like him at all.
Sitting back in my chair, I opened the box. It was sushi. I couldn’t help the grin that broke over my face. He remembered that I love sushi. Scooping up a roll with my chopsticks, I dipped it in my soy sauce and greedily dropped it into my mouth.
Considering I was so hungry and I was eating my favorite food, I moaned in pleasure at the delicious taste of the roll. His eyes flew to mine but dropped to my mouth as I licked my lips. When they made their way back up to mine they were full of need. These were the eyes I was used to seeing.
He cleared his throat and turned his attention back to his food, trying to avoid looking at me again. At least I knew he was having trouble keeping up his a*shole premise.
I quickly devoured all of my rolls and stood to go back to my desk. “Come here,” he whispered, sounding like he choked on his words a little.
My eyes met his, and I couldn’t help wanting to have a repeat performance from this morning. A*shole or not, he was fantastic in bed. Gesturing for me to come closer, I nervously walked around to where he was sitting.
“Come here,” he quietly ordered again. He took my hand, pulling me a little closer. I closed my eyes as I leaned forward, wanting to kiss him so badly. He chuckled and stuck something in my hand. I blinked open my eyes, looking at what he had given me. A f*cking fortune cookie. He let go of my hand and swiveled in his chair away from me. Grabbing the phone, he started dialing and waved me away. F*cking waved me away.
Completely pissed, I stalked out of his office and tried to refrain from slamming the door. Once I got back at my desk, tears stung my eyes again, but this time they were angry. I opened my cookie and read my fortune.
“Everything will be okay. Don’t obsess. Time will prove you right. You must stay where you are.”
Damn you, wise fortune cookie. Damn you.
A DARK TWO WEEKS…
My eyes flutter open and I take in my surroundings. I’m in a hospital room. I can feel a tube down my throat and an IV attached to my arm. My head is in such a fog. What happened? I can see people seated in my room, but I’m having trouble focusing on them. Tears begin falling down my cheeks as I start crying, further blurring my vision.
I can hear shuffling of feet and whispers before a small hand grasps one of mine. “Shhh, Andi. Everything’s okay. They were able to pump your stomach but a lot of the medicine and alcohol is still in your system. The IV is trying to flush it out for you. You scared us when you stopped breathing, so they are keeping you safe with the breathing tube. Don’t try to talk. Just know that we’re all here with you,” Pepper gently comforts me.
I hear her barely whisper, “You need to leave, motherf*cker.”
And in an angry whisper that matches her, I hear Bray growl, “F*ck no.” His hand envelops my other one. My tears are really falling now and I am sobbing uncontrollably.
“I’ll get the nurse,” I hear my mother say coldly. My mother? If she is here, this is really bad.
Seconds later, a nurse shuffles in. Bray and Pepper are still stroking my hands and whispering soft, gentle things to me.
“When will the psychiatrist be here?” my mother questions the nurse. The nurse informs her that he is making his rounds and that it will be soon. She also tells her that in the meantime she will give me something to relax. I can feel a cold sensation seeping into my vein and trickling up my arm. Trying to fight the pull it is having on me, I squeeze Pepper’s and Bray’s hands once before the medication wins and fully drags me under.
The afternoon went by quickly because the phone rang off the hook. I handled the clients with ease and was able to force the confusing thoughts about Jackson from my mind. He stayed in his office the entire time. Jordan had come back a while ago and stormed into his office. His meeting must not have gone well because he had been visibly upset about it.
When the work day was almost over, Jordan emerged from his office, looking very tired and stressed. He walked over to my desk and sat on the edge. “How was your first day, Andi?” he asked. He was smiling at me but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Um, it was great. I think I handled things well. The question is, how was your day?” I wondered genuinely.
Reaching his hand up, he rubbed the stubble along his jawline. “I’ve had better. How did Jackson treat you? Did he act like an ass?” he questioned, looking into my eyes.
His genuine interest coupled with the horrible way things had evolved today had tears forming in my eyes. I tried to blink them away so my boss wouldn’t see how I was letting Jackson affect me.
Anger swept across his face as he gently wiped a tear that had managed to escape down my cheek. Jackson’s door opened beside me but I ignored it since he was going to do the same to me anyway. Hopping off the desk, Jordan softly ordered, “Come here.” He grabbed my hands and pulled me in for a hug. It appeared that we both needed a hug after our shitty day.
Something slamming on my desk caused me to jerk away from Jordan’s embrace. Jackson was glaring at the both of us, eyes darting back and forth. His jaw worked furiously, clenching and unclenching. Jordan tensed up beside me and they had a f*cking standoff before Jackson finally spoke. “Real f*cking professional, Jordan.” Without waiting for a response, he stormed out of the office.
Jordan patted me on the back. “Welcome to the gang,” he huffed, sighing as he walked back to his office. “Hope to see you tomorrow.”
With that, I snatched up my purse and left. Returning was still up for debate.
“I still can’t believe it,” Pepper murmurs, shaking her head as she sips her wine. We’d already had dinner at the café and had moved to Dempsey’s to have some after-dinner wine. It was a slow night at the bar so we were able to find a quiet booth near the back.
“Yeah, it’s pretty awful. I am just hoping it will get better. There aren’t many jobs out there, so I’d be a fool to quit, but that doesn’t make it any easier. If I didn’t have my stupid game, this never would have happened,” I whined as I downed the rest of my glass. My game was a joke anyway. It was time to stop what I’d started months ago and start trying to act like a normal human being. The server came over and refilled our glasses.
I heard Ian’s booming voice behind the bar, welcoming some guys as they walked in. Following his gaze, I was horrified to see Jordan and Jackson.
“Shit, Pepper. They’re here. Jordan and Jackson are here. We should go,” I urged, scooting out of the booth. When Jordan saw me, he waved and started walking over to me. Jackson jerked his head in my direction and glared at me.
“Andi! Surprise seeing you here. Let me buy you and your lovely friend here a drink,” he smiled when he reached our table. Whatever stress he had been dealing with earlier seemed to have dissipated.
“We were about to leave,” Pepper informs Jordan, knowing that I was beyond uncomfortable.
“Nonsense! You can have a drink with us. Jackson! Get your ass over here. Ian! Bring a round of drinks to us. Surprise us,” he ordered as he scooted into the booth next to Pepper, causing her to yelp. He looked over at her and grinned.
Normally she could be as frosty as they come, but right now her cheeks were blazing as she shakily scooted closer to the wall to get away from him.
Jackson finally made it to our table and reluctantly sat down beside me, as far away as he possibly could while still sitting on the same bench. I sighed and turned my attention back to Jordan. Keeping my hands busy, I rolled my napkin and folded it over and over again. Jordan was smiling at me. Clearly he was the more charismatic of the two.
“Excuse my socially inept brother. He doesn’t get out much. I blame it on Mom for babying him so much,” he chuckled. Jackson grumbled something under his breath and tried to ignore Jordan.
I looked over at Pepper and she had composed herself again. Frosty Bitch was back. “Andi here was just telling me about her wonderful day at work,” she said sarcastically, glancing over in Jackson’s direction. I cringed at her words. Jordan didn’t seem to notice that they were sarcastic, but Jackson flinched ever so slightly.
“Great! I’m so glad, Andi. I think you’ll really like it there. Everyone works hard to make it a successful company,” Jordan beamed as he bragged about his employees.
When I started to nervously shred my napkin, Jackson’s hand covered mine, taking it from me. I couldn’t ignore the heat that ignited between us. Quickly, my eyes found his, which were drinking me in. My heart started racing, but thankfully the intense moment was interrupted when Ian set down two rounds of shots. “It’s on me, guys,” he said, winking at us and returned back to the bar.
Jordan began telling a funny story about one of his newer clients. We were all laughing at him, but I was having a hard time giving him my entire attention. Jackson was beside me, practically knocking me over with the intense waves rolling off of his body. I’d like to assume they were of desire, but I realized it was probably anger at having to sit with me.
We all started to relax a little more as Ian brought another couple of rounds. When Jackson’s knee touched mine and stayed there, I froze. The electricity that pulsed through us was almost visible. Pepper and Jordan were talking about some art exhibit, but I could barely understand their conversation because I was too caught up in this moment with Jackson.
When his hand gingerly rested on my thigh, I shuddered at the intimate touch. I’d wanted all day for him to show some indication of the man from this morning and he had finally thrown me a bone. His hand started gently rubbing my thigh over my skirt. I gasped silently when his hand pushed my skirt up, giving him access to my panties.
Jordan and Pepper were now in a heated discussion about something, but I completely ignored them. Jackson slipped a finger underneath my panties and rubbed across my *. I jerked but forced myself to stay calm. He began a delicious pattern over my sensitive *. I choked down my panting and eagerly awaited the orgasm that was very close.
With his other hand, he slid my wine glass in front of me and nodded to it. Shakily, I snatched it up and brought it to my lips. My orgasm hit hard and was intensified when he shoved two fingers inside my wet core making me buck off of the seat a bit. Swallowing down my moans with my wine, I shook with my aftershocks. He pulled his fingers from me and slid my skirt back into place. Oh my God, he was something else.
Sliding from the booth, he said to all of us, “I’m tired. I’ll see you all later.” Without another glance in my direction, he left the bar. Jackson was so damn hot and cold. But the hot was almost worth the cold.
A DARK TWO WEEKS…
“She’s coming back to Indiana with us,” my mother informs the psychiatrist, Dr. Sweeney.
“Ma’am, I think we need to let Andi decide what she wants to do,” he says gently, looking over at me. It has been a couple of days since the accident and they are ready to release me. Dr. Sweeney wants to see me again on Friday.
“Mom, it’s okay. I’m supposed to be moving in with Pepper this weekend. I promise I’ll be okay. Dr. Sweeney and I have really been working out some of my problems,” I assure her, sighing. My mother isn’t a very affectionate, loving woman. It is weird that she even appears to care. Dad and my sister Megan couldn’t even find time from their schedule to come see me at the hospital.
She sighs but nods in agreement. Dr. Sweeney scribbles out a new prescription for me and asks me to promise that I not take them with alcohol. I nod sheepishly. The whole thing really was an accident. I wasn’t really trying to kill myself, but I almost succeeded, even if by accident. If it weren’t for Bray, I shudder to think what could have happened.
Bray has remained on constant vigil by my side throughout this entire hospital stay. Pepper refuses to speak to him anymore and gives him death glares when he’s nearby. Yesterday, though, Dr. Sweeney put an end to his visits. He said that part of my recovery revolves around healing myself without Brayden’s help. Bray was really torn up about his suggestion but said that he really wants to help me and would honor Dr. Sweeney’s wishes. After a gentle kiss to my forehead, he left me, saying that when I was healed from all of the pain he’d caused maybe we could work on a friendship at the very least.
I really don’t want Bray out of my life but I fear I’ll always be in a fragile state unless I handle my problems without him. This weekend I plan on starting the next phase of my life. I’m ready to start living again. The last two weeks have been an awful blur, and I never want to feel that way again.
This morning I was on top of things despite my pounding head from the shots last night. I found a really sexy suit a little on the shorter side now that I knew who I’d be wearing it to impress. After I slipped on some thigh-highs and then some impossibly high heels, I walked over to my full-length mirror and admired the view.
Jackson would have to be dead to ignore me today. My blonde hair hung in sexy curls down my back, my makeup was a little on the darker side today, and my outfit screamed “F*ck me.” In a moment of bravery, I slipped my panties off and kicked them to the side. Knowing that I would be working without panties near Jackson almost had me running for my vibrator in my bedside table. Ignoring the desire coursing through me, I snatched my purse and headed out.
Right before we pulled up to the building, I reapplied my red lipstick and paid the cab driver. Heads turned as I walked into the building, boosting the self-assurance that had been stolen by Jackson yesterday. I held my chin up and confidently rode the elevator up to our floor.
When Margie saw me, her eyes lit up. “Hey gorgeous! You’re going to knock them dead today. Jordan and Jackson are already in the conference room with the new junior architect, who is absolutely hot. Jordan said to send you in when you got here,” she giggled. I smiled and thanked her. Swinging by my desk, I dropped my purse in my drawer and picked up a note on my keyboard. It was from Jackson.
Lunch again today? Same time, same place?
His scribbled request made me smile. Maybe things wouldn’t be so bad. And he was definitely going to have a hard time not paying attention to me today. I was hot and knew it.
I strode into the conference room and smiled at Jordan, who was watching me with wide eyes. Jackson swiveled around and actually grinned as he appreciatively took in my appearance. My smile faded when the third chair turned to see what Jordan and Jackson were looking at.
“Andi? Oh my God. I can’t believe this!” Bray exclaimed, jumping from his seat and coming toward me. He pulled me in for an embrace, and my eyes closed when I got a huge lungful of his familiar scent. He rubbed my back, not wanting to let me go until someone cleared his throat behind him.
Quickly pulling away, he turned to see Jackson glaring at us. “You two know each other?” Jackson asked, voice rolling with anger.
Not wanting to make things uncomfortable for Bray, I spoke up. “Uh, yes. We went to college together,” I half-lied, avoiding Jackson’s fiery gaze. I quickly moved to sit down beside Jordan.
“Great! This is really going to be a great dynamic for our team here. Since you two know each other, things will go so much more smoothly,” Jordan beamed warmly, patting my bare thigh and then removing it to neaten his stack of paper in front of him.
I looked up to see Bray and Jackson wearing matching glares, this time directed towards Jordan, who seemed oblivious. The testosterone was thick in the conference room today.
Jordan quickly addressed a few things before excusing everyone. I jumped from my seat and bolted back to my desk. Once I sat down and pretended to be preoccupied with booting up my computer, Jackson stalked past me into his office, slamming the door behind him. Shit. Today was even worse than yesterday!
Now, I had to work with someone who was the ultimate cause of the way I was today. Working with Bray was going to prove to be extremely difficult, especially since the pain in my heart I had eradicated pulsed at the sight of him earlier.
Jordan and Bray walked out together, shaking hands before Jordan went over to his office. Bray sauntered over to my desk and glanced at my legs. Dragging his eyes back to mine, he said, “You look really beautiful, Andi.” I muttered a thanks and turned my attention to the computer screen. He stood quietly for a moment before walking over to his office right next to Jackson’s.
Pepper needed to know today’s events.
Pep,
Guess who works here now? Never in a million years could I have predicted this. Imagine the worst possible scenario and you’ll be right. Drinks again tonight? This time at our apartment with Olive?
Your best friend who has no luck at all,
Andi
After I hit send, my inbox chimed immediately with her response.
F*cking Brayden.
Sighing at my luck, I got busy returning phone calls and planning meetings for all three guys. The morning flew by, and I was startled when Jackson came out of his office and left without saying a word to me.
I guess we were back to the cold Jackson I didn’t like. He had said that we were having lunch, so I was guessing he had gone to go get it.
Brayden suddenly emerged from his office and walked over to my desk. “Want to grab some lunch and catch up?” he asked, smiling at me. I squirmed under his gaze. Everything about this chance encounter had my nerves on edge.
“Jackson went to get some for me. Maybe tomorrow?” I quipped, biting my lip.
His eyes fell to my lips and he looked almost sad when he glanced back up at me. “Sure, tomorrow,” he muttered hoarsely and took off out the door.
An hour later, Bray came back in. Stopping at my desk on the way to his office, he asked if he had any messages. “I emailed them to you. Check your calendar. I set up something on Thursday with a Mr. Higgins,” I told him.
Glancing into Jackson’s office and then back to me, he asked, “How was lunch?”
“Um, Jackson is supposed to be bringing it back,” I offered weakly. Considering it was now a quarter to two, I thought I might have been stood up again. When my stomach growled loudly, I clutched it trying to get it to stop.
He frowned at me. “Shit, Andi, you know you get lightheaded if you don’t eat properly. Let’s go. We’ll run down to the café here in the building and grab you a sandwich.”
I stood up, quickly deciding that I needed to eat in order to function for the rest of the afternoon. The room spun and I grabbed the desk trying to gain my bearings. Suddenly, two arms were around my middle trying to ease me back into the chair.
“Andi, sit down,” Bray urged quietly. “I’ll be right back.”
I put my head on the desk and waited for Bray to return. When he finally came back about ten minutes later, I was happy to see him. He had a sandwich in one hand and a soda in the other. Unscrewing the lid, he handed it over to me. “Here, drink this. It will make you feel better so you can stomach the food. You need to bring some snacks to keep up here. Working at a fast-paced firm like this, there may be times you can’t eat and we can’t have you fainting. You know how you get,” he gently chided.
I nodded my head and sipped down the soda. Finally, I felt okay enough to eat the sandwich. Tearing it open, I ate it quickly. He watched me sadly while I ate. This had to be the most awkward situation ever. When I nervously tried to put the lid back on the bottle, my fumbling hands dropped it at my feet.
Before I could bend over to pick it up, Bray had already knelt down to retrieve it. When he glanced up at me, his eyes skittered up my legs, landing right between them. Heat instantly flooded his face as he looked up at me with a smoldering expression. “F*ck, Andi! You’re not wearing any panties!” he hissed, glancing there again.
Embarrassment overcame me as I crossed my legs quickly, ending his peep show.
“Is that so?” a familiar voice asked behind him. Jackson was glaring at Bray, who was still crouched in shock. Bray shot up from the floor and spun to face him.
“She has to eat or she will pass out. If you promise to bring her food, then f*cking do it,” he growled at Jackson and stormed back to his office.
Jackson looked after him and then jerked his gaze back to me. “Shit. I’m sorry, Andi,” he apologized, rubbing both hands across his face. “I was having a really bad morning and I completely forgot.”
Shaking my head, I avoided looking in his direction and pretended to be doing something on the computer. “It’s no problem. Bray got me a sandwich,” I answered softly.
I could hear the grinding of his teeth before he grunted and went into his office, closing the door behind him.
A little while later, Jordan came over. “Andi, I need a favor. The firm is really needing some good publicity. The museum where your friend Pepper works is having a gala event soon. They’ve already pinned down their sponsors, but I want Compton Enterprises to be the main sponsor. I don’t care how much it costs and how much persuading it takes, but please make it happen,” he said and went back to his office.
Well, I could always try. I’d get some drinks in Pepper tonight and beg her. Maybe she’d feel sorry for me and pull some strings. If anyone could make something happen, Pepper could.
When Jackson’s door opened, I glanced up at him. His hard glare from earlier was gone and the softer side of him was looking at me. “Can you come in here for a minute?” he asked, motioning towards his office.
I stood up and walked over to him. He allowed me to pass and closed the door behind him.
Grabbing my hand, he pulled me to him. My body melted to his but I was still upset with him. “Andi, I am f*cking impossible to be around. When I found you on Friday, I looked forward to a weekend of not being my usual self and enjoying the moment. We had a great time and I loved every minute of it. Now that you work here, I’m having trouble being that man you knew because of the person I really am. I am an unhappy person. But you actually make me happy. You’re smart, sexy, and confident. I don’t deserve someone like you. My shit for brains can’t even remember to honor our dates. Please forgive me. I’m really trying here,” he pleads, frowning at me, clearly angry with himself.
His confession warmed my insides. We were both damaged people trying to live normal lives. Maybe we could fumble our way through this after all.
I stood on my toes and gently kissed his lips, letting him know that I was trying to forgive him without words. His hands threaded through my hair and pressed me farther into his lips. I moaned because I wanted him so badly. His tongue slipped into my mouth and stroked my own. Our kiss became more fervent. One of his hands slid to my ass and grabbed it. I dropped my hands down to his belt and started undoing it.
He groaned and reached over to lock his office door. Breaking from our kiss, I finished with his pants and pulled them down. His hands grasped the bottom of my skirt and hiked it up over my hips. “F*ck, Andi, you are so f*cking sexy. You didn’t wear panties for me and I was a dick to you. I don’t deserve you,” he growled as he reached down to cup my sex.
“Jackson, please f*ck me now,” I breathed as he stroked my *. Reaching around me, he grabbed my ass and lifted me onto the credenza. I spread my legs so he could access me better. He reached down and guided his cock into me.
I threw my head backwards as he began pumping into me. My orgasm teased me as it got closer. When I started to moan loudly, Jackson’s hand covered my mouth and kissed my neck. “Shhh, baby, shhh,” he crooned into my ear.
My body thrashed uncontrollably as my orgasm crashed into me. His pumping slowed as I felt him come. We probably would have stayed like that, milking the last of our orgasms, but a loud knocking on the door made us jerk apart.
Jackson hastily pulled up his pants and quickly fastened them. “Yes?” he asked gruffly even though he was smiling at me.
“It’s me, Bray. Is Andi in there? I need to ask her something about my schedule,” he requests through the door. Glancing at my legs as I was pulling down my skirt, Jackson reached over and grabbed some tissue from the box on the credenza.
“We’re just finishing up. I’ll send her over in just a minute,” he called out. He came back over to me and crouched. Wiping my leg with the tissue, he cleaned up the remains from our heated moment. Bringing his lips to the inside of my thigh, he kissed it.
Smiling at me, he stood up and walked back over to his desk, picking up the phone to make a phone call. My cheeks flushed and I hurried out of the office to go see what Bray needed. Jackson was so hot and cold, but that was totally freaking hot.
A DARK TWO WEEKS…
“This will be your room,” Pepper says with a smile as she gestures to the bedroom. I love everything about this apartment. It has really high ceilings and open windows. The hardwoods are the original and add charm to the building. Crown molding decorates the top of the walls, looking ornate. This place was absolutely gorgeous. For once in the past two weeks, I am genuinely happy.
“Pepper, I’m so excited. This place is fabulous. I promise I’ll pay half the rent once I get a real job. In the meantime, I’ll buy our groceries,” I assure her.
She just waves me away, grinning. “Andi, no worries. I don’t care if you pay me at all. You’re my best friend. We’re going to have such a blast!”
We hug each other and I bask in the power that rolls off of Pepper. She is my rock and I am blessed to have someone like her in my life.
Slipping out of Jackson’s office, I quickly go to Bray’s.
He’s hunched over, looking at some paperwork when I walk in. Closing the door behind me, I walk over to his desk. When he looked up and saw me, he smiled, gesturing for me to sit.
I sat down and waited for him to speak. “Andi, my appointment with Mr. Higgins is on Thursday, as you know. Do you think you could come with me and take notes? I’m trying to get him to accept our offer versus a competitor’s. I think having you there will be a good learning experience for you,” he informs me.
I nodded, excited to go into the field and meet with a client. “Sure. I mean, as long as it’s okay with Jordan and Jackson. Will you clear it with them first?” I asked.
“I already spoke to Jordan about it. He said that was fine and they’ll manage without you.” He turned his attention back to his computer. “Well, I need to get back to work,” he sighed, dismissing me.
When I stood to leave, he stood as well and walked over to me.
“Andi, this is so f*cking hard working with you. I just want to sprawl you out on my desk and make love to you like old times. It has been incredibly difficult to resist doing what I’d love to do to you today.” He stepped really close to me, enveloping me in his scent once again, and grabbed a lock of my hair, twirling it between his fingers. “And the fact that I know you aren’t wearing panties makes me want you so f*cking bad,” he growled, pressing his body against mine so I can feel his erection.
Jerking away, I shakily walked out of the office. He had no right to walk back into my life and try to pick things up again like the worst part of my life had never happened.
I went back to my desk and sulked for the remainder of the afternoon. Bray really complicated my life. I’d finally gotten things somewhat sorted out and here he was again, messing it all up.
“Let me take you home,” Jackson stated, coming from his office.
I turned and smiled at him. “Okay, let me grab my purse.”
As we got ready to leave, Bray stepped out of his office, closing the door behind him. His eyes darted to mine and darkened when he saw Jackson standing near me.
Storming past us, he grumbled, “Andi. Jackson,” and disappeared out the door. Yep, definitely awkward. My phone chimed in my purse, so I pulled it out to see who had texted me.
Pepper: Something came up at work. I’m having to sort through it. Our main sponsor just pulled their place and I am scrambling to find a replacement. Rain check on drinks?
Smiling, I told Jackson to hold on a minute and rushed into Jordan’s office. “Pepper just texted me saying that their main sponsor pulled out for the gala. Here’s her business card. Call her and set it up. I bet she’ll be happy to find a quick replacement,” I speculated, handing Jordan the card.
He smiled in satisfaction, grabbing the card from me, and picked up the phone to dial her number. “Pepper, hi...it’s me, Jordan Compton,” he greeted. I turned on my heels after waving bye to him and met Jackson by the door.
Jackson grabbed my hand in his and we headed to his car. George greeted me with his cute accent when we stepped into the vehicle. “Want to grab dinner?” Jackson asked me. I nodded since Pepper couldn’t hang out with me anyway. “George, take us to Santino’s Grill.”
His hand slid to my thigh and I grinned at him. I was more than happy to be spending time with Hot Jackson. He was making his appearance more and more today rather than Cold Jackson.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked me as his hand rubbed up and down my upper thigh. My body shivered like it always did when he touched me.
“You,” I answered simply. His eyes dropped to my lips. Knowing it would get to him, I licked them. The light in his eyes ignited and he pressed against my lips with his own. My core ached for him. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I climbed over him and straddled his lap. He groaned and reached over, pressing a button that dropped a divider between the driver and the backseat.
His hands grabbed the bottom of my skirt while I kissed him wildly and yanked it up. He took a handful of my ass with each hand and I grinded myself into him. Removing his hands, he unbuttoned my blazer, slipping it off. Thankfully the windows to the car were incredibly dark because I was about to give them a show otherwise.
He pulled off my camisole, leaving me in just my bra, but quickly fumbled with that and yanked it off of me too. I helped him slip out of his jacket and began working the buttons on his shirt. Once I got them undone, we both pulled it away from him. I leaned forward, kissing him again, this time our bare chests touching.
Grinding into him some more, he practically tossed me off of him so he could pull his pants down. When he got them down far enough, I straddled him again, easing myself onto him. I started bouncing on his cock, making my tits bob in his face. He grabbed them and started sucking and kissing them all over.
My orgasm came surprisingly fast and I almost stopped riding him to allow it to shudder through me, but his hands grabbed my ass again and helped me bounce until his own burst into me. We relaxed, still joined, and I nuzzled my face into his neck. His hands rubbed up and down along my naked back, making me shiver.
We stayed like this in comfortable, silent bliss until the car stopped. I scrambled to throw my clothes back on and Jackson just smiled at me. “You’re so beautiful with your ‘just f*cked’ hair. If we weren’t already at the restaurant, I’d f*ck you again just to keep up your sexy hairstyle,” he smirked at me.
Sticking my tongue out, I finished dressing. “And do that again and we certainly will never leave this car,” he growled making me giggle.
Once dressed, we stepped out of the car and the heavenly aroma of authentic Mexican food hit me. I moaned at how good it smelled and Jackson squeezed my ass making me yelp. “When you make that noise, it takes everything in me not to bend you over right now,” he said gruffly. I laughed and grabbed his hand hurrying him into the restaurant.
After we made it inside, I was mesmerized by the colorfully painted walls and columns, the garish decorations all over the place, and the delicious smells that filled the air. The hostess seated us by a window and set down some chips and salsa in front of us. Speaking in Spanish, she asked a question. Jackson flawlessly recited something back to her in her language and she hurried away.
“We’re having margaritas,” he informed me, smiling.
I grinned because you can’t have good Mexican food without margaritas. “What’s good here?” I asked him trying to read the menu that was all in Spanish.
“The fajitas are amazing. You want to try those?” he questioned, taking my hand in his.
“Sounds great. I’m just happy to be on an actual date with you,” I replied happily.
A look of regret passed across his features at my words. “I’m sorry, Andi. I told you I suck at this. I’m trying. I promise.”
The server set down two giant margaritas and a bowl of queso. He let go of my hand so we could eat our appetizer. Speaking quickly, he ordered for us, and she once again scurried away.
“So tell me how you know Brayden,” he said, turning serious. My eyes jerked to his because I certainly didn’t want to have this conversation right now. His eyes darkened because he knew deep down that Bray was more than just a college mate.
Sucking it up, I resolved to tell him the truth. “Bray and I met our first year in college. We were both getting our degrees, majoring in Architecture. He was my world,” I confess softly, sipping at my margarita. “We dated for almost four years. Last March, he very romantically proposed to me in Central Park.” I sighed because the sad part was coming. Jackson was waiting patiently for me to continue but still had a scowl on his face.
“I was so excited about our wedding. One day I got out of work early and wanted to surprise him. I found him banging some chick. Jackson, it absolutely devastated me,” I whispered, tears forming in my eyes. When he jerked out of the booth, I thought he was going to leave me there, but he sat down beside me, scooting me over with his hips.
He draped his arm around me and pulled me close. Blinking back the tears, I continued. “I didn’t eat hardly at all for two weeks. He would try and contact me but I ignored him. Pepper also helped take care of keeping him away from me. My depression was so bad, that she convinced me to see a doctor and I was prescribed an antidepressant. On the night of our graduation, I ran into his mother. I was fighting to keep it together. He found me and pulled me in for a hug. My walls were finally crumbling and I felt like I could possibly forgive him. We shared a kiss that promised hope for a relationship again. When we parted and the bitch he had f*cked hugged him, I lost it. The memories came crashing back down on me and I realized I would never be able to get past it.
“I went back to my dorm room and tried to drown my sorrows with medication and vodka. Somewhere along the fuzzy way, I thought it would be a good idea to take the entire bottle of pills.”
Jackson tensed beside me but I continued. “Before I completely faded away, I called him and told him what I had done. He rushed over and shoved his hand down my throat, causing me to vomit. The doctors told me that, had he not been able to get some of it out of my system, I would have died. My body was so emaciated from not eating that it wouldn’t have been able to handle the drug and alcohol concoction well. And even though I feel like I owe him for saving my life, I can’t help but feel like I wouldn’t have ever fallen to that point if it weren’t for his cheating in the first place.”
Jackson kissed my temple as the server placed our fajitas in front of us. We started fixing up our fajitas when he spoke. “Are you uncomfortable working with him? We can let him go. I don’t want him harassing you,” he pronounced, taking a bite.
“No, I feel like we can be civil with each other. Even though I am extremely unhappy with how things turned out, I don’t want him to lose his job. I can’t help but still care about him. It will just never again be in that way. My heart is too fragile.”
He swallowed and looked at me. “He’s the reason for your game?” he asked as understanding flooded his features.
I nodded and took a bite of my fajita. Oh my God, it was amazing. “Mmmm, Jackson, this is delicious,” I marveled while I chewed.
He laughed and whispered in my ear. “What did I tell you about that moaning? I’m ready to leave the fajitas and have dessert.”
His words gave me chills but the fajitas were too good to pass up. “Sorry, Charlie. The fajitas win this time,” I teased, laughing and taking another bite.
The rest of our dinner went on amicably as we chatted about easier things. I had fun telling stories about Pepper and Olive. I loved those girls. His stories about him and Jordan were hilarious. From what I gathered, Jackson was the serious one and Jordan was the easygoing brother. He talked fondly of his mother but never mentioned his dad.
“So where is your dad?” I wondered, pushing my plate away. I was completely stuffed. He grumbled but didn’t answer right away. I turned to look at him but he avoided my gaze.
“He’s dead.” That’s all he offered. I waited but he didn’t elaborate. Hello, Cold Jackson.
I pulled my margarita closer to me and sipped it. The silence dragged on and I was practically squirming in my seat with how uncomfortable it was. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer. “Jackson, I’m sorry if I hit a nerve. I just wanted to get to know you better. Can you please take me home? I’m tired,” I sighed.
As if snapping out of it, he turned to look at me. The pained look on his face told me he still hurt from his father’s death. “No. I mean, I’m sorry. I want to spend more time with you. I told you I’m trying. My past isn’t wonderful either, Andi. Please spend the night with me. I know this started out as a game but I want to get to know you better too,” he pled, pulling me to him.
I turned to study his face for a moment. He looked so broken.
“Okay, but let’s swing by my place first so I can pack a bag.” I cuddled into him.
He paid our tab and pulled me out of the booth. Leaning over, he kissed me softly on my lips. “Come on. I want to take you somewhere first,” he spoke mischievously. I was a sucker for his boyish charm and let him lead me out of the restaurant.