And now I had a whole farm to plant and care for.
I would start small with a vegetable garden for our own use, and then hire people to work the land as I got a feel for what I was doing.
Jackson cleared his throat, bringing me back to the present. I titled my head back to look at him. The man was taller than a skyscraper! What a strange thing to think... I realized I must've been more drunk than I thought. He was looking at me quizzically, patiently holding his hand out.
"Your keys. I'm driving you home."
"But I thought Elle-"
"Elle is following us with Casey. I'm going to drive you home, and then she's going to drive me home."
"Oh."
"Well?"
He was grinning at me while I stared at him stupidly. Finally I realized he was still waiting for my keys. I blushed and reached into my pocket, fishing them out.
"Thanks."
I detected a hint of sarcasm in his tone. But when I looked carefully at his face, he looked blandly disinterested. He unlocked the door for me and watched me climb in. I noticed he was grinning as he walked around the front of the car. He climbed in and adjusted the seat, then he turned to look at me.
His smiled faded. Probably because I was glaring at him, trying to figure out what he was up to.
He was up to something, that much was clear.
He cleared his throat and turned the car on. Then he pulled out and turned right, driving into the darkness. I sat up straight, looking back over my shoulder.
My house was to the left.
"Where are you going?"
"Scenic route."
"I can't leave Casey-"
"Elle is with her. She said she wanted to see some of her sketches."
"That might only take five minutes."
He glanced at me, his eyes looking strangely intense.
"We will be back soon enough."
I had the sudden thought that Jackson Delancey was very high handed. Then the equally sudden thought that he was kidnapping me. I wasn't scared though. I didn't think he was going to hurt me.
But I did want to kick him.
I sat back in my seat, crossing my arms.
"Where are we going?"
He didn't answer for a minute. Then I saw something up ahead. The land out here was mostly flat with some rolling hills. The road started to rise towards some sort of small mountain. We climbed steadily for a few minutes until he turned off and pulled into a parking lot.
It was an scenic overlook. I stared, surprised by the beauty of the scenery. Below us was a serpentine river, looking almost black in the darkness. From here you could see the lights of Nashville in all its glory.
I was so enthralled by the view that I barely noticed it when Jackson unbuckled me. I did notice when he reached for me, pulling me against him. His hands were huge and hot against my skin.
"Wha-"
His mouth crashed down on mine. I was startled into silence by the strangely pleasant feel of his lips on mine. His huge hand slid behind my lower back and pressed me against him. He moaned and tried to stick his tongue in my mouth.
I slapped him.
"What the hell are you doing Jackson!"
He rubbed his hand over his cheek, scowling at me. Then he grinned and reached for me again.
"Kissing you, woman."
I jerked backwards, my back against the passenger door.
"Oh no you don't!"
His eyes were hungry as he ran his hands over my hips, tugging me towards him.
"Don't pretend you weren't thinking about it too."
"I-what?"
"Ever since I saw you I wanted to do this. You felt it too."
"Felt what?"
"Animal attraction."
I frowned at him.
"I'm not an animal."
He grinned at me and yanked me forward.
"I am."
This time when he kissed me I was prepared. I held perfectly still. I knew he wasn't going to take this any further. He wasn't a creep. He was just incredibly arrogant.
I was pretty sure he could not imagine a woman alive turning him down.
But I wasn't like the local girls. I wasn't fooled by his good looks, wealth or charm. I was going to show him what it felt like to be turned down. I would be cool as a cucumber. I would-His hands were sliding all over me, warming and soothing me. That's when he deepened the kiss. I whimpered as he urged me to open my mouth. The moment I did, his tongue dipped inside, swirling against mine. I was kissing him back before I knew what had happened.
It was incredible. Hot. The most explosive kiss I'd ever had.
It was a disaster.
By the time he lifted his head, I was breathless.
"Why are you doing this Jackson?"
"You know why."
"No, I don't."
"I want you. Isn't that obvious?"
I stared at him, dumbfounded. The man thought I was going to just tumble into bed with him? Because of a so-called animal attraction?
"That's too damn bad."
"I'm not asking for much, Angelina. Just one night. Let's just do it once and get it out of our systems. Then we can go back to disliking each other."
My jaw dropped. The man had gall! He had nerve!
He had a point.
I wasn't going to concede it. But I had to admit to myself that I felt it too. I was drawn to him, and I didn't want to be.