I just couldn't figure out why.
The man didn't even like me. But he'd said something about keeping me as his own. I shook my head. He was obviously crazy. He was also the best lover I'd had in my life.
Ever.
I cringed, imagining all the women he must have practiced on. Who knew how many illegitimate children he had running around Nashville?
Maybe that was his 'thing.' Maybe he got off on knocking girls up. I was just the latest in a string of foolhardy women who let him get his rocks off without protection.
AKA future baby mama.
I groaned, leaning my head against the cold tiles.
What the hell was I going to do?
I could tell you what I was not going to do. I was not going to fall back into bed with Jackson Delancey every time he snapped his fingers. I was not going to walk towards his property with the dog.
I was not going to sit around and moon over a man who was the worst possible thing for me.
And I definitely was not going to think about how sweet and gentle he'd been when he wasn't fucking my brains out. Or how hurt and confused he had looked when I told him to leave. Or how empty the bed felt once he'd gone.
I turned off the water and dried off. No use putting the day off any longer. I got dressed and went downstairs to make Casey's protein shake for her.
She wheeled into the kitchen as soon as I turned the blender on.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"How'd you sleep?"
She smirked at me.
"Don't bother. I heard the whole thing."
"You-what?"
"It's fine. I slept in between."
"Oh no, Case I'm so sorry. I promise that will not happen again."
She shrugged.
"I don't mind. It was very... entertaining."
She gave me a sly smile.
"Did you really make him beg Angie?"
I nodded, my cheeks turning bright red.
"Good."
She lifted her drink in the air, toasting me with it.
"Thanks for the shake."
Chapter Sixteen Jackson
"Smile Jackson, it's a beautiful day."
"Shut up."
I ignored Jake as he laughed himself silly. We were finalizing the plans for the Fourth of July picnic and horse show. It was an annual affair, and one that did a lot for the prestige of the stables. We also had smaller events on Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Years.
The one thing that made our Fourth of July party different wasn't just the sumptuous spread, or the extensive grounds for indoor or outdoor entertaining.
It was the lack of fireworks.
Horses did not enjoy fireworks.
Still, people came in droves to celebrate with us. Not just horse people either. We had the local socialites of course, but also the creme de la creme of the music scene in Nashville, and even a politician or two.
The Mayor, Governor and a couple of Senators were regular attendants.
Hell, the Delancey's threw a party like nobody's business.
It was tradition dammit. I was proud of everything we had built as a family. Only today, I took no pleasure in organizing the event. I took no pleasure in anything.
Because of her.
Angelina had not returned my calls or texts all week. Elle and Francesca had gone over to see her. Even Daniel stopped by to say hi. But no one said anything to me. No reports. No hints. No encouragement.
Not even a hint as to why she was doing this to me.
To us.
And we were an 'us' now, there was no doubt in my mind. I'd told her I was keeping her, but she didn't seem to get what that meant.
No, she definitely did not get it.
If she did, she wouldn't have kicked me out, bare ass naked. Again.
It felt like everyone was conspiring against me. Even her damn dog had tried to bite me on the way out. Only Casey was on my side.
I knew, because at least she had texted me.
I'm working on it. Don't give up!
I checked my phone constantly now, hoping for another text from Casey, or better yet Angie. The woman was being contrary for no good reason. She should be calling me, begging me to come back and take her to bed.
But she wasn't.
Giving up was not an option.
When the going got tough, the tough buckled down and came up with a plan. A sneaky, conniving plan that got them what they wanted.
I wished I could forget her, but it seemed like Angelina was emblazoned on my flesh. Right down to the bone. Speaking of which...
I pressed down on my jock, glad that I was sitting behind my desk. If Jake noticed my 'condition' I would never hear the end of it. Never mind that I had been hard almost constantly since we spent that one glorious night together. Half a night.
I hadn't even got a whole damn night!
All the same, it had been the best night of my life. Also the worst. To have her give herself to me so whole-heartedly, only to snatch that happiness away... well, it was cruel and unusual! And I still could not figure out what the hell had made her do it.
Maybe she was jealous... threatened by my vast sexual prowess. Maybe she didn't want to share me with other women. That was fine by me, I had no interest in other women since I laid eyes on her.