Her Defender (MacLachlan Security Group Book 2)

by Rianna Campbell

  “I understand.” Janie nodded.

  “I’m sorry you do,” Alexandra said. “But I’m here when you’re ready to talk about it.”

  Janie nodded, afraid that she’d fall to pieces if she spoke.

  “Anyway,” Alexandra said, pushing aside her half eaten sandwich. “How are things going with Jackson?”

  “Alright.” Janie shrugged, willing herself not to smile.

  “Hmm, that bad, huh?”

  “Not bad. We’re just… taking things slow.”

  “Slow?” Alexandra’s eyebrows shot up and a grin spread across her face.

  “What?” Janie asked.

  “You really like him.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You’ve never gone slow with anyone before,” Alexandra replied. “No offense, but you must like him if you’re not rushing into things.”

  “Well, it’s not like I have a choice. It takes two to tango,” Janie complained.

  “So, he’s taking things slow. Are you okay with that?”

  “I don’t know,” Janie said with a shrug, but when she thought of the time they’d spent together she couldn’t resist smiling. She ducked her head to try to hide it.

  “Oh, my God,” Alexandra gasped. “You really do like him!”

  “Shut up,” Janie snapped. It was stupid and childish and almost certainly only confirmed what Alexandra had guessed, but she couldn’t help it. She stood up, collected the empty food containers and tossed them in the trash. Alexandra was cackling so hard she could hardly breathe, let alone speak, so she made no reply when Janie told her she was going back to work and fled her office.

  For the rest of the afternoon she kept catching Alexandra looking at her from her office, a smile on her face. It was borderline creepy how invested she was in Janie’s love life. Maybe she should ask her if everything was going alright with Connor. Wasn’t she supposed to still be in that self-centered, lovey-dovey mode where all she ever talked about was her fiancé?

  As if she’d summoned him, Connor stepped off the elevator and made his way toward Janie’s desk.

  “Afternoon, gorgeous.,” Connor said with a wink. “My girl in her office?”

  He peeked around the corner so that he could see through the window into Alexandra’s office.

  “Go ahead.” Janie said, waving him through. She watched as he walked into Alexandra’s office, closing the door behind him. She could see Alexandra pop out of her chair and come around the desk to greet him.

  He kissed her, and kept kissing her to the point where Janie felt dirty watching and turned away. A moment later the blinds came down and Janie decided that they seemed to be doing just fine.

  Her cell phone rang and Jackson’s name popped up on the screen.

  “Hey,” she answered, smiling.

  “Hey, yourself,” he replied.

  “Do you know where your boss is right now?” Janie asked, laughing.

  “No, should I?” he asked, confused.

  “Well, I suspect he’s current fucking my boss in her office,” Janie said quietly.

  “No, shit?” Jackson laughed. “Good for him.”

  “Yeah? And what am I supposed to tell anyone who calls?” Janie asked.

  “That she’s slammed at the moment?” Jackson offered. Janie laughed.

  “That her inbox is full?” Janie suggested. Jackson howled with laughter on the other end of the line. “Or maybe that she’s currently tied up.”

  “I didn’t think Connor was into that sort of thing,” Jackson mused.

  “You can never tell,” Janie replied.

  “That’s certainly true,” Jackson said, his voice rough.

  “So…” she began, feeling a little breathless. “What are you doing?”

  “Taking a bath,” he said.

  “Really?” she squeaked, envisioning all that tall, lean masculine beauty reclining in a tub, naked and barely covered by bubbles.

  “No,” Jackson chuckled. “I’m driving.”

  “You’re such a tease,” Janie replied, pouting.

  “Now you know how it feels. But I’ll make it up to you,” He said, his deep voice a soft rasp in her ear. Her breath hitched and her heart skipped a beat.

  “Promises, promises,” she whispered. She could have sworn she heard him growl through the phone.

  “Busy tonight?” he asked.

  “Nope.”

  “Good,” he replied. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”

  “Okay.”

  “See you then.”

  “Bye.”

  Janie ended the call and set her phone aside, uncrossing and recrossing her legs, trying to relieve the ache that Jackson’s teasing had built there.

  The door to Alexandra’s office swung open and Connor appeared, a spring in his step and a smile on his face. He gave Janie another wink and a wave as he whistled his way to the elevator.

  Janie snickered as she grabbed a hair brush and makeup bag from her desk drawer and headed into Alexandra’s office. She had a feeling Alexandra was going to need them.

  ✽✽✽

  Jackson pulled up to the brownstone at six fifty five. He’d hightailed it out of work, run his errands and gotten home with just enough time to shower and run right back out the door. Janie was apparently as anxious as he was because she was ready when he knocked on the door.

  She looked a little pale, but she smiled at him as they walked, hand in hand, to the Rover. He helped her in and then got behind the wheel and steered the car downtown. She was quiet, which was unusual and he took a moment to study her while they were stopped at a red light. She wore a pair of jeans tucked into a pair of black suede boots and a simple gray sweater that hugged her curves.

  She was beautiful, as always, but she seemed to be lacking some of her usual sparkle. It was like the first time they’d gone out when she’d seemed uneasy. That had been because of her family showing up unannounced, and after their uncomfortable dinner, he had little doubt that whatever was bothering her now was because of them.

  “You alright?” he asked, taking her hand and squeezing it.

  “Yeah, I’m okay,” she replied, giving him a smile that didn’t touch her eyes.

  “You sure about that?” he asked.

  “Yeah. It was just a long day.”

  “I hear that,” he replied with a wink, opting to lighten the mood rather than push her. She’d open up when she felt like it and there was no point in needling her about it. He’d rather cheer her up for now so that she could hopefully enjoy the evening as much as he would.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “I could eat,” she replied with a nod. Not a great start, but he could work with it.

  “Do you like tacos?”

  “I like good tacos,” she said with a smirk.

  “Oh, these are good. Homemade, authentic Mexican tacos.”

  “Ooh. Sounds promising,” she smiled. That was better.

  “Customized to your taste,” he went on. “Soft, warm tortillas topped with chicken, beef or shrimp. Add a little fresh tomatillo salsa and a little cilantro. Some guacamole and chips on the side.”

  “If you’re taking me to Chipotle or Moe’s I’m going to strangle you,” she said, eyes narrowed.

  Jackson laughed.

  There’s my girl...

  “Nope,” he shook his head. “I’m taking you to my place.”

  She raised an eyebrow and gave him an assessing look.

  “You cook?” she asked.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he smiled at her. “Nothing fancy, mind you, but my mom taught me how to make a few things.”

  “And you’re Mexican?” she asked, cocking her head to one side.

  “Yup. Well, half anyway,” he said with a shrug. “Mom’s side.”

  “Okay,” she replied with a nod. “I see it now.”

  “You didn’t before?” he laughed.

  “Not really.” She shrugged again. “I mean, you’re tan and your hair is dark, but
that could be anything. I mean, it doesn’t change anything, does it?”

  “Nope,” he agreed. “Except it means I make killer tacos.”

  “We’ll see about that,” she replied with a wry smile.

  He didn’t live very far, and in less than twenty minutes he was opening his front door for her. Luckily Parker was working overnight and wouldn’t be home to make things weird.

  “Drink?” he asked as he escorted her into the living room.

  “Beer?” she asked. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek because he couldn’t resist.

  “Comin’ right up.” He went to the fridge and took out two cold Coronas and opened them both. He handed her one and she thanked him. She took a sip, looking around the apartment. He was glad he’d cleaned up yesterday before work and Parker hadn’t managed to leave chip crumbs or hot sauce all over the couch.

  “I like it,” she finally said.

  “Yeah. Bachelor chic,” he joked.

  “It’s simple. Comfortable,” she said with a smile. “It’s homie.”

  “Is homie code for small and poorly decorated?” he teased.

  “I mean, sort of,” she laughed. “But I like it. I may be slightly obsessed with fashion, but only when it comes to clothes. Home decor doesn’t matter much to me as long as everything functions the way it should.”

  “Thanks for trying to make me feel better,” he laughed.

  “Hey, I tried,” she replied with a smile.

  He sipped his beer and retreated to the kitchen, which was luckily only a few steps away and still fully visible from the living room. He opened the fridge and began pulling ingredients from the fridge.

  “So, what’s your pleasure?” he asked, pulling out a frying pan and some olive oil to cook with.

  “Hmm.” She contemplated all the choices on the kitchen island before giving him a wry smile. “Surprise me.”

  “Brave choice,” he said with a grin. He thought for a moment before deciding he’d make a variety, just in case.

  He started cooking while she sat at the island to keep him company. He told her stories about his family and his mother teaching him how to cook. She listened and asked questions, laughing and sipping her beer. He could see her visibly relax over the course of an hour and by the time they were ready to eat she seemed completely recovered from whatever was bothering her.

  It irked him that her family seemed to be such a sore spot for her. Sure, his brothers could cause him grief like nothing else, but that was because he worried about them when they got themselves in trouble. He never worried about the way they treated him, or each other.

  His family was loud, opinionated, and occasionally reckless, but they loved each other. Janie’s father seemed indifferent and her stepmother treated her with thinly veiled hostility. He’d asked her if she’d seen her family again since dinner and she’d been vague. Cagey.

  Something had definitely happened to upset her, and the thought made him want to pay her father a visit. But that wasn’t his place. Until he and Janie were officially something more than friends, he didn’t want to step in where he didn’t belong. But it was driving him crazy, both the need to defend her against her family, and the idea that she wasn’t fully his yet.

  He knew he needed to be patient, but he wanted so badly for her to let him in. It had only been a week since they’d started spending time together, but he’d been crazy about her for months. He knew he was probably way ahead of her, but he couldn’t help how he felt.

  “Oh, wow,” Janie said, setting her shrimp taco back onto her plate. “This is amazing,” She said around a mouthful of food.

  “Glad you like it,” he replied, taking a bite of his own. It was good. He’d garnished it with just the right amount of fresh lime juice and cilantro. His mother would be proud.

  “Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever had better,” Janie said before taking another bite. She closed her eyes and groaned appreciatively and the sound went straight to his cock.

  He kept his eyes on his plate and focused on the food. He tasted and judged everything, trying to make sure he’d seasoned everything properly. It worked, for a while. Until she’d try the next one and make that little noise again.

  After what seemed like hours of torture, they were finally finished. Janie got up as if she was going to help clear away the dishes, but a stern look had her sitting back in her seat with a sheepish smile.

  “So, what’s the verdict?” He asked as he took their plates to the sink and started putting away the array of condiments he’d laid out for her to choose from.

  “Hmm,” she began, tapping one perfectly manicured finger against her chin. “The shrimp tacos were definitely a ten. The chicken was a nine and a half-”

  “Only nine and a half?” he asked, feigning offense.

  “But,” she continued. “The steak was definitely a twelve.”

  “Hmm.” He frowned. “I guess I’ll take it.”

  She smiled at him and he gave her a wink to show her he was only kidding.

  “Can I use your bathroom?” she asked, finishing her beer.

  “Of course. Straight at the end of the hallway,” he said, pointing toward the doorway off the living room.

  “Thanks.”

  He turned back to the dishes in the sink to keep himself from staring as she strode away.

  He really needed to get a hold of himself. This was supposed to be a nice, cozy dinner. More getting to know each other. An opportunity to show her he was boyfriend material. This was not supposed to be an opportunity to get her into bed. His bed. Which was only a few feet down that same hallway.

  He shook his head and finished up the dishes. When he was done he wiped down the island where they’d sat to eat, and grabbed himself another beer, downing half of it within seconds.

  At this point he began to worry. She’d been gone for a while and he was starting to wonder if he’d inadvertently poisoned her. He took a second to evaluate how he felt. He was full, but he didn’t feel sick. She hadn’t eaten anything he hadn’t eaten.

  Finally he decided to go check. He wandered down the hallway, listening for any sign that she was ill. He didn’t hear anything. The door to the bathroom was slightly ajar and the light was on.

  He tapped gently on the door.

  “Janie?” he asked. He got no response.

  He pushed the door open a little further and saw that it was empty, except for a pile of clothes on the floor. He cursed himself for missing it when he’d cleaned up, but when he looked a little closer he realized they weren’t his clothes. Or Parker’s.

  He stuck his head out of the bathroom and realized that his door was also slightly open, and the light was on. He was sure he’d turned off the light in there earlier.

  He braced one hand on the frame, not knowing what to expect, and nudged the door open.

  He immediately lowered his head, squeezing his eyes shut tight until he could control his reaction.

  “Christ and all the saints, woman. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” he asked, finally raising his head and taking in the sight before him.

  Janie stood at the end of his bed, red hair swept over one shoulder, legs bare all the way to her fire engine red toes, wearing one of his white dress shirts. It was comically long, like a kid playing dress up. Only there was nothing childlike about the smooth swells of her breasts clad in black lace that taunted him from the gaping neckline of his shirt.

  “Well, if the sight of me in your shirt is so upsetting, I’ll just take it off.” Janie smirked, undoing the few buttons that she’d bothered to actually use. The crisp white fabric slid from her shoulders, down her arms until it landed in a heap on the floor.

  Jackson gripped the door frame with white knuckles, trying hard to keep from lunging at her like a caveman and taking her on the floor.

  All that luminous skin, coppery hair and feminine curves drove him to distraction under normal circumstances. Now, with her standing there in nothing but her underwear looking at
him like a cone of soft serve on a hot day, he was about ready to burst. As if realizing he was on the brink, Janie looked up at him through dark lashes and slowly, purposefully, bit that full bottom lip of hers.

  And just like that, Jackson covered the few feet of distance between them and kissed her. He was reaching the limits of his control and the kiss was rough, demanding. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her snug against him, while he burrowed the fingers of his other hand through her hair, gripping a fistful and tilting her head back.

  Janie gasped and opened for him, snaking her arms around his neck and holding on for dear life. She lifted one leg, draping it over his hip and pulling herself closer to him. Jackson’s body was urging him to charge ahead, but his brain was telling him to slow down.

  The chemistry between them was incredible, and not just physically. He really liked Janie- her humor, her brashness, her honesty, her kindness. He liked everything about her. And he definitely wanted to fuck her. But he didn’t want to just fuck her. He wanted all of it.

  Jackson pulled away and prayed he wasn’t about to ruin things between them.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “Slow down, baby girl.” Jackson rumbled softly, putting his hands on her shoulders and pushing her away.

  Oh, God. Oh, God, oh, God, oh God…

  She’d made a mistake, a huge mistake. He didn’t want her, after all. She must have totally misread things. Her face burned with embarrassment at the thought that she’d thrown herself at him when he didn’t want her.

  That little voice that had been getting louder and louder over the last week was there, in the background telling her how stupid she looked.

  Of course he doesn’t want you. Who would when you look like that? Have you seen him? What would he want with someone like you?

  “Janie?” Jackson’s voice brought her out of it and she knew she needed to find an escape route. He took hold of her chin and raised it. She closed her eyes. She couldn’t bear to see what he must be thinking.

  “Look at me,” he commanded softly. She gave a little shake of her head, squeezing her eyes shut. If she didn’t look, she wouldn’t see it. Pity, disgust, disappointment… whatever it was, she would never see it.