“It means that I’m an idiot.” She paused, making sure that he was listening before she continued. “That night was… amazing and then awful and it was too much to process. I was overwhelmed and scared, and not just of Nancy. I panicked and I was stupid.
And then my father got sick and I had to leave and I couldn’t let myself think about anything other than getting him better and then getting the hell out of there. But so much happened and I learned so much, but by then… I didn’t know what to say or how to say it.”
“And now?” Jackson asked, his handsome face so close that all she’d have to do is push up on her toes and she could kiss him. And oh, how she wanted to kiss him.
“Now, I know what I want to say.” She licked her lips nervously and she didn’t miss that his eyes tracked the motion. “Jackson, I love you. And at first, that terrified me. Everyone I’ve ever loved…”
“I know, baby girl.” Jackson placed his palm on her cheek, brushing away her tears with the pad of his thumb. Janie couldn’t help but nestle into his hand. She’d missed him so much.
“And I won’t lie, I’m still afraid, but I can’t stand the thought of not being with you.” Janie took a deep breath and reached for his wrist. He let her unclasp his watch and she turned it over and held it up for him to see. “Read it.”
Jackson’s forehead wrinkled in confusion before his eyes opened wide and he looked at her in astonishment
✽✽✽
The back plate of the watch, the one Connor had given him that morning as a gift, was engraved with a date from last October along with the words, “I love you, Janie.” It was the date they’d met. Not at Alexandra’s house, but in the lobby of the building where she worked.
“How?” he asked, his heart racing and his head spinning.
“I called in a little favor.” Janie bit her lip and looked at him uncertainly, as if she was still waiting for him to tell her off. “It was probably a shitty thing to do, highjacking their wedding like this, but I had to do something and I wasn’t sure I was going to get another chance. I had to tell you that… I need you.”
Jackson’s heart nearly burst in his chest. He’d wanted so badly to hear those words from her, but he knew they weren’t really true.
“No, baby girl, you don’t.” He brushed a wayward curl off of her face. “You’re smart and capable and stubborn, and you’ve taken care of yourself for a long time. You don’t need me, or anyone else for that matter.”
For a moment, Janie looked away, crestfallen, as if he were rejecting her. He nudged her chin upward until she was looking at him again.
“But if you want me, if you choose me, that’s enough.” He rasped, his voice thick with emotion. He couldn’t believe that she was here and that she loved him. He was afraid he’d wake up any minute and find out it was all a dream.
“I do.” She smiled at him. “Do you want me?”
“I do. I love you, too, Janie,” he said solemnly, and that vision of their life together coalesced in his mind. And he wanted it. All of it.
He kissed her, gently at first, reacquainting himself with the softness and sweetness of her mouth. Her arms came up around his neck and he buried one hand in her hair, the other resting on her hip.
She opened for him and the kiss turned eager and urgent, his tongue slipping into her mouth to tangle with hers. Janie moaned softly and his hand slid down the smooth material of her dress.
He drew back sharply, swearing under his breath.
“Are you…”
“Naked under my dress?” Janie grinned. “Yup.”
“Christ, woman. This is a wedding!” he said with a choked laugh.
“What about you?” she asked with a devilish smile. “Are you wearing anything beneath that kilt? I’ve always wondered if those rumors were true.”
“I hate to disappoint you, darlin’, but there was no way I was going commando with my mother in the same room.”
“Shame.” Janie pretended to pout and Jackson couldn’t resist nipping at her lower lip. She caught his mouth and kissed him hard, pressing herself against him and there was only so much a man could take.
He wrapped his arms around her thighs and lifted her up, carrying her to the loveseat in the corner of the room. It was broad daylight outside and there were windows behind them covered by only a set of sheer drapes. But Jackson couldn’t muster a single fuck to give.
He sat on the small couch and Janie straddled his lap, still kissing him as if he was reenlisting and shipping out tomorrow; as if she might never see him again.
He skimmed his hand beneath her skirt and up the smooth skin of her bare thigh. It was like heaven.
She scooted closer, positioning herself above the hard length of his erection and rolling her hips until he worried he was going to have to explain a very obvious stain when he returned his rented kit.
Janie stood so that she could flip the kilt out of the way. Then she was reaching beneath to remove his boxers. He growled when her hand brushed against his skin, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.
She didn’t bother removing them all the way, but simply pushed them down to his ankles before climbing back onto his lap, lifting her own skirt out of the way.
“Janie…” As much as he didn’t want to stop, he didn’t have any protection.
“It’s okay,” she said, smiling at him as she hovered above him. She kissed him sweetly and lowered herself onto him so slowly that he had to fight the urge to speed things up himself. But he wanted to savor this, savor her.
He finally slid home and that was precisely what it felt like. Janie was home for him. There was such love on her face as she kissed him that in that moment he knew they would make this work. He would spend the rest of his life doing his best to make her feel loved and wanted and cherished the way she should.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered, beginning to move.
“I’ve missed you too. Never again,” He growled, gripping her hips and helping her move up and down on his cock.
“I love you,” she panted, moving faster now.
“I love you,” he replied, kissing her neck and moving one hand to where their bodies joined so that he could use his thumb to massage her clit.
“I’m not going to last much longer, baby girl. Come with me.” He dragged his teeth down her neck to her shoulder and bit gently. She shivered and moaned and he knew she was close.
She opened her eyes and looked at him and he gave her a wicked grin.
“That’s my girl,” he murmured as he felt her body tense and spasm around him. She gripped his neck tightly as she climaxed, and his own orgasm shuddered through him a moment later.
He moaned her name, pulling her down hard against him and holding her still until his body relaxed.
They sat there for a few minutes until their breathing calmed, Janie cuddled against his chest as he stroked his hands up and down her back. He was still inside her, and had no desire to change that.
He knew though that they’d soon have to clean themselves up and get back to the reception. As if reading his thoughts, Janie nestled in closer and sighed.
“Can’t we just stay here? Do we have to go back out there?”
Jackson laughed softly, stroking her copper curls which had come loose and now cascaded down her back.
“I like the way you think,” Jackson said, kissing the top of her head. “But I’m pretty sure we’ve already broken a bunch of rules of wedding etiquette.”
Janie snorted. “Please. Hooking up at a wedding is not only allowed, it’s expected. Otherwise no single person would ever go to one.”
“Be that as it may, I’m guessing Alexandra at least is going to wonder where you’ve gone.”
“I don’t know. She and Connor seemed pretty absorbed in each other. I don’t think they’d even notice if everyone else in the room disappeared.”
“I know the feeling.” Jackson patted her lush bottom until she sat up, grumbling. He gave her a soft, chaste kiss and she smiled
at him. “But we’ve got all the time in the world. And I promise we’ll make up for lost time real soon.”
Jackson winked at her and Janie giggled.
She stood up and Jackson quickly pulled up his boxers and straightened his kilt while Janie cleaned up in the small bathroom attached to the room.
When she’d done her best to fix her makeup and run her fingers through her hair in an attempt to tame it, she looked at him and shrugged.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Then let’s go,” Jackson took her hand, weaving his fingers through hers and unlocking the door.
They stepped out into the hallways and came face to face with Alexandra. Jackson suddenly found his shoes fascinating and Janie just laughed. It was beautiful. She sounded utterly and completely happy. He’d move heaven and earth to make sure she stayed that way.
“It’s about damn time,” Alexandra said, giving Janie a quick hug. She turned and kissed Jackson on the cheek before turning and walking away, her beaded skirt swishing as she moved.
“Guess you were right,” Janie laughed.
“I’m never going to live this down.” Jackson shook his head, but he couldn’t keep the smile from his face.
They made their way back to the reception, trying hard not to look like they’d just snuck away to… well do exactly what they did.
“There you are.” Jackson’s mother hustled up to them, the skirt of her green dress flowing around her. “It’s almost time.” She gave him a pointed look and then noticed Janie beside him. “Or, maybe there’s been a change of plans?”
“What plans?” Janie asked, peering up at him.
Jackson scratched the back of his neck and looked from Janie to his mother and back again.
“Well, you see… you kind of stole my thunder, baby girl. I had something planned to try to get you back, but… well, now it seems a little silly. And I already got you back, so-”
“Oh, no.” Janie shook her head, smiling up at him. “This I’ve got to see.”
“You sure?” he asked, knowing she might change her tune once she figured out what he planned to do.
“Absolutely.” She nodded excitedly and he laughed.
“Just remember, you asked for it,” he warned, before leading her to the dance floor just in front of the DJ’s booth.
The DJ handed him a mic and he turned to Janie with a shrug. Her eyes went wide and her hand flew to her mouth. The song that had been playing softened and transitioned into a new one and Jackson said a silent prayer he’d get through this without throwing up.
✽✽✽
Janie didn’t immediately recognize the song. She was too stunned with what was happening to even focus on the music. Jackson was going to sing. For her.
And it was terrible. The first few bars were particularly bad.
When the chorus hit and she could finally focus on the words, she gasped.
He was singing “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5 from their album Songs About Jane. Her eyes watered and if it had been possible to love him anymore, that would have done it.
By the time he finished, she was crying and laughing at the same time, her heart so full that she couldn’t contain her emotions.
When the song ended, there were a few hoots and hollers from a few in the crowd and Jackson gave a half-hearted wave and a sheepish smile before hustling back over to her.
Janie kissed his face, all over, leaving smudges of red lipstick in her wake.
“You sang for me,” she said as she finally pulled back, her chin quivering.
“I’d do anything for you, Janie.” He pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. “I love you so much. I know it’s way in the future, but I want to marry you someday. And have kids with you.”
Jackson reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. Janie panicked for just a moment before he slipped it onto her right hand.
It was a princess cut emerald, surrounded by tiny diamonds set in a simple white gold band. It was breathtaking.
“I promise you, Janice Joplin Carpenter,” he said with a soft smile. “That I will stand beside you everyday. I will love you and support you and be there for you, no matter what happens. And I promise that when I make mistakes, which I will certainly do, that I will do my best to only make them once. I promise that I will always be in your corner.”
“I love you.” Janie stretched up and kissed him, right there on the dance floor with tears streaming down her face. A cheer went up from their friends, but as far as Janie was concerned, they might as well have been the only two people in the room.
EPILOGUE
One month Later…
“Hey babe, have you seen my keys?”
“Nope,” Janie lied, reclining on the pillow of her bed, under which she had stashed said keys.
“You sure you haven’t seen them?” Jackson asked, narrowing his eyes at her.
“Yup. Looks like you’ll just have to stay.” Janie shrugged, and pulled back the sheets, patting the bed beside her. She was still naked from the night before and Jackson’s gaze raked over her breasts, a hungry look in his eyes.
“That is just mean, and you know it.” He stalked toward her until he was leaning over her, his hands braced on the mattress beside her. He kissed her soundly, nipping at her bottom lip in that way that made her knees go weak and she put her hands on the back of his neck trying to pull him back into the bed with her.
He’d just gotten out of the shower and he smelled of soap and Jackson. The scent made her want to drag him back to bed and get him dirty all over again.
He was wearing a pair of slacks and a dress shirt from the stash of clothes he kept at her place. It should be illegal for a man to look that delicious on a Saturday morning.
Jackson pulled away, kissing the tip of her nose before straightening.
“Why do you have to do this now? Can’t it wait until Monday?” Janie whined.
“You know it can’t. Sam’s got to sign too, and he’s leaving tomorrow for his vacation.”
“So let him sign it today, and you can sign it on Monday.”
“We’re supposed to go to lunch to celebrate. I promise I’ll only be gone a few hours and then you’ll have me all to yourself.”
While Janie had been away taking care of her father, Connor had offered him a promotion. Jackson had declined the job, but instead had offered to become an investor. Apparently he had some savings from his time in the service and he wanted to use it to become a partner, rather than just an employee.
As soon as Connor had come back from his honeymoon two weeks ago, they’d been hammering out the details with the lawyer. Today was the day they finalized everything and Jackson would become part owner of MacLachlan Security Group.
He’d explained the whole thing to her several times. She understood most of it thanks to her work for Alexandra at the law firm, but there were still some things that had gone over her head. It hadn’t mattered, though. Jackson was so excited that she would have happily listened to him talk about it even if she hadn’t understood a word.
Things between her and Jackson hadn’t been perfect. They’d had a few ups and downs, but it turned out that Maria had been right. Even the good ones needed a little training, and she included herself as one of the good ones.
They’d both had to adjust and compromise, but they’d talked everything through and come out of it stronger and happier.
There were still times when she feared the worst. She’d been dealing with her issues for years, and a healthy relationship of one month wasn’t going to fix that. It would take a while to rewire her brain after all the things she’d been through, but with Jackson’s patience and support, she knew she’d get there.
But even with the bumps along the way, she was happier than she’d ever been. She didn’t know how it was possible, but she loved him more now than she had a month ago. He could always make her laugh or comfort her when she was upset, or make her blood heat with a single touch.
She love
d him and she wanted him to be happy. If it meant giving up a few hours with him, she supposed she could suffer through it.
“Alright, fine.” She sighed dramatically as she reached beneath the pillow and took out his keys. She dropped them into his waiting palm and he gave her a wry smile.
“Naughty girl,” he scolded.
“Just remember that when you get home later.” She winked at him and he laughed.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t forget.”
He kissed her again, told her he loved her and walked out the door.
Janie lay there and thought about that word, “home.” Janie had decided last week that she wanted to take the next step with Jackson. They already spent most of their time together. He had clothes here and she kept some things at his place. It just made sense that they should start looking for a place of their own- together.
She was planning to cook him dinner and tell him tonight. She’d even looked at a few ads for places in the paper that she thought might work. They were between his office and hers and had two bedrooms, so they’d have room if his mother or her father or sister wanted to come visit.
Things with her father had steadily improved since she got back to New York. They spoke on the phone at least once a week, and now they actually talked. Janie asked whatever she wanted about her mother or her childhood and her father always answered, even if it was hard for him or not what she wanted to hear.
Slowly, they were building a better relationship. Her father had also sought out counseling to help him heal and repair his relationship with his daughters.
Makenna was still a bit adrift after all that had happened, but at least know she had a safe place to live and the time she needed to figure out what she wanted to do with her future. Makenna and her father were likewise working on their relationship, but Makenna always knew she could call Janie if she needed someone to talk to.
In the span of a couple short months, Janie had lost a stepmother and gained a sister, a father and the perfect man for her.
Her phone rang and she tossed on a robe before picking it up off the dresser.
“Hi, Daddy.”
Her Defender (MacLachlan Security Group Book 2) Page 28
