He raked his hands through his hair, his eyes troubled. “There’s been an accident. An explosion in the Fountain Place Building.”
I was confused. Why was he telling me this?
“It’s Jackson, Layla. He’s in the building.”
“What? I don’t understand,” I said.
“My car’s out front and I’m double-parked. We need to go.”
****
I was standing with Joslyn and Seth, staring at the billowing smoke coming from the window of the sixty-two story Fountain Place building. The feeling of someone touching me was there, but then again it wasn’t. I couldn’t really feel anything. Except horrendous terror.
Voices were faint in the background. Emergency crews going in and out of the building, cars stopping and starting, and the nauseating press with their microphones and cameras, hoping for that story on the evening news.
Not giving a mere damn that someone else may be hurt.
I hated every single one of them.
A known criminal named Carlos Agli had been brought out on a stretcher, obviously dead by the looks of the closed body bag. Seth seemed to know who the man was.
I’d never heard that last name before.
He had a small office in the very corner of the high-rise building where he supposedly ran a gourmet tea business without any employees, according to Seth.
I refused to panic. My thoughts were simply about us. The bakery I knew I’d open one day. The way we’d christened his office with his employees only feet away behind the closed door. The Seven Grain bread recipe I’d perfected with the addition of extra sunflower seeds that Jackson raved about. The way I hated him with every muscle in my body the first day he opened his mouth in the courtroom.
The instant I felt aroused when his eyes locked with mine.
“Come on, sweetie. Let’s try and find somewhere for you to sit down a minute,” Joslyn said, rubbing her hand across my back. Thankful she’d come to be by my side, I shook my head, not speaking. I wasn’t moving an inch. Not until I knew Jackson was okay … or wasn’t.
Seth was silent as well, twitching every time the paramedics walked in or out of the building. Nobody except the one man seemed to be hurt. They were only shaken and disoriented.
“Only one person has been found deceased and that’s notorious crime lord Carlos Agli, who according to the building superintendent, had signed a lease by a completely different name. No more details on how the explosion happened, or why. We’ll keep you informed as soon as we find out more information on the story.”
The sound of the reporter obviously making a live update for what I knew was being shown on all the local television stations made the tears I’d been holding back, break open when she carried on with her report seconds later.
“Local District Attorney Jackson Shipman and a Justin Wisely, who’s thought to be a family member or close friend of Mr. Shipman, were seen entering the building earlier in the day. According to several tenants, the two men were later seen eating lunch in the building deli. It’s thought Mr. Wisely had an appointment on the sixth floor, though we haven’t verified that information. No word just yet on either of the men’s safety.”
“Shut up,” I whispered to the mouthy reporter. Joslyn caressed my back while Seth looked straight ahead, his face grim. The reporter was now ranting about Jackson and how he’d recently gotten another huge conviction, before adding something about being single with no children.
My body was shaking.
“Shut the fuck up, you stupid bitch,” I whispered, my sobs now full-on panic-filled weeping.
“Come on, Layla. He’s going to be okay. He has to be.” Seth was behind me now, his hands replacing Joslyn’s on my shoulders.
“I can’t stand them talking about his personal life like he has no one waiting for him. Nobody at home to love him. They only say what they think people want to hear. He has to be okay. Please.” I turned and fell into Seth’s arms, weeping against his chest as he urged us away from the loud female reporter.
Still no word after another few minutes, the EMS crews were slowly beginning to leave, along with row after row of tenants. The firemen and police were still heavy in and outside the building. Probably due to the fact this was being looked at as a potential terrorist act, I suspected they’d be here until late hours of the night, or even longer.
I tugged at Seth’s shirt. “Please let him be okay,” I whispered, an uncontrollable cry filling my throat as Seth’s gaze stayed focused on the front door of the building. A small feeling of guilt overcame me as I hung onto him for support when maybe he needed a little of his own. He was Jackson’s best friend, after all.
I released my grip, noticing the obvious mascara stains on his light-yellow dress shirt. “God, I’m sorry for ruining your shirt. Here, let me try and wipe off some of the makeup.” I was digging in my purse for a tissue or anything, a panic attack only minutes from happening, dread and fear stabbing through me like a hundred sharp punishing knives. You are changing me, Jackson had once said in the beginning of our relationship. But in all reality, it was me who had changed. He taught me how to love. And trust.
And more importantly, how to forgive.
“Sweetie, stop.” Joslyn was pushing my hand away from a silent, stone-faced Seth as I rubbed at the large blob of mascara with the torn thin tissue, doing nothing but worsening it.
“Please, Joslyn. Where is he? Why isn’t he coming out? I can’t do this. I can’t lose him, too.”
“Jesus fuck!” Seth all but yelled.
I turned from Joslyn, dropping the tattered tissue as I saw Jackson and Justin exiting the building. Both had small amounts of soot on their faces and Justin had a small cut above his right eye.
“Oh, my God! Oh, my God!” I was crying out, running for Jackson, who was being bombarded by reporters. I couldn’t get to him, my tears so heavy I couldn’t see through the crowd.
“Let the lady through, please. She’s family.” The deep demanding tone of Seth’s voice sounded like an angel as he took my arm, escorting me through the crowd of onlookers. “Let’s get you to your man,” he said, grasping my arm as we hurdled through the mob of mainly reporters and office personnel.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I whispered, as we neared a tired-looking Jackson while he attempted talking to the crushing horde of reporters. Glancing up, his eyes connected with mine as he continued speaking to the press surrounding him.
Tears of relief slid down my face.
“Thank you, Seth.” I reached up, kissing his cheek.
“What a fucking day. Leave it to Jackson to age me a good ten years.”
“Where is Justin?” I’d forgotten him entirely, my focus so strongly on Jackson.
“He walked off somewhere, talking on his phone. Probably calling home,” Seth answered.
“I’d like to hug my girl and go home now,” Jackson finally told the reporters who were still hounding him with questions as cameras clicked in the distance.
“Home sounds perfect,” I whispered.
I buried my face against his chest. His lips fell against the top of my head, kissing my hair. “I was so scared, Jackson. You were in there for so long. I couldn’t stop shaking. I couldn’t stop thinking if…”
“I know, baby. Everything’s okay now. Better than okay.” He kissed my hair again, lifting my head up and pushing the tears away that still flooded my eyes.
“Are you hurt?” I asked, looking over every square inch of his body.
His lips bent into a devilish-looking grin. “Do I look hurt, sweetheart?”
On my tiptoes, I kissed him, completely oblivious to the sound of snapping cameras. “You couldn’t look any more perfect,” I said, looking at Justin walking toward us.
“Hi, Justin,” I whispered, giving a long, hard hug to the man I barely knew, knowing I would before too long.
“Hi, Layla,” he answered. Extremely handsome, the two twin sons with the mesmerizing blue eyes were perfect clones of t
heir dad.
“Let’s go home, baby,” Jackson said, taking my hand.
“There’s nothing I’d rather do,” I whispered.
“Justin…” Jackson reached for his brother-in-law’s shoulder, giving it a long hard squeeze.
“We’ll catch up later, Jackson. Right now, all I want to do is hug my wife and sons.”
I blinked back sentiment at the distant look in his gaze. I had no idea what losing a child felt like, but something in his eyes said he was still struggling. Tension was thick between the two of them. Justin turned and walked off without another word, Jackson gazing at me before pulling me against him and folding his arms around me for a tight hug.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’ve never been scared like that before. I didn’t know what I was going to do if you didn’t walk out of that building.”
“Shh. I’m fine, baby. A little tired, but honestly, I feel better than I have in years.” He leaned over kissing me, the slick edge of his tongue gently brushing mine as cameras clicked in the distance.
“What were you and Justin doing in there?” I asked, after not giving that one single thought until right now.
“Nothing special, sweetheart. Just business.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jackson
After a casual lunch, we walked out of the office deli like any other normal day, shooting the bull like always. Calmly placing the special briefcase in just the right spot that my brother-in-law had gotten from one of many people he knew from his days of owning Venture, we headed toward the elevators, waiting for a ride to the twelfth floor so Justin could drop off paperwork to a client he’d signed a real estate deal with.
A plane flying low rattled the room, Layla instantly stiffening against me.
“Baby, it’s just a plane,” I murmured against her neck, her arms tightening even more as she urged me in deeper, if that were humanly possible. I leaned in for another long sweet kiss, her tongue returning every thrust.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” I whispered into her lips.
Today I’d realized just how deeply I really loved this woman. A man like me actually able to grow a heart after years of the opposite, the depths I’d go to just to keep her safe and smiling for another day were boundless. It didn’t matter if we were eating a meal, watching the nightly news, working, or what we were doing right now—me giving her everything my body had to offer while she raised into me, taking me as deep as her body would allow. Whatever we were doing, she was priority and I’d die letting her know she was the most important person in my life.
Long minutes of kissing, I lifted her fingers between mine, raising them out to her sides and thrusting again. And again. Doing what I’d done dozens of times, but still never getting my fill. I was marking her.
Giving her my entire soul.
Owning her with every inch of my heart.
Glassy and red-rimmed, her emerald-colored eyes glowed with greed and desire as she urged me against her, her legs wrapped tight around my hips. “I’ve never needed anything in my life like I need you, Jackson. I can’t lose you. Please don’t ever leave me or scare me that way again.” Tears were flowing as I pulled her in for another deep kiss, our eyes wildly open and alert as I stared down at a still emotional Layla, both of us aware that only hours ago could have been my last.
“I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’ll never leave you, Lay,” I uttered, knowing no truer words had ever been spoken from my lips.
“Hard, Jackson. I need you hard and deep.”
“God, I love you,” I growled, pushing. Again. Again. Deeper. Harder.
“I love you so much,” she whispered. “All you have to do is look at me and my body goes haywire.”
“Jesus, Lay.” My voice was grating as I climbed further toward a shattering climax with every deep pulse. Taking. Owning. Loving her with everything I had to offer. Her body began to tighten up, the grip of her fingers entwined so tightly with mine that it seemed like she was afraid to let go.
“That’s perfect, sweetheart. Lose yourself to me.” I moaned, my teeth clamping down as she cried out while hard orgasms washed over the both of us.
“You’re so beautiful when you come around my dick. Your eyes sparkle like two brilliant perfectly flawless emeralds.”
Just as she’d done every other time before, she brought me to another earth-shattering, unforgettable climax. Sweat covering her brow, I collapsed on top of her, my head dropping into the soft crook of her neck.
My seed was seeping from her body. She was sweaty. Her hair in a crazy mess. Makeup smeared. Everything about her was absolutely beautiful. Everything I’d been waiting for my entire life but convinced it didn’t exist, was right here.
In Layla Richardson.
It took one broken heart to discover there’d been a second all along.
“I couldn’t possibly love you any more than I do right now, Layla.” Our gazes were sealed, the love I felt overwhelming. Everything I’d done today had been … for her.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jackson
Just as I anticipated, a crowd of mainly reporters and the normal troublemakers that stood on the court building’s steps more often than not, were all waiting for my arrival or departure. Whichever came first.
Just wanting to walk down the street to the godforsaken coffee shop, they all rushed Seth and I at once when we returned with large cups of coffee in hand. I quickly brushed them all off, promising a formal statement in the next twenty-four hours.
Back at our offices at last, Seth walked toward his, while I gave Carla a curt nod and headed for mine. Seth would be barging through my door at any minute for his interrogation. He hadn’t said a word yet, both of us knowing better than to discuss anything important in the busy coffee shop.
Barely getting my jacket removed, just like timed clockwork, my closest friend was blowing through the door, coffee in hand, with a what the fuck glare on his face.
“Go ahead and ask. I was waiting to see how long you could hold out. By my watch, we’ve been back in the office exactly six minutes.”
“Care to tell me what the fuck happened yesterday? You had a lot of damn people worried shitless about you, Jackson. Especially your girl, which if you don’t already know is plastered all over the internet this morning with your mouth on hers.” The sudden knock on the door wasn’t really a surprise. Renee walked in, easing the door shut behind her. Seth’s eyes snaked down her body before settling on her ass. She turned back around, color rushing her cheeks as she caught Seth’s roaming eyes. The sexual tension between the two was thick enough to stir with a fucking spoon.
“Holy shit, Jackson! I never thought I’d be this glad to see another human being. Are you okay?”
“Is that a sentimental tear in your eye, Renee?” I asked, winking at the woman who put up with my proverbial bullshit on a daily basis.
“Hell, no, it’s not tears. I have allergies. Ragweed is at an all-time high. That’s all,” she mumbled, wiping at the emotion. “Glad to see you’re still as arrogant as ever, though. Do you guys need anything?”
“No, sugar. But thanks … for everything.” I winked at her, Seth rolling his eyes at me. “Oh, and there’s a CVS right down the road if you need to make a quick allergy spray run.”
“What I need is a damn raise,” she whispered, easing the door shut. I loved giving her hell and she was entirely right on about deserving a salary increase.
“When are you going to make things honest between you and Renee?” I asked Seth. “Actually fuck her somewhere besides the damn county offices?”
I reached for the remote control to the small flat-screen television, flipping on the news. Waiting for the inevitable.
“Cat got your tongue?” I asked an unusually quiet Seth.
He took a long deep drink of coffee. “I like her. I do. But fuck, Jackson. You know as well as I do that there’s just too much available pussy in this city. I mean, look at Carla. Have you checked her ass out
yet? Fucking hell, I need a piece of that like I need my next meal.”
“I figured you’d already accomplished that. What’s the problem? You need to step up your game, brother.” I turned the television over to Fox 4, listening to Seth mumbling something about pussy. Just as I suspected, it was already on the news.
“Details on the explosion have been few and far between. There’s a lot of holes left open. No suspect has been found yet. And no evidence. So far, police have found no foul play regarding the suspicious circumstances.”
Fuck that. And work. I switched the television off. Even though Layla hadn’t said a word, I knew today was her birthday from the Venture paperwork I’d carefully studied.
“You know what? I think I’ll take the day off.” I told Seth. “I think I’m going to run a quick errand, pick up my girl from her deplorable bank job, and go home and have my way with her. Can we finish this discussion later?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Seth answered, grabbing at his crotch. “I’ll keep the fort down.”
I checked in with Carla, picking up two phone messages and sticking them in my pocket before heading to my car. Giving my sister a quick phone call, unsure if she was up to company just yet, I had a birthday to celebrate. And a gift to purchase. I had no earthly idea how to make this special.
Coco was just the girl I needed to talk to.
And this was just the thing to brighten her day.
****
After a quick roast beef sandwich, I walked through the upscale jewelry store door.
“Good afternoon,” the older gentleman said. “How can I help you today, Mr. Shipman?”
Thirty minutes later and four rings down, I wasn’t really getting that feeling that any of them were going to blow Layla’s socks off. I cracked my neck in frustration. This was harder than I’d imagined.
“What kind of jewelry does the special lady wear?” the salesman asked, looking down into the case of engagement and wedding rings.
“She doesn’t wear anything real big and showy. Just simple jewelry, I suppose,” I answered, wondering if maybe I should have let Layla pick her own ring, being it was something she’d be looking at every day.
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