Beloved (The Belonging Series)

by Corinne Michaels

  When we arrive at the airport, Jackson shifts slightly and I sit up. I look out the window and realize we’re at Teterboro, which means we’re flying on a private jet. I turn to look at Jackson, confused and embarrassed, when he puts his hand on my cheek, softly cradling it. “Are you going to be okay? We can cancel the trip if you need to.”

  “No!” I say loudly and he startles, dropping his hand from my face.

  “I’m serious. You need to deal with—” His brows draw together before he runs his hands down his face.

  “No, it’s fine.” I don’t want to deal with any of it. I’m not going to run to take care of a man who never cared enough to take care of me. I take a deep breath and move my hand, placing it tentatively on his. “Please, I don’t want to reschedule the trip. I promise, I’m really okay.”

  He stays quiet for a minute. I’m praying he believes me. Jackson pinches the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. He blows out a long breath, exits the car, and walks over to speak to the driver. My heart can’t take this pain. I hang my head, creating a veil with my dark brown hair so he can’t see me falling apart. I need this trip. I want to escape and not go back and have to deal with my dead father who abandoned me. I put him and all the shit he did to me in a box—then I took his box and shoved it away. I have no desire to dust it off and open it again.

  I hear my car door open and look up. Jackson is standing there, hand extended, with a sad smile on his face. He tilts his head toward the runway and says, “Come on, we’ve got a plane to catch.”

  I place my hand in his and allow him to help me from the car. “Thank you, Jackson.” My eyes are soft and my voice is full of emotion. I remove my hand after giving his a small squeeze and head toward the trunk to collect my bag. Jackson walks silently behind me. I’ve probably scared him with my almost breakdown.

  We both reach for my bag’s handle at the same time. I giggle as he swats my hand away. I look over at him. His eyes are bright and glossy and his mouth is in a half grin. “I love your laugh.”

  The way he says it makes my heart feel lighter. “Thanks,” I murmur and look away.

  Jackson clears his throat and says, “Now, let’s head to Virginia.” His smile grows as he tilts his head to the side. “You know where that is, right?” He winks and grabs my bag. There’s the smug bastard I know.

  “Yes, I knew where it was before too.” I smile, thankful for the change in topic.

  “Sure you did.”

  “You know I have a master’s degree, right? I’m pretty sure I had a class or two where we discussed the fifty states.” I huff, pretending to be irritated with him. In reality, I’m silently awed by how quickly he brought me back.

  “Hey, it’s not my fault you were confused the first time.”

  “Gah!” I throw my hands up in mock frustration.

  Jackson stops at the bottom steps of the plane, shifting his weight back and forth. My eyes dart between the contemplative look on his face and the plane—I hope he’s not going to cancel. As if sensing my distress, he places both hands on my shoulders and waits for me to look at him. Our eyes meet and I can’t look away. My breathing stops. My heart accelerates. His eyes are clouded with emotion. For me? For my loss? I can’t tell. He looks sad, and it rocks me to my core. Slowly, he pulls me toward him and wraps his arms around me. I return his embrace as he rubs my back. We stand there in each other’s arms, giving and receiving comfort from one another. My news was unexpected and so was Jackson’s response, but I don’t mind it.

  I clear my throat and I swear I feel Jackson kiss the top of my head, but it’s so light I can’t be sure. We break apart and I smile. He reaches for my face but drops his hand before touching me, frowning as his eyes empty of all the emotion present just seconds before. Without a word, he turns and ascends the stairs to the plane. I take a deep breath and follow, praying I can keep it together and remain professional. The lines are blurring, so I need to redraw them and stay on the appropriate side.

  The plane is breathtaking. It has plush leather seats and a couch against the right wall. There’s a wet bar at the back wall and another room in the rear of the plane. I’m assuming it’s an office or a bedroom, but I have no intention of finding out. The décor is beautiful. Done in cream and a rich blue, it’s striking and regal. Very fitting for the man I’m traveling with.

  Jackson walks forward from the bar area looking calm and collected. He’s back to being professional. “Make yourself comfortable. It’s only about a two-hour flight.”

  “Is this your plane?” I ask, still looking around the cabin as I sit in one of the captain chairs.

  “Yes, I fly back and forth from New York to Virginia a lot. Purchasing a company jet made sense.” He looks at the seat across the aisle and then turns and sits in the seat next to me. Why does he insist on sitting so damn close?

  “Oh, I didn’t know you visited the facility that much.”

  He looks up, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “I don’t. Well, I didn’t. I have a second company, which is why I spent a lot of time in Virginia. Plus, I was stationed there when I was on active duty, so I get to visit the team when I’m there.”

  “You served?” I never would have thought he was prior military. He looks so young. Finding out he owns a second company throws me as well.

  Jackson straightens in his seat and lifts his head, his eyes locking on mine. One side of his mouth lifts revealing that adorable dimple. When he speaks, his voice is laced with pride. “Yes, I served eight years in the Navy.”

  I smile at this remarkable man, who’s accomplished so much, and realize I know nothing about him. I guess this explains the hero complex. A small giggle escapes me, and I slap my hand over my mouth. Crap!

  He looks at me with amusement. “Why is that funny?”

  I smile. “It’s not. I’m just laughing at how you seem to like to save people.” Great, now I sound stupid.

  He lets out a short laugh. “Yeah, well there’s a lot about me you don’t know.” He nudges my arm.

  I smirk and shake my head at him. Out of nowhere the plane jerks and I freeze. A sudden burst of anxiety hits me and I grab the arms of the chair, white-knuckling it. He notices, of course, and places a hand on my arm. “Are you afraid of flying?” he asks. His sultry voice does nothing for my nerves.

  “N-No,” I barely get the word out. My hands are sweating and my heart is pounding as he removes his hand. I’ve flown hundreds of times. I don’t mind it at all, but I’ve never flown on a private plane. Or flown next to a man who seems to affect me so much.

  He leans closer. His clean soap and cologne smell is so hypnotic, I can’t stop myself from taking a deep breath. The heat from his body is everywhere, and he’s not even touching me. “Don’t worry, Catherine, you’re safe with me. Just close your eyes.”

  I glance at him as the plane begins to move again. “I’ll be fine. I’m being silly.” How many more ways am I going to embarrass myself with this man?

  “Relax and close your eyes,” he says softly but with an air of authority.

  “When did you get so bossy?” I close my eyes and smile, hearing a rustling before I sense him shifting closer.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he replies, humor dancing in his voice. “Now, stop talking and just breathe.”

  I take a deep breath and start to sing to myself. My father used to sing this song to me at night whenever I had bad dreams. The lyrics soothed me. Throughout my life, I’ve always sung that song when I needed strength, even though it was associated with him. Now is no different. My father’s voice, singing about me being his one and only sunshine, echoes through my ears and floods my mind. If only it’d been true.

  I repeat the song over and over as Jackson’s fingers graze my arm. Abruptly, the contact I’d been enjoying vanishes. I shiver from the loss, terrified to open my eyes. What if I’m alone again?

  “You’re safe now.” His warm voice blankets over me.

  I’m far from safe, but somehow during
that brief moment we managed to become airborne and I didn’t even notice. My lids are heavy, so I relax into my seat and think about my morning with Jackson. Within a matter of minutes he put me at ease. He cared for me when he saw my distress. How easy it would be to fall for him. To give myself to someone who looks out for others before himself. But at what cost to my heart? Somewhere before unconsciousness I realize—it’s not the plane I should be afraid of, it’s the man next to me.

  “Catherine…”

  No! I don’t want to wake up. Damn Ashton and her nudging.

  “Catherine.” I hear a throaty chuckle. “You’re adorable when you sleep.”

  What?

  “Come on. Time to get up. We’re in Virginia.”

  Virginia?

  I groan and open my eyes to see Jackson smiling and leaning over me with both hands on the arm rests. Damn, I’d love waking up to that face every day. I rub my eyes, realizing I slept the entire flight. Between the lack of sleep last night and the events of this morning, it’s no wonder I passed out. I try to move but he has me caged between his muscular arms, a huge grin on his face. I clear my throat and look at his hand, hoping my silent cue will register. However, he only seems more amused.

  “Could you let me up please?”

  He leans back but not enough to give me the space I need. I glare at him until he takes a step back, crosses his arms over his chest, and smiles widely at me.

  Now standing, I become extremely self-conscious as he stares at me. “What? Do I have something on my face?” I wipe my face, smooth my hair, and inspect my clothes.

  He inches forward, dropping his arms to his sides. His eyes tease me as they travel the length of my body. “Did you know you talk in your sleep?” His voice is full of mischief.

  No. Oh no! I’m aware of this, but I’ve never really thought too much about it. Though, Ashton does make fun of me all the time for the things that come out of my mouth at night. Pink paints my cheeks as I cover my face with my hands. I open my fingers a tiny bit so I can see through them. “Please tell me I didn’t say anything embarrassing,” I say hesitantly.

  Jackson tugs at my hands, pulling them away from my face. His calloused thumbs are rubbing back and forth against my wrists. Taking a deep breath, he gives a small smile. “You said ‘Daddy’ a few times.”

  “Oh.” I give a deflated huff. “I guess that makes sense … with everything today.” I look down to where he’s still holding my arms. I shift my weight and stare at the floor.

  Sensing my discomfort, he drops my wrists. “I’m sorry again,” he says. And again, I know he is. I can hear the honesty in his voice. It’s touching but disconcerting at the same time. I can’t afford to form an emotional connection with this man. The physical one is bad enough.

  “I know.” I smile. “I’m excited to get to work and see the plant,” I say in a polite tone, switching topics. I don’t want to discuss my father or anything personal, and I’m not going to think about all the issues waiting for me back in New Jersey. There’s business to handle while I’m on this trip, and that is going to be my priority. In the last twenty years, my father never once made me a priority—I’m not about to make him one now.

  “We’ll head straight there. Then we’ll have dinner, since I know you’re excited for that too.”

  “Too?” I straighten my back and snap my eyes to his.

  “You might have said something about that.” He laughs. “And a few other things,” he adds as an afterthought. Jackson turns and cleans up his papers.

  Is he serious? I bite my lip and hesitate before asking my next question. “What are you talking about? Did I say anything else?”

  He tilts his head to the side, grinning, and then shrugs. What the hell does the shrug mean? I have to know. He grabs his bag and moves past me. I’m stunned, silently praying all I did was mumble.

  As he walks by, I grab his arm to stop him. I try for nonchalance, hoping that maybe his good-humored side will play along. My stomach is doing somersaults as I think of all the possible things I could’ve said in my sleep. In the short time we’ve known each other I’ve dreamed of him so often—if my words were anything close to sounding like the two very erotic dreams I’ve already had, I may die.

  His eyes are playful when he looks at me. “Something you want to know?” he asks, raising one eyebrow.

  “Me? No.” I smile and look contrite.

  “Are you sure? You look rather curious.” He smirks and pushes my hair off my face.

  I laugh, hoping to get him to tell me what I said. “Jackson, I thought you were into saving girls from disastrous situations. You know, a soldier and all—”

  He cuts me off. “No, I was a SEAL, not a soldier. Big difference,” he says as he puffs his chest out.

  “Okay … SEAL, then. Didn’t know the term meant anything.” I tilt my head, smiling and batting my eyelashes. “Anyway, don’t you want to tell me whatever it is you think you know?”

  He smiles at my blatant attempt at persuasion. Dropping his the bag on the seat, he says, “Catherine, you don’t really think I’m going to give up that easy, do you?” He grins and takes a step closer. I notice his Adam’s apple bobbing as he debates his next words. “I’m like a vault, and it’s going to take a whole lot more than those gorgeous eyes batting at me to crack this one,” he says huskily.

  I take a step back and smile. “So there is something to spill, then?”

  He laughs loudly and steps back. “Come on. We’ve got places to go.”

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re a frustrating man?”

  He taps his finger on his chin as if deep in thought. “Nope, most people find me endearing and charming.”

  I snort. “Are these people on your payroll by any chance?”

  “Maybe, but then again you’re on my payroll and seem to disagree with the consensus.” He smiles and heads toward the cabin door.

  “Good thing I don’t work for you. You’re just a client, so I don’t have to agree.”

  He stops and turns toward me suggestively. “Good thing I have three days to change your mind about that, then.” He winks, leaving me speechless as we exit the plane.

  Jackson and I don’t speak much in the car. Both of us are looking at the new sales figures he received from his secretary when we landed. The numbers look promising and show a shift in the market. I look through a few more emails on my phone, not really paying much attention to where we’re going. I shoot a quick text to Ashton, letting her know we’ve landed safely. About fifteen minutes later, we pull up to a large office building that’s all windows.

  I look over at the Cole Security Forces sign and I’m suddenly confused. Clearly, this isn’t the production facility. I glance at Jackson. He’s still engrossed in the figures, so he hasn’t noticed we’ve stopped.

  I clear my throat. “Jackson, where are we?”

  He looks at the building and back at me. “This is my other company. I run a security force that has contracts all over the world. I need to run in and show face for about ten minutes. Would you like to come in?” His eyes shift back and forth and he sounds genuinely nervous.

  Well there’s a surprise. The man owns a cosmetics company and a security company—talk about polar opposites. My eyes widen at his admission and then I recover, smiling softly. “If you’d like me to, sure.”

  We both exit the car and head over to the entrance. Jackson places his hand on my shoulder as he opens the door. Just the small touch sends me into overdrive. I tilt my head and give him a small grin as I enter the office.

  It’s nothing like Raven Cosmetics. Where that office is almost feminine, this one is modern and masculine with clean lines and distinctive colors. The floors are gray concrete and the walls are cream and royal blue, which makes sense based on the décor from the plane. In the center of the room, there are two big cubicle sections that each seats five people. The left wall is taken up by four large offices with huge mahogany doors.

  Jackson clears his throat a
s we make our way into the space. Three guys stand and smile when they see him. A few other guys stick their hands up, acknowledging his presence, but continue to work.

  “Hey, Muffin!” A tall, muscular guy with long light blond hair styled back off his face says as he walks over, smiling. He’s huge and his arms are covered in tattoos, which might be intimidating if he wasn’t so warm and friendly.

  “Hey, Mark.” He looks happy to see him. The two men shake hands and clap each other on the shoulder. Mark turns his attention to me with wide eyes and a large, appraising grin. Jackson bristles. “Mark, this is Catherine. She’s the new publicist for the cosmetics company,” he says stiffly.

  I smile and extend my hand. “Hi, Mark. Nice to meet you.”

  Mark shakes my hand. “Catherine, it’s a pleasure. Sorry you have to work with this prick all day.” He elbows Jackson in the stomach, still smiling at me.

  I giggle and reply, “Interesting choice of words. Jackson describes himself a little differently.”

  Mark raises his eyebrows, looking intrigued by my statement. “Really? What did Muff describe himself as?”

  “Muff?” I ask, completely lost.

  He howls in laughter. “Yup. That’s Jackson! He was always a little soft in the middle,”—he leans in—“whereas the rest of us worked out to keep our amazing physiques.” He stands back up, beaming. “So we told him he had a muffin top and that stuck as his call sign.”

  I giggle at the nickname and glance at Jackson, who’s shooting daggers at Mark. Turning back to Mark, I ask, “So what’s your call sign?”

  Jackson places his hand on the small of my back. “Twilight and I were both on the same team for four years.”

  “Twilight? Oh, I gotta hear this!” I laugh. Now it’s Mark’s turn to give Jackson the evil eye.

  Jackson chuckles and pulls me against his side. “Notice how pale Mark is?” He asks, jutting his chin out in his direction. I nod. These two are the female versions of Ashton and me. It’s comforting, considering the day I’ve had. “Well he’s so white he could glitter in the sun. One of the guys’ wives had some kind of obsession with that movie, and he kept telling him he could star in Twilight. So Mark here is our glittery, pale Twilight.”