by J. L. Berg
“Yes,” I answered. “Just making sure my son had a ride home from camp.”
Raising his wrist, he glanced at his watch, and his eyes widened. “Look at the time, gentlemen! Someone should have said something. We can finish this up later.”
Quiet chatter began as people around the table shuffled papers together and packed up their laptops. I began the same process, eager to meet Liv downstairs when she arrived.
“How old is your boy?” Senator Prescott asked me.
“Eleven,” I answered.
“Ah, quite the age if I remember correctly. Although, I have a daughter, so things could be completely different.”
I paused, amazed that he was openly talking about Liv, considering the man was about to launch a presidential campaign. I figured he would do everything he could to downplay his estranged daughter as much as possible.
“How old is your daughter?” I asked, intrigued to see just how much the old man would divulge.
“Late twenties now. She works as a family counselor, helping children mostly,” he answered quietly, his eyes full of some deep-seated emotion. “Kids grow up way too fast. Remember that, and cherish every second.”
“I’m trying,” I answered.
“Good, good.” He seemed to immediately shake out of the dark mood he’d put himself in, and he turned from me to speak to Mark about setting up another meeting.
Our little conversation was forgotten, but I was still sitting at the table, completely bewildered by him.
Had he checked up on Liv? Did he miss her? If so, why hadn’t he just reached out and apologized?
The large gaping hole in her heart that could only be filled by him and her mother grew each and every day they stayed away. Didn’t they realize that?
Promising myself that I wouldn’t interfere, I rose from my chair and headed for my office to drop off my laptop and notebook. Once again, my phone chirped in my pants pocket, and I was greeted by another text from Liv.
Liv: Coming up! Is that okay?
Shit. I had told her I would meet her downstairs to avoid this very situation. I’d come to the conclusion that when it came to working with Liv’s father, being vague with her was the key. She didn’t need to know when he’d come to the office or how many times we’d had lunch. It worked better for her to stay clueless. Every mention of him was like a jab to her side, and I preferred not to be the one giving them.
So, rather than mentioning the reason, I’d just suggested that I would meet her in the parking garage.
Too late for that.
I raced to the elevator just in time to hear it beep and see the double doors open. I swiftly stepped in front of Liv and Noah and shoved them back inside before pressing the button to close the door.
“What the heck?” Noah said. “I wanted to see your office, Dad! We were just going to peek and wait until you finished your meeting.”
I exhaled, hating myself for even having to be in this position. “Your dad’s here,” I said, turning to Liv.
Her eyes widened, and something in her features suddenly reminded me so much of her father in that moment.
It was her eyes.
They were her father’s.
“Oh,” she simply stated.
“I didn’t think you’d want a reunion today.”
“No.”
I expected a flurry of questions to spring from Noah’s mouth. Kids were always so inquisitive, especially in sticky situations when parents would rather not answer any. But, in that moment, he showed me just how much he had matured. He remained quiet, and instead of unintentionally embarrassing Liv by quizzing her, he simply sidestepped past me to grab hold of her hand.
She didn’t bother asking me about her father. She hadn’t since that day she found out how I’d met him, which was when I’d instated the don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy regarding Senator Prescott.
“I heard someone doesn’t know what cool clothes are,” Liv said, a smile trying to work its way across her face.
I glanced sideways in her direction.
“Who me?” I asked, grateful she was starting to return to me.
Noah had done that. He might not be the little boy who gave me hugs anymore, but if he could manage to lift Liv’s spirits with a single hand, I was okay with the loss.
The elevator dinged, and all three of us exited out the double doors toward my car.
“Noah said when he asked you to take him school shopping, your suggestions were terrible. Ralph Lauren? Really, Jackson?”
“What? I buy stuff there!” I scoffed, unlocking the truck so both of them could climb inside.
I’d won a game of rock-paper-scissors last night so the gas guzzling ozone killer was our ride of choice tonight.
We’d come back later to pick up Liv’s tiny circus car.
“Suits and clothes for work, Jackson! You don’t buy school clothes there!”
“Okay,” I relented. “Point taken.”
We all took our seats in the truck, and I revved up the engine. I drove out of the parking lot and stopped at the light just outside the gate.
“So, where are we headed?” I asked.
“Where else do tweens and teenagers go to get cool clothes?” she asked.
“Obviously not Ralph Lauren.”
“The mall, silly.”
This was going to be a long night.
~Jackson~
Who knew shopping could be that exhausting?
Besides the brief stop at the food court, we’d hit every major retailer that sold clothes in Noah’s size. I could barely see beyond the four-thousand bags in my hands on the way out. I’d thought we would be in and out, an hour tops, considering I’d spent a fortune to enroll Noah in a prestigious school that had uniforms four days a week.
Who knew shopping for that one free day would be so time-consuming?
Wasn’t this a chick thing—worrying about clothes and what other kids thought? Being the father of a boy, I always figured I wouldn’t have to worry about such things, but I was quickly realizing that middle school was an exception to the rule. It made everyone nervous, gender be damned.
After we got home and Noah raced upstairs to most likely play video games, I shuffled into the living room, still brimming with my grandmother’s antiques and handmade doilies, and I tried to remember what it was like to be Noah’s age. Taking a peek out the window where I’d watched Liv disappear into her own house minutes earlier, I recalled that eager, nervous feeling I’d had when starting a new school and settling into a completely different way of life.
Middle school was the big leagues as far as any kid was concerned. It was when a kid would put away dolls or action figures and grow up. It was a hard middle road, one that I still recalled living. Even though I couldn’t remember making my mother buy me clothes or worrying about my haircut for the first day of school, I did remember coming home and racing up the stairs to play with my favorite toy and realizing I couldn’t—or shouldn’t.
What if the other kids found out? Would they call me a baby?
Sadly, I had packed everything up and stuffed it under my bed, saying good-bye to the little boy I’d been the day before.
I guessed Noah had been doing the same thing all summer.
The familiar sound reminding me of wild elephants alerted me that my son was flying down those ancient wooden steps once again. No matter how many times I’d reminded him, he’d always take them two at a time and race down as if he were being hunted by an ax murderer.
“Hey, Dad! Bye, Dad!” he announced before running to the door. A stuffed backpack was slung over his shoulder.
“Hold on!” I called out, halting him mid-step.
He turned just before he reached the front entrance, and a smug grin was on his face.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked, wrapping my arms across my chest.
This was my fierce, imposing dad pose. It was supposed to cause fear and rampant obedience. It wasn’t working. He didn’t look threat
ened.
“I’m spending the night at Leah and Declan’s house. They have a son around my age. His name is Connor. He likes soccer, too, and baseball and Xbox.”
My head hurt. Too many words were coming out of his mouth at once.
“You mean Liv’s friend Leah—the one I’ve never met?” I asked.
“Yep.” He shrugged.
So damn confused.
“And you’re spending the night?”
“Yeah, Liv called and said Leah and Declan had a son named Connor, and he really wanted to meet me, so they invited me over to spend the night. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Uh…”
“So, I’m gonna go. Leah is picking me up, and she just texted to say she’s outside. I sent you the number. It’s on your phone. See you tomorrow! Bye!”
Then, he was gone, just like that.
What the hell?
I stood there in a daze. I turned back to the window and watched as a beautiful blonde woman around Liv’s age greeted my son. A young boy got out of the car, and he waved at Noah. Minutes later, they were gone.
I’d been dragged through the mall for hours with nothing more than a crappy hot dog to keep me going. I’d spent hundreds of dollars on clothes my son apparently needed to feel grounded and better about this life-altering shift in his existence.
Now, Liv had taken it upon herself to send him away for a bros’ sleepover—without my permission.
I was not in a good mood.
Stalking forward, I yanked the door by the handle and stomped forward. That woman was about to get a piece of my mind. We might be close, but there were lines, and this was one of them.
I didn’t bother knocking on her door. Knowing she would have locked it, I fished out the key she’d given me after last week, and I slipped it in before turning the knob and stepping inside.
The house was quiet. There was no sign of Liv anywhere.
“Liv!” I shouted. “Where are you?”
“Upstairs,” she responded, seeming unfazed by my abrupt appearance.
Grumbling, I headed for the stairs, practicing my speech as I went. I would tell her how much I appreciated her help, how I understood her love for Noah, but I was the parent, so I made the decisions.
She would understand.
As I took the last step onto the top floor, I noticed an amber glow reflecting off the oak hardwood just outside Liv’s bedroom. It flickered and danced along the floorboards, creating a pattern all its own. Walking farther, I noticed the origin of the lights. Candles lined the entire entryway of her bedroom and beyond. Treading softly, I entered, seeing the same flickering pattern from the hallway dancing up the walls and across the bed—where I found her.
Covered in satin and lace, she looked like a divine virgin sacrifice ready to give up her mortal soul.
“Sweet Jesus,” I cursed.
Bad mood gone.
The only thoughts running through my mind were Liv, lace, and mine.
“You’re drooling,” she said, her lips curving into a smug grin.
“You’re nearly naked,” I replied.
“Did everything go okay with Noah?” she asked, sitting up slightly. It pushed the swatch of fabric passing as a bra tonight up and forward, accentuating her breasts even more.
I sucked back a bit more drool.
“If you mean, I stood there, completely confused, while my son disappeared for the evening, then yes.”
She smiled, a hint of amusement crossing her features.
My hand twitched as if the sheer torture of not touching her was driving it insane. I stayed where I was, knowing if I took even one step farther, there would be no going back. Every muscle in my body physically ached for the smooth touch of her skin and warm feel of her body beneath me.
“I’m ready,” she uttered, shattering the last remnant of control I had left.
My eyes wandered over every inch of her exposed skin as my heart raced into a gallop.
“How can you be sure?” I edged forward, only to halt myself.
“I know.”
“I need to know, Liv. I need to know that you’re ready for this, for me, because this is anything but casual for me.”
“I know you have to think about Noah—”
I cut her off, stepping closer, the adrenaline pumping in my veins so hard that I felt like Superman.
“No. Tonight has nothing to do with Noah. This has to do with me wanting you and only ever you. When I take you, I want to bury myself so deep that you’ll never forget. So, you might think you’re ready to give yourself over to me, but are you prepared for what will come when I give myself to you?”
“Yes.”
Thank God I wasn’t an adolescent teenager anymore because that one word from her lips would have ended me. As it were, I was rock hard, the need to take her consuming my every thought.
Moving swiftly, my legs hit the bed, and my hands found hers as she tumbled backward. A low growl reverberated from my throat as my lips found hers. My tongue traced the corner of her mouth, and I felt her teeth gently bit down on my bottom lip, causing my dick to twitch.
I needed all of her, naked—immediately.
Slipping my hands beneath her, I unhooked her bra with ease and watched the straps fall to the sides, giving me a glimpse of the tender flesh underneath.
Our eyes met briefly, and I recognized the same emotions that I was feeling in her gaze—desire, longing…maybe something more.
My fingers wandered up the path of her left arm, and I grabbed the bra strap to slowly begin its downward journey, exposing her body to me.
Exquisite.
Taut and pink, her nipple was begging for my mouth. I pulled it between my lips and sucked. Her body bucked beneath me, and she cried out.
“That’s it, Liv.” I soothed her, swiveling my tongue around her swollen bud.
I made fast work of the rest of her bra and moved on to her right breast, loving her body’s reaction to my touch. As I sucked up and down on that rosy tip, my hand meandered to the edge of her panties. Dipping lower, I found her already wet and ready for me. Smiling against her chest, I sucked harder on her nipple while my hand found her clit, swollen and tender.
“Shit!” she screamed, pushing hard against my hand.
So fucking hot.
Still working her with my hand, I kissed a path down her chest and across her belly button until I reached her panties. “It’s time for these to go,” I said.
My hand moved up to shed the lace from her body, and I heard her whimper from the loss of my hand. I watched in fascination as I moved the fabric over her hips and down her long legs before it finally fell on the floor next to us.
What was left was nothing but Liv.
She was breathtaking.
“I planned on making you scream out my name with my tongue alone, but seeing you like this is driving me insane.”
“Please, Jackson,” she begged.
Kneeling before her, I watched as she propped herself up on her elbows and spread her legs farther apart, giving me the most beautiful view in the world.
With hooded, hungry eyes, she watched as I yanked my T-shirt up and over my head before dropping it to the side of the bed without a single glance.
“Keep looking at me like that,” I said.
“Like what?” She bit into her bottom lip with a grin.
“Like I’m the most fascinating thing you’ve ever seen.”
“Maybe you are,” she purred.
As I flashed her a wicked grin, my hands traveled down to my belt buckle. “I haven’t even taken off my pants yet, sweetheart.”
She watched intently, her eyes never wavering, as I made quick work of my jeans and boxers before dropping them onto the growing pile of forgotten clothes on the floor.
“Even better than I imagined,” she said softly.
I crawled back onto the bed. My body brushed against her heated skin, sending shivers down my spine.
“You mean, bigger—bigger than you expected.�
�� I grinned against her shoulder as I scattered kisses along her collarbone and neck.
“I always knew you were well-endowed, Jackson. You tend to be very alert when I’m around. Plus, there was that night in the hot tub.” She laughed.
Memories of her sexy little body grinding against mine suddenly clouded my vision. I’d wanted her more in that moment than my next breath—much like right now.
“No more talking. I need you—now,” I demanded before slamming my mouth on hers without mercy.
She took everything I gave while arching into me with enthusiasm and such passion.
Our lips molded together, and my hands gripped her hips, pulling her tight against me. It would never be enough. I wanted to crawl inside her and brand my name on her heart, making a permanent reminder that I’d been here and I was never leaving.
Jesus Christ, I loved this woman.
It was so much different than the love I’d thought I had for Natalie where I felt the need to prove it to the world, to her, and even to myself. This love for Liv had crept up slowly, making itself known with a whisper rather than a roar. It didn’t need to be justified or backed up with a fancy job or any of the other ways in which I’d tried to prove myself to Natalie. It just was.
I loved Liv.
It was so easy, so simple.
The tricky part would be convincing Liv how much she already loved me.
~Liv~
Every inch of my body was on fire.
Any second, I was going to combust and burst into flames.
I’d had several lovers in my life, but Jackson had erased every memory of them the moment he walked into my bedroom. Even before he’d even touched me, I’d known I would never be the same again.
His eyes stared straight into my soul, like he was searching for the missing half of himself.
Had he found it?
I’d never believed I could have a perfect partner, that missing puzzle piece people always talked about, until I’d met Jackson—well, maybe a few weeks after I’d met Jackson. That first week, I had been sure he was sent by Satan himself to punish me for some unknown crime against humanity.
