by Rylee Morgan
Jackson got to the house to find it sans Shayla, with the exception of Dawn sleeping on the couch. He nudged her a few times until she opened her eyes. “Hey, where’s Shayla?”
“Jesus H. Christ, don’t do that! You scared the shit out of me!” her eyes opened wide at the registration of knowing she wasn’t alone and that Jackson and his six foot two stature was standing over her, was enough to give a good start to even the strong hearted.
“Sorry. Where’s Shayla?”
“Gone.”
“Augh, yeah figured that. Where is she?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“Because I’m asking.”
“So?”
“Are you serious? I’m not asking for my fucking health, now please tell me where she is.” Annoyed. That was the best way to describe the way he was starting to feel about this little banter Dawn was playing.
She could sense that she was striking a nerve, but didn’t care that was evident to him. “Look, you hurt her. If you want me to tell you anything you better tell me why I should give you that key piece of information.” Fiery redhead, suited her perfectly.
“Because I love her.”
“Yeah, what’s your point? So, do I and so do a lot of other people that’ll have your head if you fucking think of playing any more games with her.”
“Good. But my point is…I’m in love with her…”
“Damn, you’re good! Okay you win.” Dawn sat upright smiling, “You don’t play fair do you.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle at the feisty little woman, a spitfire. He was glad that he wasn’t the only overprotective person when it came to Shayla. “Now will you please tell me where she is?”
“Yes, she’s down at the Deer Bar with some friends from the hospital.” Keeping one tiny bit of information from him, not like she would have had the chance to tell him anyways. He was out the door just as quick as he had come through it. “Well on that note, it’s my queue to leave.” She said out loud to herself.
He had made it across town in record time. He barely had the car in park before exiting it. With only a few long fast strides he was in the bar, scanning the crowd for her.
There she was, talking and laughing with three males. His testosterone levels must have been at an all-time high at that moment. It took everything in him to just hang back and watch. Perching himself up at the bar. Sitting directly across from the group. All she had to do was look up, and she’d see him.
Staring, burning a hole through her. She had to feel his eyes on her, watching her every move.
A female patron had tried starting up a conversation with him. He wasn’t interested. There was only one woman that had him on full alert, and he was willing her to look his way. He wanted her to be aware that he was there, and was in total disapproval of the company she was in.
And then…there was no more waiting.
He was off the barstool the moment Allen had taken her by the hand and was leading her to the dance floor.
Nope.
That was not going to happen. Not while he was there.
Making his way towards them, stopping at the table briefly. Only to shed a warning to Noah. “I’d advise you to keep your fucking eyes in your head doc, before you lose them.” He didn’t wait for a reply.
Making his way to her once again, his chest puffed, eyes shooting blazing gasoline fueled darts at the target he was approaching now. Eye contact was made with Allen, who stopped in his dancing footsteps and said something to Shayla who turned quickly, looking in Jackson’s direction.
Once their eyes met, there was no breaking the lock they held on each other. He could see different degrees of emotion coursing through her. Her eyes always told on her, he thought to himself, and the knowledge that he had been the cause of the pain that were beholden in them was the equivalent of running into the blade of a katana. It hurt him like no other. That was the worst form of punishment.
Locking eyes with the man that had walked away without a word had almost brought her to tears. But she was stronger than that. She excused herself from Allen. With every step towards Jackson, she weighed the options of slugging him right in the mouth or falling into his arms.
On that final step, she chose neither option. He was looking at her like she had hurt him and he was pissed. She didn’t care. “What are you doing here Jackson?”
“I’m taking you home, let’s go.”
“Uh, let me think about this…no.”
“Shayla, you either come with me or else.”
“Or else what? You know you don’t scare—Hey! You’re not funny!”
“You shouldn’t have asked.” He retorted with her slung over his shoulder, he slapped her on the ass.
“Ow! Jackson put me down.” Her pleas went unheard, he only continued walking at a steady pace out of the exit. Causing the patrons inside to stop what they were doing and watch the events that were unfolding in front of them. Some choosing to follow them out, including Noah, Allen and his companion. Some came followed out of concern for her safety, others for the live soap opera drama that was center stage for their own entertainment.
He’d made it to the car, setting her back down on her feet. “Stay put.”
“What am I your damn dog? Sorry but I’m not into whatever game you’re trying to play here.”
“Shayla is everything alright?” Noah asked coming around to her side.
“This doesn’t concern you, please leave.” Jackson said irritated with the sight of the doctor and especially by the fact of him poking his nose where it didn’t concern him.
“I can speak for myself!” she was pissed now. Humiliated by Jackson’s actions.
“Yeah, well I’m gonna need you to stop.” Jackson said as he stood in front of her, taking her face into his hands, dropping his mouth to hers. He kissed her deeply with a fervent need. She resisted at the initial embrace and then laxed into him. Returning his kiss with a hunger of her own.
“Marry me Shayla.” He spoke softly against her lips.
“What?” Her eyes opened as big as silver dollars, looking up at him. She wasn’t sure she heard him right, unsure whether she was hearing what she wanted to hear or not.
“Be my wife. Have my babies. I want you and no one else.” The look on her face had made him smile the cockiest of smiles. He’d caught her off guard.
“Why?”
“Because I love you. There’s no better person to fall in love with than your best friend. We belong together Shayla.” He said with the utmost conviction.
She smiled back at him…then her face fell in remembrance of the night he had left. “And what about Lexi? What about your baby?”
There it was, the wall that was being built in his absence and from his failure to communicate. “Lexi is having a baby…but it’s not mine Shay. I told you she was a closed chapter in my life. I don’t want her. I want you.” He searched her eyes for a response, only seeing hurt still lingering. “Listen, I have to tell you the truth…I’ve loved you for longer than I can remember. Coming back only reinforced what I’ve known for years. I know you feel the same way. I’m asking you to marry me, please.”
Tears began the journey’s trail from the corner of her eyes down her cheeks. He wiped the droplets away with each of his thumbs like he did the first time he had ever kissed her. And kissed each eyelid, before reaching into his pocket, pulling out a red velvet box. He opened it, revealing a beautifully custom designed engagement ring that was of a vintage style in nod of the art deco period. Taking it out of the box, he tilted it just so, where the inscription could be read.
“Don’t Let Go.” He read it to her.
Her heart flickered. It spoke volumes of how well he had known her. She hadn’t verbalize to anyone her mantra of letting go. He took her hand into his and asked her one final time.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” She said softly, fighting back snot and tears, there was no way Dawn’s makeup marvel was going to hold up any l
onger. “Don’t ever put me through that again Jackson. I can’t handle it. Not knowing whether you’re going to be in my life for the long haul or not.”
“Baby…you have my word, you’re stuck with me.” He kissed her again as deeply as before, this time with one hand cupping her ass and the other cupping the nape of her neck with his finger entwine in her hair. Their audience had started to cheer and whistle with the crowd clapping. He pulled away slightly, licking and nipping at her lobe followed by whispering in her ear, “Let’s get out of here and make a baby.”
With those words she was wet and ready. There was no turning back, she was in love with him. “I think it’s time for some fun.” She said huskily, then turned in his arms brushing against the stiffness of his erection it was her turn to tease, “Let’s go.”
About the Author
A Mid-Michigan native, author Rylee Morgan can be found spending time with her family, trying her hand at cooking a new dish or going on the occasionally baking spree, taking road trips around the Great Lakes State to random places and indulging in one of life's greatest pleasures...shoe shopping! Most importantly she can be found creating stories with lively characters, since finding her love of writing at a young age as most writers do.
