“Nope.” She looked up at him with a sexy smile. “You got work to do this afternoon?”
He gave her a naughty grin. “Nope. Let’s flip the Closed sign.”
“Already done.” She looked around the deserted street, grabbed his wrist, and tugged him between two buildings and down the alley to the back entry to her apartment. “I’m officially off the clock, and on the hunt.”
He laughed. “Take me to your lair, darlin’. I’m officially your afternoon snack.”
Chapter Eleven
Sunday morning, just after midnight, Rori lay in Jackson’s bed staring at the ceiling. He’d be leaving in a few hours. All she could think of was how difficult it would be to say goodbye to him.
Friday afternoon, and most of the night, they’d stayed in her apartment, making love, cooking, playing video games, then making love some more. It had been magical, and she’d kept praying for time to slow down.
After sleeping in Saturday morning, she’d driven to Jackson’s house, at his invitation, for lunch and an afternoon of using every water toy he and his brothers owned. By the time they came back to the house, they were both starving and exhausted. They ate at the kitchen counter while Lou and Marliss entertained them with stories of Dusty’s attempts at the jet skis, then headed upstairs for their last hours together.
The sex had started out fast and wild, but changed to slow and easy as both of them silently said goodbye.
Rori had brought up Dusty’s letter earlier when they’d been sitting on the dock, but Jackson hadn’t responded. She’d like to talk about it again, with more enthusiasm, and she hated to leave without another try, but he was sound asleep, and she had a bunch of tears in her eyes. Those tears would turn into a waterfall if she had to kiss him goodbye and walk out of his life forever.
Sliding out of bed, she pulled her clothes on and blew him a kiss from the doorway. She would never forget him.
The waterfall started halfway down the steps and she could barely find her bag through the blur of tears, let alone get her key out, and slip out the door. In her van, she let it go, bawling like a baby for long minutes before grabbing her composure and driving home.
Home? Was this home? Her parents, her family, lived in KC. Maybe she’d just close up shop and move everything there? Start from scratch in her parents’ basement, or maybe even take out a business loan and rent a storefront.
She pulled into her parking spot in back of the Cyber Wise and trudged up the steps to her apartment. After they’d made love, she hadn’t showered, wanted to keep the soapy, masculine scent of Jackson with her as long as possible. Tossing and turning, she watched the clock. Now he’d be leaving the house. Now he’d be driving through town toward KC.
For a half-hour, she listened, hoping she’d hear the engine of his company truck stop out back, hear a knock at her door. Nothing.
Now he’d be at the airport, and now…his plane had lifted off.
It felt like someone had taken a knife and sliced a jagged hole in her heart. Why had she just let him go? “Because you don’t do rodeo cowboys.” Why hadn’t she at least told him how she felt about him? “Because he’s not looking for anything longer than this past week.”
She closed her eyes and let herself drift into a dream of being in his arms. She woke with the sun blazing through the window. Checking the clock, she sighed. He’d be home by now with his mother, making plans for the rest of his life.
A noise outside caught her attention. Was that a car door? She didn’t have customers scheduled today. Banging sounded at the back door of her apartment. Still dressed in her shorts and tank top, she trudged down the steps. Only one person would be here this damn early. Lexie from the coffee shop. And she’d better have brought scones, too.
Rori yanked open the back door.
“Hi.” Jackson stared at her, sober as Sunday morning.
“Hi.” Her heart skipped a few beats. “You missed your flight?”
“On purpose.” He gestured up the steps. “Mind if I come in?”
Her heart restarted, thumping loud enough to be heard in Missouri. “Don’t mind at all.” She turned and padded up the steps with him clomping right behind her. She couldn’t let herself hope. Couldn’t dream that this meant anything more than him stopping by to say goodbye.
In her kitchen, she turned to face him. “What’s up?” Trying to make her voice sound cool nearly choked her.
He smiled and shook his head. “Really? That’s all I get?”
Grabbing the edge of the countertop, she swallowed. “Did you come to say goodbye?”
“No. I came to talk to you.” He leaned his hip on the counter.
“Okay.” How much could she read into that statement?
“You don’t look excited to see me, Rori.”
She’d be honest. “Until I hear what you have on your mind, I’m going to hold tight to my emotions.”
He raised a brow. “Fair enough.”
Jackson slid the envelope with his name on it from his back pocket. “You said I shouldn’t forget about this letter from my dad.”
She nodded.
“I opened it after you snuck out this morning.” He dropped his eyes, frowning a little.
“You heard me leave?” And he’d let her go? Damn it. Not good.
“I figured if you’d wanted to say goodbye, you would have woke me. I didn’t want to mess with your escape.”
Huffing out a breath, she shrugged. She had no response to that one.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He smirked. “Dusty’s letter said a few things that made sense to me. He explained a lot, and I can see things differently right now. A lot differently.” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
“Such as?”
“First…” He smiled.
She didn’t return it.
“First, I have to ask you, what do you have against rodeo cowboys?”
Rori opened her mouth, then closed it again. “Huh?”
“What’s your problem with us?”
“Well, just my cousin.” That sounded stupid. “She’s married to a bull rider. “Her kids are essentially growing up without a dad. He only comes home when he’s busted. Physically or financially.”
Jackson nodded. “Okay. What else?”
“What else?” She tipped her head.
“What else has made you distrust rodeo men?”
“Well…nothing. That’s it. And that’s enough, isn’t it?” Now that she said it aloud, it sounded even more stupid.
“And you know of no other men who exhibit that sort of behavior?” He widened his eyes. “It’s only rodeo cowboys who behave that way?”
She coughed out a laugh. “I see your point.” And felt like a fool. “So I might have been a little judgmental.”
“Just a little?” He held up a hand. “Second…” He pointed downstairs. “You said there weren’t eligible bachelors in town, but I have it on completely reliable gossip that one Monday morning, after discussing you at a Saturday night poker game, three guys showed up here looking to ask you out.”
“Oh for fuc…for heaven’s sake. Who the hell told you that?” She couldn’t believe that piece of nostalgia was still rolling around town.
“True? You could have had your pick of any of those men, and you chose none of them. And none of them were rodeo cowboys, right?”
“I’m not following your logic.” She hoped he was leading to what she wanted to hear, but she wasn’t taking any chances, and kept her heart on lockdown.
“Darlin’.” He took a step toward her.
She took one step back.
“When you left this morning, I knew I had to see you again.” He reached for her arm and she wasn’t quick enough—or emotionally tough enough—to stay away from him.
“Jackson.” Her body reacted to his touch, quivering and heating. She stepped toward him and laced her fingers in the back of his hair, pulling him closer. “I want this.” Even if it was the last time. Even though she knew bett
er.
He bent and picked her up in his arms, carrying her through the bedroom door and laying them both on the bed. “I need this.” Sliding his hand under her tank top, his rough skin played sexily on her softness. He pulled her bra up, tugged her shirt up too, and bent to kiss her nipple.
Shockwaves flowed from her breast to her core, loosening and swelling her down low, heating and creaming between her legs.
In seconds, he’d unfastened her bra and pulled it and her shirt off her, ripped off his shirt, and rubbed his chest along hers as he moved up to kiss her.
“Darlin’.” He took her mouth with his, his tongue tracing along her cheeks, sucking at her tongue until she pushed into his mouth and tasted his spicy flavor mixed with coffee. He slowed the kiss, breathing heavily against her lips. “I want you now, riding me, looking into my eyes as we come together.”
Rori’s hips jerked up, her thighs tightening against the sweet pressure between her legs. “Yes, Jackson, anything you want.” She’d give this man one last ride, even if it broke her heart irreparably.
He eased downward, kissing from her neck to her belly, nibbling and sucking. Removing her shorts, he kept his lips pressed to her mound, his tongue flicking inward, finding her little button and shocking her entire body with each pass. Jackson spread her legs and pressed his face into her pussy, his tongue lapping, his lips sucking, his nose pressing on her clit. Her brain began to flicker into blackness.
“No.” She grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled his face from her core.
He looked at her, his eyes deep blue, his breath panting through his parted lips.
“I want you…” She had to suck in a breath. “Want your hard cock inside me when I come.”
One corner of his mouth crooked up as his eyes narrowed.
The sexiest look she’d ever seen on any man. A look she’d never forget. Ever.
“My pleasure, darlin’.” He stood and ripped at the button on his jeans, tugged down his zipper.
She sat up and helped him shove the fabric down his thighs, watched as he hopped a one-legged circle taking off his boots, and throwing them and his clothes into the corner. He paused to look at her. “You sure now, Rori?”
Her belly flipped, sexy flames roaring to her pussy, tightening her nipples as she stared at his big shaft. “Yes, Jackson. I want this.” When she licked her lips, he strode to her, grabbed her hair and eased her face to his cock.
She took it all, deep-throating the long, salty staff, cupping his balls with one hand, teasing just behind them with her fingers.
“Gonna make me come.” He pulled her hair back, easing her mouth off him. “And I want to be inside you, like you ordered.”
She smiled. “I like giving the orders.”
“Just this once, darlin’.” He handed her the condom.
Sliding it on him, she pressed kisses to his belly, his hips.
“Pile up the pillows on the headboard.” Jackson helped her, then sat on the bed and reclined on them, his knees bent. “Come and sit on me here, Rori.” He grasped his cock, his teeth clenching.
“I’m gonna ride you, cowboy. So you’ll never forget…” Her voice broke as she knelt beside him and threw a leg over him, her bottom sliding down his thighs until her pussy touched the hot head of his shaft.
Jackson stared at the spot where her lips touched his cock. “Damn, that’s beautiful.” He ran his finger along her pussy and drew back his hand. “Look how wet you are for me.” He stared into her eyes and sucked his finger.
“Ahhh.” Rori’s legs went weak and she slid downward, slowly taking him into her sensitive core. “So big…and…hot, Jackson.” Her head rolled around on her neck, her eyes closing as sparks of pleasure rode up her spine.
“Look at me, darlin’.” His voice rolled low and fierce.
She forced open her eyes.
“Ride your cowboy.” He grasped her under her thighs, his fingers cupping her ass cheeks, pushing her up and off him, then letting her drop down onto his shaft.
Finding muscles in her legs that had gone nearly lifeless with pleasure, she worked her body on his, taking him deep and holding, then pushing off and pulsing on and off quickly a dozen times, then so deep, she could feel him in her belly.
“You make me wild, cowgirl.” Jackson took over then, guiding her hard and fast, lifting his hips to meet her downward drop, pulsing himself inside her quicker with each thrust. “Play with your nipples. Show me how hot I make you.”
She squealed, staring into his eyes as she plucked at her nipples, twisting and tugging them.
He bared his teeth, his gaze locked with hers, groaning with each plunge into her. Her core tightened around him, shooting flames to her brain, and bringing tears to her eyes.
She loved this man. He could have been her everything. She sobbed and dropped her head.
Jackson pumped harder as he moved his hand to her mound, finding her clit and rubbing it with his thumb. “That’s it, Rori. Don’t hold back. Let me see all of you.”
She cried out and let herself fly out of her body, out of the room, soar through clouds wet with tears.
Through the fog, Jackson’s voice came from miles away, shouting her name.
Gasping for breath, Rori let out her heartbreak, shuddering and spinning as earth came back much too quickly.
Jackson moaned as his thrusts slowed, his hands on her thighs shook and sweat sparkled on his chest. “Darlin’, that was epic.” He puffed breaths, his eyes barely slits.
Another wave of tears surfaced and she swallowed back the cries, covering her face with her hands as the drops leaked through her fingers and fell onto her belly.
“Rori.” He lifted her, shifting himself out of her, and lay her on top of his body, covering them with the sheet. “Rori, tell me those are tears of happiness.” Low and full of worry, his voice shook her soul.
“I thought I could…do this.” She couldn’t catch her breath. “I thought I could hang on through this last time, say goodbye to you with dignity and…grace.” The last word rose like a shriek as tears came again. “I don’t cry, damn it.” An octave higher than her normal voice, she pushed out all her emotion with those words.
Sucking in a deep breath, she pushed up, her hands on his chest, keeping her head down so her hair covered her mucky face.
A half-dozen tissues appeared between her hands.
“Thank you.” She wiped up as best as she could then tried to roll off him.
He guided her onto her side, with him laying right next to her. “What happened there, darlin’?” Jackson smoothed her hair away from her face.
She’d already made a complete fool of herself. Time to rebuild a little dignity.
“I’m just overtired.” She attempted a smile, but it felt more like a scowl.
“You rest.” He pulled a pillow and tucked it under her head. “I’ll talk.”
“What is there to talk about? You have a plane to catch. Don’t you?” She didn’t dare let herself believe he wasn’t disappearing from her life forever the moment his boots hit the pavement. She couldn’t let herself visualize it any other way, or when he did leave, it might just kill her.
Chapter Twelve
Jackson had resurfaced from the blast furnace of an orgasm to see Rori crying. Now, laying side-by-side with her, looking into those sky-blue, red-veined eyes, he knew he’d made the right decision that morning. But now, he had to convince her.
“Darlin’, when you left the house, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. Run after you, or let you go and shut you out of my life completely.” Tracing her cheekbone with his finger, her vulnerability hit him hard. “So I did nothing, but I took your advice.”
“The letter?” She settled into the pillow, staring at him like she was getting her fill of him one last time.
“Yeah. Dad talked about what drove his decisions.” He needed to share this with someone he trusted. “Theresa didn’t want children.”
Rori’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”<
br />
Should he ask her now if she wanted kids? Of course, that’d probably have her kicking him out the door and wishing him good luck with his life. “Dad said he didn’t know how to handle it. He wanted a family, and his need for immortality drove him from woman to woman, not caring about who he hurt or the damage he did to his own soul. By the time he could see the mistakes he’d made, it was too late. He had created four lives, and he had to live up to his responsibilities.”
“That’s pretty deep.”
Jackson huffed out a laugh. “For Dusty, yeah, it sure is.” He took Rori’s hand, lacing their fingers together. “Dad saw that my running away to the rodeo was done out of fear. The fear that I’d end up like him. But he said in the letter, I’m not like him. I’m my mother’s boy, and although she consented to be with a married man, she did it for life. She was faithful.”
He almost snorted at that, considering how unfaithful Dusty was.
“From what you tell me about your mom, and what I know of Dusty, I think your dad’s words were insightful.”
“I knew you’d see it that way.” He’d gotten that out of the way. “Oh, and ironically, Dusty didn’t mention why he hadn’t gotten us brothers together, or if he ever planned to do it. So that looks like it’ll remain a mystery.”
“Strange.” Rori’s eyes shifted. “I thought that was going to be the entire content of the letter.”
“Nope. I think the old man wants us boys to figure it out ourselves.” As if any of them cared any more. After reading all the scrapbooks, and going over Dusty’s letter five times, Jackson was of a different outlook about things. But change would come slowly, and he had to focus on the most important one.
He’d fallen hard for one outspoken, geeky, sexy, beautiful, tear-stained woman, and he had to convince her he was more than just a rodeo cowboy. He had to make her see that he was the right cowboy for her. “There’s something I didn’t tell you, and I want to get your opinion.”
“Okay.” She didn’t sound too certain.
“Dusty gave each of his sons a belt buckle. The exact same one.”
Jackson: The Sons of Dusty Walker Page 11
