by Tigris Eden
“City dick, huh?”
I laugh. Jackson’s always called it how he sees it. That’s what makes him damn good at his job.
“Anna, you don’t need to get flustered around your exes. They don’t bother me. It’s just me and you. Everything before us doesn’t matter. It doesn’t mean shit. Understand?”
Yeah, I understood, but if that was the case, why tell me the same shit he told Melissa?
“I know, but do you?”
He stops us dead in the middle of the sidewalk making people change course as they walk around us.
“Now what the hell does that mean?”
“You said it’s about us, yet this morning you dropped one of your lines.”
He has the not-so-good sense to look confused.
“Oh, so now you don’t remember?” I ask. Irritation gnaws at me This entire situation is jacked. If I’m completely honest, I have been since this morning. There wasn’t a need to start another fight. I don’t want to be that girl, the one that always nags her man about past shit, but it seems it’s destined to happen anyway.
“What the hell are you going on about, Anna?”
I stand on my tiptoes so I can get good and close to his face. If he really wants to have it out in the middle of the street. Fine with me.
“You want to possess my body, own my soul. Isn’t that one of the lines you use on your women of the seven parish round-up?”
His eyes widen briefly, then they flare in anger.
Yeah, caught up now.
“I’ve only ever said that to you and one other person.”
Huh?
“So why repeat them to me?”
“You ever tell another man you love him?” Jackson asks quietly.
No I haven’t. The man I wanted to say the words to is stubborn and stuck in the mud.
“Well, Anna. Answer the question.”
“No, Jackson, I haven’t.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes, unless I was somehow drugged.”
Jackson’s eyes soften and the corners of his lips tilt up in a smile that says he’s happy. People are still walking around us, and his tall frame and dark handsome looks stand out in the crowd of so many faceless people. I’m obsessed with this man.
“Baby,” he croons before pulling me into his arms and squeezing me breathless. “Come home with me tonight. Let’s just get in the car and leave.”
“Jackson, I only have a couple of more days, then I’m back in Beauville.”
“I want you home for good, Anna. You can work there. Plenty of pictures to take at home.”
“How about we eat some chicken and rice.” I deflect.
“Anna. I’m not going to let this go.” He warns.
Fine. Don’t.
“Okay, Jackson.”
“Okay, what?” Hope is in his voice and I hate shutting him down, but this is my career we’re arguing about. This is what is going to make or break me in the photography world. Stage One is my shot to get my shit together, and then one day open my own doors.
“I know you won’t let this go.”
“You’re asking for it, Anna.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m starved; let’s go.”
We start walking again, and he’s right. I am asking for it. I’m asking for it all.
Give and Take: Chapter 4
Jackson went home with a sour taste in his mouth. The visit with Anna was worth the trip, but he still felt restless. Seeing her in the tabloid holding hands with a billionaire, wasn’t the only reason he’d driven the twenty-four hours straight to New York. He’d needed to remind Anna what was back home waiting for her. He needed her like he needed his next breath. Annabelle Macon consumed him, devoured his soul in a way even Vivian hadn’t done.
Vivian.
His greatest mistake and darkest secret. Anna didn’t know about Vivian and God willing, she never would. Their engagement lasted six months. The woman had stormed into his life and thundered out. She had promised him the world, but when it came time to deliver, and move forward with their lives, she’d chosen her career. She’d left a note explaining how sorry she was. Vivian felt she needed to do what was best for her financially, not her career. She’d run off with her agent. Total bullshit.
Well, that was just fine with him. He wasn’t going to let that happen to him twice. Anna was his and there was no denying that fact. She was the one. He knew it the moment she’d stepped out of Joey’s car. Long legs, great ass, and her dorky personality. She was the total package. Jackson knew she was his, could see the two of them surrounded by their children and grandkids, sitting on their porch talking about any and everything. He never had those thoughts with Vivian.
Annabelle Macon was going to be his wife, no matter the obstacles. He was going to ensure she choose the life he was all too willing to give her, and not her career. She could have both, but he needed her to understand that with her career, also came an adoring husband. Someone that would have her back no matter what, someone who would keep her safe, and someone who she could come home to at night. He cherished her in a way that could destroy him if he let it. She’d said the words, had given them to him when she thought he was either sleep or when she was almost asleep. He’d heard her say it more than once, but this time he wanted her to acknowledge it out loud. In his presence. She wouldn’t say them again, and for the life of him, he couldn’t understand why. True, he was no romantic linguist, but all she had to do was say the words, and if she needed the words from him, he’d tell her a hundred times a day. A thousand, if that’s what it took to get her to stay. He knew that some people needed to be told they were loved but Jackson was a firm believer in actions. He expressed his feelings to Anna in other ways and he just hoped she wasn’t too blind to see them.
“Stanley, get me another, will ya?”
The bartender took his empty mug and poured him a new beer. He was meeting his sister and his best friend for food and drinks. All they’d alluded to, was they had news. He just hoped it wasn’t to ask for more money for some charity his sister was involved in. He and Joey had a strange but loving relationship.
He’d moved both his sister and mother back to the house where he’d grown up and bought the bed and breakfast for himself. He was making changes in his life. Shedding his past for the future he’d always wanted. His father’s house was full of miserable memories that were best forgotten. It was one of the many reasons he’d joined the military. His family thought he’d gone to the academy, but his commanding officer easily covered that.
Jackson and Joey’s relationship hadn’t started so good. Because he was firstborn, and she was second, and from another man. It hadn’t set too well with his father. His mother Corrine, was kicked out, and with nowhere else to go, she went back to her grandparents’ place below the tracks where she’d raised Joey until she was about fifteen. When Jackson’s father had passed away, he made sure to reconnect with his mother and half-sister. He knew his mother resented him, but having his sister at his side made up for his mother’s venom. His mother wasn’t one to mince words. She’d made it clear she disliked him from the start, because of how his father had treated her and Joey. It wasn’t that his father left them nothing that made his mother sore, it was that, and the fact the entire town knew about her secret affair. His father was brutal when he went after her. And because his father was considered one of the founding families, it took his mother out of the good graces of what everyone considered high society in Beauville. To add insult to injury, Jackson paid his mother a monthly allowance, so she’d have the finer things in life. If he’d done that for anyone else, they would be grateful. But not Corrine Storme. No, she made it very clear that she didn’t like the arrangement. But every month like clockwork, she made sure to spend the money wired into her account. He did the same for Joey, but she used her funds for charities; and every once in a while, would hit him up for a little more than he gave her. She was married to his best friend, but he was more than happy to oblige.
The old man had left him a shit ton of money, so he could indulge her if that’s what little Joey needed. Jackson wondered if that was what it would take to get Anna’s head in the right place. She was scrambling as it was now, but she was so headstrong, she would never come to him for money. It was no secret that his father left him wealthy, but she never once asked him for a single penny. Not once. He turned to the sound of his sister’s voice.
“Hey there, big brother.” Joey grabbed him around the shoulder for a half hug while Treat slapped him on the back. The three of them made it over to a corner booth and gave their food order to the server.
“So, what’s got you two all excited?” Jackson asked.
Joey’s smile was huge, as was Treat’s. Something fishy was going on. Jackson watched them both closely. He and Treat played ball together in school. They’d even served in the same outfit. Jackson was hard pressed to let his little sister marry a guy who’d run through just as much pussy as he had, if not more. Some of those trysts, they’d indulged in together. One in particular, they both regretted. Treat had more than proven he was in love with Joey. So he let the fucker live. It helped that he and Treat were partners, even though forced. They were on a temporary hiatus, which so far, had been incident free for the last three years.
“We’re gonna be parents,” Joey squealed, clapping excitedly.
Jackson looked at his litter sister and could see her happiness was rock solid.
“Well damn. How far along?”
“Three months, we wanted to wait until we passed our first trimester. I’ve been bouncing off the walls for months, dying to tell you, Jackson.”
“Well, that explains your moodiness.” He laughed as he stood, pulling his baby sister into a bear hug. “I’m so happy for you, Joey.”
“Yeah, man, we’re ecstatic,” Treat said. His eyes warmed when he looked over to his wife, who was still smiling wide.
“You tell Ma yet?”
Joey shook her head. “We wanted to tell you first since we want you and Anna to be the Godparents.”
His heart squeezed tight at her words, making him speechless.
“There’s no better choice,” Treat agreed, sitting back in his seat and pulling his wife into his arms.
“You both know I’m there for you. Did you tell Anna?”
“Told you, you were the first, brother. Gonna tell Anna when she gets back.”
Good. Jackson thought. Maybe then, she’d stick around more.
A baby. That would keep her in Beauville.
“Celebrations are in order; best call Ma and tell her to break out the china.”
“You’re in a rush,” Talia says, helping me pack the last of my clothing.
I was so in a rush. Couldn’t wait to get back to Jackson. My new boss assured me assignments were slowing down. That meant more time with Jackson. I was looking forward to spending lazy days in bed with him.
“Thanks for driving me to the airport.”
“No problem, honey. I’ll come and visit you in a week or so.”
Turning, I look at Talia. She hates the south. It’s why she moved to New York. Her coming to visit could only mean one thing. Jackson. It was in the way she smiled. All secret and shit. Something I was not prepared for, but should have been. I’m not confrontational by nature. I try to avoid public scenes as much as possible. The thought of her and Jackson hooking up makes my stomach churn with sickness.
“How about you stay put in New York Beauville is all country and dirt roads. No designer stores there and you know how you hate the country.” I say, trying my best to sound matter of fact.
I hope it’s enough to sway her, but Talia only smiles, not responding to my suggestion at all. She’s dated a lot guys in college when we roomed together. A third of them were guys I liked. I was never truly invested in them, but I’d been willing to give them a shot. A lot of good that did me. So, I am well aware of her intent.
I check to make sure I have everything I need before Talia and I head for JFK. Jackson’s voice floats through my head about retrieving my key. Smiling, I turn to Talia.
“Hey, Hon, I need my key back.”
Talia turns to me with a frown on her face. “Why?”
“Just to ensure Jackson and I aren’t interrupted when he’s here. I’m in a relationship now, and I know I gave you the key to keep an eye on things, but it’s not necessary anymore. Jackson is a very private person.”
“Fine. Whatever.”
She tosses me the key, but I know her feelings are hurt, which wasn’t my intent at all.
“Thanks for understanding, Talia.”
“Yeah, well, tell that fine specimen of a man I said hello. I’ll see you soon. Gotta get my ducks lined up and then I’ll come down for a visit. May even go see my folks while I’m at it. I’m sure Daddy will love that.”
I don’t have time for Talia Wilson drama, so as she pulls off, I smile and wait until she’s out of sight before I head toward my terminal.
The flight to Beauville has me wound up. I strike up conversation with the woman sitting next to me in first class. We talk about all the things we love about New York. She even tells me about the exotic places she’s been. Paris, Rome, Scotland, and the Maldives. She’s a model, and although I’m photographer, I’m not familiar with who she is.
“Oh, that’s because I’ve been out of the game for at least five years.” She responds when she notices I don’t respond to her being a model.
She laughs, the sound light and practiced.
“Why five years?”
She leans closer to me as if to whisper. “Got in the family way. Stayed out of the limelight to protect my little girl, Ava.”
“Where is she now?”
“Oh she’s flying coach with the nanny.”
She sees the look on my face and starts to laugh. “Ava’s a handful and Margo is great with her. I’m taking her to Beauville to meet her daddy for the first time.”
“Interesting.” I respond.
“It will be. He doesn’t know we’re coming. But I know once he sees us, he’ll be happy.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. Beauville is small, and I would have remembered talk about her. Although I’d left to go to New York, Joey kept me posted on all the crazy that was our town.
“Are you here visiting?” She asks. Her dark brown hair and gray eyes hold me hostage as she waits for my answer. I can see her as a model. I can even picture a couple of different shoots she would have been perfect for. She’s reed thin, and even after giving birth, she still has a perfect figure.
“No, well yes. What I mean to say is, I grew up here. So I’m home to spend time with family and friends.”
Something inside my gut twists. I’m not sure why, but I immediately dial the conversation down until it’s nonexistent. The captain tells us that we’re starting our descent and soon, the twisting in my belly gives way to the butterflies. Jackson. I’m excited to see him.
I’m waiting by the carousel when I hear a sound. It’s distinct. Rough, but velvety. It’s him. I’d seen him a few days ago, but those few days were too far and in between. My body hasn’t caught onto what my brain is telling me, which is, “hold tight Anna, go to him slowly.”
Nope.
I do the exact opposite.
I run, and I know I have a goofy expression on my face. It’s a cross between a smile and a girly giggle.
Jackson takes a step back and catches me with both arms. One across my back, the other underneath my ass, holding me up. I pepper his neck, his mouth, and his eyes with as many kisses as he allows me before I slide down his very hard, very sexy body.
“Welcome home, baby.”
“It’s good to be home, Sheriff.”
I grin up at him, lost in his amazing brown eyes. This close I can see the flecks of gold and amber.
I’m completely dazzled by Jackson Storme.
His eyes move over my face before settling on my mouth where he lingers. In a rough whisper, he says what he alw
ays says when he meets me at the airport.
“You gonna give me some sugar or what?”
My entire body shivers at his question and of course, I oblige.
“Stick your bottom lip out for me Anna.” He says this a lot and it’s mostly because he enjoys sucking and tugging on my mouth when he kisses me.
I lift my chin and Jackson lowers his head. He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, groaning as his tongue sweeps over my lips and then we’re kissing. Long, languorous swipes of his tongue make me weak in the knees. He squeezes me tight before pulling back and dropping a kiss on my nose.
“Let’s get your bags. Your mama wants to see you before we go to dinner.”
“Sounds like we got people to see.”
“That we do darlin’.”
We walk towards the carousel hand in hand when the woman who was sitting next to me on the plane turns to face us. Two things happen. Jackson’s hand tightens on mine, and the woman looks at our hands, then his face, and smiles.
“Jackson Storme.”
She knows him. My Jackson. She straight up knows him. That’s when I realize the horrible feeling in my gut is exactly what I didn’t want it to mean. Deep down, when she’d told me she was coming to see her baby daddy, my mind had instantaneously whispered Jackson. Deep down, I knew it. She is the mother of Jackson’s five-year-old daughter, Ava.
Fuck.
My.
Life.
Things are still new with us, and I sure as hell knew I didn’t have one single, solitary thing on Jackson. There’s nothing holding him to me.
“Vivian.” His voice is soaked in annoyance. There is something else there too. I’m no fool, this woman not only slept with Jackson; she’d meant something to him at one time. Something strong.
Me being who I am, I grip Jackson’s hand tighter, but now he’s untangling our fingers. Leaving me standing there, looking all kinds of stupid.
