by Tigris Eden
Jackson started a bath. Originally, he wanted to shower, but he could tell she was sore.
“Anna, baby, come here,” he called softly to her. She was staring out the window. They were on the top floor, and darkness had long since settled. Her hair was still pinned on top of her head. He had every intention of removing each pin until her curls fell loosely around her shoulders. As she stood there, her back to him, Jackson reflected on his current situation. He was happy. Genuinely happy. Their only worries were Vivian and the case. But he wasn’t going to dwell on any of that now. Anna looked the part of overly sexed woman as she walked towards him—her dress wrinkled, her skin flushed, and his mark an angry red against her beautiful brown skin. He loved her color. Flawless and earthly, she was the perfect blend of an exotic native and wanton woman.
“Yes, Sheriff.”
She was throwing sass at him now. Mirth was clear in her brown eyes as she smiled up at him.
“Time to soak in the tub. Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and led her to the Jacuzzi. It was set deeply into the floor. He removed his clothes first, and then hers. Slowly, he swept his hands over her shoulder as he lowered the dress to her waist and then down her thick thighs. He stepped into the large tub first and then turned to help Anna get in. He sat down and helped her turn in order to slide between his legs, resting her back against his chest.
“Would have never guessed you were a bath man.”
He wasn’t.
But he’d make the exception for her.
“Sit forward, baby.”
She did as he asked, and Jackson grabbed the lemon-scented wash and started to massage her shoulders. Her head dropped forward on a low moan as she sighed, saying, “Magic hands, too. I’m the luckiest girl in all the lands.”
“That you are, darlin’.”
He continued to massage her back, working the tight muscles until she was completely limp. When he was done, he had her turn and scoot to the other side of the tub so he could do her feet and ankles.
“You’re going to make me fall asleep, Jackson. I don’t want to sleep. I have a need for sex, and I’m trying to catch up here.”
Her face scrunched, making her look dorky and cute at the same time. He couldn’t help but laugh.
“Noted.”
“Stop making fun of me.”
“Honey, I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing with you.”
“Not laughing, Jackson.”
No, she wasn’t. That only made him laugh more. She was determined to get laid, and he was going to oblige her. Once he was done washing them both, he stepped out of the tub, dried off, and did the same for her. He dried her from head to toe until she snatched the towel from his hands in an agitated manner.
“You’re stalling.”
She thought he was stalling?
Hell, he wasn’t stalling in the least, and he proved it by bending low, catching her in the stomach with his shoulder gently and lifting her up with a hand to her luscious ass to hold her steady. He made his way to the bed and gently laid her down, taking her mouth in the process in a hot kiss. She was panting by the time he’d kissed her long and deep. His fingers easily gaining access to her soaked pussy. Jackson widened her legs, aligned their bodies, and entered her in one hard thrust.
“There, I’m in you now. You happy?” he asked as he rose up on his elbows to look down at her.
Anna nodded and gripped his cock with the slick walls of her pussy. Any blood he had in his brain shot south, making him harder. He’d planned to go slow, but Anna set the pace when her hands gripped his ass and urged him forward. There were grunts instead of words now to convey his feelings. The noises she made only spurred him on to drive into her faster. He pushed her to her limits. Raising her legs to his shoulders and tilting her hips so her lower back was raised off of the mattress, he thrust deeper. He used his arms to hold himself above her as he pounded into her over and over again until she was screaming his name.
That was her first orgasm in that position.
Her second came when he pulled her on top and let her ride him. And ride him she did. Jackson gripped her hips to hold her in place when she almost took his seed. She was wild, her hands digging into his chest as she rose up almost to the top of his dick and slammed back down. She’d do it over and over again until his eyes were shut tight in pleasure. Then she’d change it up. Short bursts of her hips as her ass slapped against his thighs. She leaned forward and her breasts dangled in his face.
Jackson pulled a nipple into his mouth and sucked hard, making her cry out. He needed her to come once more, and then he’d let her rest before he feasted on her again. His balls were heavy with his seed. He could go the rounds, put the work in, but he wasn’t without his limits, and she was threatening each one. The heated walls of her pussy had a tight grip on his cock, and she had no intention of letting go.
“You’re killing me, baby.”
She smiled down at him. His temptress.
“Then you’ll die a happy man.”
Jackson knifed up, grabbing Anna around the waist. He lifted her slightly, readjusted her, and dove his fingers into her hair. He pulled her head back, kissing the column of her throat as he released the pins from her hair.
There. Much better.
He let the silkiness of her tresses rest in his hands, making sure he had just enough to control her crazed movements.
And just like that, you’re back in the game.
Anna threw her arms around his neck and slowly lifted before coming back down. Now the pace was slow. Intimate. Their breaths mingled, and as they stared into one another’s eyes, he was content in the knowledge that everything was as it should be.
“Give me your mouth, baby,” Jackson groaned.
Their lips touched, softly at first. Anna kept the pace on his cock calm, and at this angle, his penetration was deep. She maneuvered until her legs were wrapped around his back at the base of his spine, and swiveled her hips. She nipped at his lips, sounds of pleasure gathering in her throat and escaping into his mouth. He swallowed each note, sucked her tongue, and she sucked his. Soon, they were rocking back and forth, the walls of her vagina stroking his dick in a way he could feel his orgasm gearing up for the ride of his life.
Not yet, he thought. He needed more time.
Jackson broke their kiss and pushed a hand between them as Anna let go of his neck to lean back, presenting her breasts. He wasn’t going to pass up the chance to suck on her mounds. He let his hand do the work on her clit while his other hand pinched one nipple and his mouth sucked on the other. She put all her weight on her arms as she leaned back and arched, offering herself up to him like a wanton sacrifice.
“Yes, right there. Harder, suck harder.”
He would obey. If that’s what she needed. He’d give it to her. His hand between her legs was soaked with her juices, and he pinched her clit at the same time he sucked her nipple deep and squeezed the mound of her other breast.
Anna’s entire body vibrated with her orgasm as she cried out her release. It triggered his own. His legs locked, and fuck if his toes didn’t point forward as his release powered through him. He couldn’t move. Anna fell forward, her head to his chest as Jackson sat immobile, his cock pulsing earth-shattering jerks that could only be described as mini seizures. Yes, the fucking Earth moved just then. Rocked his entire equilibrium. He was owned completely by the woman sitting atop his cock.
“I’m officially dead,” Anna whispered against his chest.
He was right there with her, but wasn’t going to even say the words. Jackson Storme, killed by pussy. Nope. Not happening.
Instead, he uttered, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Jackson.” Anna kissed his chest and sat up, running her fingers through his mussed hair. She looked more than well loved. She had his mark on her neck, her scent, deep and overpowering settled over his senses. Her skin was warm, and she glowed as she smiled, showing gleaming white teeth.
‘You look incr
edible after sex, darlin’.” She did, too. Bright but sleepy eyes, swollen, over-kissed lips. Yeah, incredible.
“You always look sexy.”
“Thanks, baby. Now, let’s get cleaned up. Shower this time. Intermission numero dos, and more bouts of sex. Then, I’ll introduce you to the wonderful world of sleep.”
She yawned, clearly tired, but got up and the two of them showered. This time, Anna massaged him with her hands and her mouth. He wasn’t going to lie, he hoped all their showers would start this way. When they were done, Jackson pulled Anna underneath him, stretched her hands above her head, tangled their fingers together, and made love to her languidly, deeply. He made sure their hands stayed connected, and he remained close. Only after they’d made love twice more did he turn off the lights, pull her into his arms, and cover them with a blanket. He waited for her to drift off to sleep as he played with her hair. The sun was just starting to crest above the clouds in the sky, and with one last satisfied smile, he followed her into sleep.
The drive home was too short. Jackson wanted more time, but knew they needed to get back to the real world. Today, he was meeting with the builders. Anna had therapy, Ava school, and so on. This is what life was like. For the most part, things were quiet when they walked into Joey and Treat’s.
Or so he thought.
Ava must have heard the door because she came barreling down the hall and was headed straight for him with no intention of stopping.
“Daddy! Honey! Uncle Treat’s daddy’s here, and he says I’m sweet like a jelly bean.”
Jackson felt Anna go stiff at his side. Treat’s father had been out of town for the past couple of months, seeing to his various businesses overseas. Now, he was back, and Jackson knew Treat would have laid into him about Anna. He was sure of it. So why is he here? Treat and William got along about as well as a lion and a gazelle.
“Baby, Treat and I won’t allow William to be a dick to you.”
Anna looked at him and gave a curt nod before saying, “I’m gonna change, I’ll be down in a moment.”
“Okay, darlin’.”
“Oh, Daddy, you said a bad word,” Ava scolded.
“I did. But it was an accident.”
“Okay,” Ava said.
Anna still had on her clothes from the night before, and not that she looked bad, she didn’t, but Jackson understood her need to change. She’d feel vulnerable in her dress, and she needed to armor up by throwing on clothes she had no problem throwing a punch in—if the situation called for it. Anything to shield her from whatever shit William Cavanaugh would try and toss her way. Only Jackson was gonna make sure that shit didn’t happen. He walked into the kitchen and saw Joey and smiled.
“Hey, little bit. What’s William doing here?”
“You know what. Treat laid into him last night and now he’s here.”
“He’s just here?”
“That’s it?”
“Yup.”
Usually, the old man stayed inside his big house or trekked the globe. William and Jackson’s father had been business partners before Jackson’s dad had passed away.
Both men were all about perception. What people thought, and what they thought people thought of them. They led very shallow lives. Jackson heard footsteps and turned to see William Cavanaugh sporting a custom-tailored suit. Treat was the spitting image of his father. The only difference was that Treat’s eyes were warm, where William’s were ice-cold and calculating.
“I hear my son’s in the business of donating organs.”
“Dad,” Treat warned.
“What? You could have died.”
“Anna could have died,” Jackson growled.
William’s face got red at his statement.
“That would have been unfortunate.”
“Yeah, Dad it would have. Don’t start any shit. Like, at all.”
William crossed his arms over his chest. His salt and pepper hair—more salt than pepper—was glossed back with gel, and he cleared his throat before speaking again.
“I only came to make sure everything is all right. I didn’t ask to be the father of Pearl Macon’s offspring.”
“Well, at least you remember my mother’s name. That’s something,” Anna said.
Jackson turned at the sound of Anna’s voice. He walked straight over to her at the same time Treat was in his father’s face. Jackson noticed there was a likeness between Anna and her father. The nose, the slight slant to the eyes, and the ears. That’s where it ended. Everything else was Pearl Macon.
“My momma didn’t ask for it either, but she didn’t shirk her responsibilities.”
“I tried to give her money.”
“Yeah, hush money, and to abort me, you pompous prick. You can sleep with the help, but you can’t be tied to them.”
Treat’s father had the audacity to look appalled. Anna wasn’t finished, and Jackson wasn’t going to stop her.
“You’re lucky my brother is a decent human being. You’re not fit to go sharing your seed around. I’m saying this once. I want nothing from you.”
“Good, ‘cause I’m not giving you a dime. Or your mother.”
“Fine by us. My mother doesn’t need your money, and neither do I.”
It was like drama was in the air this morning because just saying Pearl’s name conjured her out of the blue. She was standing, not two feet from the kitchen, eyes on Anna and a proud look in her eyes.
“William Treat Cavanaugh, you say one bad word towards my baby girl, I’ll own your lily-white ass. You hear me?” Pearl snapped.
It was the first time Jackson had ever heard Anna’s mother utter such harsh words. Now he saw where Anna got her bite.
William took in all that was Pearl Macon—her rich brown skin and small frame—and appeared to be frozen to the spot. His eyes flashed briefly with warmth, then hurt, before the glacial stare returned.
“Pearl.”
His mouth formed the words, but no sound came out.
“You need to leave now, Dad. Anna is my sister and a guest in my home. She’s welcome here. You, however, are not. Until you learn how to properly act toward my sister, you’re no longer wanted here.”
William was about to say something when The Mayor walked in, the smile he wore on his face died when he saw who was standing in the kitchen.
“What is he doing here? This son of a bitch ain’t fit to breathe the same air as my girls.”
“Damn straight,” Joey said.
“This isn’t over,” William said to Treat.
“It never really began. You should be ashamed of your actions. I’m sad to call you my father. You weren’t much of one, but you always provided for me. You should have done the same for Anna.”
Jackson watched as William stormed past Pearl and The Mayor.
“That man will never change,” Pearl said with a click of her tongue. She walked up to Anna and pulled her into a half hug.
“You all right, baby girl?”
“I’m good, Momma. Really. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Anna was obviously bothered by the encounter with her biological father but was doing her best to move past it.
“All right, darlin’, let’s eat some breakfast.”
Why are there so many people at the house anyway, Jackson wondered.
“Why are you and The Mayor here so early?”
“Joey called us over for breakfast.”
His sister had called Pearl for backup. It’s a good thing she hadn’t called Lola. That would have warranted two squad cars and a coroner’s truck.
“Breakfast’s done, so let’s all sit down and get to eating.”
Jackson looked over to his sister and mouthed the words, “Thank you.” She smiled and winked. He knew Joey would always have Anna’s back, and that made him love his sister more. She had such a warm heart.
Everyone made their way into the sunroom where they sat down to eat breakfast. Jackson put Ava in the chair next to him, and Anna took the seat to hi
s right. Joey and Pearl served breakfast. His sister had gone all out. French toast, crepes, sausage, eggs, and grits. There were even pancakes and biscuits served with four carafes of orange juice, milk, and cranberry juice. Coffee and tea were both laid out, along with water.
“Everyone dig in,” Treat said.
“You forgot something, boy,” Pearl said, folding her hands in her lap.
Jackson had no idea what the problem was, and neither did Treat.
“No, ma’am, what did I forget?”
“Prayers,” Pearl said as if it were the normal thing to do at Treat’s.
“It’s okay, love, they’re young,” The Mayor tried covering.
“Don’t matter if they’re babies, children need to say their grace. Lots to be thankful for. Why, in all my years cooking and such for my Anna, I never once forgot to bless the food.”
Jackson chuckled, and Anna cleared her throat. That Pearl still looked at them as children was funny. She did have a way of making them feel like kids. Even if they weren’t.
“Treat, you heard Pearl. Prayers,” Joey hissed.
“Good food, good meat, good God, let’s eat.”
Joey slapped him upside the head, and with that, she took over the prayers.
“God is great. God is good, and we thank him for our food. By his hands, we are fed. Thank you, God for our daily bread. Amen.”
Everyone said Amen. Pearl clicked her tongue before shaking her head in annoyance. Jackson reached for his plate, but Anna stopped him.
“I’ll make your plate, what do you want?”
“A little of everything.”
“See, Joey, that’s how you care for your man,” Treat joked. Jackson’s sister raised a brow at her husband and continued making her own plate.
“And that, right there, is why I’m not making your plate. Sorry, but I’m eating for two, and this little man wants to be a footballer he’s so hungry. You should be making my plate. I’m the one having your baby.”
