The train home was uneventful, exhaustion finally hitting me. I burrowed into Jackson’s side, my head tucked into his chest as we rode the few stops home, and I closed my eyes, breathing him in and feeling completely at peace.
I couldn’t possibly ask for a better night.
By the time we walked into his apartment, he was the only thing keeping me upright. The bedroom was too many steps away, so I threw myself onto the couch, groaning at the relief of finally being off my feet.
“Just think,” Jackson said, removing my shoes, “we have to do that all again in a couple of weeks when the new season premiers.”
I groaned louder, though it was mostly swallowed by the cushion smashed into my face.
His voice was suddenly very, very close, and very, very low. “Do you know what you need right now?”
My lips curled against the cushion. Sleep. A foot rub. Your mouth on me. All of the above?
I mumbled something that could barely be considered words then heard his answering chuckle. “Come on. I owe you a bubble bath.”
“Can’t. Too sleepy.”
“Oh?” He proceeded to test my theory by lowering himself onto me, plastering himself to my back, nibbling on my earlobe and the soft skin below. “Or maybe there’s something else you’d like?”
His fingers deftly worked my shirt out of my pants, fingers dipping under the waistband as they teased the now uncovered skin. I writhed under him and was rewarded with a hum of appreciation low in my ear before he was suddenly pulling himself off the couch. I whimpered at the loss, flipping onto my back to glare at him.
“Oh, good, you’re awake.” He was entirely too amused for my liking.
Whatever retort I had in mind was replaced by a long yawn, one that forced my eyes closed. It was immediately followed by a second.
Jackson chuckled again. “Alright, sleepy. You’ve convinced me.”
A featherlight kiss passed over my lips as he helped me off the couch, and I let my eyes drift close as he maneuvered me into the bedroom, my legs absentmindedly moving as the energy faded away from the rest of my body.
Only when I was nestled under the covers did I realize I’d lost my pants somewhere along the way. Jackson was a long line of heat and stone behind me, and I melted into it, threading our fingers together once his arm was anchored around my waist and our palms were pressed together at my heart.
Where he lived. Where he belonged.
Epilogue
Audrey
10 Months Later
My phone rang as I finished applying my lipstick. I didn’t need to see the caller ID to know who it was. “Hey, I thought you were working tonight?”
“I am. That’s why I’m calling. Are you free to lend a hand? I’m down a bar bitch.”
“Oh, no, I am not falling for this again.” I pulled the phone away from my ear, calling out in the direction of the bathroom. “Uh, honey?”
“Mmm?” Jackson sauntered into the room, adjusting his cuffs, looking every bit like the movie star he was. The movie premiered in a month, and the hype had been growing since the trailer dropped. My man was officially “hot property.” Not to mention smoking hot in his suit. I didn’t hide my low groan of appreciation as he walked over and pulled me into his arms.
He smelled amazing. That tantalizing mix of cologne andhimthat made my toes curl.
We were running late. I knew that. And yet, I really wanted to be naked with him.
“My eyes are up here, beautiful.” He winked at me, and it was almost painful not to drag him over to our bed.
“Ugh, I can taste the sickening sweetness from here. You two disgust me.” Tiff's taunting effectively brought my attention back.
Innocently raising my eyebrow to Jackson, I asked, “Is there any reason Tiff is asking me to lend her a hand at the bar tonight? The same night as our anniversary?”
“I don’t know. It might be because we planned a small surprise party.”
