“No, she started going by her maiden name the day she left him. I might’ve suggested it.” He smirked. “I don’t want to wake her but tell her to call me as soon as she gets up.”
“Will do. It was nice to meet you.” He took a step off the landing, turning back to face me before he descended the stairwell.
“Take care of her.”
“I will. I promise.”
He nodded and was gone a moment later. I was left standing there, wondering what the hell had just happened.
Had I really met her father while in my underwear?
I was sure one day I’d find the humor in the situation, but right now wasn’t that time.
37
The moment my eyes opened, memories of last night flooded in. The way Mitch looked at me as he held me to the bed. Me believing I was going to die. Me thinking I’d never see my dad or Abby again. And then the deep regret that I’d never told Jackson how I truly felt about him.
The chaos of the memories faded as I turned to my left and saw Jackson sound asleep, his arm nestled over my belly, protective even in sleep. The last thing I was looking for when I took this job was to get romantically involved with him. Sure, I’d fantasized about it, but what red-blooded woman wouldn’t? The man was drop-dead gorgeous, and although it took me a bit to get acclimated to his personality, he’d softened around me the more time I spent with him. Plus, he’d literally saved my life. If he hadn’t taken the time to show me how to defend myself, I truly believed I’d be dead right now.
I owed Jackson my life.
I wanted to give him my heart.
But my head told me to be careful, that I was rushing into a situation blindly. My emotions seemed to be calling the shots, however.
He rolled toward me, pulling me closer at the same time. There was no longer any space between us, but I wasn’t complaining.
His lids opened one by one, and as his gaze landed on mine, he smiled. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Hi,” I whispered, gingerly touching my throat. I winced at the slight contact, and I tried to return his smile, but he shot out of bed before I could do so.
“How are you feeling? Are you in pain?” His concern was touching and made my heart flip, but I didn’t want him to stress himself over what happened. I’d be fine. I just had to convince him of that fact.
“I’m okay. My throat hurts, but otherwise I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I squeezed his hand. “Please stop worrying about me.”
“That’s impossible. And more so now that I promised your father I’d keep you safe.”
I quickly sat upright. “What do you mean? When did you talk to my dad? How did—”
“He was banging on your door early this morning. I went out there because I thought it washim, but instead it was your father, whom I met while I was in my underwear.”
I didn’t mean to, but I laughed, flinching when the muscles in my throat rumbled.
“Oh my God, Jackson. No.” My laughter continued to escape me. “I’m sorry you met him like that.” Then suddenly my smile disappeared. “Wait. Does he know you and I are… you know?”
“Together? Yeah, he knows. It was kind of hard to tell him otherwise after I informed him you were sleeping at my place and I’d answered the door in my boxers.” He stood to his full height and stretched his arms behind him. “You should call him.”
“I will.” I leaned back against the bedframe. “Well, at least that’s out of the way now.”
“Us meeting? Yeah, not ideal, but it happened. And if I’m honest, he kind of scared me a little bit.”
“Youwere scared of my dad?” I asked. “I don’t believe it.” I couldn’t imagine Jackson fearing anyone or anything.
“He’s pretty intense.”
