Boy, did she ever want to. She loved her ranch, but waking up next to this man with his natural body heat acting as the best blanket was placing a close second to starting the day appreciating the beauty of her land.
“I really can’t. I’m supposed to take Aunt Jo shopping today for the anniversary party we’re having next Saturday. She won’t hear of ordering the groceries online the way I do. She wants to squeeze the produce herself.”
Jackson’s hand slid from her waist, up the soft cushion of her abdomen until his large palm was cupping and kneading the tender flesh of her breasts. “I completely agree with the sentiment.”
“You’re not making this easy, Ranger.”
“I thought you liked it hard.”
“So not what I meant.”
He placed a delicate kiss on her shoulder, meant more to soothe than arouse. But that kiss, coupled with the way his fingers were stroking her nipples, started the first flames of desire in her belly. It wouldn’t take much until she was ready for an encore performance of last night.
“What kind of anniversary party?”
“We’re celebrating Seneca and Brooklyn successfully completing one year of the Pathways program. One more year, and they’ll both have paid their debt to society and will have the ability to go out into the world if they choose to. I still have a long to-do list. If I leave it to Aunt Jo, she’ll shop and cook for half the county.”
He placed another kiss on her shoulder, moving his hand down between her breasts until he was tightening his arm around her waist again. “That might not be such a bad idea. How are things with the town since Bennett’s confession and incarceration?”
She ran light fingers atop his, loving the protective cocoon he was providing her. “On the few occasions we’ve had to go into town since all the craziness ended, people have been quite apologetic. Apparently Eli did his level best to keep anyone from helping us.”
He tugged on her shoulder, and she turned around until they were facing each other. “I know you might have intended for this event to be more intimate. But maybe inviting some of the townspeople could help smooth things over.”
She ran her fingers lightly over her scalp and wondered if there ever would be an opportune moment to come together with the people Eli kept under his thumb.
“You’re right,” she responded. “I know, but…I honestly want to make this meaningful for the two of them. I’m not blaming anyone in town for what Eli did, but having them there, knowing they were his victims too, might make it awkward.”
He gave her an easy smile, his dark-brown eyes gleaming with amusement. “You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. Everyone deserves a second chance to get things right. These ladies are working hard to start over. I’m happy to help facilitate that.”
She let her hand slide to the side of his face, smooth brown skin giving way to a dark, groomed beard that tickled the delicate skin of her palm. She smiled again, trying to ignore the swell of emotion in her heart that seemed to grow with abandon whenever she was in his presence. “If they can make this work, anyone can. It means there’s hope for us all to work through our issues and find something better for ourselves.”
His eyes narrowed, and she could see the question forming in their dark depths. Too raw to defend herself against any query his mind was thinking up and too afraid that she’d have to tell him why she needed to cling to that hope of a better tomorrow, she popped a quick kiss on his lips and headed for his bathroom. “Gotta go.”
She leaned behind the closed bathroom door and took a steadying breath. Redemption was around the corner for her wards, and for her. Jackson had asked to be the man in her life last night. A fact she was still processing. But she refused to analyze this to death through the lens of her guilt. No, she would accept this chance at joy, even if she didn’t quite deserve it at this moment.
Old guilt tried to horn its way in on the fragile happiness trying to blossom inside her. But she refused to let it have its way. Instead, she just reminded herself that if she could hold on for a little bit longer, she too might pay the debt that weighed so heavily on her soul.
And maybe then she wouldn’t feel like there was an oven timer ticking on every good thing that came into her life. She wouldn’t lie to herself any longer, pretending she could take or leave Jackson’s company. She wanted him, for more than the two nights they’d spent in each other’s arms. And she would give anything to be worthy of him.
You’re almost there, Aja. You’re almost there.
* * *
Jackson pulled up to the front of the main house and cut the engine of his truck. “We’re here.” He didn’t hide the disappointment in his voice. If she would’ve allowed it, he’d have kept her hidden in the cove of his apartment for as long as it took to satisfy his ravenous need for her. She hadn’t allowed it—for good reason—but it still made him ache to return to reality so soon after experiencing the fantasy of Aja Everett in his bed.
He reached over the console and picked up her hand, kissing the back before lacing his fingers through hers. “When can I see you again?”
He marveled at the open mischief swirling in the depths of her dark eyes. “I’m impressed, Ranger. No waiting three days before calling to show interest; you’re making up your own rules to this dating game.”
“I’m too old.” His chuckle sparked one of her own.
“I know that’s right. Forty is knocking on my door.”
“Forty is past the knocking stage. It’s moved in and has its feet up on my couch. But I’m not here to play games. I told you, Aja. I know what I want. When can I see you again?”
She squeezed their linked fingers and smiled. “Please don’t take this as a blow-off, but I really will be busy setting up for the dinner party this week. But I’d love it if you’d attend the celebration.”
