Jackson inhales sharply, then cups my face in both his hands. He rests his forehead on mine and breathes in this moment. My fingers curl into his skin, needing more of him. Jackson responds to my silent plea by ghosting his nose and lips over the shell of my ear. “Do you need something from me, baby girl?”
Oh, God, I didn’t know I’d like having a pet name, but when it’s coming from Jackson’s lips… I don’t mind. I nod, biting my bottom lip. Is this really happening?
“Need your words, Sage. I won’t do anything you’re not ready for.”
“I… I think I want…”
His hands slide down my neck and outline my curves before resting on my hips. Jackson pulls me against his body, then leans down and presses teasing kisses up and down my neck. “What do you want, Sage?” He’s nearly trembling as he waits for my response. Am I really the reason he’s all worked up? What could he possibly find irresistible about me?
“I think I’d like you to kiss me,” I murmur.
Jackson squeezes my hips and licks a sensitive spot beneath my ear. “I think I’d like you to tell me what you want more often,” he purrs while tightening his hold on me.
One last look into those hazel eyes, and I know I’m in trouble.
His mouth presses against mine, softly at first. Jackson nibbles at my top lip, then my bottom lip before kissing me with more intensity. I gasp at the desire coursing through my veins at that simple touch. Jackson uses the opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth, tangling it with mine.
I circle my arms around his neck while Jackson caresses my body with the same intensity as his kiss, driving me wild. My hips jerk on their own, seeking out something to make the dull ache between my thighs subside.
Jackson breaks our kiss and buries his face into the side of my neck, scraping his teeth against my sensitive skin while he groans in pleasure.
“Fuck, you’re exquisite,” he rasps as I grind against his thick, solid length. “Needy little thing, aren’t you?” I nod, not caring if my inexperience is showing. Right now, I need his lips back on mine.
Jackson chuckles darkly before lifting me onto the kitchen counter and stepping between my thighs. He brushes his knuckles against my cheek with a surprisingly tender touch, his eyes wandering over my face as if memorizing every detail.
“You’re just so damn beautiful,” he says more to himself than to me. I blink a few times, not sure I heard him correctly. I mean, yes, he kissed me, so he must not find me repulsive. But to be considered beautiful and exquisite by this Greek god of a man?This has to be a dream.“Not a dream, baby,” Jackson says before taking my lips in a claiming kiss.
His tongue glides along the roof of my mouth, making me tremble under his touch. Jackson slides his hands up my thighs, massaging me as he tugs me even closer to him. My hands tangle in his hair, and I hold on while wave after wave of new sensations roll through my body.
A sharp, loud beeping noise cuts through our steamy moment, and I instinctively jump off the counter and crouch on the floor with my arms covering my face and head. Jackson curses under his breath as he reaches for his phone on the counter next to us. “Forgot to silence my work phone,” he grumbles before shutting it off completely.
I realize my overreaction and try jumping up to pretend nothing happened. Unfortunately, my foot slips in a puddle of water from the dishwashing incident, and I start to fall. Jackson wraps a strong arm around my waist, pulling me up and against his body once more.
This time, instead of kissing me, Jackson combs his fingers through my hair. “Sorry,” I whisper. “I don’t know what came over me.”
His hazel eyes study every part of me, as if he can pick me apart and find out my secrets with just one look. If anyone could, it’d be Jackson. “What happened in your life to make apologizing your default?” he asks while gently tucking my hair behind my ear. “Why did you cover your face when you felt threatened?”
The worry in his gaze has tears springing to my eyes. No one has ever asked for my story. No one has ever cared enough to listen.
I hold my breath while I decide what to tell him. My bodyguard cups my chin in a feather-light touch, causing me to focus on him. “The truth, Sage.”How did he read my thoughts?“I know you,” he answers my unspoken question. “I feel you, baby girl. You’re trying to stay strong, but you don’t have to. Not around me.”
“I… never felt like I had a home,” I start. Jackson removes his hand from my chin and strokes my arm, encouraging me to continue. “Every time my dad was picked up for one of his schemes or petty crimes, I’d end up staying with one of his friends until he was released from jail. It was usually just for a few months, a year at most, and not everyone was horrible… But the ones who were bad werereallybad.”
“Sage…”
“My dad always told me I was better off with one of his friends than ending up in foster care, but I’m not so sure. I lived with drug dealers, gang members, and even one of mydad’s favorite exotic dancers for a time. No matter where I found myself sleeping, I learned early on to stay out of everyone’s way. Don’t make noise, don’t be a burden, and don’t ask for anything unless I want to find out how hard they hit.”
I close my eyes against the horrid memories crawling out of the dark corners of my mind. Jackson wipes away a tear I didn’t realize had fallen. The pad of his thumb grazes my cheek, the gentle touch in such contrast to the brutality of my past.
“I felt helpless for so long,” I continue. “I still do, but at least I have my own place now.” I let out a heavy sigh and look at the floor, shrugging my shoulders. “Sometimes I think my dad preferred being locked up to being my father.”
“I had no idea,” Jackson says softly. It suddenly strikes me that he knows my dad and might report back to him.
My eyes go wide with panic while Jackson’s brow furrows. “Oh my God, please don’t tell my father I said any of this. He has enough to worry about. Besides, there’s nothing he can do about the past, right?” My words trip over themselves in a rush to get out.
“Hey, take a breath for me,” Jackson soothes. “I don’t know your dad too well, but I promise, your secrets are safe with me.” He kisses my forehead, making me feel small and precious and protected from every damn thing.
“Thank you,” I whisper, letting him cradle me against his bare chest.
