Jackson’s neck glows red; he shifts his weight from one foot to the other as he looks up at Charleigh sheepishly. “His piecesarequite exquisite.”
Why is Jackson putting her in this position?
“Sorry, but you know I only like antiques,” she says with as much apology in her voice as she can muster. “I’m sure your work is nice, Mr. Swift, but—”
“It’s only gonna get nicer with Luke here. C’mere, son.” He gestures to Luke. “Saw y’all talking, but proper introductions are in order. Luke, this here’s Jackson, finest interior designer in town. And this is Mrs. Andersen, queen of Longview.”
“Ha! Hardly—”
“Seems like royalty to me!” Ethan beams at her. Damn, he’s good. Smooth. “Luke here is like a son to me. Good kid. Gonna be a damn fine carpenter and woodworker.” He claps Luke on the shoulder.
“Pleasure to meet you, Luke,” Jackson offers. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“And yeah, we met a sec ago,” Charleigh says awkwardly. “But hi again.” She wants to bite her tongue off.
Luke dips his head, smiles.
“We really gotta get going,” Charleigh says. “I dragged poor Jackson out here to see what all the fuss was about.” She sounds like such a catty bitch. “And it’s incredible, what all she’s doin’. But it’s really not my bag.”
She yanks Jackson by the arm, pulls him into her. Squeezes his bicep, her signal for him to help her out of this mess. “So great to see you again!” he says to Ethan. “And to meet you, Luke! And I’ll think about what you said—”
“I’d appreciate it,” Ethan replies, and did he justwinkat Jackson?
With Jackson’s toned arm in her fist, Charleigh tugs him away.
40
Jackson
Well, that was excruciating. Jackson’s whole body glistens with sweat as he slides into the passenger seat of Charleigh’s car, heart thudding in his throat.
Jackson here can vouch for how good I am.
Could Ethan have outed him any more? Maybe it wasn’t obvious to Charleigh at all—his and Ethan’s palpable attraction—but whew, he was squirming. Big time. And then for Ethan to bring that up at the end…
“What did you mean when you told him you’d think about what he said?” Charleigh crinkles her nose at him as she drives through the pasture.
Ugh.
“Nothing, really. He just asked me if I could help him find some business. Like contacts and stuff, ya know. They’re obviously living hand to mouth—”
“Okay, okay, whatever. As you well know, I don’t want himmaking me any furniture. They are the enemies, ’member?”
Jackson twists in his seat, aims the air vent at his face.
“Even if heiscute.”
“He’s totally cute. C’mon.”
“Okay, but what’d you think about Luke?”
Jackson scratches the back of his neck. He wasn’tthinkingabout Luke; he was thinking—the entire few minutes they were in the woodshed—about Ethan. Ethan’s perfect mouth on his cock. His hands on Ethan’s groin. What he wants to do to Ethan next. While Charleigh was nosing about with the kid, the edges of Jackson’s vision went fuzzy as he stood, once again, in front of Ethan. Ethan’s sly smile was the physical embodiment of a dare if there ever was one. Daring Jackson to kiss him, right then and there, while no one was looking. He took a step forward, causing Jackson to flinch back, giggling under his breath at Jackson’s reaction.
But no way he could ever let Charleigh find out what happened between them, what’sstillhappening between them, even if he wanted to take Ethan right then and there.
Ethan tipped his head toward Jackson, whispered, “Call me later tonight. I have to see you again. Soon as possible.” His voice scratchy in Jackson’s ear.
Jackson’s heartbeat jangled in his throat so violently that he could only nod dumbly.
