I shifted my head to look up at Jackson to find him watching me with a self-satisfied expression on his face. I didn't know what the protocol was for one night stands since this was my first one. It was still yet to be determined whether this would become a full-blown fling.
"Well," I said intelligently, not knowing what else to say.
Jackson raised his eyebrows. "That's all you have to say? Well?"
"Well," I repeated stupidly.
Jackson smiled gently and craned his head down to kiss me softly on the mouth. Despite the mind-blowing sex we had just had, I still felt the stirrings of desire from his kiss.
"I seem to have rendered you speechless. Hopefully in a good way."
I smiled, telling myself I didn't have anything to be embarrassed about. People did these kinds of things all the time. It had been fun. I shouldn't be embarrassed about it.
"I'm still trying to figure out how many more times we have to do that for me to work off the chicken marsala."
Jackson chuckled. "Four or five times. At least."
I raised an eyebrow. "Then I won't be able to walk out of here."
"Who said anything about you walking out of here?"
I looked at him blankly, not knowing how to answer.
"What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?" he asked.
"Nine o'clock."
Jackson moved to his side, shifting me so that I was on my side as well facing him. He propped his head up with his hand and absently started stroking my back with the other.
"If you stay over, I promise to get you back to your apartment tomorrow morning so that you have enough time to get ready for work."
I felt tingles of pleasure at Jackson's apparent desire to have me stay.
"I guess it's okay then," I replied, masking my eagerness.
Jackson quirked his mouth. "Don't sound so excited by the prospect."
I grinned, shedding my facade of nonchalance. "I'll jump up and down in excitement about it later. Right now, I'm too worn out from the workout you just put me through."
Jackson beamed and I felt a warmth flood my insides at the boyish happiness on his face.
"That means you get rewarded with dessert."
I arched a brow. "Didn't we just have dessert?"
Jackson winked at me. "I like those naughty thoughts. But I have an actual cake waiting for us."
Jackson gave me a quick kiss and got up from the bed. I looked at him with unabashed admiration. Jackson clothed was out of this world, but Jackson naked was a revelation. His body was perfectly chiseled with muscles without the heavy bulk. And that was before my eyes traveled lower. It was hard to look away as he peeled off the condom and threw it into a nearby trashcan.
Jackson pulled on his shorts and grinned at me lying in bed watching him.
"I could look at you like that all day."
I flushed as I realized how wanton I must look, draped across his bed naked except for a sheer film of a skirt. I tugged it down, but the material was so flimsy that it was see-through and didn't hide anything. My body was marked with our recent passion, my nipples swollen and my inner thighs red from the scrape of Jackson's stubble.
I pulled a sheet to cover myself but Jackson stopped me. "Don't do that. You're beautiful."
He bent his head down and softly kissed one of my nipples. I held my breath as he looked up at me. He smiled at me faintly.
"I better stop or we'll never get to dessert."
I laughed and got up from the bed, feeling desirable as I saw Jackson's eyes rake over me. I reached down to grab my leggings and shirt from the floor where they had been discarded earlier.
"Can't you just wear that skirt?"
"Jackson, I'm not parading around here almost naked. Especially while I'm shoveling cake into my mouth."
"Okay," Jackson relented, although he looked disappointed. He rummaged through his dresser and pulled out a t-shirt. "Why don't you just wear this. I'll be a lot more comfortable and you can sleep in it."
I took the t-shirt that Jackson handed me and slipped it over my head, thrilled that he was being so considerate. I slipped off the skirt and pulled my panties back on, running my fingers through my hair and hoping it didn't look too much of a mess.
"Did you go to Columbia?" I asked, looking down at the lettering of the shirt I was now swimming in. The hem of the shirt went halfway down my thighs since Jackson was so much taller than I was.
"Yeah," Jackson said as he took my hand and drew me into the living room.
"Smart and a good cook," I observed as I sat down on the couch. "What girl could resist?"
"Certainly not you," Jackson said, looking at me innocently.
"Very funny," I replied in a stern voice, but I ruined the effect by laughing. "Now where's my cake?"
Jackson sighed in mock disappointment. "Now that she's had her way with me, she only wants me for my dessert."
I felt myself grinning widely as Jackson disappeared into the kitchen. I couldn't remember the last time I had so much fun bantering with someone. Especially after a hot session of sex. Yes, I was definitely going to have a summer fling.
Jackson walked back out with two plates, each with a large slice of white cake with about ten thin layers, frosted generously with white frosting and coconut shreds.
"I hope you like coconut," Jackson said, handing me a plate and fork.
My eyes lit up. "I love coconut." I took a bite and it was heavenly. "Don't tell me you made this!"
Jackson grinned as he sat down next to me and started eating his own slice of cake. "As much as I'd like to impress you and say yes, I picked it up from a bakery."
"It's okay," I said, relishing each bite of the cake. "You get points for picking out a terrific cake."
I paused mid-bite as I looked up at Jackson.
"You're doing it again," I said accusingly.
"Doing what?"
"Watching me eat!"
Jackson reached out and tucked my hair behind one ear. My breath caught at the sweetness of the gesture. "Is that such a bad thing? I like watching you enjoy yourself."
"Well,” I said, drawing out the word. There wasn't much I could say to that. So I decided to change the subject. "What did you study at Columbia?"
Jackson smiled as if he knew I was changing the subject on purpose, but he complied. "Business management. My father wanted me to join the family company, but it's not for me. I can't imagine spending my whole life on dry mergers and acquisitions."
"What type of company does your father own?"