"It's a management consultant firm. Boring stuff."
"What about your mother?"
"She spends most of her days on charity boards. As much as I like making fun of her about being a lady that lunches, she actually does a lot of good through her charities."
"That's great," I said, smiling. "I think my mother just uses her charity group as an excuse to socialize."
"What about your dad?" Jackson asked, setting his now empty plate on the floor next to the couch since he didn't have a coffee table. "What does he do?"
"He was a lawyer. He passed away while I was in high school."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you mind if I ask what happened?"
I shook my head. It was amazing how easy it was to confide in Jackson. Maybe because it seemed like he actually cared, instead of just asking out of obligation. "He had a heart attack when I was a sophomore. It was totally unexpected. One day he was healthy and full of life. The next day he was gone."
Jackson reached out and cupped my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. "That must have been hard."
"It was, but fortunately my mom and I are pretty close. We were able to get through it together." I didn't add that Sean had been my anchor during that time of my life. Despite what I told Jackson, my mother had been too wrapped up in her own grief to help me through mine. Sean had kept me sane and grounded. I couldn't count how many times he stayed on the phone with me all hours of the night while I sobbed about the unfairness of it all.
"I'm happy to hear that."
"Are you close with your parents?"
Jackson dropped his hand and took my empty plate from me, stacking it on top of his on the floor.
"I'm pretty close to both of them. My dad can be a little heavy-handed about him wanting me to join his company, but I think he's accepted that I'm really giving this acting thing a go."
Jackson put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. I snuggled into him, relishing the feeling of his bare chest against my cheek. The music we danced to earlier had ended long ago and Jackson picked up a remote to flick on another playlist. I relaxed against him as I listened to Frank Sinatra croon about the way you look tonight.
"You really like the oldies, huh?" I commented.
"They're the best."
I yawned, the long day and the earth-shattering sex having taken its toll. We sat there for a while, just listening to music as we cuddled. I felt myself drifting off as Jackson gently stroked my arm, lulling me to sleep.
I woke up with a start, sitting up. Jackson's head was against the couch and his eyes fluttered open at my movement. He sat up and stretched, pulling his arms above his head, and I admired the rippling effect it had on his muscles. He caught me gawking and smiled at me.
"How long have we been asleep?" I asked, flushing a little. I was the one who had balked at Jackson watching me, and now I was the one mooning over him.
Jackson checked the clock on the wall. "For about an hour. I'm supposed to be the trainer, but I guess the workout you gave me wore me out."
I smiled at him mischievously, running my fingers down his hard muscled chest. "Ready for your next session?"
Jackson looked at me with amusement. "Shouldn't we be pacing ourselves?"
I shook my head. "You had your way with me before. Now it's my turn to be in control."
Jackson arched an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Is that so?"
"Yup."
I grabbed his hand and this time it was me that dragged him into the bedroom. I showed him just how in control I could be with my hands, my mouth and my tongue, until he couldn't take any more and flipped me on my back, pounding into me until I was the one begging for my release.
Chapter Five
I squinted at the sun streaming into the room, trying to get my bearings as I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. The memories of the night before rushed through me as I looked over at Jackson who was still sleeping peacefully. He was lying on his stomach, his face turned towards me with one arm hooked around my waist. I drank in the sight of him now that I could stare at him in leisure. His ridiculously long eyelashes cast shadows on his face and my gaze trailed down his straight nose to his kissable mouth, resisting the urge to reach up and stroke his lips.
Jackson looked vulnerable in his sleep and I felt a stirring inside me. I pushed the feeling aside and just enjoyed the feeling of waking up with a gorgeous man next to me.
I craned my neck up so that I could see the alarm clock over Simon's shoulders on the other side of the bed. It was almost seven in the morning and I needed to get home so I had time to shower and get ready for work.
I gingerly lifted Jackson's arm from my waist and tried to slip out, but his arm suddenly tightened around me.
My eyes shot to his face and I saw that he was awake and watching me.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I have to get back home to get ready for work."
Jackson turned his head around to check the time. He then pulled me close and nuzzled his face in my neck, enveloping me in his arms.
"It's still early."
"Jackson, I can't be late for work." I tried to make my voice firm, but I was weakening against his caresses. Being so close to him, wrapped up in him, was intoxicating. He smelled warm and masculine and felt even better.
I squealed as Jackson licked my neck. "That tickles!"
Jackson lifted his head and grinned at me. "That was supposed to tempt you into staying in bed."
I rolled my eyes and smacked his shoulder. "You're supposed to be making sure I get to work on time. Remember? That was the deal for staying over."
Jackson groaned but rolled over, releasing me. "Okay, okay," he grumbled but I knew he wasn't really disgruntled because of his sparkling eyes.
I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom. I gasped when I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a fright with my hair sticking out in all different directions. I quickly changed back into my leggings and top, threw some water on my face, and then wrangled my tangled hair into a ponytail.
When I stepped back into the bedroom, Jackson was gone. I made the bed and folded the shirt he had given me to sleep in and laid it on the bed.
I heard Jackson rummaging around in the kitchen as I left the bedroom and I walked over to join him. He had thrown on a t-shirt and jeans and was fiddling with the coffee maker.
He looked up at my approach. "How do you take your coffee?"
"Jackson," I said warningly. "I don't have time to drink coffee."