Chapter 4
The scents of marinara sauce and spices accompanied Jackson as he walked into La Trattoria’s private room and found Maisy had already arrived. She was talking to Todd, the manager.
He crossed to them. “Am I late?” he asked.
“No, I only just got here.” The manager stood. “Hello, Jackson.” They shook hands.
“Todd. Hello, Maisy.”
She nodded.
The manager must have felt the chill between them and sat back down quickly. Jackson took a chair close to her.
“I’d like to go over the menu now. You know we change it every night. Here’s the list of choices for tomorrow. The client usually okays it.”
There was only one menu, so both looked at it together. This close, Jackson could smell the lilac scent of her shampoo. “It’s fine with me,” she said, somewhat huskily.
“I agree.”
“What about wine?” Maisy asked.
“I’m taking care of that. You got my list, right Todd?”
“I did. I ordered everything and it came in today.”
Maisy’s face was passive. She hadn’t objected to him paying.
“And you chose no cake. Cupcakes instead.”
Maisy said, “That’s what the bride and groom want.”
They talked about seating—one big table or smaller ones—confirmed the time frame and then they finished up. “Thanks,” Maisy said, standing.
“Thank you.” He walked out the door.
Before she left, Maisy turned to Jackson. “Did you find Frankie?”
“Not yet. I called in the same team that located Annie and they’re looking for him.”
She nodded.
“Listen sweetheart, can we talk?”
“No!” Maisy turned fast and hurried to the door and away from Jackson.
Fuck, he wasn’t letting this go. He strode after her. She got behind the wheel right as he slid in the passenger side.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Suddenly, the longing, the wanting, the need were too much to bear. “Just this.”
He drew her close and pressed his mouth against hers. Surprisingly, she didn’t resist; she leaned in instead. She tasted like he thought she would. The kiss started out slow then got wild very fast. He devoured her mouth. She devoured his.
When he couldn’t get close enough, he pulled her across the gear shift. Still kissing him, she straddled his lap. The feel of her body against his spiked his arousal. She grasped his neck then dug her hands into his hair, clutched at his shoulders. His hands slipped down to her breast; they were full and supple. When he went for the buttons on her blouse, she accommodated him by moving back. He had it open in seconds. Undid the front bra clasp. She spilled into his palms.
How long the kiss went on neither of them knew. But at one point she drew back. “Oh, my God. What are we doing?”
He murmured against her mouth, “What we’ve wanted to be doing almost since Pathways opened.”
“No. We can’t. I’m your employee. Besides, I’m mad at you.”
He nuzzled her breasts. “Come to my house. Stay with me tonight.”
“No.”
He stopped immediately. Sucked in a breath. “Give me a minute.”
She didn’t move.
Then he kissed her head, said, “All right,” and released her. She climbed back over the gear shift, but didn’t say anything, staring straight ahead. He shoved open the door, slammed it shut and walked away.
Maisy waited. She heard his car start and then tear out of the parking lot, but she couldn’t drive yet. She was too shaken by everything that happened today. No, she had to be honest. The kiss had done this to her. And because all she wanted was to jump into bed with him, she sent him away.
When did you become such a coward?
She knew, deep in her heart that she wanted Jackson. Craved him. She’d spent a lot of time denying that. He was her boss after all.
You’re making excuses.
Maybe. But because the longing was so great, because she wanted him so much, she stopped the kiss.
When she finally calmed, she blanked her mind and drove home. Caleb had left her a note. Went to see Diego just to hang out.
She was glad Caleb was making friends.
Her world was a mess. A bath might help. She went upstairs to her room and into the attached bathroom. She turned on the water, put in jasmine bath salts then undressed. She made the mistake of looking in the mirror. Who was that woman, with messy hair, and light bruises on her arms? Her eyes were dilated with desire. Desire that she had to quell. She turned away.
When the tub filled, she turned on the jets—it was Caleb’s idea for them both to have Jacuzzis. She lowered herself into the hot water. It soothed her whole body. When the water cooled, she got out, dried herself and saw a red spot on her breast.
Shaking her head, she put on summer pajamas, pulled back the covers of her bed, got in and willed herself to sleep.
* * *
“To Diego and Annie.” Annie’s dad gestured to the happy couple then turned to the other twenty people at the table. “I wasn’t too keen on this marriage at first. They had a troubled history and I wanted to protect my daughter. But since then, I’ve watched how Diego cares for Annie, tries to protect her and most of all, makes her happy.” He lifted his champagne flute. “So I gladly propose a toast to the bride and groom and their forthcoming nuptials.”
Annie got all misty eyed. Diego kissed her head.
And Jackson was jealous as hell. He couldn’t help it. He could never have with Maisy what these two had.
The families were seated closest to the bride and groom, with the attendants next. Jackson ended up right across from Maisy but she only smiled at him once and nodded.
He listened to the conversation at the table. Joe Romano was talking. His conversation was casual, not like the intense one Jackson had with him before dinner. “When I first became a captain, none of the guys were afraid of me. They stuffed my locker with different kinds of antacids….”
Caleb laughed. “I imagine you’d need them.”
“I did. Many times.”
Maisy sighed. “I admire firefighters so much, Joe. You’re all heroes.”
“Thanks, but that’s not why we join the department.”
When asked what he was up to, Caleb hesitated. Then, “I’m planning to take a few counseling clients. Not too many. I’m going slow.”
No one mentioned the horrific things that happened to him in Binghamton.
“Hey,” Annie called down the table. “Wait until you see Maisy’s dress. It’s a stunner.”
Of course it was , Jackson thought. He’d have to look at her in it all day tomorrow. He felt the remnants of emotion from last night in her car. He’d prowled his whole house, swearing, shouting, until he was spent. She’d kicked him out after behaving like a wild woman with him. What the fuck was that?
Maisy put in, “It’s Annie’s dress that’s the stunner.”
When the wine came out, they brought it to Jackson to taste. He sipped it, nodded, and said, “Exactly what I wanted. It’s red. if anyone wants white, the waiter can get you some.”
No one wanted white. After the glasses were filled, people sipped the wine and chatted. “Hmm, this is terrific,” Diego said to Jackson. “I’m no connoisseur but I’ve never tasted wine so good.”
Caleb agreed.
Joe agreed.
Her sisters agreed.
And Maisy was forced to comment. “It’s wonderful, Jackson. Thank you.”
She was gracious. Damn her. He wanted her to feel wrecked like he was.
They both ordered lasagna. Maisy took furtive glances at Jackson. He looked so handsome in a navy linen blazer, light blue shirt and press taupe pants. Once when he turned, his collar slipped back and she noticed a red mark under his jaw. Her stomach dropped. She’d done that. Last night. In her car.
“You okay?” Caleb asked.
“I’m fine.” But she wasn’t. She barely tasted the piping hot layers of noodles and ricotta and cut up meat. But everybody raved about it. She picked at hers. When she glimpsed across the table, Jackson was staring down, picking at his dish too.
Dessert came. Italian cookies. When Jackson nibbled on a biscotti and she couldn’t even try any of them, suddenly she knew she couldn’t let this go on. She couldn’t let him hurt like this. She couldn’t stand it herself. They had to do something before tomorrow, Annie and Diego’s wedding day. So as everyone was leaving and Caleb went to get the car, she snagged his sleeve. “Jackson?”
His head snapped around.
“Would you come over to our house now so we can talk?”
Relief filled his face. “I will. I want to. Thank you, sweetheart.”
The endearment warmed her.
Turning, she went to find the manager and paid the bill.
Maisy told Caleb she asked Jackson to come to their house and asked him to mediate. He agreed. When they swerved into the driveway, she saw Jackson’s Porsche swerve in behind her. Caleb went ahead and she waited for him to get out and led him into the house. They didn’t talk.
“Let’s sit at the kitchen table,” Caleb suggested.
Maisy got three bottles of water out and placed one in front of each of them. They all sat down. “Maisy asked me if I could facilitate this conversation. Jackson, you have to agree that you want me to do this. But after watching you at the party, I’m not sure either of you can get through tomorrow without a scene.”
“I do. I want this.”
Maisy gave him a sad smile.
“First off, tell each other how you’re feeling now.
“Caleb knows everything, Jackson. So you can be honest.”
He wasn’t sure he could voice his real feelings.
She started. “I’ll go first. I’m so tense around you I can’t stand it. Mostly, seeing you hurt makes me physically ill. Thinking about our fight over Frankie kills me.” Her voice was raw. “I’m not sure we can do anything about us.”
Her brother squeezed her hand. “Hold on. Let’s give this a fair shot. Your turn, Jackson.”
“I hate that I’ve hurt you, too. The stuff with Frankie got out of hand, I think. You can come back to work if you want.” He took a deep breath. “But I’m angry with you, too. After what happened in the car last night, the connection we had, then you dismiss me? It makes me crazy.”
“Now that’s a good start. Let’s dive into all of it.”
Maisy and Jackson stared at each other.
* * *
Determined to be upbeat, Jackson fumbled with his tie. He hated these things. Laughing, Diego came up next to him. “Here. Let me help.” He tied the purple bow. “What’s going on with you?”
“I still can’t find the boy who ran away from Pathways.”
“Did you call the police?”
“No. I have my team on it. The one that found Annie.”
“All right. What else?”
“Maisy Shepherd’s driving me crazy.”
“Yeah. The sexual tension between you two is almost visible. But you’ll both find your footing and work it out.”
Jackson said soberly, “That kind of ending is not for me, Diego.” He didn’t deserve it.
“You always say that, but it isn’t true.” They turned to the mirror. “We look good,” he said.
“That we do, friend.” Jackson checked the clock. “Time to go out.”
They went through the door that led to the trellis that had been set up outside the smaller banquet room of The Westwood Hotel. The scents of Mid-May flowers that peppered the grounds and bordered the walkways were soothing. Though Jackson was happy for his friend, he dreaded seeing Maisy in the stunning dress they talked about last night. At least they had a truce. If he could only stay away from her.
They walked over to the trellis. Annie had wanted a minister, so they greeted Reverend Price. Five rows of guests had been invited. About fifty people.
A small three-piece band began to play and the procession started. Annie’s two sisters looked pretty in the lilac-colored dresses. They grinned as they walked to the front.
And there she was. Jackson almost swallowed his tongue. The strapless dress consisted of various shades of purple to lilac and the colors shimmered into each other as she walked. Her pretty hair had been braided and pulled into a bun at her neck. Close up, he could see she wore makeup. She smiled at him, albeit a sad one. Still, Jackson calmed. This was going to be okay.
Maisy felt better after a first glimpse of Jackson. The raven tux and purple tie and cravat would give James Bond competition. He was so handsome it hurt. Would she ever get over that feeling? The thought of never truly forgetting Jackson, like Annie had never forgotten Diego, scared the wits out of her. But she forced the thought down and her attention to the bride.
Befitting Annie, her dress was also strapless, the silky material fitting her nicely. She walked up to the front with grace and beauty. Maisy glanced at Diego. He was grinning from ear to ear.
When Annie reached the center, Diego stepped close to her. She handed her purple and white bouquet to Maisy and took Diego’s hand.
The Reverend Price smiled broadly. “We’re here for the union of Diego and Annie. Though from what I can see, they already have a special bond. So, let’s say we’re having a celebration.” He gestured to the couple. “You may start your vows.”
Annie’s eyes shone bright with joy. “Diego, I’ve loved you all of my adult life. I’ll always love you. I’ll marry you today, work by your side, have your back in everything and give you babies. You’ve made me happier than I ever thought I could be. I love you so much.”
Diego’s face was wet, so she brushed his cheeks with her fingers. He cleared his throat. “I don’t remember a time without you in my life.” His voice was shaky. “It seems like we were always connected, even before we started to date in high school and even after we split. I’m so glad we got to this point in our relationship. I’ll honor your decisions, even if I don’t agree with them.”
Chuckles from the audience.
“I’ll love you forever.”
“Rings, please?” Reverend Price said.
Jackson stepped forward and handed him the wedding bands.
After they slipped them on each other’s hands, Reverend Price said, “I now pronounce you married. You may kiss each other for the first time as wife and husband.”
Diego took her into his arms and they kissed. Thoroughly. A little longer than was comfortable. That was so them. Finally, they parted, turned and went down the rows.
Maisy was teary-eyed, too, when she met Jackson in the middle. They linked arms and followed the bride and groom out.
She leaned into him, thinking, This could be us .
He leaned into her thinking, I wish this could be us .
When the guests followed the wedding party into the banquet room, they took their places at the sweetheart table set up with two chairs and white and purple flowers.
Maisy and Jackson sat next to each other. She noticed Joe Romano had the place next to Jackson. When it came time for his toast, Jackson went to stand beside Annie and Diego’s table.
“Diego and Annie, everyone here is delighted to celebrate with you. You’ve touched a lot of people’s lives, mine included. I’ve come to see what real love is like and that it isn’t easy. But with love like yours, it’s worth it. Congratulations to the two of you.”
Maisy had already stood when he returned to the table. She squeezed his arm as she passed him and took his place next to the couple. “Annie, Diego, I have to say I wasn’t sure this was going to happen between you two. But it did, unfolding in a way that is so you . Looking forward, I know you’ll have a full life and I hope most of it is free of heartbreak. May love abound for you both.”
The meal was jovial. When everyone finished eating, the couple went to the dance floor for the first dance. The trio played At Last ; the bride and groom moved in and their gazes locked. At one point, Annie signaled the wedding party to join them on the floor. Maisy and Jackson held hands until they got to the floor. They came together easily. The weight of his hand against her back thrilled her. She could smell his familiar aftershave. Cheek to cheek, they moved on the floor.
Next was champagne and cupcakes. Annie fed Diego first and he held up one for her. Jackson and Maisy stood off to the side.
When they finished, Maisy was surprised to hear, “Open your mouth.”
Smiling at the cupcake, she bit into the sweet caramel frosting. And grinned. He bit into it next.
At ten, when the reception ended and the guests exited, Maisy wasn’t surprised when Jackson pulled her aside again. They’d stopped fighting but she feared they’d gotten too close.
He stared down at her with a profound expression on his face. “I want to be with you.”
“I want to be with you too.”
“Shall I get a room?”
“Y-yes,” she said honestly.
* * *
As soon as Jackson touched her naked body, Maisy came alive. Hotter. More sensitive. Vulnerable.
The kiss was tender. At first. Then it turned ravenous. All thought fled from both their minds.
His mouth traveled to her breasts and she bucked.
“Too much?”
“No, perfect. Beyond perfect.”
He suckled until she squirmed on the bed. “I’ll come if you keep doing that.”
She could feel his grin against her skin. “That’s the point, sweetheart.”
His lips went lower. Before she could stop him, tell him she wanted both of them to come together, his mouth closed over her.
She spiraled immediately. Up and up and up until the most beautiful pleasure burst out from her like fireworks exploding.
Making his way back up her he asked smugly, “Good?”
She loved this devilish side of him. “You know it was.”
To control himself, he buried his face in her neck. She sensed his response and pushed on his chest and he tumbled to his back. “What are you…”
She climbed on top of him. “Returning the favor.”
He laughed. “I won’t argue.”
Slowly, she made her way down his body, kissed his chest, scraped his nipples.
“Hmm.”
Further down, then further, she touched his penis with her tongue. He bolted up. “Back down, buddy.”
He did. She took him into her mouth.
Afterward, he said, “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I love doing that.”
He frowned.
“To you, Jackson, only to you.”
He tugged her up so she faced him. “I’m glad.”
After he scissored his legs, he opened her, to find her wet and wanting. He plunged into her. He tried to make it last, bit the inside of his jaw, told himself to wait, but he kept thrusting and soon they both came again, this time together.