Chapter Five
Jackson
Over the next several days, we explored the vibrant city of Las Vegas, indulging in romantic dinners, and enjoying each other’s company. I found myself constantly amazed by the woman I’d married -- her strength, resilience, and unwavering determination to overcome the scars of her past. And yet, there was still a part of me that feared losing her.
Before the wedding, I’d thought of Mia as a friend, someone who needed me. Even though she wasn’t a weak woman, I’d known she’d struggle if I’d left her on her own. It’s why I’d stepped up and offered to help. She’d seemed so lost that day. Now I knew I was the one who needed her. She brightened my world, made me feel warm inside, and when I held her my heart raced. I’d fallen for Mia a little more each day, and if something were to happen to make her leave me, my world would seem cold and dark. Every morning, I woke up, reaching for her or I’d just watch her sleep, feeling happy just knowing she was by my side. I’d never experienced anything like it before.
I’d reached out to Wire again, to make sure Carter wasn’t anywhere near us. Except, he hadn’t seemed to know where the man disappeared to. According to Wire, the day before we left for Vegas, Carter went off the grid. He didn’t use his bank card. Hadn’t checked into any motels or hotels. If he was still using the same vehicle, Wire hadn’t spotted him on any traffic cameras. I hoped he was merely lying low and wasn’t planning his next attack on us.
“Jackson, what’s wrong? You’ve been quiet tonight.” She looked at me as we strolled down the Strip.
I hesitated, unsure of how to put my fears into words without coming across as a weak-ass man who couldn’t protect her. “Carter vanished. It bothers me because I have no idea what he’s thinking. While it’s possible he’s going to leave us alone now, I somehow don’t think he’s finished. And there’s also…”
“What?” she asked.
“I have to wonder if I’m going to be enough for you. I wasn’t the one you picked at first. You’ve seemed happy enough since we got here, but what if you’re the one who changes your mind later?” I glanced down at her. “I haven’t had a serious relationship before. I’m bound to fuck up sooner or later.”
“Hey,” she said, stopping in her tracks and turning to face me. Her eyes bore into mine. “You are more than enough for me, Jackson Adler. You’ve shown me what it means to be cherished, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted. No one’s ever been this kind to me or made me feel special like you do. If anything, I should be warning you that I’m in danger of falling head over heels for you.”
I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her and burying my face in her hair. “Thank you, Mia. I promise to never give you a reason to regret marrying me. Realistically, I know there will be times we’re mad at each other. We’ll fight, and hopefully we’ll make up. And if you do ever fall for me, I hope you tell me. I can’t think of a greater honor than having your love.”
As we continued our journey through the city, exploring all it had to offer, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. In Mia, I’d found a partner who not only understood me, but embraced the fact I was a cowboy chasing a dream. Together, we’d forge a life we could be proud of, and we’d become stronger both as a couple and individually.
More than that, she’d become an essential part of my life. I’d never experienced romantic love before, but I had to wonder if that might be what I was feeling toward Mia. No matter how much time I spent with her, I always wanted more. And our nights… I’d never met anyone as passionate as Mia. I didn’t have to worry about her faking whether or not she enjoyed being with me. Hearing her cry out in pleasure, knowing I was the one who made her beg for more, made me feel ten feet tall. It wasn’t that I hadn’t cared if the few women in my past had enjoyed themselves, but with Mia everything felt different. Was it because she was mine?
I liked that thought… Mine. I’d never had a woman I could claim as my own until now. Never met one I’d wanted to spend forever with for that matter. I didn’t see me ever growing tired of Mia. Even if we lived for one hundred years as husband and wife, it still wouldn’t be enough time together.
We rounded a corner and our attention was drawn to a small crowd gathered around a street performer. He moved with grace and skill, juggling flaming batons as if they were mere extensions of his limbs. We stopped to watch, our bodies pressed close together.
“Wow, he’s incredible,” Mia whispered, her breath warm against my neck.
“Almost as incredible as you,” I murmured. Our eyes met, and it was as if the rest of the world faded away. All that mattered was Mia and the life we were starting.
“Watch this,” the street performer called out, drawing our attention back to him. With a flourish, he tossed the flaming batons high into the air, catching each one effortlessly as they descended. The crowd erupted in applause, and Mia’s eyes sparkled with delight.
“Have you ever seen anything like that?” she asked, her voice filled with wonder.
“Never,” I admitted, knowing that this moment was one we would treasure forever. In the midst of the bright lights and cacophony of Las Vegas, we had found a small piece of magic. Although mine was different from Mia’s. While she marveled at the performer, it was her that I watched.
I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come since that fateful day at the rodeo. And as we continued down the bustling streets, hand in hand, I knew that our future would be bright. No matter what life threw at us, we’d pull through.
As the street performer took his final bow, Mia and I continued our journey through the vibrant streets of Las Vegas. The neon lights lit up the area as we passed one casino after another. If she were older, I’d have let her try gambling. Hell, I hadn’t ever done it myself. But since my new wife was only eighteen, that wasn’t going to happen.
“Ready for a surprise?” I asked.
“Surprise?” Mia asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.
“Absolutely.” I winked.
“Bring it on, cowboy,” she said, smiling up at me.
We strolled down the Strip until we reached an upscale restaurant, its warm glow beckoning us inside. I’d been surprised when Mia hadn’t asked why I’d insisted she buy a dress to wear tonight. I’d even worn a nice shirt with the new boots I’d bought for our wedding.
“Jackson, this looks incredible,” Mia said, her eyes wide.
“Only the best for my girl,” I replied, leading her to our reserved table. The candlelit ambiance cast a soft glow on her face, making her already radiant smile shine even brighter.
Our dinner was perfect -- filet mignon for me and tender seared scallops for Mia, something she’d once mentioned she’d never tried. As we savored each bite, our conversation flowed effortlessly. We talked about everything from my upcoming rodeo, to where we might want to live in the future, and even what we’d name the baby. The minutes ticked by, and all I could do was wish there were more hours in the day… more opportunities to spend time with her.
“Jackson, I never imagined I could be this happy,” Mia confessed. “Thank you for showing me that life can be beautiful.”
“Darlin’, all I did was remind you of the strength you’ve always had inside,” I responded, reaching across the table to clasp her hand. “I gave you a shoulder to lean on, but you’re the one who decided to take charge of your destiny by getting your GED and taking self-defense classes. I’m just here for the ride.”
As our evening drew to a close, I wondered if Mia felt the same surge of emotion as I did. Even now, my cock was half hard. Since getting my first taste of her, I found it hard to keep my hands to myself. I craved her like a damn drug. Every breath she took made her breasts rise and fall, and I found myself staring at them throughout the day. The way she smiled reminded me how sweet her lips tasted. When she laughed and her cheeks flushed pink, I thought of how she looked lying under me, eyes glazed with passion. It took everything in me not to sling her over my shoulder and take her straight to bed.
We made our way back to our hotel, my hand wrapped protectively around Mia’s. The electricity in the air seemed to mirror the growing desire between us, and I could feel her pulse quicken with every step. Yeah, it seemed I wasn’t the only one anxious to return to the hotel and tumble into bed.
“Jackson,” she whispered, her voice breathy with anticipation. “I want you… now.”
Her words sent a jolt of heat straight to my dick, and I couldn’t wait to have her under me again. As soon as we entered our suite, I pulled her close, my lips crashing against hers with a hunger I couldn’t contain. She responded eagerly, her hands gripping my shoulders as if trying to anchor herself in the storm of our passion.
“Darlin’, I need you just as much,” I murmured, my mouth tracing a fiery path down her neck.
As we stumbled toward the bedroom, our clothes fell away like the last remnants of my restraint. The intensity of the passion between us was enough to leave me breathless. My heart hammered in my chest, and my cock throbbed in time with every beat.
“Jackson… oh God, Jackson…” Mia moaned, her nails digging into my back as I slid into her wet heat. She fit me like a glove, and I knew I’d be keeping her up all night again.
“Baby, you feel so good,” I groaned, my own pleasure building as I sought to bring her to new heights of ecstasy.
With each thrust, I felt her walls squeeze around me tighter, fueling my desire even more. Her moans turned into gasps for air, and her body arched off the bed in bliss.
With a final deep thrust, I let go, my entire being shuddering as an intense wave of pleasure washed over me. Hot cum filled her up, and she cried out my name over and over again.
She pulled me down for a long, passionate kiss as we came down from our high. Her breathing was heavy, her eyes filled with desire. I kissed my way down her neck, nipping playfully at her skin as I trailed my hands down her body.
“I want to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before.” The trust she gave me as she completely surrendered was enough to make me fall for her a little more. She’d stolen my heart. The thought hit me like a freight train. I loved Mia. In that moment, I vowed to give her everything she deserved. And right now, that meant more orgasms.
I took her three more times, until I had nothing left to give. At least, not until I’d rested a little. In an hour, I’d probably be reaching for her again. At this rate, she’d probably think I only had sex on my mind. And when it came to Mia, that was pretty damn accurate.
As we lay tangled together in the aftermath, I couldn’t help but wonder how I would ever find the courage to tell my parents about Mia and the baby. My father was a Dixie Reaper through and through, and his opinion mattered more than anything else. What if he didn’t approve? What if my mother felt that Mia wasn’t good enough for me?
“Jackson, what’s wrong?” Mia asked softly, her hand running through my hair as she sensed my inner turmoil.
“Nothing, darlin’. Just thinking about the future,” I replied, trying to hide my fears from her. But I knew I couldn’t keep my worries bottled up forever. The weight of the secret I carried threatened to crush me under its burden. I’d never kept anything from my family before. As I held her close, I vowed to find the strength needed to protect our family -- no matter the cost.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of my phone on the nightstand. I reached over and grabbed it, glancing at the caller ID before answering.
“Hey, Wire. What’s up?” I asked, trying to keep the worry out of my voice as I looked over at Mia, who had propped herself up on one elbow, watching me with concern.
“Jackson, I’ve got news about Carter,” Wire said without any prelude. “He’s been spotted several states away. It looks like he’s attending the rodeo there. Think you may be in the clear.”
A wave of relief washed over me, and I could feel my muscles finally start to unclench for the day Carter went after Mia. The distance between us and Carter meant that Mia was safer, at least for now. I glanced over at her, and her eyes held a mixture of hope and gratitude as she registered the news.
“Thanks, Wire. That’s really good to hear,” I replied, my voice cracking slightly from the weight that had just been lifted off my chest. “I owe you one, man.”
“Hey, that’s what family’s for,” Wire said warmly. “You know whatever you’re trying to tackle on your own, we’re all here for you. Especially your parents. I haven’t told anyone I’ve been in touch with you. Except Lavender. She knows what’s going on too but won’t say anything. But just the same, you really need to talk to your parents.”
“I know. I will,” I promised, hanging up the phone and setting it back on the nightstand. As I turned to look at Mia, I saw tears glistening in her eyes, and I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her protectively.
“Did you hear?” I asked softly, already knowing the answer. She nodded against my chest, her body trembling as the enormity of our situation began to sink in. “We’re safe, Mia. He’s far away, and we’ve got two fantastic hackers watching our backs. We can focus on building our life together, and figuring out how to be the best parents we can be for our baby.”
“Thank you, Jackson,” she whispered, her voice soft and low. “For everything. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Shh, don’t think about that now,” I said gently, stroking her hair. “We’re together, and that’s all that matters. We’ll face whatever comes our way, side by side.”
My eyes drifted to the nightstand, where the phone still rested. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts and process everything. Reaching out to Mia, I pulled her into my arms. As we lay together, I whispered soothing words in her ear. I needed her to know she wasn’t alone, that I would always protect her. The only thing I really wanted was for her and the baby to be safe and feel loved, even when danger was breathing down our necks.
I hadn’t told her much about the Dixie Reapers. The truth was that if we did decide to live close to my parents, there would be times our lives would be in jeopardy. It was like every man in the club was a magnet for women on the run from horrendous situations. Although, it looked like I’d fallen into the same trap since I’d rescued Mia. Maybe we all really did have hero complexes. I might not be an official Reaper, but I was still part of their family.
“I’m here for you, Mia. Always will be.” I kissed her brow and held her close. It wasn’t long before her breathing evened out and sleep claimed her. I hoped she had the sweetest of dreams.