Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Felicity was tired of fighting it. All she wanted to do was fall into Jackson’s arms and forget about everything else. Forget about the lien. The producer who wanted to film on her land. The fact that her business was barely treading water due to a bad crop a few years ago.
And she certainly didn’t want to be at home when Clara brought that pretty boy home from the bar. Instead, she headed back to the orchard.
“The cabin is home?” Jackson asked, giving her a sexy half smile.
“It’s your home for now,” she quipped.
“You do realize we left my truck back at Sleighed, right?”
She glanced over at him, giving him an incredulous look. “Are you really worried about your truck right now?”
“No.” His lips twitched as if he was trying not to laugh.
“Good. I’ll take you to work tomorrow. Or to your truck in the morning if you have places to be. But right now, I don’t give a damn. Do you?”
“Nope,” he said, grinning at her openly now.
Felicity smiled at him and then focused on the road. Once she pulled into the drive that led to the cabin, her entire body started to relax. There was just something about being on her property that settled her. It always had.
And the fact that Jackson didn’t upset that feeling was something she couldn’t ignore. Every other man she’d dated, she’d always had the urge to send them packing when they were at the orchard.
Jackson was different.
Not that they were dating. But even she could admit that there was something going on between them.
Something she no longer wanted to ignore.
She parked in front of the cabin and turned the Jeep off.
Without a word, Jackson exited the vehicle and came around to Felicity’s side, opening her door. He held his hand out to her and asked, “Shall we?”
Felicity let him tug her out of the Jeep and then she stood right in front of him, staring up at him. “What is it about you that always seems to shatter my defenses?”
“Is that what I do?”
She nodded. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
“Me neither,” he said softly as he brushed a lock of her hair behind one ear. “But I can’t say I’m unhappy about it.”
Felicity smiled softly. “Me neither.” Then she turned and led him up the steps to the cabin. “You don’t mind if I stay over, do you?”
“Tonight? I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Good.” She waited while he unlocked the door.
The cabin was chilly, but Jackson didn’t stop to light a fire in the fireplace. Instead, he led her straight to the bedroom.
She slipped her cold hands under his jacket and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re warm.”
“I need a shower,” he said. “After working in the kitchen all night, I’m pretty sure I smell like a hamburger and fries.”
She chuckled softly. “Maybe just a little bit. How about I join you in that shower?”
Jackson let out a small growl and quickly pulled her into the bathroom.
Felicity got the water started, and then when she turned to Jackson, her breath caught. He was still fully clothed, but the heat in his eyes was enough to light a fire in her belly. “If you keep looking at me like that, we’re not going to make it into the shower.”
“Oh, we’re definitely going to make it into the shower.” There was a devilish glint in his eyes as he added, “It’s just a matter of when.”
She fanned herself, pretending to overheat, even though the bathroom was still chilly enough to give her gooseflesh.
“Come here,” he said, pulling her closer. As the steam filled the bathroom, Jackson gently turned her around and then took his time removing her sweater as he nuzzled her neck, pressing soft kisses over her skin.
Felicity leaned back into him, soaking up his warmth, reveling in it, memorizing every touch. He was worshipping her, making her feel treasured. It was a feeling she wasn’t used to. A feeling she craved.
“Jackson?” she whispered.
“Yes?” His hands froze on her hips.
“You feel better than you should.”
He chuckled softly against her skin and continued to undress her. Once she was completely bare, she returned the favor.
Any other man would have taken that as his cue to ravish her in the shower, but when Jackson guided her under the warm spray, he took his time running his hands over her skin and then carefully washing every inch of her.
And as the soap suds were being washed away, she took the soap from him and lathered him up, memorizing the feel of his well-defined muscles as well as every dip and scar he carried on his gorgeous body.
“You should come with a warning label,” she said softly.
He smirked. “A warning for what?”
“For being so hot. I mean, it should be illegal to look that good naked. You’re giving me a complex.”
“Oh, come on,” he said, shaking his head. “You know you’re gorgeous.”
She just shrugged. Felicity didn’t have any complaints, but it wasn’t like she looked as if she worked out on a regular basis. Not like Jackson did. The man could have been on the cover of a fireman’s calendar.
Felicity licked her lips thinking about it.
Jackson turned the water off and handed her a towel. They both quickly dried off and then without a word, Jackson picked her up and carried her to the bed.
After they climbed in, Jackson propped his head up with his hand and stared down at her, his gaze reverent. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
“You’re flattering me,” she whispered.
“I’m just being honest.” Then he lowered his head and claimed her lips in a searing kiss.
Felicity instantly got lost in him. This was more than just desire. His touch went deeper than just her flesh, finding a way to somehow penetrate her soul.
He pulled away for just a brief moment, his hand tangling in her hair. “Are you sure about this?”
Felicity nodded. “I wouldn’t have invited myself over if I hadn’t wanted you tonight.”
“No, Felicity,” he said, searching her gaze. “I mean are you sure about us. I can’t just be your one-night stand again. I’m in too deep now. Please tell me you’re not going to push me away when you wake up in the morning.”
A lump got caught in Felicity’s throat as she tried and failed to speak. Finally, she forced out, “I can’t make any promises about the future, Jackson, but I can say that I’m done pushing you away.”
Relief flashed in Jackson’s dark eyes just before he claimed her lips again.
Felicity wrapped herself around him, finally ready to fully give herself body and soul to the only man she’d ever trusted.
Light streamed in the small window, splashing a ray of light over Jackson’s handsome features. Felicity lay next to him, her head sharing the same pillow as she gazed at him, taking in his peaceful, relaxed slumber.
In the quiet of the morning, she’d never felt more content.
And she knew that deep down that should scare her, but it didn’t.
She just prayed that her gut was right when it told her Jackson wasn’t like other men.
That he wouldn’t leave… like her father.
Because no matter how much she might want to deny it, she couldn’t hide from the truth.
Felicity Hill was falling for Jackson Bell.
“Morning,” Jackson said without even opening his eyes.
“How did you know I was awake?” she asked, trailing her fingers over his bare chest.
His eyes fluttered open. “The sound of your breathing. It’s deeper and more rhythmic when you’re asleep.”
“Can’t get anything by you,” she said and then kissed him.
“Hmm,” he murmured and then grabbed her around the waist, twisting them so that she was beneath him.
Grinning up at him, she said, “Now what?”
“Remember what we did last night?” He pumped his eyebrows suggestively.
“Did something happen last night?” she asked innocently.
“Yes. And it’s about to happen again,” he said with a growl before he bent his head and nipped at her neck.
“A girl could get used to this,” she said with a happy sigh, but then she groaned a moment later when her phone started to ring.
“Don’t answer it,” Jackson said, his hands moving down her sides as he dropped open-mouth kisses on the swell of her breast.
“I have to.” She grabbed her phone that was sitting on the nightstand. “It could be Marilyn or—” Felicity let out a gasp. “Stop. It’s Doris.”
“The lady at the assessor’s office?” Jackson asked.
“Yes.” She rolled out from underneath Jackson and answered the call. “Doris? Do you have something for me?”
“Yes, dear. I found the paperwork you’re looking for. I have copies waiting for you.”
“Perfect!” Felicity said. “We’ll be right down.” She ended the call and hopped out of bed, letting out a hiss when the cold air hit her bare skin. Still, she glanced at Jackson. “Come on. Put your pants on. Doris has the goods.”
He followed her out of the bed. Ten minutes later, they were dressed, in the Jeep, and headed toward the courthouse.
“Coffee?” Jackson asked as they got close to the drive-thru coffee trailer that was painted like the Polar Express.
“Already headed that way,” she said, flashing him a tired smile. “Someone kept me up way past my bedtime. I’m pretty sure the only way I’m making it through this day is with copious amounts of caffeine.”
“Regrets?” he asked.
Felicity looked over at him, her heart full as she said, “Not one.”
His face lit up with a sweet smile as he reached over and placed his hand on her leg. “Me neither.”