Chapter 30
Francesca
The following weeks were crazy. I was busy helping my mom plan the Almost Christmas festival. We were leaking bits and pieces on social media, and it was really taking off. We had a ton of people inquiring about available hotels and restaurants. Reservations were booked throughout the town.
We went to another PR event. This one much quieter than the last one that Nick almost ruined. Speaking of Nick, we hadn’t heard a word from him. It was like he just gave up. But I knew better. He was biding time. And it made me nervous.
I was going through some more of Jackson's contracts, still not happy with what his agent Tony was doing. I decided I had to tell him, whether he listened or not was his own business. It wasn’t my money Tony was taking but I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t at least give Jackson a warning.
I was having dinner for everyone at my house tonight. Just a bunch of pizzas and hanging out watching the fight that was being broadcast on pay per view. They were all coming around seven, but I knew Jackson would be here sooner, right from practice.
I was still nervous about how we portrayed our relationship.
Britt knew we weren’t faking anymore. I think Billy had some kind of weird thought process about it too, if the baby girl comment is anything to go on.
I wanted to ask Jackson about it, but I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable either.
I can’t imagine those two would talk, and if they did, Jackson wouldn’t divulge any intimate details.
Adam only questioned me that one time, but he’s been making it a point to be around more.
I think he’s lonely. He still hasn’t heard from Chelsea except a text to say she was staying with her mom a little longer as her mom had been sick.
When I originally text her, she told me she was with her sister.
When I reached out to her this last time, I got the same story as Adam.
“Chesty!” Jackson calls out as he walks in the back door.
Rolling my eyes at his stupid nickname. “In here!,” I call from my makeshift office. It was my dining room table but since I never eat at the table, I set up a workstation.
He strolls over, smelling fresh from the shower and leans down giving me a kiss. “I missed you.”
“You saw me this morning! It’s been like eight hours.”
“So? I’m greedy. I want all your time,” he says.
I love when he doesn’t hold back. It’s what I asked for. I asked that he always tell me what he’s thinking and feeling, that there is no holding back anymore. So, I need to believe him when he says sweet things like this.
“Whatcha doing?” He grabs a chair and pulls it close, looking at my computer screen. “Is that my sneaker contract?”
I swallow nervously. It was now or never. “Yea, I uh, I actually wanted to talk to you about this one. And the other sports drink contract you have.” I had skimmed over the other three endorsements he has, all giving me the same conclusion that Tony was screwing him.
There was something about that guy. He was sneaky. I didn’t like some of the comments he’s dropped when we’d talk. Or when I’d hear him on the phone with Jackson. But he had been with him since the beginning, so I needed to tread carefully.
“Yeah? What’s with them?”
I clear my throat again. Jesus, Chess, just spit it out. “So, I think you could do better on both. Um, from what I’m reading, it looks like, if this is the most recent contract, do you, I mean, maybe Tony didn’t send me the most updated one?” I look at him and he’s smirking.
“Just say what you’re trying to say, Francesca, I trust you. Are they not good?”
I let out a small breath. “Well, they could be better.” He’s watching me so I turn back to the contract.
“It doesn’t look like Tony negotiated anything new with them from last year, but his cut went up a few points.
” I glance back at Jackson; his brow is furrowed and he’s trying to read the screen now.
I keep going. “The sports drink, I know it’s an up-and-coming company so your take will be small to start, but Tony still took a higher percentage than even the sneaker contract.
” He’s still skimming so I keep going. “It just doesn’t make sense to take such a big cut on a brand-new deal.
And since you’re not actually a current player, Tonys cut should be less than those actively contracted with the NFL.
” I’m so afraid I’m stepping on toes. Jackson still hasn’t said anything.
“I’m sorry, I just, if I didn’t say anything, it wouldn’t be right.
It’s your money, your deals, you decide how you want to carry them out. ”
He finally turns and looks at me. “Chess, thank you. Seriously, thank you for looking these over. I’m glad you said something, it’s why I agreed to have you look at them.
” His eyes drop though, and he goes back to trying to read the contract.
“Guess I should have looked at these two instead of going in blind.”
“Maybe it’s just an oversight. Maybe Tony had another player on his mind at the time.
” I start to drift, still trying to give Tony the benefit of the doubt, but I know that’s not it.
Tony is stealing from him. Whether Jackson signed off or not, he wasn’t given full disclosure and that’s taking advantage of the situation. And it’s not right.
Jackson stands. I’m so afraid he’s going to walk out. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to upset you.”
“Chess. It’s fine. I already said that. I’ll call Tony in the morning and see what’s going on.”
I close my laptop and stand with him, circling my hands round his waist. “If you need me to do anything, just tell me.” He has a faraway look on his face, but when I squeeze him a little tighter, a devilish grin replaces his frown and his eyes came alive, connecting with mine.
“Anything?” He leans down, sweeping his lips across mine, then runs his tongue over my bottom lip. My body lights up with fireworks. This man could never not make me feel on fire.
“Anything,” I whisper and stand toe to toe with him. “All these promises, innuendos... and no action.” I shrug and turn; he grabs my arm and spins me back and I laugh until I see the heated look in his eyes.
“Come here.” He pulls me down the hall and spins me into my laundry room, shutting the door with speed and has me against it so fast I’m not sure what happened.
Then his lips find mine and I melt. I actually melt against him, my body molds to his as he cups my face, his long fingers wrapping around my neck.
His left-hand slides down, over my collar bone, my shoulder, down my arm and grasps my hand as his other hand slides to the base of my neck, his palm resting on the hollow of my throat as his fingers spread again around my neck this time.
He pulls away and I follow, our eyes lock.
“I’ve been waiting all day to do this,” his fingers gently pulsing around my neck. His thumb stroking my own pulse point.
“I’ve wanted you to do that all day,” I say breathlessly.
He’s still staring at me as his hand slides from my neck and down between my breasts where he stills. His brow raises ever so slightly. And I have trouble catching my breath. Our other hands are still joined intimately with tangled fingers.
“Our siblings are going to be here soon. Your sister is going to come looking for us.”
“No, she won’t. And if she does and doesn’t find us, she’ll know not to keep looking.” He lets his hand drop another inch and to the right slowly cupping my breast running his thumb along the underside. I close my eyes and my head hits the door behind me. “Jackson.”
He pushes his hips into mine and I moan.
“Woman. You’re killing me. I can’t think of anything but you.”
I reach out my free hand and find his hip and pull him against me harder, rocking my hips.
“What kind of thoughts?” I have a small grin, as I look up at him, his eyes hooded.
He growls. And it’s my undoing. I kiss and nip at his jaw as his head hangs close to my neck, breathing hot in my ear he says, “I’ve thought about your perfect tits.” He squeezes my breast again and I gasp.
“How pink your nipples are and how hard I can get them with one, slow lick.”
He licks the side of my neck, my pulse beating out of control.
“I’ve thought about opening you wide to me and inhaling the scent I can’t get out of my mind.” He drags his hand down my ribs, over my hips and around to the top of my thigh, where he squeezes again. Our other hands are still tangled; he’s killing me with one hand only.
“I’ve thought of you on top, riding my cock, rubbing your clit while you call my name.”
I moan loudly, as he runs his fingers up under my skirt.
“Thank you,” he says.
“For what?” I barely get the words out.
“For wearing this skirt.” He bites my neck and slides his fingers across my swollen lips, seeking my slit and running his hand across my panties which are embarrassingly wet. What this man does to me.
“You’re soaked and I’ve barely touched you.”
I try to widen my legs and with our joined hands he reaches under my thigh and hikes my leg onto his waist opening me, pressing into me and tapping my clit once again. With my hand stuck under his and my thigh, he’s got me holding my own self open to him.
“Oh god... Jackson.”
“Tell me to stop Chess.”
“Don’t stop,” I say so quickly and rather forcibly, I can’t believe how desperate I sound.
He rumbles a deep erotic laugh and says, “I’ll never stop.”
He rubs the spot now, varying with intensity, driving me over the edge, grinding his hips into me so that I feel his hard cock against my stomach as he leans down and gently bites where my shoulder meets my neck.
And with his two fingers he squeezes my clit between them and says, “Come. Now.”
I’m gone.
I grab his arm with my free hand and cry out. He covers my cry with a kiss, his tongue swirling with mine as I still cry out and vibrate against him. He slowly lowers my leg to the ground and wraps his hands around my waist holding me up. I lean into him, weak.