Authors: Ella Celestine
Chapter Six
Cassie walked into the dining room, looked around at the dinner laid out for them. Two plates sat on opposite sides of the dining room table, a bottle of wine sat in its ice bucket, and in the middle of the table she eyed the most delicious, mouth-watering steaks she’d ever seen. A large bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy sat steaming in their bowl, buttery, French-cut green beans, and bowl of fresh green salad lay in wait. Her taste buds went into cardiac arrest.
“Wow, I was expecting bacon cheeseburgers and French fries at Lucky Jack’s. Boy, was I wrong.” She said in awe as she looked at him curiously.
“Not for a first date, I had to pull out all the stops, make it special.” Jackson answered, smiling at her. He proceeded to pull out her chair for her and pour some wine in her glass before being seated himself.
“Jackson, this looks amazing, and smells wonderful. I can’t wait to dig in.” Cassie said reaching for the potatoes and gravy.
“Nothing’s too good for you, it’s what you deserve.” Realizing he was getting worked up again, he proceeded with, “Enjoy!”
As Cassie sat enjoying her meal, giggling when appropriate, and making small talk she wondered where this might lead. A dinner date at Jackson’s house, just the two of them with no interruptions, and a bottle of wine she was pretty sure where she wanted this to go. She’d wanted it to go there for the last few weeks, the possibilities were present, but the right time never was.
Until tonight. Cassie knew she must be crazy thinking that way, but she couldn’t help herself. No red- blooded American woman could, but there was that little problem of her virginity. What if he didn’t want to ruin her good name? What if he didn’t want to for fear of hurting her? What if…? Maybe, if anything were to happen, she’d tell him so he wasn’t surprised when he found out.
Yes, that’s what she’d do, she’d tell him first so he didn’t freak out about it. She’d had boyfriends before, she just didn’t think they were good enough for that, most of them were jerks that wanted her to put out just so they could say she did. Pigs. But Jackson wasn’t like that, she didn’t know how she knew, but she did. And she was falling for him, hard. She must have looked troubled to Jackson as he interrupted her thoughts.
“Cassie? Cassie? Are you okay? Jackson asked, obviously noticing something had changed in her.
She shook her head, banishing her doubts immediately.
“No, I’m sorry, I zoned for a minute, and I’m sorry what were you saying?”
“Did you want more wine? Or some dessert?” Jackson asked.
“Lord no, I couldn’t eat another bite. I’ll pass on the wine, don’t want to get too silly on you. That was wonderful, and so delicious. Thank you.” She answered, truthfully.
“You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Let me get these dishes in the kitchen and we’ll retire to the living room to relax. Sound good?”
Jackson didn’t wait for an answer before starting to clear off the table.
“Grab a couple of soda’s out of the fridge for us would you Cassie? I’ll be done in minute, and join you on the couch.” He said while removing the rest of the dishes from the table.
She walked over to the fridge, grabbed two cans of mountain dew and headed into the living room to get comfortable on the black leather couch. Sitting down she looked around the room, it had a definite masculine feel to it, and it smelled like leather and wood. A stone fire place sat on one side of the room, and a big screen TV sat in the middle. There was a beautiful black and white area rug covering one part of the hardwood floor with two modern, cast iron end tables at each end of the couch. An owl lamp sat in the middle of each.
Jackson entered the living room a few minutes later, looking so tasty she couldn’t think, the hormones were certainly making their presence known. His black long sleeve shirt fit him like a glove, tucked into his dark blue jeans that also fit like a glove. If she could, she’d jump him right there and not look back. This was going to be a long night she sighed inwardly.
Chapter Seven
Jackson finished up in the kitchen, then headed to the living room to sit and relax, maybe even cuddle with Cassie. As soon as he turned the corner to enter, her beautiful mouth opened and he almost tripped over his feet.
“I’m a virgin.” She said, easily, and clearly.
Stunned, he stopped dead in his tracks. He couldn’t have heard her right, not possible. No, he was hearing things, too much wine, but if that were the case why did his body suddenly come alive with aching need? And the need to run?
“Wait…what?..I…umm, sorry. What?” Coherent thought was lost on him, and his twitching manhood wasn’t helping.
“I said that I am a virgin. I know I just blurted it out, but I really like you and by like I mean like, like. Actually, I’m falling in love with you and didn’t know of a better way to say it then just come out with it. I’m sorry, I should have waited for a better time to tell you but I was afraid if I waited too long and something happened, not that I expect something to happen, but just in case…..” Cassie rambled, before getting cut off.
As she tried to continue, his feet moved him forward, he crossed the room, grabbed her up off the couch, and kissed her passionately cutting off whatever else she was going to say. Her response was immediate as she wrapped her arms around him. Jackson deepened the kiss tasting the sweetness of her warm mouth, and the passion he had dreamed of radiating deep into his bones. With a desperate groan he pulled away looking into amber eyes filled with desire, he hadn’t felt in so long.
Weak kneed and breathing heavy, Jackson pulled her into his lap sitting down on the couch.
Staring down at him Cassie smiled, “Well, that’s one way to shut me up.”
“Seemed like the right way to do it. Are you serious? You’ve never been with a man?” Jackson asked, truly surprised because she was one of the most beautiful, sexy women he’d ever had the pleasure of meeting.
“Yes, I am. Sure, I’ve had boyfriends, but because I wouldn’t have sex with them, they ended up being ex-boyfriends. The last break-up was one of the reasons I ended up here, I wanted to get away from where I was and what the life wasn’t giving me.” She shrugged when answering.
“Come on, let’s go find that last ex and let me shake his hand for landing you right here in my lap, literally.” Jackson teased, lightly kissing her hands.
Cassie smiled then bent down to land a feathery kiss on moist lips. Smiling, she looked down and asked, “Is that for me, or did you really stuff a banana in your pants?”
“That has been for you now for the last several weeks. I’ve lost track of the last time I walked around without that. Thank you so much for that.” Jackson stressed, pulling her head down, kissing her once more, before softly laying her down on the couch, his full hardness against her softness.
“I want to stop myself, and woo you for a little longer, but can’t seem to make my body listen to rational thought. I don’t want to scare you away, but I don’t want to take what you’re really not ready to give. And I don’t want to hurt you.” Jackson whispered before kissing her again.
“Jackson Pierce, if I didn’t want to give, I wouldn’t be in this position in the first place. I love you, hopelessly, and against all odds. I’ve wanted to make love to you for weeks now, but wasn’t sure how far you wanted to go. You are the one I want to share this with, no one else.” Cassie responded caringly.
With her response, Jackson took her by the hand, pulled her up from the couch, and led her to the bedroom ready to treat her the way someone so special needed to be treated.
Chapter Eight
Smiling. Cassie knew she was smiling. She never woke up smiling this much, every time she’d try to stop, she’d smile again. My face is going to get stuck this way, Mom was right! She thought quietly as she rolled over to come face to face with dark hair, closed black eyelashes, full lips, and a five o'clock shadow. A naked Jackson lay next to her, softly snoring with a sheet covering from the waist down. And she smiled again.
Brushing some of his hair back off his chiseled face, she spoke quietly but knew he’d hear her. “Wake up sleepyhead, sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day.”
With a slight grunt, eyelashes fluttered and sleepy blue eyes stared back at her.
“Hmm, Good Morning gorgeous.” He pulled her head down for a morning kiss.
Eying the tent forming under the sheet, she asked simply, “Another banana for me?”
“Aren’t you sore? We did play a few times last night, are you sure you’re ready so soon?” Jackson asked, concern visible in his eyes.
“Uh uh, not sore really, just stiff from laying on your hard bed all night. You could make it all better.” Cassie purred, running a hand over the now fully formed tent.
“Why you little minx, I do believe I’ve created a monster. A tempting, sexy, gorgeous monster.” Jackson chuckled.
Nothing else needed to be said as she crawled under the covers.
An annoying trilling noise awakened Jackson a little while later, after they’d made love again, and nodded back off for a nap. Through the sluggish fog lingering in his brain, he realized the trilling was the phone ringing non-stop, waking Cassie up as well.
“Hello?” His tired voice asked into the phone, eyeing Cassie.
“Jackson? I’m sorry to wake you, but there’s some asshole frat looking guy here at the bar asking for ‘Cassandra’. Can I shoot him?” Chrissy’s voice came across the line, clearly frustrated, and ready to shoot first ask questions later.
“Did he say who he was?” Jackson asked, throwing off the bed covers, already knowing the answer while hunting for his pants.
“He said, and I quote, ‘she’ll know who it is, she owes me $400.00 for new tires. Just tell me where she is’. The cocky little bastard is going to get $400.00 taken out of his ass if you don’t get here soon.” Chrissy answered, madder than a wet hen.
“We’ll be there in a few. Don’t shoot him please.” Jackson hung up the phone watching Cassie as she was getting out from under the covers, enticingly naked. He shook himself, there were other matters to tend to right now.
“Apparently, someone thinks you own them $400.00 for new tires?” He asked her as he put on his jeans, sure this would be an interesting story to hear.
“That little weasel! How’d he find me?” Cassie answered, already knowing the answer, her damn cell phone’s GPS, ‘Jezebel’ number two.
Jackson laughed, picturing the scene at the bar when they got there, she was going to eat that boy alive if Chrissy didn’t beat her to it.
“Let’s go tiger, you’ve got some shplainin’ to do Lucy.” He shook his head as they headed downstairs.
Chapter Nine
The conversation inside Lucky Jacks was about to take on a whole new meaning, when Jackson entered hearing Chrissy’s angry voice, he pictured her having enough and pulling out the shotgun they kept under the bar for unruly people. They hadn’t had to use it, but that could change any moment. He decided he’d better intercede quickly.
“Look you little creep, they’re on the way, now sit your ass back down before I have you forcefully removed with my boot up your tight ass!”
A few of the regulars were standing next to their tables ready to pounce on the little rich boy if things got too out of hand, that kid wouldn’t have a chance.
“Alright, that’s enough. Is there something I can help you with?” Jackson spoke with authority in his voice. The kid standing at the bar with his back to him was all of 5’6”, and 120 lbs. soak and wet. Compared to his own 6’1”, 190 lbs. muscular, frame, the kid looked fragile but determined.
Jackson watched as Brad turned around ready to berate him as well, then stopped, looked up and visibly paled. “Oh..Uh..I..was uh…looking for Cass…andra.” He finally managed and seemed to shrink into himself, gone was the attitude he had just blasted Chrissy with.
“So I’ve heard. Cassie is outside, on her way in. Something I can help you with?” Jackson asked again, moving forward. The rest of the customers sat back down now that the alpha male had arrived.
Cassie walked in a moment later, “What are you doing here jerk? Lose track of your pride or forget which direction you were driving?” She asked Brad, crossing her arms over her waist.
“No, smartass, looking for my money. You owe me for my tires.” His bravado had returned, but only for a moment, when he looked at Jackson again and backed up.
“I don’t owe you jack shit Brad, go back to your mommy and daddy’s house before you get hurt here. I don’t want your blood on my hands, save that for the ‘little woman’ when you get home. And while you’re at it, kiss my ass.” Cassie stared coldly at him.
“But you wrecked my tires, you owe me.” He said, a little less macho now.
“You have no proof, and no reason to bother me anymore. As I recall, we’re done. You made your choice, and now I’ve made mine, and I choose not to owe you anything, anymore. Goodbye Brad.” Cassie said, finality apparent in her voice. This conversation was over and so was her old life, time for her and Jackson to move on with each other, and no one else.
“I believe you heard the lady Brad. Goodbye, but for your trouble, and the hypothetical money she owes you, I’ll let you leave quietly and in one piece. You’d like that wouldn’t you, Brad.” Jackson stood to his full height, sarcastically, and not to be mistaken on his intent.
Looking back and forth between them, then seemed to err on the side of caution, and leave. “Goodbye then Cassie, enjoy your new life.”
“Thank you, I will.”
Brad exited the bar, when Jackson walked to Cassie’s side, and put his arm around her waist. “Let’s eat, I’m famished, need some fuel for later.” That last part for her ears only. She smiled.