Broken (Breaking the Rules) (27 page)

The kiss lasted a few moments, and I could see Pepper melting in his grasp. But suddenly, her body tensed and she jerked away from him. Her hand flew towards him, slapping him hard across the cheek. Jackson and I gasped.

Jordan reached for her hand but she yanked it away, bolting out the front door. What the hell had just happened? Angrily, Jordan turned on his feet and stalked back into the kitchen.

“That girl is impossible,” he huffed as he heaved himself back into his chair.

We all sat quietly for a moment before George changed the subject and started talking about the Elton John concert that was supposed to be coming to Central Park soon.

Jordan’s jaw clenched and unclenched continuously. I couldn’t believe Pepper was so against dating him. When I got home, I was going to drill her on why she was being so difficult.

JACKSON’S DARK DAYS…

“Your father was a part of some less than legal business dealings. There may even have been some shell companies involved. Now that he’s passed on, one of the men he did some business with is demanding to know where his cut is. The man, Lou Jennings, is quite influential so we have to tread lightly with this. It won’t sit well for him if we just ignore it. He wants to settle but it will be pricey. Two other smaller companies have also come forward with allegations against Compton Enterprises. They are all willing to avoid a lawsuit if you pay the money this company supposedly owes them. We can try and fight them all in court, but I fear it will just open up a huge can of worms this company can’t afford to deal with,” our company attorney Joel Dickson tell us.

Jordan is visibly pissed. He’s lives and breathes this company, so this not only shocks him but it angers him as well. Dad just keeps fucking with us, even from the grave.

“So what you’re telling us is that we need to pay out or potentially have our company ruined with lawsuits?” he growls at Joel.

Unfazed, Joel nods his head. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Unfortunately, Richard left you guys with a huge mess. I don’t know what all exactly he was involved in, but this could potentially ruin the company if you don’t cooperate. Mr. Jennings has a lot of money and could make your lives a living hell.”

I rub my face with my hands. Finally, Jordan slams his pen down on the table. “Set up the meeting, Joel. We’ll try to negotiate something with this asshole. I’m ready to fucking move on. This is our company now, and we run things differently.”

Jackson had his laptop perched on the arm of the sofa as he answered messages on his site. My head rested in his lap while I read the first book in the series. It turned out to be better than the movie and I was having trouble putting it down. He brought a hand down to my hair and gently stroked it. This moment was serene and blissful.

When his phone rang, he dug it out of his pocket.

“Hey, Jordie. What’s up?” he chirped.

Yelling could be heard through the phone. Jackson tensed and sat up. I lifted off of him and tried to hear what was going on that had him a bundle of nerves. He glanced at me and flew off of the couch and toward his bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

Whatever they were speaking about had him pissed. I could hear him yelling back at Jordan. My stomach did flip-flops because he had reverted back to Cold Jackson when he jumped from the couch. I could feel the knife in the wound Dr. Sweeney had spoken about. Blinking back some tears, I tried to read some more of my book.

Finally after a few quiet moments, I decided to check on Jackson. I opened the door and found him sitting on the bed, running his hand through his hair. It appeared he was still on the phone but was just listening to Jordan. I started backing away to give him privacy. His cold eyes met mine and he glared at me.

“What the fuck, Andi? I came in here to speak privately to Jordan. You’re being a fucking snoop!” He stormed toward me and I backed away from him, hating the look in his eyes. The door slammed in my face and my heart.

Tears began falling down my face as I shakily grabbed my book and purse. I slipped out the front door and ran to the elevator. Once downstairs, I bolted down the street and hailed a cab. On the cab ride back to my apartment, I cried hysterically in the back seat. The cab driver, being from New York and having seen it all, didn’t even flinch or look my way in concern.

Why was Jackson shutting me out again? I had thought we were past all of this. I knew his secrets now, so why in the hell was he doing this to me again?

Once I was back in my apartment, I sighed, relieved that Pepper and Olive weren’t there. I wanted some time alone. Slipping into my bedroom, I set my stuff down and closed the door. I walked over to my bed and sat down.

Seeing my camera, I reached over and began scanning though the pictures. The first one was of me. My mouth was parted and my nipple peeked above the top of the sheet. I actually did look beautiful and happy there. A tear raced down my cheek. The next few were of me laughing. When I got to the next one, my stomach ached.

Jackson was looking at me, grinning. His barriers were down and he was mine in this picture. This was the Jackson I knew. Cold Jackson was an ass, but I missed him too. The next couple of pictures were of him sleeping, and he was amazingly beautiful. Why did he insist on pushing me away?

Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks. I was crying loudly when my bedroom door burst open, revealing my beautiful, angry Jackson. He stormed over to me and pulled me from the bed into his arms.

“I’m so sorry, Andi. All I do is fuck up with you! Jordan snapped me out of the zone I was in by hanging up on me after I yelled at you. It all came crashing over me. I was such a jackass to you. This is why I don’t deserve you. I mess up too much. When you were gone, my heart fucking shattered to bits. I can’t live without you, Andi,” he revealed, squeezing me to him.

I didn’t answer him. I just continued to cry into his chest.

“I didn’t mean to shut you out. I’m still learning here. The company is going through some serious shit right now. We might get sued by several different companies. If we don’t settle particularly with this asshole, Lou Jennings, our company is in major jeopardy. He wants a ridiculous amount of money. If we give pay him what he feels he’s owed, it will put us in a huge financial problem. It’s a complicated mess and we’re stressed to the max about it. I’m so, so sorry that I pushed you away instead of allowing you to be there with me for it.”

His confession warmed my soul even though I felt bad about what he was going through. He did love me but still had a hard time opening up. We could work through this.

“I love you, Jackson. More than anything, I need you to be open with me. Don’t shut me out. I want to be here for you through the good and the bad.”

“God, Andi. I love you so much. Promise me you won’t leave me again. Next time, just punch me in the gut because I’ll deserve it.”

“How about I make up for lost time?” I teased and punched him hard in the stomach. Must not have been too hard because his laughter boomed through the room. It was music to my ears.

I stood on my toes and kissed him, forgiving him once again. I’d always forgive this man. And as we fell to the bed in each other’s arms, kissing wildly, we spent the rest of the afternoon making perfectly imperfect love.

Jackson—A few weeks later

“Andi, I have to show you something,” I called to her from my office. She slipped into my office, closing the door behind her and locking it. Her sexy, long legs were shooting out from underneath her short suit skirt. My gaze skittered up her legs. Her perky breasts were peeking their tops out of her camisole under her jacket. My eyes landed there and I had trouble bringing them up to hers.

When they finally made it to her face, I see that she was grinning at me and my heart swelled. This funny, smart, gorgeous woman belonged to me. I smiled back at her and motioned her over.

“What is it, Mr. Compton? Make any new Harry Potter memes I need to see?” She was so fucking hot when she sassed me.

“Get over here, smartass,” I growled at her.