Salvation and Secrets (18 page)

My eyes squinted into the void surrounding us. I could just make out the sea’s edge and the gentle waves lapping at the shore. The landscape in front and to the side of us started to change. Rocks rose up out of the sand creating a maze that Jackson navigated with ease, and I wondered if he had a sixth sense; the ability to see in the dark, like night vision.

I stumbled behind him as we weaved in and out of rocky structures, and then Jackson paused. “Here.” He turned to face me, his profile highlighted by the moonlit shining down on us. “This used to be one of my favorite places as a kid.”

Taking a few steps back, Jackson disappeared into one of the huge rocks and I hissed, irrational panic spreading through me. "Jackson. Jackson."

"In here." His voice echoed and I stepped forward into the black hole.

His arms caught me, wrapping around me and drawing me close. I closed my eyes, relieved to feel him. My face nestled into his firm chest and I let my breath even out.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Open your eyes."

He turned me in his arms so that my back was to his chest and slowly I opened my eyes. And gasped.

"Wow, it's beautiful." I stared at the sight before me. Light seeped through an opening at the top of the cave reflecting off the damp walls, creating a silvery light that illuminated the cave.

"Dad used to bring me here at night. We would camp out, make bonfires, tell ghost stories. I loved it here."

Untangling me from his arms, Jackson yanked his jacket off and laid it on the soft ground. "Come here," he said, after sitting down in his jacket, leaning back against the glowing wall.

I dropped down and wriggled back into his parted legs, letting him hook his arms around me, pulling me back.

"Do you miss him?"

Jackson's chest heaved against my back. "Every damn day. I always thought that with every year that passed, I'd forget him. Forget his face or the way he smelled. But I remember him like it was yesterday."

His hands dipped under my sweater and rested against my flat stomach, burning into me. Igniting my whole body. And I almost forgot the bitter temperature.

We'd both experienced so much loss. Maybe that was part of our connection; the magnetic pull between us. We understood loss; we lived it every day.

"What was it like growing up with them?" For as much as I hated them, I wanted to know. I wanted to understand.

Jackson shifted behind me and started brushing his fingers across my skin. "Okay, I guess. When Aunt Marie was alive, she made things as normal as possible." Sweeping my hair to one side, he pressed a kiss to my shoulder. "I don't know how she did. Put up with all the crap."

"What happened to her?"

"Cancer. She died when we were thirteen. Braiden didn't handle it well. He changed. He was always a bully, but he became even more ruthless. Like she was his conscience and when she died it went with her. It was a tough year."

I didn't want to feel sympathy for them, but no one child should ever outlive their parents. I knew firsthand.

"I'm sorry."

Jackson brought his chin to rest on my shoulder. "It's in the past. She would have loved you, though."

His voice didn't disguise the emotion there. The memories. And just for a second, I wondered how he really felt about cutting ties with them. They were his family—all he'd known since he was just a young boy.

"I know what you're thinking. Don't, Ana. Things between Braiden and me have been strained for some time. Even since before I laid eyes on you. The girl who arrived in a yellow cab with one bag." He smiled against my neck.

"I remained loyal to my family because they are that, my family. Dad worshiped Marcus. Looked up to him like a brother. After Mom had died, Marcus was there every step of the way, helping Dad pick up the pieces. He might not have wanted this life for me, but he would have never walked away, never betrayed Marcus. So how could I? After everything he’s done for me?

“But hearing those gunshots ring out at the game. Fuck. It spun my whole world. My first thought wasn't Braiden or Briony or Uncle Marcus. It was you, Ana. You."

Silence surrounded us, but my ears filled with the sound of my own heart racing.

"You're not just some crush or phase. You. Are. It. My salvation."

Without thinking, I twisted onto my knees and slammed my lips onto Jackson's. He caught me, laying back, covering his body with mine. Our tongues swirled together and my mind fogged with desire. I wanted him more than I ever had.

Jackson's hand skimmed my waist up to the curve of my breast and I gasped into his mouth as he brushed his thumb over my nipple. He rolled us in the sand with ease so that he was positioned above me, staring down at me with such affection in his eyes that my cheeks flushed. His lips feathered mine before he knelt back and unbuckled his jeans.

“Scoot onto my jacket.”

I cocked an eyebrow at him and watched his lips curl into a knowing smirk.

“Do you trust me?”

I nodded. I trusted him implicitly. Shuffling back onto his jacket, I leaned into the sand. Jackson yanked off my sneakers and traced his hands up my legs to my thighs and zipper. The cold air collided with my bare skin as he peeled down my jeans and I shivered. But the feeling didn’t last long. Jackson’s fingers skimmed over my panties and heat spread through me, growing into a fire as he slid away the material and slipped inside me.

The sensation was overwhelming; the cold air biting into my skin mixed with the warmth of Jackson’s fingers moving deep inside, and I moaned into the air.

“Shh, Ana.” He chuckled, gazing at me like I was everything to him. I reached out for him, gliding my hand across his half opened jeans. He sucked in a sharp breath. “I need you so much.” His words were breathy, taking me over the edge, ripples of pleasure crashing through me.

Somewhere in my blissful state, I heard a wrapper tearing and then Jackson was pushing inside me, his lips covering mine and stealing my ragged breath.

Chapter 20

~JACKSON~

Ana looked so peaceful, lying in the curve of my arm, her nose squished against my shoulder. She had me grinning like the damn Cheshire cat. Even with all the shit waiting for us back at Chastity Falls, being here…with her, made everything seem right. If only I’d realized she was all I needed a year ago, maybe things would be different now.

I wrapped my arm tighter, hugging her to me, breathing her in. After returning from the bonfire at the beach, we climbed into bed and drifted right to sleep. She had rocked my world, trusting me enough to let me love her in the cave. It was one of the best fucking moments of my life. And now here she was, curled up next to me on Christmas morning in one of my other favorite places.

“How long have you been watching me?” Ana smiled, keeping her eyes shut tight.

Placing a kiss on her nose, I replied, “Long enough. Merry Christmas, Ana.”

“…ry Christmas,” she yawned moving her lips to mine and kissing me deeply.

My dick stirred and all I wanted to do was drag her on top of me and make her feel again, but Otis and Velma were old school and I had more respect for them than that.

I tapped a hand to her ass. “Time to get up.”

“Hmm, do we have to? I like it in here.” Her nose brushed against my arm leaving a trail of tingles.

“Up. Now.” My voice chuckled as I pulled my arm out from under her and left the bed, collecting my shirt off the floor and yanking it over my head while Ana grumbled behind me. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

Padding down the hallway, I heard Otis’ gruff voice in the kitchen. He never was a morning person.

“Merry Christmas, Jax, honey. Where’s that pretty girl of yours?” V breezed around the kitchen, preparing coffee and breakfast. Her energy never diminished and she always had a smile.

I hooked my arm around her as she passed me and hugged her. “Merry Christmas, V. Thank you for having us, it means a lot.”

“Shh, boy. Our home is yours. Always has been. Always will be. But you and I will be talking about things later.” Her eyes narrowed at me, and I knew what they were saying.

She wanted to know exactly what was going on with Braiden and the Donohues.

“Now sit and eat.”

V wasn’t a lady you argued with, so I obeyed, dropping into one of the wooden chairs. I hadn’t spent Christmas Day here since Dad was alive, and the memories almost choked me as I took a bite of pancake.

“Morning.”

Even her voice sent my body into overdrive, and when my eyes connected with Ana’s as she stood in the doorway, my heart swelled. She looked beautiful, standing there in her skinny jeans and an oversized sweater. My eyes swept down her delicate figure, landing on the huge fluffy sock things on her feet.

“What the hell are those?” Laughter bubbled up and I shook my head as her cheeks pinked.

“They’re socks. It’s cold.”

I extended my arm, beckoning her to me, and she stalked toward me. “They are not socks; you have a sheep on your feet.”

V and Otis’ laughter rang out around us, and I cursed, forgetting we had company. But that was how much she affected me—everything else paled in comparison whenever Ana was near.

“Sit, sit, Ana. Tuck in, honey. This food won’t eat itself.”

Ana took the seat next to me and loaded her plate with bacon and pancakes. “This looks amazing, thank you.”

“It was nothing. Jackson, honey, I need to run a basket over to Mrs. Gunnings. It’s her first year alone, and I don’t want her starving. You can take me after we get cleaned up?”

Yes, ma’am.
I smiled, nodding, taking another mouthful of food.

“Can I help with anything, Velma?”

V made a disapproving clicking sound in her throat. “You will not. Ana, girl, you’re our guest.”

Ana ducked her head, blushing. She was so fucking cute, and I reached out and laid my hand on hers, squeezing gently. “You’ll be okay while I run V into town?”

Her eyes darted to Otis and back again. “Hmm, sure. I can shower and finish unpacking. I need to call Aunt Betsy, too.”

“I’ll keep her company. Don’t you worry, boy.” Otis huffed from his chair.

After we had finished breakfast, I led Ana back to our room, closing the door behind us. “I have something for you. Sit.”

Searching through my bag, my hand found the small blue box. I kneeled down in front of her and she gasped.

And then I realized.

“Shit. It’s not what you think.” My heart pounded in my chest, so hard I felt a little winded.

Ana smiled, shaking her head at me acting all crazy.

“Merry Christmas, Ana. I’m so glad you’re here with me.” I placed the box in her hand and closed her fingers around it.

Opening the box carefully, Ana’s eyes widened and I swear I saw a tear form.

“This… wow, this is too much.”

“Here, let me." I carefully picked out the silver ring and bent out Ana's middle finger, sliding the ring down. "See. Perfect."

She stared down at the ring, her eyes glistening. "It’s so beautiful, and it matches my bracelet."

It did. The plain band split into two separate coils, winding around each other and merging back into one on the other side. I had been in Portland running an errand for Uncle Marcus when I spotted in the window. It was perfect, infinite. Because this time I wasn't leaving her. This time we were in it together, and if I had my way, it would be for a long fucking time.

Jumping up like she was startled, Ana hurried to her bag. “I have something for you, too. I hope you like it.” Her voice trailed off. She was too cute, all flustered and embarrassed.

I moved to sit on the edge of the bed, welcoming her into my arms, pulling her down to perch on my knee. Her hands fumbled with the small bag as she rooted for its contents, and she handed me the small parcel wrapped in simple brown paper. My heart lodged in my throat. It wasn’t that I was unused to receiving gifts—Braiden, Briony, and Marcus flaunted their money all the time—but this was different. It could have contained a bag of Hershey’s for all I cared, but the fact that she had picked something out for me made me feel something deep down in my gut.

“Well, open it.” Ana smiled and I tore into the paper.

My eyes fell on the silver chain. And then widened. Attached to the chain were two dog tags inscribed with something.
JMP,
my initials were etched into the first tag, and on the second was the town’s crest. The winged leaf.

I could feel Ana’s eye on me, waiting for me to say something. But I was too choked up. It was like she had packaged up her absolute acceptance of me, of my history, and handed it to me on a silver platter.

My hands were trembling as I slipped the chain over my neck. I reached over, buried them in her hair, and brought her lips to mine. Ana moaned softly into my mouth as I held onto her tightly, trying to tell her how much this meant to me.

She broke away from me and palmed my cheek. “Is that your way of telling me that you like it?”

My lips curled up in a grin. “I don’t just like it, I fucking love it. You are amazing. You amaze me more and more every day, and I am completely in love with you, Savanah Parry. ”

~

I promised to run V into town before dinner, and after tearing myself away from Ana, we headed out. Ana promised that she was fine staying with Otis, and I knew the old man would take care of her. He adored her; I saw it every time he looked at her. But it didn’t surprise me. Ana had that about her. She didn’t want the attention or ask for it, but something about her drew you in, if you looked hard enough, past her cool exterior.

“I like that girl, Jax. You make sure you be treating her right.” V’s voice cut through the comfortable silence as I turned off the main road onto Mrs. Gunning’s street.

“Yes, ma’am. She’s amazing.” My free hand clutched the tags buried in my jacket. I’d never take them off. Ever.

V tutted, and I knew there was more to come. Knew it the minute she demanded I drive her into town.

“Are you going to explain what happened this last year? Why it’s only the second time we’re seeing Ana in a year? What happened over there?”

My hand left my chest and ran up over my head. “It’s a long story, and come on, do you really want to know so the old man back there can badger you for truth? What he doesn’t know can’t hurt him. How is he, anyway?”

I’d known for some time that Otis was sick. He hadn’t told me himself yet. V slipped it out a couple months back.

“Don’t go changing the subject. Otis is as tough as the best of them. I want to know about Ana. About what they did to get between the two of you. This old lady isn't stupid; don’t think I don’t know why you’ve been coming around less the last few months.”

V always knew when something was up. Even when I was younger, after Dad died, she would call me out on my bullshit. But she had been the best mom anyone who had lost their own mom and dad could wish for.

“Fine. You asked for it. Just don’t breathe a word to Otis. They threatened her, V. Said if I didn’t end things, Ana would be in danger. I couldn’t take that risk, so I walked away.”

The words filled the cab, thickening the air until it was hard to swallow. I risked glancing over at V. She sat unmoving, eyes narrowed in front of her, and said, “I see.”

“That’s it? No third degree?”

“Oh, I’m just getting started, boy, but we’re here.”

Relieved, I sunk back into the seat and I pulled into the driveway outside Mrs. Gunning’s.

“You wait here, I won’t be long.”

I nodded and watched V climb out of the car and pad up the icy path holding the basket of baked goods. Most people would have visited Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas, but not V. She had a good heart. But when she was wronged she could be a formidable woman…and there was little doubt that she would lose her shit when she knew the whole story about Ana and the Donohues.

Twenty minutes passed before the door opened and V tiptoed back down the path to the car.

“Start her up. It’s freezing out there.”

“Mrs. G okay?”

The car roared to life and I reversed out of the street.

“As well as anyone in her situation. She’s finding it hard to let go of Victor. And her family all moved out of state so she’s alone.”

“Well, it’s good she has you.”

V pursed her lips and forced a smile. Typical V; never satisfied with her efforts.

“So, where were we? Ahh, yes, you were going to tell me what that sorry excuse for a father and his son did to keep you from Ana?”

And…there she is.

“V,” my voice warned.

“Jackson Michael Pierce, that girl waiting for you at home is one of a kind. She’s not one of these little hussies only after your money or good looks. She’s a good girl. I see it in her eyes. To think that
they
treated her like that…” Her voice was laced with bitterness. “…threatened her. It’s not right.”

Silence fell over us, and I could sense V’s hostility. It rolled off her in waves. I knew it wasn’t at me so much, but more at the life I’d fallen into. She rarely spoke out against the Donohues; I think she preferred to try to support me, and avoid riling up Otis, but she had a soft spot for Ana.

“I’m out.”

V’s head whipped around and I could feel her big old eyes staring right through me. “Out?” she choked out. “Like free o-of them?”

I gave her some time to digest things. Keeping my eyes on the road, waiting.

And then it came.

She gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth. “They didn’t just let you walk away, Marcus would nev-”

“He doesn’t know. Not yet. I think Braiden wants it that way.”

“Oh, honey, what will you do? And Ana? Sweet, sweet Ana. Does she know?”

I bobbed my head, my grip on the wheel tightening.
Ana.
It would always come back to Ana.

V muttered something to herself, and then said, “You can stay as long as you need to. Our home is yours, it always has been.”