The Freelancer – Chapter 32, part 2

“It was stupid.”

“Tell me.”

“He was sad after graduation – I guess because I was going off to Harvard in a few weeks. He wanted me to promise him that if we both weren’t married, or otherwise involved, by the time our ten year reunion rolled around that we would get married. I know how pathetic it must seem to you, but it seemed to perk him up a little bit. I can’t believe I even thought about that. It hasn’t crossed my mind in years. I bet he’s forgotten all about it.”

“I’m sure he has,” Jackson responded as he began clearing the dishes. Jenna stood to help, but he wouldn’t hear of it.

“I’ll take care of this; I don’t want you to see the mess I’ve made in my kitchen. It would ruin the illusion.”

“Okay,” Jenna conceded. “Do you mind if I turn on the stereo in the living room?”

“Not at all,” he answered from the kitchen. “Coffee?”

“Sure. Oh, I haven’t heard this song in ages. This used to be Trista’s favorite love song.”

Jackson entered the living room with a quizzical look on his face. He handed her a cup of amaretto coffee and sat on the sofa next to her before he spoke. “Def Leppard’s Love Bites is her favorite love song?”

“You have to really know Trist to understand.”

“Fill me in.”

Jenna debated how much to tell Jackson as she sipped her coffee.

“I’ve known Trista since we were both five. She had a lousy childhood; parents always at each other’s throats, but they refused to divorce. They wanted to stay together for her sake. When she got old enough to date, she played out her parents’ relationship with every boyfriend she had. That’s why this whole thing with Blaine is so terrible. He’s the first guy she’s gotten real with and started to trust.”

“How’s that going, by the way?”

“He swears he’s innocent. I haven’t seen the rest of the evidence, but so far it doesn’t look great. Maureen is an excellent lawyer, though; one that you always hope is fighting on the right side. If anyone can find a way out of this for him, it’ll be her.” She paused and bit her lip. “I can’t believe I’m telling you all this. It feels like I’ve known you longer than a few days. I guess that doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

“No. I get what you’re saying.”

Jenna set her coffee on the table and leaned back against the couch. She propped up her head with her hand and waited for Jackson to follow suit before she spoke. A sudden rush of bravery overtook her.

“Did you mean what you said to my niece?”

“I would never lie to a child.”

“I suppose you also meant what you said about enjoying spending time with me then?”

“I don’t want to lie to you either.”

“If everything you say is true…”

“What?” His voice was soft, but coaxing.

“You’ve been giving me…mixed signals and, well, I don’t really know how to interpret them,” she began self-consciously. “At times, it seems like you’re into me…but then you start winking and making jokes about it.” She paused, beginning to realize how ridiculous she must sound. “I acted like a nut that first night and I just hope you can forget about that.” She let her lips quirk into a smile as she remembered something Jackson said to her a few days earlier. “Some people actually think that I’m a nice person. Of course, those people tend to be Trista and Elaine and I know you’ve realized by now they’re insane.”

Jackson brushed his hand across her cheek and stared deeply into her eyes. “Don’t say that, Jenna. There’s nothing wrong with them and I don’t think you’re a nut. I wouldn’t be hanging around all the time if I did.”

“Oh.”

“Of course I’m interested in you, Jenna. How could I not be? Any man with eyes would be interested.”

Before Jenna knew what was happening, Jackson’s lips were brushing against her own in a kiss. At first it was very soft and probing, but slowly it deepened and increased in intensity. He waited until her lips parted before he slid his tongue into her mouth. He tasted like the coffee; dark and sweet. She’d imagined this almost every night since she’d met him, but her fantasies had never come close to the reality of his kiss.

Her fingers played through his hair before Jenna finally wrapped her arms around his neck. Jackson’s skin was hot; on fire, really, and Jenna wondered if he was feeling all right. Of course, she’d felt the excited chill run through her entire body when Jackson wound his fingers into her hair and pulled her head back enough to allow him better access to her neck so she was in no position question.

And she didn’t want to question anything…only feel.

When his lips came in contact with the sensitive spot behind her ear, Jenna heard the soft moan escape her lips as her whole body seemed to come alive with sensation. This was insane. Jenna always considered herself a reasonable woman, one who was perhaps a touch too conservative. What she was doing now…making out on the couch of a man she’d known for less than a week…aching for more…Well, that just wasn’t Jenna, but she had a hard time convincing herself of it when she felt his hands slide down her body to her waist, his arms brushing against her breasts in the process.

Jenna realized she was leaning over backwards, pulling Jackson on top of her. Throwing caution to the wind didn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore.

As abruptly as the mood had hit, it ended and Jackson pulled away.

“I’m sorry, Jenna. I shouldn’t have done that. I guess I got a little carried away.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve got a meeting early in the morning and I didn’t realize how late it was.”

…Go Back

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