Fire We Make (Jackson and Liane Book 1) (3 page)

Five

She didn’t know what to expect but she was pleasantly surprised when she saw it.

After dinner, Jackson took Liane back to the Honey Ranch, the main brothel he owned and one he’d showcased on the reality show, per her request. Jackson had no intention of showing the brothel to Liane but she insisted on seeing at least the main one. He prepared her for what she was going to see – half-naked women catering to clients, with sexual sounds whispering through the walls. Liane was offended at Jackson treating her with kid gloves but soon realized there was a reason for his warning; she was going to a brothel and it was nothing like what his massage business used to be.

The brothel wasn’t like what she’d read in history books or seen played out in various movies and TV shows. It was fancied as a nice hotel. It was painted white with a gold trim. A large electronic white gate with HR initials welcomed guests. There was a manicured lawn with numerous flowerbeds in the front lawn. The backyard posted of a heated pool and Jacuzzi with a large outdoor dining area for entertaining.

Inside the home was more extravagant. There was a long bar attached to a full-service kitchen with a menu of mouth-watering options. In the living room, there was a pole centered in the middle of the room, flanked by plush sofas. The waiting area where the clients chose their dates for the night, had hardwood flooring and vaulted ceilings. The bedrooms were nicely decorated and catered to each girl’s personality. There were hidden cameras in each room for the girl’s protection.

Trained security guards did round the clock surveillance and cameras everywhere monitored the ranch. A large gate surrounded the estate, giving it a palatial feel. It wasn’t a mistake on Jackson’s part, Liane figured. He wanted the girls to feel like they were princesses. If the girls were happy, the clients were happy. If the clients were happy, they spent more money. As an end result, Jackson was richer.

No one could ever accuse Jackson of being a dumb executive.

“Champagne, Mark.” Jackson directed to the bartender; a man in his mid-twenties. He was an attractive man with short brown hair, a rugged face, and muscular build. He had a brilliant smile when he revealed it but Liane noticed it wasn’t a mistake the bartender looked that way; he probably doubled as security. “We’ll be in the living room.”

“Will send it over, J.” He grinned.

Jackson led Liane to the living room that had several plush sofas waiting for them and a silver pole in the middle of the room. Liane sat down next to Jackson and nodded towards the pole. “For entertaining or instructing?”

“Both,” Jackson honestly replied. A server came by with a bottle of Moet and Chandon and two pre-filled glasses. Jackson briefly thanked her before he turned his attention back to Liane. “Some girls didn’t know how to strip. Others just want to know how to pole dance. It’s a good conversation piece.” He handed a glass to Liane. “Cheers.”

“Cheers.” Liane took a sip of champagne and let the bubbly liquid ease down her throat. “How is business, by the way?”

“It’s better than ever. The show definitely boosted our profile.” Jackson admitted. “I say the other brothels around here have also benefitted as well. They’re making quite a bit of money off our notoriety.”

“That doesn’t bother you?”

“Why would it?” Jackson softly shrugged. “I would do the same. We’re still bringing in more money in one month than some of them do in an entire year. Why do I care if they want some scraps?”

Liane smiled. She was always so impressed by Jackson’s business acumen. He really did make it seem like what he was doing so easy; she almost forgot exactly what it is that he did. “Spoken like a true executive.”

“I’ve been in this game for too long to care about what others think.” He then turned to Liane. “Well, everyone except one.”

Liane turned to Jackson and felt her breath lodged in her throat. He looked at her with such an intensity and fire, she felt her whole being shook to the core. Her sex twittered with
want
while her heart thumped with
need
. She forced out another harsh breath and found some courage. “Why do you do this to me?”

Jackson leaned in closer to her, nuzzling her neck with his lips. Her hair smelled like strawberries and vanilla and was soft as silk. He was mesmerized by her light perfume, inhaling her floral and spring notes. Her supple skin embraced his lips and his tongue softly touched the light saltiness of her long and slender neck. He was addicted to her. I think the question is why do
you
do this to me?”

“J, I’m so sorry to interrupt.” An apologetic security guard interrupted the private moment. “We have a situation in the back that needs to be addressed.”

Jackson reluctantly pulled away with fire in his eyes and upturned lips filled with annoyance. The very last thing he needed was a client arguing about price per sex act when he was in an intimate moment with Liane. He felt a small rage bubbling inside him and took a sip of champagne to simmer it. “I’ll be right there. Excuse me, baby.” He got up and followed the security guard.

Liane sat back on the sofa and sipped her champagne. She was annoyed yet surprisingly grateful for the interruption. Jackson’s touch caused a lighting bolt reaction within her body, starting from the crux of her thighs and working its way up to the pit of her stomach before finally settling on her heart.

No, she could not and most importantly,
would not
, fall in love with Jackson Fischer. Kissing was okay. Holding hands was permitted. But Liane knew the moment Jackson slid in between her legs and entered her, all bets were off.

She was never the type to fall in love easily. How did one ex-boyfriend put it? “You are ridiculously impossible to be free!” He once said to her. No, Liane could be free. The problem was her bullshit meter was always on and she could smell false promises and sweet lies before they were even spoken.

Jackson never lied to her nor did her promise her anything. He called it like he saw it. Take it or leave it. She’d never known anyone so honest, yet not brutal with it. He could think an idea is stupid without using those exact words. But he also made it clear he wasn’t going tolerate anyone’s shit no matter how long he’s known him or her.

Jackson was her equal.

There wouldn’t be PTA meetings. There wouldn’t be hectic Saturday mornings with Capri-Suns and orange slices. There wouldn’t be trying to figure out difficult math problems and wondering if the math hasn’t gotten harder or she simply had become dumber.

Of course, all of that would occur – with a man other than Jackson. That’s what killed Liane. She wanted to be with Jackson but she also knew the type of man he was and what he could offer her.

Could she possibly love another man with the same intensity she’s loved him?

“Let me show you how do it! It’s real easy!” Vanilla came into the living room with another blonde girl, who went by the name Cherry. Vanilla caught Liane’s smile and stopped. “Lee Lee! I was wondering if you were here!” She ran over and gave her a bear hug. “I missed you! How have you been?”

“I’ve been great, baby girl. How have you been?” Liane hugged back. Although many of the other girls didn’t like Vanilla for her constant cheerfulness, Liane found it refreshing. Vanilla was an unseen benefit in a land of debauchery and sin.

“I’ve been real good! Real good! I’m about to teach Cherry how to work the pole here.” Vanilla introduced Cherry, who waved to Liane. She was a tall, blonde woman who was surprisingly curvy. While some mainstream would call her fat, Liane knew her male friends back at home would refer to her as thick. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, not at all.” Liane crossed her legs and took another sip of champagne. “Feel free. I’m just a guest here.”

“You need to wrap your legs around the pole like so,” Vanilla instructed to Cherry as she twirled around on the pole, “and swing your body. It’s going to take some getting used to but once you do it, it’ll be easy-peasy!” Vanilla got off the pole and nodded to Cherry. “You try it!”

Cherry walked to the pole and walked around it. She wrapped a leg around the pole, twirled around, and promptly landed on her behind. She got back up to try again, only to have the same result. “I suck at this!” She sighed.

“You don’t suck! You need practice!” Vanilla encouraged. “You think I didn’t fall on my ass a few times before? I still do!”

“You need to relax,” Liane chimed in, and the girls turned around to listen to her. “Your whole body needs to relax or you’ll keep falling.”

“Easier said than done,” Cherry frowned. “Some of the other girls say they can get more money when they dance for the clients and I want to do that too!”

“So relax,” Liane calmly set down her champagne and took off her shoes. She slid off her jeans and walked up to the pole. She only wore her top and thong underwear. She walked around the pole before she climbed on it, reaching to the very top. She wrapped her legs around it and slowly twirled herself around. “I’m not doing this to show off but to show you need to be at ease. You put too much pressure on yourself. The client already wants you so anything you do as a bonus is just icing on the cake. He already chose you out of the others. Relax.”

Cherry was amazed at Liane’s strength and agility. She made pole dancing seem so effortlessly and flawless. “Were you a former stripper?”

Liane smiled. “You can say that.”

Jackson walked back into the living and watched Liane from a small distance. He knew her body was incredible at first glance but seeing her half-naked caused his cock to stir. Her legs were toned and strong. Her ass was perfectly rounded. He imagined her breasts were just as amazing.

He watched her instruct the girls and dance on the pole, giving Cherry a personal lesson. A few of the other girls came over and watched the lesson, asking questions and getting tips from Liane. The lesson probably would’ve gone all night if it wasn’t for the fact another client arrived and the girls had to be out in the front.

Liane put her clothing back on and finished her champagne. “I hope you didn’t mind.”

“Not at all. Not at all.” Jackson approached her. “What you did was amazing. Cherry’s had a problem with the pole for a while and you gave her a lot more confidence just now. She’ll forever be grateful.”

“It’s like what I told her. She needs patience and not be so hard on herself. She’ll get it no time.” Liane looked up at Jackson. “So what now?”

Jackson leaned in and kissed Liane, his tongue toying with hers. He pulled away and trailed his tongue along her slender neck, lightly nipping at it. “Can you give me a private lesson?”

Six

There wasn’t a single thing he didn’t love about her.

Her grace, her intelligence, her sensuality that made him fall to his knees. Her lithe and tight body, long legs, and mouth-watering breasts.

She was a goddess. She was
his
goddess.

She was everything.

As Jackson sat in the living room in his home, waiting for Liane to give him a show, he thought about their relationship. Relationship? No, it wasn’t a relationship, though he wasn’t sure exactly what it was. It was beyond a friendship, but he couldn’t say for sure, Liane was just a friend with benefits.

No, she was more than that. She was his confidante. She was his best friend. She was his supporter, to a fault.

He always had a lock on his heart and it didn’t take a genius to figure out it stemmed from Mommy issues. A woman simply couldn’t get close to him and many of the girls have tried in vain. It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested in any of the girls but he knew the difference between a business transaction and love. Most of the girls were simply attracted to his power in addition to his dashing good looks, and wanted to be the Head Bitch in Charge. The others just wanted to be with Jackson.

His heart was on reserve for Liane.

Could he give her what she wanted? He honestly didn’t know and couldn’t say for sure. If he did get the opportunity, however, he wouldn’t waste it. It would mean giving up everything for her and Jackson didn’t know if there would be a struggle to live a straight life.

He was flirting with 40 and many of his friends had families and careers, while he was still entertaining hoe. Maybe it was time to settle down. He could amend bridges with his father and get a job at the brokerage firm he’d created. Jackson was sure his father would not only welcome him with open arms but would go out of his way to show his oldest child the ropes.

Was he ready for that suit and tie life? Would he resent Liane if he gave up everything for waste? Maybe he was worried about absolutely nothing.

For now, he would focus on his girl. She put on soft music and appeared at the doorway wearing a slinky black dress that left very little to the imagination. She wore stripper heels as she seductively made her way to him. She straddled him and cupped his face within her hands.

“Remember…” she purred. “ …No touching.”

“Mmm…” Jackson groaned in frustration.

Liane grounded her body against his, softly bouncing her ass on him and rolling her body to the beat of the music. She stripped the dress off, revealing perky breasts and hardened nipples from arousal. Her ass swallowed the V-string and her body shined in the midnight glow.

She locked eyes with Jackson and read the intensity and heat within them. His breath came out in small spurts and his low groans turned her on. His erection pressed into the vee of her sex and he felt wonderful. Liane wasn’t sure how much longer
she
could show self-restraint.

After the song ended, Liane pressed her body against his and rested her head in the crook of his neck. “I want you, J.”

His voice became husky and seductive, rich of sex and desire. “I’m yours.”

Liane stood up and stepped back from Jackson, who picked her up and carried her to his bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and stripped off his clothing. He revealed a muscular chest, strong legs, and the ever-impressive cock that Liane remembered. He grabbed a small handful of condoms before he climbed on the bed with her.

He mounted Liane and drank in her beauty. Her brown eyes smiled at him. Her black hair splayed against the pillows. Her full lips were inviting. The nervousness that once emanated from her body, turned into relaxation and warmth. She was ready for him.

He dived into her, his stubble tickling against her skin. His hungry lips attacked her neck, trailing his tongue down to her collarbone before he stopped at her breasts. He circled the nipples and lightly suckled on them, once again leading his tongue down her navel and to her sex.

He spread her legs open and gently bit the inside of one thigh. He moved to the other thigh, inhaling her scent, and licking his lips in anticipation. He briefly looked up and saw Liane cupping her breasts, and pursed her lips together in anticipation. He smiled at her, and smirked.

He focused back on her wet slit and swollen clit peeking out from the folds. He sucked hard on the clit, his tongue circling it before he lapped up more of her. Her taste, her smell…the way her body rode his tongue made him want her even more.

Liane gasped at the pleasure. Her body arched at his touch, sending her emotions into overdrive. She promised herself the reason for her visit was to end his hold on her. They were not good for each other and it had been proven repeatedly. The truth was, they were good for each other, almost perfect. She gave him what he wanted and he brought out what she thought she needed.

How could it work? Was Jackson honestly going to give up everything for her like he’d once promised? Liane didn’t believe and furthermore, she didn’t think Jackson would be capable of doing so. She was just going to enjoy him for the time, and push back all nagging thoughts about their doomed relationship.

Jackson’s tongue was magical and his hands were heaven-sent. Her fingers entangled in his hair as he relentlessly teased her with his tongue. He once again found her clit and sucked hard on it, causing Liane to arch off the bed and call out to the heavens. She collapsed back on the bed, her body trembling with pleasure, and her mind clouded with emotions.

Her eyes flew open when Jackson entered her and swallowed a couple of times to adjust to his size. “Shh…” He purred. “…I won’t hurt you.” He slowly moved inside her, his thick shaft buried to the hilt as she clench against him. Their kisses were short, wild, and full of passion as his thrusts sped up. She whimpered and writhed beneath him as he moaned against her.

They interlocked hands and they both knew it wasn’t over; it couldn’t be, not by a long shot. There was too much emotion, too much history, and too much love between them. They didn’t know how it would work or if it could work. All they both knew was that it had to work. There was no other option.

They moved together faster and harder, both anxious to reach the climax. When it happened, Liane’s body stilled as the orgasm washed over her. “Jackson…” Her whimper came out barely a whisper.

Jackson moved faster; his balls tickled with each thrust and met Liane with a climax of his own. His body shuddered against hers and a low moan escaped his lips. He softly kissed her again, cupping her face with one hand as he shifted his weight off her.

****

“How come we didn’t work out?” He asked.

Liane slowly opened her eyes as she felt the soft rise of Jackson’s chest underneath her head. Their reunion was so wonderful with the sex being hot and unpredictable as before. He took her to new heights and made her body sing with each stroke and thrust. It was a familiar dance between them with the same moves but things were different. There was more passion, more intensity. More love.

She loved him; there wasn’t a doubt about that. She couldn’t see herself with anyone else and wanted to be with him forever. And she knew, by his actions, he definitely felt the same. The truth was their professions didn’t allow them to be anything more than just fleeting partners in the night. Liane wasn’t going to give up her pursuit of captain and Jackson wasn’t going to give up his hoes, despite proclaiming, he would for her. “You’re joking, right?”

“I don’t joke about wanting to be with you,” he murmured.

Liane let out a quiet sigh before she turned over and faced the starry night. Jackson’s hand crawled up Liane’s leg and he moved it inside, resting comfortably between the warmth of her thick thighs. She moaned in appreciation as he cupped her sex. “Jackson…”

“What?” He softly demanded. “It’s an honest question.”

“No, it’s a silly question and you know this.” She attempted to move his hand away from her heat and he wouldn’t budge. The next sigh was in frustration. She should’ve known the orgasmic bliss was going to be a short-lived affair. Why couldn’t they just be regular people with the friends with benefits arrangement? Get together every once in a while, hook up, and go about their business with no stress and most importantly, no bullshit. “We can’t work.”

“We can’t work…” He softly kissed her shoulder. “…Or you don’t want us to?”

The last question made Liane get out of bed and she walked over to the window. She stared up at the moon and was amazed by how clear the sky was in the starry and cold Nevada night. Jackson’s touch was distracting her again and she needed to make her point clear without interference. “You won’t give up your life for me and we both know this.”

“I never said that.” He said from the bed, in the same position.

“It’s pretty clear you won’t.” She didn’t turn around. “You own three brothels, you have your reality show, and you’re doing very well. I can’t see you giving up for any woman and especially one that arrested you.”

Jackson got up from the bed and met Liane at the window. She closed her eyes once again, as she felt his presence, his love and embraced herself for his touch. He was comforting, full of love and passion, with the right amount of sexual heat.

Damn him. And damn her emotions! She was fine where she was and where he was. It was okay that they didn’t see each other often or at all for that matter. That was fine! Speaking to each other every blue moon was okay. But seeing each other was when things were messed up. Her heart and her head were in a competition with each other on who was going to win, though it was pretty close it was going to be her heart.

A detective dating a pimp? It sounded like a horribly failed reality show full of hot mess and desperation. It sounded like a bad Lifetime movie with a starring cast of Z-list actors and equally horrible writing and dialogue.

It was Liane’s life.

Jackson turned her around and stared into the depths of her eyes. His eyes softened once again to a sky blue. “Remember what I said when you arrested me?” Liane looked away but Jackson forced her to look back at him. “Remember?”

“Yes.” She whispered.

“What did I say?”

“You said you would’ve gave it all up for me.”

“I meant it then and I mean it now.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Say the word and I’ll close down shop tomorrow.”

Liane wanted to believe him and she was pretty sure he was being honest. Jackson’s candor reminded her of the famous saying – if it sounds too good to be true… “Jackson…”

“Hey, we have all weekend to talk about our future – if there is one – and sort out details then.”

Liane turned around and forced a grin. It wasn’t the time to get into a debate on his honesty and awkward future moments. She was going to enjoy him and
them
for the rest of the weekend.

She was going to worry about the future later.