Jackson's Destiny (Sawyer Brothers #2) (11 page)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jackson

Torture
. That was the only word to explain what Bailey was putting me through. Plain fucking torture.

I sat at a high table just to the edge of the dance floor while I watched Alena and Bailey shimmy seductively in the center of the room after playing some game called Shots or Dare, which I learned was the reason Bailey had kissed me that first time in the bar back home.

That first kiss was a little different from the ones we shared now, though I’m not gonna lie and say I didn’t fully enjoy the lap dance Alena dared Bailey to give me at the time. I spent the entire three minutes imagining naked old ladies to keep from throwing her over my shoulder and finding the nearest dark corner.

This time, she was playing me, torturing me just for the sake of riling me up. And it was working. That urge to carry her off was back and even stronger this time.

Bailey’s tits bounced as she swiveled and jerked her hips to the beat of the music, and she kept biting her lips and looking across the dance floor at me. There was no doubt in my mind she was thinking of the same things that were racing through my mind.

The hostess caught my attention as she walked past our table and grabbed the empty shot glasses. “You need anything else?” she asked as she placed them on her tray.

“I think we’re—” I bumped against the table as someone fell against me. I turned just in time to catch Bailey as she stumbled back and almost lost her footing. “Wow, darlin’.”

After she righted herself as I held on to her to keep her steady, Alena sat on the stool next to her. I continued to hold Bailey close because I didn’t want to take the chance of her falling again.

“I want another one of those fruity things,” she said as she pointed to the glass on the hostess’s tray. “They are so good.”

She was smashed, and I had to admit it was cute. Girls getting all cuddly and clingy when they were wasted had never interested me before, but Bailey made me crave it now.

“I think you’ve had enough, babe,” I whispered against her ear.

She turned her body into mine and slowly slid her hand over my abs to the buckle of my jeans. Hooking her finger just inside the waistband, she leaned in closer.

“I love your body,” she whispered before brushing her lips lightly over mine. “You are soft, but hard in all the right places.”

My breath hitched when she slid her other hand over the crotch of my jeans and gripped my cock. I quickly placed my hand over hers to hide what she was doing from curious eyes.

“You ready to go back to the hotel?” I was praying she’d say yes.

“Do you have to leave tomorrow?”

Her question caught me off guard. I had expected her to jump at the thought of getting me alone. Or, hell, maybe even argue with me.

“Yeah,” I said before kissing her softly. “Got to start training the new arrival. I’ve put it off, but there’s no time left to delay it any further. Owner will be there Thursday morning, which means I gotta be there too.”

“‘Owner’ as in the dark-haired beauty?”

I pulled back enough to be able to look her in the eyes. The seductive Bailey was gone, suddenly replaced with a Bailey that was trying to pull away from me.

“What?” I asked. She shrugged and turned her head away from me. I caught her chin with my fingers and turned her back to face me. “What are you talking about, sweetheart?”

“Is she an ex?”

This was a conversation I didn’t feel right having while she was so drunk. So instead of telling her Phoebe and me were once involved, I did the only thing I could—I lied.

“No, babe, just training her horse,” I assured her.

She stared at me, making me slightly nervous. But after a few moments, she seemed satisfied with my answer and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around my neck. She gently pressed kisses along my jaw before pausing just next to my ear. “I think it’s time you take me back to my room. I only have a short time left with you, and I want to spend that time naked.”

Chills covered my neck and fanned out over my back. “That sounds pretty damn good.”

She sucked my earlobe into her mouth, and my dick jumped in my pants. I had to get these girls out of here. I had very little restraint left in me.

***

Bailey was the sexiest damn woman I had ever been lucky enough to hold. She had the perfect curves, the kind that fit just right in your palms. She drove me wild in so many different ways, and I was sure nothing could ever top the crazy little thing she did with her hips while she was on top, but I was wrong.

“Fuck,” I groaned as she rolled her tongue along the head of my cock.

Oh hell, I was so damn wrong. Her tongue was lethal. She had me hanging on the edge, and the last thing I wanted to do was fall. I had so many things I wanted to do for her in return, but she showed no sign of slowing any time soon. My girl was a horny-ass little drunk. I had to remember that little secret.

My head fell back against the headboard with a loud thump, and I thrust my hips up off the bed, sliding deeper into her mouth. “Right there,” I cooed as she took me in. Just when I was ready to blow, she stopped, and my eyes widened. I was about to groan in protest when she positioned herself over my hardness and begin lowering her body to meet mine.

I licked my lips in anticipation as I focused solely on the joining of our bodies. She panted and moaned loudly as she took me into her in one quick movement. I gripped her hips, and she brushed my hands away. As they fell to the mattress, she began moving hard and fast. Leaning back, she placed one of her hands on my thighs, giving me an even better view of her pussy as she rode me hard.

It was the sexiest damn thing I had even seen.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Bailey

I tried not to show just how much it hurt to watch him pack his things into his duffle bag. Yes, I was slightly hung over, and no, I didn’t remember every moment of last night. But I remembered all the moments that mattered. I remembered each time we had sex, and there were plenty of rounds throughout our last night and day together. But right now it felt like my heart was on fire. It hurt to imagine lying in this big bed tonight without him at my side. My vision clouded with unshed tears, and I tried to hide them but failed miserably.

Jackson turned just in time to see me wiping away one that had escaped. “When you coming home to me?” he asked as he crawled up next to me on the bed. He took me into his arms and pulled me close, immediately washing away the ache.

“I just feel like I need to be here a little longer. My mom is just starting to respond to her therapy sessions,” I explained. “Dad needs me too. He seems different now. It’s sad, but I think my mother attempting to kill herself made him realize just how bad things had gotten for her.” When he remained silent, I went on. “He’s trying. I know he is. I guess I’m just scared the moment I leave, he’ll give up again. Then who will she have?” My eyes once again welled with tears.

“I’m gonna miss you, beautiful. Things don’t feel quite right without you around.”

His words only made it harder to hold back my tears. Jackson’s sweet was something special. Something he rarely showed, but I felt so damn lucky to get a glimpse of that side of him when he did.

“I already miss you,” I said as the tears rolled over my cheeks.

We held each other on the bed until we had just enough time for him to make it to the airport. I would have been fine with him missing his flight, but I knew he had responsibilities, even if that meant he would be working side by side with the dark-haired beauty. I had no idea what her name was, but he said there was nothing between them and never had been, so I had no reason not to believe him.

That was a conversation I did remember, regardless of the drunken haze I was in.

***

“How is she doing?” Amber asked, her tone hopeful. “I talked to Alena earlier, and she said you two spent the day with your mom. That’s good, right?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “The therapist seems to think she’s making progress. It’s going to be a long process for her to recover, but she believes this was my mother’s cry for help. Which means she didn’t really want to die. She just wanted the pain to stop.”

“Bay that is great news. What about your dad? How is he taking it?”

“It’s only been just shy of two weeks since she was admitted, Am, but he seems like the old version of himself. I just hope it lasts, ya know?”

Our conversation soon shifted to the bakery and Olivia’s amazing cooking skills.

“She is pretty badass. In fact, I’m a little worried she’ll outbake me,” Amber said with a laugh. “She’s a natural and creative as hell. The customers love to see what she comes up with next.”

I laughed as I pictured Liv in the kitchen. She was definitely better in there than I was. Nothing about me screams cook or baker, unless you liked your food charbroiled with a thick layer of crunchy, black crust.

“How is Jackson? Have you seen him today?” He had been so busy at the ranch that our time was always cut short when he got the chance to talk. Not only did he have a new horse to train, but they had started up their riding lessons again, and he always had his daily chores to do.

“He hasn’t been around much. Ryan said things aren’t going as planned with Phoebe’s horse.”

I flinched. Though I didn’t know the dark-haired woman’s name, I instantly knew that’s who Amber was talking about.

“Phoebe?” I asked, pretending to be oblivious despite the bad feeling in my stomach.

“Um, yeah. I think the horse is named Cherry. I guess she is super-stubborn, and Jackson’s general horse-training techniques aren’t working. He’s been spending more time than he normally does trying to break her, and Ryan said it’s making him into a moody bastard.” She laughed. “Ryan’s words, not mine.”

“That explains why we rarely have time to talk. He always seems so rushed.” Each day that passed I missed him more and more.

“Do you know when you might be coming back?” Her voice was muffled, and she sounded winded. I heard pans clinking in the background and what sounded like the oven door opening and closing.

“I fly out tomorrow at six a.m.” Smiling, I waited for the reaction I knew was coming.

“Are you serious?” She gasped.

“Yep,” I assured her just before she squealed in happiness. “But don’t tell Jackson. I want to surprise him.”

“Okay, I promise.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jackson

By the time I got home, I was so exhausted I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, it was close to midnight, and I was irritated with myself for missing a chance to call Bailey.

Over the last week, I had spent hours working with Cherry only to have it all backfire. She had attitude, and she was determined to give me a run for my money. She was the most frustrating horse I’d ever worked with. I remember all the stories my father shared about his training days and the horses that had tried his patience. No wonder he was more than happy for that to be the first task he passed off to me.

After a shower, I crawled into bed and told myself I would call Bailey early the next morning. A few hours later, I kicked off the sheets in aggravation when a loud crack of thunder woke me. It was all I needed—something else to spook the horse that was already determined to make my life a living hell.

When I pulled up to the barn, seeing Phoebe’s little red car parked in the driveway only pissed me off more. I’d spent the last week ignoring her flirty and sexual comments and listening to her recap all the nights we’d spent together, and she was on my last damn nerve.

Today may just be the day I told her and her horse to fuck off.

I grabbed the thermos of coffee on the seat next to me before I jumped from the truck and jogged toward the barn. Rounding the corner, I skidded to a stop when I almost ran directly into Phoebe. My mother stood at her side, and both held a coffee cup in their hands—cups that came from inside my parents’ house. The idea of them bonding just gave me a sour feeling in my stomach. But I knew my mother was lonely, so I tried not to make a big deal about it. I would have a talk with her later, though, that was for sure.

“Jackson, you didn’t tell me you dated this sweet girl. And for over a year.” My mother glared up at me. “Phoebe has been filling me in on your relationship.”

I held my tongue, because telling my mother that Phoebe and I didn’t have a relationship beyond screwing occasionally was probably not smart. “That was a long time ago, Ma. No need to reminisce on something that was never meant to be.” I pushed past them, trying my hardest to hide my irritation.

They remained silent behind me, and I didn’t look back. Whatever conversation the two of them had been sharing, I wanted no part of. I knew Phoebe had an ulterior motive for being here, and the way she was trying to bond with my mother proved it. Her behavior only made my already pissed-off mood that much worse.

I walked straight for Cherry’s stall and opened the gate. The damn feisty pain in my butt slowly turned, giving me her ass. She was about as tolerable as her owner.

“I think she likes you,” Phoebe said as she leaned over the open gate. I rolled my eyes at her sarcasm and chose to keep my comments to myself. Instead, I harnessed Cherry, even though she gave me attitude by huffing and pulling on the reins.

“Yeah, girl, I know. I don’t want to do this, either,” I grumbled as I led her toward the corral.

Phoebe’s footsteps scuffled behind me, and all I could think was,
At least she wore boots this time instead of heels.

***

My mood didn’t get any better as the day wore on. Not after hours of fighting Cherry. Not after taking a couple breaks to call Bailey, only to have her phone go to voice mail. And surely not after Phoebe kept continuing to not so subtly caress my arms and chest.

I was so close to handing over the reins and telling her I was ready to admit defeat when the unthinkable happened. Cherry gave in to the bridle and saddle, stopped fighting against the reins, and accepted the headstall.

An overwhelming sense of accomplishment washed over me, and I fist-pumped the air. “It’s about damn time, sweetheart,” I said to Cherry. “I never thought we would get there.”

“I knew you would,” Phoebe said. “Still underestimating your abilities, I see. But I never once thought you wouldn’t get her to accept it. Yeah, it took a little longer than you wanted it to, but the challenge is the best part.”

I was too excited to give a damn about the fact she was referring to more than getting Cherry over that hump. “Now we can work on putting some weight on her back,” I said. “Once she passes that test, we move on to mounting.” I patted Cherry’s back and rubbed it in a soothing way. “You are stubborn, girl, but you did well.”

I allowed her to roam in the pen while I held the saddle and bridle. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. After a while, I rested my boot against the bottom slat of the fence as I leaned my forearms on the top post, completely focused on and proud of Cherry as she pranced around.

Phoebe stepped up to my side, but I refused to allow her to ruin my mood. For the first time in days, I felt like smiling.

“So tell me a little about Bailey.”

Her question caught my attention immediately. “She’s amazing. I don’t remember ever feeling the way I feel with her—free, relaxed, and so comfortable. Bailey feels like home.”

“Wow,” she replied. A long paused settled between us. Then she had to ruin the peace. “So what you’re saying is the chances of you and me repeating those steamy nights we used to share are only possible in my fantasies?”

I shifted to the side to look at her, and I smirked. “Yes, Phoebe, that is exactly what I’m saying. You and me had some good times—”

“Some really hot times.”

I chuckled and looked back out toward the pasture. “Okay, some really hot times. But those times are over, darlin’.”

Another round of silence set in, and when her lips grazed my cheek, I instantly leaned away.

“Well, if you ever get tired of the same old thing, you know where to come for a little something wild.”

She winked, and I crinkled up my eyes, about to tell her to back the fuck up, when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. As I looked up, my world spun out of control.

“Bailey.” I pushed off the fence and took a step in her direction. I had no idea how long she had been standing only ten feet away, or how much she’d heard of the conversation Phoebe and I just shared, but my stomach was in knots.

“Surprise,” she said coldly. My heart sank instantly as her gaze shifted between Phoebe and me.

“Baby,” I said as I stepped closer, bringing her attention back to me.

“I may have had too much to drink that last night you were in Chicago with me,” she said. “I may not be able to remember most of what we discussed after about the fifth shot, but there was one specific conversation I remember very well.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “You lied. Why not just tell me the two of you had a thing once? Or wait.” She shifted on her feet and looked back over at Phoebe. “‘Really hot times.’ Isn’t that how you described them?”

“Let’s go talk.” I reached out to her, but she shook her head. “Sweetheart,” I begged. My heart was beating so rapidly I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my body.

“I have nothing to say to you right now,” she said as she spun around and stalked back toward the driveway.

Panic set in as I jogged after her without a second thought.