Jane's Surrender (Hard World Tour #2) (28 page)

Thankfully, it was no longer the case.

“
So how does a guy like you know how to cook?”

“
A guy like me?”

“
You know, born with a silver spoon in your mouth.” She didn't sound judgmental, just curious.

“
I always liked cooking, and believe it or not, I loved watching those cooking shows and imagining myself becoming a chef someday.”

She blinked, and then laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “Really?” she asked when she got control of herself.

“
Yeah, I was driving my dad crazy, because he saw me as some kind of heir, and there I was wearing an apron and playing with a spatula.”

Her eyes darkened and she leaned closer. “Is it bad that I like the idea of you with all this?” Her voice was breathy, and fuck, just like that, I was getting hard again.

“
Someday, we will fulfill your fantasy.”

She blushed, but then moved her lips to my ear.

“
What’s yours?” she whispered, and then bit my earlobe and quickly licked it to take away the sting.

“
Pretty much everything that includes you sexually.” That was the truth, especially for the last two years, when I had nothing except imagining her in various positions.

“
Good,” she said, leaned back, and resumed her eating.

That just made me shake my head. Women, really.

“
So after that you started cooking?”

“
Not until college. Then it sort of became a thing I liked to do. Nothing special really. Don’t expect me to make you any cakes or muffins,” I warned, and she squealed in mock outrage.

“
You mean no dessert goodies from you?”

“
Nope.”

“
You can always learn.”

“
No.” My voice was firm. No way in fuck was I baking cakes and all that other stuff.

“
It’s not negotiable?”

“
It is not.” She sighed heavily and that made me suspicious. “How would you negotiate?”

“
Well, I was thinking that for every cake you make, I could fulfill one fantasy of yours. You know…anything you want.”

Fuck.

Those words put lots of images in my head that were making my dick uncomfortable behind the zipper of my jeans.

“
Anything?” I wanted to clarify.

She nodded and looked at me under her lashes. “Anything.” Mischief sparkled in her eyes; the little thing was playing with me, and she damn enjoyed it.

Wasn't she in for a surprise?

“
What kind of cake do you want?”

Her fork stopped midway to her mouth. She sent me a sideways glance, and panic was in her eyes, along with excitement.

“
Baumkuchen.” She chose one of the hardest desserts to make. It had a lot of layers, and each layer was made over a revolving spit in front of an open flame. Each tier has to brown before the next could be added. This cake took hours to make, and usually required experience in baking. Not to mention that it was very difficult to construct.

How the fuck was I supposed to make it?

However, Jane and anything in bed…

“
Okay. So I will make you a cake, and then you will do anything in bed, right?”

She raised her chin, clearly not liking being backed in the corner, but nodded. “Deal.”

“
Good.”

“
Great.”

We both knew I would never push her to do anything she didn't want to, but I enjoyed seeing her nervousness over it.

“
Do I need to think about a safe word now?” she asked sassily, and her words made me grab the table with my hand and squeeze it hard.

I was never into the whole Dom thing in the bedroom. The sex wasn't that great even before Jane. It was just a form of release, and I was out of the bedroom the minute it was done. But the idea of having her blindfolded on the bed, spread for me, and giving me the freedom to do whatever I wanted?

Now that made me painfully hard.

“
When I get the cake, you will let me know. Right now, just think about it.”

She blushed, but there was heat and desire in her eyes too. She wanted to try it or she wouldn't have brought it up.

I pushed my plate aside and noticed she was done too. I stood and picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around my waist and smiled. “Are we done?”

“
In the kitchen, yes. You have to tell me what changed your mind now.” We walked into the room, and I sat on the bed against the headboard with her on my lap.

She took a deep breath and began talking. “You know how I sort of had a crush on Jeremy, right?” Her voice was careful, as though she knew it was my least favorite subject.

“
Yes.” My tone wasn't really giving away anything.

“
I always knew he had a thing for Sam, and I guess I was sort of okay with it and created a fantasy that he was unavailable. And I mean he was. I’m not saying I didn't really have some kind of crush on him, but the truth is he probably was appealing
because
he didn't want me.”

She finished and then looked at me, but I said nothing. I thought as much myself. She didn’t want to create attachments; she wanted to be in a safe place where no one could hurt her.

“
But you probably already know that, being a shrink yourself, huh?”

“
Kind of. I didn't think you didn't love him, just that he was a safer choice because he couldn't really hurt you. Not like that at least.” There should be honesty between us, so I saw no point in lying.

“
Anyway, the girls pointed out that I had the chance to create something with you, but I didn’t use it, because you were available.” She must have understood how that sounded, because she quickly added, “In the sense that you are free, and I can have whatever relationship I want with you.”

“
I get it.” My hands gently ran over her back, and I asked the lingering question, “Does this mean you are willing to give us a chance?”

She knew I loved her, but her feelings weren't there and it was okay. I could wait as long as we had a chance at this and she would stop fighting me every step of the way. She nodded and pressed her forehead against mine.

“
Thank you for waiting for me. I want to give this a shot. I have no idea where it will lead, but…I know I’ve never felt like this toward anyone. Even Jeremy. I never wanted him like I want you. Just you,” she whispered and then raised her eyes to me, and it was impossible not to share a kiss with her.

The kiss was gentle, soft, and tender, but at the same time hot. Her tongue played with mine, and I let her lead. She was so warm in my arms, and I never wanted the moment to end.

She was giving me all I needed, and whether she knew it or not, her words healed some of the wounds she had inflicted on me.

I pushed her onto her back and proceeded to make love to my woman for the rest of the night.

At last, I had her back in my arms and in my bed, and no power in the world could have taken her away from me at that moment.

Jane

“
Does this mean Drake Jackson was sort of part of the band all those years, since he was married to the drummer of the group?” the reporter asked, her notepad in her hand and her expression sharp. She didn't want to miss anything, since it was her chance to ask questions.

“
That’s right. We always knew about their marriage and supported them in their desire to keep it private.” Jeremy’s voice was steady and friendly, nothing giving away the tension he had from last night.

The morning had been amazing, because I spent it with Drake after our night together. He made me breakfast while I took Sparky for a walk. We got ready for the press conference and met everyone in the hallway ten minutes before the start. The girls were giving me grins, but we didn't have much time to talk, so they told me we needed to meet for coffee after we finished.

At last, people had the chance to get the scoop on the latest news on us. About thirty journalists, including TV reporters, were there. All the media attention made me wonder why people cared so much what celebrities did.

But I loved my fans, our fans, and I wanted them to have the story from us, even though it was one big lie.

At least, the biggest part was a lie, not the part that said the marriage was real.

Last night, it became real for me. I was looking forward to exploring my relationship with Drake.

Jeremy handled the questions for the most part. He was afraid Drake and I would put him in deeper shit, but reporters grew tired of Jer’s answers, and the next one, a guy who looked to be my age, directed his question at me.

“
Jane, what was it like to hide the relationship from everyone?” Well this one was easy, thank God.

“
It was difficult and uncomfortable, but Drake and I wanted our privacy.”

“
Was it because you weren't sure how long the marriage would last? You got married in Vegas, after all.” He smirked, and that made me instantly not like this guy. I respected journalists; they did an amazing job in the world. But I couldn't stand those who tried to twist the facts or make something more scandalous than it actually was.

Before I could reply to his remark, Drake’s low voice said, “There was nothing of the sort. Are you saying that people who get married in Vegas don’t believe their marriage will last?” Even if it were true statistically, no way would a reporter admit to that. People did a lot of stupid things in life, but no one would call a Vegas marriage doomed. Many people would be offended and it might cost him his job.

“
That wasn’t what I meant. I’m trying to understand why she would want to keep it quiet,” he quickly said, and then added, “After all, she is now part of the Jackson family, isn't she?”

His words made me freeze, because I had never thought about it. Bella and Ryan were together, and she was about to meet his parents. Would I need to do the same thing?

“
She always was. She didn't become my wife just now,” Drake pointed out.

“
Keeping everything close in the family, don’t you?” the reporter snapped, not liking that he didn't get anything. “I mean your brother dates the front vocalist. Does this mean the two of you worked your differences out after your father divorced your mother and married Ryan’s?”

Drake tensed next to me. I couldn’t see Ryan’s reaction, but it was probably very similar to Drake’s. We hadn’t had the opportunity to talk about this aspect. We had thought the media would be friendly, but apparently, a bigger story was what they were digging for.

“
I think that’s enough of those kind of insinuations. This press conference is about Drake and Jane, so I’m asking you to keep your questions about them.” Jeremy didn't raise his voice; the coldness in it was enough to intimidate most people.

He pointed to some cute, redheaded woman who wore glasses, and she stood up a bit awkwardly and asked her question. “Due to the recent news about Logan Davis and his daughter, is it true that Drake and Jane Jackson have asked for temporary custody of her ‘til Mr. Davis is out of rehab?”

Jeremy was all business. He had warned us before the meeting about that. “Yes, that’s correct. Logan is Drake’s and my close friend, and we want to help him.”

“
But are they ready for it? A baby is a big responsibility, and Logan Davis isn’t trustworthy.” Apparently, everyone forgot he used be a musical genius once.

The industry didn't wait for anyone.

Drake responded, “We’re ready to support Logan and Hope. Jane and I understand the responsibility we are taking on. We hope the court’s decision will be in our favor, because it’s better for the little girl to be with us, with her family, and we hope one day with Logan.” Several more questions were asked, some about Logan and some for us. After an hour, we finally finished and could go.