Page 3 of Jackson

“That’s not exactly what you did to win me,” Sarah said as she shook off Jackson’s arm and stood in front of her husband, her head tilting to look him in the eyes. “From what I recall, you blackmailed me into dating you.”

Jackson chuckled as he watched Kane squirm under Sarah glare. “Blackmail is a dark word baby,” Kane said as he pulled his wife to him, as Sarah sank into his body. Kane sent Jackson a look over Sarah head. “Just do better than you did before with Maya.” Kane said.

Jackson ran a hand over his face. “I was young and an idiot.”

“You’re still an idiot,” Sarah said, her voice muffled as she snuggled against Kane.

Jackson grinned, “true, but Kane is wrong. I do have game now.”

“Yeah, but the real question is, will Maya give you a second shot.” Sarah said as she turned her head towards Jackson. “She’s fierce and ambitious and, from what I’m seeing, not going to put up with your shit.” Sarah sighed. “I’ve given you a good 48 hours one on one with her. It’s up to you what you do with that.”

“Forty-eight? I’ll take it.”

Kane grunted goodbye as he and Sarah went back inside their house, Kane whispering to Sarah that he would buy her all the flowers and chocolates in the world to show her how much he loved her.

That’s what I want. Jackson thought as the door shut him out. I want someone who is my person and who I would burn the world down for.

Chapter Four

“Forty-eight hours”, she muttered to herself as the door to the men’s formal wear store opened. She greeted the doorman politely as she scanned the room, spotting Jackson steeping out of a fitting room.

Holy Moly. What the hell?

Maya shifted her messenger bag onto her other shoulder, feeling a warm heat making its way from her face to her chest.

Is this a hot flush? I’m too young for menopause.

Jackson looked over and smirked. “See something you like?”

Hot damn yes!

Maya snorted as she stepped further into the room, taking the glass of wine that was offered.

“Pretentious much,” she answered, angry at herself that her voice came out breathless. A male assistant directed her to one side of Jackson as he stood in front of wall of mirrors. He caught her eyes in the reflection and smirked as she started coughing as the wine went down the wrong way.

Get it together girl.

“Don’t you own enough suits already?” Maya asked as she pulled her notebook from her bag, trying to maintain professionalism as her body screamed at her to touch him.

“I wanted to give you the full experience of what it is like to get ready for the fundraiser.” Maya’s head snapped up as Jackson squeaked out the last word, her full lips twitching as the female tailor pinned some loose material around his inside leg.

“Don’t move,” the assistant demanded as she continued pinning.

Jackson grunted as Maya took her camera out and snapped a photo.

“That is not going into the article!” he grumbled at her.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do. This is my article and I have full control.” Maya smiled back sweetly. “And stop being a douche.”

“I am not a ….douche.”

“Well, this isn’t you.” Maya said as she gestured around the room. “Are you trying to impress me or something, because it’s not working. It only makes you look like you are trying to be something you are not.”

“How do you know this isn’t what I’m like now. I might like the finer things and being pampered. A lot has changed since we knew each other.”

“Maybe. But besides you being unable to count time still, you’re still a country boy at heart. The whole idea of this article is to raise the profile of the fundraiser so you can get more money for the shelter. Remember I’m selling you. You’re being auctioned, so you need to let me see the real you so I can do the article justice, and get more money when you are actioned.”

Jackson groaned. “You make me sound like a piece of meat on the chopping block.” He said as the assistants stepped away so they were alone. “Wait. I need to change.” He said as he gingerly stepped into the fitting room and removed the now pinned pants.

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