Page 17 of Hidden Desires

Chapter Six

Autumn tossed and turned in her sleep, picturing Jackson’s body above her while he thrust deep inside her. She’d been so long without a lover, and well, Gallagher wasn’t anything to brag about. But Jackson . . . Oh, Jackson was special. He knew all the right places to touch, all the right moves to make. He kissed her, never took his mouth from hers while his pelvis rocked against her, thrusting his cock deeper and deeper inside.

She wanted to feel loved. And though she knew in her heart it wasn’t there, that it would never be there, she allowed her brain to be fooled into thinking it was.

She pictured their union as more than sex. Jackson had trouble loving, perhaps because he had never been taught. He was her first lover, and she wanted to be the first woman he said those three little words to.

Just as he climaxed in her dream, he spoke those words, whispering her name with them. She chose to believe him, no questions asked. What happened in the past remained just that. The past. She couldn’t change it but with him coming around, he could.

The dream ended abruptly when Jackson dissipated into thin air. Autumn gasped and sat up in bed, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest. It was so real in her mind, a fantasy she wanted to be true. It hurt worse now, than it did back then, she realized, tears forming in her eyes. Back then reality didn’t matter and she could afford to base her future on dreams. Today, though, reality was the way of her life, and her future didn’t support Jackson in any way.

Autumn tossed the covers back and wiped her eyes before crawling out of bed. She didn’t expect Jackson to be up for another two hours and planned on spending some time by herself outside her room.

She settled on the couch and wrapped herself in an afghan. After finding a good cartoon show—one of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons—she settled back and forced herself to relax. Each muscle in her body ached from the events of the prior day, and her sexy wet dream only made matters worse.

She watched two episodes of Bugs before she heard his footsteps coming down the hall.

“Up so soon?” He settled on the other side of the couch, pulling her feet into his lap as he leaned back against the soft cushions.

“Had a dream and woke up. Couldn’t go back to sleep afterward.” Autumn turned toward him. He wore nothing but his pajama bottoms “What are you doing up early? Yesterday I had to drag you out of bed to make it to the clinic on time.”

“I had to pee.” He gave her a boyish grin and against her will Autumn’s heart melted. “I saw Bugs Bunny and, well, decided to join you.”

For a brief second, Autumn pictured Jackson crawling behind her and wrapping her in his arms. She wanted him to cuddle with her while they watched the cartoons with no cares in the world. She really had it bad, she decided and pulled her feet from his lap.

“Pepé Le Pew is coming up next,” she commented. “He was always one of my favorites.”

“The skunk?” Jackson frowned and propped his feet on the coffee table. “Why?”

“Because he’s romantic. He adorable and giving and relentless in chasing his woman. Guys could learn a thing or two from him.” Autumn focused her attention on the television.

“He’s a skunk,” Jackson proclaimed. “A French one at that who chases after a cat with a painted stripe down its back.”

“He’s still cute. He gives women hope that men like him exist in the world.”

“What? Stinky, obsessed men who try to bed a girl with flowers and come-ons?” Jackson shook his head. “Women can hope no longer because that is the reality of men.”

“Pepé can’t help he stinks.” She smiled, avoiding his eyes. “And I was talking about the romantic part. It’s nice when a guy gives a woman flowers just because, or simply compliments her about her outfit. And when she plays hard to get, it’s nice to know he’ll chase after her until he catches her.” Autumn reverted her gaze back to Jackson. “That’s what I meant.”

Jackson considered her comments for a moment. Autumn didn’t know what went through his mind because like the other men she knew, he hid his emotions well.

He turned with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I kees me a preety girl,” he began, in his best Pepé Le Pew impression. “Do not run from my stench, mon bonbon, and hurl.”

Autumn giggled as he addressed her in singsong fashion. Jackson smiled and pulled her legs down while he arched his body above her. “That’s all I’ve got, belle fille, but you know I can give you more. All-night-long orgasms to make your toes curl.”

Jackson kissed her after his finale. “Take that Pepé Le Pew!” He smiled above her, his lips inches from her own.

“Competing with a skunk.” Autumn shook her head, lips burning from the heat of his kiss. “I didn’t know you spoke French.”

“One of my many talents, chérie.” He winked at her.

Autumn knew it was now or never. Jackson looked adorable above her. His hair was sleep tousled, his average style these days. He smoothed a hand from his shoulder to his chest. Hard muscle lay beneath smooth bronze skin, chiseled to perfection.

With highlights of their time spent together playing through her head, Autumn licked her lips. His sweaty body from working hours at the ranch for her father. His cocky, self-assured attitude. Seeing him naked for the first time. They didn’t share just mediocre sex which merely gave her a decent orgasm and was over and done with in seven minutes. Jackson didn’t know the meaning of mediocre. Their first time together was really good—no, great—sex that definitely had her toes curling.

“Jax,” she hesitantly licked her lips again. “Will you . . .”

What? Make love? No. Too attached and demanding. Jackson Cooper didn’t ‘make love’ with anyone. Have sex? Too clinical for her taste. Sleep? They weren’t exactly sleeping . . .

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