Page 39 of As Long As You Kiss Me

Chapter 10

He’d spoken out of turn. Jackson didn’t want to get Sully’s heart involved when he couldn’t commit to anything. It wouldn’t be fair to her. “Look, I really like you, but I’m not in a position to be in anything serious right now.”

“Why not?”

It was a fair question. But it was one he wasn’t ready to answer. If he was ever going to be in a relationship, he wanted honesty between them. “I have some… personal issues.”

“So you’re not going to tell me?” She shook her head. “I know I’m being nosy and pushy, but this is important to me.”

“I might tell you one day, but I’m not at that point yet.”

“I really like you, Jackson. Like big time. If there’s something keeping me from being with you, I want to know what it is. But I understand not being ready. I’m not there myself.”

“So, what do we do now?” Jackson asked.

“We take it one day at a time.” Sully scooted back on the bed until her spine was against the wall.

“I can work with that.” Jackson got up and set the camera on the bookshelf before plugging it in. “You want to pull up the app on your phone so we can get these cameras connected?”

Sully stared down at her phone. “Okay. It’s all done downloading now.”

“Great. Now we connect the cameras.” He walked her through the instructions until each camera appeared on her phone.

She sighed. “I feel a lot better knowing Mason won’t be able to get away with anything anymore.”

“You might want to think about getting some cameras for your ice cream shop,” Jackson suggested.

“Not a bad idea.” Sully tucked her legs under her from where she lounged on the bed. “Speaking of ice cream, do you want to go get some? The shop is still open for another hour.”

“Sure,” Jackson said. “That would be great. Want me to drive?”

“If you want, that’s fine with me.”

Sully grabbed her purse, and Jackson led the way out to his truck. He opened the door for her and then went around to the driver’s side before climbing behind the wheel.

His mind drifted back to their earlier conversation. Telling her his secret wasn’t an option. How could he ever tell her the truth? Just thinking about it made his heart tighten in his chest with anxiety. She would hate him if she knew. But he wouldn’t abandon her either. Not that he could. He was too drawn to her to be away from her side for very long. He longed to spend all his free time with her.

How would Tyson feel about all this? Jackson got to live while he was dead. And not only was he living, he was kissing Tyson’s little sister. It hardly seemed fair. Did that make him a traitor?

“Do you know what you want to order from the ice cream shop yet?”

“I’m thinking cookies and cream. Do you have that?” Jackson turned into the parking lot of the ice cream shop.

“We sure do,” Sully told him. “It’s a great choice. And don’t think about paying for your ice cream either. It’s on the house.”

“Are you sure? I can totally pay,” Jackson insisted.

“It’s the least I can do to thank you for the cameras.”

“Okay.” Jackson nodded. He parked the truck, and they went inside.

Ella and Kenzie were standing behind the counter in their red polo shirts and black hats. “Hey, Mr. Carr.” Ella looked between them with a big smile. “Hey, boss lady.”

“We’re here for some ice cream,” Sully said.

“What can I get you?” Kenzie asked.

He rattled off his order.

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