Grace knew Bill and Flo were worried about her date with Jackson because of the way Jackson had treated her in the past. Bill wasn’t as gruff because he had won first place in the chili cook-off and couldn’t stop smiling, but Flo didn’t trust Jackson to be nice. She made Grace promise to call them if she got scared. Grace knew as soon as she walked out the door Flo would be on the phone with her mom. Grace knew this was a big step she was taking, but she trusted Jackson, and that was a scary feeling in itself because she had promised herself she would never do that again. She felt an internal pull toward Jackson that couldn’t be analyzed or explained, and she could only hope it didn’t lead to more pain, but she was exploring this new sensation.
Jackson took her to Mount Bonnell Park in Austin. It had one of the highest points in the city where you could see the whole view of Austin. She told him on the drive to Austin that Bill and Flo had taken her to some art museums and gift shops already.
There were ninety-nine steps that led to the high point of a hill. “What do you think, baby? Want to climb the steps?” he asked, as if challenging her.
It wasn’t as hot as other days and Grace was glad she had dressed casually in blue jean shorts and a pink T-shirt and tennis shoes. “You only live once, right?” she answered, looking up at all the steps and smirking at him. “But can you handle it?”
Jackson laughed. “Last one up buys lunch.” He started running up the stairs before she could move.
“No fair, you cheater!” She ran after him laughing and caught up with him quickly. She beat him up by two seconds and cheered loudly as if winning the gold cup.
Once they got to the top of the hill, Grace sighed and looked over at the breathtaking view of the city, seeing the capitol building and Lake Austin shining in the sun. It was a lovely sight and such a bright beautiful day. “This is beautiful. So worth the thousand steps you made me climb.”
Jackson put his arm around her shoulder casually so as not to scare her and corrected her. “Ninety-nine steps, you big baby.”
“Well it felt like a thousand, okay?” She smiled, putting her arms around his waist bravely. Being this close to him without freaking out was a big step for her but she loved his rock-hard abs. They stayed close together for a few minutes just enjoying the peacefulness of the scenery while he pointed out the capitol and different buildings of the skyline. He also told her about the many music festivals Austin held every year and promised to bring her to the next one when she told him she loved music.
“You know there is a legend that says couples who come up here together fall in love,” he said seriously in his deep voice while brushing her curls out of her face and kissing her temple. He closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed the happiness sweeping through him.
“Really?” she said, looking up at his beautiful blue eyes, and kissed his lips softly and quickly. “I believe it.”
When more people started coming, they went back down the steps together, holding hands. Going back down the stairs wasn’t as hard.
Jackson drove around showing her different sights then found a parking spot on the main street filled with shops, restaurants and many tourists walking around and exploring the busy city.
They walked slowly around the main streets of Austin, stopping in at different stores and browsing until they got hungry. He bought her a pink t-shirt with the Lone Star symbol on it and he couldn’t help but remember how Kelly had only wanted expensive items as gifts.
“Lone Star Café has the best barbecue, but let me warn you, it’s messy,” Jackson said, holding her hand in the crowd of tourists walking the streets. His hand was big and warm and she loved the feeling of doing something as simple as holding hands.
“Who cares, I am so ready to chow down, especially since I beat you up the stairs,” Grace teased, looking up at him with a happy grin. “Let’s go,” she said, pulling him faster down the street and laughing. Her genuine smile endeared her to Jackson. He enjoyed seeing the playful side of Grace.
They were seated at a table by the window when they got to the busy restaurant. The waitress took their order and Grace and Jackson chatted casually about Grace’s old job versus waitressing, and he told her about the ranch and the hard work it took to make it profitable after his parents died. They chatted easily as if they had always known each other, and it made their time enjoyable and relaxing. The food was delicious but their enjoyment in each other’s company made everything seem so much brighter. He tried to convince her to try the zip line across the lake but she laughingly told him she wasn’t that adventurous or crazy. He told her he and Ben had done it a few times and it was amazing. She offered to watch next time and be ready to call 911.
“I had so much fun, Jackson. I can honestly say this was the best date. Thank you for bringing me,” Grace told him shyly as they walked back to his truck, holding hands, once they were done eating. She loved the feel of his big warm hand holding hers. The sky was turning a beautiful pink-and-purple color from the sun setting and it was finally cooling down. She hesitated bringing up a painful subject but she wanted to know. “Did you come here with Kelly a lot? Is that why you looked so sad earlier?”
“We only went to the night clubs here on Sixth Street or the fancier places to eat. No, I looked sad because I realize I only saw what I wanted to see in Kelly and it makes me feel so naïve that I never looked past her blonde hair and…” He hesitated, looking away from her, not wanting to say anything wrong and ruin their first date. He hated memories of the past.
Grace giggled. “Let me guess, her big boobs.”
He blushed but smiled and nodded. “All I saw was an illusion and the more anyone tried to open my eyes about her the more I defended her. I think I knew all along people were right, but my pride wouldn’t let me admit it, so I turned bitter and mad at the world. Today with you I had real fun, Grace. I truly enjoyed the day and saw everything more brightly and then I realized it was because you’re real. You don’t put on acts or play games. I am so sorry for all the horrible things I said to you.”
“I understand, Jackson. I was fooled by James’s outer appearance. He was always so charming that I never saw how fake his persona was until it was too late and I almost died for that mistake. It’s hard to deal with the pain and doubts when you realize you were fooled,” she said, knowing he understood. “It might not make sense, but I trust you or I wouldn’t be here with you alone. I forgive you. I know you’re real, Jackson. You say what’s on your mind, no fake smiles or patronizing attitude. I like that. This is a fresh beginning for the both of us.”
Jackson leaned against his truck and held Grace close to him, feeling her heart beating rapidly, but he didn’t think it was from fear this time. She felt so small and fragile leaning against him and he said a silent prayer that Grace was such a forgiving person. He tilted her chin up and leaned down to kiss her, pouring out his desire that had been building all day. The heat started building slowly in the pit of his stomach until it was like a wildfire burning all his common sense away and making him forget about everything but devouring Grace.
Grace could feel his arousal when she leaned into his hard body, but it didn’t scare her like she thought it would. Instead, it brought excitement, running like a shockwave through her whole body. She could feel his muscles through his shirt and heard him moan deeply.
Jackson ended the kiss with a chuckle looking down into her misty eyes and leaned his forehead against hers.
She looked up at him with curious eyes when she felt his chest rumble with laughter and he whispered, “I have got to stop kissing you in public.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Just one kiss from you makes me want to strip you naked and fuck you and not care where we are or who is watching us,” he answered honestly, giving her lips one last quick kiss and feeling like he was on top of the world.
Grace blushed but giggled and looked around at the busy tourists walking back and forth. “Oh, oops. It’s your fault. You make me forget everything when you kiss me.”
Jackson just grinned, knowing he had a sappy grin on his face, but he didn’t care. Jackson opened the truck door for Grace and waited for her to get in so he could close it.