Later that night, she was sitting at the bar after everything had been cleaned away. Oliver had left, and she was enjoying a nice glass of water to relax herself ready for the drive home.
“I never noticed how sad you look,” Jackson said.
She quickly spun around, and saw the man she had been trying to stop thinking about standing there in the restaurant. “Jackson.” She frowned. “The door wasn’t locked?”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
Licking her lips, she tried not to think about how good he looked.
“I heard about Alaric and Bella. They’re … dating. Whatever you said must have worked.”
“It wasn’t all that much to be honest.” He tilted his head to the side. “She loves him, and I do believe he loves her. His motives are pure.”
“That’s good. That’s always good.” She smiled. “I don’t know if I like him at the moment though. As self-appointed best friend, I think she could do better.”
“I don’t think I like the fact he’s the same age as me.” Jackson chuckled. “Kind of creepy. I’d have liked for her to have met someone her own age.”
“Oh well, you can’t help who you fall in love with, or who you’re attracted to.” She blew out a breath, and then sat back down, taking a long drink of her water. He simply stood, watching her. “Why are you here, Jackson?”
He chuckled. “You know, I promised myself that I wouldn’t do this. I’ve been driving around the city, wondering what the hell to do. I had a date tonight.”
Jealousy struck her.
“It’s not like that. It was a client date, if you will. A business dinner. The whole night, all I could think about was you. You’re my daughter’s friend. I’m not supposed to be thinking about you.”
She took in a breath. “Was I naked while you were thinking about me?”
The smile on his face turned her on. There was a bit of a smirk that got her heart racing. “Yeah, you were.”
Rebecca nodded. “Must have been a pretty good, erm, you know, daydream.”
Jackson didn’t say anything, and he simply stared at her.
Seconds passed, maybe even minutes.
“I’m tired, so I think it’s time that I … locked up and went home.” Aware of him watching her, she made her way around the counter, placing her glass in the small sink. She had her keys in one hand and her bag in the other. Jackson still hadn’t moved.
Stepping toward him, she tried to keep her distance.
“I’m happy for Bella.”
****
There hadn’t been a single woman that could have made Jackson forget about Rebecca. Ever since he fucked her on his desk, he’d done nothing but remember, and want. He had almost forgot what it was like to want something. For a long time, he’d been going through life, just doing stuff to build his company, help his kid, and wait for death.
The women, they’d been mild entertainment for him.
“I’m not here to talk about Bella,” he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her close. She didn’t release the keys, nor her bag.
“Jackson?”
“I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m older, I’m fucking wiser, and I should know what I’m doing.”
“You said this was a mistake.”
“That’s what every part of me is saying, but I want this, Rebecca. I want you. Since you’ve been gone, I have missed you, and not just the sex on the desk. I’ve missed being with you.”
She smiled. “We can’t do this.”