Page 25 of Beyond Perfect

Maybe. But because the longing was so great, because she wanted him so much, she stopped the kiss.

When she finally calmed, she blanked her mind and drove home. Caleb had left her a note.Went to see Diegojust to hang out.

She was glad Caleb was making friends.

Her world was a mess. A bath might help. She went upstairs to her room and into the attached bathroom. She turned on the water, put in jasmine bath salts then undressed. She made the mistake of looking in the mirror. Who was that woman, with messy hair, and light bruises on her arms? Her eyes were dilated with desire. Desire that she had to quell. She turned away.

When the tub filled, she turned on the jets—it was Caleb’s idea for them both to have Jacuzzis. She lowered herself into the hot water. It soothed her whole body. When the water cooled, she got out, dried herself and saw a red spot on her breast.

Shaking her head, she put on summer pajamas, pulled back the covers of her bed, got in and willed herself to sleep.

* * *

“To Diego and Annie.” Annie’s dad gestured to the happy couple then turned to the other twenty people at the table. “I wasn’t too keen on this marriage at first. They had a troubled history and I wanted to protect my daughter. But since then, I’ve watched how Diego cares for Annie, tries to protect her and most of all, makes her happy.” He lifted his champagne flute. “So I gladly propose a toast to the bride and groom and their forthcoming nuptials.”

Annie got all misty eyed. Diego kissed her head.

And Jackson was jealous as hell. He couldn’t help it. He could never have with Maisy what these two had.

The families were seated closest to the bride and groom, with the attendants next. Jackson ended up right across from Maisy but she only smiled at him once and nodded.

He listened to the conversation at the table. Joe Romano was talking. His conversation was casual, not like the intense one Jackson had with him before dinner. “When I first became a captain, none of the guys were afraid of me. They stuffed my locker with different kinds of antacids….”

Caleb laughed. “I imagine you’d need them.”

“I did. Many times.”

Maisy sighed. “I admire firefighters so much, Joe. You’re all heroes.”

“Thanks, but that’s not why we join the department.”

When asked what he was up to, Caleb hesitated. Then, “I’m planning to take a few counseling clients. Not too many. I’m going slow.”

No one mentioned the horrific things that happened to him in Binghamton.

“Hey,” Annie called down the table. “Wait until you see Maisy’s dress. It’s a stunner.”

Of course it was, Jackson thought. He’d have to look at her in it all day tomorrow. He felt the remnants of emotion fromlast night in her car. He’d prowled his whole house, swearing, shouting, until he was spent. She’d kicked him out after behaving like a wild woman with him. What the fuck was that?

Maisy put in, “It’s Annie’s dress that’s the stunner.”

When the wine came out, they brought it to Jackson to taste. He sipped it, nodded, and said, “Exactly what I wanted. It’s red. if anyone wants white, the waiter can get you some.”

No one wanted white. After the glasses were filled, people sipped the wine and chatted. “Hmm, this is terrific,” Diego said to Jackson. “I’m no connoisseur but I’ve never tasted wine so good.”

Caleb agreed.

Joe agreed.

Her sisters agreed.

And Maisy was forced to comment. “It’s wonderful, Jackson. Thank you.”

She was gracious. Damn her. He wanted her to feel wrecked like he was.

They both ordered lasagna. Maisy took furtive glances at Jackson. He looked so handsome in a navy linen blazer, light blue shirt and press taupe pants. Once when he turned, his collar slipped back and she noticed a red mark under his jaw. Her stomach dropped. She’d done that. Last night. In her car.

“You okay?” Caleb asked.

---