Page 46 of Beyond Perfect

“I don’t think so, Maisy. I’m not sure I’ll ever get close to a woman again.”

“It’s pretty early to be sure of that. What happened to you wasn’t that long ago.”

“Yeah, maybe, but don’t play matchmaker, okay?”

“Okay. Anything you want.”

* * *

He kissed his way down Maisy’s body, thrilled by the pleasure touching her gave him. He stopped at her stomach and said, “Ah, sweetheart.”

“I love you, Jackson. I love you.”

He stopped abruptly. “You can’t love me, Maisy, because I can’t love anyone.”

Jackson awoke in a sweat. He was in bed. Alone. Breathing heavy and hard as a rock. Hell! His nightmare and flashbacks about the gang had disappeared and the dreams he had nowwere of Maisy. Sometimes, he didn’t know which he preferred. He was shaky, like now as he sat up, took a swig of water and leaned back against the headboard.

* * *

Jackson rose above her and entered her swiftly. She welcomed the pleasure it brought after so much foreplay. God, she loved this man. As he brought her up higher and higher, he said, “I love you, Maisy. I’ll always love you.”

“No, no, no….”

“Wake up Maisy. You’re having a bad dream…wake up honey.”

She grabbed onto strong arms. “Jackson…”

“No, sweetie, it’s me Caleb.” She awoke fully. “You were dreaming about Jackson.”

“Oh, fuck.”

“This is the third night in a row.”

“I can’t stop them.”

“Of course you can’t.”

“I—I…” Maisy couldn’t catch her breath.

“Breathe, Maise. Just breathe.”

Finally, she could take in air. How long could she live with these nightmares?

* * *

“Good morning, everyone. After a week off, I’m sure you’re ready for our summer program.”

The boys remained aloof. They blamed Jackson for Maisy leaving the school. They were right.

He ignored their reaction. “This is Lt. Diego Rodriguez. He’s a police officer with the WPD.”

Rumblings among them. “Pig…Popo…Five 0.”

It was exactly what Jackson would have done if, as a kid, he’d been forced into this kind of presentation. Luckily, he knew how to disarm them. “I think you’ll change your attitude when I tell you he’s Ms. Stefano’s husband.”

Shock. They mumbled, “Sorry…Oh…What the…” and more apologizing.

“I’ll leave the rest of it to you, Lieutenant.”

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