Page 42 of Unbossly Manners

The water stopped and my thighs clasped together in anticipation.

Jackson stepped inside the room, a towel hanging loose on his hips. I’d expected him to be lean from his cycling, but his muscles were thicker and more defined than I’d imagined.

There was no fear on his features, only self-assurance, and all my bravado disappeared.

“I’m nervous,” I said, scooting up to the pillows and folding my knees into my body.

His shoulders relaxed.

“Me too.”

“You don’t look it.” I laughed, timidly.

“I almost jerked off in the shower,” he said.

I sat up. “Why?”

“I’m worried I won’t last.” His raw honesty made my heart swell. “It’s been a while.”

His gaze drifted over my still naked body, though most of it was covered by my legs.

“But you’ve been with Kat.”

The muscles in his back stiffened. “What are you talking about?”

“Evie said.”

The hunger left him and he dropped down to the bed.

“What did she say?” he asked, deflated.

The energy in the room shifted from eager anticipation to awkward unease. It was all my fault. I couldn’t shut up about his ex-wife.

“We saw you together. Kissing in your office. Evie told me it wasn’t the first time.”

The springs creaked as Jackson got off the bed and rested his hands on the tall dresser, his back to me. “Evie knows that?”

“She wasn’t upset. Not about that part. She’s concerned for you. That by continuing to be with Kat, you’re not moving on.” I leaned forward, wanting to comfort him. But I was naked. On his bed. And he was standing in a towel, obviously upset. “She’s very mature for her age. I was surprised.”

“We haven’t fucked. Just kissed a few times. It’s nothing. Nostalgia.”

“I get it,” I said, even though I didn’t.

“I don’t want to talk about this right now.” He turned. The look on his face was close to anger. Or determination.

“I don’t know why I brought it up,” I said, desire cascading through my veins at his unyielding gaze.

“Because you’re scared,” he said.

My teeth ground together. “I’m nervous, not scared. And I thought you may have lied to me since you said you hadn’t been with someone and I’d seen you making out with your ex six hours ago.”

Jackson rested against the dresser. “Are you mad?”

“No.”

I dropped my knees and slid from the bed. I was light-headed from the blood pumping in my ears, but I forced my feet to move toward him. He pressed off the dresser and brushed my wet hair from my shoulder and rested his hand there, massaging it gently.

I brought my hand to his abs. They spasmed at the touch and he sucked in a breath.

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