Page 34 of Coming Home

He pocketed the keys and pulled out his cell, tapping it. Suddenly, hers began to ring.

“Better get that,” he advised. “It could be an important call.”

She went to her phone. “Hello?”

“Hi. I thought we could talk on my way home.”

Ainsley beamed at him. “I like that. Let me walk you out.”

“No, I’m going to use my new keys and lock up downstairs. I’m afraid if I let you go with me, I might not leave.” He kissed her a final time. “See you tomorrow.”

Jackson left her apartment. Ainsley listened as he talked about where they might ride their bikes tomorrow. Where he wanted to take her for their picnic. They talked until he told her he was pulling into Boo’s driveway.

“Now I’ll say goodnight. Goodnight, Ainsley.”

“Goodnight, Jackson.”

She disconnected the call and placed her phone on the coffee table—and then did an impromptu dance around the apartment.

Without a doubt, Ainsley knew she was in love with Jackson Martin.

CHAPTER 12

Jackson knew he was already in love with Ainsley Robinson. He wasn’t a man who had ever believed in love at first sight. He’d never even had a crush on a woman. In high school, he had dated several girls, none of the relationships serious. His senior year he had spent most of his time with a pretty, vivacious cheerleader who was fun to be around, but Jackson had never been in love with her. They merely had a few things in common and ran in the same crowd. Once high school ended, so had the romance.

In college, his studies had taken priority, knowing he had to maintain a certain GPA in order to keep his academic scholarship, as well as have the grades to get into USC’s Gould School of Law. Yes, he dated a variety of women, wanting to balance studying with a social life. Yes, he had plenty of sex with many attractive coeds, both during undergrad and law school. None of them had claimed his heart, though.

Not like Ainsley Robinson had.

He wanted her in the worst way. Wanted to touch every part of her. Bury himself deep inside her. Stake his claim so that others would be warned off.

But as powerful as his feelings were, he needed to give Ainsley time to catch up to his. Yes, they certainly had physical chemistry. He could have kissed her into next year without stopping. Jackson knew sex with her would be off the charts. No, not just sex. Ainsley would be the first woman he had ever made love with. That realization almost knocked him for a loop.

He turned into Boo’s driveway, jogging half its length and then slowing, walking the last half before bounding up the steps and collapsing into the porch swing. He pulled out his cell on the off-chance Ainsley might have texted him while he had been on his run.

No, no texts. She had told him she would let him know when she was on her way over.

He couldn’t wait that long and tapped out a quick message.

Morning, Beautiful. Thinking about you.

Jackson waited. Then the three little bubbles appeared, indicating she was replying.

Hi, Handsome. Can’t wait to see you.

Good enough.

He went inside, making his way straight to the kitchen. Willow leaned against the counter, sipping a cup of coffee from the smell hanging in the kitchen. Shadow was nearby, eating from his bowl.

“You have a good run?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He filled a glass with water and downed it, then filled it again, slowing this time.

“How is Ainsley?” his sister asked.

“Ainsley is... pretty incredible.”

“I didn’t see you at all yesterday.”

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