Page 79 of Gimme Some Sugar

But Jackson wasn’t caving, especially not now. “Because Carly’s not here for the long run, and despite how happy you think we look together, I’m not interested in taking a walk down the aisle. Not with anyone, not ever. No offense,” he added quickly, heading off the retort he sensed Shane brewing up. “I don’t exactly have a great legacy in that department, you know? I can’t afford to take the chance.”

“Dylan’s getting married, and he has the same father as you,” Shane pushed, and something dark and ugly dislodged from the recesses of Jackson’s brain.

“Dylan’s too young to remember what kind of man our father really was, Shane. But I’m not.” The dingy row house flashed in Jackson’s memory, broken dishes on the kitchen tile, the bright red shock of blood being spit into the porcelain sink. “I remember what he did to our mother, and I remember why he did it. I’ll never be able to forget.”

Jackson clamped his mouth shut. He couldn’t go there. He justcouldn’t.

“Okay.” Shane lifted his hands, his expression apologetic. “I’m sorry for bringing it up. I just thought…”

Jackson cut him off with a shake of his head. “I know, and it’s cool. I really am happy for you and Bellamy. But what I’ve got has to be different. Itisdifferent.”

“You’redifferent. You’re not your father,” Shane said.

Jackson wanted to believe him. He really did.

But he couldn’t ignore the truth. “It’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”

* * *

Carly tiptoedinto Jackson’s apartment, hooking the spare key he’d given her a few weeks ago dutifully on the hook by the kitchen phone. It was after midnight, but the response she’d gotten today from the resort’s executive board coupled with Bellamy’s engagement had made her persuade Gavin to crack open a couple bottles of champagne after closing. Two glasses of bubbly had been enough to send Carly’s already great mood soaring over the edge into a full-fledged happiness that she hadn’t felt since…

Well, ever, really.

A quick peek into Jackson’s darkened bedroom told her he was out cold, and she squashed the tinge of disappointment swirling through her. He’d been working hours that resembled her own this week, which had clearly taken it out of him. Ah, well. They’d have a little time in the morning for her to fill him in, and certainly, her great mood would carry over into daylight hours. For now, she needed a shower. Going to bed smelling like garlic aioli wouldn’t win her any points no matter how good her news was.

Carly cranked the shower to one step below scalding, shedding her grungy chef’s whites to let the water unknot the muscles in her shoulders. Her body quickly melted to match her mood, mellow and loose. A familiar green and white bottle caught her eye, making her grin. Jackson must’ve picked up her favorite shampoo on his one quick trip to the store this week.

She closed her eyes, getting lost in the smell of honeysuckle and silky bubbles as she scrubbed her hair twice for good measure. The water rolled down her back, chasing the bubbles down the drain and leaving its warmth like a signature on her skin, and she leaned into it with a sigh. After one last pass with her fingertips to ensure she was suds-free, Carly reluctantly turned from the water to slide the Ivory from the soap dish and nearly had a panic attack.

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” She balled her fists in an involuntary response while her heart tried its best to vault from her rib cage to the shower floor. Jackson’s smile registered about three seconds before she threw a punch, and he peered past the flimsy shower curtain he’d nudged aside to watch her bathe.

“No. Just me.” He crossed his thick arms over his even thicker chest, leaning against the tile jamb as he continued to look at her, gaze unwavering.

“Very funny. You scared the hell out of me, you know.”

“And you are very beautiful, you know.”

Carly pulled back, realizing belatedly that she was very, very naked and that Jackson’s smile was a lot more suggestive than she’d first noticed. “I…um, I am?”

He nodded once, a firm tilt of his chin. “Mmm hmm.”

Her skin flushed, and even though Jackson had seen her without clothes plenty of times now, she fought the urge to cover herself, to be less vulnerable. “How long have you been standing there?”

“A few minutes. Does it bother you?”

“No.” The truth popped out of her, unbidden, despite the urge to be less exposed. “Although I’m not sure the waterlogged look really qualifies as beautiful,” Carly added, twisting the wet tendrils of her hair together before letting them fall down her back. Heat flashed over Jackson’s gaze, darkening his eyes, and before she could register his movements, he was standing beside her under the spray.

“What are you doing? You’re dressed,” she said, half-laughing and half caught in shock. Water streamed down his chest, plastering his T-shirt and gym shorts to his body after about three seconds, but he didn’t even blink as he lowered his mouth to her ear.

“I’m showing you how beautiful you are. Since you’re clearly unaware.”

Carly’s breath caught, and she pressed her palms against Jackson’s chest. “Oh.” Her answer quickly became a moan as he kissed his way down her neck, his tongue swirling over the spot where her shoulder met her body. “Oh. Maybe we should get out of the shower,” she said, but he shook his head.

“No.” His eyes glittered. “I want you here. Just like this. Right now.”

He crushed his mouth to hers, parting her lips to deepen the kiss. The friction of his wet T-shirt against her skin turned nipples to peaks, her pussy squeezing with need. Jackson knotted his fingers in her hair, tugging the wet curls to gain better access as he kissed another path down her neck. She arched up, letting out a moan of encouragement as he slid his tongue over her collarbone.

“God, I love it when you do that.” Her sigh bubbled up from deep beneath her ribs.

---