Until Her

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

They were sitting in the doctor's office. Ava was playing in the area for children. There were other kids, and Jackson’s little lady had no problem directing traffic. Anna sat next to him, a bundle of nerves. He could feel her energy pinging all over the place. Her left knee kept bouncing, and she chewed on her bottom lip. Both acts were adorable. Jackson leaned over and whispered into the shell of her ear.

“Stop fidgeting.”

“I’m not.”

He placed his hand on her knee as she turned his direction, glaring.

“You are, baby.”

“Well, sorry if my nervous ticks are bothering you.”

They weren’t bothering him, but watching her was making it darn uncomfortable, he only had so much room in his jeans.

“It doesn’t bother me, but you’re making things happen,” he growled against her ear. Her eyes grew large, and the sound of her breathing stopped before she swallowed. His Anna wanted in his pants in a bad way. He was more than willing to oblige her. They'd been getting each other off in the most creative ways of late. He was starting to feel like a teenager.

"Baby, it’s gonna be all good. We’ll get the all clear." Jackson grabbed her hand and tried to convey with his eyes that everything he said was true. She’d been seeing the transplant doctor once a week. Last week, they’d said she was fit to travel to their destination wedding. When India had gotten wind of the news, she’d ramped up her planning. She went from cute wedding planner, to wedding planner on steroids. She may or may not have been PMSing the entire time, but he wasn’t about to say that s**t out loud so he kept it to himself. India was great to shoot the s**t with, but now she was a pain in the ass. All she talked about was Jamaica and all that needed to be done before the day of his and Anna’s wedding.

“I know it will be fine. I just hate waiting.”

God. So did he.

Jackson leaned over and kissed her forehead. He found he couldn’t stop touching her when she was near. It wasn’t so much for her as for his peace of mind. Anna tied him in knots. He was constantly on guard, and it was starting to wear on his psyche. Maybe this was what women called butterflies, but no self-respecting man would ever admit that a woman gave him butterflies. To Jackson, they were knots. Lots of intricate knots that were getting tighter and tighter.

The door to the doctor’s office opened, and a nurse came out and called Anna’s name. They both stood and made their way to the back, taking Ava with them. The nurse took Anna’s vitals before placing Jackson, Anna, and Ava in a room.

“Daddy, who’s sick?”

“No one, Ladybug.”

“You sure?”

“Yup, Daddy’s sure. We’re just making sure Honey is good to go back to her normal activities.”

Ava looked between the two of them. Her five-year-old face scrunched up with concentration.

“Honey is normal,” she said with all the confidence a girl her age should have, but a whole lot more. His daughter was extremely observant.

“That’s right, darlin’. Now we just need the doctor to say that, too.”

“If you say so, Daddy. I think its’s silly,” Ava reported.

“Ladybug, I couldn’t agree with you more,” Anna said, smiling.

The doctor walked in just as Anna and Ava were about to start a round of Miss Mary. Of all the places to run into someone he’d bedded in the past, Jackson was not prepared to see Lois Everdeen. She wasn’t Anna’s regular doctor. The regular doctor had been called to Houston to consult. So it looked like they were stuck with Lois. Anna was all smiles when Lois stepped in. Jackson, however, was not. Lois Everdeen used to be sweet. Had been for the duration of their three-day encounter, but the moment Jackson stepped away, she’d turned vicious. Made things very difficult for him, and almost cost him his spot on the football team.

“As I live and breathe. Jackson Storme.”

“Lois.”

Anna looked between the two of them, and Jackson knew by her facial expression that she was not happy. She had to have known about Lois, she was around in school then. Anna’s eyes narrowed slightly and she grunted. The look was one she wore well. At least she’s being civil, he thought.

“Anna, you didn’t say this was your tall drink of water.”

Like she didn’t know, Jackson thought. Everyone knew. There was no way not to have known. He wouldn’t be surprised if she’d purposely made sure to be the physician who ended up with Anna’s file when the other doctor had to go to Houston.

“My daddy is no tall drink of water,” Ava informed Lois. “He’s the sheriff.”

Lois looked down to Ava and smiled, then she looked between Jackson and Anna.

“Your little girl is beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Jackson said, standing and picking up Ava. Lois was a wildcard, and even though they were in a place of business, he wasn’t sure if the woman would keep her s**t. She’d done all sorts of crazy things when he’d ended their fling. She’d flattened his tires in his old Jeep, she’d even shown at his mother’s garden party once, banging on the door and demanding entrance. She’d gotten in and went on to explain she was pregnant. He’d been nineteen at the time, and like a fool, he’d fallen for it. Promised to take care of her and the baby, but only after she provided proof. Proof that never came because she was never pregnant. But according to her, she’d had a miscarriage. Jackson had her investigated, and when all her lies had been brought to light, she then tried to say he’d had s*x with her against her will. Lois Everdeen was way out there. Are you starting to see a pattern? There was a pattern, he realized belatedly. He went for women who were wild and considered hard to handle and welcomed drama with open arms. Anna wasn’t like that, thankfully, not unless she was pushed into a corner.

“Doctor Everdeen, I don’t mean to sound pushy, but Jackson and I need to get Ava home and ready for her playdate,” Anna inserted.

“Yes, I get to see my new friend, Madison Bixby. She’s a pony, and I love her.” Ava beamed. Bixby was a pony, and although Anna was against getting Ava a horse of her own, she wasn’t against her riding one or taking lessons.

“Well, aren’t you the luckiest girl alive.”

“I’m the luckiest princess alive. Madison will be my handsome steed when she grows up.”

Jackson grinned at his daughter as he kissed her on the nose.

“Only boys can be steeds.”

“Oh. Sorry, Daddy.”

“Nothing to be sorry about, Ladybug.”

Anna cleared her throat. Gaining Lois’s attention.

“All right, Anna. I’ve talked with my associates, and your doctor left notes. Your new kidney is adjusting nicely, and you seem to be healing at a very progressive rate. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”

“So, what you’re saying is…” Anna’s voice trailed off, and Jackson knew it was because Ava was in the room. “I’m good to go?” she finished when she found the right words.

“Yes, you’re good to go, but you still need to come in to ensure your body is adjusting properly. Getting a new organ, and a major one at that, is a long healing process. You can resume your regular activities. You’re fit, but don’t overextend yourself. Take breaks.”

The smile on Anna’s face was one he wouldn’t forget. It started off as a grin, but as her face turned toward him, she full-on cheesed. She was happy. She wasn’t upset or scared. He hadn’t realized until now, but with all the s**t going down with the case, them having to move, Ava, and the hell with Vivian, things had been rough on her. It was everything she could do to keep herself together and not have a meltdown. And she’d done most of it on her own. She had the support of family, and maybe even a few friends, but what she didn’t have was his physical support. Even though it hurt him to know she’d done this mostly without his help, it also helped him to see just how strong of a person she was. His Anna could accomplish anything.

She could have complained. Made the case difficult by begging him to stay, and had she, he most likely would have come home. Even knowing he had to get out there and get the case closed. If she’d asked him, he would have done it. She’d been holding it down for both of them because if all that happened to her had broken her, he’d be just as f****d. But Anna was determined to get back to being her. Now that she’d been given the all clear, he knew she was going to be asserting herself with a vengeance, and he was looking forward to it.

Today was her day one. Her win.

“Honey, you have a pretty smile,” Ava yelled, infected by Anna’s happiness.

“Thanks, Ladybug. You do, too.”

Anna looked to Lois, still beaming.

“Jackson and I are anxious to provide Ava with some brothers and sisters. We clear to get started on that?”

Jackson’s heart faltered at Anna’s words. They hadn’t officially talked about kids. It was on his list of things to bring up.

Marry her.

See her growing with their child.

Do it again.

Then twice more while living out the rest of his life as the happiest man on the planet surrounded by his wife and family. That she was excited to get started on their family now meant something.

It meant everything.

“Baby,” Jackson said, wrapping his free arm around her. She placed her head on his chest and gave him more of the everything he was feeling.

“I’m ready, Jackson. I can do this. If this didn’t beat me, nothing will. Life’s too short. Ava needs brothers and sisters.”

To which Ava clapped excitedly and hugged them both.

“We’re getting married, and I don’t care if our baby comes before or after, but I want to start filling our house with us. And maybe a dog or cat.”

Filling our house with us.

Those were her words, and they were perfect.

“Anything you want; it’s yours, baby.”

Lois cleared her throat, and Jackson gave her a scathing look over the top of Anna’s head. If she so much as stepped out of line, he was handing her ass over to Lola.

“You should have no problem conceiving, Anna,” Lois said with a tight smile on her lips.

“Excellent.”

They were going to get right on that as soon as f*****g possible.

They were headed out of the office when Lois decided she wanted to share her brand of crazy.

“Congrats to you both, and I sincerely hope you have a blessed life. Had Jackson and I stayed the course, our son would have been nine.”

That got Anna’s attention.

Crazy b***h. If she were a man, Jackson would have punched her in the mouth.

Jackson turned and said low, so only the adults could hear, “Lois, I warned you.”

The woman smirked.

“Anna has a right to know.”

“What? That you’re whacked? Yeah, definitely. That you’re full of s**t? Most assuredly. You were never pregnant, Lois, and my dad’s investigator found that out.”

Anna sighed loudly and dramatically. She turned and told Ava to go and wait for them by the play area, then turned her attention to Lois.

“Seriously, even if what you said were true, it doesn’t matter now. I remember you, Lois Everdeen, and I remember the lies you spread about you and Jackson having a baby. It’s really sad when women try and hold on to something that doesn’t want to be held. How many years has it been now? Almost ten, right? Still, you haven’t moved on? I know my man gives good d**k, but seriously, there’s more out there. He’s not the only one that can get the job done.”

Jackson wanted to laugh but didn’t. Anna looked up at him, completely ignoring a put out Lois, and said, “Can we go, please? We have babies to make.”

“We sure as s**t do, gorgeous, and I hope to Christ, they all look like you.”

“I vote for you, but then with genes like yours, I’m gonna need a shotgun and a lifetime supply of condoms if my sons are like their daddy.”

Ignoring Lois’s outraged look, Jackson tugged Anna out into the waiting room, laughing and grabbing Ava as they made their way out of the building. He wasn’t sure if she said those things to Lois on purpose, and he really didn’t care. He was happy either way. Anna wanted to start a family with him. Life was starting to look better and better every day. Now, he just needed to close out the case and put the bad guys behind bars where they belonged.

“Call up Lola. She needs to pay Lois Everdeen a visit.”

“Seriously?” Anna laughed.

“Yes. Seriously.”

Now it was Anna’s laughter filling the cab of the truck as they made their way home and she pulled out her cell to contact her cousin.

I can tell by the look in Jackson's eyes that something has changed. Something significant. I just have no clue what it is. But it happened back when we left the doctor’s, and it settles uncomfortably between us while driving Ava to her pony lessons.

Mixed in with the sudden change is the heavy undercurrent of lust so potent, I'm positive my clothes are going to go up in flames the moment he touches me. The unfiltered desire burns wildly inside the truck, and I start to sweat. Jackson looks over at me, and it’s like he can tell what I’m thinking. He’s wearing a cocky grin to outdo all cocky grins.

“Why you all up in my space?” I ask, not even caring that I sound exasperated. My voice is breathless, and I can’t help but wipe my hand across my forehead. s**t. I’m a hot ass mess. This waiting is going to be the death of me. I’m tempted to say screw the pony lessons so Jackson can screw me.

Jackson doesn’t comment. He doesn’t say s**t. His grin is sly, devilish, and all-knowing as he places his hand high up on my thigh and squeezes. I actually have to hold back a moan so Ava doesn’t think I’m crazy.

“Hands on the wheel, Sheriff.”

He doesn’t move his hand.

Nope. The beautiful and sexy bastard squeezes me. His hand relaxes, and then he squeezes my thigh again.

“I’m an excellent driver,” Jackson says as he turns and winks in my direction. “I can go slow, or I can go fast, but at the end of the day, I know how to park this vehicle right where it needs to be.”

Now he’s throwing in double meanings, and it’s taking forever to get to the stables. Right when I’m about to scream, he parks the truck, leans over, and kisses me soundly on the lips. Ava is in a fit of giggles from the back seat. She thinks it’s funny when Jackson kisses me.

I melt.

Yes. Melt.

I’m a huge, sappy dork, and I don’t care that the feel of my man’s lips makes me shiver from head to toe. I can’t help it.

“You ready, Ladybug,” Jackson asks. He’s not the least bit affected.

Ava nods her head excitedly before clapping wildly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Daddy. Yes!”

Jackson looks over at me and winks again. He unbuckles his seat belt, jumps out of the truck, and walks to Ava’s side of the truck where he unbuckles her from her car seat. I do the same for myself, but wait a moment before actually stepping out of the vehicle.

Think of anything other than s*x.

Starbursts. I see those when he makes me come.

Groaning, I bow my head, close my eyes tightly, and pray for strength.

Dear Lord, please give me the strength to maintain a sliver of composure. Don’t make me look desperate. I swear I’m not desperate, and above all, I know I shouldn’t be asking this, but please, please, please, make sure I get laid.

“You should be ashamed of yourself. Asking the good Lord to ensure you get some tonight,” Jackson says, laughing.

Oh my God.

Did I say that out loud?

I quickly change the subject.

“We need a bigger vehicle.”

“Uh, hun, you sure you don’t mean something else?”

“No, stop trying to go there.”

He’s laughing now, full-on belly laugh.

“Darlin’, you were the one going there.” Shaking his head, he walks after Ava, who’s farther up the path, heading for the stables.

We do need a family vehicle. I know people want to be alone when they’re newlyweds. I get the allure. Naked Sundays, blowjob Thursdays, and, of course, all-day-s*x Saturday. Yeah, that’s how we’ll be, but with little Ava, we’ll have to mix it up and get creative. There’s no doubt in my mind that Jackson will get sole custody of Ava. Vivian will have supervised visits, but I am officially going to be someone’s mom. As scary as it all seems, I’m okay with it.

None of this bothers me. I’ll have plenty of practice between my Godson and little Ava to perfect my nurturing skills.

What does bother me is Ava, already five, with no little brother or sister to share her childhood with. She’ll have her cousin, but she needs more.

“Baby, you coming?” Jackson whispers in my ear, his body crowding mine now as he places his hands around my waist. I must have slowed down as they walked ahead. I’m too busy thinking about what my future with him looks like. The nape of my neck tingles with awareness. Jackson’s punk ass is doing it on purpose. Baiting me, ramping up my horny meter to a level that’s so uncomfortable, I’m tempted to forget all pleasantries and take him right where I stand. An image of me riding him until I’m depleted of strength enters my mind, and I almost cave. Almost. Be classy, Anna. You got this.

If Jackson wants to play this game, then I’m going to ensure that I’m the winner. I step out from under his arm and as I turn, I make sure to press my body close to his. My soft to his hard. I try to walk away, but am snagged around the waist by his strong grip, and he pulls me roughly against his front so that I can feel the evidence of his desire.

“You’re playing with fire darlin’,” Jackson warns in his deep southern voice. It’s the sound he makes when I’m all he can see. All he has time for. Whoever said southern men were calm gentlemen got it ass backwards. He is anything but calm.

“Why, I declare, Jackson Storme, the fire-breathing sheriff,” I say in my sweetest southern drawl.

“Don’t sass me, Anna. This is a game you won’t win.”

Now his voice is deeper, darker. I turn my head to look up into his eyes, and I swear they’re on fire. His eyes tell me all the ways he plans to use me tonight. My entire body lights up, and I can’t repress the shiver that rocks me straight to my core. I wink, kiss the underside of his scruffy jaw, and make my way towards Ava. Taking her hand, we make the walk the rest of the way to Knoll’s stables. Jackson’s mother, Corrine, suggested we take Ava for riding lessons, and said she’d just buy her the pony, but I promptly put a stop to that; not because I don’t want Ava to have a pony, but the upkeep alone would be outrageous, and although Jackson has the money, it isn’t necessary that he spend it. Not to mention, that’s how spoiled children are made. Ava needs to earn her pony, if that’s what she really wants. Too many times, I see parents push their children into things they wanted as kids. Jackson and I refuse to do that with Ava. We’ll let her tell us her passions in life, and see to it that she gets to explore them to the fullest. Right now, she’s into ponies.

I’m wearing black leggings and a long, white tunic and sneakers. In my head I was trying to dress the part of stay-at-home mom. Isn’t that what they wear? Comfy clothes? Ava’s pulling me towards the dressing room so she can change into her riding gear. Gear that costs a fortune. There was a time when I was little that I dreamed of going to Knoll’s to learn to ride. A lot of the kids from school would talk about it, but because my mother couldn’t afford it, it wasn’t something I got to do. As soon as Ava’s dressed, I French braid her hair down the middle, help her with her boots, and send her on her way.

“Ride well, Ladybug.”

Ava turns and gives me a serious nod before taking off.

There are six other little girls her age, all dressed and ready to go. They’re all so serious and attentive as they listen to their instructor. Jackson and I take a seat in the stands. He’s the only father there. The rest are nannies or mothers. Six months ago, if you’d told me I would be at Knoll’s, with Jackson Storme, watching my daughter take riding lessons, I would have shaken my head no at the impossibility of it all. But I am here with Jackson, and Ava is my daughter—or soon-to-be daughter. It’s all so surreal. I’m smiling. Cheesing it up as I realize this isn’t a dream. I’m going to be someone’s mother and someone’s wife.

Oh my goodness.

My man is loaded, and we’re taking our daughter to riding lessons.

I snort, and one of the well-made-up moms turns to shush me, but spots Jackson and smiles bashfully. Jackson, the ever-southern gentleman, nods his head, and with his honey-coated voice rumbles, “Ma’am.”

“Sheriff. I didn’t know your Ava would be riding.”

“My mother suggested it.”

“Corrine would know,” the woman spouts, still smiling.

I feel invisible at this particular moment as little Miss I’m-Divorced-Cuz-My-Husband-Left-Me-For-His-Secretary swoons and engages only Jackson in conversation as if I’m not there. I get it. He’s hot, and he’s the sheriff—there’s something inherently sexy about a badge attached to a man. Control, and…manliness are what he exudes. He’s confident and cocky, but in a way that is still gentlemanly. And he knows it. But I know she sees me, and I know she knows who I am. Because everyone—and I do mean everyone—in Beauville knows that Jackson and I are getting married.

“Be a dear and fetch us something to drink would you?” She actually looks me directly in the eye as if I’m gonna do it, too.

Oh hell, no. This broad is not looking at me like I’m gonna jump up and go fetch s**t.

I don’t acknowledge her. Jackson, on the other hand, gets tense.

Oh, now the lightbulb goes off.

I swear. Men can be so daft.

“Gwen, this is my fiancée, Annabelle Macon. You guys were in the same graduating class. You remember her?”

Gwen’s squinty eyes go wide as if she is just now realizing who I am. Yeah, b***h. You know me. She sits up straighter and has the nerve to try and look really confused.

“Oh my God, is it really you? Hey, Annabelle. I hardly recognize you, did you put on some weight?”

Lord. She’s testing my last nerve. I know I got the all clear today, but it’s a little too soon to go off on someone. I’m better than that. I’m not going to tear into her, but I want to. I want to so bad.

“I may have, Gwen. Weight gain is attributed to happiness. You, on the other hand, are looking not so happy,” I retort.

Jackson knows I’m irritated and stands. I think he’s moving, so I get up too, but he places a hand on my shoulder and takes the bleacher behind me, pulling me between the catch of his legs where he breathes against my ear. “You’re right babe, Gwen could definitely use a sandwich or two.” He says it loud enough for her to hear, and instead of her back talking, she huffs out a frustrated breath before turning back around and watching the girls ride.

“Aren’t you just famous.” I snort.

“Yeah, but I only got eyes for you, baby. Gwen’s just lonely.”

“Not your problem, Jackson.”

“You’re right, baby.”

Damn right I am.