Anna and Jackson Read online

  He moved faster as my hands made their way into his beautiful thick mane of hair. Is this really happening? The legs of the bed scrapped against the hardwood floor as his body slammed into mine in rapid succession, one thrust after another. All I could do was hold on for the ride. I couldn’t catch my breath.

  Our bodies met each other in perfect sync. This is what love feels like, a never-ending tidal wave that catches the wind and pushes you further and further out of your comfort zone, until the only thing left to do is accept and trust the person at your back. This is what love sounds like, heavy breathing and the constant creaking of the bed as he surges in and out of my body, the sounds of our connection slapping together in a rhythm that matches the erratic beating of our hearts. This is real. This is final. Finality can be a harsh and beautiful thing, and I’d gladly walk beside this version of a man if it made me feel cherished and wanted like this all the time.

  My legs fell open and one of his hands dug under my back and slid to my ass, lifting me closer to his thrusts. My head moved away to taste his skin. Salt and sunshine mixed with a potent flavor so strong I couldn’t stop licking him. The flavor invaded my taste buds. He’s everywhere; on me, in me, soaked into my skin. He’s all I can feel, all I can smell, and I revel in this feeling that only Jackson can give me. His other arm anchored his body above me. The sensation changed as his pelvis ground into my bundle of nerves, making me call out his name in a vocal plea for more.

  “That’s my girl,” he croons above me.

  The hand at my ass moved, lifting my leg so that it slipped into the crook of his arms, spreading me open farther. He moved faster still, driving deep, hitting a spot inside that has me crying out.

  “God, God, God!”

  What the hell was that? That’s never happened to me before and as I look up into golden eyes, I concentrate on the beautiful look of a man happily making love to his woman. Another orgasm finds me quickly, shoving me over into a world without limitations, a place where all my hopes and dreams play an intricate roll in everyday life. A cast of characters that strive for something far better than mutual gratification as we reach for oneness.

  “Damn, baby,” Jackson panted above me, sweat gathering along his neck.

  “You’re ready now,” his face looked tortured as if he’d been holding his release at bay, simply waiting for me to get mine, twice. He bends forward, pushing his cock deeper inside, and reaches over to wipe his face on the sheet that’s wrinkled beneath me.

  “Ready,” my voice is dry and I really need something to drink, but can’t form words when I look into his eyes and see a dark and desperate need.

  “Yeah, baby, ready.” Jackson pulls all the way out, cock shinning with my orgasm. It’s the most erotic thing I’ve ever seen in all my life.

  “Turn over, on your hands and knees.”

  Oh.

  I hesitated long enough to watch the corners of his mouth tilt and his eyebrows arch in challenge.

  “Grab the pillows at the top of the bed, Anna, and put them under your stomach.”

  I positioned myself, excitement coursing through my body at the thought of him behind me, inside of me, dragging his cock in and out of my heat. Looking over my shoulder, I watched as he leaned over and kissed first one cheek and then the other.

  “You have beautiful skin,” he purred along the spine of my back, rubbing his lips up and down; making me arch into his caress. I felt empty without him, and when I would have voiced my opinion, I felt the blunt head of his cock rubbing along my entrance. His hands spanned my hips, pulling me back to meet his thrust. When he settled all the way in, I stopped breathing, I’m so full. I can feel him expanding as my walls tighten around him. He’s so deep, uncomfortably deep, but I don’t care when he starts talking to me.

  “Annabelle, I’m gonna fuck you now till you see stars, and my gut bottoms out, and I have nothing left to give you.”

  Hell yes. I think to myself, closing my eyes tight and taking a deep breath.

  “Anything you want, Jackson,” I moved when he pulled back almost all the way out, I can feel every inch of his hardness, every ridge as it touched every sensitive part inside me. With my eyes closed, I picture every thrust. The frantic beat of my heart, as my chest heaves in and out, reminds me how excited I am, as I wait in anticipation. It’s almost like I’ve floated above our bodies and am looking on as he slams back in to me, jarring me back into reality and pushes me forward, deeper into the pillows. I brace my arms, steadying myself, as I try to get a hold of my senses and find balance.

  “Don’t stop… please, Jackson, don’t stop.”

  “Won’t.”

  His movements became clumsy, and the sound of his balls hitting my ass repeatedly echoed off the walls in the room. The sounds coming from him are animalistic as he digs into me from behind. We move like that forever, his thrusts becoming more precise, exact, as he swells further inside me. Jackson reaches around my front and fingers my clit until I’m over-sensitive to his touch.

  “That’s it, baby, come for me again.”

  Sweat runs between my breasts and down the sides of my back. The result of our invigorating bed-play collects at the base of my spine, and in between my shoulder blades as cool air kisses my skin; making me shiver.

  “More, I need more, Jackson.”

  “Fuck!”

  The hand at my waist squeezed almost painfully before rubbing along my ass. He pulled out, only for a moment, to rub his erection over my ass, making the entrance spasm.

  Fuck, I’ve never done this before.

  “Jackson,” my voice quivered in unease.

  “I got you, I’ve got you, Anna.”

  He’s sliding back in, still fingering my clit. I’m almost distracted, until I feel his thumb nudging my ass, sliding into the entrance. My pussy filled, my ass throbbing from the fullness of his thumb, and his other hand tugging on my clit. On his downward stroke, I lose my balance, falling facedown onto the mattress, ass in the air, propped up by the pillows, I cry out as my orgasm overtakes me. I barely hear him follow me over into his own sated bliss as I try to recover. Jackson’s huge body falls forward, giving me his weight as we both take a deep breath.

  “I can’t move,” I mumbled into the mattress. Jackson moved his arms and slowly pulled out, before rolling to the side. He pulled himself into a sitting position, his chest slick with sweat, and I watched as it streaked down his abdomen to settle on the tufts of hair at his groin. It mesmerizes me, his body is a total work of art that I want to capture with my camera. His breathing’s slow, as he pulls a hand through his tousled hair. I barely lift my head, shoving strands of hair out of my face as I try to get a better look at him.

  “Come here,” he rumbles, his voice still that slow drawl that I love so much.

  “Can’t move.”

  Jackson leaned forward and half-pulled, half-dragged my body over to his, settling me between his legs. He pulled a blanket over us, and turned off the light. His bed was facing a window, I realized seconds later, and there were no drapes. Just a half window that gives us a view of the lake.

  “Watch,” he whispers against the side of my head, and as if orchestrated just for the two of us, the fireworks start. Bright blues, fiery reds, and bright whites decorate the sky. The loud boom from the light show and the spray of sparklers are clear y, as if we are still at the festival.

  “Our fireworks were much better,” he says. I can hear the smile in his voice, feel the smugness in the way his arms tighten around me and pull me closer.

  “Damn straight.”

  “Who was on the phone, Anna?”

  Ever the observant sheriff, I think to myself. Of course he wouldn’t miss the fact that I was on my phone.

  “Stage One. Have you heard of them?”

  He grunts. “I don’t live under a rock just because I live down here, baby. Yeah I know them. Did they offer you a job?”

  “They did, Jackson, and I want to take it.”

  My insides crin
ge as I say the words. I know in his mind he expects me to be here with him, but I can’t. I left Beauville to be something more. I have no intention of staying home, cooking pies, and changing diapers. One day, but that day isn’t today, or anytime soon, I still have so much left on my plate that I need to accomplish.

  “No one is saying you can’t take the job, Annabelle, but understand, I want you in my bed, and not just sometimes, I want us to build on this, make it work.”

  Could we make it work? I wanted to, God, I wanted to real bad.

  “If you’re willing to give this a try, then I can certainly give it a try.”

  “Good, that’s what I want to hear from my girl.”

  His girl… Jackson’s girl.

  I turn and lightly kiss him on the chin, smiling. I’m happy, content in this new adventure. I don’t know what is going to happen, but I know whatever happens, it will include Jackson Storme.

  “Hey, Mom said if I met a nice man I should bring him home.”

  Jackson tilts his head back and laughs.

  “Guess we’re going to see Ms. Pearl in the morning, then.”

  GIVE AND TAKE

  by Tigris Eden

  Give and Take: Chapter 1

  “When are you coming home?”

  Sweet tea and long lazy days filled with intimacy and sex. It’s what Jackson’s voice makes me yearn for. Carefree days spent in his big bed making love, and binge watching The Walking Dead and Helix well into the night until we’re so exhausted, our bodies fall into a deep sleep. Beautiful days turned into hot sweaty nights. Jackson’s made the past several months wonderful in ways I can’t explain.

  “Baby, I’ll be back soon.” The longing is clear in my tone as I respond.

  His growl over the phone makes me shiver.

  “Anna.” I can tell he’s frustrated. The words verbalized are strained. Throatier.

  My body is going into withdrawals and when the sound dips low, it’s more growl than anything else. My stomach pitches into free fall and my breath stutters. No matter how many times I tell myself I’m city-chic, I always give in to my southern sigh.

  “One more week,” I whisper into the phone. I’m not strong enough to handle all that is Jackson with his crooning words.

  “Promise me I’ll be dining on your sweet body by Sunday.”

  It's exactly seven days from today.

  “Sunday, Jackson.”

  “Good girl. I’ll expect a call tomorrow, Anna.”

  “Yes, Sheriff,” I mock sweetly into the phone before hanging up. I’ve been back in New York for only three days and each hour away is proving to be harder than the last. After I took the job at Stage One, our relationship soared into unknown territory. Much like my photography career; which as of late, is a strain on both of us. He wants me in Beauville, and I want to be there, but I also want to pursue my career. We’re heavily ingrained in relationship mode and although I’ve loved Jackson practically my entire life, he has yet to say the words. Then again, neither have I. As a woman, I don’t want to come off as aggressive and needy. I promised myself I wasn’t going to push him. When he tells me he loves me, I want it to be because he feels it.

  You’ve felt it every day.

  True.

  But a woman doesn’t play all her cards in one hand. I want Jackson to love me. I need him to, but only when he’s ready. Until then, I’m holding onto the words. Afraid I’ll run him off into the arms of Viola, or worse, his baby momma, if I do say them.

  Well, what does that say about your self-esteem?

  Not a damn thing.

  I’ll be the first to admit, I never in a million years thought Jackson would fall for me.

  Did I hope for it?

  Yup.

  Did I want it badly?

  Do fireflies flicker?

  Damn straight.

  Now that I have him, I’m terrified of losing him. This makes me all kinds of paranoid, manifesting my terror into a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’ll lose him no matter how hard I try not to fuck it all up.

  Gah!

  Calm down, Anna.

  My world doesn’t revolve around Jackson. But my heart clearly does.

  It’s Monday night, and I promised Talia I’d have drinks with her at the Metro. It’s a swanky club on the lower east side of town and is almost always booked. Somehow, Talia got us reservations.

  I was putting on my outfit when I’d answered Jackson’s call. My little black dress is a flair that I partnered with my strappy gold Jimmy’s. Gold hoops compliment my slick up-do and make-up. I don’t dress up like I normally would. That’s all kinds of crazy and asking for trouble. Last year I was single. This year I’m Jackson Storme’s woman, and even though he isn’t here to see me, I feel obliged to tone it down. I don’t want to put out signals, or advertise to anyone I’m available for a quick romp. We’d spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s with my mom, Joey, and Treat. Jackson was clear. A woman’s signals are based on what she put out into the universe. I didn’t believe him at first and was standoffish because of it, but once I thought about it, I agreed he had a valid point. Even though we haven’t professed our love for one another, we both understand we’re exclusive. Grabbing my clutch and coat, I take one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs to catch a cab.

  “Anna! Over here,” Talia’s bright red hair stands out in a sea of blondes and dark browns. She is the center of attention as she holds her martini glass near the entrance. There’s a wide smile on her face as she waves me over.

  We were roommates in college when I first moved to New York from Beauville. Her father is a huge oil executive at a big company in Texas. Like me, we both wanted out of our small towns and back porch conversations, so we could integrate into city life. We’d bonded while reinventing ourselves.

  Talia is wearing a silky black jumpsuit with a silver chain belt that sits loosely on her waist. Lou Peeks cover her feet to complete her outfit. I weave my way around the crowd towards her and pull her into a hug before we walk inside. The Metro is dimly lit. A slow song pours out of hidden speakers giving the atmosphere a sultry feel. Tables and couches decorate the establishment. Chairs made of rich mahogany wood and covered tables draped in red linen add warmth to the surroundings. We sit the center. That doesn’t surprise me. Talia is all about the attention.

  “How was the shoot today?”

  I shrug. It wasn’t a bad but it wasn’t a great one either. One of the other key photographers, Jared, is a guy I dated for a while in college. He is one of the few Talia knew about. She had a nasty habit of going after what belonged to other people. Including men that I was interested in.

  “Shrugging tells me nothing.”

  A waiter stops by to take my drink order.

  “Caipirinha please. Rimmed with sugar.”

  “You and your fancy drinks,” Talia comments.

  “You and your martinis,” I counter.

  We both smirk and Talia winks, then begins to tell me about her day. This consisted of her many clients whining about what they thought they needed or asking for their next assignment. She’s an agent to some of New York’s up-and-coming models. Her life is always drama-filled.

  Our waiter returns with my drink and takes our food order. We spend the night eating and catching up. Talia knows about Jackson, but has yet to meet him. It's on purpose.

  “You sure he’s what you want, Anna?” Talia questions, reaching out and placing a hand on top of mine.

  “Yes, I’m sure. He’s everything I want and more, but I also want my career.”

  Talia shifts so she can eye me sideways. “You say it like you have to choose. You can have both.”

  It’s not a matter of choosing. Not exactly. It’s more of a striking out on my own. Jackson and his sister Joey both think I should set up shop in Beauville. I’m not ready to open my own studio just yet. It was the original plan, but things change all the time. Working with Stage One will help build my credibility as a photographer.

 
; “There are always choices, Talia. I just want to make sure I make the right one.”

  A commotion at the front of the restaurant has both Talia and I looking to see what it is. Two very well-known men of the city enter the Metro. People are clamoring inside for a chance to see Colby and Markus Graham. The Graham brothers are notorious for their serial dating and their money. According to some, they had ties to the founding fathers of 4Tech Multimedia Group. Every woman’s wet dream, and every man’s nightmare. That was the line on page six of Nightlife, a famous tabloid magazine in the city. I was in no danger of falling for their charms. Talia was another story.

  “Well, it looks like our night just improved by one hundred and fifty percent, Anna.”

  I roll my eyes. The brothers are hot, can’t deny that. They’re also arrogant jerks, and more than full of themselves. Confidence is good, too much ends with trouble.

  “Oh hell, they’re coming this way.” I mutter.

  “I know. I invited them.” Talia shares with a bright smile on her face.

  “Talia.” I hiss.

  My so-called friend shrugs, and stands when both men arrive at our table.

  “Talia dear, you look amazing.” Colby Graham beams, pulling her into a hug and kissing her on top of her head as if she were a wayward child to fawn over. Markus does the same before they both take their seats. I of course, don’t move. I did not want to give them the wrong idea. This was no double date. Colby sits to my right and Markus to my left. Both men are wearing expensive suits, their hair in perfect condition, and their smiles charming. Any woman would get a run for their money if they were involved with either brother.

  Markus turns his attention to me and grins.

  “Who is this exotic, bronze beauty?”

  I don’t get the chance to correct him because Talia immediately takes over the conversation.

  “Oh, this is my good friend, Annabelle Macon. Anna,” she gestures toward the brothers, “Colby and Markus Graham.”