Jackson heard his cell phone chime, read his newest text message and smiled. Chase was checking up on him, and wanted to know how he was doing. Jackson missed his brother and wished he was back from his trip with Amber. If Chase was around he’d have someone to vent to, because talking to Diego was out of the question. His friend was in a sour mood, upset because he was at odds with his wife, and his negativity was depressing. Mariah was ten times worse. Jackson sent Chase a text, then put his cell in his pocket.

  His thoughts returned to Freezergate and the heated argument he’d had with his sister that morning. He’d made the mistake of telling Mariah he was romantically interested in Grace, and she’d erupted like Mount St. Helens. She’d threatened to disown him if he hooked up with the competition again, and insisted they summon Chase home for an emergency family meeting.

  A week later, Mariah was still giving him the cold shoulder, and the tension inside Lillian’s was stifling his creativity. He had a week to make three speciality cakes, but hadn’t started them yet. Jackson couldn’t get Mariah’s accusations out of his mind, and when he wasn’t reliving their argument he was fantasizing about Grace. Daydreaming about her mouth, her fine feminine shape, squeezing her plump, juicy ass. Tomorrow, after basketball practice, he was going to Lillian’s and he wasn’t leaving until he finished the wedding cakes he’d been commissioned to make.

  “Are you inviting Grace to the Heritage Arts and Awards dinner?”

  “So Mariah can kill me with her bare hands? No way. I’m flying solo that night.” To please Diego’s wife, Ana Sofia, he’d bought two tickets to the black-tie event, but he didn’t know which of his female friends to invite. Damn, I wish I could take Grace, he thought. He enjoyed her company, knew she’d look great on his arm, but if they went to the awards dinner together the whole world would know they were an item, and Mariah would be pissed if she found out he was romancing the enemy.

  Jackson remembered the conversation he’d had with his sister two days earlier in the bakery storage room and felt guilty, knew he’d done wrong. While doing inventory Mariah had asked him point-blank if he was sleeping with Grace, and he’d told her there was nothing gone on. Sweating profusely, he’d swiftly changed the subject, got his sister talking about the new recipes she was working on for the Bite of Seattle festival and fled the room the moment Kelsey walked in, looking for a rolling pin.

  “Give it up to the Ballet Misfits for their 220-170 win! Better luck next time, Curvy Crashers,” the announcer said. “And a special thank-you to all the fans who braved the rain to come out and cheer on the home team.”

  While the crowd filed out of the stadium, Jackson and Diego finished their beers.

  “I’ll be right back. I want to see Grace before she leaves.”

  Diego glanced at his watch. “If you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m out of here.”

  “What’s the rush? It’s only five o’clock and the boxing match won’t start for hours.”

  “Yeah, but if we turn up late the food will be gone and I’m starving.”

  Jackson left the stands and walked through the tunnel, searching for Grace. He stood in the hallway, waiting patiently as players streamed out of the locker rooms, but he didn’t see number forty-nine. An Asian woman with dyed red hair and heavy makeup flashed him a salacious smile and he nodded in greeting. “Do you know Grace Nicholas?” he asked, taking his cell out of his pocket to check for missed calls. “Is she still in the changing room?”

  “Yeah, the trainer’s looking at her knee. She banged it up pretty bad in the second period, but Shannon’s taking good care of her.”

  Jackson took off down the hall, pushed open the door marked Home Team and strode inside. He smelled soap and perfume, noticed the Nike posters on the walls featuring famous female athletes and heard the distant sound of voices.

  Entering the showers, he saw Grace and stopped dead in his tracks. She was sitting on a wooden bench, wearing nothing but a black sports bra and boy shorts, clutching her right knee.

  “Grace, baby, are you okay?”

  Surprise colored her cheeks. “Jackson, what are you doing here?”

  “I came to cheer on the home team, of course. You were amazing out there.”

  “But the game wasn’t even close. We lost by fifty points,” she argued.

  “So? I think you were spectacular tonight, and that’s all that matters.”

  “Sir, you have to leave. Fans aren’t allowed in the changing rooms.”

  “I’m Grace’s boyfriend. Who are you?”

  “The trainer for the Curvy Crashers,” he replied, standing to his full height.

  Jackson blinked, regarded the heavyset man in the weathered Reebok sweatsuit that had his name stitched on the top left and swallowed a laugh. He couldn’t believe this big, burly giant with the piercings and tattoos had a female name. “Bro, I got it from here. I’ll take care of my girl.”

  The trainer’s face fell and he glanced at Grace with a pleading look. “I’ll take you home.”

  “Shannon, I’m fine. Really. It’s a small bruise. No biggie.”

  “Are you sure?” he questioned, a frown wedged between his thick, fuzzy unibrow. “The last time you told me you were fine you ended up in the emergency room in excruciating pain.”

  “That’s not going to happen on my watch.” Jackson stalked over to the bench, sat down and inspected Grace’s knee. It was bruised, but she stood without difficulty and gave the sour-faced trainer a hug. “I’ll see you at practice next week.”

  Shannon shuffled out of the room with his head down and his shoulders bent.

  “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.”

  Jackson was trying to concentrate, but it was hard to focus when Grace was standing in front of him practically naked. God had blessed her in many ways and he admired them all. The large breasts, the flat stomach, thick thighs and long, toned legs. His eyes zeroed in on her silver belly ring and Jackson smiled to himself. What else was she hiding? Did she have another piercing down south? Swallowing hard, he pictured them at his house, doing wicked and salacious things in his bedroom, things that would make a rock star blush—

  “Earth to Jackson.”

  At the sound of her voice, he blinked and shook the thought from his mind, giving Grace his full attention. “Why didn’t you remind me about your game tonight?”

  “Because you think roller derby is a joke and I didn’t want you making fun of me.”

  “I’d never do that. You’re strong and powerful and I don’t want you to kick my ass!”

  “Damn right, and don’t you forget it.”

  Jackson grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down onto his lap. To make her laugh, he screwed his eyes shut and waved a hand in front of his nose. “You stink!”

  “Thanks a lot.” Grace stuck out her tongue and gave him a shot on the arm. “You sure know how to make a girl feel good after a heartbreaking loss.”

  “Just doing my part, bae.”

  Grace linked her hands around his neck and snuggled against him, and Jackson decided there was nothing better than holding her in his arms. “Is forty-nine your favorite number?”

  She dropped her gaze to her lap, blew out a deep breath and shook her head.

  “What is it?”

  “My mom was forty-nine years old when she died.” Tears filled her voice, swam in her eyes, and she swallowed hard. “I wear the number in remembrance of her.”

  They sat in silence, didn’t speak, just held each other tight.

  “Your mom is gone, but she’s in your heart forever so don’t run from your memories of her, embrace them,” Jackson said in a soothing tone. “I was incredibly close to my grandfather, Oscar, and when he died it felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest...”

  Jackson trailed off, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. He hadn’t planned to tell Grace about his grandfather’s death, but he felt compelled to, hoped his words gave her strength.

  “You know what helped me heal?”

  Grace sniffed, shook her head. “No. What?”

  “Doing all the things we loved doing together.”

  “Was your grandfather an avid sportsman, too?”

  “Yes. I learned everything I know about golf—and women—from him.”

  “That explains why you have so many female admirers.”

  “Does that bother you?” he asked, studying her face for clues. Grace wasn’t the jealous type, didn’t give off that vibe, but Jackson wanted to know for sure. He didn’t want to upset her and wanted to be upfront about everything. “Would you prefer if I didn’t hang out with my exes?”

  “No, of course not. You can do what you want. I have no claims to you.”

  Ouch. Her words were a slap in the face and moments passed before he recovered.

  “It doesn’t matter what I think. You told Shannon I’m your girlfriend so he wouldn’t kick you out of here, but I’m not.”

  “Do you want to be?”

  “So you can break my heart?” she quipped, shaking her head. “No, thanks. I’ll pass.”

  “Grace, you act like you’re the only one who’s been hurt. I’ve been lied to, cheated on and betrayed.”

  “You have? No way. Someone actually cheated on you?”

  “Why does that surprise you?”

  “Because you’re attractive and successful and smart,” she said. “You can have any woman you want, and you probably have!”

  “Not any woman. I don’t have you.”

  A seductive grin curled her lips. “Do you want me?”

  “Baby, you have no idea.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” she teased, cocking her head. “Let’s do this.”

  Her words excited him, caused his erection to harden and strain against his boxer shorts. Jackson kissed her with a savage intensity, mated hungrily with her tongue as it danced around his mouth. He’d never done anything like this before, never had sex in a women’s locker room, but everything about it turned him on. The spontaneity. The excitement. The thrill of getting caught in the act—again.

  Grace unbuttoned his shirt, shrugged it down his shoulders then tossed it to the floor as if it was a filthy rag rather than a Kenneth Cole design. Rocking her hips against his crotch, she kissed from his earlobe to his neck and along his shoulders. Grace turned him out with her tongue, licked and sucked his nipples as if she was starving and he was the main course.

  Kicking off his shoes, he tightened his hold on her hips and stood to his feet.

  “Jackson, what are you doing?” Grace tossed her head back and shrieked with laughter. “If you throw out your back and end up on bed rest, don’t blame me.”

  “As long as you’re my sexy nurse, it’s all good.”

  “Where are we going?” she asked, her words a breathless pant.

  “To get you clean, of course. You’re dirty, remember?”

  Realization dawned and her face lit up. “You’re a very bad boy, Jackson Drayson.”

  “I know, and you love it.”

  “You’re right, baby, I do.” Grace clamped her thighs around his waist and placed kisses along his ear and neck. “Being with you makes me high, gives me a rush...”

  Jackson entered the shower stall farthest from the locker room, stripped off the rest of his clothes and turned the water on full blast. Steam rose, filling the air, but there was no mistaking her excitement. It shone in her eyes, covered her face, tickled her lips. “Take off your panties, or I’ll rip them off,” he commanded, setting her down on the ground.

  “I like how you think.”

  “And I like that ass, so turn around, bend over and touch those pretty pink toes.”

  Chapter 9

  Instantly wet, her body throbbing with need, Grace licked her lips as her eyes slid down Jackson’s naked body. Lean and toned, he had the physique of a man who spent hours lifting weights at the gym, and staring at his erection made her mouth dry. Thinking about making love to him, of finally doing all the wicked things she’d fantasized about in her dreams, left her breathless and panting for the main event.

  “I need you,” he declared, his tone a husky growl. “Right here, right now...”

  Hypnotized by his touch and his assertive, take-charge tone, Grace did as she was told, assuming the position he’d demanded. His mouth, tongue and hands paid homage to her curves, and her body trembled as he placed kisses down her spine.

  “I’m desperate for you, Grace. Have been since the first time you entered Lillian’s.”

  “Then what took you so long to make your move?”

  “I don’t want a girlfriend, just sex, and I didn’t want to give you the wrong impression.”

  “I don’t want anything long-term, either.”

  “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

  Jackson kissed her and she laughed inside his mouth. He brushed his nose against hers, told her she was sexy, captivating, said she belonged to him and no one else. Taking her bottom lip between his teeth, he ran his hands up her thighs to her sex. He swirled his fingers in her dark, tight curls, played with them, tugged on them.

  Massaging her outer lips with slow, sensual strokes made her thighs quiver. Jackson mashed her breasts together and sucked her erect nipples into his mouth, sucking so vigorously that pleasure and pain exploded inside her body in equal measures.

  “Grace, is this what you want? Is this how you like it?”

  “Oh, yes,” she moaned. “Deeper, Jackson, harder, faster...”

  His fingers worked their magic between her legs, stirring and probing her wet clit. Her breathing grew thicker, louder, and when Jackson rubbed his erection against her ass Grace cried out. The move triggered an orgasm so powerful her knees gave out and she collapsed against him. Skin-to-skin, her back pressed flat against his chest, water raining down on them from the showerhead, Grace decided it was the sexiest, most erotic moment of her life. And she wanted more. Jackson must have read her thoughts, sensed what she was thinking, because he slid his hand from between her legs, stalked over to their clothes scattered around the room and took a condom out of his jeans. He ripped open the gold packet and rolled the condom down his shaft.

  Excitement fluttered inside Grace’s belly. The water was warm and nice, felt good against her skin. Approaching her with a broad grin, his body glistening with water, Jackson looked more like an underwear model than a baker, but when Grace shared her thoughts he laughed. “Tonight, I’ll be anything you want me to be.”

  “I bet you say that to all of your customers,” she joked with a teasing smile.

  “No, just you. You’re one in a million, Grace, and I’m going to prove it right now.”

  Spreading her legs wide, she braced her hands against the wall and arched her back. Slowly, he eased the tip of his erection inside her sex, taking his time filling her with his impressive length. Savoring the moment and how amazing Jackson felt inside her, she pressed her eyes shut and threw her head back. His erection was the best thing that had ever happened to her. It was an instrument of pleasure, and her body responded eagerly to his slow, penetrating stroke.

  Taking his hands in hers, Grace used them to roughly cup her breasts. He tweaked her nipples, plucked them, rolled them between his fingers, sending her body into an erotic tailspin. Jackson pumped his hips, thrust powerfully inside her, used his erection to turn her out. Her ears tingled, her knees buckled and her toes curled.

  Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he pulled her face toward his and kissed her hard on the mouth. The heat from his tongue spread through her body, setting it on fire. Grace was losing it, didn’t know how much more she could take. Jackson moved faster, thrusting, pumping, pounding into her with all his might. Their lovemaking was savage and intense, everything Grace wanted and more.

  “Baby, come,” he urged, reverently massaging her backside. “Come for me again, and this time don’t hold back. Explode for me, baby. Do it now.”

  Arching her back, she opened her eyes and shot him a sultry smile. “You first.”

  Jackson spanked her, slapping her bottom once, twice, three spine-tingling times. Grace moaned, then begged him to do it again.

  “Keep talking like that and I’ll keep you in this shower for the rest of the night,” he vowed, slowly licking his lips. “Is that what you want?”

  Yes! Yes! Yes! she thought, poking out her butt and rocking against his groin.

  “You’re a hellcat, and I love it.”

  Grace raised an eyebrow, feigned an innocent look. “Is that all you love?”

  “No. I love your intelligence, and wit, and how you walk into a room and command everyone’s attention, and this, of course...” Jackson slid his hands between her legs. “I think I love this the most. It’s mine now. Understood?”

  His words and his powerful thrusts caused dynamite to explode inside her body. His erection swelled, filling her, consuming her sex. Cursing, he gripped her shoulders, increased his pace, moving faster, thrusting deeper still. The water drowned out his guttural groans as he climaxed, and Grace’s frenzied, out-of-control screams. Savoring the feel of him, the sound of his voice, his slow, passionate kisses, she collapsed against the shower wall, trying to catch her breath.

 

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