“Back in the real world.” Jackson sighed when they’d dropped their bags in their New York City bedroom. Three days hadn’t been sufficient, but by the way they explored each other’s bodies during that limited time, Jackson knew there’d never be enough time in the world.
“It’s nice to be home again.”
Jackson smiled at the sound of her calling it home. “It is.”
Holly plugged in her phone, long dead since their arrival in Barbados. When it turned on, she let out a small shriek. “We’re everywhere!”
“What?” Jackson asked, unbuttoning his shirt for a shower.
She turned the phone toward him. The front picture on some celebrity website was a full cover shot of them tangled on the deck of the pontoon boat. Jackson could remember that moment clearly. These pictures were taken the second day of their trip, when he’d saved Holly from the reef. Thankfully, whenever these pictures had been taken, it was after she’d finished coughing up the water.
“Nice.” He tossed his discarded shirt in the hamper and made his way to the bathroom.
“Amber texted me. They say we’re the new Brangelina.” Holly giggled, her fingers tapping at the screen.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“They like us,” she explained. “Or at least, the magazines do. Have you talked to your campaign manager today about the polls?”
“Honestly, I haven’t spoken to him since before we left for Barbados.” Jackson didn’t even want to look at his phone. The whole time they were gone, his cell buzzed almost nonstop until it died. He was sure the office could handle itself, but obviously Denny needed some attention. “I guess I need to give him a call.”
Holly looked at him peculiarly. “Who are you and what have you done with my boss?”
He paused. “What do you mean?”
“You went from having a full datebook of meetings and business calls to dropping everything so you can fly to get fresh seafood.” Holly brushed her hair away from her tanned face. “Quite the change.”
“Actually, I picked Barbados so I could see you in a bikini.” He could tell by her laugh that she didn’t believe him. Jackson pulled his phone from his bag and turned it on, greeted by several voicemails, dozens of missed calls, and too many texts to count. Deciding to bite the bullet, he pressed Denny’s speed dial.
Denny answered on the first ring. “Jackson! What the hell?”
“I’ve been in Barbados,” Jackson replied, watching as Holly slipped into the bathroom to shower, stealing his spot. He hoped he could cut the call short and join her.
“I know that. All of America knows that…you beautiful, gorgeous, toned god of a man!”
Jackson’s jaw fell open, shocked that his doom and gloom manager sounded so positive. “You sound pleased.”
“Because I am! You’re a goddamn genius!”
“For going on vacation?” Jackson asked as he took off his watch and kicked his shoes to a corner.
“Yes!” Denny laughed aloud. “You and that girl looked so in love even I was convinced. She’s one hell of an actress, and so are you! This is probably the smartest thing you’ve done this whole campaign.”
“I’m going to be honest. This wasn’t the reaction I saw coming.”
“Because you’re usually so obtuse. But your vacation, was pure genius. These pictures are gold.” Jackson could hear the sounds of flipping papers and assumed Denny had a stack of magazines before him. “Men want to be you, women want to be with you, and the whole time, in all of these pictures, you don’t take your eyes off this girl. If I didn’t know you better, I would think you’re really in love with her.”
“Really?” Jackson ran a hand through his hair. He needed to get hold of some of those gossip rags and see what the public saw.
“Yes. They love you. The business made you look smart and competent, but the way you look at this girl, with total devotion, makes you look like a nice guy. Voters are eating it up!”
Jackson was at a loss for words. Sure, he liked the way Holly looked, but was it so blatantly obvious he had more than just passing feelings for her? It had been a while since he’d felt the true pangs of a lovesick heart, but Jackson thought maybe he felt more for her than he cared to admit.
***
Holly rinsed the shampoo from her hair, taking her time as she showered. The previous few days filled her mind. Everything from the days out in the warm, blue, waters to the nights spent in bed were almost too good to be true. In fact, they were too good to be true. She fought back emotions as she remembered why she was there in the first place: to be a good actress.
She sighed and turned off the water, wrapping a towel around her chest. When they boarded the private jet for home, emblazoned with Jackson’s company logo, she felt wretched. Once they landed back in New York, she knew the game was back on and the fun was over. But she couldn’t let go. Not really.
When she crossed back to the bedroom, dressed for bed with her damp hair in a braid, Jackson was waiting, his eyes upon her. “You all right?” he asked as she slipped between the sheets.
“I’m fine,” she answered, turning the lamp off quickly. Holly thought she could handle having a placid expression, but she was obviously wrong. She wasn’t sure whether or not she wanted to address the storm of conflicted feelings swarming in her chest.
“Sad to be back in your sprawling New York City penthouse among the staff and unlimited riches at your disposal?” he jested, gathering her in his arms.
She knew, at that moment, she had to get it all out in the open. “Can I be honest?” Holly traced his collarbone, gathering her strength.
“Of course.”
“This is really hard. Extremely hard.”
“I’ve got something hard for you,” he growled in response, grabbing her hips.
Holly tried to control her giggles and stay serious, but in an instant, he cut through her depressed demeanor. “I’m trying to talk to you and you’re only thinking about your genitalia.”
“To be fair, I’m thinking about yours, too.” Jackson tugged at the end of her nightie playfully.
“I’m serious.” She laughed, almost all solemn thoughts fleeing her mind. Holly fought to grasp them again, sitting up and flipping the light back on. “Jackson, stop thinking with your little head and hear me out.”
“Okay, no prick talk,” he said, giving her his full attention.
“I was saying this is becoming difficult for me.” Holly averted her eyes from his nude torso, settling her focus on the Degas he had hung on the other side of the room from their bed. “I know this started as a job, but I’m having trouble finding the line anymore.”
“So am I,” he admitted, running his hands through his hair the way he did when he was thinking, or felt torn. His lips were pursed thoughtfully as he watched her.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want to get hurt.”
“Holly.” He rose beside her. “I don’t want to hurt you. I won’t hurt you.”
His words stuck her in the chest, creating a tight sensation she could hardly handle. “I want to believe you.”
“Then believe me.” He took her hand, kissing her knuckles. “I want you here with me, employed or otherwise.”
“Do you mean that?”
Jackson nodded. “I do. I really enjoy our time together. You’ve changed me, Holly. Before you, I would’ve never left work without notice and spent a few days off the grid. You’re beautiful and you make me laugh. I haven’t laughed, really laughed, in so long. I didn’t realize what I was missing until you came in and dumped finance reports all over my office floor.”
Holly choked back her emotion, which threatened to overflow. All the negative baggage that came with thinking about their arrangement melted, leaving her heart warm. “Is that how you really feel?”
“I’ve lied to my mother, and all of America, but I’ve never lied to you.”