Chapter Eight
The dreaded dinner
“I have to say, Jackson Reed, I was shocked at your suggestion. It has been so long since we had a family get-together,” her mother, Sophie said.
Rebecca stared at her mother, and saw that she was actually flirting with him. Sophie’s hand was on his knee, and she was leaning in quite close.
“He’s been really busy,” Bella said. “It was my idea, actually. I knew I remembered how much fun we had last time.”
“We certainly did,” her father, Robert, said.
She was at her parents’ place for Easter, and it was as terrible as she imagined.
“Rebecca, dear, did you know that Ethan is going to be the helm soon? He’ll own an entire fleet, and entire market,” Sophie said.
Ethan was the son that was there.
Rebecca smiled at him. He seemed nice. He’d been sweet, and kissed her hand. He’d done the whole gentleman thing. His father and mother were … different. His mother had her tits hanging out, and looked to be the same age as Ethan. So, probably she was his step-mother.
“He’s getting there. I’m training him,” Ethan’s father said.
She had missed his name. “I’m going to go and see what is taking dinner so long.”
Leaving the sitting room, she made her way into the kitchen to see Nancy, the cook. “Are you okay, Becca, love?” Nancy asked.
“I’m fine, I think. Can we poison my parents’ drinks without them knowing?” she asked, taking a seat at the counter.
Nancy laughed. “You wouldn’t even hurt a soul, and you’re talking about murder.”
“Mom won’t stop flirting with Jackson, and Dad is constantly staring at the stepmom in there.”
“Ah, the surgically enhanced one. Yes, she was in here an hour ago giving me a list of everything she couldn’t eat. She’s all skin and bone. From the looks of this, she hasn’t had a good meal in months.”
Rebecca laughed. She adored Nancy.
“How are things going in that fancy restaurant?”
“It’s going.”
Nancy sighed, and placed a hand on her hip. Rebecca watched her with a smile, realizing she copied a few of her mannerisms. Leaning on the counter with a hand on her hip. When she was waiting for something to come out of the oven, she folded her arms. This woman had been the real mother in her life. She cared about her so much.
“You hate it, don’t you?”
“It’s fine, Nancy.”
“I’ve been sent to come and get you,” Ethan said, making her turn toward him.
“Right.” She looked at Nancy, who handed her a drink of fresh orange juice.
“Dinner will be ready shortly.”
Nodding, she took her drink, and followed Ethan out of the kitchen.
“I heard you were a chef.”
“I am.” She took a sip of her juice. “Do you enjoy your business with boats?”
“It’s a little more than just boats.”
“My bad, sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.”
“You didn’t, not at all.”
She stood at the entrance of the sitting room, and looked in to find her mother still caressing Jackson’s thigh, but she was talking to Alaric and Bella.
“Your friend likes them old.”
“They’re in love. I’d leave them alone.” There may have even been a snarl to her voice as she looked at him.
He held his hands up. “Sorry. So, how about that date?”
“What date?”
“You know our parents want us to work together, right?”
She smiled. “Ethan, no offense, but my parents can want all day long. I don’t follow them.”
“Really? So they own your restaurant?”
Rebecca gritted her teeth, and she said nothing.
“Oh, I know all about that. You see my father has been telling me for years that I need to settle down. He adores your family so much, and he can see our two families working together. Joining forces.”
“It’s not going to happen. I have no interest in being a wife for business.”
“Ah, you want the fairytale. The love, the relationship, maybe the big family, with the house and everything else attached to it.”
She stared at him, seeing a coldness inside him that she’d never noticed before. “You know what? When I do marry, it won’t be to a condescending prick like you.”
Entering the room, she took a seat beside Alaric, wishing her fresh orange was something a great deal stronger. She could really do with a large glass of wine.
“You okay?” Alaric asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Honey, did you hear how wonderful Alaric and Bella’s big day is going to be?” Sophie asked.
“Yes. I’m helping her plan.”
“What about your dress?” Sophie asked.
“It’s already picked out. We go for fittings soon.” She took another sip of her orange.
“Maybe you should cut back on the calories, honey? To be able to fit in the dress, you need to look your best.”
“I think Rebecca looks fine. She’ll be a beauty just like my daughter,” Jackson said.
Hearing his compliment heated up her whole world. She glanced over at him, and smiled.
“Yes, I know, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t be worried. She’s a chef, and surrounded by food all day.”
“I have a really good diet that will help. The pounds will drop off you,” stepmom said.
Rebecca just smiled, and then Nancy announced that it was dinner.
Entering the room, she was disheartened to realize that she was going to be sitting beside Ethan. Opposite her was Jackson, and with him there, she knew she could handle whatever was thrown at her.
“So, Ethan, it’s a big step taking over your father’s company,” Jackson said.
“It is a big step, but it’s one that I’ve been training for my whole life. I believe I will step right into the role without any problem.”
“The one thing a businessman needs is a family. With the right woman on his arm, he’ll be unstoppable,” Robert said.
Kill me.
Kill me now.
“I can see what you’re saying, Robert, but you see, first he needs to prove himself. Rebecca already has. Don’t you think she should have someone who is equal to her?” Jackson asked.
She was in love. There was no other word for it.
She tried her hardest to keep the smirk off her face. It was hard to do, but she looked over at Jackson, and there was no mistaking the twinkle in his eye.
“I’m with Jackson here,” Alaric said. “Marriage is a two-way street. I know I’m looking forward to the day I can finally call this woman my wife.” Alaric took Bella’s hand and kissed it.
Marriage talk went out of the window. As per usual, the men talked about sports. She spoke with Bella, and her mom spoke with the stepmom.
The dinner was actually a success, and she was so happy to be leaving her family home, and driving back to her small apartment.
Of course, Jackson wasn’t too far behind her, which she loved. The moment she stepped foot into her apartment, Jackson wrapped his arms around her, picked her up, and took her right back to her bedroom.
She released a giggle, resting her head against his chest.
“When that fucker followed you, I wanted to kill him.”
“I wish you had. I didn’t want him, Jackson. You’re the only one that I want.” She kissed his cheek, and he turned his head, staring into her eyes.
“I don’t want to share you, Rebecca. I never have. Your parents, they won’t like you being with me, but I know I’ll treat you a hell of a lot better than that asshole.”
He was saying all the right words. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him how much she loved him, yet she held back, biting her lip, she smiled at him. “You’ll never have to share me. I belong to you.”
Jackson placed her on the floor, and she reached for his clothes. He shook his head. “No, I want to hold you. That’s all I need for tonight, holding you.”
“Okay.” She would like that. “We couldn’t really do a lot anyway.”
“Why?”
“It’s that time of the month for me. I was going to show you a little attention.” Her cheeks were heating.”
“Then let me take care of you.”
He took her hand, and led the way toward the bathroom. Her heart was pounding, and she was a little embarrassed, but Jackson took care of her. He was gentle as they showered together, and he washed her as if he … loved her? Crap, this was not what he wanted, at least not yet.
Forgetting about her feelings, she shut them down, and focused on the now, not on what she wanted more than anything. It was all she could do.
****
“You’re going away on a vacation?” Bella asked.
Jackson nodded. “Yes, I think it’s time I went away.” He had asked Rebecca to come with him on a much-needed vacation to Italy. He had a villa already booked, and the kitchen stocked up. Two weeks together, no one else, just the two of them. He couldn’t wait. He felt as excited as if he was a kid again.
“You know Rebecca is going away, don’t you? I’ll have no one?”
“We’ll both be a phone call away.” He cringed hoping she didn’t think the truth. Keeping his feelings from his daughter, the world, was driving him insane. He wanted to scream from the rooftops about how much he loved Rebecca. Being with her, it invigorated him, and not because she was young either. Her light called to him. It was fucking crazy. He was a businessman, and many criticized him as he refused to tear others down so that he could succeed. His work ethics rivaled those of his fellow competitors. His staff were loyal to him. There had been many women who believed he was weak as he refused to be cutthroat. Those women hadn’t lasted long in his life. Rebecca, she was like him in so many ways. She saw the good in people, and didn’t believe in hurting others just to get better herself. She was a shining light. Wherever she went, people flocked to her. She made those around her happy.
“Okay. It’s time for you to have some fun. I hope you catch the sun, and you’re much happier for it. You work way too hard.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
He closed the cell phone, and boarded the plane where Rebecca was already seated. She hadn’t wanted to go first class, but he’d made her. This was not just about the two of them having a vacation. This was so much more. When they got back, it would be close to her birthday, and he was hoping the finishing touches were in place on the café he’d gotten.
It was going to be her birthday present, and he wanted everything to be special.
“How did she take it?” Rebecca asked once he was seated.
“She’s happy that I’m going away. She doesn’t know that we’re going together.”
“I know. It’s kind of crappy that we don’t tell her, don’t you think?”
“When the time is right.” He didn’t like betraying her. He took her hand, and kissed the back of her knuckles. “We’ll tell her soon, baby, I promise.”
“I know I should want to tell her, but I’m scared. What if she’s angry with me? I don’t want her to be angry with me.”
“Because I’m her dad?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t like the thought of women using you. I’m not after your money.”
He laughed, cupping her cheek. “You really are the sweetest. Honestly, how did I ever get it wrong about you? You’re not a troublemaker. You care way too much about what people think.”
“Not people, just Bella. She’s my best friend, and she’s always been there. This is the longest I’ve ever kept something from her. I don’t like it, but I also don’t want to give this up.”
“You’re worried in case she asks you to leave me?” he asked. She nodded. “That would never happen.” He knew his daughter, and she didn’t have a malicious bone in her body. She would be worried if he hurt Rebecca. His track record hadn’t been so good until he’d started dating Rebecca.
“Sorry. This is no way to start a vacation.”
“It’s fine. We’ll tell Bella soon.” This had never been about sex, or being a naughty little secret. This was about so much more.
He was in love with Rebecca, and that shit terrified the fuck out of him. How could this young woman have totally captured his world? She had been part of his life for so long, and not once did he feel anything for her. Then one event, his daughter’s heartbreak, had changed all of that.
Rebecca had made him laugh and had changed what he wanted out of life. When he thought of the future, it was looking brighter than ever before. Would it be so hard to finally give himself the chance to dream once again? Could he be a father again?
“You’ve got a serious face again. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, baby. Nothing is wrong at all.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. She closed her eyes, and when he pulled away, he saw the ghost of a smile on her face.
“I love it when you kiss me like that.”
Did she feel the same way about him?
“I love it when my kiss makes you smile like that.”
She giggled. “You know it has been too long since I took a vacation away from home. I usually stay in my apartment, go visit the library, feed the ducks in the river. Stuff like that. Bug Bella at the vet practice. I can’t believe she works there, you know. I’d be a total wreck.”
“I know what you mean. Bella is way too emotional at times. I never want to see her hurting, but it always seems to happen.”
The plane started to take off, and he watched as Rebecca closed her eyes, and released a breath.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I don’t like planes at all. I’d rather drive everywhere.”
“Why didn’t you say?”
She gripped the handles of her chair, and closed her eyes. “I’ll be fine.”
He saw she was struggling, so he did the only thing he could think of. Leaning over, he pressed his lips against hers. Sinking his fingers into her hair, he held her tightly, making love to her mouth in an attempt to distract her.
Jackson forgot about everything else, and focused on her.
Finally, the plane was in the air, and when he pulled away, he saw her eyes were still closed.
“Feel better?”
“If I say no, will you kiss me again.”
He chuckled, and pressed another kiss to her lips. “You’re a little vixen.”
“I have to get my kicks some way.”