Beholden (The Belonging Duet, #2)(34)

“Yes, a name. Now, let’s get back to getting you naked,” Jackson wiggles his brow like a villain.

I laugh at the expression on his face and I make my next move.

We laugh and play the remainder of the game. By the end I’m completely topless and Jackson is completely naked. He of course won the game. Which infuriates me. However, I love the fact that he answered the questions so easily. We’ve gotten so many funny answers and I’ve learned a lot about him. What his first car was, why he’ll never have an animal, what his favorite color is, and how old he was when he lost his virginity. But I wonder who was important enough for him to get a tattoo of their name across his heart.



I wake up early to another one of Jackson’s nightmares. Unable to fall back asleep, I do some work from home. The press release for the upcoming product line is five days from now and then the launch party is that night. I have a few things to do to confirm everything is in order. Taylor has taken care of most things, but I need to make sure it’s perfect.

“You’re up early and on a weekend,” Jackson’s deep voice breaks the quiet.

I jump at the sound of his voice and clutch my chest trying to settle my heart. Even without being able to walk around he’s still able to scare the crap out of me. “I swear … I’m going to put a cow bell on that damn walker.”

Jackson settles on the couch and pulls the papers out of my hand. “We need some fun. What do you say we do something today—just us?”

I link my fingers with his and grin. “I could do with a little us. Plus, I’m actually ahead of the game for once. I like fun and I happen to like you.” The blush paints my face as I remember our shower three days ago and how much fun we had with each other.

His throaty laugh echoes in the room. “That kind of fun will be later. How about we go to the park and watch the boats, or we can head to a museum?”

I love the Met, which is only a block from his apartment, but I don’t know how fun a museum would be for Jackson considering he can’t walk. The boat pond would be relaxing and we could always lie out on the grass at the park. “I think the park would be a great way to spend our day.”

Jackson leans in and presses his lips to mine. The look in his eyes when he pulls back stuns me. All I see is love and desire. “You know how I feel about you?”

“I do.”

Jackson hesitates and then he cups my cheeks while his eyes pierce through me. “You’re it for me. I love you.”

My pulse spikes and I lose myself in this moment. “I love you, too.”

Needing to feel him, I kiss him again. I feel his tongue against the seam of my lips and I open to him. Our tongues glide against each other’s as the kiss deepens. Jackson’s hand slowly drifts up my arm and around my back. He presses me flush against his chest as he holds me against him. Kissing me feverishly as if his life depended on it. It’s a desperate kiss. One that I feel in every fiber of my being.

Lust spikes and I can’t fight it. I need him. My hand cups his head as I push back into the kiss, giving myself over and taking everything. I’m ravenous for him. I devour his mouth, breathing him in. The kiss goes on and on. I lose myself completely and it could be minutes, hours, who knows—I couldn’t care less.

Jackson breaks the kiss and presses his forehead against mine as I whimper from the loss. “If we keep this up, we’ll never leave.” His voice is husky and breathless, clearly affected by our intense make-out session.

“And that would be bad why?” I ask trying to catch my breath.

He laughs and kisses my forehead as I try to pull him back to my lips. “Let’s go out first. Then I promise I’ll be very bad.”

I grin. “Oh, Muffin … you couldn’t be bad if you tried.”

“Baby, you’re going to pay for that.”

“Maybe you can pay me in fun.”

Jackson groans and I giggle, running into the bedroom.

“You can run, but you can’t hide,” I hear him yell from the other room.

I take a little extra time trying to delay coming out but know it won’t help. He will take full retribution when I least expect it. I can only hope it’s the naughty kind, since our last few times have been really … interesting. Trying to maneuver without getting hurt has made it adventurous and Jackson’s made sure I haven’t suffered—at all. I grab my black shorts, a cute tank-top, and throw my hair into a messy bun.

When I get back into the living room, I don’t see Jackson there. I start looking around, waiting for him to pop out and scare the crap out of me. “Jackson … this isn’t funny,” I say trying to keep an eye out for him.

If anyone had a camera right now I’d kill them. I must look ridiculous walking around the apartment checking each corner waiting for him to suddenly appear. “Okay, babe. I’m going to the park for our date. Looks like you’re stuck here.” My voice gives away the slightest hint of fear. I turn around and he’s standing right there.

“Ha!” he screams and I can’t help the squeal that comes from my throat.

Damn him.

“Jerk,” I say and start to stomp away, furious that once again he got me.

I hear him behind me as he wheels faster. “Oh, don’t be like that. You had to know I always win. I’ve told you this numerous times. I never lose.” His arrogance is shining through.