Chapter Three
Jessie’s eyelids fluttered open, and then her mouth formed a perfect O that pleased Jackson beyond measure.
“Good morning, Jessie.” She looked so beautiful. “How are you feeling?”
His br
others had left the hotel room after she’d fallen asleep, leaving her all to himself. Besides being the most adorable and sexiest woman he’d ever seen, she had courage and smarts that mesmerized him. The consummate package. Her silky red hair, green eyes, pouty lips, soft curves, and full breasts couldn’t have been more perfect. Forgoing sleep the entire night, he’d relished the feel of her body. How he needed to fill her up with his cock until she was screaming his name, but that might have to come later. Giving her pleasure had been a thrill, but she had been too drunk for more. He wanted her full consent when he took her again and again...and before his brothers did the same.
“A little fuzzy, but fine.” She pulled the sheet up, covering her breasts. “We spent the night together?”
“Yes.” He touched her shoulder and watched her cheeks redden. “Cuervo can sneak up on a person and rip their guts apart. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
There was one difficult hurdle he’d have to get over if he had a chance at the future he really wanted. What would she think of him once she learned the truth that he was a member of the Wilde family, one of the owners of the mine she was investigating? By now, his brothers would’ve reported back to Austin, who’d sent Jackson and his other brothers to spy on the special investigator from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. But the instant Jackson had seen Jessie at the Horseshoe he’d been a goner.
She blinked. “I can’t believe I did that. We just met. I’m really embarrassed.”
“Why? You had fun, didn't you?” Jackson never understood the shame surrounding sex outside of Wilde. Adults having sex with each other was natural. There was no place for morning regrets in his mind.
“Yes, but that is not the point.”
“What is the point, Jessie?” Best to tread softly here. She seemed skittish. Telling her that he was a Wilde would have to wait for a better time, when she felt more comfortable with him and he could fully explain.
He expected Austin would be pissed once he learned how the night had gone down. Being the youngest of the five Wilde brothers, Jackson was very familiar with being on his eldest brother’s bad side. So be it. He wanted Jessie. Austin would just have to deal with it.
“I shouldn't have.” She lifted the sheet and looked down at her body.
Her reaction puzzled him. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She lowered the sheet. “Did we... um, go all the way?”
Ah, she’s worried whether we had safe sex or not. He brushed her hair out of her eyes. “No. You fell asleep.”
Jackson had never believed in the notion that one could fall in love in an instant, reckoning it took time and lots of intimacy to foster such an emotion. But something mind-blowing had taken hold of him the moment he saw Jessie at the Horseshoe. Later, in her room, watching her writhe with the pleasure he’d given her, he’d become a full-fledged believer in love at first sight.
“Oh.” She looked at her hands, then back at him. “I’m sorry about that. Too much tequila, I guess. I’ve been out of college for awhile.”
Hunger burned inside him, urging him to act. “Don’t be sorry, Jessie. You were amazing.” He nibbled on her neck, loving the sweet taste of her soft skin. He wanted to possess her. Besides, it wasn’t like he’d lied to her. A guilty omission might be wrong, but it was necessary. After he’d won her heart, he would tell her everything.
“Give me a second.” Jessie rolled out of the bed, and headed to the bathroom.
“Don’t be long, darlin’.”
She grinned, then shut the door.
Though he’d only just met her, Jackson imagined she’d not take well to his unusual upbringing or his idea of marriage. Well, not a first, but in time she might.
He wanted what his parents had. His whole life he’d seen the adoration his three dads had for his mom. Her constant smile spoke volumes of how much she loved them.
Jackson heard Jessie start the shower, and his mind drifted to some wonderful memories.
His childhood had been one of laughter and joy. Even his grandparents had such a marriage, though now Pappy Jack was the only one still alive. In fact, Jackson’s ancestors had settled the town and had engaged in plural marriages over one hundred years ago, partly because there’d been few women, and partly because they’d wanted to keep Wilde Mine’s heirs in a single family generation after generation. Unlike other mining towns that had boomed into existence one moment and vanished the next, Wilde had survived because of his family’s marriage practices.
Though several families in town were like his, some had marriages that were more typical of the outside world. The difference was that in Wilde people didn’t judge the makeup of families as long as they were good citizens.
Could Jessie acclimate to his town? To him? Hunger for her filled him up. He walked to the bathroom door and checked the handle. Locked. Damn it!
He called to her through the door, “If you want someone to wash your back, I’m happy to do it.”