Jackson closed the door to his room and let his head fall back against the wood. It had taken a solid thirty minutes to calm Chris down enough to sleep and Jase had gotten out of bed five times after that. When he’d emerged, the door to the guest room was closed.
He changed into sweatpants and sat on the edge of his bed. It had been an eventful day and he was tired. But the idea of climbing into his bed alone didn’t appeal at all.
He hadn’t known how intensely personal it would be to play her one of his songs. Especially something that she’d inspired, not that she knew that. Something had happened back at the studio. It had felt like baring himself in a way he wasn’t sure he was ready for.
He yanked the covers back angrily and got into the bed. A week. She’d only been here a week and it felt like she was already intricately woven through every area of his life. He couldn’t get in his bed, put his children to sleep, or go to the studio without feeling as though she was with him in some way.
After ten minutes he got back up. Ridley was surely already asleep and he wasn’t enough of an ass to wake her, he just wanted to see her. He walked down the hallway to her door and knocked lightly before he opened it.
Ridley lay on her back, her long hair splayed out on the pillow like a curtain. One of her hands was flung out to the side and the other was resting on her stomach. He kissed her gently on the forehead and breathed deeply of her scent.
Could he ever get enough of her?
Before he knew what he was doing, he’d crossed to the other side of the bed and climbed in. As soon as he slid beneath the covers, Ridley turned toward him and opened her eyes.
“Jackson. You’re here.” She blinked at him sleepily before scooting closer and burrowing next to him.
Was it possible that he was falling for her?
He was already uncharacteristically possessive around her, as though no one else should ever hear her laugh or see her beautiful smile. It was ridiculous, but he wanted to be the only one who made her happy and the only one who brought that smile to her face.
He watched as she took a deep breath and tucked her hand beneath her cheek. Warmth and something he couldn’t identify rose in his chest. This was the first time they had spent the night together without making love and somehow he felt closer to her than ever before.
Although he had long felt the need to stay clear of women in general, with Ridley it was different. He didn’t feel the need to prove himself when he was with her. She was honest and loving, and he knew he could trust her with his life. He found himself wanting to do things for her, for no apparent reason. He wanted to make her feel special and cherished. He just felt at home.
When he was with her, he felt he was where he belonged.
He eased the covers down so he could see her in the dim light of the moon. Her pouty lips and long lashes made her seem so innocent, but he knew a tigress lurked beneath the seemingly docile exterior. She was everything a woman should be—strong and determined, but sweet and thoughtful. Just the kind of woman he needed in a wife.
Wife—what am I thinking?
They’d only known each other a week and he’d already learned the hard way that he was a bad husband. But somehow, when he looked in her eyes, trying again didn’t seem so impossible.
“I love you,” he whispered.
He wasn’t ready to buy a ring just yet, but he also wasn’t willing to let her just walk away. Once Elliott found out who she was running from, they would be closer to resolving the demons of the past and building the perfect future he wanted to create for her. As he looked at her sweet face, gentle with sleep, he made a promise.
I will keep you safe.
Even if it took everything he had.