Bought and Paid For (Hot-Bites 1)

“Did you speak to him?” Jackson practically barked the question. I sat up, worried about where the conversation would go and looked out once again over the waves of the Mediterranean and contemplated my future. I was afraid to look at Jackson just then. I wasn’t sure if he would see the fear in my eyes. I was scared of even thinking about leaving Jackson. What would happen if I did? Would he replace me? The idea of Jackson with another woman was one of my biggest fears and it left a bitter feeling in its wake.

“No. I should have, but I didn’t know what to say to him, so I ignored it.”

“You should have told him the truth,” Jackson growled. He must have sat up behind me because he pulled my body back against his chest, cradled his chin against my neck, and wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. The wind blew around us, leaving the smell of the salty air. It was almost as soothing as Jackson’s hold on me.

“What is the truth?” I questioned, driven to know.

“That you belong to me now. That I’m never giving you up,” he announced, while placing a kiss along the side of my neck.

“Is that practical? We don’t know much about each other.”

“I know everything I need to know about you, Meggie,” he whispered and in that moment I almost believed him. “I know you love exploring new things. I know that you’re comfortable in casual clothes and hate dressing up. You despise parties because they make you nervous, but you love spending time in crowded shops and talking to complete strangers. I know you love wildflowers more than bouquets from a flower shop.”

“Jackson—”

“I know the sound you make in the back of your throat right before you come all over my cock, and the hungry look you get in your eyes when I touch you.”

His words sent shivers of awareness down my spine. I should have known a man like Jackson King would pay attention to everything, but the fact that he knew so much about me was astounding. I didn’t know how to begin to process it. I just knew that it meant… something special.

“Wow,” I whispered, because I had no idea what else to say to that revelation.

“Ask me what else I know, little one.”

“What else do you know?” I asked, my breath lodged in my chest because it felt like this was important.

“I know that what we have begun isn’t over. That it will never be over, Meggie. And do you know why?”

“Why?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

“Because even now you could be pregnant with my child.” His words slowly filled me, the truth in them warming me so deeply it was almost as if they marked my soul. Involuntarily, my hands moved to my stomach.

“I could be pregnant.” I murmured the words. They were laced with disbelief, because until that moment it had never occurred to me that I could be carrying Jackson King’s child. Jackson’s hand came down to my stomach and overlapped mine.

“I’ll tell you something else. If you aren’t pregnant yet, I won’t stop until you are,” he vowed. His words were like a caress that slowly swept through me.

He moved to the side and slowly drew me down on the blanket.

“Jackson…”

“You like that idea too, don’t you, my sweet Meggie.” It wasn’t stated like a question. “You want my baby growing inside of you. You want us linked together forever,” he whispered right before his lips came down on mine.

I didn’t answer him with words. There was no need. My answer was in my kiss.

I wanted all that Jackson said—and more. I wanted him…

Forever.

Chapter 13

Megan

We’d been back in the states for several days now, and although I was due back at home, with my father, and my things, I hadn’t been able to find myself leaving Jackson.

I didn’t want to.

He made me feel like I could be anyone I wanted. I didn’t feel afraid of being myself, of looking outside of the box and seeing that there was an entire world that I could learn about.

But most of all, I didn’t want to leave Jackson because I loved him.

Even now I had my hand on my belly, wondering if I carried his child.

I glanced at the ornate clock on the wall, waiting for my father, whom I’d agreed to have dinner with to tell him how things were going. I knew he worried about me—despite everything. In his way, he loved me and was concerned over the fact I was still with Jackson despite the agreed-upon ending time.

But I’d clear the air now, let him know what I wanted in my life, and that Jackson was here to stay for me.

I hadn’t even told Jackson I was seeing my father tonight, not because he’d disapprove, but because he didn’t think my father had any right to know what was going on, seeing as he’d agreed to hand me over. But the truth was I’d agreed to be with him to help my father.