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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.”
