AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you alright?” That dark, husky voice. I’d know it anywhere.
“Jackson?” I lift my eyes and meet his confused, blank blue stare. His chocolate-brown hair is covered by a dark blue hat. But it’s him. My heartbeat races until I’m breathless.
“I’m afraid you have the advantage over me.” His blue eyes study my eyes and the part of my face not covered by my scarf.
“It’s me!” I laugh and unwrap my scarf. “Joy. Joy Carson.”
He reels back and his mouth drops open. He drops his arms off of me like my coat is on fire. “Jessie’s little sister?”
My lips turn down and I know I’m pouting but I can’t help myself. “I’m not just Jessie’s sister you know!”
He backpedals. “I know that. I’m sorry. You just surprised me.” His bright blue eyes cruise down me and I can practically feel the burn. “You….you look different. Did you ever graduate from high school? What are you…sixteen now?”
I roll my eyes and stomp off. “I’m nineteen, Jackson. I’m only six years younger than you and Jessie.”
He grabs my arm and yanks me to a stop but I don’t even look at him. “I’m sorry, Joy. It’s just…you look a lot different.”
“Well, it’s been a few years since you’ve been back home. We all have probably changed.” He hasn’t though. He’s still gorgeous. Although his eyes are a little harder and his body is bigger, broader. There’s even a few little gray hairs sprinkled in the hair by his ears. And some grooves cut in the sides of his mouth. He looks like he’s aged ten years instead of four. So I guess maybe he has changed a little. But it looks good on him. Damn good.
I can feel that little tug deep in my belly that I’ve gotten around him ever since I first noticed boys when I was fifteen. He never noticed me though. Or if he did, he hid it really good.
“Yeah.” His blue eyes sear my skin when he stares at me. “You have really changed a lot.”
“You’ve already said that, Jackson,” I grumble. “What are you doing home? I thought you were never going to come back.”
“Believe me. I didn’t want to. My mother guilted me into it.”
I sigh and walk ahead of him. “Yeah, I have one of those too.”
He pulls at my arm to stop me in my tracks. “Where are you going, Joy?”
I tilt my head to the side. “Why exactly do you want to know?”
“It’s almost dark. You shouldn’t be running around all alone out here.”
I throw my head back, laughing. He grunts and tugs me closer, something dark sparking in his eyes. “This place isn’t the big city, Jackson. I’m totally safe out here on my own. I know everyone around here and they know me.”
He tugs me closer still and I have to tilt my head way back to look into his dark midnight eyes. “You think you’re safe with me, Joy?”
Damn, the way he says my name makes my throat go dry. I lick my lips and wriggle in his arms, surprised when he tightens them until I’m pressed right up against his big, hard body.
“Wh-what are you doing, Jackson?” Besides fulfilling every single one of my freaking fantasies! This is how they all start but we have way too many clothes on for how they end.
His blue eyes search mine intently. “Do you think you’re safe with me, Joy? You still haven’t answered me.” His dark, gritty voice is tugging at my belly and lighting up nerve endings that I’ve never even felt before.
“Of course I do. I’ve always felt safe with you. You’re the big brother I never had.” Now that’s a big fucking lie. I haven’t thought of him as a brother since I got breasts and noticed boys.
He steps back. “Right. Of course. But you still shouldn’t be walking out here all alone. Where are you going?”
“I’m going to your house.” I take a little bit of satisfaction out of watching the surprise in his eyes.
“What the hell are you going there for?” he snaps.
“I go there whenever I’m home. I like to see your mom. And we’re going to bake cookies today. My mom doesn’t do things like that.” Yeah, my mom is more like my big sis. All plastic and perfect.
“Have things been alright for you? I’m surprised you’re home.” He falls into step beside me and I can feel warmth radiating off of him, sucking me into those damn daydreams again. His soft, full lips parting to slam down on mine. My squeak of surprise swallowed by his mouth. His big hands roving all over my body under my coat. Yanking at my clothes.
Shit! I need to get myself under control. Even though it’s colder than it was before the sun started going down, I’m sweating underneath my hat and coat. Just being near him has me so discombobulated that I’m still staring into space when he snaps his fingers in front of my face.
