Seeking Me To Find You (Finding You Series Book 1) (18 page)

For the rest
of the afternoon we stroll from one exhibit to another. We eat ice cream and share funny stories from our childhood. He tells me about the day he found Thor. Someone had dropped off a litter of pure bred labs at the local animal shelter. The girl he was dating at that time just had to have one. When the girl bent down to pick up one of the pups it came barreling to Jackson. He said the puppy hit him with so much force, it felt like Thor’s hammer. And that’s how Thor got his name. The girl became so jealous of the way Thor clung to Jackson, she left Jackson as well as Thor.

Pulling me so that we are standing face to face, Jackson looks deeply in my eyes. He takes a strand of my ever errant hair, and places it gently behind my ear. His sharp gaze pulls at every fiber within me. It’s as if he is searching for something, causing me to feel a little uneasy. He slowly leans in, kissing me ever so lightly. Withdrawing slightly, he murmurs, “I don’t want this to end.”

Neither do I.

*

As we climb
back into his truck, Jackson informs me that he has one more surprise. We’re heading south towards the harbor when he pulls into a majestic hotel situated in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. A young man greets me by opening my door. He helps me out then meets Jackson as Jackson is rounding the front of the truck. I notice Jackson handing off his keys and a gracious tip. With a panty dropping smile, Jackson makes his way towards me with an overnight bag in each hand.
When did he do this?

Motioning forward, he says, “After you Ms. Weatherly.”

The door man greets us politely and points us to the front desk. Jackson leads me to a plush sofa in the hotel lobby.

Kissing me on the cheek, he whispers, “I’ll be right back. Sit and relax for a few minutes.”

As he walks towards the hotel desk, I take in the fine ass that does a little shake just for my pleasure. Looking back, he grins and gives a little chuckle. I take this moment to examine my surroundings. The lobby is filled with warm golden tones and teak wood. Accenting the walls is art from local artisans from the San Diego area. Some pieces are in black and white, while others showcase bright, vibrant colors that accentuate the already warm hotel. The modern architecture blended with historical aspects would appeal to anyone gracing its doors.

I feel like a fish out of water standing here in a casual yellow t-shirt matched with a pair of khaki shorts and flip flops while the Greek god stalking towards me in his navy t-shirt stretch over his bulging biceps, khaki cargos and flip flops exudes ease and confidence.
Damn he’s hot.
Waving a card key in my direction, I see he has nothing but wicked intentions. Hallelujah.

*

As we enter
our room, I see the same theme that is expressed in the lobby carries over here. The walls are crème colored with orange and gold accents. The king size bed is adorned in the finest linens. Sitting on an end table is a bouquet of yellow tulips with a card jutting from it that reads ‘Grace.’

Jackson sets our luggage on two racks within the closet while I examine my generous gift. I pluck the card from the bouquet, opening it with sweet anticipation.

Reflections on the past weeks

Makes me hopeful for more.

Jackson

Feeling my hair shift off my shoulders, Jackson brings his lips to the crook of my neck. Ever so lightly, he rains kisses down to the tip of my shoulder. As he glides back up my neck, his moist lips caress my ear lobe. As he gently tugs it with his teeth, tingling sensations travel up and down my spine. My breathing becomes jagged as he runs his hands under my shirt and cups my sensitive breasts. His sensual assault on my body saturates my core, making it hum just for him. All at once, his warmth is gone.

“If I don’t stop now, we’ll miss our dinner reservations.”

With tottering limbs, I sink into the chair overlooking the lighted historic district. Trying to steady my breath, I watch as he undresses in front of my eyes and makes his way to the bathroom. Hearing the glass shower door open and close, I decide to match his game play. Who cares if we eat?

The pelting sounds of the shower mask my stealthy approach. As I enter, Jackson’s eyes are closed, rinsing the soap from his hair. Just as I am about to attack him from behind, he shifts and pins me against the marble wall. Holding both my hands in one of his above my head, he claims my mouth, taking me deeper with every taste. With his other hand, he slides into my awaiting folds. Thrusting one, then two fingers inside me, he uses the pad of his thumb to encircle the bundle of nerves which causes a quake to begin within my soul.

The overwhelming impalement and pressure drives me to the point of ecstasy. Flooding warmth spreads outwards from my head, down to every crevasse of my body. The graveling sob that escapes my lips fill this confined space that our bodies share. Feeling my knees buckle, he releases my hand and pulls me into a secure embrace. With my head resting upon his chest, I can feel the accelerated drum of his heart.

We take turns lathering each other, the silky bubbles from the wash soothing my sensitive skin. Hoping that his intentions would be less than admirable, he turns off the water and retrieves two towels for us.

Jackson exits the bathroom before I do. I take this time to access my appearance in the foggy mirror. Wiping it with a soft cloth, I notice that my eyes are bright and skin flushed. My feelings are mixed because I’m still searching for that sign that tells me that everything will turn out okay. I go back to something my mother once told me. She said that if we search too hard for something, we may miss it, never finding it again. By being too focused, we may also miss and lose precious opportunities along the way.

As I exit the bathroom, I see my favorite dress hanging in the closet. It’s a simple black dress, with a shoulder-skimming neckline and sheer mesh insets. The fit and flare style puts a little saunter in every swing of the hips. He has matched it with three inch strappy black and white contrast heels. They’re exactly what I would’ve picked out myself. I turn and see him watching my reaction.

“How did you do this? When did you do this?”

Continuing to dress, he says, “You snore…loud. And when you are out, you are out. Last night when you fell asleep, I found your bag in your closet and saw this dress. I looked down and saw the first pair of black shoes and thought, if they don’t match, we can just buy another pair.”

“What about my make-up? When did you get that?”

“Do you remember when I forgot to use the bathroom? That’s when,” he says smugly. “Now hurry. We’re going to be late.”

*

I lock my
arm with his and we make our way to the elevator. Jackson exudes sexiness. He’s wearing a classic, tailored black suit paired with a crisp white shirt. The top buttons are undone, reminiscent of a twisted yet sexy business man ready to seal the deal.
Yummy.

As we enter the elevator, the electricity sparks around us as he pulls me closer. Before I know it, we are stepping out to a rooftop restaurant. Now that the sun has set for the evening, lights from the San Diego skyline illuminate all around us. In the distance I can see the harbor, lights from the ships dancing across the night. As I turn to the dining area, potted trees are lined with twinkling white lights. The waiter leads us to the back corner of the rooftop where an isolated table for two awaits us.

The waiter moves to hold my chair for me but Jackson takes that task. As I take my seat, Jackson leans down and places a soft kiss to my cheek then scoots my chair closer to the table. As he takes his seat, the waiter leaves, but shortly returns with a bottle of Moscato.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve taken the liberty to order for us.”

Right on cue, the waiter brings us a cup of lobster bisque. As I bring the spoon to my mouth, the mixture of cream and sherry complements the rest of the ingredients. It took all I could not to tip the cup to reach every drop.

Our second course is a bed of mixed greens with dried cherries, shallots, and tomatoes tossed in a white pear balsamic, topped with goat cheese and spiced pecans. Oh, it only gets better. The third course consists of Asparagus Steak Oscar with garlic whipped potatoes. The béarnaise sauce combined with some of the potatoes makes them even more rich and creamy.

Not thinking that I could eat another bite, the waiter brings out our dessert. This man knows me and I want him to have my babies. Just kiddin’. No, but really, Jackson Kavanaugh knows a way to this woman’s heart…Banana Fosters with rich vanilla ice cream. But wouldn’t you know, his came with sherbet. I just wish my fit and flare dress wasn’t so fit. I’m about to bust.

We sit and finish our bottle of wine. Usually one glass is enough, but two and half glasses has made me a little fuzzy. Jackson helps me to my feet and I stagger back a little. Giving a slight chuckle, he holds me by the waist with one arm and holds my hand. As he leads me to the dance floor, I try to figure out how this is going to work. Cocktails and three inch heels are not a great combination. He turns me so that I am facing him, still holding me firmly by the waist so that we move in synch. I close my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder; I let his body guide mine. He kisses the top of my head and we continue to sway silently in the night.

*

After about thirty
minutes of dancing and complete silence, he pulls me away from him. “Grace, you’re making me reevaluate everything. Like my note said, you make me hopeful for more. Thank you for being with me tonight.”

The only way that I could answer was with a soft kiss. It was now my turn to lead him to the elevator…then the room…and finally to bed. We made love until we fell asleep in each other arms.

*