The Truth About Fairy Tales (8 page)

             
I mean, Jackson wasn’t capable of believing in all that fairy tale, happily ever after stuff either. He couldn’t and have all those women hanging around him.

             
“Got to sleep, Maggie, it’s late and I for one am worn out.”

             
“That’s because you’re old.” I tried to make a joke, but he only grunted in answer before leaning over me.

             
“Now you’re just being mean, little bit.” Jackson kissed me and left me wondering what I couldn’t determine from his expression. Was he joking or serious. I wasn’t sure, but I had a funny little feeling that my words had hurt him in some way.

             
I lay beside him, still contemplating all these things when I heard the sound of him sleeping next to me and it felt just a little too comfortable. It was a long time before I was able to fall asleep that night, only to be awakened by this man beside me kissing me awake making me aware of him and his need for me all over again.

             
I forced my heavy eyes open, at least one of them the following morning to see bright sunshine streaming through the windows in Jackson’s bedroom.

             
He, apparently, had awakened some time before me, but was in no hurry to get out of bed. He lay watching me while I slept.

             
“You know that you have a tiny little birthmark right there.” He touched my shoulder with the tip of his tongue and I tried to pull away but couldn’t quite disguise the need his touched ignited in me.

             
He laughed so seductively and decided that this bed was definitely not the safest place for me right now.

             
“I’m going to take a shower,” I announced while trying not to look at him looking at me.

             
“I’ll go with you.”

             
“No.” But it was too late. He picked me up and carried me to the bathroom.

             
He turned on the water in that enormous walk-in shower then sat me down under the soft spray. It was freezing cold.

             
I let out a yelp, which he answered with another laugh just before the water turned warm. Jackson joined me under its warmth and kissed me quite thoroughly. Then his kiss turned to touching, followed by exploring until we both didn’t have a clue what was going on around us.

             
“Do you like pancakes?” He asked much later when I tried to stop my fingers from actually trembling long enough to get dressed.

             
“Why?” Somehow, I got those words out without showing my reaction to being in the same room with him.

             
“Because I’m going to make you breakfast, that’s why.” He reached for me from behind and pulled me back against him kissing my neck.

             
“Oh.”

             
Jackson laughed again and I thought this isn’t the same man I'd met the first night with Ben. No way.

             
“So, do you like pancakes?” He asked again, watching my reaction in the mirror. I hate to admit it, but I hardly recognized myself. I looked... Well, I’m afraid my mother would have been proud. I tried not to show the contempt I felt at that thought. I nodded in answer and he disappeared leaving me in peace for the moment.

             
It was a long time before I was able to go downstairs that morning. I desperately needed to get control over these crazy feelings going round inside of me. I didn’t recognize myself anymore. In the space of just a few days, my carefully laid out plan for life was unraveling and that scared me to death.

             
I found Jackson in his immaculate, well-equipped kitchen pouring coffee into a mug.

             
“Shouldn’t you be at work?” Was all I could think to say in the way of breaking that embarrassing silence of two people who knew each other just a little too well, but not really well enough.

             
“Not today. Today’s my day off.” He handed me the coffee while I tried to determine if he was being honest or just pulling my leg. “I plan on spending today with you.”

             
I wanted to tell him that he wasn’t…no way. I had studying to do that I’d already fallen way behind on because of him, but instead I turned tail and ran. I walked out of the kitchen to the sound of his laughter and out onto what had to be the prettiest deck I’d ever seen.

             
Jackson came after me. Apparently, he wasn’t in any hurry to get those pancakes done.

             
I stood looking over the edge of the deck with its breathtaking view of the city skyline and pretending that I wasn’t away of him standing close behind me.

             
“Come sit down.”

             
I let him take my hand and lead me back to the picnic table.

             
“You know, without any makeup on you look to be about twelve? I feel like a dirty old man…almost”

             
I knew he was only trying to make me feel more at ease, but all I could do was shake my head. This man made me nervous.

             
“Maggie, I want you to tell me about yourself. The real story, not what’s written in that folder?” Even though I know he was really trying to get beyond all of those printed words in that folder, all I could think of was my sordid mother.

             
I set the coffee cup down and stood, ready to walk away from him and everything he knew about me.

             
“I can’t do this.” I told him as I started to walk away, but Jackson caught my hand and kept me in place looking far too serious up at me.

             
“Okay, then we’ll do it the fun way instead.” He got to his feet, lifted me up and carried me back to his bed. We made love again as if we hadn’t touched each other in years rather than just a few short minutes.             

             
When I lay still in his arms again, he asked me once more about the real me. This time, I told him everything, not even realizing that through some of the hard parts I was close to crying.

             
“Maggie, I’m so sorry. That must have been horrifying for such a sweet little girl. Thank you for sharing it with me.”

             
I tried to redeem myself by dismissing his sympathy, pretending to be strong, but he wasn’t buying it.

             
“Is that why you put up such a tough front?” he asked gently.

             
“Maybe…I guess.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of my nose. He wasn’t trying to hide the tenderness he felt any longer. It was right there in those eyes. “I should go.” I hated that my voice actually shook as I said those words. “I have to study.”

             
He wasn’t fooled. “Okay, tough guy, but not before you have your breakfast.” This time I didn’t get out of bed. It was safer this way, really. I let him shower and dress and leave me alone with my uncomfortable thoughts.

Chapter Five

When
Jackson parked in front of my little apartment building, my intent was to simply get out, tell him good-bye, and walk away. His intent, was slightly different.

He killed the engine and I turned to him, surprised.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You were going to show me your apartment, weren’t you?” I wanted to tell him no. No way, but I couldn’t seem to say a word. “I thought so.” He got out of the car and opened my door.

As
we walked up the stairs together, I tried to remember the state I’d left my little one bedroom apartment in and tried not to think about how upset poor old Sidney was going to be that I’d left him alone all night once again.

My fingers actually shook so much that I dropped my keys. When I picked them up,
Jackson quietly took them from me and unlocked the door.

I walked inside and took in all the little lived in details I’d left lying around the place. At least I’d had the guilty foresight to put that ridiculous book away.

I watched as if caught in a spell while Jackson, the man that could buy me and everything I owned at least a thousand times over, walked around my little cramped apartment and smiled.

             
“This is definitely you. So, are you going to give me the grand tour?”

There really wasn’t much to see. From where he was standing, he could see the living, dining and kitchen areas. All that was left was my tiny little bathroom… and of course the bedroom.

              I opened the door to the bathroom first and saw his brow edge up a little more while I tried to keep from smiling. I knew what he really wanted to see.

             
I was just about to open that door when I heard old Sidney let out an excited yelp from beyond the door that told me he had held it just about as long as he could.

             
“What was that?” Jackson asked when I opened the door and my little stiff-legged dog shuffled out and yelped again, this time at Jackson.

             
“Is that supposed to be a dog?” He shot me a questioning look while reaching down to tickle Sidney’s ears. Much to my surprise, Sid didn't remove any of his fingers. It was love at first sight.

             
“I have to take him for a walk before, well, he's been cooped up in there all night.” I didn’t show Jackson my bedroom, but instead I reached for Sidney’s leash and started for the door.

             
“And I’m sure you have things you have to do so…” I turned back to him when he made no move to follow.

             
“Uh-uh. I’m not going anywhere, little bit, except maybe for a walk with you and old Sidney here.”

             
“But…”
I need time to get myself together
I wanted to tell him
. I need time to understand what’s gotten in to me. I need time to pray for forgiveness for all the terrible, terrible things I’ve done with you.

             
“But nothing. I’m not going anywhere so relax. If you want to study, you can study. I’ll just sit here and quietly read the paper and maybe get better acquainted with Sidney. I think we have one thing in common, other than you that is. We’re both old.”

             
I let him take Sidney’s leash. The three of us must have made quite an odd little assortment that day. Me still dressed for work, Jackson in jeans and a pullover that I’m sure probably cost more than I made in a month, leading around my little half-blind, dog.

             
Once Sidney was satisfied and fed, I told Jackson I needed to change. He offered to come help me, reminding me that my bed still wasn’t broken in, but I refused his kind offer. Damn, that was hard to do.

             
I changed into my favorite faded denim shorts and tee shirt. With my reading glasses in place, books in hand, and not bothering with makeup, I left my bedroom.

             
The second I walked into the room, I had his full attention. “I hope you don’t plan on getting any studying done dressed like that?” he told me, his eyes only confirming the meaning of those words as they swept over what I would have thought would have been the worst turn off any man could see.

             
“As a matter of fact I do, so just get your mind out of the gutter, Mr. Riley.” I noticed he'd found my one and only comfortable place to stretch out and relax. Sid had positioned himself next to Jackson. I shook my head. What a bunch of old men.

             
I tossed my books on the floor and stretched out, ready to hit them, when I heard him groan.

             
“What?” I asked without bothering to look up.

             
“You can’t be serious? You’re going to lay there in front of me dressed like that with your…” He didn’t finish and I wasn’t sure if he was serious or just trying hard to make me smile.

             
“Yes, and if you’re not going to behave, you can go home.”

             
I have to admit, Jackson was a good boy. At least for part of the day. He sat quietly sneaking peeks at me while reading his paper, until early afternoon. Then, he decided I’d tortured him enough.

             
He put the paper down, gave my little dog a pat and a scratch behind his ears, and then he stood, knelt beside me, and removed my glasses. Jackson closed my books and carried me into uncharted grounds, closing the door on Sidney, the world, and its cares for a little while.

             
It might have been virgin ground for us, but it didn’t take Jackson long to become part of my bedroom memories. Now, today…forever. I would never be able to look at my little bed in the same way again.