| |
Jackson
***
As I exit out of Paige’s office, I’m all smiles. I think it really could be Candace that has a crush on me. Not saying that this is particularly making me happy, but I’m glad to finally be making some headway.
“Good morning again, Jackson,” Jill says, greeting me with her famous bright smile. Somehow, it just seems brighter than the last time. She had already said good morning to me when she saw me walking in. Maybe Paige is right. Maybe I am reading too much into her friendliness and taking it as though she’s flirting with me. She does have a point that Jill is always super friendly to everyone... who knows?
I nod at her but don’t stop to make small talk. I’m on a mission, and I need to get to my office and make a phone call.
As I step foot into my office, I can’t get the thought of how pretty Paige looked today out of my mind. OK, don’t get me wrong. She’s always been pretty, but I have never thought of her as more than just a friend. After all, that’s all we are: friends and co-workers. I know she’s got no romantic interest in me whatsoever. Like I said, we’re just friends and co-workers. Nothing more.
Still, I don’t know, though... something about today and the possibility of a new crush... who knows? Maybe it is her. Yeah, right. Wake up, Jackson and feel the sting from the pan that just slammed into your face. Not in a million years would she consider me anything more than a friend. And plus, I know Paige would have never sent me something like that. That’s not something she would do. She’s not particularly shy, but I know that would have been a damn bold move. I just can’t picture her doing it.
But fuck. She’s so pretty.
Pretty? No, scratch that. She’s sexy. Like, lick-my-lips-and-tongue-her-down-right-now sexy. The way her eyes look at me like she wants it, too sometimes... her pretty smile... her curvy body.
Fuck, what’s wrong with me? I know I’m a guy and all, but this is Paige I’m talking about. Shit. I still can’t deny the way I felt when I first saw her minutes ago in that white top hinting at the slightest amount of cleavage. The Lord truly blessed her on top, and all over. But it’s not my fault, honestly. When she brought her hand up to her face, I couldn’t help but follow, and damn, I’m glad I did.
Fuck. I think I need to get laid again. That or find out who this damn secret admirer is so that I can make something happen. Hopefully...
I drop down into my black mahogany leather chair and spin around to pick up the receiver on my desk phone. And just as quickly as I pick it up, I drop it down into its proper place. My eyes dart to the door as my uncle winks at me and walks right in.
“Morning, Jackson.”
“Hey, Good morning, Uncle Jeff.” He’s carrying his leather briefcase that he takes with him everywhere. It looks like he’s on his way out. He’s probably off to meet one of our clients or he’s possibly heading to court.
“Making any new headway on that Johnson case?” he asks.
“I’ve honestly been preoccupied with... things, but I’ll get to it in a bit,” I say. It’s not totally a lie. I am planning on doing some more research, but not ‘til I research my own shit first. I can’t concentrate until I figure out who this secret admirer of mine is.
“All right, son, well, don’t let it slip through the cracks. We’ve gotta take down that son-of-a-bitch... his soon-to-be ex-wife is hurting for the money she deserves. Once we bring justice to her, he’s going to pay. Suits him right for leaving her with those three little babies. I don’t even think the oldest one is out of pull-ups yet.”
I give my uncle a disapproving gaze as I shake my head back and forth. Uncle Jeff is a complete family man; he would never mistreat Aunt Sally. The two of them have been together since their senior year of high school. He proposed to her a year later, married her after another two years, and then came my cousins Donnie and Julie. I’m younger than the both of them, but my cousins and I are fairly close. Anyway, his belief in family and keeping promises is the reason why he got into this field of law in the first place. He’s a good man, and I look up to him.
“Damn. No problem, Unc. I just have one phone call to make, and then I’ll get right to working on that case,” I say, hoping he’ll be on his way out now so that I can call Tristan.
Uncle Jeff taps the door three times with his free hand and then nods at me. “Sounds good. I’ll see you later, Jackson.”
“See ya, Uncle Jeff.”
He spins around and begins walking toward the front entrance. As he does so, I hear Jill bidding him adieu. I look up just in time to see her smiling her wide open grin at him. As I shake my head back and forth, my eyes casually avert over to Paige’s office. Damn. Look at her. My eyes dart back down to her cleavage, admiring the view.
Fuck, Jackson, don’t you see she’s busy? She doesn’t have time to worry about your pathetic ass. Stop staring at her!
She’s busy, typing away at something on her computer, not even noticing me. Then again, why would she?
I take a deep breath and pick up the receiver of my desk phone once more. I dial Tristan’s number and wait for him to respond. It rings four times and then goes to voicemail. Fuck.
I slam the receiver back down. I’m getting so aggravated. Why the hell isn’t he answering my call? I pull out my cell phone and see that by now, he should be at work. I decide to call him from my cell instead.
“Yo, what up, Jax?” Tristan’s assholic voice comes through the line.
“Why the fuck didn’t you answer when I first called you like ten seconds ago?” I demand. I know I shouldn’t be coming off so strong, but I don’t care. I want answers. He could possibly have them.
“Oh, that was you. I didn’t recognize the number...”
I let out a sigh of frustration. “Dude, I called you from my work phone. I’ve been working here for years... I’ve called you from this line before... how the fuck did you not know it was me?”
He chuckles. “I don’t know, man. I don’t memorize numbers. I only answer calls from numbers I recognize. Anyways, what’s going on, dude? Any new chicks spending time in your bed?” He chuckles again. Man, he loves cracking himself up, doesn’t he? And he thinks he’s so damn funny.
I gaze up for a moment and look back over at Paige, but now she’s not at her desk. Damn.
“Nah, listen. I have something I need to ask you,” I say.
“Aww, are you asking me to prom?”
“What? No! Shut the fuck up, man!”
He’s laughing again, and I have to admit that he did catch me off guard, and I’m laughing a little, too.
“Listen, I got a note in the mail from a secret admirer and–”
“Oh, a secret admirer, huh? Sorry, it wasn’t me, dude,” he says, cutting me off. Once again, he’s cracking up.
“Fuck, that’s not what I’m getting at, man. I was going to ask if you know of anybody who might have a crush on me... besides you,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Possibly someone you’re close to that knows the both of us?” I don’t want to insult him or whatever by blatantly naming his sister, but I hope he will mention her himself.
“Hmm... let me think, let me think. Nope. Sorry. Just me,” he says, blowing me a kiss through the phone.
I shake my head back and forth... Tristan and his damn jokes. “Fuck, that was fast... you don’t think anyone has a crush on me? Someone obviously does...”
“Yeah, well, maybe. But no one I can think of. Every chick I know is unfortunately taken,” he says, finally taking me seriously.
“Everyone?”
“Yeah. Even Candace started dating some hunk about a week ago... she’s fucking crazy about him. So far, I don’t have to rip his balls off and hang them around his neck; he seems to be treating her alright, I guess.”
Fuck, there goes my intuition, failing me once again.
“Really? Candace is dating someone. Damn, good for her.”
“Yeah. No idea who it could be, dude.”
Well, this sucks. My only lead and it was wrong. I made no damn progress, and I still have no fucking clue who it could be that sent me that damn candy gram.
Suddenly, as if a bolt of electricity hits me, I think I know who may have sent it to me. I mean, it’s a long shot, but seriously, I have no other fucking clue. This could be the worst possible fucking thing ever if it is who I’m thinking.
“Listen, T. I’ll call you back... I have to take care of some things here at the office. Later.”
Not even waiting for him to say goodbye, I quickly hit the end key and dial another number.
“Hello? Jackson?” she answers sounding surprised as hell on the second ring. I mean, I wasn’t expecting anything else. Who would think I would be calling her?
“Amelia. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thanks. What about yourself? How have you been doing?” she asks after getting over the initial shock. I haven’t spoken to her since her sister and I broke up.
“I’m hanging in there, thanks.” I pause for a second before asking her what I really want to know. “How’s Amalia? And Paul?” I swallow hard and wait for her to respond.
“Well, she’s OK. But they did have a falling out last month.”
Oh, fuck. A falling out? As in they broke up? I knew it. It was her. This would definitely be the type of thing she’d do to surprise her crush... me. She’s the one who sent the candy gram. She felt like an asshole for breaking off our engagement, and now she wants to rekindle our relationship. Can’t say I’m technically thrilled it’s her, but at least I know. Not that I’ll go along with it. Now that I’m about 99.9% sure, I’m not going to the meeting place tomorrow night.
“Oh? I’m really sorry to hear that,” I lie. Well, maybe not completely. I mean, it sucks what she did to me, but I don’t wish her anything bad. Maybe I just don’t want her relationship to work out with Paul because he’s the dude she left me for. But I would never take her back, nor do I want her or miss her.
She chuckles. “Yeah, sure you are. Anyways, it doesn’t matter. They worked shit out a week after they fought... I just wanted to make you sweat a bit.”
Wow, that was a close one.
I chuckle, but I don’t really find it funny. “Oh, OK. Well, I was just calling to say hello. Please take care, Amelia, and tell your sister I said the same.”
I hang up after she says goodbye and then sit, thinking to myself.
I don’t even know why I thought Amalia might have sent such a thing to me, but I’m honestly relieved it’s not her. Guess I’ll be going to the pier at 7 p.m. tomorrow night, after all. I need to know who likes me.
***
I SPEND THE REST OF my day indulged in paperwork and case files, working on the Johnson case. I haven’t seen or run into Paige, so she must be busying herself as well. She had run out of the office sometime between noon and one when I was on the phone with Mrs. Johnson.
It was a longer conversation than expected, but the poor woman was a damn emotional mess. I felt bad to just leave her hanging. I tried to offer her a few words of solace, but she’s having a really tough time dealing with the reality of the end of her marriage. When I hung up with her, I noticed Paige’s office was dark, and the door was shut.
I could really use her sense of humor and pretty smile right now to take me out of my foul mood, so I decide to text her and see what she’s up to.
Me: Hey, Paige. How’s it going?
Moments later, she texts back.
Paige Allen: Hi, Jax. Just getting some information together. About to call it a night though. I’m tired.
Me: I hear that. What’s up for dinner tonight?
Yeah, I’m going to see if she wants to meet up for a quick bite. I’d really love to see her, spend time with her... possibly more? God, what is wrong with me! Get your shit together, Jackson Fierce!
Paige Allen: I don’t know, but I’m starving.
Me: Same. Want to grab something quick on the Pier? I’m about to head out of here for the night.
I don’t hear back from her ‘til about twenty minutes later.
Paige Allen: Sorry. Was on the phone with Margie. I’m actually going to head home... she needs my help with something. I’ll see you at the office tomorrow. Night, Jax.
To say I’m disappointed is barely scratching the surface. I was really hoping to spend some time with her. I wanted to see her.
Me: OK. No worries. Have a good night.
I take a deep breath and close up for the night. When I grab my things and lock up my office, I see that Jill is already gone. What time is it, anyway?
I peek up at the wall clock hanging above Jill’s desk and see it’s almost seven. Fuck, did I really spend all day working on that damn case and didn’t take a break once?
***
I GET HOME LESS THAN thirty minutes later and walk straight into my bedroom. I undress and jump into bed. I’m in no mood for anything.
I pass out sometime after that, and when I awake, I have the biggest boner I have ever had in all my life. I had a dream I ravished Paige right in her office. It was evening, and everyone was already gone except for the two of us. I walk right into her office and shut the door. She looks up at me from her desk. I don’t stop, I walk right over to her and pick her up. I smash my lips into hers and tongue her down. Seconds later, I placed her down and spin her around as her hands slam on her desk. I quickly unzip my pants and pull up her black pencil skirt. I run my hands on her ass, which was barely covered by a white lace thong. As I slip it to the side, I slam my hands on her hips and slide my erect cock up inside of her. She moans loudly, begging for me to continue fucking her and how she had been waiting for me to take her for so long. I place kisses on her cheek, as my right hand find its way up her white blouse. It’s the same blouse exposing her cleavage from the previous day. I manage to rip it off her and then slide her bra down. Her breasts spring free and my hand gropes her. God, did she feel amazing.
Then, the alarm rang, and my dream came to an end. Fuck, it felt so real. I can’t believe how much I want her right now.
Shit, is today Valentine’s Day? The day I’m supposed to be meeting this crush of mine? Damn, I really wish it were Paige, now even more so than before.