Get To Me (8th Sin #1) (5 page)

I don’t think an outdoor pub is the kind of place I expected Jackson to take me, and I’m impressed. He could have taken the opportunity to impress me by taking me to a fancy restaurant.

“Can I start the two of you off with something to drink?” the waitress asks. She takes her time eyeing Jackson--really checking him out. “Maybe an appetizer?”

Jackson returns the menu between the salt and pepper shakers and the napkin dispenser. “Beer. Whatever you have is fine.”

I raise an eyebrow skimming down the menu. “Iced tea, please.”

She nods politely and focuses on Jackson again.

“With lemon,” I tell her, drawing her away from sexually assaulting Jackson with her eyes.

“Do you want to try some oysters or crab cakes?” Jackson touches his chin.

I shake my head. “I’ve never had an oyster, and I hate seafood.”

He drops a hand down on the table, his mouth going slack. He looks at the waitress. “Bring us both.”

“No.” I shake my head. “There is no way I am eating that.”

“Where is your sense of adventure?”

I make a face. “Believe me, I have one. It’s just not fond of seafood.”

Jackson’s not buying my distaste of seafood.

Ten minutes later, the waitress comes back. She carries the tray high and proud and comes to a stop at our table. “Here are your crab cakes.” She sets the first plate down. “And oysters.”

I drag a hand through my hair.

“Enjoy.” She winks at him and then leaves.

Jackson slaps his hands down on the table excited. “I promise you, these are the best in town.”

“Is that why you brought me here?” I grab a napkin in anticipation of the vomit that’s sure to come. I look over my options, wrinkling my nose. “I guess I’ll try the crab cake.”

Jackson lifts a fork and cuts off just enough for me to try. I wait for him to hand over the fork but instead he insists on feeding me.

I slap his hand. “You are not feeding me.”

He smirks. “I so am.”

“Do you like torturing me?” I raise an eyebrow closing my eyes and opening my mouth. And I wait for it. But nothing happens. “What are you doing?”

“Enjoying the view.” He is sitting there with his arms crossed. The fork back on the plate.

I shut my mouth and glare at him. “You are a jerk.” I lift the fork and look at him. “I was beginning to think you were a nice guy, Jackson.” I put it in my mouth, chewing slowly--it’s actually not bad.

“Good, right?” He takes my fork and digs into the rest of it.

“
Very
good.” I’m impressed. “I want more.”

“Don’t we all,” he teases, bumping against my arm with his elbow. I grab his arm and guide the fork to my mouth and laugh at him while I chew.

“We all want things,” I say, licking my lips. Realizing I’m still touching his arm, I pull away.

He pushes the plate to me. “Try the sauce. Not sure what it is, but it’s pretty damn good.”

I drown the next bite in the sauce and moan as the flavors assault my tongue. “Amazing.”

“This is nice.” He takes the fork back. “It’s been awhile since I was around someone with a sense of humor.”

“That is a very sad statement.” I sit back; I’ve had my fill.

“Sad but true.” He moves the oysters towards me. “Still feeling daring enough?”

I shake my head. “The thought of something like
that
in my mouth makes me want to throw up.”

He smirks. “Well, I guess that’s for the best. I wouldn’t want to have to fight you off me.”

I cross my arms. “What do you mean?”

“Oysters are said to be an aphrodisiac.”

“You’re full of shit,” I tell him.

“I kid you not. I haven’t had any proof. No big orgy, no wild sex; but that’s what they say.”

I pick one up and study the hideous thing. “There is
nothing
about this that would make me feel sexy.”

I set it down. “So, Jackson, tell me about tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow I have a meeting. I’ll be looking over some property that my father and I are thinking of renovating.” He looks at me. “And I want you there to tell me what you think and to take a few notes.”

“You’re paying me to take notes?”

“And for your opinion.”

The waiter takes our order. While we wait, I do my best to get to know Jackson as a person, not just my boss. He’s an open book, and willing to tell me anything I want to know. He was in a long relationship once and almost married the girl, but things ended once he started working longer days. Now most of his free time consists of working for his family and running the shelter.

He was a college grad; he did all the things a person like him should do with his life, and he was proud of it, in a humble way. He’s just grateful that he managed to get so far with little or no screw ups.

“It’s easy to talk to you, Savy.” He takes a sip of his beer. “Has anyone told you that you’re a great listener?”

I shake my head. “When you come from my family, you learn to do it really well.”

“You don’t say much about yourself. But you make it a point to ask a lot of questions about me.”

“What would you like to know?” I catch the straw between my lips and look at him. “I’m an open book. Ask and you shall receive.”

“What are you waiting for?”

I search his eyes. “What do you mean, what am I waiting for?”

“With your life. There has to be a reason you quit school and are kind of involved with someone.”

I sigh. “I think working hard for something you aren’t happy with is stupid. And as for my involvement with someone, I haven’t had a boyfriend in years and I kind of like it that way. I told myself the next time I’m in a relationship it will be with someone I can see myself with.”

“So no intimacy?” He makes a face. “What fun is life without physical contact?”

I smirk. “I never said I don’t have sex. I just never let things become serious. I don’t invest my feelings in anyone anymore.”

“Which would lead me to think you had a bad break up.”

“And you would be right.” I pull the napkin back on the rolls and pick one up. “I think we all have. That doesn’t make me damaged goods.”

“I don’t think that.” He shrugs. “And you’re right. We’ve all been mentally shit on by someone in our lives. There’s always a reason we are who we are.”

I nod. “So tell me your reason.” I’m curious to know.

“I am who I am because of my life. I’ve been fortunate to come by everything I’ve wanted very easily. And I know a lot of people don’t get that chance. So I decided to give back. That’s why I run the shelter, and that’s why I invest in real estate.”

“That’s awesome.” Most people who have it all would rather keep it than share with others. “I’m glad I’m working for you.”

Jackson nods. “Good. I think we’re good for each other.”

I scoff. “Are you flirting with me again?”

“What can I say? I can’t help myself. It’s who I am.”

I shake my head. “If that was true you would be flirting with our very attractive waitress and you haven’t even noticed her the entire time we’ve been here.”

“Oh, so you
noticed
I
wasn’t flirting with her.” He smiles. “I must say, for a girl who says she’s not looking, you have given me many compliments today.”

I start tapping my foot nervously. ”It just happens. You’re easy to compliment.”

“Tell me about this guy.” He runs a hand over his five o’clock shadow.

“He’s an old friend that I haven’t seen in a long time.” I don’t know how to explain Ryker. “He’s also very successful. We used to be good friends in high school, but things changed.”

“What things?”

“Life--life changed.” I purse my lips. “We were both in an accident, and afterwards my parents
and
his decided the best place for him was far away from here and me. So I never saw him again.”

“Sounds like the plot to a good movie.” He looks at me. “And do you think now that you’ve seen him again that there’s still something there after all these years?”

“Maybe. I won’t know unless I try.” I realize what I’m doing is exactly what I don’t like doing. I’m taking a chance by letting someone inside my heart and giving them a chance to hurt me.

***

“I had a great time,” I tell him when we pull into the shelter. “The food was amazing, and you weren’t so bad to hang out with.”

Jackson puts his hands in his slacks pockets and nods. “See you tomorrow, Savy.”

He leans close, and my hearts starts pounding. And just when I think he is going to try and kiss me, he doesn’t. He’s a perfect gentleman. He opens my door. I welcome the cool air, sure that my embarrassment is evident on my cheeks. “I would never kiss you under these circumstances,” he assures me. “You have a thing. And I don’t want in the middle of anyone’s chance at something real.”

I nod as I climb out of the car. I lean down looking back in. “Thank you, Jackson, for everything. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

I make it back to Sophie’s and let out a huge sigh of relief. Now that I am alone I can breathe. I hadn’t noticed how overly cautious I had been about my every movement around Jackson. I think it’s the boss thing. I didn’t want to screw up and make him think less of me.

I hope I didn’t say anything to him that he found offensive. There were moments at lunch where he felt more like a friend than my boss. And my mouth has a habit of saying things it shouldn’t.

I shut my door and head up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. I could use the chance to burn off a little energy.

After the fourth flight, I’m out of breath. I throw my hair off my shoulder and fan my face, going at a snail’s pace now that I am almost to Sophie’s apartment.

Before I have my hand on the doorknob, I hear voices coming from inside. She hasn’t said anything about company so I don’t have a clue who it could be. I turn the knob and go inside without a warning and gasp.

“Surprise!” Sophie shouts.

I slip my purse off my shoulder and set it on the table. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back so soon?”

Ryker is standing behind Sophie, as well as his partner in crime, Monty Chipman.

“We got some free time and the first place I thought to come was here to see you.” He steps closer and pulls me in for a hug. I shoot a glare in Sophie’s direction while squeezing him.

“Isn’t that sweet?” Sophie asks, tugging at the collar of her blouse. She knows I’m upset.

“Yeah totally.” I lie, going into the kitchen. I turn my back on all of them and pull out a soda.

“How was work?” Ryker asks taking off his baseball cap; he puts it on my head. “You liking it so far?”

I crack open my soda. “So far.”

He scratches his head. His hair a sexy mess. “You don’t seem happy to see me.”

I shake my head. “I am very happy to see you.” I touch his face. “Just a little thrown.”

“A little thrown?” He frowns. “I thought you would be happy to see me again.”

I take another sip of my soda and put it down on the counter. “I am. I just have work, and I’m worried I won’t get to spend time with you like I want to.”

Ryker takes a seat at the counter. “What time do you have work tomorrow?”

“Early. Like seven in the morning--early.” I sit down next to him. “I sort of have two jobs now.”

Ryker looks at me. “Two?”

“My boss offered me another job. One that pays.” I purse my lips, rubbing the back of my neck. “And I accepted it.”

“Doing what?”

“Assisting him--I don’t know--helping him out during meetings.” The more I try to explain, the less I believe what I am even saying.

But Ryker doesn’t mind. He gives a nod and motions me to him. “I’ve been waiting to get my hands on you again.” He kisses me, caressing my cheek.

“I thought we could go back to my hotel for the night. I’ll make sure you’re up for work tomorrow.” His kiss is urgent.

“I think you should just stay here. I have a room, wouldn’t it be nicer than a hotel again?”

He shrugs. “Sounds fine to me.”

I open the cupboards. “Maybe we should order some food. Are you hungry?”

“Not really.”

***

My alarm is going off when I open my eyes. I pry Ryker’s arm off me and jump out of bed. “Oh my god!”

He rolls over, rubbing his eyes. “What?”

“It’s nine. I am
so
late.” I race around the room frantically searching for everything. I
knew
having Ryker stay the night was a bad idea.

“I’m sure he’ll understand. From what you tell me, he’s pretty laid-back.” Ryker sits up, running a hand through his hair. I can’t take time to admire his cute bed head; I need to get my ass in gear and get to work.

“Being late is never a good thing,” I tell him, hopping into my skirt. I turn around and shoot him a look over my shoulder. “Zip this, please?”

I don’t have time for a shower. I grab the brush from my purse and run it through my hair.

I find my black heels under some throw pillows and shove my feet into them.

“I don’t know when I’ll be off.” I quickly plant a kiss on his lips. “But, I will call you as soon as I am.”

Ryker grins. “I have some stuff to keep me busy. And dinner tonight with your parents, right?”

I nod. I don’t really want to think about that at the moment.

I give a quick wave to Sophie and Monty as I run out of the door, barely in my jacket.