the heels digging into my ass as I pounded into her. There was nothing unusual about her outfit, except it was one of my favorites. I told her once how fucking sexy she was in it.
But it was her hair that caught my eye and made my breath catch in my throat. Her glorious fucking hair I couldn’t resist, cascaded over her shoulders and down her back in waves of dark chocolate satin. She’d left it curly, which she hated, but knew I loved—the riotous mass swirling around her face as she moved. I wanted to lace my hands in the curls and pull her face to mine and kiss her. Bend her over the closest desk and bury my face in the sweet fragrance as I begged for her forgiveness. Fuck her until she moaned my name and showed me with her body that we were okay.
Instead, I was paralyzed as our eyes met. Her anger-filled gaze was challenging. My apologetic one ignored. She knew what seeing her hair down would do to me. How much I’d want—need—to touch her and not be able to. She was still angry at me, thinking I valued my job over her.
Taking in a deep breath and pushing off the door, I crossed the office, aware we were being watched. “Good morning, Laura.”
“Jackson.” Her voice was clipped, and this time, I knew it wasn’t an act. Up close, I could see how tired she looked, and the hurt was evident in her gaze.
“I have a couple thoughts on that file we were discussing. I wondered if you could spare me a moment before the staff meeting.” I paused and cleared my throat. “I thought about what you said, and I really wanted to talk it over with you.”
Her eyes flickered, and she blinked—a glimmer of moisture appearing. I inched forward, needing to be closer. I inhaled deeply, the scent of her washing over me. “Please,” I added, fighting the incredible urge to say fuck it all and drag her into my arms, not caring about the consequences.
Before she could answer, Hank strode out of his office, clapping his hands. “Great. I need to see both of you before Harris comes in. My office—now.”
Our bubble was broken. Laura closed her eyes and stepped back, her guard once again returning. “Of course, Hank,” she acknowledged and moved past me, her long tresses brushing my hands. Unable to resist, I pulled one curl with my finger, its texture silky against my callused skin. It took everything in me not to wrap the curls in my fist and yank her back to me like a caveman. Claim her in front of everyone. The curl unwound and escaped my finger as she walked away.
“We’ll talk later, Jackson.”
I followed her silently, realizing I would follow her anywhere.
I had to make sure she understood that.
Chapter 4
Jackson
Laura smiled at me from the corner of the sofa as I handed her a cup of coffee.
I’d helped her right her clothing and removed her from my lap. I slid over to the driver’s side of the truck, and she looked at me questioningly. “I live five minutes from here—I often leave my truck in the lot. If Hank sees yours, he’ll wonder where you are.”
“Are we going somewhere?”
“Yes. You’re coming home with me, and we’re going to talk.”
“Okay.”
Once we reached the house, I gave her a set of sweatpants and a shirt to change into, while I made the coffee, quickly changed myself, and waited for her. When she emerged from the guest room, her hair brushed and back up, and dressed in my clothes, I couldn’t suppress my smirk. She was beyond adorable—the sleeves of my shirt rolled up several times and the pants hanging off her hips. I drew her close, kissing her temple, finding the clip and letting her hair loose again.
“Leave it down. I love your hair.”
She tilted up her face, biting her lip. I pulled on the plump flesh. “Keep doing that, and we won’t be talking,” I warned.
Color stained her cheeks, and I chuckled as I drew her to the sofa. How she could blush after what we’d just done was beyond me. She was a mystery to me still—one I wanted to solve.
She sipped her coffee, gazing at me over the rim of her mug. She was too far away, so I moved closer and laced our fingers together.
“I thought you hated me,” she confessed.
“Anything but.”
“Then why…?”
I kissed her hand and released it. “Your father was