Sutton and the CEO Forever (Bedding the Billionaire #5) - S. Cinders Page 0,51
up and hugged Gina, kissing her forehead. Marco was at the door when he pulled back, and Jackson went over to him and gave him a big hug as well.
“I will miss the two of you and your hospitality. I can’t say I have ever felt more welcome.”
Marco smiled. The birthmark on the one side hardly marred his handsome face.
“As Gina said, you are always welcome. We will leave you two to your business. Just let us know if you need anything else.”
Brian began to tell Jackson about his relationship with Katie. The more he talked about the pretty new deputy, the more Jackson understood just how things were with his boss and his neighbor.
“Well, just tell her the truth,” Jackson said reasonably.
“That I was her stalker?” Brian shook his head, “No. She doesn’t know you. So, I figure we can get you out there, and I will catch you doing something. Maybe pruning the trees and then pretend to take you away.”
Jackson started laughing, a deep belly laugh that made Brian frown.
“And what if you marry this girl? Are you going to hide me for the rest of your marriage? Or am I fired? I have been a nanny for Marco and Gina, been kidnapped for Julio and Natalie, and now you want me to be a stalker. I have to say that being a PI has never been so exciting. And honestly, I have never been one that has pushed for the truth. But Brian, listen to yourself…”
Brian sighed and dropped his head into his hands.
“I feel like an idiot.” His words were mumbled against his skin, but Jackson got the context.
“Do you love this girl?”
Brian’s head shot up, a deep scowl on his face. “Why in the hell does that matter?”
Jackson’s smirk was eating away at Brian’s temper.
“Boss, we don’t lie to the ones we love.”
“Maybe I don’t love her,” Brian said in a dark tone that neither of them believed.
Jackson nodded. “Of course you don’t. So, is tonight good for the break-in?”
“I don’t need you to break in. Just do a little gardening, can you do that?”
Jackson smiled wide, “My mama always said I had a green thumb. Don’t you worry, I will make you proud!”
“You set the bushes on fire, you fucking idiot!”
Katie stood there in shock as she watched Brian chew out her stalker, only she wasn’t so sure the man was her stalker. For one thing, Brian seemed terribly familiar with him, and for another, the man just sat there smiling as if this were a garden picnic and not a bonfire featuring her shrubs.
“Where did you get the matches? She doesn’t have matches in the garage, Jackson! Fucking hell, it was an easy job!”
It only took three blasts of the fire extinguisher to put the blaze out. That was another thing. Brian had been weird about going to bed. He kept insisting on watching another show and then swore he heard something outside. This had to be the worst set-up on the planet.
Katie went over to her crispy shrubs and saw the way the foam coated the now-charred branches. The humor of the situation began to tickle the back of her throat. She didn’t think that Brian would appreciate it if she burst out laughing. But just as she was pulling it together, she heard sirens in the distance.
There was the sound of a slamming door, and Alice and Reena came out of their home on the other side.
“We smelled smoke!” Alice cried out.
Brian said something that was truly not worth repeating, and Katie burst out laughing. Once she started, she couldn’t stop. The fake burglar joined in, and Alice and Reena starred and the charred bushes.
Once the fire truck pulled up, Katie had tears running down her face.
Brian gathered her in his arms, “Are you okay?”
Katie fought to regain control. “Did you cook all of this up just to avoid telling me the truth?”
His face turned crimson. “I am not a stalker.”
Knox had arrived along with the fire department.
“Obviously, the fire has been contained,” Alice and Reena were doing their best to give Brian and Katie a bit of privacy.
Katie pointed to the man. “Who is that?”
“Jackson, he works for me,” Brian grumbled.
Katie laughed again, “I love you, crazy man.”
Brian cupped her face in his eyes, searching her eyes, “I don’t know why.”
Katie’s eyes sparkled. “But I do.”
“I love you too,” he said gruffly, and then he kissed her in front of Jackson, the neighbors, Knox, and the fire department.