Monday morning. Embarrassing the hell out of me for years to come. He ruined my chances at having a boyfriend for the rest of my high school days. I went on a few dates here and there, kissed a couple of guys, but that was the end of it.
I didn’t date much.
No one wanted to mess with the NFL MVP’s little sister.
In Jackson’s eyes and mind, I’d forever be his baby sister with pigtails, riding my pink tricycle. It didn’t matter how much I changed or how old I was. Jackson would always see me as the baby he took care of in our father’s absence after the woman who gave birth to us passed.
I’d heard enough stories from everyone in the family about my dad going AWOL after our biological mother died. Camila saved him, saved all of us. My parents never tried to hide who I was, or where I came from. I always knew the truth. They’d show me photos and videos of her often.
I didn’t care.
She meant nothing to me. I felt no emotional attachment to her. If anything...
I fucking hated her.
Most of the time, Jackson acted like my second father. Turning into an angry beast at the drop of a dime like our daddy. His temper knew no bounds. It was a Pierce trait. I’d seen him fly off the handle more times than I cared to remember. Especially when it came to his family’s well-being.
He was overprotective.
Loyal.
Loving.
Annoyingly so.
It was becoming apparent that Cash knew more about me than I gave him credit for. Out of nowhere, he stood and walked in my direction. Before I could say a word, he grabbed my hand with a sinister look in his eyes. I didn’t question it. I followed close behind him as he led me toward the back of the plane with his whiskey in tow.
Seconds later, he opened the door to reveal a gorgeous private bedroom. A king-sized bed took up almost the entire suite in the middle of the open space. Although it was the gray plush comforter that caught my attention the most. I instantly wondered if it was as comfortable and inviting as it appeared.
“Wow...” I breathed out, taking in the luxurious décor and tan textured pattern on the walls. My fingers grazed along the wallpaper. “This is what dreams are made of.”
He nodded, grinning like a fool.
“What?”
“I like seein’ my world through your eyes,” he stated, bringing his drink up to his lips. Polishing it off and setting it on the bedside table. “Wanna join the mile-high club?”
I could tell by the tone in his voice he was being a smartass, but I played along.
“Cash Motherfuckin’ McGraw ain’t a member already?” I sassed, imitating his thick Southern accent.
“Don’t cuss, Junie.”
I rolled my eyes. “You mean you aren’t the CEO of the club?”
“A gentleman never tells.”
I peered around the room. “There’s a gentleman in here?”
He laughed, tugging me onto the bed with him. It was good to hear that sound, a nice change of pace to all the heaviness we’d been dealing with the last few days.
My heart skipped a beat when he laid my body on top of his with our faces now inches apart.
“You feel damn fuckin’ good in my arms, Junie.”
I swallowed hard, licking my suddenly dry lips as though I was getting them prepared for him. Thoughts of him kissing me again sent shivers down my spine.
Rubbing his nose against mine, he coaxed, “So tell me, Journey Pierce. Who is my girl?”
“I’m lying on top of you, and that’s what you ask?”
Slowly, he kissed my lips. The smell of whiskey assaulting my senses made me dizzy.
“You keep sayin’ I don’t know who you are anymore. So tell me, who is my girl?” he repeated against my mouth. Never once did he stop kissing me.
“Well...” I kissed him back. “This is the first time I’ve ever laid on a guy before.”
He leaned into the pillow, pulling away to gaze into my eyes. “Christ, darlin’, are you fuckin’ wit’ me?”
I shook my head.
“What have you done wit’ guys?”
“Cash...” I hid my face in the nook of his neck. “You just want to hear me say it.”
“I wanna hear you say lots of things, but if you say my name like that one more fuckin’ time, I’m gonna have a hard time not makin’ you scream it.”
I beamed big and wide, feeling my face turn bright red. “I wouldn’t mind that,” I blurted before I lost my nerve.
In one quick move,