When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,106
how it is now?” Shaking his head, he turned to leave.
She followed shortly. After she climbed into bed, she braided her hair to one side and slipped beneath the covers. Normally, she’d read a while, but nothing was normal, and she turned to go to sleep.
“I can’t stay in this bed without holding you,” he said. “Don’t shut me out. Please don’t.”
She hurt for him because of what Xavier told her, and she felt horrible she didn’t ever want anyone but Jackson to touch her. How can I forget him? She had to. She turned and went to Nick.
“To hold you is so comforting.” His face nuzzled into her neck the way he’d always loved to fall asleep with her, and he threw his leg over her, reining her in close. But this time the closeness was troublesome, rather than comforting.
Chapter 23
From reading Kinsley’s book, Jackson learned more about her. In her writing, although fiction, there were pieces of her. It’d taken her three weeks to send the manuscript, and in the three weeks since he’d received it, he’d read the book three times. With the time in between, he thought of her.
When Scar came in, he continued reading, wanting to finish the page.
“Are you still reading Kinsley’s book?”
“Yeah, I’m almost finished.” He couldn’t tell her this read was the third time around.
“When are you going back to work? I know it’s nice to be in your own home again, but you’re wearing the sofa out.”
“I told you, it was a long case. I want to take some time off. Besides, I’m searching for Kinsley’s brother. Will you grab me a beer? There’s soda, too. Not much else. Take what you want.”
She started looking at him as a parent would. “In the middle of the day? Are you sure you don’t want a Coke? Moping around here isn’t going to bring her back. I’m worried about you. So is Olivia. Any luck with finding her brother?”
“It’s appears he doesn’t want to be found. I’m asking a friend in D.C. to check some things out. He may come through. Olivia should move on, though. Nothing is ever going to happen with her and me. I feel guilty. She’s too understanding.”
“You’ve been friends a long time, Jackson. To stay friends is all she wants. She cares. Give her a break.”
“I’ll call her soon. In a few days. The person I want to call is Kinsley. I want to tell her I loved the book, but I don’t want to interfere. If she’s happy, I don’t want to upset her.” He didn’t want to upset himself either. To know she would be able to forget him and be happy with a man like Nick would be a lot to handle.
“You can tell her at my exhibit. I invited her, and she said she’s coming. If you ever finish that book I’d like to read it.”
He finally laid the book down and gave her his attention. “Did she say anything else?”
“Only said she was getting used to being home again. Sorry.”
He folded his hands together and hung them between his legs with his head lowered. “Why would I think she’d choose me after only knowing me a brief time? Why wouldn’t she choose Nick and her family?”
Scar didn’t have an answer for him. “Pierce asked how you are. He’d like to see you.”
“Why? So he can say I told you so?” When he heard himself say it, he realized how juvenile he sounded. He’d been blaming Pierce far too long. He’d tell him that someday.
“Jackson, he’s not like that. Give him a chance. You must know he loves you. My God, he put Lakeside in your name the day after your mother died. He still lives for you. This isn’t like you. You’re depressed. If you can’t talk to me, you should talk to someone.”
“Don’t you get it Scar? Talking isn’t going to help. And Lakeside means nothing to me. I didn’t ask for it.” His involvement with Lakeside was strictly on paper, and that’s how he’d insisted Pierce keep it. Few people knew anything other than he was Pierce’s estranged nephew. He hadn’t realized how much his past had affected decisions he made in life until recently. “Shit, it’ll be hell seeing her at the exhibit with Nick.” The thought of her with someone else brought bile to the back of his throat.
“Jackson, you said you’d go. The night won’t mean anything if you don’t show up.”