Harlequin E New Adult Romance Box Set Volume 1: Burning Moon\Girls' Guide to Getting It Together\Rookie in Love (50 page)

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Rookie.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Jackson.”

Chapter Five

Aunt Gwen looks beautiful as usual. She hugs me tight and has lunch set out for us at her kitchen table. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen her and it feels good to be with her again. We drink tea and eat sandwiches, catching up on each other’s lives in between bites. Aunt Gwen is retired now and lives alone since Uncle David passed a few years ago.

Aunt Gwen’s little condo is warm and cozy, with framed photos lining the walls. She asks me to follow her into her office so she can retrieve my gift, and rummages through the closet while I take in the messy piles of books on her bookshelf.

“What’s this?” I ask, my eyes catching on an old photo album.

“I think that might be pictures from my last year of high school. That would make your mom about your age. You’re welcome to look inside, if you like.”

I pull the album from the shelf and dust off the cover. When I open it up, the first picture I see shows my mother and my aunt at a party, sitting next to each other on a couch.

“It’s funny that you found this today of all days. It was taken on Isabel’s twenty-first birthday.” My aunt is looking at the picture over my shoulder. She wraps her arm around my waist and then turns the page for me. “We had a party at our parents’ house. They were out of town so lots of our friends came over.”

The next page shows a picture of my mother sitting across the lap of a handsome man with the long hair typical of that era. She is laughing and he is smiling, looking at her with an admiration that looks very much like love.

“Who is that, Aunt Gwen? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before.”

“John. Your mother dated him for about six months before she got serious with your father.”

“They look so happy. How come I’ve never heard about him?” I am shocked; I have never imagined her with anyone other than my father. She looks so in love.

“It’s not my story to tell, Madeline. I will tell you this, though: John loved her with every piece of his heart. Our parents didn’t approve of him—they wanted her with a man who could provide for her and offer her the lifestyle she was used to. John was a hard worker, but he wasn’t born into money.”

“But Uncle David didn’t come from a wealthy family either, though, did he?”

“No, he didn’t. And my parents didn’t like him any more than they liked John, but what he and I shared was more important to me than my parents’ notions of securing a good future.”

“And your parents accepted that?”

Aunt Gwen laughs sadly. “No, and they never did forgive me for my choices. But I’ve never looked back. Your uncle David loved me until the day he died. We had a very happy life together.”

I flip through the next few pages of my mother and aunt together at different events. The last photo in the album shows my mother and father on their wedding day. I have seen this photo many times in my life but now I look at it with new eyes.

As I close the album my aunt hands me a giftwrapped package and offers me a smile as she puts the album back on the shelf. We sit down on the loveseat in her office, and I open the beautifully-wrapped gift and uncover a small jewelry box with a dancing ballerina on top. It looks very old and a little worn on the hinges. My aunt sweeps her finger across the top, below the dancer’s delicate feet. “It was your mother’s, Madeline. I think she would have wanted it to be yours now.”

“It’s wonderful,” I whisper, as I open the top to find the box lined with red velvet. I twist the little knob inside but the dancer remains still. My aunt places her hand on my shoulder and kisses my cheek.

“It hasn’t worked in years. I’m afraid she might have played it too many times. Happy birthday, sweetheart. I wish your mother could be here to see what a beautiful young woman you have become.” I hug my aunt and stand up.

“Thank you, Aunt Gwen. This means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome. Can I ask you one small favor?” My aunt stands to walk me to the door.

“Of course.” We make our way down the hallway to the front door. Aunt Gwen puts her hands on my face and I see the hesitation in her eyes.

“Let’s keep this between us, Madeline. That treasure was very special to your mother and I know it’s now with the right person. You know my relationship with your father has been rough at times, and I don’t want him thinking I gave you something behind his back.”

“Thank you, Aunt Gwen. Of course, I will keep it between the two of us.” She hugs me one more time before I go, and I promise I will see her again soon. I can’t get John out of my head as I drive home; I wonder if my brothers have ever heard of him. I know I won’t ask because I don’t want any more bad blood between my father and aunt, and clearly it is a subject that holds weight with both of them.

My phone rings as I enter my apartment and I see Greg’s name and picture flash on the screen. I am paralyzed for a moment, not knowing if his voice will bring relief or pain.

“Hello, Greg.”

“Hello, Madeline. I made it here safe, sweetheart. I just checked into my room and I’m about to take a quick nap. How are you feeling today?”

“I’m okay. Greg, I’m so sorry.” I choke on the last word as my throat clenches with tears. I cry for a moment into the phone, trying to pull myself together. I remind myself that I wanted this, that I have already been out with Jackson, but my heart hurts for Greg and our friendship.

“Please don’t cry, Madeline. And don’t apologize for this. It was my idea. We need this.”

“I know, I know. I’m just a bit out of balance today. I had lunch with my aunt and that always makes me a little emotional. She gave me something of my mother’s—I wish I could show it to you.”

“I can’t wait to see it when I get home. I should go, but my phone will always be on if you need me.” There is silence for a minute as I wait for him to say he loves me, and I can feel it hanging between us, but he never says it.

“Take care, Greg.” We both hang up and I look at my phone as if it holds the answer to what is happening to us. No such luck. I put down my purse and make a place for the jewelry box on my dresser. I want to know the story behind it and why the tiny dancer no longer dances. I am staring at it when my phone chimes with a message.

My heart is racing and my hands shake as I type back a message and add Jackson’s name to my contacts.

I am grateful that I took time to blow-dry and straighten my hair for my lunch with my aunt. I run into the bathroom to touch up my makeup, since I’ve cried some of it off, and I put a little extra on to cover the redness around my eyes. I choose a short jean skirt, and strip off my button-up blouse in exchange for a tight-fitting sequined tank top. A quick stop in Abby’s room and I have a sexy pair of heels to go with my outfit.

I leave a note for Abby and then lock up the apartment. Out in the parking lot, Jackson is leaning up against my side of the truck, looking at his phone. When he hears my footsteps he stands up and his eyes take me in, starting at my heels and finally ending at my eyes.

“You don’t disappoint, Rookie.” Jackson opens the door for me and helps me up into the seat. I watch him appreciatively as he walks around the front of the truck. When he climbs in and fires up the engine the butterflies take flight in my stomach, and I hold my breath as he puts his hand on my leg. Greg never did this and it thrills me the way Jackson claims me. I hope it means he feels the same urge to touch me as I am feeling toward him.

Jackson holds my hand as we walk into the bar, and students shake his hand or give him high fives as we walk by. His team is all together in the back, sitting around tall bar tables. Rob, the trainer, is here and Jackson heads in his direction. When he sees us coming his way, a knowing smile plays at his lips.

“Well, if it isn’t Miss Madeline. Looks like your ankle has healed nicely.”

“When I went against everything my father and brothers have ever told me about strange men at my door and let you in, I guessed you were either going to help me out and work a miracle on my ankle or kill me. I think we’re both pretty happy with the choices made that day.” I give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “All kidding aside, thanks for that. It felt better after a few days.”

“You’re welcome. We did each other a favor. Now I can rest easy knowing all debts have been paid.” Rob tips his beer in Jackson’s direction.

Jackson is holding my hand again and he brings my knuckles up to his mouth and places a kiss across them. “You need another beer? I think Maddy and I are going to head up to the bar and grab a few drinks.” Rob quirks an eyebrow and looks back and forth between Jackson and me.

“I thought it was
Madeline.
” Rob stretches out each syllable slowly.

“Maybe for you, but she’s my Rookie and we don’t need the formality of all those syllables. Now, please excuse
Maddy
and me so we can start celebrating our victory with some alcohol.” Jackson lets go of my hand and places his palm across my lower back and I immediately feel the warmth spread across my skin. With one last nod in Rob’s direction, Jackson guides me up to the bar.

“What’s your poison, Rookie?” His hand is still splayed across my back as we lean on our elbows on the bar.

“I have a feeling you are, Mr. Quarterback.” This public flirtation is exhilarating. Everything in my world before Jackson was so proper, but since him it has been fire and mischief and, just like the first night, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

“I may not remember all the details of those fairy tales you girls read, but I happen to know that when the beautiful princess drinks the poison, it takes a kiss to break the spell.” I watch as victory plays across his features. Before I can reply, the bartender makes her way over to us and gets us our drinks. I am sticking with beer tonight, my stomach still sick at the thought of anything as sweet as champagne.

After paying, Jackson slides my beer into my hand and leans in close to my ear, brushing his whisker-shadowed jaw across my cheek. In a voice so low and husky it causes chills to run down my spine, Jackson whispers, “Drink up, Maddy, I can’t wait to see what I awaken when I deliver that kiss.”

Chapter Six

The cool beer in my hand grounds me to reality while my head feels like it’s floating. I have not even taken a sip of the cold bubbly liquid, but the heat in Jackson’s voice has shot straight to my core and the hormones that are racing through my body are giving me a feeling of euphoria. I want to push myself against Jackson and claim him here in this bar without any regard for who might see.

I raise the beer bottle but before I place it to my lips, I run my tongue along my bottom lip, then close my eyes, lean back and take in a slow sip. When I open my eyes again I find Jackson staring back at me, full of desire, immobile as he watches my every move.

“I never said I was a princess, Jackson, but if it takes me choosing a poison to get a kiss from you—consider it done.”

“Rookie, if you want a kiss all you have to do is ask. Fuck it, you don’t even have to do that.” Jackson sets his bottle down and tangles his fingers through the hair on the back of my head, tilting my face up to meet his as he crushes his lips to mine. His hand moves to brace me against him, causing me to fill with want. I try to stay in control and think rationally, but all I can think about is the way the brush of his whiskers contrasts with the softness of his lips.

I am holding my beer behind his back as he kisses me with a passion I have only ever seen in movies. I lean into the kiss, pressing my breasts against him and loving the way his muscular chest is the perfect fit for my soft curves. I can feel the eyes of other patrons on us as Jackson slides his tongue along the inside of my lips, then turns my head slightly so our skin can be even closer. The kiss slows and I think he is finished, but he brings his hand from the back of my head and splays his rough palm across my check in a move that only increases the intimacy.

I want to wrap my legs around him, to tell him to take me home and show me all the other things I have been missing, but I can’t move my body with my limbs as warm and fuzzy as they feel. When the kiss slows again, Jackson moves his hand down to my waist and holds me steady until I can feel control over my own legs again. The lust pumping through my body keeps me from forming any words. Jackson’s breath is heavy and a small smile plays on his lips.

“All right, Rookie, I’m going to need you to answer some questions for me.” I must look confused, because he chuckles and then motions for the bartender to bring us each another round, even though we have barely touched the ones we have now. He leads me to a small table in a dark corner at the back of the bar, not far from his teammates but also not within hearing distance. He watches as I shimmy myself up onto the high stool and his eyes trail down my legs as I cross them and allow my stiletto to dangle from my foot.

“Let me get this straight,” I say. “That kiss was hot, unless I was totally misreading it, but you want to stop so you can ask me questions? Excuse me while I sit here and grow increasingly disappointed in my inability to seduce you, Mr. Quarterback.” I take another swig from my beer as he eases himself onto the stool next to mine. He chuckles at my question and then uses his strong leg to pull my seat so close to him that I feel the warmth coming off of his skin.

“Absolutely the hottest kiss I have ever had, Rookie, and don’t think for one minute you don’t have the skills to seduce me.” Jackson sets his hand on my knee and looks into my eyes as he slowly slides his hand up my thigh and just under the hem of my skirt. No one is watching us now, but the thought of someone seeing him touch me like this has me squirming in my seat, wanting his hand to continue its journey up my leg.