“Then I’m happy,” Emma told her. If everyone were talking about it, then Jackson would be happy too. Maybe someday Emma could convince Jackson to have the small, intimate ceremony Emma had dreamed of. That one she could plan.
Becca quickly picked up her things and stuffed them into her suitcases. The woman was beaming with excitement. She was going to plan the multi-million dollar wedding of her dreams. Becca had every right to be excited.
“I will see you tomorrow at ten,” Becca announced, heading out the door. She was practically skipping with excitement.
“See you tomorrow,” Emma said, offering a wave.
Becca disappeared out the door and Emma finally let herself relax. She slumped into her chair and noticed a bridal magazine Becca had dropped. Emma picked it up and thumbed through it, looking at the checklists and details.
She smiled and set the magazine on the table. She didn’t have to deal with any of it. This wedding planning stuff was going to be easier than she thought.
Chapter 27
Jackson
* * *
Jackson woke feeling more rested than he had in months. He lay in bed for a moment, his eyes closed and body still, enjoying the lack of exhaustion. He wasn’t sure what had woken him, but it wasn’t his alarm. It wasn’t a need to move or a desire to get the day started.
It was that he
just wasn’t tired anymore.
He peeked open one eye to see the world bathed in sunlight. It was strange that he’d slept so late. Usually, he was up and running by dawn. There was too much for him to do in the world to lay around sleeping all day.
Yet, he had relaxed today. He looked over to see Emma curled up beside him. Her chest rose and fell with easy, deep breaths that told him she was still fast asleep. He smiled, watching her for a moment.
When she was here, he felt at peace. There was no need to push for the next thing. He still wanted to excel, of course, but the need for better stopped when she was around. She was the best. He was content.
It was a strange feeling. Usually, when he woke up with a woman in his bed, he couldn’t wait to be rid of her. He didn’t let many women stay the night for precisely that reason. He always woke up the next morning disappointed and ready to search for the next one.
The women he was used to satisfied him for a night, maybe two.
But not Emma. Emma made his world come into focus. When she smiled, he didn’t feel the need to look elsewhere for more. She was enough for him.
She was more than enough.
He carefully brushed a dark strand of hair from her cheek. She sighed in her sleep, but didn’t wake. He thought of kissing her, waking her gently with erotic touches and making the morning start out right.
The low heat in his belly and the growing erection told him it was the right thing to do, but his heart said to let her sleep. She looked so peaceful, so content, that he didn’t want to take that away from her just to satisfy his own needs.
Not that she wouldn’t enjoy it. She always amazed him with her energy and desire. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. There was no fake orgasms or false cries of delight. She meant every sound, every groan of pleasure.
He was a lucky man.
She sighed again and rolled over in her sleep, pulling the covers around her shoulders in the process. Jackson found himself without a sheet.
She was a heavenly creature, except she did like to steal the covers.
He chuckled softly and carefully got out of bed. He tiptoed to the closet, grabbed a soft robe, and then left her to sleep. He would pleasure her later. It was more fun if she was awake anyway.
He padded to the kitchen, feeling happy despite the fact that all he had done today was woken up. That was Emma’s doing as well. Just being around her made him happy. He thought again of waking her, satisfying both his need and hers, but poured a cup of coffee instead.
Waiting would make it all the sweeter later. It was like waiting for Christmas. If he was patient, it would be so much better than opening his presents early. An awake Emma, making those soft moans that he loved so much was worth it.
He took his coffee and phone and sat down on the couch. Sunshine filled the room. He had no idea that the view was so nice in the morning from his apartment. He was used to being out and to the office by dawn most days that he didn’t sit and appreciate it.
He checked his emails, checked the news, and checked his investments. Everything was doing well and that was do to Emma. She had won the hearts of the mothers that bought his products. And the fact that she was so saccharine sweet made him sweet by association.