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“Thanks.” He’s being so nice, and he doesn’t have to be. I’m sure it’s only because of June. She has always talked about how good of a brother he is to her. Her only complaint was that she wished he came home more.
“You want to go back to sleep?” Tigger jumps up on the bed. Jackson reaches out and pets him. I watch as Tigger continuously nudges his head against his hand. I’m surprised by how quickly he has taken to him. For as big as he is, he can tend to be a little bit of a fraidy cat. But I’ll never admit that out loud.
“I think I’m going to get up.” I lick my lips, watching the way Jackson pets Tigger. I didn’t know a man petting a cat could be so hot.
“All right. I’ll make us some breakfast.”
“Can I use the shower?”
“Make yourself at home.” He gives Tigger a pet under his chin before he leaves the room, closing the door behind him. Tigger plops down in my lap.
“Do I look like a hot mess?” Tigger only butts my hand with his head, demanding more pets. I can’t resist him, so I give him a few before I make my way to the bathroom, grabbing my bag to take with me.
By the time I’m done showering, any symptoms of the hangover that might have lingered are gone, thankfully. I can’t be feeling like crap. I have to work tonight. Saturday isn’t as busy as Friday, but there will still be a good crowd. I need to be at my best. Not only because I want to do a good job but because I need the tip money.
I stand at the bedroom door for a good minute trying to work up the courage to go out and face Jackson. He likely thinks I’m a dork with how I acted last night. Tigger paws at the door, giving me no option but to open it.
The smell of bacon and eggs lures me to the kitchen. Jackson is at the stove. He doesn’t turn, but he somehow must hear me.
“I set you up there.” In front of one of the bar stools at the kitchen island is a cup of coffee with a creamer pitcher next to it. There is also a bowl of yogurt with blueberries on top and a grapefruit cut in half with a spoon in it.
“Thank you.” I slip into the chair.
“That’s almond milk.” He turns from the stove, plating the eggs.
“You have almond milk?” Jackson places the eggs with a side of bacon in front of me.
“I ran out to the store this morning.” He makes his own plate. It doesn’t go unnoticed that everything in front of me is healthy. A lump forms in my throat.
“You didn’t have to do all this.” The man has thought of everything. Someone going out of their way for me is not something I’m used to.
I know he’s just being nice, but for some reason, it feels like more than that. I push that thought to the back of my mind. It’s more likely he was afraid I was going to keel over in his house this morning after my sensor was going off. I pick up a piece of bacon and shove it in my mouth.
He said the hotel wasn’t a safe place for me to stay. As I peek over at him while we eat our breakfast, I think the chance I could get hurt here is just as likely.
11
JACKSON
I sit at the bar, never taking my eyes off Paisley as she works. I’m not the only one that watches her. I’m thankful that the night is almost over. I don’t think I could take much more of this without laying someone out.
Her skirt isn’t helping. I thought those jean shorts she had on the other night were bad. I couldn’t have been more wrong. That tiny piece of cloth she’s wearing tonight is a damn nightmare.
All the fucking thoughts I’ve had since she came out of the bedroom with it on, ready for work, have kept my dick hard for hours. I didn’t know that was possible, but that seems to be the case about a lot of things when it comes to myself. That was until this little princess came along. She’s bringing a lot of things to light for me.
I swear the thought of locking her in my house has crossed my mind more times than I’m comfortable admitting. That line of thinking is completely irrational and unhinged, but there’s no stopping it.
“You sure you don’t need a drink?” Cole asks from behind the bar. I could use one but not tonight. Not when I’m watching her.
“My water is fine.” Cole chuckles. I want to punch him in the throat, but I control myself. I know my irritation isn’t for him. It’s for the other fucks in the bar.
“Not going to lie. We’ve gotten some new regulars since Paisley started working here. I think the boys over at the Army base must be telling everyone we got a new server.” I swear it’s like Cole has a fucking death wish.
I grit my teeth. I need to find her another damn job. Not sure how I’m going to go about that. I guess I could make one up. I do have a company. That’s not a terrible idea. Then I could keep her tucked away in my home. Away from all these little fucks.
“The one in the light blue polo with shaggy hair?” I’ve had my eyes on him all night. He’s shifty.
“He’s one of them,” Cole confirms for me.
