I felt a flush of pleasure that Jackson wanted me with him, but I knew that was impossible. "Jackson, I can't. As much as I would love to, work is crazy. I told you about that big meeting my boss has on Tuesday. There's no way I could miss work."
"What about after Tuesday? I'll probably be in L.A. all of next week. That's a long time." The corners of Jackson's mouth turned down, as if the prospect of being apart for a whole week was unthinkable. I smoothed away the frown with my thumb, smiling gently.
"Jackson, you know I would love to go with you if I could. I just can't right now. Besides, you'll be way too busy to have me trailing behind you."
Jackson turned and leaned his back against the headboard with a sigh, pulling me with him so that I was nestled against his side. "I was pretty sure that you would say no because of work. I just thought I'd try asking." He paused for a few seconds and then continued.
"What if I get the part?" Jackson asked, sounding uncertain. "Mark said if I get the role they're considering me for, I could be gone for as long as five months."
My stomach dropped at Jackson's words, but I tried not to show it, covering my reaction with a smile. "That's a long time, but we'll get through it somehow. We'll probably rack up a lot of frequent flier miles."
Jackson was silent for a few beats and I was hoping that he wouldn't push the issue. The last thing I wanted was to have this conversation at the start of a holiday weekend, but Jackson had a determined look on his face.
"Emma," he started, looking serious. "I know work is important to you. I understand and appreciate that, but we can't have a relationship while we're on different coasts. Especially since this role could lead to other parts."
I pulled back, feeling a spark of irritation start to flame. I knew this was Jackson's dream, but it felt unfair to have him put this kind of pressure on me.
"What are you saying, Jackson? Are you saying that if you get this part and I don't go with you, we're over?" My voice trembled over the last words, anger and fear making my voice unsteady.
Jackson grabbed my hands, his eyes flashing. "Christ, Emma. No. That's not what I'm saying. How could you even think that? I'm just saying that I can't imagine being on the opposite side of the country from you for so long."
He pulled me close, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck and breathing deeply. "You're my life, Emma. Don't ever think that I would want to break up. I'd do anything to make sure we stayed together."
I threaded my hands in Jackson's hair and pulled his face gently back so that he was looking at me.
"I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. Why don't we figure out what we're going to do once you get the part?"
"If I get the part," Jackson countered with a small smile.
I grinned at him and gave him a quick kiss. "Like I said, if they're intelligent, you'll get the part."
Jackson's smile faded as he gazed at me, looking somber. I opened my mouth to ask him what was wrong, but before I could utter a word, his lips were on mine and I forgot about any words I had been about to say.
His hand slipped under my skirt while he continued kissing me, his tongue stroking mine. I whimpered when I felt his fingers slip under the band of my panties and slowly stroke my wetness, dipping his fingers into me. My hips bucked against his hand of their own accord as I deepened the kiss, wanting every part of me to be marked by him.
"Always like this," Jackson muttered against my mouth. He flicked my sensitive bud with his finger, stroking it rhythmically as I lifted my hips, circling against his hand and feeling the desperate need for release. "We'll always be like this. Promise me."
"I promise," I choked out. Jackson continued stroking my swollen bud, knowing just the right pressure to send me over the edge. I felt the tide of sensation about to crest and Jackson kissed me fiercely, swallowing my cries of pleasure and continuing to stroke me until I fell back limply in his arms.
I looked up at him after I caught my breath, stroking his cheek and wanting to reassure him. I could feel his worry about the future, but I had spent enough of my life planning a future to know that it didn't take much to make those plans come crashing down.
"I love you, Jackson. That's all that matters. We'll figure out the rest."
Jackson smiled and I saw his troubled eyes clear of uncertainty. "I love you too, Emma. You're right, we'll figure it out."
I raised my head to kiss him when there was a knock on the door. I jumped, startled by it, and frantically pushed Jackson's hand from under my skirt. He just grinned wickedly, not seeming to care that we were about to be interrupted in a compromising position.
I glared at him, telling him with my eyes to behave. I got up from the bed, but Jackson just laid back against the pillows, his arms crossed behind his head with a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Come in," I called out, hoping that I didn't look too flushed.
The door opened and Claire stuck her head in. "Hey, sorry to bother you, but we thought we would just stay in tonight since it's late and grill outside. Are you guys in?"
Claire opened the door wider and walked into the bedroom, her eyes moving from Jackson to me. I unconsciously smoothed my skirt down but stilled when I saw Claire's gaze stop on my hand.
"Sure, that sounds great!" I replied brightly, trying to hide my mortification, feeling like it was glaringly obvious that we had been in the middle of something hot and heavy.
Claire nodded, her eyes unreadable. "Just come out whenever you're ready. We'll get started."
When the door closed behind her, I grimaced at Jackson who was still lying on the bed looking unperturbed. "That was so embarrassing. I bet she could tell we had been doing something."
Jackson got up from the bed, grinning as he leaned down and kissed me. "Who cares? We're all adults here. I doubt they think we're going to be playing Monopoly in here."
"We're not going to talk about this anymore," I said firmly. Intellectually, I knew that it was no big deal but a little part of me was still a prude and didn't want the others thinking we were having wild crazy sex in here. Not that it would prevent me from having wild crazy sex with Jackson. Nothing could prevent that.
"Let's go outside then. I'm starving." Jackson paused before opening the door. "Don't mention my audition to the others. I don't want to say anything unless I actually get the part."
I nodded, understanding that Jackson didn't want to get everyone excited for something that might not happen. We joined the others out on the back porch and all thoughts of embarrassment dissipated as I sat back in a chair, breathing in the sea air and feeling content. We had asked the caretaker to fill the kitchen with groceries before we arrived, so Jackson and Nathan were busy manning the grill, assuring us that the men would take care of dinner tonight.