Shades of Resolution (Distortion #3) Page 8

  Jackson gave her a gentle kiss on the side of the neck and Lexie sighed in contentment. She didn’t realize how much she needed this, but the truth clawed at her and wouldn’t let her completely submit.

  “Jackson, I need to tell you something.” Lexie turned around in his embrace, taking his hands in hers and giving them a gentle squeeze before she let them go and looked up into his dark, tormented eyes. He already knew what she had to say was important; she could see it in his expression. Lexie noticed a bandage peeking out from under his sleeve. “What happened?”

  “It’s just a scratch,” Jackson dismissed. “What do you want to tell me?”

  “The baby is finally down and Momma needs her wine,” Cherry said as she sauntered down the hallway, coming to a standstill when she noticed Lexie and Jackson’s serious expressions.

  “Coming right up, Cherry,” Lexie said, forcing a smile. She took the opportunity to flee the difficult conversation with Jackson.

  “Lexie,” Jackson said as he reached for her. He wasn’t as inclined to drop the conversation.

  “I could really use a glass of wine myself,” Lexie said as she walked into the kitchen and stood on her tip-toes to open the cabinet over the fridge.

  “Here,” Jackson was suddenly behind her. He placed a hand on her lower back and his heat scorched through her clothing. His height easily allowed him to reach one of the bottles. He leaned down so he was only a breath away. He was only inches away and his heady scent filled her nose and made her body ache for him. “This conversation is not over, Lexie. We need to talk,” he whispered.

  Lexie could only bring herself to nod as she accepted the wine he held out for her.

  Luckily a half a dozen wine glasses still remained intact on the shelf as Lexie set three out and filled the glasses.

  “It’s already looking a lot better in here. We should have it cleaned up in no time,” Cherry said optimistically.

  Lexie pushed a glass toward Jackson. He seemed reluctant as he picked it up and smelled the contents.

  “Don’t tell me that you drink whiskey straight but don’t like the taste of wine?” Lexie asked in disbelief.

  “I’ve never tried wine before,” Jackson answered honestly.

  “He’s a bit of a barbarian,” Cherry said as she rolled her eyes and Lexie laughed.

  Lexie set Cherry’s glass in front of her before joining her at the table.

  “I, on the other hand, enjoy the finer things in life.” Cherry raised her glass. “If life gives you shit, drink wine.” Cherry raised her glass.

  “Cheers to that.” Lexie clinked her glass to Cherry’s.

  Jackson pulled up the chair next to Lexie, sitting close enough that their legs touched under the table. “Cheers,” he said before tipping the glass to his lips and downing half the glass.

  “Well?” Cherry asked.

  Jackson shrugged with a frown. “I guess.”

  Jackson’s lack of appreciation for wine had Cherry raising her brow. “Well, we still have time to fix you,” she said, giving his hand a pat.

  It wasn’t long before Teddy and Dane returned with armloads of grocery bags.

  “Pop tarts?” Lexie questioned as she picked up a box of strawberry flavored treats with icing and sprinkles on top. “Do people actually eat these?”

  “Yes, of course,” Teddy said defensively. He grabbed the box and cradled it lovingly to his chest. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about, baby

  “Oh god.” Cherry shook her head. “What the fuck is all this?” Opening the bags, Cherry pulled out microwave dinners, frozen pizzas, boxes of macaroni and cheese. “Gummy bears?” She held up a bag in disbelief. “How are you still alive if this is how you idiots eat?”

  “I like to believe I’m invincible,” Teddy said with a smirk.

  “Dear god,” Cherry said with a shake of her head. “We ain’t eating this shit. Baby doll, I’ll whip us up something that actually has some nutritional value. May I?” Cherry looked at Lexie and waved toward the kitchen.

  “Please do. Whatever you can find, feel free to use,” Lexie offered.

  Lexie refilled her glass and returned to the mess at her feet. Jackson and Dane took to work as well while Cherry and Teddy continued to playfully argue in the kitchen. Lexie picked up her mother’s music player and set it back on the hutch. It looked to be undamaged as she turned the power on and hit play. Her mother hadn’t changed her playlist since Lexie had made it for her five years ago.

  Lexie closed her eyes and listened to the song start to play, “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton. She closed her eyes and tried to remember when last she had heard this song. The last time she listened to it she was standing in the kitchen with her mother and they both had sung along as they washed dishes. She could still hear her mother’s off tune voice faintly in her memory.

  By the time wonderful smells began filtering from the kitchen, the main area had been straightened up. It had sustained the most damage of any area of the house and she was grateful it was back in order. A lot of her mother’s things were unsalvageable, but enough remained that the space still felt the same.

  Lexie stood back and observed their hard work. “What would’ve I done without you guys?” Lexie said appreciatively. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll take payment in kisses,” Teddy piped up. He was tying the last of the garbage bags when Dane walked in the back door.

  “Hit him for me, Dane,” Jackson said from across the room.

  Dane backhanded Teddy on the face as he grabbed the garbage bag from his hand.

  “Hey now,” Teddy said, placing his hand on his cheek. “You didn’t even know what the reason was.”

  “Do I need one?” Dane smirked.

  “Apparently not,” Teddy sulked.

  “Supper is ready, children,” Cherry called from the kitchen.

  With the exception of Evan, who was in a drug-induced sleep, they had a delicious meal thanks to Cherry, who showcased her talent in the kitchen. Cherry had an ability of making the light shine in the darkest of places. Lexie couldn’t help but be drawn to her. She wasn’t sure exactly how she got pulled into this whole mess, but Lexie was grateful she was with them.

  The group of them sat down at the table and Lexie couldn’t help but smile as they all carried on. Nothing about any one of their situations were ideal; they had all dealt with tragedy in one form or another, but here they were sitting down to a fabulous meal.

  Cherry had rifled through the cabinets, freezer, and her mother’s herb garden, and came up with the most delicious pasta dish Lexie had ever eaten. Lexie couldn’t remember the last time she laughed so hard; her face hurt.

  Lexie grew quiet and it didn’t go unnoticed as everyone’s attention was drawn to her. “Everything all right?” Jackson asked, bumping her shoulder.

  “I was just thinking how much my mother would have loved to be here sitting at this table and getting to know all of you. Though, she probably would’ve insisted on cooking and it wouldn’t have been anything near as good as this. She had a habit of burning everything,” Lexie said thoughtfully. “She loved people who were outside the box.”

  “Is that a nice way to say we’re weird?” Dane asked playfully.

  Lexie laughed. “There is nothing wrong with weird. My mother always used to say normal is boring.”

  “Well then, she would have loved me,” Cherry said. “It don’t get more outside the box than me. Most people can’t get past the fact that they don’t know what’s between my legs. It boggles their fucking minds.”

  “What do you have going on there, anyway?” Teddy asked curiously.

  “Ha. Haven’t you figured out by now that girls like their secrets? Let’s just say it’s more impressive than yours.” Cherry smiled mischievously and everyone laughed.

  Teddy’s phone began to ring and they all quieted as he looked at the screen. “It’s Giles,” he said before picking up the call. “Yeah.”

  They all remained quiet as Teddy s
poke on the phone.

  “Giles needs me to look into something for him. Dane and I are gonna stay at a hotel so I can set up my office.”

  “Why don’t you use my apartment? There’s a desk in my studio.”

  “You sure?” Teddy asked.

  “Positive,” Lexie insisted.

  “Nate called earlier. He’s bringing Stephanie here. He said she needs a break from her parents.”

  “I was wondering how long it would take.” Lexie smiled knowingly.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Jackson

  The house was quiet as Jackson ascended the stairs. Stephanie had arrived earlier when they were wrapping up dinner. She looked much better than when he had seen her last. The dull cast to her eyes had begun to dissipate. Jackson could see how deep the ties ran between Lexie and Stephanie when they were together. They found a perfect balance between each other and it allowed them to draw strength when they needed it.

  Stephanie joined them for a glass of wine before she curled up on the sofa and fell asleep. Her parents had been hovering too much and she needed to be out from underneath them for a little while. She knew they meant well, but she felt like she was disappointing them by not being able to step back into her old shoes. She had told them she tried to force it for their benefit but Jackson could tell it had exhausted her.

  When Evan woke up, Cherry saluted everyone and grabbed a new bottle of wine off the counter. She claimed she needed it to get through the night, and no one argued. The house was quiet now other than the sound of the shower running upstairs. Nate had left with Teddy and Dane to head to Lexie’s apartment.

  Jackson wanted to finish the conversation with Lexie from earlier. It had been on his mind all night and not knowing was grating on him. His mind had been cycling through possibilities because he remembered the look in her eyes before they were interrupted. The only thing he knew for certain was that she didn’t think he would like what she was going to tell him.

  Jackson glanced in the first room off the stairs and assumed it was Lexie’s mother’s room. It was still untouched from when it was pulled apart, but Lexie refused to let anyone enter it. She wanted to clean that room herself when she was ready.

  When Jackson walked into the other room he couldn’t help but smile. Groupings of pictures covered the walls. He knew Lexie had taken every one by simply glancing at them. She had a way of capturing the world that was uniquely hers.

  The bed was covered in throw pillows, just like the bed in her apartment; all different colors and patterns. The bed itself looked like a piece of art. He was glad that Lexie’s room didn’t sustain much damage. He hadn’t seen it before it was straightened, but he imagined it couldn’t have looked much different. Jackson sat down on her bed and leaned back against the pillows. He tucked his hands behind his head and looked up at the ceiling. It was covered in what looked a mural made from pieces of magazine cut-outs. All of the colors organized into a beautiful picture of ocean waves, fading into a starry night. It was absolutely breathtaking. Jackson closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The sound of the running water lulled him and he took a moment to rest his tired eyes.

  Jackson woke to the sound of shuffling. He opened one eye and saw Lexie standing near him, looking over the camera in front of her face. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” she whispered.

  “No, it’s good,” Jackson said, rubbing his hands down over his face. “I was waiting to talk to you.” He propped himself up on his elbows and noticed that Lexie was dressed in only a towel. Her skin was still damp and glowed from the lamp light. Her wet hair was combed back from her face and hung down her back. He never thought she looked as beautiful as she did then; so raw and captivating. He wanted to be her everything because she had become his.

  Lexie set her camera down on her nightstand. She walked closer until her leg bumped into his. “It’s strange seeing you on my bed.”

  Jackson started to push off the mattress when Lexie stopped him, pressing against his chest until he submitted and dropped back down. “Don’t get up,” Lexie insisted. “Until today, the part of my life with you in it was strange and unknown. Now, you’re in the house I grew up in. I’m just surprised how natural it seems.”

  “That’s good?” Jackson asked. The way she was looking at him started to heat his blood.

  Lexie grabbed onto Jackson’s belt and pulled it from the loop and began to unfasten it.

  Jackson placed his hand over hers. “We need to talk first, Lexie.” Jackson tried to sound convincing but the fire she was stirring was beginning to roar to life.

  “I don’t want to talk and I don’t want to think right now. I just want to be with you.” The tone of Lexie’s voice was like throwing fuel on a fire. She pulled his pants down to expose him. His body was ready for whatever she had in mind. He could feel every muscle coiling tight in anticipation.

  She pulled the towel free of her body and dropped it on the ground. Jackson stopped breathing as he looked at her curves, the dips and lines that he knew would feel like heaven under his fingers, and pressed against his body. He didn’t know he could contain so much feeling as it swam through him, full and demanding.

  She dropped to her knees and ran her hands up his legs. His body pulsed in expectation, his heart thrummed so loud he could hear nothing else. She grabbed hold of his erection with a firm grasp. The air he had been holding onto rushed from him as she began pulling pleasures from deep within him. Her tongue felt warm as she explored him. It was hard for him to remain still as she pleasured him, his animalistic nature threatened to break free of its cage.

  Jackson’s heart felt like it was going to explode as pleasure filled him like flashes of lightning, igniting his entire body. As her strokes became more frenzied and her mouth moaned greedily, he almost lost himself. Jackson grabbed for Lexie’s shoulder and pulled her up against him. He concentrated on slowing his breathing and clearing his mind.

  Her body tensed against his as his erection throbbed painfully against her stomach, angry that he denied himself release. “Don’t move,” Jackson whispered as he clung to her. Her body began to melt into him and he couldn’t believe how satisfying it was to have her bare flesh against his. It filled him with euphoria more potent than any drug.

  With her body straddling his he leaned back and brushed the hair from her face. Leaning his head against hers, he looked into her expectant eyes. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “I’m twenty-seven,” Jackson said.

  “What?”

  “I want you to know about me,” Jackson said before he pressed his lips softly to hers and brushed her hair back from her face. She nodded, not breaking their eye contact.

  “When I was young, I couldn’t understand why my father gave his life for his job and left me and my mother alone. I hated the fact that my mother didn’t love me. I became a bitter, angry person with no purpose. I hurt many people and did things that I will never forgive myself for. Giles was the reason I got off the streets and put me on a path that I could focus all my hatred on a single goal. Until I meet you, my sole purpose in life was to solve the case my father died for; avenge his death, and bring down the man that was at the helm of it all, John Stodden.” Jackson placed his hand against her cheek.

  “I didn’t think I was capable of feeling anything else but hatred. You changed everything. At first I was angry with you. I hated the distraction, but before I knew it, my world had changed and I was seeing everything for the first time. I realized I was capable of more.” Jackson ran his thumb over Lexie’s bottom lip. “I’m in love with you, Lexie.”

  Lexie’s eyes watered. The light glistened off them and he pulled her closer, but she began pushing against him.

  She shook her head gently. “No, don’t say that.”

  “Why? It’s the truth,” Jackson asked, releasing his hold on her as she pushed herself off him. She continued to shake her head as tears ran down her cheeks. She began frantically wiping her face. “You can’t,” she said, her voic
e was becoming frantic. “You can’t love me.”

  Jackson stood up and pulled his pants back into place. “I can and I do, Lexie.” He tried not to let anger slip into his voice. “You don’t need to love me back.”

  “You only think you do. You’ll change your mind when you know the truth,” Lexie confessed as she turned her back. The pain on her face was breaking him. He stepped closer, wanting to comfort her. He ran his fingers down her arm in a gentle stroke.

  “What truth?”

  “I’m John’s daughter,” Lexie gasped and covered her face.

  “Lexie…” Jackson wrapped his fingers around her arm and turned her toward him. He pulled her hands from her face and tilted her chin up so she could look into his eyes. “I have always believed you were his daughter. From the first time I laid eyes on you.”

  “What?”

  “I know exactly who you are,” Jackson confirmed.

  “Why don’t you hate me?”

  “To be honest, I tried that at first, but it was a sad attempt at best. You have become what’s most important to me. That’s why I can’t bring myself to leave you.”

  “Then don’t,” Lexie whispered.

  Jackson crushed his lips to hers, tasting the salt of her tears and the divine flavor that was uniquely her. Jackson grabbed her waist and lifted her against him. She wrapped her legs around him as they deepened the kiss. Their actions became emotionally driven as they desperately clung to one another. Lexie ran her fingers through his hair and grabbed tight. He moaned in her mouth as she rubbed her body against his. The pleasure he felt was beyond him and he felt possessed as he laid her on the bed.

  Jackson tossed the mound of pillows onto the floor and shoved his pants down. He wanted nothing between them as he lowered himself against her.

  “I never had a home, Lexie. I never felt like I belonged anywhere but I want to belong here,” Jackson said against her neck as he pressed himself against her entrance.

  “You do.” Lexie made a beautiful sound deep in her chest as he rubbed against her. Her back arched off the mattress as she grabbed his shirt. He pushed off the bed and reached over his shoulder and hauled it over his head; discarding it on the floor.