Great. All the tow-trucks for hire in the greater Los Angeles area are probably busy, and I’ll get towed by the one that only carries cars to the impound lot.
I pull my phone out and search for tow trucks, car repair shops—anyone, anywhere—who will come pick my car up before it earns me a big, fat fine.
Jackson slides his finger across the screen on his phone and taps it a couple of times.
“Hey, Rod. Look, I have a friend who needs a tow.”
I wave to get his attention, whispering, “What are you doing?”
He ignores me.
“Can you meet us at the corner of La Cienega and Blackburn Avenue? There’s a pet store on here. Thanks.” He tosses me a smile. “Oh, and this needs to be now, because it’s in metered parking. Good deal. See you in a few.”
He hangs up. “Done. Rod’s guy will be here within the hour.”
I take a deep breath and let it seep out slowly. “You didn’t have to do that. I don’t know how to thank you.”
He tips my chin up. “Have lunch with me.”
Lunch?
With Jackson Tremaine?
Those green eyes search mine.
The cleft of his chin. His strong jaw. Those damn dimples. And that’s just his face.
I sigh. “Shay’s gonna shoot me, but okay.”
He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Good. I know this great little Vietnamese place.”
An hour later, my car is at the auto tech place, and Jackson and I are eating Vietnamese spring rolls.
I dip some peanut sauce onto the end of my roll and take a bite. I chew and swallow, acutely aware that his gaze seems to take in every small move I make.
“Why do you keep staring at me? It’s unnerving.”
Jackson’s thumb comes toward my face. I lean away from him.
He licks the corner of his mouth. “C’mere. I’m not going to hurt you.”
My curiosity gets the better of me. I come closer to him.
He slides his thumb along my lower lip and up to the corner. When he pulls it back, he puts it in his mouth and sucks the condiment from it. “The peanut sauce is my favorite part.”
My heartbeat throbs all the way to my pussy as my tongue darts out to calm the tingles he left behind.
His hand slides around my neck while his gaze holds mine. “I can’t help but stare at you. You’re positively gorgeous, and I’m dying to kiss you again.”
Warmth floods my body, pooling in my core.
“More tea?”
Jackson’s gaze pulls away from mine to the small lady with a pitcher poised over his glass.
He straightens in his seat and smiles. “That would be great. Thanks.”
While the fog is lifted from my sex-starved brain, I switch to the chair across from Jack, rearranging my plate and drink.
I hold up my spring roll to the woman. “These are delicious.”
“Yes, everything is scrumptious.” Jackson winks.
Shay calls through the house. “Dickey, come on; it’s bed time.”
I pad into the kitchen where she stands on the step stool looking behind the fake ivy that’s collecting dust atop the cabinetry.
“Dickey go A.W.O.L. again?” I pull a bottle of Kahlua from the fridge.
She hops off the stool and heads into the living room. “Yes. He knows it’s bedtime, so he’s hiding so he doesn’t have to go back into the cage.”
A dollop of milk to go with my alcohol makes the perfect drink for some special relaxation techniques.
I pass by the empty perch and cage on my way to my room. “Just leave him out. He’s out all day anyway. He never hurts anything during daylight hours. Why would he at night?”
On her hands and knees, she looks under the sofa.
“You think he’d actually go under the furniture?”
She pushes to her feet. “I’ve looked everywhere else. All right, I’m leaving him out. If he disturbs you in the middle of the night, just remember that it’s your own fault for suggesting it.”
I salute with my glass. “I’ll keep that in mind. Good night. Don’t forget, dinner tomorrow evening. Jack’s picking us up at seven.”
Shay mutters under her breath about bastards who make bets as she checks behind the curtains.
I close my door and take a long sip of my White Russian-esque drink.
After I turn on some quiet, sexy music, I light a couple of candles. Then I dig in the back of my night table drawer for my rabbit.
Battery Operated Boyfriends aren’t ideal, but they’ll work in a pinch. B.O.B. gets to come out to play when I’m desperate. But, my pussy has been in need of some attention for too long. My reaction to Jackson Tremaine the last couple of days proves it. I’d better do something for myself before I lose my grip.
Lights out, I climb in bed. I close my eyes and let my mind drift back over the afternoon. Lunch, with Jack’s green eyes intent upon me. His sexy smile. Those well developed muscles in his arms. I let out a deep breath.