One moment you’re my boss, the next you’re teaching my daughter magic tricks and charming literary icons on my behalf.” He turned to face her, his expression unguarded in a way she’d rarely seen. “Have you considered that all of those things might be equally genuine?” “Why?” The question escaped before she could stop it.
“Why me?” “Why us?” Jackson set down his glass and took a step closer. “Because from the moment I saw you sitting alone at that wedding, something clicked into place. Something I wasn’t looking for, but can’t ignore.” He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly looking less like the confident CEO and more like a man struggling to articulate something important.
“The way you fight for your authors, the way you’ve raised Penny on your own, the way you never asked for special treatment despite Daniel’s sabotage. You’re extraordinary, Rebecca.” She shook her head, backing away slightly. “This is exactly what I was afraid of. Our professional relationship is complicated enough without adding personal feelings to the mix.
” “Is that all you’re afraid of? Professional complications?” His voice softened. “Or are you afraid of trusting someone again after Michael left you to raise Penny alone?” The accurate observation stung. “That’s not fair.” “No, it isn’t.” He closed the distance between them, close enough that she could smell his cologne.
“Life rarely is. But hiding from possibilities because we’re afraid of being hurt, that’s a choice.” Rebecca felt her carefully constructed walls beginning to crumble. “Jackson, I have responsibilities. Penny has to be my priority. I can’t risk Mom?” Penny’s sleepy voice came from the bedroom doorway. “I had another bad dream.
” The moment fractured as Rebecca immediately went to her daughter, gathering her into her arms. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Just a dream.” “The dragon again?” Jackson asked gently, keeping his distance. Penny nodded against Rebecca’s shoulder. “He was chasing us. You too, Mr. Jackson.” “Well, that won’t do.” Jackson approached carefully, kneeling to their level.
“Remember what we practiced? Dragons can’t stand brave magic.” As he once again patiently guided Penny through the simple coin trick, Rebecca watched them with a growing ache in her chest. This man who ran a publishing empire was on his knees in pajama pants and a T-shirt, entirely focused on comforting her frightened child. It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain her emotional distance.
After settling Penny back in bed, Rebecca returned to find Jackson preparing tea in the suite’s kitchenette. “I thought you might need this,” he said, offering her a steaming mug. “Chamomile. My mother always said it helps with worry.” She accepted it gratefully. “Thank you for everything with Penny.
She’s easy to care about.” His smile was gentle, “like her mother.” Rebecca sipped her tea, using the moment to gather her thoughts. “Jackson, whatever this is between us, it’s complicated by a dozen different factors. My promotion, your position, Daniel’s vendetta, Penny “I know.” He leaned against the counter. “But I think it’s worth exploring despite the complications.
Unless you don’t feel anything for me beyond professional respect.” The direct question demanded honesty. “You know that’s not true.” The admission hung between them, changing the atmosphere in the room. Jackson set down his mug and took a careful step toward her. “Rebecca A sharp knock at the suite door interrupted him.
Frowning, Jackson moved to answer it, checking the peephole before his expression darkened. He opened the door to reveal a stone-faced security guard. “Mr. Hayes, I apologize for the late hour, but we’ve had a situation reported that requires your immediate attention. Someone has accessed the conference room where tomorrow’s contract negotiations are set up and appears to have photographed confidential materials.
” Jackson’s posture instantly shifted to full CEO mode. “When?” “20 minutes ago. The night manager is reviewing security footage now.” “Daniel,” Rebecca said quietly. Jackson nodded grimly. “I need to handle this. Stay here, lock the door. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” After he left, Rebecca found herself too wired to sleep.
She paced the suite, reviewing the day’s events and the conversation that had been interrupted. Whatever Jackson had been about to say or do before security arrived, the moment had passed. Around midnight, unable to settle, she decided to check her work emails on her laptop. Opening it, she discovered a new message from an unfamiliar address with the subject line “Proof of Hayes’s manipulation.
” Against her better judgment, she clicked it open to find several attached photos, images clearly taken with a telephoto lens through the restaurant windows earlier that evening. There she was with Jackson and Penny, looking for all the world like a family unit. The accompanying message was brief, but chilling. “Did he tell you about the bet? Ask Hayes about our Dartmouth wager.
Ask him how much money he stands to win by getting you into his bed.” A friend? Rebecca stared at the screen, nausea rising in her throat. A bet? Could Jackson’s interest in her really be part of some decades-old fraternity game? It seemed ludicrous, yet doubt crept in like poison. How else to explain the sudden attention from a man who had barely acknowledged her existence for 3 years? Her phone buzzed with a text from Jackson.
“Security issue contained. Daniel caught on camera and escorted from premises. Will explain everything in morning. Sleep well.” Rebecca set the phone down without responding, the email’s accusations echoing in her mind. She needed answers, but confronting Jackson now, in the middle of the night, in a suite they were sharing, seemed unwise.
Better to wait until morning, when she could approach the situation with professional distance. But sleep proved elusive as memories of their almost kiss collided with the email’s ugly insinuations. By dawn, Rebecca had made a decision. She woke Penny early, packed their bags, and left a brief note for Jackson explaining that they’d decided to return to the city for a family emergency.
