“What’s the problem?” She asked as she swallowed the sip of coffee she had taken.
“Ry, Baby.” She tossed her head back in aggravation at the interruption.
“Fuck.” She muttered under her breath. Gerard was the last person she wanted to run into. She just ignored him, hoping he would leave her alone.
“So we are just confused about this part right here.” Alex started, pointing at the ramp and booths on the blueprints.
Riley traced her finger across the blueprints, trying to ignore the sound of Gerard’s footsteps coming closer. “So, it’s two levels, both levels will have booths. No stairs to the upper-level though.” She shimmied her shoulders, trying to get Gerard to take his arm off her shoulders now. “It’s just a widening ramp that slowly goes up and wraps around the wall.” She shrugged her shoulders again in another unsuccessful attempt to get Gerard to ta
“Are you ok, Darlin’?” Jackson asked watching as her demeanor changed the second they had finished cleaning up the mess they had made.“Do you want to go to lunch?” Riley asked.Jackson smiled as he could hear that she was out of breath still. “With the most gorgeous woman alive, of course.”“And Sam and Mandy, I’m running late, Sam was the one that called.” Riley returned as she sent a message.“Riley, are you ok?” Jackson asked again, making her look up at him with a light push of his finger.“Yeah, I just… I have never done that before.” She answered.“What? Come more than me, because I am pretty sure that was the case the first time and the hot tub, and pretty much every…” He joked.“Not that.” She interrupted, looking down at the ground like she was ashamed.He pulled her into his arms and kissed the to
“I would have never thought of that, you should be an architect Miss James.” Alex returned. “I just figured with all the support beams and everything else we have that they were just for the dancers.”“Please, just Riley.” She returned.“Well, you are brilliant Riley.” Alex stated as he took some toothpicks and pushed them into the model.“That’s perfect.” Riley stated with a smile. “Just give me a call if you need anything else.”“Will do Miss Riley.” Alex returned as he signaled for his crew to come look at the model.Riley grabbed Jackson’s hand and led him out of the construction area. “Are you ready to get settled in?” She questioned as she led him to the elevator and pushed for the top floor.He turned and grabbed her by her hips, pulling her close as he kissed her a little rougher than he meant to. He teased the seam of her lips
Riley looked stunning in a kind of dark grey asymmetrical shirt, where part barely covered her stomach while the rest flowed down to her hips. She wore a pair of faded short jean shorts accompanied by the cowboy hat and boots that she was the day they first met. Jackson’s heart thundered when he saw her, just like it always did.After seeing her Jackson felt like he was a bit underdressed, wearing just a navy blue button up and a nice pair of faded jeans that matched. She smiled at him with that exhilarating smile she always gave him. “Are you ready to go?” Her voice was soft, and she seemed to blush a little at how he was staring at her.“Riley, you should come back to Laguna Beach with me.” He blurted out, shocked at his own words.“What?” She questioned, just as shocked as he was.“At least until that guy is gone.” He stated as he walked toward her hand rubbed his hands on her hips. “Until I k
“So how are things going between you and my sister?” Sam questioned, running a finger along the brim of his glass before taking a swig.“It’s going good, but I really don’t like Gerard hanging around her.” Jackson knew that Sam would ask about his relationship with Riley, if he didn’t he would wonder what kind of brother he was.“I don’t either.” Sam’s answer was blunt. “Dad is having me take over as CEO in less than a year, he and Mom were going to retire to the Bahamas. When that happens I’m throwing Gerard out on his ass. Worse that could happen is we lose the contracts with the vineyard, but there are others we can find.”Jackson stood up and walked over to the glass to watch Riley and Mandy dancing. Just from a glance Sam could tell that he was deep in thought. Sam walked over and handed him a cigar. “I invited her to come back to California with me.” Jackson adm
Riley woke up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and some subtle noises in the kitchen. She saw the clothes strewn across the floor and found Jackson’s button up shirt and put it on, not bothering with the buttons.As soon as she opened the bedroom door the smell of breakfast wafted through the room. She walked into the kitchen, seeing Jackson shirtless she walked up behind him, enjoying the sight of the muscles on his back flexing with every movement, kissing his shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his muscular waist. “Good morning handsome.” Her voice filled with lust.He turned around, setting the spatula down and giving her a charming smile. “I’m surprised you’re not hung over.” He eyed her up and down, feeling himself start to harden at the sight in front of him.She took a couple of steps back and jumped up so that she was sitting on the kitchen island. He stepped forward so he was between her legs, kissing he
“Yeah they’ll just wait here until we get back.” Sam answered with a quizzical look.“Let’s go get our women some jewelry for tonight.” Jackson said, walking towards a jewelry store that was over towards the entrance.They were greeted by two flirty saleswomen but they gave no response and headed straight for the display case. Jackson already knew what he was getting because he caught a glimpse of it as they were walking passed. It was a white gold necklace with diamond accents that formed the shape of a heart with a key inside of it, along with matching earrings. He signaled for one of the saleswomen. “I’ll take this one.”“Sir, that’s five hundred thousand dollars, it’s a one of a kind set, we just got it in an hour ago.” She returned, dropping her flirty tone for a snarky one.“And?” Jackson questioned, his tone slightly rude and agitated.“I’m
It was a quick but quiet ride to the venue but they changed as soon as they got out of the car. As soon as the car doors opened up, cameras started going off like crazy and an a voice came over the intercom. “If it isn’t the prince and princess of Manhattan, children of Erin and Arthur James.”The cameras started going off even more rapidly as Jackson got out of the car and put his arm around Riley’s back. “What is this? The princess of Manhattan has a date tonight? Does that mean that the most eligible bachelorette is off the market?”Riley’s cheeks flared red as reporters swarmed the two of them. Luckily the bodyguards wouldn’t let them get too close. Jackson pulled her closer and she gave him a lengthy kiss on the cheek. Cameras still flashing vigorously. “Has Gerard Moretti lost her love forever?” The announcer commented.She continued into the venue then, feeling that she had made her point and kno
“What are you talking about?” She asked.“You know what I am talking about, I was swarmed by reporters out there, Riley you are so lucky we’re in public..”“You wouldn’t touch her.” Jackson interrupted, pulling Riley behind him.Sam stepped up then, but the bell rang that signaled that dinner was ready. All four of them gave him one last hateful look before they started walking to the dining area. Just like they always did they went and sat at the table with their parents, luckily the tables seated six so there was no room for anybody else at their table.The rest of the time there was uneventful and after everybody ate they only stayed a couple more hours, just mingling and making a good impression. Riley and Mandy took off their heels as soon as they got into the limo.“My feet are killing me.” Riley complained.“Come here.” Jackson said as he pulled her legs up on his
Jackson stood at the end of the aisle, patiently waiting but anxious. He glanced over at Erin who was bouncing Arthur Ronnie James on one knee while holding Adelaide Myers on the other. Arthur was just one month older than Adelaide and had his father’s dirty dishwater blond hair, he was wearing possibly the cutest little tuxedo Jackson had ever seen. Adelaide however had Riley’s red hair and Jackson’s greenish blue eyes, she was in a beautiful white dress with purple flower accents.Jackson was glad when he found out that Riley was pregnant, and it was all he could think about for a while, but when Sam said that they would be having a little boy it made it even better, Jackson’s daughter would have an older cousin to protect her, on top of Ronnie of course.He watched as Ronnie got in the chair next to Erin and took Adelaide, rocking the three month old baby to sleep within minutes. He couldn’t help but think about how full and happy his l
Jackson was shocked at how quickly Derek was able to get the footage and was on the way to what was once the Moretti family’s vineyard. “How do you know that this is where they are?” Ronnie just wanted to be thorough.“The last stop we have him clocked at is about a mile away, where else would that bastard take her?” Sean said as he pushed the clip into his forty-five.“I don’t know why, this place has been abandoned since you kicked Gerard out of the hotel.” Derek said as he pulled out his phone. “Pull up just to where you can barely see the trees, lights off and we will continue on foot. We only saw the three guys and two girls on the footage in the car.” He hung up quickly as too started loading numerous guns, one of which was a fifty cal.“Do you guys work for the mob or something like that?” Jackson joked as he was handed a fully loaded pistol.“Something like that.”
When they got back to the penthouse to pick up Riley and Mandy they were both shocked when the door to both penthouses were left open and looked like there was a struggle.“What the fuck happened here?” Sam said as he stepped over a box that looked like it had been almost packed before it was knocked over.Jackson peeked in the door and then rushed to Riley’s penthouse screaming for her. Ronnie and Sam followed behind him. The door to Riley’s penthouse had been broken down, the tv was knocked down, the couch flipped over and broken glass by the coffee table. One of the lamps was shattered by the couch.“Ronnie, pull the camera footage and see what’s going on.” Sam demanded as he pulled out his phone attempting to call Mandy. “Mandy’s phone is off.”“Same with Riley’s.” Jackson answered as he hung up his phone. “What the hell do we do?”Sam dialed a number. &ld
Jackson got out of bed and got dressed, going down and cooking biscuits and gravy as he texted Sam to come by for breakfast. Once everything was done Riley was just coming out of the shower as Sam and Mandy arrived. Mandy and Sam dropped off some of their clothes before they all sat down and ate.The breakfast that Jackson cooked went by fairly quickly with tons of chit-chat and Sam finally announcing that they would be moving in downstairs. Jackson was happy as he watched Riley and Mandy celebrate as they ran down the stairs to unpack Sam and Mandy’s stuff.“You worried about tonight?” Sam asked as soon as Riley and Mandy were out of earshot.“Terrified.” Jackson answered.Sam grinned. “My mom’s not that bad.”“I am just nervous about the whole thing, what if your mother doesn’t want me to marry Riley, or what if Riley says no? I doubt she would, she seems pretty enthusiastic to spend the
He stammered before he turned the water off and helped her in the bathtub, climbing in behind her. He pulled her so that she was leant against his chest. His heart was thundering wildly as he kissed the back of her neck. “I love you, Riley.”“I love you, Jackson.” She returned, turning her head to kiss him.Her breathe caught in her throat as he lightly traced his fingers up her abdomen. She pushed her body against him even more, feeling that he was rock hard already. She took his lips in a rough kiss, flicking her tongue across the seam until he allowed her entrance as he started playing with her nipples lightly tugging and pinching.It had been so long since they had been intimate that she had forgotten how quickly her body responds to him, and how quickly his responds to her. Feeling the desire building in her core she let out a light moan against his lips. “Jackson.” She begged.“Patience, darlin’.
“Holy shit, it’s almost a separate house.” Sam said, still amazed even though it looked almost exactly like the ground level, with the bedrooms added.“There’s also a room on the ground-level for your mother and one for Ronnie too.” Jackson stated. “I’m not sure if your mother is going to want to move here, but I know Riley feels more comfortable with Ronnie around.”“Look, man.” Sam started. “Ronnie has protected her and I from a lot of stuff. He’s not just a bodyguard he’s like the really close uncle that would die for us. I know how you could be worried about her having such a young bodyguard but he’s no threat he just wants to see us happy.”“Sam, that’s not what this is about. I can see the connection that they have and it’s not something I’m scared of, I just want her to feel as safe as possible.” Jackson stated. “I’ve b
Jackson spent the next two months slowly moving his stuff out of his house in California. He would leave with nothing in his suitcases and them filled when he came back. He made his trips short, only a day or two tops and would schedule them around the times that Sam was out of town so that Mandy and Riley could have girl’s nights. He Had managed to convince Riley to start going to therapy with the help of Ronnie and Sam. Mandy was no help, she just agreed with Riley that she would be alright without it.The only thing he kept in his suitcase at all times was the ring that his father gave him for Riley. He would stare at every chance he got. He was worried about asking because they had only been together for six months, but he already knew that she was his forever.This trip was special though. He finally had all of his from his in his bags and as soon as they landed he was taking Riley to see the estate. Sam was the only one in on the plan and he would be pickin
“Sure, Ronnie’s just across the hall if anything happens.”He kissed her quickly and rushed out of the penthouse, wondering what was going on. “What do you need dad?” He asked as soon as he was in earshot.“Jackson, come with me.” Jerrod said.“What about Riley? We just got home.” Jackson gestured toward the elevator he had just come out of.“I’m not asking you to come back to California with me. I have something for you.” Jerrod returned as he walked out towards the rental car he had.Jackson hesitated, but followed him out. They drove out of the city in silence. It wasn’t long after they got out of the city they were driving through nothing but trees. His dad then pulled off of the highway onto a well-established dirt road that went even further into the trees until it opened up to reveal huge double gate with a huge mansion. Jackson got out of the car as his father did
Jackson didn’t leave the hospital again until Riley was released. It seemed she held it together while everyone was there but once they all left for the night, she would ask Jackson to come hold her and when he did she would break down and cry herself to sleep. When Riley was released it was just the two of them and the driver that Sam had pick them up from the hospital. Jackson had to hold her in his lap the entire drive. She kept her face buried in his chest and was hyperventilating to the point that he thought she was going to pass out.Once they got to her penthouse she took a shower while Jackson cleaned up, trying to make it easier for her as much as he could. He called Sam once he was finished, hearing that Riley was still in the shower. “Hey, Sam we are home now, she’s in a shower.”“How is she doing?” Sam asked, they had both already discussed how worried they were about her getting into a car again, even though they knew it