Chapter 1“When are you coming home?”

Sweet tea and long lazy days filled with intimacy and sex. It’s what Jackson’s voice makes me long for. Carefree days spent in his big bed making love, and binge watching The Walking Dead and Helix. Eating and making love well into the night; until we’re so exhausted, our bodies fall into a deep sleep. Beautiful days turned into hot sweaty nights. Jackson’s made the past several months wonderful in a way I can’t explain.

“Baby, I’ll be back soon.” The longing clear in my voice as I respond.

His growl over the phone makes me shiver.

“Anna.” I can tell by his voice he’s frustrated. It drops lower. Strained.

My body is going into withdrawals and when the sound dips low, it’s more growl than anything else. My stomach pitches into free fall. My breath stutters and no matter how many times I tell myself I’m city-chic, I always give in to my southern sigh.

“One more week,” I whisper into the phone. My voice is not strong enough to handle all that is Jackson and his crooning words.

“Promise me I’ll be dining on your sweet body by Sunday.”

It’s exactly seven days from today.

“Sunday, Jackson.”

“Good girl. I’ll expect a call tomorrow, Anna.”

“Yes, Sheriff,” I mock sweetly into the phone before hanging up. I’ve been back in New York for only three days and each day away is proving to be harder than the last. After I took the job at Stage One, our relationship soared into unknown territory. Much like my photography career; which as of late, is a strain on both of us. He wants me in Beauville, and I want to be there, but I also want to pursue my career. We’re heavily ingrained in relationship mode and although I’ve loved Jackson practically my entire life, he has yet to say the words. Then again, neither have I. As a woman, I don’t want to come off as pushy and needy. I promised myself I wasn’t going to push him. When the words are said, I want them to be because he feels them.

You’ve felt it every day.

True.

But a woman doesn’t play all her cards in one hand. I want Jackson to love me. I need him to, but only when he’s ready. Until then, I’m holding onto the words. Afraid I’ll run him off into the arms of Viola if I do say them.

Well, what does that say about your self-esteem?

Not a damn thing.

I’ll be the first to admit, I never in a million years thought Jackson would fall for me.

Did I hope for it?

Yup.

Did I want it badly?

Do fireflies flicker?

Damn straight.

Now that I have him, I’m terrified of losing him. This makes me all kinds of paranoid, manifesting my terror into a self-fulfilling prophecy. I’ll lose him no matter how hard I try not to fuck it all up.

Gah!

Calm down, Anna.

My world doesn’t revolve around Jackson. But my heart clearly does.

It’s Monday night, and I promised Talia I’d have drinks with her at the Metro. It’s a swanky club on the lower east side of town and is almost always booked. Somehow, Talia got us reservations.

I was putting on my outfit when I’d answered Jackson’s call. My little black dress is a flair that I partnered with my strappy gold Jimmy’s. Gold hoops compliment my slick up-do and make-up. I don’t dress up like I normally would. That’s all kinds of crazy and asking for trouble. Last year I was single. This year I’m Jackson Storme’s woman, and even though he isn’t here to see me, I feel obliged to tone it down. I don’t want to put out signals, or advertise to anyone I’m available for a quick romp. We’d spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s with my mom, Joey, and Treat. Jackson was clear. A woman’s signals were based on what she put out into the universe. I didn’t believe him at first and was standoffish because of it, but once I thought about it, I agreed he had a valid point. Even though we haven’t professed our love for one another, we both understand we’re exclusive. Grabbing my clutch and coat, I take one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs to catch a cab.

“Anna! Over here,” Talia’s bright red hair stands out in a sea of blondes and dark browns. She is the center of attention as she holds her martini glass near the entrance. There’s a wide smile on her face as she waves me over. We were roommates in college when I first moved to New York from Beauville. Her father is a huge oil executive at a big company in Texas. Like me, we both wanted out of our small towns and back porch conversations, so we could immerse ourselves in city life. We’d bonded while reinventing ourselves.

Talia is wearing a silky black jumpsuit with a silver chain belt that sits loosely on her waist. Lou Peeks, cover her feet to complete her outfit. I weave my way around the crowd towards her and pull her into a hug before we walk inside. The Metro is lit dimly, a slow song pours out of hidden speakers giving the atmosphere a sultry feel. Tables and couches are sprinkled throughout the establishment. Black chairs with rich mahogany wood-covered tables draped in red linen, add warmth to the surroundings. We’re seated in the center. That doesn’t surprise me. Talia is all about the attention.

“How was the shoot today?”

I shrug. It wasn’t a bad shoot, but it wasn’t a great one either. One of the other key photographers, Jared, was a guy I dated for a while in college. He is one of the few guys Talia knew about. She had a nasty habit of going after what belonged to other people. Including the men I dated.

“Shrugging tells me nothing.”

A waiter stops by to take my drink order.

“Caipirinha please. Rimmed with sugar.”

“You and your fancy drinks.” Talia comments.

“You and your martinis,” I counter.

We both smirk and Talia winks, and begins to tell me about her day. This consisted of her many clients whining about what they thought they needed or asking for their next assignment. She’s an agent to some of New York’s up-and-coming models. Her life is always drama-filled. Our waiter returns with my drink and takes our food order. We spend the night eating and catching up. Talia knows about Jackson, but has yet to meet him. It’s on purpose.

“You sure he’s what you want, Anna?” Talia questions, reaching out and placing a hand on top of mine.

“Yes, I’m sure. He’s everything I want and more, but I also want my career.”

Talia shifts so she can eye me sideways.

“You say it like you have to choose. You can have both.”

It’s not a matter of choosing. Not exactly. It’s more of a striking out on my own. Jackson and his sister Joey both think I should set up shop in Beauville. I’m not ready to open my own shop just yet. It was the original plan, but plans change all the time. Working with Stage One will help build my credibility as a photographer.

“There are always choices, Talia. I just want to make sure I make the right one.”

A commotion at the front of the restaurant has both Talia and I looking to see what it is. Two, very well-known men of the city, enter the Metro. People are clamoring inside for a chance to see Colby and Markus Graham. The Graham brothers are notorious for their serial dating and their money. According to some, they had ties to the founding fathers of 4Tech Multimedia Group. Every woman’s wet dream, and every man’s nightmare. That was the line on page six of Nightlife, a famous tabloid magazine in the city. I was in no danger of falling for their charms. Talia was another story.

“Well, it looks like our night just improved by one hundred and fifty percent, Anna.”

I roll my eyes. The brothers are hot, can’t deny that. They’re also arrogant jerks, and more than full of themselves. Confidence is good, too much confidence ends with trouble.

“Oh hell, they’re coming this way.” I mutter.

“I know. I invited them.” Talia shares with a bright smile on her face.

“Talia.” I hiss.

My so-called friend shrugs, and stands when both men arrive at our table.

“Talia dear, you look amazing.” Colby Graham beams, pulling her into a hug and kissing her on top of her head as if she were a wayward child to fawn over. Markus does the same before they both take their seats. I of course, stay seated. I did not want to give them the wrong idea. This was no double date. Colby sits to my right and Markus to my left. Both men are wearing expensive suits, their hair in perfect condition, and their smiles charming. Any woman would get a run for their money if they were involved with either brother.

Markus turns his attention to me and grins.

“Who is this exotic, bronze beauty?”

I don’t get the chance to correct him because Talia immediately takes over the conversation.

“Oh, this is my good friend, Annabelle Macon. Anna,” she gestures toward the brothers, “Colby and Markus Graham.”

“Yes, I know who they are.” I quip, taking a sip of my now watered down drink.

“Well, you may have heard of us, Miss Macon,” Markus grabs my left hand, no doubt happy there isn’t a ring there. “But I’ve never had the pleasure of knowing you.”

And you never will.

His lips graze my knuckles, and his eyes never break contact. Trying not to make a scene, I gently extract my hand from his grasp. “Let’s get to know each other,” he purrs. My stomach rolls, as do my eyes. Do women really fall for their flattery? Yes, and you would have too if not for Jackson.

I smile politely, but inside I’m seething. Talia knows I’m seeing Jackson. I live with him when I’m not in New York.

Colby interrupts my inner rage by suggesting we leave.

“How about we go somewhere more private? I know this great after-hours spot.”

Yeah. Not going to happen.

“I can’t, I’m sorry. I have an early shoot in the morning. You three go on without me.”

“Sounds good to me,” Talia pipes in. She’s eager to hang with the brothers. Why she bothered to invite me out is anyone’s guess.

“We have a car waiting. Let us at least give you a ride home, Anna.”

So you could show up unannounced.

Damn, Markus thinks he’s slick. He isn’t.

Warning bells are sounding off in my head. Not the ‘my body would be found in Central Park’ kind, but the kind where I know Markus just wants some ass. Something he isn’t going to get from me.

“All the same to you, I’ll take a cab.” I turn and glare at Talia, giving her the ‘what the fuck’ look and stand, grabbing my purse. Both men rise as well because of their impeccable manners. “Great meeting you, thanks for the drinks and conversation. Talia, call me tomorrow.”

Nodding, she turns her attention back to the Graham brothers. I make my way out to the curb and hail a cab. The night is wasted. I could have been on the phone talking to Jackson. Relationships last longer without drama; and the Graham brothers are drama with a capitol D.