Southern Seduction (43 page)

“Turn around, Jackson. I want to see the whole package.”

He turns slowly and shows me that tight end he was famous for in high school. I can see the explosive power of his muscular legs as his quadriceps flex with each step. He steps into the tub behind me, and I lean against his body as his arms fold around me.

“Are you comfortable, darlin’?” he asks as he passes me a glass of wine. I sip it slowly and release a quiet sigh.

I close my eyes and enjoy the sensation as Jackson cleans my body. His hands gently caress me from my shoulders to my hips, working the stress of the day away. His strong fingers knead the tension from my strained muscles. My hands find comfort from running along his thighs. The hair on his legs tickles my palms as I run my hands down the length of his legs. Strong hands move to the inside of my thighs and draw circles softly on my skin. With a small shift, he is cupping my mound. The sensation hardens my nipples. His left hand rises up to my breast so he can work his magic. I don’t know what it is about Jackson’s thumb and index finger, but wherever he places them is where the magic begins.

“Oh God… Oh God…” I chant to Jackson as he hits the exact place that takes me away. Jackson is like an out-of-body experience. In hindsight, I realize that he always has been. He was a good lover at eighteen. He obviously has spent the last seven years honing his skills.

Jackson’s lips run down my neck as he nips and licks his way to my shoulder. All the while his left fingers roll my nipple and his right fingers slide deep inside me. I no longer have control over my body. My hips have taken on a rhythm of their own. Their rapid undulation creates tsunami-like waves. As my climax overtakes me, I can hear the water splash over the edge of the tub. Jackson brings me down slowly and wraps me in his arms.

“Are you ready to get out the tub, Savvy? We can stay here longer if you want, but I’m thinking that I’ll need to refill the bath for you.” Only inches of water remain in the tub. The majority of our bath water is on the floor.

“Oh my God, Jackson. Did I do that?”

“You have always been like a hurricane in bed, Savvy. You are powerful and unpredictable. I love the way you lose yourself. Riding out the storm with you has always been my greatest pleasure.” He grabs the towels from the towel bar. “Let me clean up the floor before you get out. I don’t want you to slip.”

Jackson mops up the floor with the extra towels before he helps me out of the tub. I can’t take my eyes off of him.

“Are you sure you don’t want to take a photo, Savvy? You’re looking at me like we’ll never see one another again. You’re mine, Savvy. We will be together, I promise.”

I can’t say anything. I don’t want to think about the day after tomorrow when I have to get on a plane to Colorado. It’s sweet that he thinks we will work it out. I’m a realist, not a dreamer. I stopped dreaming that day at the fairground. I continue to look at Jackson, thinking of all the ways in which I will have him tonight.

I grab his hand and pull him into the bedroom. “Lay down, Jackson. I want to suck your cock.” I didn’t need to ask twice. He moves faster than I’ve ever seen. In fact, I don’t think I ever saw him move that fast on the field. I slide my body up his, running my breasts from his feet to his thighs. The prickly hair rubs against my nipples, making me groan. I run my tongue from his sac to his shaft, making Jackson inhale sharply.

“Oh my God, Savvy.” Jackson likes his balls stimulated while his cock is being sucked. I love the way they tighten up just before his release. When I was younger, I decided that I was going to give Jackson the best blowjob ever. I studied every Cosmo article and watched every internet video I could find. I’m a true believer that a great blowjob is the way to a man’s heart.

“Feel good, baby? I’m going to suck you dry, Jackson. You will never find anyone who will love your cock as much as I do.”

“Oh God, Savvy. I love what you do to me,” he says breathlessly.

My mouth wraps around him. Having him in my mouth makes me salivate at an increased rate, and the saliva is spilling from the corners of my mouth, creating the lubrication I need to rock his world. My left hand is firmly holding his sac as my right hand grabs the base of his shaft. I squeeze him firmly as I run my tongue up and down the length of him. I spend several minutes reacquainting myself with every ridge, bump, dimple, and vein.

His hips pump up, trying to plant himself deeper into my mouth. I run my tongue over the velvety length of him. Picking up the pace, I allow him to pump himself deep inside of me. Working his length with my mouth and hand, I can feel the telltale sign that his release is nearing. I feel him tighten and tense as he releases his pleasure into my mouth. I lovingly and softly caress him with my tongue as he comes back to down to earth.

“I love you, Savvy. I really do. I always have.”

I would love it if only that were true. I think most guys will tell you that they love you after you let them come in your mouth. The hardest thing for me is that I do love Jackson. I suppose I never stopped loving him.

We climb into bed and snuggle. Ironically, we find
My Cousin Vinny
as we scroll through the channels. Snacking on Funyuns and sipping red wine, we laugh at how art imitates life. You only need to watch this movie to know how true that statement is.

“I know you don’t believe me, Savvy, but I will come to Colorado soon. I promise.” He straddles my legs so that he is sitting directly in front of me. He stares at me like he’s looking into my soul as he asks the next question. “Do you want to pursue this thing that we have? I sure as hell do!”

“Jackson, I would love to believe that we could work things out. I want the fairytale. I want the happily ever after. I want you. I can’t wait for you to come to Colorado. I want you to be with me. I also know that we both have to work in order to live. Our jobs are in different states. I love you, Jackson. I trust that we will both do our best to make it work out.” I try to sound positive, but the facts are clear. I live eight hundred miles from Phoenix.

“Shut up, Savvy, and come here. I’m tired of you doubting me. I don’t want to hear another word about all of the obstacles that stand in our way. I believe in the power of our love. We’ve been separated for seven years. Some days it felt like seventy years, but lying in your arms, it feels like seven seconds.”

We spend the remainder of the night making love. Jackson is taking me up on my challenge. He’s doing his best to hinder my ability to walk onto the plane. I’m giving him the opportunity to succeed.

Dani’s funeral is really lovely, the service is beautiful, and the video montage is moving. Donna obviously spent a lot of time putting the music and pictures together. As The Band Perry song
If I Die Young
plays, I look up to see the last picture of Dani scrolling by. She is blowing us a kiss goodbye. Looking around me, I see that there isn’t a dry eye in the place. Jackson holds my hand as we make our way through the line to give our condolences to Dani’s family. Standing to the side is Sterling. His red-rimmed eyes show his softer side. For good or bad, Dani loved him. He didn’t deserve her and she deserved better, but in the end, I’m happy that she experienced love.

We follow the line of cars to the cemetery, and the police escort makes the trip quick and efficient. Dani would have been thrilled with the thought that she had stopped traffic.

Only a handful of people are at the gravesite. I am somewhat relieved that the cemetery is relatively empty. I’m just peopled out. Her casket is placed above her grave. A tent is set up to shelter the graveside attendees. Dottie sits in the center, flanked by Donna and the rest of the D names. Jackson and I hang towards the back of the tent. As the Baptist minister finishes his sermon, the Humble representative pushes the button to lower the casket into the ground. I watch as my friend takes her final bow. Dani would have wanted to have an encore performance. In the end, we only get to experience each moment just once.

In the corner of the tent, Jackson pulls me to his chest and hugs me hard. His embrace reminds me that life flows through both of us.

“Ready to go, darlin’?” He doesn’t wait for a reply. He pulls my hands around his arm and leads me back to the car.

We head back to Leesville, where just fewer than seven thousand people are moving forward with their lives.

“I’m sorry that Dani is gone, Jackson, but if she didn’t leave me, I may have never been given the chance to find my way back to you. I also believe that had I followed you to Crimson Tide, we may not be here today. No matter what happens, Jackson, I want you to know that I love you.”

“I love you too, Savannah Steele, and this is just the beginning for us. Let’s go back to our room. You seem to be walking pretty good and I need to fix that situation before you head back tomorrow.” He gives me a wink and shows me his crooked smile.

Alone in my room, I collapse on the bed that still smells of him and shed my tears. We didn’t sleep a wink during the night. Jackson and I made love in every position we could think of and a few we looked up on the internet. I helped him pack his bag and sat wrapped in his arms until he had to leave for the airport. I promised myself that I would not cry until I knew that he was in his car and headed to Alexandria. The kiss he gave me before he left carried with it a promise for the future. I watched as the taillights of his car disappeared and Jackson exited my life.

After several minutes, I pull myself together and think more about the last few days. In the span of four days, I was able to put a lot of things to rest. I buried a friend and buried my anger. Things aren’t perfect with my mom, but we have a way forward now. I fell in love with Jackson all over again. Whether we become lovers or remain friends is not as important as the fact that we will always remain in each other’s lives. I fell in love with Leesville as well. There is nothing nicer than knowing where you came from.

Wondering if Jackson made it to the airport safely, I send him a text.

Me:
Just checking to see if you made it safely to the airport. I miss you, Jackson. Thank you for taking such good care of me.

Jackson:
I made it in good time and will board the plane in a few minutes. It’s incredibly hot outside so dress in light clothes. I wouldn’t want you to get all sweaty before you board your flight.

Me:
Jackson Moore, have you been gone so long that you’ve forgotten that Southern girls don’t sweat? We glisten. Safe travels, Jackson. I love you!

Jackson:
I love you too, Savvy, and I will see you real soon.

I hope that we can work it out to see each other again soon. I think he may have more flexibility at his job than I do. Thank God for unlimited text messaging and minutes. That will have to sustain us until we can figure this thing out.

I pack my bag and make the drive to the airport. I take a deep breath and suck in the humid, musty air I loved so long ago. I will never regret the last four days; I risked everything and came out better for the experience.