Her Unexpected Hero Read online

  He couldn’t do that. Michael remained silent while Jackson spent several moments thinking about what he wanted to say next. He was grateful when the waitress came and handed each of them another beer, giving him an extra few seconds.

  “I’m not trying to hurt her. She’s fine,” Jackson finally said, not knowing if he was trying to convince Michael or himself.

  “I’m not going to rag on you, Jackson. We both know you’ve been through your share of hell. Just don’t forget that she’s a real person. She’s not another one of your one-night stands. This woman is going to be a mother and she deserves more respect than some girl who knows the score.”

  “I’m not disrespecting her, Michael.”

  “If you’re offering her anything less than marriage, that’s exactly what you’re doing.”

  “But I’m offering to take care of her.”

  “That’s not enough, Jackson. I have a feeling that Alyssa isn’t too keen to accept that offer. Am I right?”

  “She’s been less than accepting, but I know she’s happy to see me when I visit.”

  Michael raised his brow as if calling Jackson on his crap. “Really?” That one word was filled with meaning.

  “Okay, she may not thank me profusely, but a man can tell when a woman is into him or not. I can see that she wants me,” Jackson insisted.

  “There’s a difference between wanting someone and wanting to be with them.” Why in the hell did Michael have to point that out?

  Jackson didn’t feel any better after he and Michael talked. They turned the subject matter to more superficial topics, and by the time Jackson dropped Michael off at his truck, he still didn’t know what he should do.

  On the long drive back to Sterling, he had plenty of time to think, though. By the time he found himself pulling up in front of Alyssa’s place, he still didn’t know what he was going to say. So instead of going inside, he restarted his truck and drove home.

  Maybe it was best if he just left her alone. But Jackson just wasn’t sure if he was capable of doing that. He had a feeling he was already too involved to back out. It wasn’t something he was ready to do. But absence made the heart grow fonder, right? Hell, he didn’t know.

  “You have another delivery,” Teresa trilled as she entered the bedroom with a package.

  “Can you open it, Mom?” Jackson hadn’t been by in several days and she hated to admit, even to herself, how much she missed him, but she did. Getting a package from him wasn’t the same thing as seeing him. Maybe he didn’t want to see her anymore. She should be happy about that, but sadly, she wasn’t.

  “I’d love to.” Her mother sat down at the foot of her bed and opened the box.

  When her mom smiled and then paused before taking out the item, Alyssa wished that she’d just dealt with the box herself.

  “Are you going to show me?” she finally asked.

  “Oh, sorry, sweetie.” With a chuckle, her mother brought out a beautiful mobile that was made up of sweet white bunnies and had a little music box attached. She wound it and it played lullabies. Attached was a note, which Teresa handed over. When Alyssa read yet it, she couldn’t quite restrain her tears.

  “What does it say, darling?” Teresa asked. Still occupied with the darn gift box, she was now lifting out soft baby blankets and bedding.

  “Nothing is as soothing as a song. The right one can spark a memory to last a lifetime. I miss you.”

  “Oh, that’s very sweet,” Teresa said.

  “It’s not sweet, Mother. He has to quit buying me stuff.”

  Teresa’s smile disappeared. “He cares about you, darling, and I don’t think he’s overdone it.”

  “All we had was one night, Mom. We weren’t supposed to see each other again. I was feeling vulnerable because my career had ended and I’d been dumped in the most brutal and unceremonious manner possible. Jackson was . . . I don’t know what he was feeling. But now I’m so confused. He’s not an easy man to ignore. And he’s been so dang attentive since I’ve been on bed rest, well up until he disappeared.” Alyssa slid her fingers over the soft white blanket that her mother had handed to her.

  Teresa’s “thinking look” took over her face. Alyssa had no idea what had sparked that look, but she was afraid she’d soon find out.

  “You had one night together?”

  “Yes. It was a while ago. He just can’t seem to let it go,” Alyssa huffed. Granted, she wasn’t sure right now that she wanted him to let it go. Everything would be so much easier if she disliked him, if she weren’t attracted to him, but he made that impossible. Even when he was being arrogant. Hell, to be honest, probably because of his arrogance.

  “And how long ago was ‘a while’?”

  Oh, crap! Alyssa’s cheeks flushed as she looked at her mom. She had no earthly idea how to answer that question. It seemed parents weren’t as clueless as their kids believed.

  “Jackson is the father, isn’t he?”

  Alyssa felt like she was caught in the scope of a high-powered rifle. There was no way she could lie to her mother outright, but she was so not ready for this conversation.

  “I won’t make you answer that right now. I can see it upsets you,” Teresa said as she looked at her daughter with understanding and a little hurt.

  “Mom . . .” Alyssa didn’t know what to say.

  “I guess the real question is this: Do you really want to ignore Jackson? Does he repel you, or disgust you? He seems to be trying, but would it make it better for you if he stopped.”

  “I did want to forget him . . .”

  “And now?”

  “Now I just don’t know, Mom. He’s made it more than clear that he tried marriage once and it was a disaster. I’m afraid that if I try to enter into anything with him, I’ll just have my heart broken.”

  “Do you really have a choice?” Teresa asked her.

  “I always have a choice,” Alyssa stubbornly stated. “I choose who I am with, and with Jackson, I’m afraid to risk it.”

  “Sometimes we have to risk everything before we can find true happiness.”

  “But what if I risk everything and end up with nothing?”

  “Sweetheart, I don’t have all the answers. I just know that when we find someone who wants to be with us, and we want to be with that someone, that’s something special. Not everyone gets a happy ending, and not everyone is courageous enough to take hold of what’s in front of them. Will you regret it if you don’t give it a try?”

  “I don’t know, Mom. I really don’t know. I haven’t seen him in a few days and I still don’t know. I am finding that I miss him, though.” Alyssa let out a frustrated sigh.

  “I think he’s afraid to give you too much time to think,” Teresa said. “I just know that, since he’s pursuing you so steadily, there has to be more to it than basic attraction. A man doesn’t do all he’s doing just to get a woman into bed.”

  “Mom!” Alyssa was horrified her mother would even think such a thing, much less speak about it.

  “I do have a child, Alyssa. I know what sex is,” Teresa told her with a laugh.

  Oh, this was getting worse and worse by the minute. Now Alyssa really was speechless.

  When the phone rang next to her bed, Alyssa scrambled to pick it up. Talking about anything to anyone would be better than speaking about sex with her mother, who had left the room.

  “Good evening, beautiful.”

  There was no use in even pretending she didn’t know it was Jackson. The huskiness of his voice had her insides melting, and she knew beyond a doubt now that she was in real trouble, because three little words had picked up her heart rate in a second.

  “Hello, Jackson.”

  “What are you wearing?”

  “My pink jammies.” She closed her mouth instantly after she said it. She should have said it was none of his business, not answered him.

  “Mmm, the pink pajamas. I like those.”

  “Oh, well . . . I didn’t know that.” She actually did k
now that and had worn them just in case he showed up that day. That’s how pathetic she was right now.

  “I’ll let you think I believe that.

  “Want to play a game of truth or dare?” he asked with an obvious smile in his voice.

  “There is no way I’m playing truth or dare with you, Jackson. I would surely lose.”

  “You can’t win or lose truth or dare,” he told her.

  “Wanna bet? I have no doubt you’ll have it so you get all you want out of it, and I’m left gasping for air.”

  “Ah, I can make you gasp for air a lot more pleasantly than by playing a game.”

  “See. Right there, Jackson Whitman. You are too smooth for me. I’m not playing any more games with you unless it’s checkers.”

  “You’re feeling feisty tonight. I really have missed you. I was traveling for work, but I’m back in town, so I think I should just come over.”

  “No. You’re just fine right where you are,” she said, not sure if it was panic or excitement filling her at the thought of him stopping by. And didn’t they have phones on the road? She wanted to point that out, but then he would know that she’d missed their conversations and she couldn’t tell him that.

  “Alyssa, when are you going to quit fighting me?”

  She replied without hesitation. “Never.”

  “Good. I like the fight in you. It makes my day to think about what you’re going to do next.”

  “Jackson . . .” How and why did she keep resisting him? He seemed sure that he wasn’t going away, and she was beginning to feel like she didn’t want him to leave. But was he sticking around because of the excitement? If they ended up in a relationship, then their days would become routine, and at that point, wouldn’t he run? It’s what he did.

  “Yes, Alyssa?”

  “Do you really want to know me?”

  He paused for so long she thought she’d lost him. When he spoke, his voice was warm as honey on a hot summer day. “I already know you, Alyssa. I know you love pink, that you fiddle with your hair when you’re nervous. I know that you have a heart as big as Texas and that you are loyal to your family and friends. I know that when we make love you are uninhibited and give everything of yourself . . .”

  “That’s just scratching the surface, Jackson.”

  “Then go on real dates with me. Accept my offer,” he said, suddenly very serious.

  “To be your mistress?” She wanted everything between them clear-cut and unambiguous.

  “No. I want more than that,” he said.

  “But how much more, Jackson?” She held her breath and waited. Because whether she liked it or not, slowly and surely, though unwillingly, she was getting to know Jackson, and she was beginning to like him. Even more than that, she was afraid she was starting to fall in love with him.

  And that was a problem, because he’d been more than clear that he would never love again. This, to him, was a game. And Jackson Whitman was very good at playing games—he played to win. She was heading down a dangerous road. But for the life of her she couldn’t seem to drag herself away from the oncoming wreck.

  “I don’t know,” he said, suddenly seeming nervous.

  “And that’s the problem, Jackson. You need to figure out what you want. I won’t be someone who is used and discarded. I’m going to be a mother, but besides that, no woman deserves to be treated no better than a recycled bottle. If you can’t even figure out what you want, then you have no business playing with me.”

  When Jackson was silent for several heartbeats, Alyssa knew it was a good time to end their visit. “Good night, Jackson.”

  He began to protest, but she simply disconnected the phone and then leaned back. She would have to see what tomorrow brought. Maybe this would be the end of their game. Maybe now he would realize that he couldn’t play with fire without getting scorched. He was pushing for an affair, but if he wanted to be with her, really be with her, then she would push for forever.

  When three more days passed with no call and no sight of Jackson, she was almost devastated. That’s when she realized she was in too deep. It wasn’t just a matter of her falling in love with him; it was a matter of how deeply in love with him she already was.

  She had to make a decision, and the decision was clear. She had to back away from him or lose herself forever in a man who didn’t know the meaning of retreat and who also didn’t know the meaning of love.

  Finally! Alyssa was officially off bed rest and ready to party until she dropped. Five margaritas and break dancing! Okay, not quite, but a woman could dream, couldn’t she? Walking into the saloon, geared up for work, she was immediately greeted with a lovefest of questions and hugs by both staff and customers.

  “We’re so glad you’re back, Alyssa,” Cody said. “The place hasn’t been the same without you.” He pulled her in for a hug.

  “I’ve missed you guys so much. It’s been hell staying in bed for over two weeks straight.”

  Of course, Jackson had made that hell a whole lot easier to endure—until he’d disappeared! Now she was just happy to be out and about, able to get back to her normal life, and in a world that didn’t revolve around Jackson Whitman.

  It was good that he’d backed off, because Jackson was too sophisticated for her. The man could twist anything she said to fit what he wanted to hear. She was discovering that it was much easier if she ignored him.

  Of course, the word ignore wasn’t quite right, because she hadn’t seen him in what felt like forever. Goodness, three days without him and she was mopey! What in the hell was wrong with her? Also, easy might not be an appropriate word, either, because Jackson was a man who didn’t allow others to ignore him, not when he wanted his presence to be known. But he sure as heck could back off when she asked the tough questions. Hypocrite!

  “Hello, beautiful.” All of a sudden, Alyssa was being lifted into the air and her lips were covered in a scorching-hot kiss. “Glad to see you up and about again.”

  Her shock evaporated, and indignation took over. She hadn’t heard a word from him in days, and then he just showed up as if nothing was wrong and kissed her in a room full of people? Not freaking acceptable.

  “Put me down, Jackson. You’re making me dizzy,” she gasped.

  He slid her slowly down his body before allowing her to step back. By this time, she was sporting a noticeable baby bump and she tugged self-consciously at her shirt, which was now clinging to her belly. If anyone in the bar hadn’t already known that she was pregnant, they sure did now.

  “All right, people, the show’s over. Let’s actually do some work,” Alyssa said as she walked toward the back room to grab her apron.

  She took several extra minutes in the bathroom, hoping that the glow in her cheeks had subsided. Yes, Jackson was clearly getting to her. What he’d done hadn’t been just a kiss. It was a brand. He was letting them know, one and all, that she was his property. And she didn’t appreciate that. She’d never agreed to be his. She was her own woman. After returning to the bar, she saw Jackson at his usual table, his laptop in front of him and a wide smile on his face.

  “Have your tastes changed in my absence?” she asked, notepad at the ready.

  “Nope. Once I like something, there’s no going back,” he said with too much innocence.

  “Really? ’Cause you sure were running scared after our last conversation,” she pointed out.

  “I had to think. Plus, I figured you needed to do the same.”

  “So you disappeared for me?” She should retreat, but she didn’t want to.

  “I don’t want to back off.” The intensity in his eyes frightened her, and she decided she was the one backing down yet again.

  “Cold soda and chips and salsa coming right out,” she told him before turning away. Just for the hell of it, she put a little extra sway in her hips, using her catwalk tricks, and she glanced over her shoulder just before she entered the kitchen. She was perversely pleased at the sight of his eyes on her ass.


  Maybe it was because she was feeling fat. Maybe it was because she’d been in bed for what seemed like forever, or maybe it was because her body was in a constant state of arousal. Whatever the reason, the look of lust in his eyes gave a boost to her ego.

  The bar soon got busy, and Alyssa brought Jackson his food, refilled his drink, and scurried around serving her other customers. She had to admit to herself that she was more tired than usual. It might have been a better idea to take the easier early shift, but her stubborn pride had made her want the night shift.

  The tips were much better on the dinner shift, and she still needed to save—more than ever, in fact, now that she’d been off work almost three weeks. Jackson had paid her wages, which she’d tried to refuse, but they were nothing compared to her tips.

  Still, she was grateful to see her bank account going back up, if slowly. She’d have had a whole heck of a lot more if her business manager hadn’t wiped her clean. No. She couldn’t dwell on that. It was a time in her life that was over. Done.

  Yes, Camden was working on her case, but it didn’t look hopeful, not at all. It was impossible to get money out of someone who’d already spent it. Even if she managed to win the case, what good would it do?

  The end of her shift was nearing when Camden walked through the doors.

  “Alyssa, I was hoping to catch you,” he said, and he dropped a kiss on her cheek.

  “It’s great to see you, Cam. Is something wrong?”

  Maybe most clients didn’t have such a personal relationship with their lawyers, but Cam had been the one she’d sobbed her story to. He’d also been the one to give her a hug when she needed it, and he’d been the one fighting to get her something back.

  She liked him. She was just disappointed that she didn’t like him like him. Even if she had, it would have been a lost cause. It was more than obvious that Cam wasn’t interested in any of the women in Sterling. Some woman had broken his heart and someday she might get the story out of him.

  “No, nothing is wrong, Alyssa, and it could have waited until tomorrow, but I was out and thought I’d save a trip to town for you.”