"Jackson, you know why. Once I found about Claire...I couldn't bear it. I couldn't put myself out there again to be hurt."
"You said Claire told you about us. What exactly did she tell you? Why didn't you talk to me about it?"
"Are you kidding me?" I asked incredulously, my pulse quickening with anger. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Once I got control of myself, I spoke again, proud that my voice was steady. "Jackson, if this is ever going to work between us, you have to stop mentioning Claire. I never want to hear her name again. I want to forget she ever existed."
Jackson nodded, realizing how serious I was. "Of course, sweetheart. It just kills me that we could've been together all these years."
I leaned up, balancing on the tips of my toes and kissing him softly. "Let's not have regrets. Let's just enjoy today."
Jackson's face softened as he gazed at me, brushing my hair from my face gently. "You're right. I'm just happy that we're together again."
After lingering over cups of coffee, we took the elevator down to the lobby as Jackson informed me that Craig was on duty with me until the furor had died down. I wanted to protest, but I knew it was futile from the look on his face that brooked no argument. I just sighed, wondering when Jackson had become so autocratic.
There were still photographers outside as Craig shepherded us into the SUV, but their questions had changed.
"Emma, are you going to give Jackson another chance? Are you two together again?"
"What did you think about Jackson professing his love to you on national television?"
"Jackson, what are you going to do to win Emma back?"
"Did you spend the night, Jackson?"
I gulped at the last question, the thought of our sex life being public knowledge horrifying. Jackson turned around once I was in the car, closing it until it was just slightly ajar so they couldn't see me.
"Gentlemen, you're not helping my cause. The last thing Emma wants is cameras in her face. I know you're used to my publicist not taking your calls, but I'll instruct her to pass your questions on to me for my comments. But if I find out you've been harassing Emma, you'll get nothing."
He climbed into the backseat next to me, firmly shutting the door behind him. I noticed that the photographers were no longer crowded around the car.
"Will that actually work?" I asked skeptically.
"Maybe," Jackson answered with a shrug. "It's at least worth a try. I'm not known for commenting on anything about my personal life, so maybe this will appease them."
The drive to work was quick. Quicker than I wanted it to be, because I was loathe to leave Jackson's company. I was surprised when he followed me out of the car when we pulled up in front of my office building.
"I hope you don't think you're coming in with me," I said with a raised eyebrow. I had told Jackson about the warning I had received at work during the short drive, and the last thing I needed was Jackson Reynard, Hollywood heartthrob, disrupting my workplace.
"No, but Craig is going in with you, so I'm going to take a cab home. I don't want him leaving your side."
"I appreciate the concern, but Craig is not coming into work with me."
Jackson frowned, not looking pleased. "Emma, you don't know how relentless the paparazzi can be. You don't want to be taken off guard."
"I told you that my company has put in extra security," I said, exasperated. I flung a hand towards the front of the building. "See? There are no men lurking with cameras here. I'm fine. I don't need Craig waiting outside my building all day either. I'm sure he has better things to do than twiddle his thumbs."
Jackson scowled as he looked down at me. "I don't remember you being this stubborn."
"And I don't remember you being so bossy!" I countered.
Jackson breathed in slowly, as if he was trying to reign in his impatience. "Fine. Craig won't accompany you inside your office, but he's staying in front of your building."
"Jackson," I started to protest but he cut me off with a hard kiss.
"Don't argue with me, Emma," he said in a low voice after he had pulled back. "I'm willing to make concessions on anything except your safety."
I sighed, knowing that I was fighting a losing battle. Jackson looked intractable and it would be pointless to argue further. "Fine," I grumbled. "You get your way this time."
"Good girl." Jackson gave me a pleased smile. He leaned down again and I rose up, anticipating a kiss when Craig interrupted us.
"Mr. Reynard, you might want to move this somewhere private."
My head shot up and I groaned inwardly when I saw a crowd of people lingering around us. Some were watching us with avid interest, not trying to mask their stares. Others were trying to pretend they were otherwise occupied but I saw their glances sliding towards us.
I looked back at Jackson, about to roll my eyes at the crowd we had gathered, but gasped instead when Jackson looked intent on still kissing me.
"Jackson," I whispered urgently, my eyes widening. "Not here. We have an audience!"
Jackson gave me a half-smile as he leaned in closer. "Why not give them a show then? People need to see the truth to believe it."
I bit my lip, not sure if this was the right path to take, but my indecision disappeared when Jackson softly nipped my bottom lip, pulling it free from my teeth. He sucked on it softly before covering my mouth with his, kissing me openmouthed, grazing my lips gently and lovingly. My arms automatically wrapped around his neck as I leaned up into the kiss, forgetting about the crowd of people on the sidewalk. At this moment, the world only contained Jackson and me.
Reality set in as we broke apart and I flushed, aware of the voyeuristic stares as well as the dozens of camera phones that were pointed towards us.
"It's probably not a good idea to make out in public in front of my workplace," I said breathlessly.
Jackson smirked, looking very pleased with himself. "I'm planning on making out with you as much as possible, in public and in private. Get used to it."
He kissed me again quickly before I could respond. "I'll be here at six to pick you up for dinner. Be ready." He turned to speak to Craig who had been standing in front of us, blocking us as much as he could from the crowd. I wanted to rebel against his domineering attitude, but I decided it was wiser to get inside my office as quickly as possible.
As I made my way into the lobby of the building, I heard people approaching Jackson, asking for his autograph and picture, and he cheerfully complied. I wasn't feeling as upbeat as Jackson sounded. Now that we were giving our relationship another try, his appeasing ways had disappeared and he was being downright overbearing. Jackson was probably used to getting his way since the world seemed to cater to celebrities, and I wondered how I would handle this new side to him. He had always been a force to be reckoned with, even when we were younger, but now he seemed dictatorial at times.