“Oh, baby, I love you, too. You just made me so happy. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too.”
Chapter 23
Corrine
Leaving Jackson in the kitchen took more will power than I thought I had. When I walked Gabby out, she suggested I fuck him to get him out of my system. But that will never happen. I think my addiction to him could only get worse.
I spend the morning getting ready. I have to convince Jim to go along with my idea of moving to Austin. I’m not strong enough to remain under Jackson’s roof, particularly if he’s going to walk around without a shirt.
Nope. I’ve got to make a change, and Austin may be the right place.
Just before eleven thirty, I’m dressed in white jeans, cute flats, and a blouse that Tiffany insisted on, which shows a little more cleavage than I usually would. But I love the classic lines, soft colors, and abstract pattern. It exudes money, but at least it’s comfortable.
I walk out to the living room to wait for Jackson, and he and Ben are there waiting for me. “I’m sorry. Am I late?”
Jackson’s eyes immediately go to my cleavage. He breaks a smile, and I know he likes what I’m wearing.
“Not at all. Ben just arrived early. We’re mapping where you want to stop.”
I put my purse down and walk over. “What’s the plan?”
He points to his phone. “The best flowers on a Saturday are at the farmer’s market. Ben can drop us at this entrance. They’re in the middle, so we’ll have to do some walking. Is that okay?”
“Sure. No problem. No stilettos today.”
Jackson nods. “And there’s a liquor store not too far from Jim’s office.”
“Are we meeting at his office for lunch?”
“No, but he lives on the top floor of the same building. It makes it easier for him to be accessible.”
“Okay. That works.”
I follow Ben out the door, and Jackson follows. We get in the car and drive to our first stop at the farmer’s market. Once we exit the car, Ben walks slightly behind us. Jackson has his hand on the small of my back. His touch is electric, and it is wearing down my walls.
“Jackson?” I hear a woman say.
My radar is instantly on high alert.
“Mia! Hey, great to see you.”
Mia’s a petite woman with beautiful, shiny dark hair and big brown eyes. She’s stunning, and I fight the green monster of jealousy.
Jackson turns to me. “Corrine, this is Mia Couture. She’s the CEO of Reconnaissance. She’s also a big winner when we play poker.”
I extend my hand. “So nice to meet you. I’m Corrine Woods. He won the Halona Moana Estate from someone else, right?”
She chuckles. “Yes, that was Viviana Prentis. That was a fun hand to watch. She was sure she had him, so she went all in. When he beat her, the room lit up.”
“I’m sorry I missed it.” I look at him and smile. “Sounds like a fun night.”
“Have him bring you next time,” Mia says. “We’re due for a get-together soon.”
Jackson nods. “We are due for a get-together. I was thinking about hosting out at the estate. Do you think people would travel to Hawaii to play?”
“I’m up for a few days in Hawaii. Plus, I think we’re more likely to get Nate to join us there. I’m sure he’s in no hurry to return to Las Vegas.”
They talk for a few minutes more, and I really like Mia. The green monsters of jealousy quickly evaporate.
When we walk away, Jackson chuckles. “Don’t be fooled. That woman is a pure card shark. She’s won a ranch up in Montana and interest in a web company.”
“You guys have too much money if you’re throwing businesses and property around like that.”
“Probably, but Mia, along with several others, has gifted a big chunk of her fortune to the Lancaster Foundation.”
“That’s pretty amazing.” We arrive at the flower seller in the market, and it’s enormous.
A woman in overalls approaches us. “Can I help you find something?”
“Do you have any premade bouquets? We’re heading to a friend’s for lunch, and I thought we could bring some flowers.”
“I don’t, but we can easily put one together for you. Do you have a color preference?”
“Just bright colors.” I turn to Jackson. “Right? Or should we go subtle?”
He shakes his head. “You’re in charge of flowers.”
Our florist smiles. “Let’s see what I have. How about a mix of lavender, pink buttercups, daisies, and yellow forget-me-nots?” I look at what she’s pulled together, and it’s stunning.
“It’s beautiful. That’s perfect.”
“Do you deliver?” Jackson asks.
“We do.”
Jackson writes down an address. “This is my mother. Any chance I can have a similar bouquet sent to her today?”
She looks down and nods. “We can make that happen.”
“What’s the occasion?” I ask.
“I realized how lucky I am.”
That makes me smile. Jackson’s mother, while often a pain in the ass, is really a sweet woman. I like that he’s thinking about her.
When we get back to the car, Ben heads toward the SOMA neighborhood.
“I didn’t realize Clear Security was so close to the Giants’ stadium,” I say to Ben as I stare out the window.
“In the summer, when the windows are open, we hear the crowds and the crack of the bat,” he says proudly.
“I’m impressed.”
We pull up in front of a corner liquor store, and a man pops out and hands Ben a bottle through the window.
“How did he know we were coming?” I ask.
Jackson smiles. “I know Paul. I called him while you were looking at flowers and ordered a bottle of a nice pinot gris. I thought that would go well
