Read Jackson's Destiny (Sawyer Brothers #2) for Free Online

need to.”
    I shook my head. I had dodged her too long. She didn’t deserve to be ignored. “I can’t. I need to talk to her,” I confessed. “I know she’s going crazy.”
    Jackson rested his hand on my thigh and rubbed it, sending warm flutters through me. “Ryan said she was up most of the night. Apparently, she knows you’re upset because of something to do with her mom, due to the comments you made at the bakery.”
    I cringed, remembering that both Amber and Olivia had seen my outburst. “Yeah, I need to apologize to Liv. She was there too.”
    “Sweetheart, she has me as an uncle, so I’m pretty sure she’s heard worse.” He chuckled. “But really, I can take you to see Amber.”
    “Or I could drive myself.”
    He stood and walked toward his closet. His back was to me when he released the towel. As it fell to a puddle at his feet, even I heard my intake of breath. He looked back at me over his shoulder. “I like my idea better, darlin’. Now get up and get ready. We leave in five minutes.”
    I didn’t move, still captivated by the perfect ass that was now on display. Jackson Sawyer was a work of art. He was sexy and domineering. He was a control freak, and when things didn’t go his way, he used his size to make sure they did. Yet right now, he was being playful, and it was a side of him I didn’t get to witness often. Things between us were always so tense. I had been fighting my attraction to him for months, but I was beginning to wonder why. Maybe it was time I gave in to temptation and let him have his wicked way with me.
     
    ***
     
    I felt slightly uncomfortable as I walked into Heavenly Temptations a few minutes later. I had never once been nervous inside the bakery. Even on opening day when Amber was a nervous wreck, I knew this place would thrive. Amber was an amazing baker, and I knew everyone in town would think so too. But now the mood felt different, and I was positive it had a lot to do with the fake-as-hell blonde behind the counter.
    “Stop growling, darlin’. This ain’t the place to claw her eyes out. Let’s find Amber.” Jackson laced his fingers with mine, and the gesture made me smile despite Carla’s presence. As he tugged me along, Carla, of course, decided this would be a perfect opportunity to try to flirt with him again.
    “Hey there, handsome, is there anything I can help you with? I would be happy to give you all you need.” Her eyes lit up as she perused Jackson from head to toe.
    I was just about to interject when the kitchen door flew open and Amber rushed into the lobby. She all but threw herself at me as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
    “Bailey, I was five minutes from driving myself to Noah’s and dragging you out,” she cried, and Jackson gripped my hand just a little tighter. “I was so close to tying Ryan to his bed last night so I could get away long enough to talk to you.”
    I smiled and wrapped my free arm around her as Jackson held my other hand securely in his. As Amber looked at Jackson tucked close at my side, her expression turned into a questioning frown. Puzzled, I turned to Jackson and saw that his expression was hard.
    “She wasn’t with Noah. She was with me at my place,” he corrected her. “Noah was just in the right place at the wrong time, and that shit came to an end real fast. If Bailey needs anything, at any time, you call me, not Noah.”
    Amber and I stared back at him as all kinds of unanswered questions rolled around in my head. I had no idea what Jackson and I were to each other, but I appreciated him being there for me when I needed someone. He listened to me when I needed it most, and I would always appreciate that.
    “Jack, you mind telling me what is going on?” Amber asked.
    “Let’s just say that Bailey has avoided me long enough, and that shit has come to an end too.”
    When I tried to tug my hand from his, he only squeezed it tighter. “Jackson,” I muttered, hoping to get his attention. When he