I ride him harder than I intend. I hear his grunts and groans, but when I start to let up, his fingers dig into my hips forcing me to keep my pace.

“Fuck me harder,” Jackson demands.

I groan and hear the slapping skin as we force ourselves together with reckless abandon. We fight the war between our wills through our bodies. Each grunt reminds me we’re still fighting for each other. The sweat that trickles down my back is evidence of the struggle we’re ready to endure. The heat that surges through my cells proves how I’ll give myself to him.

“I’m gonna come,” Jackson says with his jaw clenched.

“I love you,” I cry out as I fall back into the abyss again.

The tears form in my eyes as I’m overcome with emotion. I love him with all that I am.

Jackson seems to sense the shift as he brings his hands up to my neck. He cradles my head as I look into his eyes. Gently, he swipes under my eyes. “I love you.”

I smile tenderly, “I know.”

“I didn’t mean to be a dick before. I fucking hate the idea that you could’ve been hurt.” Jackson’s hands push the hair out of my face as he waits for me to respond.

“You can’t save me all the time.”

“I can damn sure try.”

We kiss briefly and take a shower after our non-shower.

Jackson washes my hair and body, and I in turn do the same for him. The intimacy established between us takes my breath away.

“Almost done?” Jackson asks.

“I’m going to take a few minutes to myself.”

“Okay,” Jackson says as he heads out of the shower.

I stand there alone and enjoy the solace. Replaying the last few hours in my head, I realize why he was so angry. Things could’ve gone differently, but they didn’t, and I’m grateful for that. I finish up and decide next time I’ll let someone in on my brilliant plans.

Once I’m dressed and comfortable I head out to the kitchen. He stands there assessing the damage. I hold back a laugh because it’s going to take hours to clean this up.

“Okay, Chef Boyardee, how about you order take-out?” I smile and come around the counter.

“No, this is perfectly edible,” Jackson scoffs and starts to stir the pot.

I cross my arms across my chest and at first I think he’s kidding but he continues stirring. “Jackson, I’m not eating that.” I look in the pot and it’s turning colors. “What the hell is that?” I ask incredulously.

He laughs and turns the burner off. “Fine, we don’t have to eat it.”

“Can you even name what it is?”

“It’s a surprise.” He smiles and pulls me against him.

I look up biting my lip to stop myself from busting out laughing. “Was the surprise whatever we taste at the first bite?”

“Smart ass,” he retorts.

“You like my ass.”

“That I do.”

“Perv. I’ll order Chinese. Maybe we can watch a movie?” I suggest as I call the restaurant.

Luckily they deliver quickly and before I know it, Jackson is in the doorway, leaning against his walker with one of his shit-eating grins.

After a minute of no reply I look up. “What?”

“Food’s here.”

“Good, I’m starving.”

“How about we play a game?”

I don’t like the looks of this. I can see the wheels turning in his head. This can’t be good.

My eyes narrow as I try to figure out what game he could possibly want to play. “Why do I think this is a bad idea?”

Jackson pretends he’s affronted and throws his hand over his heart. “Don’t you trust me?”

I smile and shake my head.

“Come on, we can play a board game,” he cajoles, clearly already having thought this through.

I hate board games. I always lose, but knowing my competitive boyfriend, he’s clamoring for something to win at.

“Anything but Monopoly.” I smile and grab the plates.

Jackson’s lips turn up in a grin and we make our way to the table. Once we’ve dished the food and gotten settled, he pulls a box out from the chair beside him. When I see the game he’s chosen, I burst out laughing.

“Battleship? For real? Are you twelve?” I say in between my giggles.

“Don’t insult this game. It’s a classic. Besides there’s no way in hell you’ll be able to win,” Jackson says as he starts to pull the game pieces out.

“You know every time you say these things it makes me even more determined to kick your ass?”

“I know, and it turns me on when I see you get feisty.” His eyes darken as his voice drops.

The blush spreads across my cheeks and I try to take a bite to stop my mind from going there.

Once I’ve gotten myself under better control, I start to set up my game board, placing the ships and wondering about the best positions to confuse him. “Okay, it’s been a long time and I don’t trust you not to cheat so where are the directions?”

Before I can grab the box, he swipes it and tosses it back behind him.

“What the hell?”

“The rules are simple. You put the pieces in and guess. But for every wrong answer you have to take off an item of clothing.” He wiggles his brows and I roll my eyes.

“Right, I’m not sure we played this Battleship when I was ten.”

“My Navy. My rules. I’m the admiral.” Jackson crosses his arms and leans back in the chair.

“I don’t think so.”

“Fine, then for every correct answer, you take off an item of clothing.”

“And for every wrong one you have to answer a question,” I say and smirk.

He seems to consider my counteroffer. After a few seconds of mulling it over, he leans forward. “I’m fine with that. But if you don’t want to answer, you can remove an item of clothing.”

Now it’s my turn to think it over. “You can only pass twice. I don’t see you having issues getting naked.”

“I also have no issues with you getting naked,” his voice is full of humor.

After a few turns I’m left only in my tank top, underwear, socks, and bra. Jackson is almost fully dressed. I swear he’s losing on purpose. This is why I hate board games. However, we’re laughing and enjoying the time together.

“Okay, A-12.”

“Miss,” I hoot, smiling and batting my eyelashes. “Hmmm, first kiss?”

Jackson sighs before answering. “Reagan’s best friend, Sharon, in a game of Truth or Dare. Fifth grade. You?”

“I didn’t lose that turn. C-3,” I say and he smiles.

“Miss. First kiss?” Jackson asks.

“Andy, under the stars in seventh grade. Honestly, my first kiss was what every girl dreams of.”

“How so?” he asks.

“I liked him a lot. We went to the fireworks in town and he kissed me during the grand finale. It was perfect and memorable.” I laugh remembering how sweet it was and how as soon as we finished kissing we both ran off to tell our friends.

“Kissing Sharon wasn’t memorable in a good way. We had no idea what we were doing and when I shoved my tongue in her mouth she almost started crying,” Jackson laughs and then his eyes begin to smolder. “Not like when I kiss you.”