Maggie-

My thoughts are interrupted as a calmer, more put together Jackson walks through my office doors.  He struts past me with determination, picks up the office phone, and begins dialing.

"Cancel my meetings for the day." Jack mutters into the line. "Yes, I'm sure."

He takes a deep breath, I'm assuming to reign in his unruly nerves, and after gently placing the phone back into its cubby he turns to face me.

"Alright, let's give you a proper tour." Jack says, alerting me to the fact that he's willing to make this work.

I feel incredibly guilty about giving him such a hard time. I've kept Jack at an arms-length not to torment him, but to protect myself.

I have a hard time deciding if I'm fearful of getting close only because Dr. Moore mentioned it could happen or if I'm simply protecting my weak mind from inevitably drowning in heartbreak.  After all, Jackson himself warned me of how easy it would be for someone to take advantage.

I'd like to think I'm a smart girl and not some horned up chick who falls easily into men's laps, but Jackson certainly feels like dangerous territory. Territory that inexperienced girls like me shouldn't get mixed up with.

Yet, past me did get mixed up with him.  Was I lured into his trap or is he simply a decent man with a bad rap? One thing's for sure, I won't get answers by ignoring him completely.  I'll continue keeping him a safe distance, yet allow him close enough to befriend him.

"You deep in thought, Love?" Jackson interrupts my tangled inner thoughts and I notice he's holding my office door open for me.  "We goin' or what?"

"Yes, sorry." I mumble before skipping through the open door.

"Alright, first things first, you should meet Christian.  He's the one who signs your paychecks after all." Jackson teases as we head down a large hallway filled with floor to ceiling windows.

"Christian is the one dating Bethany, right?" I ask.

"Yes, they've been together for about as long as we-" Jackson pauses and rethinks his wording. "were."

"Where did they meet?" I pretend I don't notice his hesitation.

"I guess technically we all met at the same time." He answers. "At your old club in the VIP section."

My eyes wander to the city landscape outside the open windows and I'm reminded of a desktop wallpaper I've seen before. 

"Nice view, huh?" Jack seems to notice my distraction.

"It's beautiful." I half-whisper as I continue trailing close behind him.

"I know where I'm taking you on our date then." My head jerks in his direction to suss him out and I watch a brief smile cross his face before he turns away.

I like it when he smiles.

"Here we are." Jackson stops in front of a large office with a wooden door and a glass window baring everything inside. 

The office is neatly kept, with no sign of rustled papers or stacks of files.  It's just a clean office with a single framed photo. A photo of- Bethany?

The office door opens before we can even knock and a tall herculean man appears in front of us.  His blonde hair, sapphire eyes, and a smile from ear to ear give me pause.

Bethany has done well for herself.

"Maggie!" He shouts before giving me an enthusiastic bear hug.  "It's fantastic to see you again!"

"Um-" I stutter while looking at Jackson for help.  Jackson's mouth plays at a teasing smirk and I resist the urge to slap him. "It's good to see you too."

"Bethany has been so worried about you. She laid up at all hours of the night just praying you'd be okay." His admission adds another layer of guilt. "Looks like those prayers paid off, guess we'll be attending a church now."

"Wait- How do you know she was laying up all night? Were you two- I mean- Not to intrude." I stutter through my words.

"Ah yes, she's been living with me for the last few months.  However, we thought it best if she stayed in the apartment while you recovered.  I'm sure you need a bit of familiarity at home." Christian has got to be the sweetest man alive and yet, I'm feeling more and more guilty every second I speak with him.

"That's so sweet of you both, but I'm doing alright. I'll be sure to get her back to you soon." I say awkwardly as I play with a loose thread on my skirt.

I'm surprised she hasn't told me she was living with Christian, or even dating him for that matter.  We've always told each other everything but now it seems even she is walking on eggshells around me.  It physically hurts to know I've become such a burden.

"Don't you dare rush your recovery, I need my top literary agent healthy as a horse." He urges.

The air is thick and I find myself choking on simple conversations. I've always been great at small talk, but now I feel as if I'm drowning.

My eyes wander to Jack and plea for mercy.  He seems to understand my urgent need to escape as if he's read my mind.

"Well Chris, I think we better be on our way. There are a lot more interesting people to meet, you know." Jackson teases.  There's a feeling of familiarity there and I instantly wonder how long they've known each other.

"So soon? Alright Maggie, you just let me know if you need anything at all." Christian offers. "And don't worry about finishing deadlines, we've got you covered."

"Thank you." Is all I manage before I'm pulled into another bear hug by Christian.

"That was rough." I insist when Jack and I are far enough away.

"It only goes downhill from there, Love." He teases.  A few tingles are sent down my spine from his hand resting on my lower back as he guides me down another bright hallway. "Next up is Alex.  I'm not sure if I should warn you or just watch your expression as you meet him."

"Yeah, warnings would be nice. What is wrong with Alex? Is he sleeping with Bethany too?" I tease and he lets out a melodic laugh which causes my heart to skip half a beat before it quickly contains itself.

I like his laugh.

"I think I'm going to enjoy watching you squirm." Is his only warning before he knocks on another office door.

This one has the blinds drawn shut, tight enough so no sunlight can penetrate through. He's either not here or he's a vampire and I've woken up from a coma in a whole different dimension.

I'm about to give up when the door creaks open a bit and the pungent smell of sweat and sex wafts into the hallway.  I hold my breath as a tiny disheveled blonde squeezes past us and darts through the hallway.

My eyes just barely glance at Jack in horror as the door opens a bit wider and a gaunt chocolate-haired man peeks out. My eyes widen as something in me recognizes him. Memories pull at my brain, tugging in different directions until I place him as the man in my disturbing dream.

"Alexander, sorry to interrupt." Jackson starts in the most professional British accent. "I'm walking Maggie around the office, getting her reacquainted."

Alex's dark shifty eyes land on me and he swings the door wide open, letting more of the pungent smell out into the hall.

"Well al-fuckin-mighty, she's alive!" Alex shouts in my direction, giving me a wide grin which makes me uneasy. I don't respond, I just stand in shock wondering how on earth this shady man is employed here and pray to god he doesn't attempt to touch me in some way.

"He's my publicist, Maggie." Jackson helps a bit and I wonder if maybe that's why he's so shady.  However, I can't imagine people hired to clean up other's image could ever be this horrid.

"Uh- Nice to meet you- again?" Suddenly this seems like the tour from hell.

Alex gives a sharp laugh before ignoring me completely and turning to Jack. "We're all set for New York. You ready?"

"New York?" I ask Jack with questioning eyes.  He never told me he was going to New York. Suddenly a panic erupts within me. "Are you moving?"

Jackson's diamond eyes roam over my worried face and a slight pleased smile spreads on his.

"No, the National Book Awards winners are finally going to be announced." He looks at Alex and nods. "Hell yes, I'm ready."

"Bring the girl." Alex says signaling to me. "Great publicity."

My brow furrows with irritation.

"Alright Alex, that's enough from you." Jackson teases as he gently pushes Alex back into his office and shuts the door.

"Thank god, I don't know if I'll ever get that smell out of my nostrils." I complain.

"You've always hated him." He informs me, though the words are simple I see a slight lighthearted smile play on the corner of his lips.

"Good to know not everything in my head has changed." I smirk. "So when is this trip to New York?"

"In a few weeks." He shrugs then places his hand back on my lower back to guide me to the elevator.  Tingles once again shoot through my spine trailing to my fingers and goosebumps riddle my arms. "Half the office has tickets, but with you in the hospital- I wasn't sure I was going."

I rub the goosebumps on my arms, attempting to rid the unconscious swooning that seems to be taking over my body as another layer of guilt coats my chest.  My accident has caused so much destruction around me.

"You're going now, right? You're up for an award?" I ask.

"That depends." He pauses, taking his lip ring between his teeth while he contemplates. "Christian already purchased both of our tickets."

"You're going then." I declare and his mouth plays at a smile.

"Maggie!" I hear a woman's voice scream the second the elevator doors open. 

"That's Alisa." Jack whispers into my hair and I feel each strand on the back of my neck begin to stand just as I had calmed my earlier nerves.  He's signaling to the skinny pale woman whose bright red hair is flowing everywhere as she practically gallops towards us.

"You're here!" She informs me as she wraps her arms around my neck.

"I'm here." I smile and hug her back, inhaling the strong fruity smell of shampoo.

"Oh thank god, do you have any clue how many horror manuscripts I've been forced to read since you left?" She asks then pulls away abruptly while answering her own question. "Thirty-eight!"

"I'm sorry." I apologize, even though I'm not sure why I'm apologizing.

"Oh girl, don't be." Alisa's freckles stretch across her skin as she smiles the widest smile I think I've ever seen. "I'm just glad you're okay."

I wonder if we were good friends before, I suppose I can't ask her.  I'd rather not add another admission of guilt to my list.

"I was just showing Maggie to the lunchroom." Jackson interrupts and I'm thankful.

"Oh, don't mind me." Alisa says as she reaches out to pinch my cheek. "We'll be seeing each other soon enough."

I wait until she's a safe distance away before turning to Jack. "You've got a full cast of characters here, don't you? Will I be running into Bugs Bunny anytime soon?"

"Bugs is retired." He teases. "You've met most everyone there is to know. Georgia's the woman at the front desk, but we'll tackle that another day."

Jackson opens the door beside the elevator revealing a corporate lunchroom unlike I've ever seen before.  An oven, a wine fridge, a full-size refrigerator, this looks like an actual home kitchen.

I'm about to speak when my eyes land on a well-dressed man sitting in the center of the room, Nick.

Shit.

My breathing speeds up a bit as my head panics and I can't help but glance at Jackson's knuckles once more as I debate on how stable he is. Who was he fighting with and why?

"This is becoming a bloody joke." Jackson's voice sounds playful, unlike earlier. "Do you even do any work here?"

"I'm trying to bulk up, gotta eat every two hours." Nick teases back and I watch Jack for any telling signs that he might explode, but he simply rolls his eyes and pulls me a little closer.

"This is the kitchen or better known as Nicholas's office." Jack grumbles.

"Hey, Nick." I chance a casual hello.

He waves back to me, adding a wink to test Jackson.  The gesture irks me a bit, why would he purposely try to make Jack angry? I don't bother responding, instead, I focus my attention on Jack.

"Alright, what's next?" I ask, eager to get out of the potentially disastrous lunch room.

The surprise is evident on Jackson's face.  No doubt he assumed I would flirt back and rub it in his face.  The last thing I want is to purposely hurt him after he just explained how he felt.

"After you." His lips tug at a smile and he opens the lunchroom door for me.

A bit of small talk and a few more chills sent up my spine by the hand so carefully placed on my lower back and we're heading back to the elevator to the fifteenth floor.  Soon after showing me where the bathroom is located in case of any desperately needed tissues, apparently I'll need them with the romance novels I'm bound to read, he leads me back to my office.

We stand outside my door but before entering, my mind shifts to a potential danger zone.

"Can I see yours?" I ask peering up at him, suddenly nervous that he might shun me away.

He looks a bit caught off guard, but he answers regardless. 

"Of course." He answers, gesturing to the office door next to mine.

I creek open the door labeled J. Porter and hesitantly step inside. It's a large office, similar to Christian's in that it's tidy, however, manuscripts are piled in the corner of his large oak desk. A giant bookshelf covers the wall he shares with mine and it's filled to the brim with novels.  I'm immediately drawn to it, fingering the many bookends and examining his collection.

Jackson stands quietly in the doorway with his hands tucked in his pockets, watching me thoughtfully pine over his novels.

"The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, Moby Dick, Odyssey, and- Wow, you must have an entire library tucked away on this shelf." I can hardly believe his collection, more than half of them clearly well worn and vintage. "I mean, I knew you were an author but this-"

"I suppose that's one aspect we've always had in common." He shrugs and a look of what I think is melancholy crosses his face before he walks toward the window and leans a shoulder lazily against it.

The view from the ceiling to floor window is breathtaking, mountains surround the city and you can see almost the entirety of Scottsdale.  My eyes lock on the building straight across from him and I realize it's the old club I remember working so many late nights. It's beautiful up here.

"Which book is your favorite?" I ask, wiping my thoughts of the view and glancing back at the large shelf.

"That's almost impossible to choose." He avoids the question.

"Come on, you must have one you're impartial to." I know there has to be at least one he's read a million times, with each moment urging him to turn to the next page despite the fact that it's one he's read before.  Anyone who's a serious reader like us has one or a few of those favorite books.

Jack cocks his head and I can tell he debates on denying my answer, instead he concedes with a smile. "The Catcher in the Rye."

"Really?" I question, pausing to recall the book in my mind. "Alright, I can see that."

"What do you mean?" He asks defensively, then teasingly repeats my words back to me in a higher pitch. "I can see that."

"Are you mocking me?" I question as I place my hands defensively on my hips and a smile lights up his face.

"I suppose I am." He admits and I instantly roll my eyes. I stand defiantly, ready to debate with him. Banter flows so easily between us like a beautifully chaotic verbal dance that breathing life into my frayed mind.

"Well," I start, "Holden has a hard time connecting with people and he refuses to live according to society's rules.  I can see how that character would be your favorite."

Jack attempts to roll his eyes as well, although it appears he's out of practice. "Well, what's your favorite then, hotshot? Don't tell me it's one of Colleen Hoover's."

"Hotshot? How very American of you." I tease. "Colleen Hoover is a fantastic writer, but you obviously wouldn't know any better."

"You're so presumptuous." His face lights up as if he knows something I don't. "Little do you know, I read almost every book she's written to you as you laid asleep."

A blush taints my cheeks and my eyes fall to the floor. I saw Twilight laying open in my bed when I had awoken, I didn't realize he was reading to me all that time.

I can't seem to come up with the right words before Jackson begins to speak again. "I've never been so sure about the rest of my life than I am in this moment. This girl, is the rest of my life."

My body stiffens and my throat closes as I stare into his diamond eyes.  My mind is left scrambling for any words, any at all.

"Colleen Hoover?" He says, looking over my sudden comatose with a sense of confusion. "Point of Retreat?"

"Oh, of course!" I mutter.

I feel so stupid.

"You were quoting her book. Yes-"  The words come tumbling from my mouth as I attempt to cover my stupidity. "Yes of course, I knew that."

His eyes roam my face trying to suss out my sudden idiocy so I quickly recover.

"There are too many to choose from." I attempt the same out he did but Jack raises a brow challenging my answer.  I roll my eyes, succumbing to his prodding. "Pride and Prejudice."

"Called it." He plays, awarding me a smug smile.

"You did not!"  I feel the embarrassment start to fade and a lighthearted argument begin to brew. "You thought it would be a newer novel."

"No." He asserts. "I specifically knew you'd choose that one."

"Why? Because I've mentioned it before?" I suddenly remember the fact that it's quite possible we've already had this exact conversation.

"No, because it's the most worn book on your shelf." He shrugs, clearly proud of himself. "You've also got two copies, one here at the office and one at your apartment. Not to mention, it just makes sense."

"How does it make sense?" I cross my arms and eagerly wait to retort his argument.

"Elizabeth Bennet was an independent-minded, strong, captivating woman who took shit from no one.  Reminds me of someone I know." Jack hints, brows raised pointedly.

"Thank you." I mumble and clear my throat, slightly embarrassed from the way I wasn't ready to back down.

"Oh, I didn't mean you." He teases and I raise my arm to smack him on the shoulder. 

My palm is in mid-air but just before I've reached my target his reflexes react, snatching my wrist. His warm fingers wrap around it gently, before pulling me closer until I'm pressed tightly against his hard chest. 

Warmth radiates off him, seeping through my thin floral dress and flowing under my skin. It's as if the very rays of the sun were pressing against my exposed bust. If I stayed this close for much longer I'd surely begin to perspire.

The thoughts of keeping him at an arm's length are quickly forgotten as the electricity from our touch shoots through my veins. My heart begins thumping loudly in my chest as if it's begging for escape and I know he must feel it since we're pressed so tightly together.

How is this possible? One touch, one very innocent, insignificant touch, and I'm completely intoxicated. Reality distorts and my mind is no longer my own as if Jackson is my personal brand of heroin. 

My eyes drop to his soft lush lips and I find myself drawn forward as if they were softly whispering my name, beckoning me to collide with them. My tongue slides along my bottom lip, attempting to quench the thirst that's taken over.

I hesitate, frozen in his grip yet warmed but the sudden need that's overwhelmed me.

"Jack-" I whisper but my words stick in my throat. I glance up into his haunted diamond eyes and he quickly releases his hold.

We both take a step back, attempting to regain control of our breathing. 

"So the pile of manuscripts on your desk is what has to get done." Jack says, before clearing his throat and quickly attempting to change the subject. "I'm sure Alisa has added her stack of horrors as well."

"I should get started." My voice comes out as a squeak as I turn to walk towards the door.  Embarrassment shrouds the earlier moment between us before I've even had time to think about what happened.  Before I turn the knob, I pause and take a deep breath. "Thank you."

I look over my shoulder briefly, hoping he understands my thank you means so much more than just for the tour.  I watch him give a curt nod before I quickly step to my own office.

I shut the door behind me and lean my head roughly against it attempting to grasp what the hell almost just happened.

Get a grip, Maggie.