We share a few kisses, a lot of touches, some jokes, but we stay away from serious topics until he asks about my reoccurring dream.

"Have I been talking in my sleep?" I ask concerned.

"No, you sort of twist and turn.  Oh and you sweat a lot."  He emphasizes the sweat and my face turns red.

"I'm sorry." I say as I cover my face in embarrassment.

"Don't be." He snatches my hands from my face and lowers them.  "I usually just pull you closer to me and you end up calming down."

I smile at his silhouette and his hand continues stroking my hair.

"I have this reoccurring dream.  It's not every night, or at least I don't think it's every night because some nights I don't remember my dreams."  I roll on my side with my head still on his chest so I can look at his handsome face.

"I'm a child, probably kindergarten.  I'm on the playground in the sandbox building a sandcastle but my sandcastle just won't stay up.  But then I realize, I'm missing water as an ingredient." Jackson starts laughing and my head shakes on his chest, which causes me to laugh with him.

"So that's it love?  Your reoccurring dream is building a sandcastle, aye?"  He laughs and my head trembles again from the vibrations in his belly.

"Well, no." I say as I cringe, not wanting to rehash the rest. "That's just how it starts."

Jack becomes serious and his fingers comb through my hair as he listens intently.  I roll on my back and stare at the ceiling again.  Then I take a deep breath, I'm willingly taking myself back to my nightmare, for him.

"Take your time baby." He whispers as he continues playing with my hair, his touch soothes and comforts me like a warm blanket.

"I've never actually told anyone this before." I admit.

"I'm waiting in line for the drinking fountain to fill my bucket with water.  Then I hear someone calling my name, it's my father." I say as I turn my head to look at Jackson.  "He's looking for me, it was the last day I ever saw him.  I try to run to him but I can't get there fast enough, the sand slows me down and I keep falling." I take another deep breath and close my eyes remembering the dream.

"When I finally reach the fence, he can't hear me for a long time.  I scream and pull at the fence, I try to climb it but I'm too small.  Then he finally turns to me, he has me tie my shoes, to distract me I suspect.  By the time I'm done, he's gone.  In the dream, I just keep telling myself he'll be back if I'm a good girl, and good girls don't cry."

"I'm sorry baby." Jackson says as he cradles me into his lap. 

I look into his eyes, "Every night I've slept here I've lost you." I whisper and he looks confused.

"What love?  You're not making sense." He says with a pained look in his diamond eyes.

"Every night I've slept here, my father has been replaced with you.  But it's different, more painful.  Maybe I'm used to losing my father, but I don't ever want to lose you.  In these nightmares I still struggle to reach you, but I'm grown.  I scream at the top of my lungs and try to tear the fence down but when you turn, I know instantly I've lost you.  You give me a sad smile and just walk away."

His eyes look like they're a little glazed over and he kisses my temple then pulls me in for a hug.  We lay for a while in each others comfortable embrace and sleep seems to come easily despite rehashing my nightmare. 

I WAKE UP to a strange muted sound coming from the living room.  Before opening my eyes, I feel around the silk sheets for Jackson's body but come up empty.

"Jack?" I whisper as I gradually open my eyes. 

It doesn't take long to realize I'm alone in this California king. I focus my ears, listening carefully to the sounds echoing from the living room and recognize the television.  Unable to fully open my eyes, I grab his alarm clock and pull it close enough to notice it's only two in the morning. 

I wrap the silk sheet around my naked body and tiptoe across the cold wood floor to the living room.  Jackson's face is faintly lit up from the glow of the television as he leans carefully forward in his seat to hear every word.   As I approach, I hear the short tune play out as they're announcing breaking news but I've walked into the middle of a story. "-living a lie.  Tune in after the break as we expose the latest on this shocking publicity stunt."

Jack glances up from his black leather recliner and powers down the TV with his remote before the newswoman can finish. The room has grown dark with only the glow of city lights shining through his floor to ceiling windows leaving my eyes to adjust to the faintest silhouette of his body.

"Hey," I say casually as I try to study his face in the dark.

Beads of sweat glisten in the moonlight and I realize he's wearing nothing other than the thin black boxer-briefs as he stands up from the loveseat and slowly walks towards me.  He halts only a few inches away so he's able to see me in my entirety and I notice his diamond eyes are brimming with dark shadows making him look exhausted. 

"Can't sleep?" I whisper, my brows are pulled together and concern is clear in my voice.

Jackson doesn't utter a single word.  Like a chiseled statue of a Greek God, his body stills before me as he lifts his hands to cup my face and his thumb gently caresses my cheek.  I close my eyes and lean into his soft touch, inhaling the crisp scent of mint.  His worn eyes examine my face which is lit up by the city skyline beaming through the open windows.

My chest rises and falls in anticipation as his nimble fingers graze my collarbone, tempting my goosebumps to rise.  His fingers gently remove my hands that are gripping the silk sheet around me and it falls to the floor.

I resist the urge to cover myself when the cold wind from an open window grazes my naked skin. Instead, I stand naked and vulnerable with only the city lights glowing on my body as he drinks me in.  I want him to kiss me, to pull me closer, anything, but his gentle yet cautious touch warns me to move slow.

It's as if time has slowed for this moment between us, the world around us quiets and the feel of his hand slipping behind my waist prompts my full attention.  The space between us disappears before his lips join mine and the delicious mixture of metal and mint grace my tongue, my favorite flavor.  I'm left with longing as he pulls away to rest his forehead on mine and his fingers tangle themselves in my hair. He contemplates quietly, taking a deep breath before his diamond eyes gaze into mine. 

"I love you." Jackson faintly whispers.

My heart leaps out of my chest, my pulse quickens and every cell in my body is abruptly awakened. He brings his lips back to mine before I can utter a single word in response.

Out of all the times he's made love to me, this feels different.  My fingers lace through his chocolate hair and my pulse skyrockets from the way my heart flutters out of control. Despite my rapid breathing, Jackson keeps this torturous pace, savoring the taste and texture of my figure.  He drinks in every caress, every kiss, as if he's memorizing this moment because he knows it can't possibly last. 

Jack lifts me in the air without breaking our kiss and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist.  He carries me blindly to his giant window, the staple of his penthouse, then sets me down and presses me against the thick glass. 

My bare back presses tightly against the cold material and a chill runs down my spine causing my nipples to awaken.  I'd worry about people seeing us but since we're on the thirtieth floor, I'm confident no one will be looking up this high. We might as well be making love in the clouds. 

Jack lowers his mouth and the cold feel of his metal lip ring against my chest sends another chill through my body. A shudder runs through me and his breath hitches as his hands wander downward to begin caressing the silky folds between my legs.

My breathing is lawless, absolutely uncontrollable as I watch his skillful tongue caress my breasts. I bite my bottom lip in a useless attempt to steady my breathing, despite the fact that the sight drives him wild. Jack's eyes wander to my lips and I'm immediately aware he no longer has the strength to move at this torturous pace.

His large hand reaches behind my neck and brings my mouth crashing to his.  Our tongues do a synchronized dance as his hand reaches between my legs and he finds me warm and ready as he preps me with his nimble fingers. 

Jack lifts my leg is over his strong arm which causes his erection to press firmly against me. His need overpowers his patience and he wastes no time before thrusting inside me.  My head leans back in ecstasy and my back presses harder into the cold glass which dispenses goosebumps all over my body.

The initial relief from finally becoming one is short-lived as we both immediately crave more. One of his hands is firmly planted on the glass above my head the other tightly grips my ass as he thrusts hard into me again. I'm unable to stop myself from moaning as I begin to grind my hips back against him.

Jack's sweat lies in beads on his chest and my own mixes with his and causes me to slide on the once-solid glass. The window fogs around us as our intertwined bodies rub continuously against it.

I focus on the way he feels inside me and the heat building between my thighs as Jack takes my ear between his teeth.   I thread my fingers through his dark locks and begin tugging. The lovely sound of his unhitched breathing echos in my ears and I involuntarily arch my back as my muscles begin to tighten.

"I love you." He whispers for the second time tonight and I feel his hot breath on my neck.

I whimper in response to those three simple words which are all it takes to send me over the edge. With a final thrust we both completely lose control.  I gasp for air, attempting to manage my breathing as a tingling sensation rocks through me in waves.

We shakily slide to the floor Jack lays his head against my chest. We're silent as he listens to the rhythm of my heartbeat with his arm wrapped around me tight and I comb my fingers through his chocolate hair.   

Amidst our powerful lovemaking, Jackson told me he loved me.  I start to question if that's what he really said or if I made it up in my mind because I so desperately wanted to hear it. My mind spins in winding circles until I start to doze off and later feel Jack carrying me to bed.

WHEN I WAKE UP, I once again find myself alone.  I've been so used to waking up smothered in Jack's sweaty body, and after waking up alone the last couple times I actually miss it. 

I stretch and wrap myself in my trusty silk sheet which now I'm debating on just making into a dress since I wear it so often.  I walk to his dresser where I see a note laid out for me.

The note is simple, hurriedly written and isn't signed.   It's a simple fragmented sentence saying he went to work early and he'll see me there. I'm slightly disappointed I won't see him this morning after the night we spent together, but I understand he's busy with his new book.

I have a couple hours until I have to head into Red-wolf Publishing so I take my time getting ready.  I take a long hot shower, then spend an unusually long time styling my hair and applying makeup.  This time I line my eyes and darken the shadow and I feel great by the time I'm ready. 

I make Jack's bed and clean up clothes off the floor that Jackson seems to be determined to throw near the hamper as opposed to in it. I've lectured him on this annoying habit a few times, but his response is always, 'It's not fresh enough to hang up, but it's not dirty enough to wash.' I roll my eyes but smile as I toss the remaining clothes in the hamper.

Despite taking my time getting ready, I find I'm still going to be early if I leave now.  I decide to stop at a gas station for coffee and a muffin to eat up some of my time. 

I sing the entire way to the gas station and I'm in a fantastic mood after last night. He was so passionate and raw, I begin to wonder if it was our careless pillow talk that led him to realize he loves me. Was it just a sudden realization or had he known it for a while too afraid to say it out loud?

I grab a caramel coffee and take my time adding creamers and sugar and head to the counter to pay.  The newspapers are lined in a rack next to the door and I notice the front page has the picture of Jack and I with his parents.

"Can I add a newspaper to that please?" I ask the cashier and he adds fifty cents to my total.

The only picture I've had with Jackson is of us together with his parents from the last newspaper clipping. I'd love to take more but I'm so involved in our every second that I never manage to remember. On my way out, I grab the paper and just toss it on the passenger seat as I'm getting in my Hyundai. 

I arrive early as expected, grab the newspaper and my coffee and head through the giant glass doors into the office reception.  I smile and greet Georgia, she simply nods and offers a quick restrained smile. Odd. This is unusual for her but I honestly can't stand her anyway, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

I enter the elevator, smiling at the few people riding with me but no one grants me eye contact. I furrow my brow and sneakily check my breath in my palm, expecting coffee breath as the reason everyone is keeping their distance, but fresh mint wafts through my nose. I'm starting to feel self-conscious and wonder if maybe I went a little too heavy on the eye shadow this morning.  

I exit the elevator on the top floor and notice Alisa, who was originally talking to someone with her usual bright smile, glance at me and then down at the floor with a frown.

I start to worry something happened to Jack and all possible horrendous scenarios fly through my mind. He could have had an accident on the way to work, fell down the stairs, or possibly the elevator shaft. My chest tightens and my heart begins to pound until I see Jack way down the hall from me and I can breathe again.  I start to smile and I begin walking towards him when Nick bumps into me. 

"Maggie, you know then huh?"

What?

"What?" I ask as Jack turns around and locks eyes with me from across the hall.  His diamond eyes are rimmed with darkness like he hasn't slept in weeks.

Nick points to the newspaper I'm holding, "I wanted to tell you Maggie but Jack told everyone to stay quiet about it.  I was going to tell you that day I caught up to you before you left, but you looked so happy I- I chickened out and hoped he would come clean."

My hands start to shake as I slowly unfold the newspaper I'm carrying and I see it.

SCANDAL UNFOLDS- J. Porter's Fake Life Discovered

I drop my coffee in the confusion but instead of bending to clean up the mess, I find myself frozen looking over the black and white pages, absorbing it in quickly before tears completely cloud my eyes and I can't see. 

The article wastes no time labeling Jackson Porter a fraud. Alice and Robert confessed to being paid actors, originally intending to pose as a family until Alice became uncomfortable with the depth of Jackson's deception.

'It was supposed to be a simple acting gig, a luxurious Hollywood party in the hills with fabulous food and free champagne. What's the harm in a little publicity stunt? He never mentioned how far this fable would go.' Alice's quote hangs in my mind as I swallow the lump in my throat.

Those people who I ate with, who I embraced as family were actors and there I am cuddling up with a bunch of frauds on the front page of the paper.

'Mystery woman'

'Margaret Carpenter'

My eyes are clouded with tears, I attempt to blink them away so I can read what it has to say about my involvement. It's no use, the black and white pages blur together making the words completely illegible. Was what we had even real or was I simply part of his publicity stunt?

My mind stirs dizzily around the events of that night and every night that has followed. He lied to me, despite the fact that I distinctly warned him I don't tolerate liars and cheaters. I almost caught him in the act when I confronted him during dinner but he skillfully evaded capture with yet another lie, then he took my virginity.

"Everyone knew?" I desperately look to Nick and cling to his shoulder for balance as I feel my stable world begin to shake chaotically.

"Yes Maggie, everyone knew.   Anyone who didn't quickly found out when he went around the office bribing people to keep quiet." Nicks words sting worse than the article in the paper.

My eyes connect with his in a thick blend of desperation and embarrassment and he quickly pulls me into his arms before my legs give out.

A crowd has gathered around us and it feels as if a hundred eyes have been watching my life turn into a cruel joke. I imagine them snicker and laugh as they watch the stupid girl prance around the office with a snakes arm wrapped around her waist, my waist. I'm such a fool.

Jackson's sharp voice cuts through the crowd, but my heart drums so loud in my ears it's impossible to make out his words.   I feel his trembling hands cup my face and I look into his desperate eyes, but I don't recognize them. These aren't the beautiful diamond eyes I've been gazing into, they're the eyes of a vicious snake who's just shed his final skin. 

"Maggie!" He shouts at me.  "Maggie please, I didn't mean for it to go this far."

"You- You didn't mean for it to go this far? Was I part of your publicity stunt too?"

His once piercing eyes drop to the floor and his hands fall from my face.  I was.  From the start this was all to promote his book and win him a damn award.

"Alex had the idea to make me look more appealing and boost sales." He's unable to meet my eyes as he confesses.

"At first we were going to interview people for the job, find someone to hang around and pretend to be in a relationship for the cameras.  But you just fell right into my lap."  His voice cracks.  "I'm so sorry Mags."

My heart beats viciously out of my chest and no matter how hard I try, I'm struggling to catch my breath.  If feels as if I was just knocked on my ass and my perfect world turned upside down.

"You saw the news, you knew I was going to find out, but instead of coming clean-" My voice shakes but I grit my teeth and force myself to speak. "Last night when you said you loved me for the first time, it was just a last-ditch effort to sink your claws into me."

His silence is all the confirmation I need. My tears begin to dry as shock takes its hold and I'm no longer able to sense the crowd which is surely still surrounding us. All of my senses are consumed by Jackson in our final crossroad.

"So our entire relationship was a lie."  I whisper.

His tormented eyes meet mine now and his own are brimming in tears. "No, not all of it.  I fell in love with you."

"You love me?"I grit my teeth as the words turn to ash in my mouth. "What could you possibly know of love?"

My chest is tight with anger and the grief I felt has dissipated with his slick lies as if I'm rapidly flying through the seven stages of grief.

"I don't know you."  I growl and watch his tears start to fall before I turn and walk away.