Jackie Draws A Straight: The Journey Series Book 5 Read online

  "You're glad?"

  "He wouldn't be who he is if he had a different past."

  Penny looked pensive for a moment, blue eyes scanning Jackie's face. "That's right. You're right. I hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I hate Laurel a little less."

  Jackie laughed and they were enjoying their moment of connection as Pete walked up to escort them to the dinner.

  Now, on the morning of the wedding, Jackie smiled fondly at the memory. Yes, Penny would be a friend along the way.

  Consuelo treated Jackie as if it was just another day as she made her way into the kitchen. "Mornin' Connie."

  "Buenos días, niña." She offered breakfast, but Jackie was too nervous to eat. Coffee smelled good, though, so she helped herself to a cup. As she sipped, she stared out the large windows overlooking the backyard. Flowers were beginning to bloom and there was color everywhere. She spoke to Consuelo almost absently.

  "Am I doing the right thing?"

  The older woman's voice was soft as she responded to Jackie in Spanish. "It depends on why you're doing it."

  Why was she doing it? She wanted to sleep with Pete. There was that. She wanted to have a home and family all her own. That was true too. And, it had become undeniable that as she discovered more about Pete, through the marriage counseling, working with him, and meeting his family, she was deeply in love with him. She'd been on the verge of telling him the last time he kissed her, but it was such a huge revelation. If his response was embarrassment or discomfort, or worst of all, pity, Jackie thought she'd curl up and die. As much as she wanted him to declare that he loved her, too, she was more willing to go into the marriage doubting that he did than to find out for sure that it was all about sex or possession or something equally short-lived. If he didn't love her now, she'd make him love her over time. She would.

  "I love him, Connie."

  "Love does not conquer all, niña. Even though that is what romance tells us."

  The answer was so unexpected that Jackie turned quickly, sloshing hot coffee on her fingers. "Ouch!"

  "Don't be careless, Jackie. Not with hot coffee or with your heart."

  She locked gazes with the woman she loved like a mother and nodded slowly. "Yes, ma'am. I think he cares for me, too."

  "He has not told you?"

  "I haven't told him either."

  Consuelo sighed and started wiping down the counters. "So young. Be honest with him and yourself. Don't let pride get in the way of your happiness."

  Jackie reckoned it was good advice, but it was a lot harder to put in practice. "I'll try."

  "Have you had sex with him?"

  "Connie!" Her face flamed at the whole idea of talking sex over with Connie. They hadn't discussed anything like that since Jackie had bled for the first time and Connie had warned her to be chaste or risk getting pregnant.

  Consuelo shrugged in her enigmatic way. "Do you need to talk about it?"

  "No!" There was nothing that Connie could tell her that she hadn't already heard about from the girls at college. "I think I know how it works."

  "You might know the mechanics, niña, but there's more to it than that."

  "I'll figure it out. Pete will teach me."

  Connie's gaze met Jackie's. "He's a good man. I think he will take care of you."

  "Yes, ma'am, he will. I know he will. I'll take care of him, too."

  A smile stole over the older woman's lined face. "I know." She dried her hands on a towel. "Shall we go for a walk before you have to get ready for the wedding?"

  Fresh air seemed like a perfect idea and Jackie put down her coffee cup. "Yeah. I'd like that. I'm strung tighter than a clothesline on a windy day."

  "Ace said Ripley was particularly fond of apples. Shall we bring some to her?"

  It was a lovely, mundane, so-not-a-wedding-day occupation. Time out of the house was just what Jackie needed.

  * * *

  Pete had a few words with Father Roskovy and then took his place at the altar and stared out at all the people sitting in the pews. His family was there, some old family friends, and new neighbors from nearby. He was entering a new phase in his life and was doing it very, very publicly. He hoped he could live up to the responsibility. It was going to be a challenge in so many ways, but Jackie was worth it. Pete had admitted to himself that he needed what she provided. She was bright, vivacious, fun, and gave him something to look forward to after working hard all day. Being an MD was a worthwhile and rewarding career, but you did see a lot of people who were unhappy and frustrated. It could bring you down, make you miserable right along with them. Jackie was the balance he needed in his life.

  He loved everything she brought to their relationship. He loved her. It had gotten to the point, while they went through the steps needed to get to this place, that he didn't think he'd be a happy man living without her. Pete had intended to tell her. He'd thought of doing it a thousand times, but he was waiting for exactly the right moment. The time never seemed right. His need for the perfect moment had complicated things too much. But maybe it wasn't something she would want to hear. Maybe her motivations for this wedding were entirely different than his. It was impossible to tell. Sex was part of it; of that he was certain. But, in reality, if she'd only wanted to get laid, she'd have done it long before Pete came along. There was more to it. Jackie's reactions to him over the course of the past few weeks told him that she cared about him. They were friends and finding more in common with each passing day.

  The organ music changed abruptly and the bridesmaids started walking in. They were two local women whom Jackie had gone to high school with. They'd been giggly and flirtatious to Pete during the rehearsal and he could see Jackie getting irritated by it, but the situation had been diffused by Pete's brother James who turned the women's attention on himself easily. In some ways, Pete envied James his charm with women, but at that moment, in the minutes and seconds before he was going to tie himself to Jackie inextricably, he didn't envy James one bit.

  Jackie's sister Queenie started down the aisle. Dressed in a form-fitting gown of champagne colored lace and satin, she was very much a Journey beauty. Pete had enjoyed meeting her and her husband Will and knew they'd be good companions for social occasions. Their twins were adorable, too, and Jackie had already volunteered herself and Pete to do babysitting duty.

  Queenie gave him a reassuring smile as she took her place across the altar from him and his best man, his brother Case. Case nudged him and winked and, nervous though he was, Pete gave him a smile.

  Then all heads turned to see Jackie and her father standing at the end of the aisle. A phantom sound like jet airplanes roared in his ears. He knew what the physiology was and tried to calm himself with mental gymnastics about blood pressure and stress. It didn't work, though. Butterflies twisted through his stomach and his hands grew cold.

  Leo, proud as a papa could be, strolled with stately grace with his daughter on his arm. He looked like the ultimate well-dressed and groomed Texan for this event.

  Jackie's face was obscured by the veil she wore, but she carried herself straight and steady with her daddy. Pete smiled at her and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring nod.

  A minute later, Leo placed Jackie's hand from his arm into Pete's hand, and it was at that moment that Pete knew peace. The butterflies flew away, his brain cleared up and his focus returned. This was the place he needed to be with the person he needed to be with. It was the right thing to do. He couldn't have imagined any moment more perfect.

  The ceremony was long, but Pete hardly noticed. He was sincere when he vowed to love, honor and cherish, and believed he saw sincerity when Jackie vowed to love, honor and obey. "Obey" brought a smile to his face, and made her eyes twinkle. That was going to be a tall order.

  A few minutes later, Father Roskovy introduced him and Jackie as Dr. and Mrs. Peter Kaminsky, and Pete felt a surge of triumph. She was his. His forever. They'd be a partnership and a melding of lives until they grew old and could be toget
her no more.

  Guests clapped as Pete hurried Jackie back up the aisle, her hand in his.

  * * *

  The reception was a bit raucous, but Journey family gatherings could be that way. There was plenty of food and an open bar, and both families and guests partied with gusto.

  Jackie watched it happening almost as though she was looking in from the outside. Her brain was focused on only one thing: her wedding night. Making love with Pete had been the instigating event leading to this incredible day, and soon she'd do it. It was all part of being a married woman.

  Married! The fulfillment of a dream. She'd found someone she could rely upon, who wanted the things she could provide, who wasn't going to expect her to be something she wasn't. They'd agreed that once they started having children Jackie would stay at home with them. Pete had grown up with that kind of nurturance and so had Jackie, through the loving attention of Consuelo. They both wanted to raise their children that way. Fortunately, Pete was a good provider though a country practice wasn't nearly as lucrative as a practice in the city would have been. Nonetheless, they had the option, unlike so many couples.

  Jackie wanted to hold off on having children for a little while, though. She hoped she and Pete would have time to explore each other and settle into a rhythm together. There would be so many things to work out. What did he like for breakfast, for example? Did he like his socks balled up or folded? Would they fight over the comics section of the Sunday paper? Tiny details that they'd discover with a little time. Details that made them comfortable together.

  There would be compromises, Jackie knew. And she'd have to learn some self-discipline or he'd be taking her wayward ways out on her butt, but even that was welcome. He'd do it because he cared and, like Ace and Gabby, they'd find the things that gave their marriage topography – highs and lows that made it interesting.

  Pete sang in her ear as they danced a last slow dance together at the reception. It was growing late and his warm mouth nuzzling her ear was making her twisty inside. At the end of the song, he took her hand and guided her toward the door.

  "Oh no you don't! Y'all can't run out like that!" It was Queenie, smiling from ear-to-ear. She held out her arms for a big hug and Jackie embraced her sister enthusiastically. As they hugged, Queenie slipped something into Jackie's hand. "Think about it," she whispered.

  Jackie looked at the square item in her hand, a condom. Her eyes shot to Queenie's and they shared a moment of understanding. Everyone in the family knew that Queenie had been pregnant when she married Will. They'd had their twins and never really had a chance to grow into their marriage together. They were fine; it had worked out, but it could have been a bumpy road.

  "Father Roskovy says-" Jackie began, her voice soft.

  "Father Roskovy isn't in your bedroom at night, Jackie."

  Jackie stared at the packet, finally nodding. Queenie was right, though it didn't escape Jackie that Father Roskovy wasn't the ultimate authority. She had to think about it, and, of course, Pete had to agree.

  "Thanks, Q."

  "De nada." They stepped apart and Queenie moved to give Pete a peck on the cheek. "Y'all don't do anything I wouldn't do. Twice."

  Laughing, Jackie and Pete snuck out and drove to Pete's house, both lost in their own thoughts for the trip.

  Once at home – their home, Jackie realized with joy – Pete took her hand and paused outside in the yard. He looked up and the sky and pulled her into his arms with her back to his front.

  "I see the little dipper," he whispered into her hair.

  He smelled so good and his arms were hard and tight around her, comforting and secure. "Where?"

  Pete pointed and Jackie looked. "I see." They swayed together, Pete humming, his deep voice resonating in her ear like distant thunder on a hot summer night. The stars were so bright out here away from Sonora. There were billions dotting the black sky. The moon was a crescent, casting a dim glow on the trees and chairs in the yard.

  The moment was precious, and though she was afraid of spoiling it, she needed to say the words that had been on the tip of her tongue for days. "Pete…"

  "Mm-hmm."

  She turned in his arms and cupped his face in her hands, looking up into his eyes, eyes that gazed with good humor and sincerity at her. "Pete, I love you."

  It took him a moment, a long, long moment though it must have been only a few seconds. Jackie's heart did several flip-flops and her stomach clenched. Relief washed over her when he smiled. "Thank you, babe. I love you, too."

  "You do?"

  He nodded. "Don't sound so surprised. It's not hard to love you."

  "I…I'm…" She stuttered, unable to make coherent thoughts come out.

  Pete put two fingers on her lips, then rubbed them over the smooth flesh there. He lowered his head and tenderly kissed her.

  Jackie felt his love. She realized that she'd been experiencing it for a while and hadn't recognized it. It made her feel like laughing, crying, shouting her joy to the world. But they were alone in the yard, and that was perfect.

  Their tongues dueled gently for a little while, but Pete broke the kiss and, with a grin handed her his keys and picked her up in his arms.

  "Hey! What are you doing?"

  "Geez, you're a tiny thing," he said.

  Somehow, it was okay to be petite with Pete. It didn't make her feel inadequate, it made her feel precious. "Put me down!"

  He started toward the door. "Gotta carry my new wife over the threshold, Mrs. Kaminsky."

  "Oh!" It tickled her that he would remember to be so old-fashioned. Once at the door, she fumbled with the key for a moment. As the door swung open, Pete carried her into the living room, kicking the door closed behind him with a thud. He gave her another searing kiss and Jackie felt her toes curl as he set her on her feet. She wanted him so badly. It was hard to be patient. She rubbed her belly against him and his erection called to her.

  Over the course of the past few weeks, Jackie had touched him there. She knew the shape of him in his pants, hard and soft. She'd skimmed her palms over the contours of his hard belly and sculpted chest though his shirt. This time, she was going to get to explore him in all the ways she'd imagined since their one aborted time together.

  "Are you ready?" He said softly.

  All she could do was nod. His gaze had her mesmerized.

  Pete took her hand and led her down the hallway to the master bedroom. It was much as it had been before, but the cover had been pulled down making an inviting nest. There was soft light from a bedside lamp, casting a glow on the gray and burgundy-striped sheets.

  Slowly, Pete undressed her, each item of clothing tossed on a single pile on the floor. As he did, his eyes traveled over her, making her blush. He'd seen her like this before, but this was so different. It wasn't illicit or stolen. This was the kind of experience Jackie had been waiting for. A delicious thrill coursed down her body as his hand caressed the bare skin he revealed.

  "Get in the bed," he told her.

  Smiling, eager as could be, she climbed into the bed, sitting with her back to the brass headboard. Jackie watched him as he undressed, and it was a lot faster than the way he'd removed her clothes. His eagerness stirred even more in her, and her lower body churned liquid heat that began to pool between her legs.

  "Hurry," she whispered, licking her lips.

  He smiled and shucked his pants, revealing the erection she'd felt only moments ago. He was ready for her, and oh boy was she ready for him.

  "God, Pete," she moaned, reaching out her hands to encourage him.

  Leaning over the bed, he took her hands and crawled up over her, guiding her down flat on her back. As he held her hands at either side of her head, he kissed her deeply, devouring her lips before moving on to her jaw and then her throat. As he released her hands and slid down her body, he said, "Keep your hands up there, babe. If you touch me now, I'm going to explode."

  Disappointment prickled her. She wanted to touch him! "But-"
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br />   "I promise, there will be plenty of time for you to touch me. Trust me." Before she could answer, he cupped her breasts and began teasing her nipples with his tongue. Right, left, right, left, alternating but changing the tempo as he did. Soon Jackie was writhing under him and moaning.

  His thick hardness pressed against her thigh, and she had to actively resist putting her hands on his broad shoulders. She wasn't thinking, she was feeling, her hips trying to arch against him, her legs falling open as he pressed his body between them.

  He encourage her to bend her knees and open her legs further as he pressed his lips and teased her with his tongue all down her abdomen. Pete tickled the place just above her lightly furred mound and she groaned. That pressure, an orgasm, was building again. There was wetness on her pussy.

  Pete licked her at the top of her slit and she couldn't help it anymore, she grabbed at his head and pulled at his hair. She knew what was coming. The whole idea had made her burn with desire as she anticipated this kind of coming together in her lonely bed. At the same time, it was embarrassing to be so exposed, to have him so close to her, his face in her most personal place. But he was her husband, she reminded herself. They were meant to share these things.

  He grabbed her wrists and encouraged her to let go of his hair. "Hands down," he reminded her.

  "O-okay," she said, her voice unsteady. "Hurry."

  Whatever he said was lost in her muff as he tenderly opened her folds with his fingers and applied his tongue to the wet flesh he revealed. He hummed against her, the sound full of pleasure, and although she blushed, Jackie felt triumphant that she could make her husband want her.

  He licked for a few moments, until Jackie thought she'd go crazy with longing, and then his tongue found her clit and all the light bulbs in the house should have exploded in a rain of shards. The sensation was electric, jolting her with 1000 volts. She cried out as the orgasm hit her, pressing her hips up, keeping his tongue, then his teeth, in contact with her swollen nub.

  "Oh! Oh God!"