Carla’s chest tightened; she couldn’t breathe. In that single moment she understood it all; Jackson’s relentless guilt over his parents’ death; his dark, brooding nature; the drive in his work. His reluctance to have a relationship, even a temporary one. She understood why he’d tried so hard to resist it, and felt like a fool for pushing him.
“The accident wasn’t his fault,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Of course it wasn’t. But you’ll never convince him otherwise. Jackson feels he forced them into the vacation, and forced them to their deaths. He denied my father the opportunity to find a cure for MS for me, his daughter. And all because of his desire to be with Katherine.
“At the funeral, Jackson made a promise to my parents that he’d look after me and he’d find a cure for MS. He devotes practically every waking second to fulfilling the pledge.”
“Which leaves no time for anything else in his life.”
“Anything or anyone.” Amy sighed, a deep mournful sound coming from a place of true sorrow. “Jackson’s never explicitly said it, but I strongly believe he feels any time spent on a relationship is time away from the pledge he made to our parents.”
“But that’s crazy. I can’t believe your parents would ever think that.”
“Of course not,” Amy agreed. “But remember, the relationship began the chain of events that led to their accident. In Jackson’s mind, the only way to make up for that is by not having another relationship and instead spending all his time finding the cure.
“The sick irony on top of everything,” she concluded, “is Katherine left Jackson shortly after the accident. Turns out her ambition was intense, but not her loyalty. With Jackson grieving and driven to find the MS cure, he no longer had time for her, so she latched on to someone else who did.”
Carla was shocked. “She didn’t stand by him?”
“No. She wasn’t Jackson’s top priority anymore so
she moved on. Remember, it was always all about Katherine. If Jackson wasn’t going to help advance her career, she’d find someone who would.”
The selfishness was almost too much to comprehend. A sick swell of anger consumed her, causing her hands to shake. Yet she was grateful Amy had told her the story, because it helped explain a lot about Jackson.
Amy continued. “I think Jackson feels if he finds a cure for MS it will help to make up for what he perceives as his crime.”
“Crime? But he didn’t commit one.”
“I know that, and you know that. Someone has to convince Jackson.” She shrugged. “Still, he’s a man, and he’s no monk. A man has needs.”
Her frank talk was surprising, but refreshing. Amy wasn’t a blushing schoolgirl and she wanted to see her brother heal.
Carla looked at her, eyes narrowed. “Why are you telling me this? I’m only here for a month, and then you and Jackson will probably never see me again.”
Amy pressed her hands against the log and lifted herself from her seat. Carla stood as well and held out an arm to help her.
“I’ll be all right, Carla, but thank you.” “Of course.”
Amy turned to face her. “I’ll say one more thing before I leave. You asked a minute ago why I told you Jackson’s story since your time here is short. But the truth is, I don’t really believe that’s true. Do you?”
“Well, of course I…” But the assurance wouldn’t come. Carla hesitated. Of course she believed it was true. Success in this assignment would earn her the big promotion to vice president. And she wasn’t even thirty yet! She’d even have a leg up over her powerhouse siblings — none of them had ever worked internationally — not to mention her über-competitive parents.
Her mom talked about Carla’s career climb endlessly, her voice swelling with pride whenever the topic came up. This promotion ensured her corporate success, and the cherry on top was Paris. Just the thought of it conjured up sweet songs of French accordion music and walks along the Seine. She’d had this dream for years and no way was she giving up on it now. It was Paris, after all. What she really wanted.
“Yes,” Carla said firmly, able at last to speak the words. “I do believe it’s true. I’m really only here for a month. I’m going to Paris after this.”
“Paris? Hmm.” Amy mused. “Do you speak French?”
“Well, no, but—”
“Jackson does.” She said no more but turned away, back toward the compound, leaving Carla alone with that thought.
Jackson does. Well, yes, she knew that. But so what? It’s not as if she was going to Paris with him. And anyway, she’d be going nowhere at all if she didn’t get Rivard Research signed on as a client. That had to be priority one. Once that happened, Paris was a lock.
She watched Amy carefully make her way along the path, her last statement about Jackson speaking French knocking around her mind like pinballs in a machine. She had to admit, strolls along the Seine would be a whole lot better with him by her side. Her heartbeat stuttered as she envisioned him slipping his hand into hers and then drawing her toward him for a kiss, lights of the French city glittering in the background.
She turned toward the lab, deciding she needed to ditch that last bit ASAP. She’d focus on her fear assignment, getting Jackson to sign on as a client, and banish all craziness like thoughts of him accompanying her to Paris. In order to get there in the first place she needed to do her assignment and do it well. And in order for her to do that, all thoughts of Jackson being in Paris with her had to go away. Because, well, crazy ideas like that could put dreams in a girl’s head that were no good. No good at all.
***
The cobra bit down hard. Thick, deadly venom slid down the side of the glass collection vessel and pooled at the bottom. Half a minute later, the snake had released all she was going to from the bite, and Jackson gently steered her away from the vessel with a firm grip at the base of her head. Maintaining his hold on the cobra, he instructed Kelly to lift the snake’s body with her handling hook and together they quickly set her down inside the holding container. Carla could finally breathe again.
It was the last procedure of the day so she walked into the extraction room to collect the instruments for sterilization. Jackson was still there, giving instructions to Kelly.
“We’ll start tomorrow morning on the cobras we got from the zoo. I’ll see you here at eight.”
“Of course.” Kelly shot a glance over at Carla as she entered the room, then swung her gaze back to Jackson. “See you soon, Jackson,” she purred, slapping on a giant beauty pageant smile right at him. As she walked out of the room, she glanced over her shoulder at Carla, her pouty lips curling in a sneer.
Carla watched her go, ignoring her teenage mean- girl manners. Part of her pitied Kelly, part of her wanted to smack her. She did her best to ignore the latter impulse, which was easy enough to do once she approached Jackson
“Bonjour, ma chère.” His gaze flicked down and then lingered on Carla’s bare legs. “You’d better not wear that skirt again if you’re going to watch me extract.”
“Oh?” A flush of warmth eased through her blood like a lazy river. “And why not?”
“Too dangerous.” He cast a quick glance around to ensure they were alone. “You distract me from my work. I need to have a hundred percent focus when I collect venom.” He pulled her into his arms and bent forward, nibbling on her ear lobe then down along her neck. “I could get bit otherwise,” he said, his voice low and smooth as whisky. “You wouldn’t want that, would you?”
His hot breath and kisses sent tingles dancing along her spine. She leaned into him as her eyes drifted shut.
“Of course not,” she whispered. “Why should the snakes have all the fun?”
“Naughty girl.” He chuckled against her skin. “That doesn’t sound like something a strategic corporate executive should be saying.”
“Well…” His lips brushing her skin made her want to purr like a cat. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Definitely am. In fact, I should be rewarded for putting up with your unprofessional behavior.” He slid the tip of his tongue inside her ear.
“And what…ooh.” She struggled to think. “What did you have in mind?”
“I’m thinking along the lines of an integrated solution.” His hand slid down her front and slipped beneath the waistband of her skirt. “Like fucking you silly.”
“In that case,” she reached between their bodies until she felt the rising mound in his pants, “let me help you leverage your assets.”
“Oh, fuck, Carla.” Jackson groaned as she caressed his cock through his jeans. She started thinking they were going to need that library again when the click of the door froze them in place.