Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Red Eye.

Chapter Six: Reckless Love

The next day Jackson is in his bed staring up at the ceiling. He hadn't slept a wink, because all he could do was think about Lisa. The kiss they had shared was all consuming and had only caused him to desire more from her. It was the opposite of what should have happened. He was supposed to end their relationship, not spur it on. Instead, he was had scheduled to meet her for lunch, at the restaurant within her hotel.

"Damn it," Jackson admonishes himself. Why whenever he was around her his plans suddenly begins to fall apart. Swinging his feet to the cold floor he heads to the bathroom to take a shower. Stripping his clothes along the way and carelessly throwing them to the floor. This was so unlike him to be so reckless, but since last night he had begun to embrace his more uncontrolled self. Standing beneath the streaming warm waters of the shower he hopes to alleviate his feelings about Lisa. That was until his cell phone rings. He quickly hops out of the shower to answer the call just before it goes to voicemail.

"Hello," He answers breathlessly from the slight jog.

"Hi Jackson, Did I catch you at a bad time?" Jackson despite his desire to forget about her, found himself pleased that it was Lisa.

"Not at all. I was just taking a shower," Listening he could have sworn that she sucked in a sharp breath. Was she lusting after him as much as he was for her? He smirks to himself at the thought.

"Oh…" Lisa replies, before adding, "I was just checking to see if we were still on for lunch today."

"Of course, unless you had a changed in plans," Jackson says.

"No…I just wanted to ensure that you didn't forget about me."

"I would never forget you. Especially after that amazing kiss you gave me."

Lisa giggles nervously before she replies, "It must have been the wine. I usually do not make the first move."

"I am glad that you did," Jackson says. A short period of impregnated silence falls upon them. So much more could've been said between them, but they settled for quiet. Then Lisa ineptly utters how she is looking forward to seeing him and says goodbye. After their call had ended Jackson stares at the phone. He is still dripping wet from the shower. He adjusts the towel that he had tied around his waist and notices how aroused he has become. His mind is flooded with thoughts of Lisa and all the things he would like to do to her. His lust for her has always been present, but now it was becoming an incapacitating hobby of his to fantasize about her.

He was already sleep deprived and now he was sexually frustrated. In his hurry to grab the phone he had simply hopped out of the shower, not bothering to turn the water off. Thinking about Lisa and the steamy shower that awaited him he decided to head back into the shower. Perhaps a little hand and soap action would ease his need for her. However, he doubted that anything would lessen Lisa's impact on him, but it was worth a try.

Lisa was excited about her lunch date with Jackson. She was sitting in her office just imagining what they were going to talk about. He was beyond anyone who she had ever dated. He puzzled her in ways that made him too intriguing for her to brush off. He was somewhat guarded, his piercing eyes haunted and seemed to see through her soul. Oddly, he felt familiar to her, he seemed to know her inner thoughts and habits. His eyes studied her, and his words seduced her to want to tell he things that she dared not say to anyone else. She sighs thinking about how intense Jackson was at times. Lisa could feel that something wasn't quite right about him, her internal warnings sounded off every time he was near. Yet she found herself not giving a good damn. She wanted this…she wanted him.

She was so over playing it safe. She had cocooned herself in her own personal prison. She closes her eyes as she recalls the event that had caused her to shut herself off from the world. After her attack, Lisa had shunned any resembles of an intimate relationship, even with those closest to her. Yet, Jackson had sparked an ember of yearning deep within her that was slowly growing into a raging fire. She found herself needing connection, she wanted his touch. Lisa sensually begins to rub the nape of her neck, as her thoughts began entangled with daydreams regarding Jackson. Though, she loved thinking about all the wonderful things that could be between her and Jackson; she had work to do. Putting aside her imaginary play, she begins to focus on work. She smiles to herself, soon she would be with him again. Perhaps her dreams would become a reality.

It was near noon when Jackson parked his car in the parking lot of hotel. He was cool on the surface, but inside he was a bundle of nerves. Jackson wanted to enjoy his time with Lisa, but something was wrong. He casually glances around the parking lot to check if anything or anyone is out of place. He has been slipping as of late, regarding his awareness of his surroundings. The thought of Sever lurking within the shadows popped into his mind unwillingly. Jackson sighs, thinking that perhaps he was becoming overly paranoid. Nonetheless, he could swear that he felt eyes on him.

If indeed Sever was present, he was observing his actions closely. Nevertheless, Jackson didn't feel a need to delay his date with Lisa due to his ill feelings. Sever already thinking that he was becoming personally invested in his target, a lunch date with Lisa wasn't going to change anything too dramatically. At least, that was Jackson was telling himself. He would deal with the consequences of his pursuit of Lisa later. Besides, he was fully confident that he could handle Sever. He was a nutcase and soon his focus would be diverted to another case, Jackson thought as he entered the hotel lobby.

He scanned the lobby for Lisa. Thanks to his surveillance of her he already knew where her office was, but it would be too strange for him to head there without first being prompted by someone of its location. Instead, like a normal person, he approached the front desk first.

A perky, but somewhat anxious redhead who greets him, "Hello, how may I help you?"

Jackson smiles at her, he looks at her nametag and addresses her by name, "Hello Cynthia," She blushes in response to his greeting, but he continues, "Jackson Rippner, I'm here to see Lisa Reisert."

"Oh?" The woman replies puzzled. "Oh! Yes, she mentioned that someone would be by to see her. I'll buzz her right away." Cynthia turns to make a call to Lisa. Jackson found himself genuinely smiling at the bumbling woman. She was so unsure of herself which Jackson found endearing, but he was puzzled by his assessment of Cynthia. When he sees the same trait in Lisa, he found it repulsive. Was it because that wasn't who he thought Lisa to be?

Lisa was more than was she seems to be, she had an inner strength that was hidden from most to see. One thing that he did know about Lisa was that she was hiding something from him. He could sense it, she only gave him glimpses of her life that she was comfortable with sharing. Jackson found himself wanting more, he found himself wanting it all. Every dirty dark secret that she kept hidden. He wanted her innermost provocative thoughts, he needed to know her fantasies. Only then did he believe that he could rid himself of her intoxicating presence within his life. Perhaps then he could let the case go and Lisa. Yet, something within him laughs at that notion, he wanted her because he simply did.

Then Cynthia turns around, with beaming smile. "Lisa will be out for you soon."

"Thank you," Jackson replies. Soon Lisa exits her office and approaches him. Jackson watches her intently, loving how the fabric of her dress swayed as she walked. Fuck, Jackson thought to himself. He was falling into that hole again where he only lived to be with Lisa. He instantly realizes that him coming to see her was only making his connection to her stronger. Who was he kidding? There was nothing professional about his pursuit of Lisa. If anything, he was being downright reckless. Sever was right he has been compromised.

"Jackson," Lisa greets as leans in to kiss him on his cheek. He accepts the kiss stiffly. She seemed slightly bothered by his lack of acceptance of her kiss, but if it was deeper than that she didn't let it be known. "Shall we?" She says as she points to the restaurant.

Jackson feeling slightly unhinged by the realization of Sever being right regarding Jackson's feelings toward Lisa; he no longer felt secure in eating in the open with her. The back-and-forth he was having with himself was insane. Never had he been so indecisive regarding what actions to take. The only changing factor in his life that could have contributed to this irrational behavior was Lisa.

"How about we go somewhere more private?" Jackson suggests. He wasn't sure if Lisa would go for it. She was a bit of a control freak, for reasons that Jackson wasn't quite privy to. Yet, he vowed that one day he would be. He fully expected for her to deny his request, but he was pleasantly surprised when she agrees. She started to run back to her office stating that she needed to retrieve her purse, but Jackson halted her. "Don't worry about it. I will take care of everything."

Lisa laughs and says, "What? That's nuts."

"Why?"

"I don't know what if you some sort of serial killer, my identification might be needed to identify my body," Lisa jokes and she is almost surprised by her own words. With her troubled past, how could she even joke about such morbid topic? Yet, wasn't that want Jackson brought out her something dark and twisted. Yes, she could feel herself giving into him. Something that she would hide from most but with him she could feel it surfacing to the top. What kind of man was he who could awaken such forbidden emotions within her?

Stepping close to her, Jackson is nearly chest-to-chest with her. Despite Cynthia's eyes being glued on them he leans in and whispers into her ear. His breath is minty-fresh and cool against her earlobe. She closes her eyes and breaths in his sexy scent. In a sultry tone, he says, "Trust me the last thing I would ever want to do is damage your amazing body. Besides, I am more of a kidnapper than a killer."

Lisa pulls back from him. Though the words should have scared her, instead she found herself longing to be snared within his trap. To be swept away and lost with him. Being with Jackson was a reawakening for her in many ways and for once she wanted to be free to explore all the promises of his seductive suggestions. Lisa turns to Cynthia and informs her that she would be taking an extended lunch. Cynthia nods in awe of this new version of Lisa, who was putting the responsibility of her job aside for a man. Jackson rests his hand on her lower back, sending a chill up her spine. He escorts her to the exit. As he opens the door, she had a nagging feeling that she was making a life-changing decision. She thought about not being with Jackson and the strange feeling passed.

Jackson smiles sweetly at her, as he holds the door open for her. "Do you trust me?" He asks.

Lisa tilts her head in consideration, before responding, "I think I am learning to."

"Well, you let me know when you are sure,"

"Don't worry I will," Lisa says as she leaves the hotel with Jackson. Wherever he was going to take her Lisa was sure of one thing. As long as Jackson was with her, she was sure to be in for an exciting time.