Chapter 27
Istand in front of the full-length mirror, brushing my hair and taming the waves that frame my face. I don’t know where the past few days went, but it feels surreal to be standing here getting ready to go back to work. After everything that has happened recently, it feels like a lifetime ago since I last worked and, while I’m excited to see everyone, I’m also weirdly anxious.
Over the past couple of days, I’ve found some semblance of a routine while living here with Jax and spending almost every minute with him—or underneath him—as his back healed slowly. I smile, thinking of how easily I could get used to this life with him.
Ryan made himself scarce since our breakfast together, apparently taking over Jax’s role in the business while he was out of commission, and while I won’t ever admit it to him, I find myself missing his witty commentary.
I haven’t been back to my apartment since the day I snuck out for that walk, so Jax took it upon himself to buy me some new clothes, a silent invitation to stay here for as long as I want. I put the brush down looking myself up and down in the mirror. I’m wearing an elegant black dress that leaves very little to the imagination, the clingy fabric hugging onto every one of my curves. My eyes glance upwards to my face, and I take a moment to notice how truly content I look now. My eyes are bright and my skin is rosy, and I feel well and truly cared for under Jax’s watchful eye.
I take one last look before rubbing my hands nervously on my dress, wiping away the clamminess that threatens to show just how anxious I am about returning to work. And while a huge part of me is excited to get back to my old routine, a little piece of me is worried about falling into old habits.
I repeat the words Jax reminded me of earlier, remembering my promise to him and to myself to not stray off the path I’m currently on. I take a deep breath before walking out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, and into the living room.
Jax looks up and desire flashes across his face when he sees me.
“You are absolutely magnificent, love,” he says, his words dripping with need.
“Keep looking at me like that, Jax, and I’ll miss my first day back at work.” I wink at him, keeping myself just out of reach of his touch, knowing exactly how his hands will unravel my willpower the second they touch my skin.
“As your boss’s boss, I’m sure I could waive the rules about showing up to work on time.” He gives me a devilish smile.
“I’m tempted to tell you just how hard it is for me to decline that offer, but I wouldn’t want to be responsible for inflating your ego,” I say to him jokingly, before continuing in a more serious tone. “I’ve been away for too long already, and it’s only a matter of time before people start asking questions. I need this, Jax, to dip my toes back into the real world, and to exist outside of these walls, regardless of how much I love it here.”
I smile as Jax stands, walking towards me slowly.
“Alright, love, but don’t think for a second I won’t be the one ripping you out of this dress the second I get you home tonight.”
I giggle and lean up to give him a kiss, balancing on my tip toes to reach him despite the height of my heels.
Our lips brush against each other as his hand moves to the back of my neck, pulling me in impossibly close.
He comes up for air, our lips parting slightly. “You sure you don’t want to give up this whole work thing?”
“I don’t think I’m the housewife type quite yet, despite how tempting it is right now.” I smile.
Jax groans in response, kissing me again before taking my hand and leading me outside to where his motorcycle is waiting for us. I put on the helmet he hands me and cautiously straddle the bike behind him, trying not to let my dress ride up too high as I clutch onto his waist. I lean against his back as he pulls out of his driveway and towards the city below us.