20. Mia
Chapter twenty
Mia
M ia's eyes fluttered open, the unfamiliar surroundings of Jax's Chicago loft apartment greeting her. She stretched in the comfortable bed, smirking at the masculine décor—exposed brick walls and dark wood furnishings.
They had arrived here late last night, after a lot of celebrating with the others at The Den. Jax and his brothers had taken a while to find safe places for the women they had rescued to go to. Most of them had been checked into a private facility to help them come to terms with what had happened to them, along with a program to help them come off the prescription medication they’d been forced into taking. The facility was in a large old house on beautiful grounds, and kind of like a luxury spa, apparently.
Jax had asked Mia if she had wanted to attend the facility too, but she had declined. So, after a night of drinking and high-fiving, she and Jax had come back to her Daddy’s apartment. It was the first time she’d been here, and she’d had barely had any time to look around the place yet.
"Jax?" she called out, pushing back the plush duvet as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
"Here," his voice echoed from the hallway.
Following the sound, Mia found herself standing in the doorway of Jax's office. The room was dimly lit, a soft glow from multiple computer screens casting shadows on Jax's face as he sat at his desk, completely engrossed in his work.
"Hey," she said, leaning against the doorframe. "Whatcha working on, Daddy?"
"Just a sec," he replied, his fingers flying the keyboard.
For a moment, as Mia looked at Jax, she worried that he was back to struggling with his screen addiction. Would she always come second place to technology? Her thoughts raced as she contemplated the implications for their relationship.
Mia's heart skipped a beat as she watched Jax, his face bathed in the eerie glow of multiple computer screens, fingers flying over the keyboard. Anxiety knotted her stomach; was he slipping back into his old ways, consumed by the digital realm? She knew all too well how his screen addiction had cost him precious time with his family and even contributed to his sister's disappearance. But now, Jax was supposed to be different.
"Jax?" Her voice trembled, betraying her concern. "Are you okay?"
He paused mid-tap, his head turning slowly to meet her gaze. A smile spread across his lips, reaching his hazel eyes, which sparkled with mischief. "I'm better than okay, little one. I have a surprise for you."
Her pulse quickened at his cryptic words, curiosity mingling with hope that whatever occupied his attention was for their benefit, not another obsession threatening to tear them apart. She took a deep breath, her green eyes searching his face for clues, but found none.
"Come closer," Jax beckoned, his voice low and inviting.
As Mia crossed the room, she couldn't help but wonder what lay in store for them. She knew they both carried heavy burdens from their pasts, but she also believed in the strength of their love, their bond. Together, they could overcome anything – even the relentless pull of technology on Jax's psyche. At least, that's what she hoped.
"Here," Jax patted his lap, a playful grin on his face. "Have a seat on my lap."
Mia hesitated for a moment, then obliged, her body sinking into his warmth and strength as he wrapped an arm around her waist. She felt the steady thrum of his heart against her back, a reassuring reminder of their connection.
"Remember that old bookstore in Bloomington?" Jax asked, his breath tickling her ear. "The one we hid in when we were on the run?"
Mia's eyes widened as memories of that harrowing time resurfaced – the fear, the adrenaline, but also the stolen moments of solace they found amongst dusty, forgotten tomes. "Yeah," she whispered, shivering at the recollection. "What about it?"
Jax's grip on her tightened slightly, as if to protect her from the shadows of the past. "Well," he began, his voice low and conspiratorial, "I bought it."
"You what?" Mia turned her head, her green eyes searching his face for any trace of deception. But all she saw there was sincerity and excitement.
"It's yours now," Jax continued, his hazel eyes alight with anticipation. "To restore and run, if you want it. I remember you saying once how you longed for a quiet life, surrounded by books."
For a moment, Mia was speechless, her mind struggling to process the enormity of the gesture. Then it hit her – the possibilities, the dreams she'd buried deep within herself, suddenly brought to life. A laugh bubbled up from her chest, rich and full of delight, as she envisioned the two of them building a sanctuary between the pages of countless stories.
"Are you serious?" she asked, her voice thick with emotion. "You really did this for me?"
"Of course," Jax replied, his eyes never leaving hers. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Mia. You're my world."
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as the weight of his words settled on her heart. In that moment, she knew with absolute certainty that Jax was offering her not just a bookstore, but a new beginning – a chance to reshape their lives and build a future free from the ghosts that haunted them.
"Thank you," she whispered, reaching up to brush a stray tear from her cheek. "I can't even begin to tell you what this means to me."
"Then let me show you," Jax murmured, his fingers tracing circles on her hip as he leaned in for a tender kiss, sealing their shared dream with the promise of all that lay ahead.
Jax's eyes sparkled as he opened up something on his computer, the excitement in his movements contagious. "I've been working on something," he confessed, opening up Photoshop and turning the screen towards Mia.
Her breath caught as she took in the digital drawing displayed before her. It was a stunning depiction of their future bookstore – the very one they'd hidden in during their time on the run. The design was clean and inviting, with warm lighting and cozy nooks for readers to lose themselves in. But what truly captured her attention was the logo: an artistic rendering of her Shere Khan tattoo, fierce and regal, a symbol of both her past and the new beginning unfolding before her. Beneath it read: “Tiger Tiger Books.”
"Jax, this . . . it's amazing," she breathed, her fingers brushing over the image on the screen. "You did all this?"
A proud smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I did. But it's just a starting point. If you want something completely different, we can sell the place and find another one that suits your vision better."
Mia shook her head, her heart swelling with love and gratitude for the man who had gone to such lengths to make her dreams come true. "No, this is perfect," she assured him, her voice thick with emotion. "I wouldn't change a thing."
"Really?" Jax asked, his eyes searching hers for any hint of doubt.
"Really," she confirmed, meeting his gaze with unwavering certainty. "This is everything I've ever wanted, Jax. A quiet life, surrounded by books and the man I love. You've given me a dream come true."
The relief that washed over his face was palpable, his shoulders sagging as he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I just want you to be happy, Mia," he murmured, pulling her closer for a lingering kiss. "That's all that matters to me."
"Then I'm the happiest woman in the world," she whispered against his lips.
The warmth of Jax's embrace enveloped Mia, casting a glow over the digital blueprint for their future together. She hugged him tight, her heart swelling with gratitude and love.
"Jax," she murmured, pulling back to look into his eyes. "You've made so many sacrifices for me already, and now this . . . I can't tell you how much it means."
"Hey," he said gently, cupping her face in his hands. "I told you, it's not a sacrifice. It's about putting our future first, and that includes letting go of my need for revenge. Chloe would want us to be happy, too."
Mia saw the sincerity etched on his features, and the weight of his decision brought tears to her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, kissing him tenderly. "I love you so much. I can’t believe I found someone like you.”
His cheeks flushed as he looked away, but the smile he couldn't hide betrayed just how much her words meant to him.
"Speaking of our future . . ." Mia began hesitantly, biting her lip. "Are you sure that a life running a bookstore is what you truly want? You're a brilliant hacker, Jax. I don't want to hold you back from your passions."
Jax's hazel eyes met hers, filled with resolve. "Mia, I promise you, I'm all in. The time we spent hiding in that bookstore, away from screens and technology . . . I've never felt more alive. I want that life with you if you'll have it."
Her heart raced at his unwavering certainty, and she knew without a doubt that they were stepping onto the right path. Together, they would build a life full of love, passion, and endless possibilities. And for the first time in her life, Mia embraced her own vulnerability, trusting Jax completely.
"Then let's do it," she said, determination glinting in her eyes. "Let's create our own story, and fill the pages with love, laughter, and adventure."
"Sounds like a plan," Jax agreed, his voice husky with emotion. "Together, we'll write the most beautiful chapters of our lives." Jax's hazel eyes locked onto Mia's, sincerity radiating from his gaze. "I mean it, Mia. Those days without technology were some of the best I've had. Hell, I'll turn off this computer right now if that's what it takes to prove my commitment." With a decisive click, the screens went dark, casting the room in shadows.
Mia's heart swelled at his gesture, the weight of her earlier concerns dissolving. Gone was the man consumed by screens; instead, she saw a partner willing to embrace their shared dream of a simpler life.
“See?” he said. “I don’t care about screens anymore.”
"Then what do you care about?" she asked, her voice a mischievous purr.
Jax's lips curled into a predatory grin. "Why don't you come into the bedroom with me, and I'll show you?"
As he stood up from his chair, Mia couldn't help but admire the way the dim light played against the contours of his muscular form. She felt a shiver of anticipation race down her spine, pooling heat between her thighs.
"Lead the way, Daddy," she replied, her voice barely more than a sultry whisper.
Jax extended his hand to her, his fingers intertwining with hers as he guided her towards the bedroom. His touch sent electric tingles racing across her skin, each nerve awakening with heightened sensitivity.
As they stepped into the darkness of the bedroom, the door clicking shut behind them, Mia knew that whatever awaited her would be more than worth leaving the world of screens behind. Together, they would explore uncharted realms of pleasure, passion, and love—writing their own story, one steamy moment at a time.