Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
“ N ose always buried in a book.”
I slid my engraved, spiderweb bookmark into place, then closed the cover and looked up. Coffin shaped hanging lights illuminated the side of Jax’s face, his familiar smirk on display as he slid a steaming London Fog Latte over the black stained wood toward me. I lifted the mug patterned with various sizes and shades of gray pumpkins to my nose, then inhaled deeply. Notes of bergamot, lavender, and vanilla soothed me as I breathed in the beverage’s fragrance.
“Took you long enough,” I sassed, then smiled.
“I tried my best to be here an hour ago, but my cousin moves slow as fuck in the morning.” Jax leaned down, then gripped my chin. His lips caressed mine as we said hello in the most intimate way a public setting allowed. I bit his lip playfully, and he growled.
A ghostly giggle sounded as the door sensor went off and we broke apart; a man with blond, wavy hair, olive-colored skin entered the coffee shop, then headed straight for my booth. He grinned and clapped Jax on the shoulder. His sky-blue eyes twinkled as he slid into the small, deep crushed velvet, rounded upholstered booth I sat in. I moved my braid to my other side before he could sit on it.
I raised a brow. “You must be Jax’s cousin.”
Jax sighed, then reached over and lifted my braid before sitting on my other side and placing it on his lap. The intimate and thoughtful gesture sent longing rushing through me. Jax smirked as he played with the tail of my braid.
“Yep, I’m Josh, Little Jaxi’s cousin.” Josh reached across me and ruffled Jax’s hair.
“Don’t call me that,” Jax growled.
I shot Josh a smile, then raised my latte. “Thanks for planting the idea,” I said and winked.
“Anything for a pretty girl.” He saw Jax’s expression and laughed. “Or my cousin’s girlfriend. Jaxi, you know she’s not my type.”
Jax and I hadn’t put a label on whatever we were now, so I ignored the comment. But my pride demanded I question the latter part of his statement. How could I not be his type? My beauty literally made me everyone’s type, I thought begrudgingly.
“What do you mean, not your type?”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, you’re gorgeous and whatever magic you’re packing is screaming for me to bend you over this table and-“
“Cousin, for fuck's sake. Watch how you fucking speak to Zellie. She’s mine!”
Josh laughed, then held up his hands. “What I meant to say was that I’m into brunettes.”
Jax reached behind me and smacked Josh on the back of the head. “Can you be fucking mature for once?”
“Me?” Josh said and pointed to his chest. “Never. Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Zellie, but I can see you two are on a date and I’m intruding.” He stood and bowed. “I bid you both adue.”
The door to the coffee shop closed. Then Jax sighed heavily. He nuzzled into my neck, then kissed his way to the sensitive spot between my neck and shoulder. His tongue made lazy circles as I tried to drink my London Fog, but failed as visions from our encounter in the forest flooded my mind.
“Ax,” I warned.
“Mmm?” He hummed against my neck.
“We’re in public,” I whispered. My fingers dove into his hair, then I pulled on the dark strands.
He lifted his head, his pupils blown wide with pure, carnal need. “Our location does not change how much I want you, pet.” Jax grabbed my hand under the table, then slid my palm over his throbbing length.
I bit my lip as I tried to hold back the moan building in my throat. It was such a turn on knowing how much he wanted me. I’ve finally admitted to myself that I am just as obsessed with him and he is with me, and I’m okay with that.
Through my peripheral vision, I watch a server slowly walk up to the table. She cleared her throat, then blushed as Jax turned his gaze on her. “Uh—hey, I’m Lucy. Can I get you a coffee or anything, Sir?”
Jax smirked, then rubbed his forefinger over his lips. “Absolutely. I’ll take a hot black coffee with two shots of espresso and a splash of cream.”
“Okay…” Her expression fell, and blotches of red appeared on her neck as well.
She walked away muttering far too loudly. “Holy shit. I can’t believe I said that.”
I turned my body toward Jax as he leaned his head back on the wall. His wavy locks complemented the black wallpaper. Large blooms of flowers in shades of pale pink and gray stretched throughout the dark expanse in the background.
“If you keep staring at me like that, you’ll find yourself kneeling beneath the table taking care of the cock you’re teasing.”
I smirked, then moved to slip beneath the table, but he stopped me and chuckled. “As much as I’d love to fill your pretty throat right now, I am trying to be a gentleman.”
I bit my lip, then folded my upper lip over my lower one to hide my grin.
“What time’s your next class?” I asked, then squeezed his erection through his jeans.
Jax lifted his wrist and looked at the time. “I’ve got an hour to kill. Shall we get out of here?”
I lowered my gaze to his lap and nodded. He stood abruptly, then curled a finger at me to follow him out of the booth.
“Wait, what about your coffee?”
“Fuck the coffee,” Jax stated. He tossed some cash on the table and smirked, then snatched my hand and headed for the exit.