Chapter 56
KAT
Spinning on the spot, I take in the double-height space and the large wooden staircase that leads to an upstairs balcony, overlooking the entrance hall. Behind the balustrades, I can make out a number of doors that lead off to other rooms.
Jax places a hand on my lower back, my body instantly sparking to life. It’s been too long since we were alone together. I really do love my family, but pussy-blocking they have down to a fine art.
“I’ll show you around,” Jax says, leading me towards one of the rooms to our left.
We enter what I can only assume is the main living room. It takes up one side of the house.
A large glass wall spans the length of the room, inviting the outside woodland in.
Comfortable seating is positioned to take in the wooded view. This is the place you would come to unwind.
“Jax, this is… breathtaking.”
I move to stand by the window, looking out into the expanse of trees. Two squirrels chase each other up and around one of the oak trees, leaping through the branches. On the ground, a tiny bird is burying itself in leaves, throwing them into the air.
I watch, unable to keep the smile from my face. I sense Jax’s eyes on me.
Turning my head, my chest constricts as I take him in. His eyes softening.
“Take a seat and enjoy the view. I’ll empty the car.”
I open my mouth, but Jax holds up a hand.
“No heavy lifting, doctor’s orders remember.”
I grunt my disapproval, but have learned there’s no point in arguing.
“I hate this,” I grumble after him, and watch as he fights a smile before turning to leave.
“Sometimes things are sent to make us slow down. This is yours,” he says, moving towards the door. “Now take a seat, and put your feet up.”
Jax leaves the room, and I sink down onto one of the sofas. I close my eyes and take in several deep breaths. When I open them, I take in the amazing view. Enjoying the solitude the trees offer, something rare for me.
My fingers encircle my necklace, toying with it.
I notice the weight building in my chest, the moment Jax is out of sight.
When did this happen?
I hear him in the hallway, taking the stairs.
My nerves fire, and the desire to follow him is almost overwhelming, so I force myself to remain seated.
Do as I’m told.
Ha.
The kiss has ignited something deep in my chest. I’ve missed him.
Two weeks in hospital and four weeks with Mum, we’ve not had a second alone, either one of my family or a member of staff has been present.
I put up some resistance to coming here.
I’d hate for my family to think they won.
But alone time with Jax is what I ordered, not only the doctor, but for very different reasons.
The door opens, and Jax reappears.
“That’s everything,” he says.
In his hand, he’s holding the enormous box of romance books, my brother Caleb bought for me. I’m still thinking of how to exact my revenge.
“Where would you like these?” Jax’s lips twitch.
I look around the room. In the corner by the far wall is an L-shaped sofa, perfect for reading.
Jax follows my eyes and smiles. “The perfect spot. Great lighting.”
“Designed for reading?” I ask, waggling my eyebrows.
As soon as Jax saw Caleb’s present, he started thumbing through them. Purely for research purposes, apparently.
“Everything has been designed for a purpose,” he says. “And yes, this corner is my favourite spot for chilling out and reading.”
He places the box down and moves towards me until he’s standing between my knees. He bends over, his hands resting on the back of the sofa, encasing me between his arms.
“What would you like for lunch?”
I lean back and stare up at him, running a hand down the front of his chest.
“What’s on the menu?” I say, biting my lip and raising an eyebrow.
He grins, his eyes sparkling.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Oh, much,” I tell him honestly. “Maybe not up for a full-blown run yet, but I’m sure we can think of some other form of exercise.”
Jax chuckles, although it turns into a deep inhale as my hand travels south, cupping his rapidly hardening cock through his jeans. Not the only one who’s missed this.
He bends his elbows and drops a kiss on my forehead.
“Food first,” he says.
“Party pooper,” I say, just as my stomach lets out an embarrassing grumble.
“Don’t want you passing out on me from lack of food. Your brothers would never forgive me. I’ve promised to look after you.”
“Depends on what we’re doing when I pass out? Certain games, I’m sure they’d rather not know about.” My brothers have sex with their partners, but I’m sure the thought of their sister and best friend… how delightful.
“Monopoly? Checkers? Cluedo?” Jax reels off.
I growl.
“It was Kat Frazer, in the living room with a box of romance books,” I say, smiling up at him sweetly.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he says, pushing back and standing up.
He holds out a hand.
I place mine in his, and he gently pulls me up.
“Let’s see what got delivered.”
We walk across the hallway hand-in-hand and enter another room. An open-plan kitchen. Once again, a wall of glass allows the outside in.
At one end sits another doorway. To the right, along the opposite wall from the window, is a wall of cabinets and high-end appliances, including a state-of-the-art coffee machine.
I walk over and run a finger over it, making Jax chuckle.
“Newly installed. I didn’t want you missing your coffee fix.”
“You’re spoiling me,” I say, my chest constricting, my core tingling.
Jax walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“I want you to relax while you’re here.”
Turning in his arms, I rest my hands on his shoulders.
“I’m already relaxed,” I admit. “I didn’t think it was possible. All this peace and quiet, but being here with you…”
Jax pulls me tighter against him.
“It scared me, seeing you like that. I thought I’d found you again, only to lose you.”
I drop my forehead to his chest.
“I terrified myself. I dreamed about you coming and rescuing me from the pain. I thought you were another hallucination when you and Pen showed up.”
Jax cups my chin and lifts my head.
“I’ll always come for you. You should know that by now. Thank God, Pen and Elijah had a set of keys.”
I reach up and press my mouth to his.
My stomach growls again, and I pull back.
“Sorry,” I say. “Living with Mum for four weeks, it appears my body has got used to regular mealtimes.”
“Your wish is my command,” he says, dropping a quick kiss on my lips. “Let’s see what we have.”
I turn and take in the rest of the room, as Jax heads to the enormous fridge.
In the centre of the room is a large island, in front of which and close to the window is a large sofa and an enormous table.
“You enjoy entertaining?” I ask.
“Maybe one day,” he says, following my gaze. “I’m never here long enough. I’ve tried to future-proof it.”
I walk around the kitchen as the fridge door pops open.
“What the?” Jax cusses under his breath.
I spin to face him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dad was supposed to have stocked up before we got here.”
I look over his shoulder. The fridge is empty apart from a few condiment jars.
“It’s okay, I’m sure there’s something.”
I move to the cupboards and open them. There is literally no food, not even a tin of soup.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be long,” Jax says. “I’ll pop to the supermarket, grab us some food and be back. In the meantime, make yourself at home. Maybe start on some of Caleb’s reading material,” he adds, with a wink.
“I could come with you,” I say.
Jax walks over and places his hands on my waist. “You’re here incognito, and it’s been a long day. Besides, I’ve much better ways to use up any excess energy you may have, and it’s certainly not walking around a supermarket.”
My tongue snakes out, moistening my lips.
He groans, his hands tightening on my waist, closing his eyes for a second before letting me go.
“I won’t be long,” he says, turning around, before doing a U-turn and pulling me in for a breath-stealing kiss.
When he lets me go, my knees go weak as he manoeuvres me to the sofa.
“I won’t be long.”
His eyes have darkened, and I can make out his erection through his jeans. He follows my gaze and readjusts himself.
“Later,” he says with promise.
Jax leaves before he, or I, can change his mind.
“I’m holding you to that,” I shout after him.
My body is screaming for release.
Forced abstinence. They say it adds spice. It adds a tear-your-clothes-off form of desperation in my mind.
I hear Jax’s car fire up, its throaty roar making me smile.
I leave the sofa and decide to make the most of my time by exploring.
The door at the far end of the kitchen leads to a fully equipped utility room and a downstairs bathroom. I make my way back into the hall, and an office sits beside the front door, and behind the stairs is the last room I expected.
Throwing open the door I walk inside, my eyes bulging as I take in the Steinway Grand Piano sitting in the centre of the room. A large comfortable seating area has been positioned to one-side, perfect for listening, while the windows themselves are framed by large, heavy curtains.
A nearby bookshelf holds folders and books of sheet music.
I approach and run my hand over the volumes. Many of which I recognise. Pieces I’ve played over the years.
Has Jaxson taken up the piano?
He used to love to watch me play. Said it helped him relax.
I move towards the Steinway, my piano of choice. Running my finger over the highly polished wood. My heart thunders in my chest.
It’s been so long.
I lost the passion for playing after Jax and I split. He had become my inspiration, my muse.
I lift the fallboard. The eighty-eight keys beneath are calling to me.
My stomach quivers. I should leave.
I find the middle C and press. The note hits the air, and a breath rushes from my lungs.
Pulling out the bench, I sit down, my heart pounding in my chest.
I place my fingers on the keys as I was taught during my first lesson and close my eyes.
My fingers move of their own accord. I’m stiff, but the notes and music come back to me, flooding my system.
I lose myself.
When I finally stop, I sense I’m no longer alone.
“Please, don’t stop on my account,” he says. “You play beautifully.”
An older man stands in the doorway, leaning against the frame.
“Thank you. That’s kind of you. I’m a little rusty. It’s been a long time since I last played.”
He smiles, and I instantly recognise him. They have the same smile.
“You’re Jax’s Dad.”
He moves towards me. “David,” he says, extending a hand. “It’s good to finally meet you, Kathryn.”
His hand encases mine.
“You know who I am?”
“I’ve heard a lot about you over the years. Jax told me you were coming to stay.”
I suddenly remember Jax mentioning his dad was due to stock the house with food.
“Do you live nearby?”
“Not far. I keep an eye on the place when Jax is away,” he says. He looks at the piano again. “Will you play something for me?”
“Of course, any requests?” I say, turning back to the beautiful piano and placing my hands back on the keys.