Chapter Sixteen
Estelle
We emerged from the bathroom, dressed, with my hair still damp around my shoulders, and the smell of delicious homemade food filling the mansion. Jax couldn’t possibly know how to cook, could he?
I followed the smell to the kitchen, navigating past endless rooms, until I found the older woman stirring a massive pan at the stove.
That made more sense than believing Jax was really cooking.
He stood nearby, changed into loose pants and a simple tank top that gave me a wonderful view of his broad shoulders and tattooed biceps. His hair was still dark and damp, and his eyes found me immediately.
He crossed the room, his hand settling heavily on my lower back as he guided me to the table.
“Sit,” he commanded, pulling out my chair with one hand while the other went to my shoulder, then slowly slid down my arm before letting go. The touch sent crazy, unwanted fire through me.
I busied myself with gawking at the quality of everything in his kitchen. The plates looked like actual china, and the silverware was heavy and clearly expensive.
Leo made himself comfortable at a smaller table nearby that was just as fancy, but had children-sized seats and cutlery where Avery was already seated.
“Cute table, huh?” Jax grinned, setting a plate in front of each of the kids. “Bet they’re hungry.”
It was a cute table. I don’t think anyone would have expected Jax to spend so much of his time and home taking care of others, especially children. I certainly didn’t.
Leo nodded enthusiastically, looking up at me and smiling, like he knew we didn’t have to worry about rationing dinner tonight. “It smells really good.”
My heart swelled. He was genuinely enjoying himself and was getting such good food.
“Wait till you taste it,” Avery cheered, hastily sipping a juice box. “Elsie makes the best food ever!”
I looked over at the woman again, watching her with what I hoped were unsuspecting eyes. She was short and kind-looking, maybe in her late sixties, with short silver hair.
“Elsie helped raise Jovie and me when we were young.”
My eyes shot to Jax, who settled beside me, his thigh pressing against mine under the table as he studied my expression.
“She was our mom of sorts. Our biological one was never in the picture. I’m sure you know of my father’s… womanly pursuits.”
Jax didn’t look sad in the slightest as he said it, instead watching Elsie with gentle eyes as his hand found mine on my lap, stroking my knuckles lightly.
I resisted the urge to pull my hand back, instead turning to face him more fully. The warm chandelier lighting only made him look more golden, more beautiful.
“His pursuits. You mean yours, too?”
I don’t know what came over me, but Jax talking about other women himself made my skin prickle. My heart raced in my chest, fearing whatever his answer may be.
“Princess.”
He tipped my chin up with his finger, amusement dancing in his eyes. My stomach fluttered like an idiot.
“My past pursuits. All of that ended the moment I saw you.” His words sounded so sincere, but it was the contents of them that were shocking.
I couldn’t believe that he was claiming I’d tamed the notorious Easten playboy without even trying . That was impossible.
“I don’t think so.”
It was the only thing that came out of my mouth, and I immediately slapped a hand over it. Here I was sitting at his dining table, eating his food, and accusing him of something that shouldn’t have even been in my head.
He narrowed his eyes at me, his hand sliding from my knuckles on my lap to my thigh itself, over my dress.
My mouth dried—this was his response?
"You don't think so?" His voice dropped. "Want me to prove it?”
I opened my mouth to say something—anything, but I just stared at him in disbelief, aware of the grip he had on my thigh.
"How exactly would you do that?" I managed, my voice quiet.
His smile was slow, predatory. "By showing you exactly how you've ruined me for anyone else. But that would require getting you alone. "
Heat flooded my cheeks and definitely my panties. The way he looked at me, like I was something he wanted to devour, was dizzying.
Elsie, thank god, came over and placed heavy plates in front of us, striking up conversation about the kids, which I was very grateful for.
The food was, as promised, incredible. Rich and flavorful, and couldn’t possibly compare to the usual food we survived on. Leo’s shyness was forgotten as he chatted with Avery about their swimming adventures and the toys they'd looked at earlier.
“This is delicious,” I murmured, taking a sip of the wine Jax had poured for me. It was smooth and complex, probably more expensive than anything I’d tasted before. “Thank you.”
“Our pleasure, princess.” His hand found my thigh again beneath the table, squeezing gently. “I like feeding you. Only you.”
Everything coming from those lips only made his earlier words more believable, and my heart was beating dangerously for this man.
"Only me?" I couldn't help but ask, needing to know.
"Only you," he confirmed, his thumb tracing patterns against the fabric of my dress. "You're the only woman I want to take care of. The only one I want in my home, at my table, in my bed."
I choked on my wine, and he had the audacity to smirk.
"Too much?" he asked, though his eyes told me he wasn't sorry at all.
"A little," I rasped, but my body was betraying me, responding to his words.
"I'll tone it down.” But his hand moved higher on my thigh as he glanced at the kids. "For now."
Dinner passed in a haze of good food and surprisingly easy conversation.
Jax had a way of drawing Leo out, asking him questions that had Leo chattering away like he'd known Jax his whole life.
And Avery, for all her boundless energy, was attentive, making sure he was included in every topic and joke.
Elsie moved quietly around the kitchen, cleaning up as we ate, occasionally adding a comment or correction to Jax's stories.
There was an easy familiarity between them, a warmth that spoke of years of shared history.
It was another side of Jax I hadn't expected—this respect for a woman who had been a constant in his life, a woman who wasn’t of aristocratic blood, like me.
By the time we finished dessert, a simple but perfect vanilla ice cream that Elsie had made that morning, Leo was yawning openly, his eyes heavy from a day of school, swimming, and excitement.
“I think it's time we headed home,” I observed. “It's getting late, and Leo has his bedtime.”
“I'm not tired,” Leo protested, even as another yawn overtook him .
Jax laughed, warm and affectionate. “Tell you what, champ. You can rest in my car while we drive home. I’ll turn on the heated seats, you’ll be nice and toasty.”
I opened my mouth to refuse. We’d already imposed enough. That, and being with him any longer, was going to ruin my heart and panties forever.
But… the thought of navigating public transportation with an exhausted five-year-old at this hour made his offer suddenly very tempting.
“Thank you,” I sighed, reluctantly finding myself relieved by how Jax seemed to solve our every problem. And cause them, too.
“Can I come too?” Avery asked, perking up despite her own obvious fatigue. “I want to see Leo's house!”
A flash of panic surged through me at the thought of Avery seeing our tiny, shabby apartment. The contrast between her world and mine would be horrifying for her.
“Not tonight, princess,” Jax soothed, saving me from disaster. “It's getting late, and Mommy will pick you up soon. But maybe another time, okay?”
Avery pouted but didn't argue, her own exhaustion clearly catching up with her. “Okay. But Leo has to come back soon. We didn't even watch a movie in the movie theater!”
“Next time,” Jax promised, his eyes finding mine with a question in them, as if asking if there would be a next time.
I didn't answer, busying myself with helping Leo gather his things and thanking Elsie for the meal. The goodbyes were quick, Avery hugging Leo with sleepy enthusiasm, extracting a promise from him to bring his dinosaur book to school on Monday. The very same one Jax got run over delivering.
The drive back to our apartment was quiet, and Leo fell asleep as soon as the car started moving. I sat in the passenger seat, watching the neighborhoods change as we drove.
The warmth of the heated leather seeped through my clothing, warming my bottom in a strange way. This was what rich people liked? Butt-warmers?
The mansions soon gave way to more modest homes, then to apartment buildings, and finally to our neighborhood's familiar, run-down streets.
Jax navigated the unfamiliar surprisingly well, the Bentley drawing curious glances from the few people still out at this hour. He pulled up in front of our building, the luxury car looking absurdly out of place against the backdrop of graffiti flickering street lights.
“Thank you for today,” I said softly, unbuckling my seatbelt. “Leo had a wonderful time.”
“So did Avery,” Jax replied, his voice equally soft. His hand found mine in the darkness, fingers intertwining with my own. “And so did I.”
My heart pounded and I glanced back at Leo, still sound asleep in the back seat. “I should get him inside.”
“Let me help.” Jax was already opening his door, sliding out of the car smoothly. “He's out cold.”
He opened the back door, carefully unbuckling Leo and lifting him into his arms. Leo didn't even stir, his head lolling against Jax's shoulder, completely trusting in sleep.
Everything inside of me immediately melted. He was too good at fixing every problem, at making both our lives so much easier.
I led the way to our building, aware of how shabby it must look to him again. But if he was judging, he didn't show it, his expression neutral as he followed me into the entry.