28. Helen
Chapter 28
Helen
“Well, holding hands coming out of the diner probably wasn’t our smartest move.” I sighed as I pressed an ice pack to Jax’s eye, making him wince. “Sorry.”
“Are you apologising for the pain or the hand holding?”
“Both. But, God, we’re going to be the talk of the town now.”
Jax sighed, running his finger along my jaw. “Oh, I’m sure we can give them lots more to talk about, beautiful.”
I couldn’t help my giggle, but then my fears popped up again and my eyes dropped. “Are you going to hurt me? Is Conner right? Am I just setting myself up for heartbreak?”
His hand moved to the nape of my neck, lifting my face so I had to look at him as I lowered the ice pack so I could see him properly, glad that Conner was never good at fighting and Jax's bruising was minimal.
“I promised you that I wouldn’t let anything hurt you ever again. And that included me. I’m obsessed with you. I want to be with you. Conner will come round and get used to the idea of us. And in the meantime, we don’t have to hide what we have, because I want to tell the world about us.”
My head fell to his shoulder as his arms wrapped around me. “And you’re ready for the flack you’re going to get… because everyone will want to know what a man like you is doing with someone like me.”
His hand skimmed up and down my spine, and I could almost hear the smile in his voice as he replied, “And I will tell them that I’m having the time of my life with the most wonderful woman.”
I stepped out of work the next day, exhausted after a fitful night’s sleep. I’d not heard from Conner again, although Cal had called, telling me he’d heard the news even though he was away with work, and he was happy for us.
Working in the basement was better than being alone in the penthouse, but the lack of daylight down there had left me disorientated and I stood outside the building, soaking up the Vitamin D from the low winter sun.
I must have picked a premium time to leave work as the street was busy and some of the team had followed me outside, chatting amongst themselves. Just then, a loud siren made me jump as a fire engine pulled up outside the building, its lights flashing.
I looked around for an emergency, but I couldn’t see anything obvious. The sound of a door opening and closing grabbed my attention and seconds later, Jax was stalking toward me, dressed in his uniform, helmet and all.
My eyes darted around, wondering if everyone was staring, but Jax’s gaze stayed locked on me, making my skin tingle and my nipples harden.
“Hey,” he murmured as he got close, taking off his helmet and holding it by his side.
“Is there a fire I should be worried about?”
“In my pants, maybe.”
I snorted out a laugh, which was very unladylike. “You’re the worst. Are you even allowed to turn on your lights and sirens if there isn’t a fire?”
He shrugged. “Tiny knocked the button. He’s new to all this. You have to give the boy a break.”
“Everyone’s looking, you know.”
“Oh, I know.”
Butterflies danced in my stomach.
“You ready to tell the world about us?”
I nodded, rolling my lips between my teeth to hide my ever-growing smile.
Jax wrapped one hand around my waist, his helmet pressing gently against the back of my thighs, while he cupped my face with the other one, bringing his lips to mine and kissing me so deeply that there would be no doubt to anyone watching what was going on between us.
I groaned into his mouth as his tongue stroked and twisted with mine, our lips moving in perfect harmony. My hands, which had been frozen by my sides from the shock of all this, lifted to his chest, fisting his jacket.
Cheers and whoops sounded out around us, reminding me that we had an audience. Pulling away, my cheeks blushed as my chest heaved and Jax leaned in. “And now everyone knows you’re mine, beautiful.”
He pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose and then sauntered sexily back to the fire engine as I turned to the people from work who were clapping and yelling my name.
“What? You’ve never seen two people kissing. Get out of here.” I laughed as I waved them off and made my way to my car, feeling like I was walking on air.