Chapter 37
thirty-seven
I don’t think Jax realizes, but I can still hear him out in the hall, growling at his friend.
To be honest, I’m surprised he didn’t joke about me sleeping in his bedroom with him. Sure, I’m nervous about staying here and what this could mean. But based on the tone of his voice, he sounds… jealous.
It doesn’t mean anything. Jax is just trying to protect you, I chastise myself.
Sleeping down the hall is going to be torture. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stick to the rule we made. I mean, what am I gonna to do, booty text him from my room if I get horny?
Huh. Doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
Ending the call, he steps back into the room. “Sorry ‘bout that.”
“It’s fine. Dylan sounds… fun.”
Jax closes his eyes, rubbing his fingers across his forehead. “Right. I don’t think ‘fun’ is the word I’d go for,” he says, shaking his head. “More like a pain in my ass.”
I can’t help but laugh. The way he’s looking at me with his jaw clenched and his eyes slightly narrowed tells me Dylan’s flirting struck a nerve.
“So, what are your plans for today?” I ask as I walk around the room, admiring the detailed sketches pinned to the wall. “I need to head back to Summit later.”
“I’ve got appointments until six,” he says, checking his watch. “But I can drop you off and pick you up after.”
“I’m more than capable of driving myself.”
His expression darkens. “I’d rather you weren’t alone right now.”
“I won’t be. The studio will be full of people—contractors, staff. It’s probably the safest place I could be.”
He sighs. “Fine. But text me when you get there and when you leave. And if you see that SUV again—”
“I’ll text you,” I promise. “If it makes you feel any better, you can follow me.”
After checking on Summit, I decide to pay Lizzy a visit. I have something I’ve been thinking about doing, and I need her help.
I jog across the street, dodging a car as I make my way to the building located next to Skin & Ink Tattoo.
When I walk past the door to Bean & Co., the smell of fresh-roasted coffee beans and pastries fills the air when a customer opens the door, making my stomach rumble.
Maybe I’ll go grab something after I talk to Liz.
Taking the side entrance located in the alley, I climb the metal staircase that leads upstairs to the residential lofts. When I reach the door at the top, I knock.
“It’s open!” Lizzy calls out from inside.
Her apartment is exactly what I’d expect from someone like her—artistic chaos meets cozy minimalism. The high ceilings and exposed brick walls give it an industrial feel, while colorful tapestries and string lights add warmth to the space.
One half is clearly her living area, with a bed tucked against a brick wall surrounded by bookshelves, and a small sitting area with a worn leather couch. In the far corner, her pet iguana Slash’s habitat sits on top of a dresser.
The other half is a dedicated artist’s studio scattered with canvases in various states of completion, paint-splattered drop cloths, and an impressive array of supplies.
I find Lizzy sitting cross-legged on the hardwood floor surrounded by art supplies. Wearing paint-splattered overalls with a black tank top, her blue-tipped hair is piled messily on top of her head.
She looks up, sets down her paintbrush, and grins. “Hi.”
“Hey.” I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “No tattoo appointments today?”
“Nope.” She grabs a rag, wiping excess paint from her hands. “It’s my day off.”
I check out the painting she’s working on. It’s an abstract piece with swirls of deep blues and purples blending into fiery reds and oranges. It’s beautiful and chaotic, almost like looking into a fiery storm.
“This is amazing,” I say, stepping closer to get a better look.
“Thanks,” she says, tossing the rag aside. “It’s for the charity auction at the fair.”
Nervous about what I want to ask, I look around the room and toss out something else instead. “Is your brother staying here with you next weekend?”
“No, he usually stays next door when he visits. Ryder kept his old bachelor pad. Airbnb’s it sometimes.” Picking up her paintbrush, she side-eyes me as she dabs it in some blue paint. “Is that what you came over here for? To ask me about my brother?”
I shake my head. “I came to ask you a favor.”
She shoots me a look of concern. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine.” I take a deep breath.
She turns, eyeing me with suspicion as she scratches an itch on her chin with the end of the paintbrush. “What kind of favor?”
“Um...” I’m so nervous, my next words come out as a question as I bounce on my feet. “I want to get my nipples pierced?”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I mean, I hear it makes things... more sensitive.”
A wicked smile paints her lips. “So...” she says, tapping her paintbrush against her palm. “Why don’t you just have Jax do it? He’s much better at piercing than I am.”
I choke on a breath. “What? No way!”
“Why not?” She sets the brush down and crosses her arms. “He would seriously flip his shit.”
Her eyes light up with a mischievous glint. “It would be so hot, him piercing you and then...” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively. “…who knows what could happen next.”
Heat floods my cheeks as an unbidden image flashes through my mind: Jax’s hands on my bare skin, eyes darkening as he…
“Nope.” I bury my face in my hands. “I can’t even... No. Just no.”
Lizzy giggles. “Your face is almost as red as your hair right now.”
“I just... I want you to do it,” I manage, regaining my composure. “Besides, Jax and I have this whole friends-with-benefits thing going on, and I’m trying to keep some boundaries.”
“Boundaries,” she deadpans. “Like how you’re staying at his place?”
I narrow my eyes. “How did you know about that?”
“I saw him earlier.” She tilts her head at me, narrowing her eyes. “But seriously, have Jax do it. Piercing is just not my thing, babes.”
“Really?” I have a hard time hiding my disappointment. “You sure you won’t do it?”
Lizzy shakes her head. “Trust me, you want Jax. He’s got a steadier hand, and he’s done way more piercings than I have.” She stands, taking off her paint spattered apron. “I know for a fact he’d absolutely love to do it for you.”
I bite my lip, skin heating when I think about all the ways that scenario could play out. “Fine. I’ll ask him.”
“Good,” she smirks. “I’m need some coffee so I can finish this. Wanna come with?”
“Sure. It just so happens that was going to be my next stop.”
We head downstairs and get in line.
“So how’s it going? Staying at Jax’s?” Lizzy asks. “Break in any of his furniture yet?”
I elbow her ribs, making her laugh. “Fucks sake, Liz.” We inch forward in line. “I just moved in this morning.”
Just as I focus in on the menu, a familiar voice whispers in my ear.
“Hello there, roomy.”
My stomach does a little flip, and I look over my shoulder. Jax is looking hot as hell in a tight, white T-shirt and jeans. Hair in mohawk mode, his dimple is on full display.
“I thought you had appointments all day,” I say, trying to ignore how my pulse immediately kicks into overdrive.
“Cancellation,” he explains, eyeing Lizzy. “What sort of trouble are you two getting up to?”
“Girl talk,” she answers with a wink that makes me want to strangle her. “I was just telling Sasha about a certain service you provide. One she expressed interest in.”
My face heats up instantly. “Liz!”
“What?” She shrugs innocently. “I’ll go grab us a table.” Before I can stop her, she saunters off, leaving me alone with Jax.
“And what service would that be?” he asks, arching an inquisitive brow.
“Nothing,” I sigh. “I’ll… tell you later.”
The line moves, and it’s our turn to order. After getting our coffees and a couple of pastries, we join Lizzy at a small corner table.
She smirks at me as she takes her cup. “Well, now that I’ve got what I came for, I should get back. That painting isn’t going to finish itself,” she announces, standing abruptly. “You two enjoy your coffee.”
With a not-so-subtle wink, she grabs her cup and heads for the door.
Feeling more awkward by the second, I pick at my food while Jax sips his coffee, watching me over the rim with those freaking intense brown eyes of his.
“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” he asks, setting his cup down. “You look like you’re ready to jump out of your skin.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. I’ve been thinking about this for weeks, but now that I’m here in the moment, my mouth has gone completely dry.
Maybe I should just forget about the whole thing? Nope. I can do this.
Taking a deep breath, I decide to have a little fun to help ease my nerves. See what kind of reaction I can get out of him.
Maintaining eye contact, I lean in, lowering my voice into a sultry whisper. “I want you to pierce my nipples.”
The way Jax’s eyes widen is almost comical. His sharp inhale causes his coffee to go down the wrong pipe and he coughs violently, face turning red.
“You…” Cough. “…want me to...” Hack. “…what?” he finally sputters out, voice hoarse.
“I said…” I repeat, unable to keep the grin off my face as I watch him struggle to compose himself. “…I want you to pierce my nipples.”
The change in his expression is immediate and electrifying as the playfulness in the air between us evaporates, replaced by something much more intense.
His eyes darken, pupils dilating as his gaze drops to my chest for a beat before snapping up to my mouth, scoping out its target like a sniper going in for the kill.
“When?” he asks, dropping his voice an octave.
I shrug, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible despite the butterflies rioting in my stomach. “Soon. I don’t want to lose my nerve.”
He nods slowly, keeping his gaze locked with mine. “Come over to Skin & Ink after work. We’ll do it after we close. Just you and me.”
The way he says “just you and me” sends a glorious shiver down my spine.
“Okay.” The word comes out all breathy, and I have to clear my throat.
Jax takes another sip of his coffee, trying and failing to hide the twitch of his lips. “Any particular reason you want to do this?” he asks, his casual tone laced with heated curiosity.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” I admit. “Heard it... enhances sensitivity.”
His lips quirk up at the corners. “It does. For most people anyway.” He leans in close, mirroring my earlier position. “Are you sure you want me to do it though? Lizzy could—”
“No,” I interrupt. My cheeks heat up. “I mean, I want you to do it. Lizzy said you’re better at it than she is.”
“Did she now?” he murmurs.
“Yup,” I state, popping the ‘p’.
He leans back in his chair, assessing me for a moment before he stands, giving me a slow, shit-eating grin. “Okay, then. I’ll see you...” He boops me on the nose. “...at six.”