25. Jax
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
JAX
The following week, I drop Chloe off at Mischa’s house for the sleepover and race back home to get ready for my night with Kiley.
I shower and dress in a nice charcoal ribbed sweater with gray slacks.
I spray the cologne she told me she loves all over myself and add some texture putty to my hair.
Once I’m satisfied with how I look, I go back into the kitchen to prep dinner.
I picked up dinner from the Italian restaurant I saw her and Zander at, and I put the food into nicer ceramic cookware.
I cover them with tinfoil, pop them in the oven and hit the warming button to keep the food warm until she arrives.
I grab the flowers I bought from the corner flower stand and place them in a vase with fresh water.
I bring them over to the dining room table and put them in the middle of it.
I grab two small candles, light them and flank them on each side of the vase.
I dim the main lighting so that it’s not so bright and survey the room.
My smile fades as I realize how romantic it looks in here.
I’ve turned this into a date. Shit, this is not the mixed signal I should be giving her.
I run my hand through my hair and sigh. I walk over to the dining room table and am about to blow out the candles when I stop myself. Kiley doesn’t deserve to be treated as just a casual fling. She’s better than that. She deserves to be taken out on a date and made to feel special.
I can pretend that tonight is a date.
I can pretend that Kiley and I are dating.
I can pretend that my heart hasn’t been blown to pieces by two women I’ve loved before.
I can pretend… for one night.
I leave the candles as is and turn on a soothing, romantic dinner playlist that I found on my music app.
I go back into the kitchen, grab some glasses and make us a refreshing vodka soda, Kiley’s favorite drink.
I’m adding the slices of lime to the drinks when the doorbell rings.
I look at the oven clock and see she’s right on time.
I chuckle while I walk over to the door.
“Silly, you could’ve used your key,” I call out while I open the door, and the words die in my throat.
Standing on the other side of the door is a goddess.
Kiley’s long hair is down and styled in loose, beach waves.
Her makeup is heavier than usual, with smokey eyeshadow that makes her green eyes look like emeralds.
She’s wearing a long, caramel colored wool cashmere coat with strappy black heels, and her toes are painted red.
“I know I’m overdressed, but I had to play the part to convince my parents I was going out with the girls.” She walks in holding a small, black duffle bag and puts it down by the coat closet.
I lift my jaw from the floor and remind myself to close the door and lock it.
I walk in to find her staring at the dining room table.
Her gaze surveys the rest of the living room and kitchen until it lands back on me.
She looks me up and down, and I watch her throat bob from swallowing.
“You look really nice,” she says softly.
“Thanks. Can I take your coat?”
She nods and proceeds to unbutton it. I walk behind her, and once she starts to lift it off of her shoulders, I grab it from behind and slide it down her arms. I sharply inhale as I notice her naked shoulders, and my gaze trails down the fabric of the black dress.
She turns around and her floral perfume drifts into my nostrils, causing me to stifle the moan I want to release.
My ravenous gaze slides down her body that’s encased in a long, black dress with a halter top style neckline.
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter and gulp. “You look incredible.”
She blushes. “Thank you.”
I go to the closet by the door and hang up her coat, moving like I’m on autopilot. All I want to do is get that dress right off of her, and she’s only been here for two minutes. I shake my head, blaming the lack of sex. Snap out of it, Jax.
I clear my throat and smile at her. “Would you like a drink? I made your favorite.”
“I would love one.”
I pull out a seat for her at the island, and once she’s pushed in, I grab the drinks and the small charcuterie board I purchased and bring them over to her.
“Wow, this looks so nice,” she comments when I place everything in front of her. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I hold up my glass to hers and say, “Cheers to a kid-free evening.” She giggles, and we tap our glasses together before taking a sip.
“Tell me how your week was,” I demand, needing her to talk so I can concentrate on something and not stare at her like the horny teenager she makes me feel like I am.
“Week was chaotic, but that is how it typically goes during the week before break. Lots of papers to get through and grades have to be entered by Monday evening.” She grabs a grape off the board and pops it through those luscious lips of hers that I just want to suck on. “How was your week?”
I take a sip of my drink, needing to quench my dry throat.
“It’s been awesome. Still training every day, but I’ve been incorporating more physical therapy into the mix to help heal these aches and pains from the grind of the season.
Been prioritizing sleep, which has been helpful as well.
” I fidget with my glass before looking at her.
“The condo has been too quiet without you guys.”
She smiles. “Yeah, Zander is a loud one,” she laughs. “I’m sure it’s been nice to have the place back to yourselves for a consistent amount of time.”
It actually hasn’t been. I miss seeing her and Zander, but the words refuse to leave my mouth. “How is my little buddy?”
“He’s good. He’s been asking when we are coming back. It’s hard for a five-year-old to understand how long two and a half weeks is.”
“You guys should come to Canada. Take a vacation.”
“That’s kind of you to offer, but I don’t want to be a burden, plus I promised Keegan I would work the bar.”
“You’re never a burden. If anything, you’re a gift. I couldn’t have Chloe here if it wasn’t for you.”
Her cheeks get pink. “Well, the bar might not still be open if it wasn’t for you, so we’re even.”
“Somehow I think you and your dad would’ve figured out something without my help.” I get up from the island and walk over to the oven. “Are you hungry? I’ve got dinner in here staying warm.” I turn off the oven and glance at her over my shoulder.
She stands up and runs her hands down her dress to smooth it out. “I’m actually not hungry yet. Is that okay?”
I put down the oven mitts and turn to her.
“Of course it is. You just tell me when you’re ready.
” Our eyes lock, and for a moment, we just stare at each other.
I feel the air charge with our sexual tension.
I can’t help myself with her standing there, and I let my gaze travel down her body once more, imagining all the things I’m going to do to her tonight.
“God, that dress, Kiley.” I shake my head and smile.
“You’re gorgeous whether you’re dressed up or in casual clothes. ”
I see something flash in her eyes before she looks down. “Thank you.” She’s about to say something more but then stops and changes her mind. “Jax?” I raise an eyebrow in response, waiting for her to continue. “Will you dance with me?”
I look around in confusion and give her a questioning smile. “Where? Here?”
She walks over to the space between the kitchen and the living room. “Right here.”
Silencing the warning bells that are going off in my head, I walk to where she is standing and open my arms. She closes the distance by stepping in and wrapping herself around me.
Her head is pressed against my cheek, and we slowly sway to the music.
I hold her tight and relish how good it feels to hold her like this.
I can’t remember the last time I slow danced with a woman. I try to recall, but only the image of Kiley walking into my arms appears. She fits perfectly in my arms, as if she were made to fit in them. I wish she were the person I met before Jenna.
I wish I wasn’t so damn scared and broken.
The song ends, and I slow us down to a standstill. She leans back but doesn’t let me go.
“Thank you for tonight,” she whispers while staring at my lips. She raises those green eyes to mine, and it feels like the world stops. Before I can even blink, she softly presses her lips to mine.
The kiss is slow and lingering. She’s about to pull away, but my hand snakes up her back, grips her neck and holds her in place.
I nibble on her bottom lip before engulfing them fully until she parts for me and I slip my tongue through.
I try to kiss her with meaning, with purpose, pouring all my unspoken words into these kisses.
She starts making her sweet little whimpers that drive me crazy, and soon, our kisses are frantic with need.
I pull away, grab her hand and lead us into my bedroom.
I had already drawn down the blinds and dimmed the lights in anticipation for this evening.
Her back is to me when I close the door, and I wrap my arms around her from behind and start kissing her shoulders.
While I’m kissing her, she unclasps her halter from her nape, exposing her neck for me.
She tilts her head and I latch on, kissing and sucking my way down her neck, over the tops of her shoulders and down her shoulder blades.
I move to the other side and give it equal amounts of attention.
My hands meanwhile have grabbed the material that has come undone and lowered it past her strapless bra. My fingers slide underneath the material, find her nipples and start playing with them.
“Jax,” she breathes, raising her arms to wrap them around my neck and arching into me. I suck on her earlobe while gently pinching her nipple, and she gasps.