CHAPTER 22 #3
I looked up at him, feeling playful, safe, and maybe a little reckless. "Yeah, he's been my personal driver for the day," I said with an impish grin, before turning back to Harper with a warm smile. "Jaxon suggested I come by since I won't get to see you at Connor's cookouts for a few weeks."
Harper didn't miss a beat. I saw her gaze zero in on the closeness between us, the way I was pressed flush against Jaxon's side, his palm warm and possessive at my hip, the effortless intimacy of our stance.
"Ugh, don't remind me! Those cookouts are the best part of my weekends." Harper shifted her playful gaze up to meet Jaxon's, her eyebrows arching. "We could still do them though, right? Maybe Anna and I can host one, keep the tradition going?"
A low, rumbling chuckle vibrated from Jaxon's chest against my back, the sound reverberating through me.
"We'll see," he replied easily, looking distinctly relaxed despite the teasing.
"It might be good to have some fun while Connor's away.
But I'm not much of a party planner, so I'll leave that up to you two. "
As their banter continued, I noticed Harper's curious eyes darting between Jaxon's hand on my hip and my face. Something was definitely happening between us, I could feel it in the way my heart sped up when he touched me, in the way I gravitated toward him without thinking.
Eventually, Harper managed to draw me aside under the flimsy excuse of needing my opinion on a new clothing display. I followed her anyway, leaving Jaxon to browse nearby. As soon as we were out of earshot behind a rack of summer dresses, Harper leaned in close with a wolfish grin.
"So," she purred conspiratorially, her voice barely above a whisper, "have you banged him yet, or is this still in the flirtation phase?"
I was completely aghast. My jaw dropped, my eyes widening as my cheeks flooded with furious heat.
"Harper!" I sputtered, darting a furtive glance toward Jaxon to make sure he hadn't overheard.
When I saw him chatting with another customer near the front, I whipped back around to face her.
"We're just friends," I hissed, my voice low and indignant.
"And besides, he's still getting over his past. It's... complicated. "
Harper rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. She propped her hands on her hips with an exaggerated huff. "Okay, okay, I get it." She jabbed one perfectly manicured finger toward my flustered face. "But if something does happen, you have to tell me. Got it?"
I groaned softly, shaking my head in mock disapproval, though I couldn't suppress a smile. "Fine, but only if you keep it to yourself." Not that there was even anything to tell her.
Before Harper could press further, Jaxon walked over, stepping up behind me. I felt the warmth of his presence before his hand settled on my hip again, the touch sending a little thrill through me.
"Hey, so what do you two think about a small cookout this weekend?
Especially since it's the Fourth of July," he asked, his tone casual yet firm.
"We can keep it simple. Just us, Harper, and the guys who live on the property.
And I know you both have a girls' night planned, so you can do that after. "
Harper's eyes immediately flicked down to Jaxon's hand on my hip, then back up to my face, her brow arching with playful curiosity. I rolled my eyes at her expression but couldn't hide my smile.
I looked up at Jaxon, raising an eyebrow of my own. "Are you sure Connor would be okay with that?" I asked, though the idea already sounded wonderful, something normal and fun to look forward to.
Jaxon shrugged, a faint smirk curving his lips. "Connor trusts me to keep things in order while he's away," he said, giving my hip a light squeeze before letting go. The loss of his touch left me feeling oddly bereft. "Besides, it'll be low-key. Just a chance to unwind, nothing too crazy."
Harper nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds good to me," she said, glancing at me with a grin. "We can handle that, right?"
I chuckled, still feeling the lingering warmth where Jaxon's hand had been. "Yeah, I think we can manage."
Jaxon turned to me with a grin. "So, what's the plan? Do you want to shop around a bit, or should we get going? We could stop for food on the way back so we don't have to cook dinner tonight."
I laughed, glancing at Harper, who pretended to be offended at his rush to leave. "No offense, Harper, but I think I got enough the last time I was here," I teased, giving her a playful wink. "Let's head back and grab food on the way."
Harper huffed dramatically, crossing her arms. "Fine, fine," she said, rolling her eyes in exaggerated offense.
I stuck out my tongue in response, and Harper chuckled, pulling me into a quick hug. Her perfume, something floral and light, enveloped me briefly before she released me.
As Jaxon and I walked back to the truck, his hand found its way to my lower back again, guiding me across the street. The afternoon sun cast long shadows, and a gentle breeze ruffled my hair, carrying with it the scent of hot pavement and summer flowers from a nearby planter.
Jaxon opened the passenger door for me, such a simple gesture, but one that made me feel cared for before he jogged around to the driver's side. As he climbed in, I caught him glancing at me, and I couldn't help wondering what he was thinking.
"So, where should we stop for food?" he asked, starting the engine.
I buckled my seatbelt, scanning the street for ideas as we pulled out. "How about that little diner on the edge of town?" I suggested. "We could grab some burgers and shakes to go."
"Sounds like a plan," he said, shifting into gear. "Burgers and milkshakes it is."
With each passing mile, Jaxon seemed to relax, the tension from the earlier confrontation with Jared dissipating as we fell back into our familiar rhythm.
By the time we reached the diner, a small, chrome-sided building with a neon sign that had probably been there since the fifties, the easy banter between us felt as natural as breathing.
Inside, the diner smelled incredible, grease and coffee and something sweet I couldn't quite place. The air conditioning blasted through the room, sending goosebumps racing up my arms after the heat outside.
At the counter, Jaxon ordered our food, then turned to confirm my milkshake flavor.
When I leaned in to check the menu board above us, I realized how close we were, my shoulder brushing against his arm.
I could smell his cologne, that clean, masculine scent with hints of cedar I was becoming intimately familiar with, mixed with the faint leather smell of the truck still clinging to him.
I felt his gaze on me as I studied the board, and when I glanced up, I caught him staring at my lips. Heat flooded my cheeks, and something low in my stomach tightened. He was looking at me like he wanted to kiss me.
"Chocolate," I said, my voice coming out slightly breathless. "But it has to be made with vanilla ice cream."
After we got our order, Jaxon handed me my milkshake, teasing me about my "boring" flavor choice. I rolled my eyes, but the smile on my face was genuine, and the cold sweetness of the shake was perfect against the summer heat.
The rest of the drive back to the ranch was comfortable, filled with good music and easy laughter. I felt lighter than I had in days, the air rushing in through the cracked windows, tangling my hair as the sun dipped lower on the horizon.
And for the first time in longer than I could remember, I let myself simply enjoy it. The sun, the music, the taste of chocolate on my tongue, and the man beside me who made me feel safe enough to imagine a future that didn't involve fear.