20. Jax
JAX
F our months later …
After locking the studio door, I pull Candice into my arms as my lips bear down on hers. She’s my drug and I’m addicted. We tug at each other’s clothes in a desperate attempt to undress. It’s like we’re starved for one another.
Since that night four months ago this has become our regular thing: hiding away from everyone and fucking each other’s brains out every chance we get. We tried going back to the way we were, just friends, but it didn’t even last forty-eight hours.
I’d innocently brushed my fingers across the small of her back one day as I passed her in the hallway and her breath hitched.
It sent every drop of blood in me, coursing straight to my cock.
I knew at that moment I couldn’t stay away.
I was consumed. I craved her too much. Without hesitation, I reached for her hand, leading her to my studio.
Once the door was closed, I clicked the latch, locking us inside.
She didn’t have to speak a word; the look on her face told me everything I needed to know. She wanted this just as much as I did.
We’ve since turned from best friends to friends with benefits.
In all honesty, this isn’t what I’d envisioned for us.
But it’s far better than what we had. I finally have what I’ve always longed for, but I still want more—no, I need more .
With every passing day, I fall deeper and deeper. Something’s got to give soon.
“Aren’t you supposed to be working on my new tattoo?” she asks when my tongue trails a path down her neck.
“Fuck your tattoo. I’ve got better things to do.”
“Like what?” she laughs. Is she kidding me?
“Like devouring you for starters. Now turn around.” Like the good girl she is, she does exactly as I ask.
She can drop the innocent act; she wants this just as much as I do.
“Raise your arms in the air.” I run my hands up the sides of her body, bringing her top with them.
I need to feel her skin. After sliding it over her head, I drop it to the floor.
Palming her breast through her black satin bra, my other hand dips into the front of her pants.
“Jax,” she breathes as she rests her head on my shoulder, threading one of her hands into my hair.
“Come for me beautiful,” I whisper into her ear as my fingers circle her clit. I love that she’s already wet for me.
“Mm,” she hums. “That feels so good.”
She better believe it does. Our sexual chemistry is explosive.
Within minutes I have her coming undone with my fingers.
I wrap my free hand in her hair and tilt her head to the side so I can kiss her to muffle her cries of ecstasy.
These walls are thin. Nobody has said anything yet, but it’s only a matter of time before we get caught.
The sneaking around part excites me, but on the other hand, I hate that we are hiding from the rest of the world.
I want to claim her and make her mine. I’d love nothing more than to shout it from the rooftops.
But this is what she wants, and I can’t deny her anything.
I step forward, taking her with me, until I have her pressed against the wall.
“Place your hands on the wall,” I command, and she instantly submits, pushing her arse backwards as she does.
I groan when she grinds it against my aching cock.
It pleases me that she wants me just as much as I want her.
Hooking my thumbs into the side of her tights, I drag them down her legs.
“I like your pants so much better when they’re around your ankles. ”
She laughs. “So do I, but only when you’re around.”
Pulling my T-shirt over my head, I drop it on the floor with hers.
I grab a condom from my pocket before I flick open the button of my jeans and drag down the zip.
I rip the foil packet open with my teeth as I free my cock from my pants.
I’m dying to take her bareback again, but even though she’s now on the pill, she still insists I wear one of these fuckers.
I slide my free hand under the cup of her bra and roll her nipple between my finger and thumb.
I can’t seem to keep my hands off her when we’re alone, and it’s a constant struggle not to touch her when we’re in public.
When we’re around the other staff, we act just like we always have, as friends and nothing more.
I do grope her arse and tits, or steal a kiss when nobody is looking.
Having her again is all I think about, she consumes me.
Of an evening when we walk back to my place to collect my car, so we can head to her house for dinner, we just walk side by side.
No hand holding, or touching. The moment we are through my front door, though, we’re ripping each other’s clothes off like maniacs.
I use my knee to part her legs as much as the tights around her ankles will allow, impaling her with my cock in one swift motion.
I cover her mouth when she moans. My other hand grips her hip as I draw back slightly before burying myself balls deep.
The feeling of her tight pussy wrapped around my cock will never get old.
I don’t think I’ll ever get my fill of this woman.
“Can I take you out somewhere nice tonight, on a date?” I ask because I’ve never taken anyone on a date before, but I want to do something special with her. She deserves so much more than this.
“A date?” she whimpers into the palm of my hand as I continue to pound into her.
“Yeah, a date.”
“I thought we were just having fun. You said you weren’t capable of anything more than this.”
Her words have me stilling inside her. She’s right, I did say that. Her comment pisses me off nevertheless. “Things change, Candice … people change.”
Turning her head slightly to look at me, she places her hand on the side of my face. “Okay, but can we go somewhere away from here?”
My eyes slightly narrow. “Why, are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
“What? No.” She screws her face up. “I’m just not ready to share this with the world yet. It will complicate things.”
“How? Who cares what the rest of the world thinks?”
“I’m just not ready, okay.”
“Fine,” I grumble in annoyance.
“Don’t be mad at me, Jax. We’re a work in progress … years in the making. You can’t rush perfection.”
I know it’s Sophia finding out that worries Candice the most. She goes all weird when we’re together at her house, sitting at the opposite end of the dinner table, the furthest spot away from me.
If Candice stays over, she’ll drive to my place instead of getting a lift with me, so her mother doesn’t know we’re together.
Sophia even pulled me aside recently and asked if I’d met her gentleman friend.
Yeah, I’ve met him, it’s fucking me . I don’t know why Candice keeps us from her mother, of all people.
Sophia likes me, and I’m pretty sure she’d be happy for us.
When I go to withdraw, Candice moves her arms behind her, wrapping them around my waist to hold me in place. “Don’t, Jax,” she pleads. “Don’t pull away from me.”
I exhale a large breath, resting my chin on the top of her head. “Let’s just drop it, it was a crazy idea anyway.”
“It’s not a crazy idea. I love that you want to go on a date with me. I really do.”
She could’ve fooled me. I thought she’d be happy, but I guess I was wrong. I swear I’ll never understand women.
“You look beautiful,” I say when I open the front door. I wanted to pick her up tonight, but again she came to me instead.
Candice doesn’t often dress up all girly and shit, but when she does …
fucking wow . She’s breathtaking. Don’t get me wrong, she always looks gorgeous, but it’s nice to see her in a dress for a change.
I’m already fighting the urge to rip it right off her luscious body and have my way with her, but tonight I want to do this right.
I’m more than ready to take a leap of faith and put my heart on the line for her.
It will only ever be her. I just pray she doesn’t crush it.
The past few months have made me realise we could never go back to being just friends. She’s mine for keeps now. I only hope she feels the same. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by making this thing official.
“You look rather dashing yourself, Mr Albright,” she replies, sliding her arms around my waist.
I feel stupid in this damn tie, but I wanted to look nice for her.
It’s a thin black leather one, more me than the designer silk ties I used to wear to the political functions my father made me attend.
To keep it casual, I paired it with an untucked white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows and a pair of black trousers.
I smile as I push a strand of pink hair behind her ear.
“Thank you.” I place my lips briefly on hers.
“We better get going, the reservation is at seven.” I’d like to add, “ Since we have to drive three fucking suburbs away ,” but I don’t.
I want tonight to be special, so pissing her off before we leave isn’t a wise move.
Hopefully, after tonight I’ll be able to convince her there should be no more hiding.
“I’m looking forward to going on our first real date,” she says as we walk to my car.
“Really?” Because I’m having serious doubts after the way she acted this afternoon.
“Yes, really. I know it didn’t seem like it earlier, but it will be nice to spend some time with you in public.”
Again, I want to say, “ Three fucking suburbs away ,” but I bite my tongue.