Three and Out

by Meghan Quinn

  “I agree. The boys have a theory that he might have someone in his life, because he’s never this easy on us.”

  “Oooh, I wonder who it is.” Ashlin plopped another chunk of cotton candy in her mouth, making Jesse jealous of the damn sugary confection. He wanted to be the one playing around with Ashlin’s mouth, but he’d waited this long…he would wait a little longer. Hopefully, after today, she would actually consider having a relationship. She seemed like she was leaning in that direction, given her statement earlier on, and the way she’d been casually brushing up against him the whole day. A man could only hope.

  “I could care less who it is, as long as she keeps doing what she’s doing, because we’re getting a sweet break.”

  They walked up to the main gift shop and walked straight to the back where all the stuffed animals were.

  “Select anything you want,” Jesse said, while holding his arms open wide.

  “Anything?” she leaned up against his side. She pinched his side, making him jump in place as she laughed.

  “Watch it, lady.”

  “Don’t be a baby,” Ashlin replied, as she pawed all the stuffed animals. “Hmm…well, that elephant on the top shelf that’s the size of a mini cooper and costs three thousand dollars…that might be nice.”

  “Are you serious?” Jesse walked up to it and took a look at the price tag. “Who the hell would buy that?” Ashlin crossed her arms in front of her chest and tapped her foot. “You’re serious? You want the three thousand dollar stuffed animal that’s probably been sitting on the top of that shelf since this place opened?” She nodded her head, making Jesse laugh. “Well, I guess I’m really going to have to work to win your heart.” A worker walked by and Jesse flagged him down. “Sir, we would like the elephant up there.”

  “Really?” the boy asked, “You know it’s three thousand dollars, right?”

  “Yes, I’ve been informed of the price tag by the pretty little lady over here. We’ll still take it.”

  “Wow, never thought I would see the day. Carl!” the boy shouted, “Cletus has finally found a home.”

  “Cletus?” Jesse mouthed with a raised eyebrow to Ashlin, who was covering her mouth and giggling.

  They watched in silence as Carl grabbed a ladder and took Cletus from the top shelf. The thing was dusty as hell, so they took it to the back and gave it a quick clean.

  “You sure you want…Cletus?” Jesse asked, trying not to laugh.

  “More than anything.”

  They got to the register, and the lady started ringing them up. The total came to a little under fifteen hundred dollars, which confused the hell out of Jesse.

  “Umm, I thought it was three thousand dollars.”

  “Yes, but it’s dirty. It’s been up there for a while, and frankly, you’re doing us a favor.”

  “Here we are,” said Carl and the boy carrying Cletus and a box.

  “What’s that?” Ashlin asked, pointing at the box.

  “Cletus has some accessories.”

  Ashlin poked her head in the box and laughed as she pulled out Santa and pilgrim hats.

  Shaking his head, Jesse said, “What did you get us into?”

  “Oh, this is fantastic.”

  Jesse turned back to the lady checking him out and said, “Can I make a donation as well?”

  “Sure, sir, we would appreciate any sort of donation.”

  “Great, can you just make the total five thousand dollars and put it toward the elephants? We have to take care of Cletus’ kin.”

  Ashlin’s head popped up as she looked at Jesse. Fondness surrounded her eyes as she gazed at him, while holding onto Cletus’ accessories.

  Once they paid and were helped out to their car, Jesse opened Ashlin’s door and helped her in. She turned in her seat so her feet were dangling outside of the car and she grabbed ahold of Jesse’s belt loops.

  “You’re an amazing man, you know that, right?”

  Jesse didn’t really like attention for things he did, because he thought it came with the job. He was blessed to have the talent to throw a football down a field accurately and make money off of it, so he believed that he needed to share his good fortune, but not in a blatant way to get attention. He tried to pass along his good fortune as much as possible; it was just second nature to him now.

  “Let’s get you home,” Jesse said, ignoring the praise.

  “Hold up,” she placed her hand on his chest. “You can’t handle someone telling you what a good person you are, can you?”

  “I wouldn’t say ‘good person.’ I just think I do what’s right, that’s all. I would expect anyone else in my position to do the same thing. Nothing to praise me about.”

  Ashlin shook her head in astonishment and pulled him in closer. Her hands grabbed his waist and her thumbs slipped under his sweatshirt, so she was gently stroking his skin. His hands rested on the top of the car door opening and he leaned in toward her, dipping his head, so he was close to her. Her vanilla, coconut scent wafted in his direction, making it impossible not to gravitate even closer.

  “I have to tell you, Jesse, you’re not the person I thought you were. You are so much more, and I’m so grateful you didn’t give up on me.”

  “What are you saying?” Jesse leaned closer with a smile plastered across his face like a giant goofball.

  “Does the girlfriend offer still stand?” she asked shyly.

  Yup, she just made his heart flutter like an idiot. Trying not to break his cheeks from smiling, he leaned down and pulled her chin toward him. “Hell yeah, it does.” He went the last couple of inches and took her mouth with his. She was just as sweet as the first time he’d kissed her. Her lips were soft and light and demanding all at the same time. Her thumbs did wicked things to his skin as he continued to kiss her, making him want to lay her out in the front of the vehicle, but knew that wasn’t the best idea, especially since they were in the public eye.

  Reluctantly, Jesse pulled away and marveled at the way he made Ashlin almost look drunk after he kissed her. Her eyes were heavy, her smile was crooked, and her lips were swollen. It was a sight to make any man go weak in the knees.

  “I just want you to know, I’m scared, Jesse. I don’t do relationships.”

  “I know, doll. I haven’t been in a relationship in a very long time, so we can help each other through this. We just need to be open and honest with each other. Okay?”

  She nodded her head, and then said, “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  “And I can’t wait to find it all out,” Jesse said, while cupping her cheek and rubbing his thumb along her cheekbone. “This is what I want, Ashlin…more than anything, and I’ve wanted it for a very long time.” His admission surprised both him and her. He wasn’t expecting to say that, but it came right out.

  “How long?” She pulled him in even closer.

  “Long enough, but we don’t have to talk about that. What I do want to know is, will you come over tomorrow for a small gathering with some of the boys before the game on Sunday?” He knew it was quite sudden, but he wanted Ashlin there; it wouldn’t feel right if she wasn’t there.

  “What kind of food are we talking?”

  “I was going to order a bunch of pizza,” he shrugged his shoulders.

  “Mmm, I love pizza. I’m in.”

  “Because of pizza? Not because of something else?” he asked, while playing with a strand of her hair.

  “Maybe because of something else. What are you doing tonight?”

  “I have some things I have to sign that fans sent in.”

  “When you say some, how many is some?”

  Shrugging his shoulders, he kissed her on the lips, and turned her legs so she was in the car and shut her door.

  She didn’t need to know that he had about a thousand pictures, memorabilia items, and jerseys to sign that had been sent in by fans. She already thought he was some kind of hero from today; he didn’t need to put himself up on an impossible pedestal.r />
  When he got in the car, she turned to him and said, “I’m afraid I won’t have any room for Cletus at my place. Do you think he could stay with you?”

  Jesse started his car and buckled up. “How did I know you were going to say that?”

  “Don’t act like you don’t have a connection with him already, and hey, just gives me more of a reason to come visit you.”

  “You better visit me, as much as possible,” Jesse squeezed her leg, making her squeal as he pulled out of the parking lot. If he had it his way, she would be practically living at his house by the end of the weekend, but that clearly was out of the question, given her relationship anxiety. Instead, he would just use Cletus as a pawn to get her to come over as much as possible.

  Chapter Fifteen

  **Brooke**

  Jax: There seems to be this girl in my life that I can’t get out of my head. She has brown hair and green eyes and dresses like a goddess. Do you know her?

  Jax: Okay, so cute is not going to work. How about this, I don’t care about anyone but you?

  Jax: Brooke, Piper means nothing to me.

  Jax: Brooke, I’m sorry. Will you please answer your phone?

  Jax: So, I’m standing outside of your place, and I’m trying to text and call you, but you don’t seem to be answering. Maybe you could cut a guy a break and let me know that you are still alive.

  Jax: Seriously, Brooke, where are you? I’m starting to get worried.

  Jax: I am seconds away from calling all the hospitals in the city.

  Brooke locked up her car and headed toward her apartment; she felt so lost without her phone, since she forgot it in the morning. She never knew how dependent she was on the damn thing until she didn’t have it at her side. She had a long day at the studio, preparing a few accessories for a photo shoot, so all she wanted to do was put on a pair of sweats, kick back on her couch, and bury her face into a carton of ice cream.

  The situation between her and Jax was less than desirable. He hadn’t contacted her in a couple of days, so she was pretty sure she’d hit the nail on the head with the Piper assessment. She told herself that she wasn’t bothered by the fact that she hadn’t seen Jax in a while, but she was lying. She missed the damn man, and it only irritated her that she did.

  So, she tried not to think about him…at all.

  She rounded the corner of her apartment complex and nearly jumped out of her skin when she ran into Jax, who was sitting on her doorstep. His hair was standing on end and he looked stressed.

  “Jax?” There went all her ideas about not thinking about him. It was pretty much impossible not to think about the man when he was standing on her doorstep.

  His head shot up at the sound of her voice, and he had her in his arms before she could ask “What’s wrong?”

  “Jesus, Brooke. Don’t fucking do that to me!”

  “Do what?” she asked, while pushing him away, not liking the tone he was taking with her.

  “Not answer your phone? I’ve been a fucking wreck wondering where the hell you’ve been and if you’d been abducted or something.”

  Brooke breezed past him and opened her door. “A little dramatic, don’t you think?”

  “A little childish not answering your phone, don’t you think?” he threw back at her, while following her into her apartment and shutting her door.

  Brooke set down her purse and bag and spun on her heel. “For your information, I left my phone at home by accident, so you can take your little lecture and leave. I’m fine; you can go home now.”

  “You forgot your phone?” Jax asked, looking sad but relieved at the same time.

  “Yes, so I’ll be sure to look at your messages and get back to you at my convenience.” There, that should teach him. She walked over to her door and opened it to give him the hint to get out.

  “I’m not leaving,” Jax said, as he sat down on her couch.

  Groaning and slamming her door shut, she ran her hands through her hair, and said, “Listen, Jax. I had a rough day at work today, and all I want to do is curl up on my couch and veg out. I don’t want to fight; I don’t want to deal with this right now.”

  She headed toward her bedroom to change because the pencil skirt and heels she was wearing were begging to be torn off her body. Not even thinking about Jax being in the room, she stripped down until she was only in her bra and thong and went into her closet where she found her boy shorts and a large button-up shirt that just so happened to be Jax’s, but she didn’t care. She wanted to be comfortable. Stripping off her bra, she put the shirt over her head, took off her thong, and replaced it with the boy shorts. She turned around to see Jax standing in her doorway, chest heaving, and sporting a nice bulge in his pants.

  Ignoring the turned on man in her doorway, she grabbed her phone off of her nightstand and scrolled through the text messages from Jax. There were seven. She slowly read through them, and after each text message, her heart reached out for the man a little more. She looked over at him, and even though he was clearly excited, he still looked worried, and right then, she realized that he must have been worried that something happened to her like something had happened to Kiera.

  “Jax…”

  He came to her side quickly on the bed and turned her to face him.

  “I’m sorry, Brooke. I promise you I want nothing to do with Piper, seriously, nothing. I’m sorry if I’ve mentioned her too much. It’s just because, for some twisted reason, we have Mason and Piper in common, and unfortunately, they brought us together in a weird way. I don’t want to talk about her, but sometimes, it just comes out because we both know her and what she did.”

  Brooke stopped him from talking and grabbed his hands. “Jax, I’m sorry that you had to worry about me today. I know that might not have been easy.”

  Jax let out a long breath as he hung his head. Brooke’s heart broke as she watched the strong man break down right in front of her. He wasn’t crying, but she could feel all the pain and worry radiating off his body.

  Pulling her onto his lap, Jax buried his head in her hair and said, “I was so fucking worried, Brooke. It felt just like when I couldn’t get in touch with Kiera. I know we’re still getting to know each other, but I truly care about you so much.”

  “I know. I care about you too, Jax, and I’m sorry you had to worry like that…and I’m sorry for being a brat. I just…I just can’t stand that woman for many reasons, and every time I hear her name, I’m instantly put in a bad mood, but I understand where you’re coming from. I get it because there have been times where I thought about bringing up Mason and things we’d done in the past, but I thought twice, given your history.”

  “You have a better filter than I do,” Jax chuckled.

  “I apparently do.”

  They looked at each other at the same time and smiled. “We’re so fucked up,” Brooke announced, making them both laugh.

  “At least we’re fucked up together,” Jax added.

  “We are.” She kissed him on the lips and then brought her shirt over her head, revealing her naked breasts to Jax, who quickly went hard again under her. She scooted off his lap and went behind him so her chest was to his back. She grabbed the hem of his shirt and brought it up and over his head. Tossing it on the floor, she pressed her chest against his back, and straddled his backside, so her legs were pressed against his. The skin on skin contact was just what she needed. He grabbed ahold of her legs and leaned his head back to her shoulder for a kiss, which she granted him.

  “You feel good,” she said, as her hands wandered down to his pants, unzipping them and letting his erection out to breathe. “Mmm, you’re so hard already.”

  “You do that to me darlin’, easily.”

  She took him in her hands and started stroking him up and down, making the southern man groan as she worked his length. The weight of his excitement spurred her on as his head fell back and almost all his weight was in her arms. She held him up as she continued to stroke him from behind. It was er
otic not being able to see anything, only feel and hear. Her senses heightened as she continued to feel him grow harder and harder in her hands, to the point that she started using two hands to stroke him, and ever so slightly rubbed the head of his cock, feeling his pre-cum at the tip. He was ready, and so was she.

  “I want you to come, Jax, but not in my hands.”

  “Where then?” he teased.

  Brooke scooted out from behind him, went to the front of his bed and sat down on his lap, letting him fully enter her in one smooth stroke. Her back was to his chest, and her hands fell to his knees as she leaned forward for better friction.

  “Condom,” Jax squeaked out as his hands gripped her breasts and pulled on her nipples.

  “Pill, I’m on it,” she breathed heavily, as she moved her hips rapidly up and down on his lap.

  “Sweet Jesus.”

  A smile crept across Brooke’s face as she continued to pump Jax. The man was impossible to stay mad at, especially when he was sporting an amazing erection.

  Continuing to ride Jax, he pulled and massaged her breasts and brought her to the point of no return. She was falling over the edge where her vision turned dark and her toes started to turn numb. Every last feeling was focused at the center of her body as her stomach flipped and her pussy clenched around Jax. A guttural noise escaped her throat as she came around him while continuing to move up and down. A few seconds later, Jax squeezed her hips and rammed her up and down until he blew out a breath and said her name in an earthy tone.

  “Ahhh, fuck!” he exclaimed as they both slowly tried to move, to squeeze out every last bit of pleasure that came their way.

  Once she felt like nothing else could flutter in her body, she leaned against Jax and said, “Maybe we should fight more often. The make-up sex is totally worth it.”

  “The regular sex is just as good,” Jax replied, while kissing her shoulder.