Unintentional Virgin

by A. J. Bennett

  “They are going to love you, don’t worry,” Jax said with a smile. He’d never brought a female to his family this early on, but after the fiasco with Karma’s own mother he wanted her to meet his mom for some reason.

  “I hope you’re hungry, because she gets insulted if you don’t clean your plate.”

  Karma twisted her hands in her lap, and Jax wondered if she was nervous. Maybe it wasn’t such a bright idea. She probably thought he was moving too fast, and he probably was. He backed the truck out of the driveway. His mother was expecting them so it was kinda too late to back out now. If she seemed too uncomfortable, he would find a reason for them to leave early.

  Karma scooted over to the middle, placed her feet on the dashboard, and dropped her head onto his shoulder. An unfamiliar wave of elation washed over him. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. He shook his head to banish the thought. Time was passing too quickly. It was funny; when this first started, three weeks seemed so long and now he wished he’d made the timeline further away.

  “How was work?” Karma asked, tilting her head to look up at him.

  Jax’s jaw clenched. He didn’t really want to bring up the reality of his job. He knew it was hard for his own mother to be married to a fireman. But Karma also had a right to know what his day entailed. There was no point in keeping it from her. He found himself wanting to be an open book to her, he had no idea why. He cleared his throat. “Pretty rough day but it turned out well. We thought we lost a young boy, but the paramedics revived him.”

  Karma dropped her feet from the dashboard. “Wow. What happened?”

  “Electrical fire. Mom got freaked out and instead of running outside locked her and the boy in the bathroom.”

  “Really?” Her nose scrunched up. “Why would she do that?”

  “It’s more common than you would think. Under duress, there’s no telling how people react. The fire started in the kitchen and quickly spread downstairs. I’m sure she took one look down the stairs, and logic flew out the window. Luckily, we got there in time.”

  Karma’s hand grasped his thigh. He dropped his hand to hers and gave it a slight squeeze as he pulled to a stop at a red light.

  Karma reached up and turned his head toward hers, and he willingly opened his lips when her mouth touched his. The kiss was short and sweet.

  A car hooked their horn and Jax grinned, pressing on the gas.

  “I really don’t know how you do it.” Karma laid her head back on his shoulder.

  “What?”

  “Run into a burning building.”

  Jax shrugged. “Someone has to do it.”

  “I guess so.” Karma paused. “I’m glad the boy was okay.”

  “Me too.” They lapsed into silence.

  He pulled into the driveway and jumped out of the truck, making his way around to open Karma’s door.

  “Do I look okay?” Karma asked as she self-consciously ran a hand over her hair while looking in the mirror.

  “You look incredible, as usual.” He held his hand out, and she grasped it, jumping down from the truck. “Nothing to worry about. They are going to love you. Just be yourself.”

  Karma gave him a look as they strolled up to the house.

  Jax knocked on the door a couple of times and then pushed the door open. His mother came walking out of the kitchen drying her hands on a towel. Her brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she had a red apron wrapped around her. The house smelled like fresh-baked cookies, causing his mouth to water.

  “Hey, Mom, this is Karma. And Karma, this is my mom, Tessa.”

  “Karma, it’s so lovely to meet you. Jax has told us all about you.” She pulled Karma into a hug.

  Jax could tell by the startled look on Karma’s face the hug had not been expected. “It’s nice to meet you too.” She lightly patted his mother’s back clearly uncomfortable.

  His mom pulled away and looked at Karma with a sweet smile, causing the corner of her eyes to crinkle. “Jackson, why didn’t you tell me she was so beautiful?”

  Karma looked down at the ground. He could see the pink flush creep up her neck.

  “I thought I had,” Jax said, coming closer and putting his arm around her shoulder. He felt her relax beneath his touch.

  His mother raised an eyebrow. It was unusual for Jax to show affection around his family. “Maybe you did. It’s getting harder for me to remember things the older I get.”

  “You’re not that old.” Jax rolled his eyes.

  “Mid-fifties. It’s all downhill from here.” She swatted him with the towel.

  “You don’t look a day over thirty-eight,” Karma said.

  His mother’s face lit up. “You must bring this girl around more often, Jackson. I do believe I’m blushing.”

  “Where’s the girls?” Jax asked, looking around the quiet house.

  “They’ll be here soon. They had to run to the store to get some more butter. I ran out making the cookies and can’t have mashed potatoes without it.”

  “They all went?” Jax shook his head. He’d never understand the way females liked to do things in packs.

  “Sam just got her permit. They wanted to take a girls ride around town.” His mom rolled her eyes and led them into the kitchen. The large plate of cookies sat on the middle of the large oval table. Jax reached down and grabbed one—still warm and gooey—and shoved it in his mouth. Damn, they were good.

  “Milk?” his mom asked, looking at both of them.

  “Please. These cookies smell amazing,” Karma said.

  “Family recipe passed down from generation to generation.” His mother’s face lighted up as she grinned, her blue eyes twinkling. “Right off the back of the Nestle chocolate chip bag.”

  Karma laughed. God, he loved that sound.

  He pulled out a seat for Karma, and they sat down devouring cookies while his mom busied herself around the kitchen, humming under her breath. It always felt good to be home.

  A few minutes later the door burst open and all five of his sisters filed into the house, laughing at no telling what.

  Jax stood up. He held his arms opened wide and they all crushed into him.

  His youngest sister Sam was rambling about getting her license soon. Everyone was trying to talk at once.

  Jax hushed them all. “I wanted you guys to meet Karma.”

  He nudged her at the elbow till she stood up. Karma looked overwhelmed. However, she smiled and went around learning each of his sisters’ names, and quickly looked at ease.

  “You have to tell me, what did he buy you for your birthday?” Janice asked with a smirk.

  Jax gave his sister a look but it was useless. Anytime his sisters got a chance to get a dig in they took it. Hopefully, they wouldn’t start in on him or tell any embarrassing stories.

  Karma looked over at Jax. “Cupcakes. He said his mom made cupcakes instead of cake.”

  “That was sweet,” his mom said over her shoulder, opening the oven to pull out the chicken. “That’s because everyone in the house likes different frosting. Cupcakes made it easy.”

  He watched Karma interact with his sisters like they were old friends. A tiny voice inside of him said he needed to pull away, to keep an emotional distance. He told the voice to shut up.

  Karma laughed at something and he knew without a doubt he’d passed the turnaround point long ago. There was no denying it—Karma Points was deep under his skin, and he liked having her there.

  His mother called them to the table to eat. Jax pulled his seat in and dropped his leg to the side, brushing his knee against hers. He saw the familiar flush, and a tickle of lust spread down to his southern region. Damn, he loved the color on her cheeks.

  Watching the way she closed her mouth over the fork and how she closed her eyes to savor the taste made his pulse race. He had to force his eyes away and down at his own plate. Jax reached down and tugged his jeans down a bit to give himself some relief.

  They made it through the lunch, and K
arma seemed reluctant to leave.

  “So what’d you think?” he asked as he pulled out of the driveway.

  “You have an incredible family.”

  “Yeah, not too shabby.”

  “You’re very lucky,” Karma said wistfully.

  “I guess. I’m sure it would have been nicer to grow up with both parents, but my mom made do.”

  Karma’s face paled. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sure it was hell growing up without your father.”

  “I wouldn’t say it was hell. Just always a void like something was missing, but as you see we turned out all right. No need to apologize.”

  “Thanks for inviting me. “Do you think your mom liked me?”

  “She liked you; she even asked when I would be bringing you back over.”

  “I’m glad,” Karma said, clearly relieved, and then she smiled. “Now I understand.”

  “Understand what?”

  “Why you’re not an asshole like I thought you would be.”

  Jax laughed loudly. “You thought I was an asshole?”

  “Well, yeah. I mean look at you. You look like the guy that mothers warn their daughters about. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. As Matt would say, your momma raised you right.”

  “I guess I should be lucky you gave me the time of day then.”

  Karma laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m the lucky one.”

  Jax was glad he decided to bring Karma to meet his family. “What were my sisters filling your ears with?”

  Karma lifted her head. “I should tell you that Mandy told me about Sarah.”

  Jax clenched his jaw. Why was he not surprised? His sisters loved to gossip.

  “She was a huge mistake. I’d rather not talk about it,” Jax said.

  “Did you love her?” Karma pulled at her shirt and didn’t meet his eyes.

  Jax took a moment to gather his thoughts. He really didn’t want to talk about it, but he also didn’t want Karma to worry about someone that meant nothing to him. “It was over a year ago, and if I were honest, we never really got along well to begin with. She was high maintenance and we had very little in common. My mother couldn’t stand her. At the time I thought I loved her.”

  Karma looked out the window. “Are you over her?”

  “Ancient history. I haven’t heard or spoken to her since we broke up and as far as I’m concerned that’s fine with me. Does that answer your questions?”

  “I shouldn’t have probed. I guess I was a little envious when I heard you were engaged.”

  Jax grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. He really hated how insecure she was, but he got it. Her mother had done a number on her. He wished he could reassure her. Tell her the truth that what he felt for Karma was a thousand time stronger than what he’d had with Sarah and scary as hell. But he didn’t want to freak her out.

  “How did the meeting with your shrink go yesterday?” He wasn’t sure if this subject was off limits, but figured he’d test the waters. And change the subject.

  “The usual. Although I think I had some sort of breakthrough. I’m thinking about getting my own apartment.”

  “Why is that a breakthrough?”

  “I’m not usually one to leave my comfort zone.”

  Jax laughed. “Well then, I would say that breakthrough came the day you jumped off the bridge.”

  Karma looked lost in thought and then finally she said, “Maybe it did.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Two very different perfumes intermingled in the air. Eva’s smelled earthy, and Karma’s smelled sweet. Maybe she should have borrowed Eva’s perfume. Hell, borrowed her personality while she was at it. Karma twirled the mascara between her hands before applying a coat to the top of her lashes.

  Eva turned to the side, staring at herself in Karma’s bathroom mirror. “What do you think?” she asked, smoothing down her red shirt across her flat abdomen. Her perky chest jutted out, filling Karma with boob envy. She looked down at her own barely B cups, and then her eyes went back to Eva.

  They stared at each other over the bathroom sink. “Turn around,” Karma said, narrowing her eyes.

  Eva was wearing a pair of black pants that looked like they had been painted on, which highlighted her long shapely legs and round booty. No surprise, she had paired the pants with a loose red shirt that draped really low in the back. Her short hair was spiked up, drawing the eye to her high cheekbones. The tips of her hair were dyed Crayola red. There was no denying it, Eva was perfection; she’d look hot in a paper sack.

  “Not bad.” Karma tapped her finger to her lips, and then a wide grin spread across her face. “Okay, fine, you look a freaking siren. Keep the glasses off.”

  “How the hell am I supposed to see without them?” Eva asked as she pulled her black-rimmed hipster glasses out of her little purse. “Besides, I totally rock these things.”

  “Just a suggestion.” Karma shrugged. She sighed and ran her hands down her hips. Maybe she should talk to her father about liposuction. “Do you think I’m too fat?”

  Eva rolled her eyes. “Why, ’cause you got some junk in the trunk? Men love that shit. I wish I was softer. Curves are womanly.”

  Karma looked at Eva like she’d lost her mind. Eva had an impeccable body. Why in the hell would she want to be fluffier? “You have plenty of curves.”

  Eva gave me a please look. “I barely have a waist. I would kill for an hourglass figure.”

  Was anyone happy with what they had? Probably not, everyone seemed riddled with insecurities and self-doubt. Karma knew she definitely didn’t see herself the way Jax saw her. After hearing Eva maybe Karma was also too hard on herself?

  “Let’s get out of here.” Karma grabbed her purse off the counter top, and they hurried down the stairs.

  Princess met them at the bottom step looking pathetic. “Don’t even think of it,” Karma muttered. The dog stared at her for a long moment then walked in a circle and ay down. Thank you! She wasn’t in the mood to chase that damn dog tonight.

  Karma yelled to her dad not to wait up as they walked out the door into the night. The air was cool against her bare arms and legs.

  She had to admit she was excited to be going out with Eva. Of course, it was a bonus that she should get to see Jax, but really she had missed Eva. It felt like forever since they hung out.

  Not that she minded too much since all her time had been occupied by Jax, but soon that time would be over, and she would have to fade back into her ordinary boring life. A life that didn’t include a gorgeous tattooed fireman.

  Karma sighed as she dropped into the passenger seat.

  They chatted up a storm so the drive flew by, and before she knew it, they were turning into the same parking lot as before. This time there were lots of club-goers headed in the same direction as they were so wasn’t creepy like it was last time. Okay, well, the misty street lights were still slightly creepy. Karma shuddered, rubbing her arms to fight the chill in the air as they walked down the alley.

  Her heartbeat kicked up a notch as they got closer to the door. The thought of seeing Jax even for a minute made her stomach tie up in knots. She wondered if he would acknowledge her or keep his cold bouncer face. She might just die a little inside if he completely ignored her. She wasn’t going to say anything to him. He was at work, and she would respect that. If he wanted to talk to her, he would initiate.

  Karma glanced around, taking in the dark walls. Last time she hadn’t realized how old the place looked. Black paint peeled off the walls and the floor was beyond scuffed up. But somehow it just added to the underground ambience.

  Never one to waste time, Eva already struck up a conversation with a blond guy—he had way too many face piercings to count. Her taste was interesting to say the least. But hey, whatever made her happy. And she had to admit the guy was attractive.

  Could the line go any slower?

  Eventually, they pushed through the heavy double doors, and Jax looked up—thei
r gazes locked. Was that a hint of a twinkle she detected in his beautiful pale eyes? His face stayed still, but his eyes gave him away. He was happy to see her. Karma smiled brightly, unable to contain herself.

  She shifted from foot to foot eager to get closer to him. It took all her self-control not to steamroll everyone in front of her. She mentally pictured herself knocking the tall leggy blonde in front of her to the side and stepping over the short pink-haired guy. But in reality, she stood there just like everyone else.

  Finally, she handed him her ID. Jax’s grabbed it and trailed his finger down her hand, sending an electrical current through her that went straight between her thighs. How could a simple touch make her so weak in the knees? Her breath caught in her throat. One look, one touch, and he could completely send her world off kilter. God, she loved that feeling.

  Jax handed the ID back and reached for Eva’s. Karma noticed he didn’t touch Eva’s hand. She felt a small thrill of satisfaction. It still blew her mind wide open that Jax wanted her.

  “Have fun, ladies,” Jax said as they walked away. Karma turned back around to get one more glimpse at him, and her heart soared when he looked up at the same time. It was going to be torture knowing he was so close, but not being able to be near him. Maybe he would get a chance to be the stand-in bartender again. If luck was on her side.

  A couple of hours later sweat trickled between Karma’s breasts as the music pulsed through her body. She was dancing with a lanky guy in leather. Her eyes were closed as her hips swayed to the music. Smoke swirled around their bodies. Next thing she knew the guy pressed his body to hers. Karma snapped her eyes open, ready to clock him. Tension melted off her instantly when she saw Jax’s face through the flickering lights.

  “Come with me,” Jax yelled over the music.

  Karma nodded her head, not giving a second thought to the guy she had been dancing with only seconds earlier.

  Jax snatched her hand as he expertly weaved her through the swarm of bodies grinding together. Heart fluttering in her chest, Karma hurried after him. All night she’d been hoping to get a chance to see him. Once again, he pulled her into the back room. This time he pushed her up against the wall. He was so close she could feel his warm breath on her face. “I can’t stand another man’s hands on you.” Jax’s voice was rough.