Missing Forever

by C. E. Granger

  “Is that a yes, that you’ll go out with me,” Jax asked.

  Going out with Jax Sutton… really, Megan mused to herself.

  “That’s a yes.”

  Chapter Six

  “Can you believe it, Megan?” Bonnie beamed.

  “Barely,” Megan replied as the two ladies drove from the supper club. Megan couldn’t stop smiling. There are such rare occasions when the fantasy becomes reality; when the dream moves from only showing up during sleep to being there when you are awake. And that’s what was happening for Megan. It was hard to believe and while she sat in the passenger seat, she pinched herself just to make sure she hadn’t slipped into a dream-state unknowingly and was truly awake. When she pinched herself, she felt it which meant that what happened just a few hours before was real.

  And Megan floated for the next week; her feet barely touching the ground. She tried not to fixate on her upcoming date, but it was hard. Jax Sutton was, well, everything she ever dreamed about. As hard as it was, it was finally date night and Megan was in a full-fledged panic. She had taken the time to get her hair and nails done. Megan even splurged for a pedicure. But she stood in front of her closet and looked at all her clothes and nothing seemed to be the right outfit for a first real date with Jax. More than that, Jax was kind of evasive as to exactly what they would be doing or where they would be going on the date.

  “So, how am I supposed to know what to wear?” Megan mused aloud as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

  Megan looked over the multitude of teacher appropriate attire; the unflattering slacks, the high collar blouses, the floral dresses and the tunic style sweaters that littered her closet.

  “Ugh,” Megan moaned despairingly. Looking down at her wristwatch and seeing the time, Megan realized if Jax was timely, she was already going to make him wait. Megan swiped through the clothes one more time and nothing appealed to her. With another groan, Megan closed her eyes and reached onto the rack. Whatever she pulled out is what she was going to wear. Once she had the hanger in her hand, Megan opened one eye then the other, hoping her blind selection didn’t totally bomb. When it didn’t, Megan smiled and made a dash for the bedroom to slip on the dress she selected. Fortunately, the colors were soft that complimented her pale skin. There was a ruffled V-neck and the dress wrapped neatly at the waist stopping just short of her knees.

  When the doorbell rang, Megan was just finishing tying the wrap on her dress.

  “Just a minute,” she said, taking a final look in the mirror on her side table and padded toward the door. This was it!

  Okay, Megan, keep it together, keep it together, she coached herself as she put on her taupe open-toed slingbacks. The shoes were high enough to be sexy and comfortable enough to walk in. smoothing down her dress as she turned towards the door, Megan took in one last deep breath and released it slowly as she turned the knob.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi.”

  It was Jax Sutton. Yeah, saying his full name might seem ridiculous at this point but that’s how Megan saw him. He was Jax Sutton, standing at her door in all his divine glory, wearing a dark pair of jeans that fit him to perfection, a white button-down shirt opened at the collar and cuffed at the wrists. The dark brown suit jacket he wore draped his frame and added a touch of sophistication to his otherwise casual outfit. But once Megan got past how nice Jax looked, she was almost floored when he smiled; not a wide toothy smile but an easy smile that lit up his eyes. Megan smiled, too; not a schoolgirl crush kind of smile, but a womanly smile that subtly showed Jax that she wasn’t the girl he almost remembered from high school.

  Jax held the door for Megan as they left her apartment building. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the car. It was undeniably Jax’s.

  “This could not be the same one,” Megan said, taking a gander at the 1957 sky blue Chevy Bel Air Classic with the drop top.

  “Yep, same one,” Jax beamed.

  “Wow,” Megan beamed as well. This was one of the cars Jax tooled around in when they were back in school. It didn’t look as good back then as it did now, but Megan recognized it immediately. She stroked the outline of the hood. Jax watched, appreciating how she appreciated his vehicle. They already had a few things in common. Jax had a good time with Megan the other night at the supper club and found that he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Now, she remembered one of his favorite cars and really liked it. The smile that rested on Jax’s lips simmered as his eyes tightened as he looked at Megan from behind. Her blonde tresses dropping just below her shoulders with curls teasing the center of her back, small waist and long firm legs enticed Jax. He was hopeful. Jax was looking for forever. Maybe Megan was it.

  Jax waited until Megan turned around to face him. Her smile was wide and bright, but when she saw Jax hooded eyes, Megan’s eyes softened, and her smile softened as well. Taking a step toward her, Jax got close enough that the sensual scent she wore wafted into his nostrils, momentarily intoxicating him. He leaned past her and opened the passenger side door and waited until Megan slid in before closing the door behind her. Jax walked around the back of the vehicle and climbed in on the driver’s side. After closing his door and starting the ignition, Jax got ready to put the Chevy in drive when Megan reached out and touched him on the arm. He could hardly concentrate on her question for sensing the warmth from her touch. It was like a much-desired caress; he hadn’t stopped to realize he missed.

  “Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going,” Megan asked. “I couldn’t decide what to wear because I have no clue where we’re going,” she fussed.

  Easing his arm onto the back of the couch style seat, Jax lifted his hand towards Megan’s face and as their eyes connected, he tucked one of her locks behind her ear. Megan’s heart nearly melted in her chest. That was one of the sweetest touches she had ever felt.

  “Do you trust me,” Jax asked.

  Megan’s eyes closed slowly and opened again. Her body was still reeling from what some would consider an innocent gesture. But for Megan, the gentle touch she received from Jax was something she’d never felt before. His touch to her skin was like sending a gently vibrating electric current to her core. If tucking her hair did that to Megan, what would a hug, a kiss, a… Megan stopped herself from going further. Jax was waiting for an answer and she was fantasizing about him.

  “Do I know you well enough to trust you,” Megan teased sweetly.

  “No, but it doesn’t always take a lifetime to build trust, does it Megan?”

  Jax question was raised with a smile on his lips, but looking into the depths of his blue eyes, Megan could see the sincerity.

  “No, it doesn’t,” Megan replied. “Which means you’re not going to tell me, which is fine because I trust you.”

  “Say it again,” Jax said, his face shifting to intense with his eyes still remaining mesmerizing. There was a slight pause as they locked each other in a heated gaze.

  “I trust you,” Megan repeated.

  “Great,” Jax crooned. “Now, let me help you with your seatbelt.”

  Sliding closer to Megan, Jax reached over and grabbed the seatbelt. In a vehicle the age of his Chevy, the seatbelt was a waist belt; no shoulder strap. Megan’s face flushed warm as their bodies were closer than they’d been before. She inhaled deeply, and the scent of his masculine scent filled her nostrils. Even after Megan heard the click of the seatbelt, Jax lingered. They were face to face; so close Megan could feel his exhale against her skin. They stayed there in the moment; Jax’s eyes moving from Megan’s eyes to her lips and back again. To say that she wanted to kiss him; to feel his lips against hers, was an understatement. But Megan was not the kind of girl to make the first move. Instead, she stayed in that place with Jax, not desiring more than what was there, just enjoying feeling him, sensing him, being close to him.

  When Jax eased away, Megan exhaled. She hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath. Turning toward the passenger side and away from Jax, Megan r
olled her eyes and smiled wide. This was already a night she wouldn’t soon, well, ever, forget.

  Jax put the car in drive and within minutes, a gentle breeze blew through Megan’s hair. Riding in the drop top Chevy was incredible. The car was heavy and hung to the road. Jax turned on the radio and music flowed through the old-style speakers with the same kind of sound one would get from playing a vinyl record. It was nostalgic. Megan leaned on the door and let her hair flow back as the speed of the Chevy increased. It no longer mattered where they were going. Megan was along for the ride.

  When they turned onto a dirt road, Megan lifted up from the door and looked around. There was no destination there; no restaurant or anything Megan could see. She looked at Jax who was smiling widely.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Jax said as he slowed the car to a stop.

  “Are you sure,” Megan asked looking around. She tried not to look nervous, even scared. They were alone, on a deserted road, with no lights other than the illumination from the Chevy and the light the bright night moon provided.

  “I thought it would be fun to let you feel what it’s like,” Jax replied.

  “Feel what it’s like?” Megan asked; her eyes still darting around.

  “Yes, Megan, feel what it’s like to throw caution to the wind,” Jax replied matter of factly.

  His smile was disarming. She started to relax a little.

  “And how do you propose we do that?”

  “Speed.”

  “Speed?”

  “Yes, Megan, speed,” Jax replied. “You strike me as the kind of woman who obeys the rules, drives the speed limit, pauses at the yellow light, and always looks both ways before crossing. Am I right?”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. Jax had her pegged to a tea.

  “For your information, Mr. Sutton, I am very proud of my perfect driving record,” Megan scoffed. Jax laughed a hearty laugh. He was able to be unencumbered around Megan, which was nice.

  “Well, Ms. Richland, there’s no cops around here, so if you did break the law, just a little, I won’t tell.” Now Megan was the one laughing and then she stopped, and her mouth opened just as her eyes widened.

  “You want me to drive? Me?”

  “Yep,” Jax quipped. “I get to drive fast all the time. I want you to see what it’s all about.”

  Megan went from surprised to interested.

  “Really? You’ll let me drive your car, this car?”

  Jax nodded.

  “Then, that means you trust me,” Megan answered. “Why? You barely know me.”

  Jax paused briefly before responding.

  “I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “I just do.”

  Megan looked at Jax intensely in the shadowy light. She felt the same way. There was no real explanation other than she just did.

  “Then move over, Mr. Sutton.”

  Megan reached down and released herself from the seatbelt. She fully expected Jax to exit the vehicle from the driver’s side and re-enter on the passenger side. That is not what he did. Once he released himself from the seatbelt, Jax slid in Megan’s direction. She thought about exiting the car from the passenger side but before she could move in that direction, Megan felt firm hands around her waist, moving her in his direction. They were hip to hip and then she was gently lifted onto his lap.

  She squeed, literally. His move was so unexpected, but Megan couldn’t say it wasn’t welcomed. In her mind, Jax had always been so untouchable, but here she was sitting in her fantasy man’s lap. And then he turned her to face him fully. Megan was still giggling until Jax leaned in and quieted her laughter with a gentle kiss on the lips. It wasn’t a hungry, desperate kiss, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t intense. Megan kissed him back and then Jax parted her lips with his tongue; lightly probing her and tasting her mouth; the mouth he thought about since the supper club. The kiss for Megan was decades in the making and she didn’t want it to end.

  And the kiss lasted for a while, and Megan enjoyed every moment of it. There was no need to pinch herself. This was real. She was with Jax Sutton, kissing him with her arms laced around his neck and kissing the lips she’d seen on posters and on television and it was real. When their lips finally parted, the two stayed right there; not immediately moving away from each other because being that close was nice. Megan had a need, a desire that hadn’t been filled in longer than she cared to remember. She didn’t know that Jax had the same need. But he did.

  “Ready,” Jax asked, bringing the conversation back.

  “Mmhmm,” Megan uttered. “But first…”

  Megan released the hold she had on Jax’s neck and took both hands, gently cupping his face on both sides. She planted a soft kiss on his lips and looked up into his eyes one more time before easing off his lap.

  “Now, I’m ready.”

  The car was still running, and Megan got in position to drive. When she pressed her foot on the accelerator, the Chevy purred for her. Jax wasn’t far away. He saw how excited she looked behind the wheel. Megan dropped the car into gear and it started to move. Before long, dust was flying up behind the Chevy as Megan pushed the car to a nice clip. Her hair blew back, and she felt the power of the car under her control.

  “Woohoo!” Jax exclaimed as Megan leaned forward enjoying the drive. As she neared the end of the strip, Megan slowed the car down and then stopped it, turning to Jax with a wide smile and bright eyes.

  “That was so friggin awesome,” Megan exclaimed.

  “Nice,” Jax replied.

  Just then, “Born to be Wild” came on the radio. Megan leaned over and turned up the volume. By the middle of the first chorus Jax and Megan were singing at the top of their lungs, Jax jumped out of the car and scurried around to the driver side. Megan welcomed him in and scooted over so Jax could get behind the wheel. He turned the car around and Megan got on her knees on the seat, singing even louder as the song played on her arms were up, her hair was blowing, and Jax was moving the car down the dirt road. Megan felt so carefree. As the song came to an end, Jax stopped the car and put it in park, turning off the ignition but leaving it in such a way that the radio continued to play.

  Jax climbed out and walked around to the passenger side, opening Megan’s door and assisting her out. They both leaned against the car and enjoyed the peace and quietness of the area. The moon seemed to shine even brighter and Megan paid attention to the stars that twinkled. Neither of them felt the need to fill the empty space with conversation. They just enjoyed being with each other. When the classic love song, “I want to Know What Love is,” poured through the speakers, Jax asked Megan, “Would you like to dance?”

  She did, and he enveloped her in his strong arms, pulling her close, evaporating any space that previously existed between them. Megan rested her head on Jax’s strong chest. She felt the beat of his heart. They danced through that song and a few others, moving from slow dancing to a funky jig and back to slow dancing again.

  By the time Jax bought Megan home, it was in the wee hours of the morning. Like a perfect gentleman, Jax walked Megan to her door.

  “I had a great time,” Megan said as the two stood face to face on her porch.

  “Me too,” Jax replied.

  Jax reached out and lifted Megan’s chin. His eyes took her in. Megan looked up into his and could see how easy it would be to lose herself in him. She was fine with that. Jax kissed her fully on the lips and then walked away. Megan’s eyes followed him. She was practically floating on a cloud higher than nine. Jax leaned on his car as he watched Megan enter her home safely. Megan heard the Chevy pull away from the curb. Leaning her back against her front door, Megan smiled. Tonight, with Jax was better than she ever dreamed.

  Chapter Seven

  “I want to hear every sordid detail,” Bonnie exclaimed before the sun was fully up in the sky.

  “Sordid,” Megan murmured, still tucked in her bed covers.

  “Yes, sordid,” Bonnie beamed.

  Megan sat up.
<
br />   “Bonnie, it was everything!”

  “Oh my God, Megan,” Bonnie sang. “Spill it, girlie!”

  Megan relived every moment for Bonnie.

  “That was a good date,” Bonnie agreed. “So, what’s next?”

  Bonnie’s question caught Megan off guard. She didn’t have an answer for that. She had no idea and said so. Megan had been so excited about being with Jax, she didn’t think past the moment. Megan didn’t consider that Jax didn’t live in Chandlerville anymore; that at some point, he would have to return to his high-profile life and she would return to her hum-drum life in Chandler. She hadn’t thought about what the date meant, if it meant anything at all. Suddenly, all of Megan’s warm feelings and happy thoughts shifted to uneasiness about the possibilities.

  Maybe it was just a date and nothing more?

  Megan ended the call with Bonnie, but she couldn’t go back to sleep. Her mind was filled with questions she didn’t have the answers to. Megan didn’t want to be presumptuous, assuming that their date meant more than it actually did. But what she felt couldn’t be denied, or could it? Maybe it was what Jax did; give a girl a good time and move on, back to what he knew. He would leave a good taste in the girl’s mouth because it was fun, and intense, and he made her feel special. But, what if that was it and there was no more?

  Megan tried to be the bigger person. It was nice. If there was nothing more she’d have to be okay with it. At least she had a chance to live out her dream. It would have to be enough. Jax Sutton was famous. There were girls throwing themselves at his feet. What made Megan think her time with him was more than that? When Megan eased back under the cover, it wasn’t with the same enthusiasm than she got up with.

  “I’m going to need you on the first flight out,” Arlene said. Jax could hear shuffling in the background. Arlene was always multitasking.

  “I thought I had few more days before the thing,” Jax replied unenthusiastically.