“Not recently,” he tells me. “The firm has been busy, and they’ve needed me there.”
I wonder if that’s true, or if it’s him who needs them. I don’t think he likes being idle; he’s always on the go, always working.
“What do you do when you’re not working?” I ask. He’s never mentioned any family or friends. Maybe he doesn’t have any, like me, or maybe they live somewhere else.
“Go to the gym, take care of things at home,” he says, glancing at me. “Normally I’d hang out with friends, but we’ve all been busy lately, so I’ve kind of just been going between work, the gym, and home.”
“What about your family?” I ask, eyes on his profile. I hope he doesn’t think I’m being too nosy, I just want to get to know him. Everything about him.
“My parents live about four hours away,” he explains, parking the car. He turns to me with a cheeky grin on his handsome face, and says, “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“What? Where are you going?” I ask, as he gets out of the car. I look at the place we’ve parked in front of, and it’s a bar called Knox’s Tavern. What exactly are we doing here? It’s not like he’s going to have a drink while I’m in the car. Curiosity getting the best of me, I decide to not listen to him and get out of the car. I walk to the front of the bar and pull on the push door.
“Crap,” I mutter to myself, pushing the door, hoping no one saw that, and walking inside. I glance around, taking the place in. There’s a live band playing, and the bar has a nice atmosphere.
“Thought I told you to stay in the car?” Jaxon says as he approaches me.
“And I didn’t want to,” I reply, lifting my chin.
He simply smirks and takes my hand. “I just needed to pick something up, and now we can go.”
“What did you pick up?” I ask, looking at his hands, which are empty.
“You don’t make it easy to surprise you with something, do you?” he asks, shaking his head. “Do you want to have a drink while we’re here?”
I nod. “This place is great.”
It’s quite busy, with a nice atmosphere. The bar and all the table and chairs are made out of a dark wood, and they have circle lantern lights hanging above the tables.
“It is,” he agrees, pulling out one of the barstools for me to sit on. “What would you like to drink?”
“Is there a cocktail menu?” I ask the handsome blond man at the bar.
“Of course,” he says with a smile, grabbing one and sliding it over the counter to me. He then turns to Jaxon and gives him a smirk. “How did you manage to get her?”
“Always a pleasure, Ryan,” Jaxon says in a dry tone. I can tell the two of them are cool with each other though, because there’s no tension between them.
I scan the list, trying hard to choose from their large selection. “I’ll have a Bloody Mary, please.”
Ryan smiles at me and nods. “Awesome. And for you?” he asks Jaxon.
“I’ll just grab a beer. The usual,” he says, pulling his wallet out and placing some money on the table.
The usual? Just how often does he come here? And let’s not forget the reason why he came in here in the first place. What did he want to pick up? I don’t want to be nosy, but he said he was trying to surprise me, and now I really want to know what it is.
“Will you let me pay for dinner?” I ask him, pressing my pink lips together. “You always pay, and for once I want to.”
“No,” he says, softening it with a gentle smile. “You won’t be paying for anything when I’m around, so you should probably get used to it.”
My eyes narrow. “How is that fair? This is the modern world, Jaxon. It’s not like I’m stingy or don’t want to spend my money.”
He cups my face with his warm hand. “I never said you were. I just like treating you. It’s how I am and how I’ve always been. I remember when I was a young boy, my mom would take me out on a little mini date, and I’d open doors for her, pull out her chair, and then pay for the meal with my pocket money. Instead of arguing with me, why don’t you just enjoy it?”
“Because it’s ridiculous,” I state, smiling as Ryan places my drink in front of me. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Besides, don’t forget you’re going to be getting a very steep legal bill in the mail soon,” he says, flashing me a wink.
“Worth every penny,” I say as I give him a wink. “What do you think about the man always paying?” I ask Ryan as he gives Jaxon his beer. “Don’t you think the woman should pay sometimes too?”
“No,” he says, smirking. “Sorry, darling, I’m with the lawyer this time. I like to look after my woman too. She doesn’t even need to bring her purse if I’m there, and we’re married, so my money is hers and vice versa.”
I sigh and bring the glass to my lips, taking a sip. They’re all Neanderthals. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s sweet and chivalrous, and I do think the man should pay on a first date, but after that I don’t mind paying, or us taking turns. I don’t expect a man to pay for everything, and I have my own money, so it makes no sense. I’m here with him because I want to be, because I want to spend time with him, and that’s all he needs to give me. “It’s delicious, thank you,” I tell Ryan, who watches me try it.
“You’re welcome,” he says, smiling and then moving to serve another customer.
I turn to look at Jaxon, whose eyes are already on me, watching me sip my cocktail.
Time to get to the bottom of whatever he’s up to.
chapter 17
Jaxon
I JUST NEEDED TO COME to the bar to pick up some tickets one of the bar owners got me to a sold-out music concert I want to take Scarlett to tomorrow night. I thought I’d take her out for a picnic and then we could go check out the concert, which has a really good lineup. I want her to experience different things with me. I want to learn who she is; I want her to do the same. I want us to create memories. Reid said I had to get the tickets tonight because tomorrow the bar is closed. I told her to wait in the car, but she didn’t. As much as I didn’t want the surprise to be ruined, I really like that she did what she wanted; it shows that she’s becoming more confident, more of her own person.
“So are you going to tell me what you came in here for?” she asks, arching her brow at me.
I pull out the tickets and hand them to her. “I was going to surprise you tomorrow night. I had to come and pick them up tonight though, and we had to pass this bar on the way to the restaurant. Kind of messed up the surprise factor,” I grumble.
She reads the tickets and lifts her head. “I’d love to go to this concert; it looks amazing. I haven’t been to a music concert since I was in high school.” She hands me the tickets back, stands up, and hugs me. “I’m sorry I ruined the surprise.” She pulls back and winces. “It’s been so long since anyone tried to surprise me with anything. I think the last time was when Darren and I were first dating. He used to bring me flowers and gifts to the library where I was working.”
She doesn’t have much to compare me to, nor do I have much competition, considering her ex-husband, but I do want to make her happy. That’s my new goal, just to see her smile and to give her the happiness she always deserves but never got. I don’t know what’s going to happen with us, it may be something or it may be nothing, but at least I can make her life a little better. Or at least I hope I can.
Do I want her?
Undoubtedly yes, but her happiness comes first, and it’s her decision if that’s with me or not. We haven’t known each other long, and I don’t know how the fuck this happened, but it did, and I just want to be around her. I want to protect her, and—fuck—I want her to be mine.
She pulls back and presses her lips against my cheek, a chaste kiss. “For the first time in so long, I’m excited about what the week, the month, will bring.”
“Good,” I ra
sp, resting my hand on her waist. “We’d better hurry or we’ll be late for our reservation.”
We finish our drinks, get back in the car, and head to our next stop.
I hope she’s hungry.
THE NIGHT WAS GOING so well.
So fucking well.
Too well.
“Who is that?” Scarlett asks me when she sees a woman waving at me from the other table.
It’s Renee.
I see her eyes move to Scarlett, and her expression instantly changes, her eyes narrowing as she sends a filthy look in Scarlett’s direction.
Shit.
Renee is the woman I was sleeping with for a few months, and the last woman I’ve been with. What are the chances of her being here? There are so many restaurants in town, so it seems fate is out to get me. Maybe Scarlett won’t care, I mentioned this yesterday at lunch when she asked when the last time I had sex was, so she might just blow it off.
“Umm, a friend,” I tell her, taking her hand from across the table. “How’s your pasta?”
“It’s really good,” she says, then looks back over at Renee, who is still staring at Scarlett.
Fuck.
“Why is your friend looking at me like she hates me?” she asks, bringing her eyes back to me. “Is she an ex-girlfriend or something?”
I grit my teeth and decide to just come out with the truth, hoping she lets it go after this. Some women can, and some women can’t. I’m not sure which one she will be, but either way, I’ll handle it. “She’s that woman I told you I was sleeping with before.”
Her eyes widen. “Oh.” She glances at her again, then back at me. “I see.”
She doesn’t say anything else, and I wonder what she’s thinking. Is she comparing herself to Renee? Because there is no comparison. Scarlett has so much class and natural beauty; I don’t see anyone in a room except her. Renee is beautiful, and I won’t deny that, but that doesn’t mean anything to me, because I only have eyes for the woman sitting in front of me.
“Are you okay?” I ask her quietly, not wanting her to be upset, even if she has no reason to.
“Yeah,” she says, nodding. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
But she doesn’t look at me, she’s still looking into her plate.
I study her, not sure if she’s doing the whole I’m fine thing even when she’s not—which will probably result in her exploding sometime soon—or if she really is fine.
“Okay,” I say casually. “Do you want anything for dessert?”
I can see that Renee is on a date too, so hopefully she won’t come over and that will be that.
The woman has no shame though. . . . One of the reasons I used to fuck her.
Not that I’d ever admit anything like that out loud.
“Are you going to get anything? Maybe we could share something,” she says, rubbing her flat stomach as if she’s full. “What do you think?”
“Why don’t you choose something, and we can share it,” I tell her, just as someone walks up and stands next to the table.
Ahh, fuck. Here we go.
“Hello, Jaxon, long time no see,” Renee purrs, resting her long blue nails on my shoulder.
“Renee,” I say, acknowledging her. I don’t believe in being rude or mean to women I’ve been with. A man doesn’t do that. But I also want Scarlett to know that she’s my priority. So I have two options here. I can either tell Renee it’s nice to see her and wait until she walks away, then salvage the situation with Scarlett, or I can introduce the two women and hope for the best.
Olivia used to always say, Only people with class introduce people to each other.
So that decides my next move.
“Renee, this is Scarlett. Scarlett, Renee.”
It might be a little awkward, but it allows me to bring Scarlett into the situation, letting both women know which one is more important.
“Is this your new girlfriend?” Renee asks, after Scarlett says hello to her. “Or just another friend?”
She crossed a line with that comment, so I feel no guilt when I say, “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“I guess not anymore,” she mutters, flashing Scarlett another look before sauntering away.
Jesus Christ.
“Maybe we should just skip dessert,” Scarlett now suggests, looking down at her empty plate. “Unless you really want some?”
She’s upset, and I can see why. If I ran into someone who had been with her, I wouldn’t like it either. It’s not a logical thing. I didn’t even know Scarlett existed when I was with Renee, and everyone has a past. But I get it.
“I’m fine,” I say, asking for the bill. “I can get you something to take home if you like.”
“No, thank you,” she says, her tone subdued.
Shit.
I pay the bill, leave a tip, and lead her out with my hand on her lower back. I open the car door for her, then close it before walking to the driver’s side and sliding in. The second we’re on the road, I ask her, “You going to tell me what’s going on in that pretty mind of yours?”
She’s silent for a few seconds, then says, “It’s not the fact that you slept with her, I mean, it’s not like you slept with her after you met me. It’s just that . . .”
“What?” I ask gently as she trails off, not finishing her sentence.
“You won’t even kiss me,” she blurts out, looking from the window to me. “She’s had you, and fine, whatever, but I haven’t even had a kiss from you. Why don’t you want to kiss me? Is it because you want to fix me first? Because I don’t need fixing, Jaxon, I just need love.” She huffs, and then adds, “And you to fucking kiss me.”
I don’t think I’ve ever heard her swear before.
Safely, I wait until I’m able to park on the side of the road, then turn and grab her face, and kiss her. Not just a small, quick kiss, no, I kiss her. I taste her lips, I let my tongue explore hers; I give her everything in this kiss. She tastes sweet, her lips soft, and the quiet humming sound she makes deep in her throat urges me on even more. My hand moves to the nape of her neck, where I gently hold her.
And when I pull away only because I need to catch my breath, she’s wide-eyed, panting, her lips still open.
Then, without saying a word, I drive back onto the road, and back to her house.
She sits there quietly, maybe processing what just happened, but I don’t miss the upward curve to her lips.
She’s smiling to herself.
I try to keep my face straight, hiding my amusement, and also try to control my dick, which is hard and wanting a little attention from the woman next to me. I wasn’t going to kiss her so soon, but I can’t have her thinking I don’t want her. I had no idea she was waiting for me to kiss her so badly, or I would have done it earlier.
She has a demanding side, and I find myself drawn to it.
The more I get to know her, the more I like her.
Olivia would have liked her.
Yeah, she really would have.
chapter 18
Scarlett
I BRING MY FINGERS TO my lips, touching them. Wow. I’ve never been kissed like that in my life. Ever. I want more. I need more, right this second. Can he drive faster so we can get home? I shift in the seat, feeling a little . . . needy. I’ve never been so turned on from a kiss before.
Crap.
The kiss was smoking hot.
The tension rises in the car, and I don’t know if I should say something or not. Is he going to kiss me again? Or did he just kiss me because I pushed him? If that’s the case, I have no problem pushing more. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something so much. He can’t just tease me like that . . . give me a taste of passion and then take it away. I’ve always read about chemistry and connection and sexual tension, but until right now, I realize I’ve never
experienced it.
We finally get to my house after what feels like an hour but was probably only fifteen minutes. I open the door and get out, waiting for him before walking to the front door.
Neither of us says anything.
I unlock the door, step inside, and wait for him to enter before shutting and locking it behind me.
“I hope you enjoyed dinner.” He pauses, and then adds, “and maybe next time we’ll actually make it to the movies.”
“I think I know what the highlight of the night was,” I say, feeling bold.
Horniness will do that to you.
It trumps all other feelings.
“And what was that,” he asks, closing the space between us and gripping my hips with his strong hands. He walks me backward until the back of my legs hit the couch.
“You going to pretend like you don’t know?” I croon, licking my bottom lip. “Perhaps you need a reminder.”
“Perhaps I do.”
I crook my finger at him. “You’re going to have to come down a little.”
He lowers his head.
“A little bit more,” I whisper.
In a quick movement, he lifts me in the air against his hard body so our faces are in line.
And then, I kiss him.
I take out all my frustration on him—the car ride, and the fact that he took so long to kiss me in the first place, and then only did it because I egged him on. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him as close as he can get without being inside of me, and show him that there’s passion in me, dying to come out, to be let free. I just needed to give it to the right person this time, and that person is him. I know he’s been patient with me in some aspects, and I know he’s not a mind reader, so I need to tell him what I want and what I’m ready for, and this is me doing just that.
I’m so ready.
It’s me who ends the kiss this time. I look into those gray eyes and smile when he says, “You are the furthest thing from cold, Scarlett. Fuck, you taste so good.” He lays me back on the couch, covering me with his body without putting his weight on me. “I need more.”
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