by Julie Morgan
The officer at some point stopped writing and stared slack-jawed at Andria. Jax frowned and cleared his throat. The officer shook his head.
“You are one lucky and remarkable woman, Miss Huffton. Thank you for your statement.” He turned to Jax and continued. “If you’d hand over your videos, that would be beneficial for this case.”
Jax nodded. “I can get them to you now. They’re on a hard drive with our equipment.”
“Perfect. Who should I see?”
Jax pointed to Greg. “Let him know you’re taking the video log for evidence. He’ll comply and give you everything you need.”
Officer Hightower nodded and shook Jax’s hand. “Thank you. And Miss Huffton?”
“Hmm?” She looked to the officer.
“Many women could take note from you and your actions tonight. You fought back and won. No one deserves to go through what you have been through. My condolences for your father.”
She nodded and lowered her gaze. “Thank you.”
The EMTs checked her blood pressure once more then addressed Jax. “We need to go now to get her thoroughly examined.”
“Great. I’m going to ride along. Please, one moment before we go?”
The female EMT nodded.
Jax looked out where Greg stood and whistled. Greg turned and Jax motioned to the ambulance. Greg nodded and gave a thumb up. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Moments later, the ambulance was shut and the sirens wailed. Jax held onto Andria’s hand and held her gaze. He wasn’t sure what the future held for them since she no longer needed his services, but he’d be damned if he would let her go. He loved her and would prove that the rest of his life, if she let him.
Epilogue
Sometimes we put up walls around our existence just to see who would have the strength, and the patience, to knock them down. Who would be foolish enough to break through the fortress knowing a dragon laid in wait on the other side?
Jax would, and he did. He knew Andria was the dragon and he was ready to tame the beast. The beast, of course in his mind, was the ordeal she went through with Draven, and him proving he would never hurt her that way.
He knew a part of her felt this to be the truth, but the constant reminder, simply being a man, put her on edge.
But love like theirs was like a dam. The tiniest of cracks could allow in the smallest amount of water to pass. In time, the crack would widen and the trickle would become catastrophic, breaking down the entire structure. No one would be able to control it. No one could stop it. It would just be.
For Jax, to love Andria was to let go of his control, let go of what he knew, let go and wait to see what would transpire.
Jax wanted to remain with Andria, but she needed to make this decision on her own time. He packed his belongings, computer, folders, everything he had in her guest bedroom.
He sat on the edge of his bed and waited for her to leave her bathroom. She slept last night with help from sleeping pills prescribed by the ER doctor. Jax stayed by her side, all night, never sleeping, never allowing Andria to be afraid of her own dreams.
The door opened and he looked up at the entrance. She stepped through, having just combed her wet hair. Their eyes met and Jax’s heart hurt for her, for their relationship, for everything.
“I’ll always be here, as long as you’ll have me,” he told her. Jax stood and met her at the door. “I also understand your needing to take some time to sort things through. I’ll always be here for you.”
She nodded and lowered her eyes to the floor. She didn’t say anything else and walked away from the door, toward the den.
Jax sighed and picked up his duffel and computer bag. He walked out and went toward the front door. Andria stood in the den and stared at the television set. It was not on. His heart longed to hold her once more, but his head told him to leave. He lowered his gaze and turned his back to her. “I’ll have GAPS set up to have the rest of my belongings picked up.” When she said nothing in return, he looked over his shoulder to her. She had not moved, except to lower her head.
He sighed and grabbed the door handle. Jax pulled open the door and stepped through. “Goodbye, Andria.” He pulled it closed behind him and stood on the front porch. His Humvee was parked next the curb. He took a step forward and waited, hoping she may change her mind and come. When she didn’t, Jax swiped at his eyes, pushed on sunglasses, and headed toward his ride.
Andria covered her face and sobbed into her hands. Jax was gone. He saved her life and she let him go. This had to be her penance for forging on with the relationship, even when he tried to put up a barrier. Her heart ached for him. The words for him to leave were never spoken, but the act was clear as day. He put his life on the line for her, and in return, she pushed him through her emotional cage of self-doubt and turned the key, locking him away.
Why? She was scared. She did not know what he expected from her, his intentions with her, or where their relationship would go from here. He was there to guard her from Draven. Now that Draven was dead, where did it leave them? She no longer needed the protection, but she wanted Jax. She wanted him in her life, but how? They were only together because of her needs.
What would they have in common now? There was only one way to find out. She shook her head and turned toward the door. She wiped her tears away with a renewed sense of urgency.
“What the hell am I doing letting him go?” Andria ran through her den toward the door and felt as if she would rip it off the handles. “Jax!”
Jax turned to face her. He was still here. She had not lost him. His door to his ride was open and his computer bag inside, duffel on his shoulder.
“Jax!” She ran across her lawn and Jax dropped his duffel. “Don’t leave, please, don’t leave!” She ran to him and leapt toward his body, her arms around his neck. “Please, don’t leave me.”
“Baby, I don’t want to leave. I thought you wanted me to go. Hell, woman, I want to stay here with you.”
Andria pulled back enough to look him in the eyes. She still had a black eye that Draven had given her. It had darkened quite a bit, but it was healing. Her lip had a small cut on it, and her body was bruised in a few places.
She felt his fingers touch her face. She had not realized how much she missed his touch and felt herself become lost in his eyes. He owned her, body and soul. She was ready to hang it all up for him, right here, right now.
“Stay with me,” she whispered. “Please, don’t leave.”
He smiled and leaned in to kiss her.
She held onto him, pulling him closer to her. She slipped her tongue through his lips and sought his. He tilted his head and deepened the kiss, but still he held back.
She closed the kiss and for a moment, heaving a heavy breath while their foreheads rested on one another’s. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I need you. Please, I need you in my life. I love you, Jackson.”
Jax cupped her face and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you, Alexandria.” He leaned in and kissed her once more. It was soft, sweet, light.
Andria needed more. She grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him to her. He grunted and the kiss drew deeper. Jax pressed her body against his Humvee and moved his hands to her hips.
“I’m taking you back inside. Whether you walk or I carry you, we’re going back in or the neighbors will get a show.”
She grinned against his lips and nodded. She managed to break her barricade built around herself for protection, and let Jackson in. She needed him as much as he needed her.
Many times, Andria would end a friendship before the person became too close. She would never date anyone longer than three dates before calling it quits. She never let anyone in, until Jackson Masters.
THE END
About the Author
Thank you for reading Guarded by a SEAL. If you enjoyed the story of Jax and Andria, please consider leaving a review. To know more about Julie Morgan, please follow her social media outlets.
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Also by Julie Morgan
Chronicles of the Fallen series
Fallen
Redemption
Atonement
Culmination
Rapture, a short story
Southern Roots series
Southern Roots
City Lights
Fueled Desire
Driven Hunger
Paramour
Playing Her Body
Deadly Alchemy series
Deadly Alchemy
After Midnight, a short story
Fatal Intentions
Wicked Alchemy (coming soon!)
Special Ops series
Delta Force
Sniper
Ranger (coming soon!)
Seal (coming soon!)
Stand Alone
Dragon Master
