“You must want to miss this event,” he growled. “Put some clothes on woman.”
Holiday giggled as he swatted her bare behind. Jax had on his tux pants and button up shirt. When she walked into the bedroom, she retrieved her dress from the closet. Taking out the satin and beaded gown from the dress bag, she placed it on the bed. Holiday retrieved the black open-toed sandals with silver details to match the dress. The front panel of the gown was black sheer material with silver beading. The remainder of the dress was navy blue satin. The mermaid style gown flattered her shapely figure. Jax would love the exposed back and sheer panel. She was aware that if you stared too long her nipples would be visible. However, she felt daring tonight and wanted to complement Jax’s insane good looks.
After slipping into the dress she turned to allow Jax to zip the dress. Her audible gasp let him know, he picked the perfect tux. Jax slipped into the jacket and black designer shoes. His neatly trimmed beard, mustache, and goatee gave him a polished appearance. Holiday bit her bottom lip as he moved closer.
“You look sensational,” he cooed.
“Quite fuckable yourself,” she purred. She had no idea where she had developed such a dirty repertoire of words, probably Jax. His smile at her choice of words only added to the beauty of the man. Jax reached behind her back to zip the gown and button the boat neck collar. He ran a hand down the sheer front panel, hissing as her nipples pushed against the fabric. They weren’t quite visible but he knew them from memory and loved the response from his touch. Once she placed dangly diamond earrings from Me-Me’s collection and grabbed her black clutch, Jax lead her from the townhome. He held open the passenger door of his BMW. She managed a graceful slide into the car.
Upon arrival, they were ushered into the event amide the flash bulbs of cameras. Inside the grand opera house, they were shown to the location of the Gala. It was a spectacular event with sponsors from all fields including, automotive, technology and health care, to name a few. Holiday marveled at the remarkable set up. They were given their assigned table number before entering. Jax beamed with pride as they strode confidently into the room. Several individuals took notice of them with appreciative stares. It didn’t take long for Jax to recognize familiar faces once they moved deeper into the room.
“Well as I live and breathe,” an older woman with a southern accent stated. Her platinum blond hair was pinned in a neat chignon accented by jeweled combs. Her emerald green ball gown was age appropriate with a hint of sex appeal. The woman leaned into Jax and placed a kiss on either cheek. Jax released his hold on Holiday momentarily to return the kisses to the woman’s cheeks. He immediately returned his arm to Holiday’s waist.
“Mrs. Rogers, so good to see you,” Jax said with a smile. Mrs. Rogers gave Jax the once over before answering. She made to return the compliment when she noticed Holiday. The woman’s eyes went temporarily wide as she took in her lovely dress.
“Why Jax, I haven’t seen you since Emma’s funeral. How are you holding up?” She asked in a heavy drawl.
“I am holding up as well as can be expected. I have had help from this wonderful woman to my right,” he stated evenly. Mrs. Bunny Rogers this is my girlfriend, Holiday Titus.”
Holiday giggled at how his voice strained when he said, “girlfriend.”
Holiday extended a hand to the woman who shook it gingerly.
“Have we met before? You look lovely dear and you look familiar,” Bunny asked.
Jax answered, “You probably met Holiday at mom’s funeral. She was Me-Me’s hospice nurse.”
“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Rogers and your dress is stunning,” Holiday finally spoke up.
Bunny batted her long lashes and asked, “Should I say something clichéd like this old thing.”
Bunny laughed then thanked Holiday for her compliment.
“So, you have rid yourself of the albatross that was hanging on your neck at the funeral. Come to think of it albatrosses are not bad birds. How about have you rid yourself of the parasite or better yet leech that aimed to suck you dry?” Bunny questioned her brow raising.
Jax gave a nod of his head before adding, “We divorced six months ago. It hasn’t been easy. That particular parasite had a lot of damage to inflict. Thankfully, Holiday and I weathered the storm together. We may have rid ourselves once and for all.”
Holiday playfully hit his arm before retorting, “Don’t jinx it by saying it out loud. She is like a damn weasel. She will pop up anywhere.”
“Oh, so you have had the displeasure of meeting she who shall not be named,” Bunny chuckled.
“Meet? Oh, no! We are way past meeting to being harassed for months,” Holiday stated.
“That’s rather unfortunate. Way to stick it out. The prize definitely seems worth the hassle. Looking very handsome tonight Jax, where I younger,” she said then trailed off. “Oh, never mind, my old coot of a flirty husband would never let me go.”
“Where is Mr. Rogers,” Jax asked stifling his laugh. Bunny waved a dismissive hand around before answering, “No doubt staring at some of the impressive cleavage or any available skin. You know Bill is a big ole flirt.”
“Ah, he always did have an eye for the ladies but only an eye. He is as dedicated to you as ever, I am sure,” Jax placated.
“Don’t be so sure Jax, my boy,” a gruff southern tinged voice stated. “I can see the beauty on your arm could use some attention. Good evening beautiful.”
Jax turned to extend a hand to William “Bill” Rogers. The man was at least three to four inches taller than Jax and considerably bigger. Jax’s hand looked like a child in the man’s large grasp. When Holiday extended a hand, the man pulled her in a for a very tight hug.
“Oh Bill, don’t scare the girl away by pawing at her,” Bunny admonished playfully.
“Er, nice to meet you Bill,” Holiday squeaked out. Bill released his hold and glared at the sheer panel of her dress. Jax didn’t hold back his laughter this time.
“She is impressive,” Jax laughed gazing at Holiday’s beet red face. “But also, very taken.”
“Did you hear that Bunny,” Bill bellowed. “No new toy.”
“Poor thing, you must be devastated my love. I guess you will just have to settle for little old me,” she said sarcastically. Bill grabbed his wife around the waist and pulled her close. He planted a huge kiss on the woman before releasing her.
“No matter what darling, I always want you and you ain’t never been old,” he growled seductively. Holiday and Jax felt the atmosphere heat up a few hundred degrees. Bunny’s chest rose and fail quickly before she regained control of herself. Holiday thought for sure the woman was going to faint from a case of the vapors. The thought made her giggle inside. Before Bunny could speak another familiar voice entered the conversation.
“So, you don’t know how to call your only surviving aunt,” Mary stated. Jax turned once more to immediately wrap his mother’s sister in a hug.
“I am sorry Aunt Mary,” he apologized. “It’s been a crazy six months.”
“It’s okay nephew,” she said with a sad lilt in her voice. “I just miss you and her very much.”
“Holiday and I will make a concerted effort to be present,” he added. Mary immediately released him and turned to take in Holiday.
“Oh, this is far from scrubs Miss Holiday, so nice to see you,” Mary said with a conspiratorial smile.
“Hello, Ms. Mary, so good to see you too. I am sorry I have been keeping Jax all to myself,” Holiday apologized. Mary issued a long tender hug.
“It’s the least we can do after all that you did for us,” she murmured. “So, glad to see you two together, in spite of everything. Emma is dancing on cloud nine right now.”
“Thanks Ms. Mary, now don’t make me cry,” Holiday whined. Mary dashed a few tears as she took in Holiday and Jax. They made a formidable but gorgeous couple. Emma had been right to steer them together.
“Hello Bunny and Bill, you both look great this evening
,” Mary said finally pulling her gaze away from Jax and Holiday.
“You look stunning, Mary,” Bill said with a flirtation wink. Mary blushed and produced a bright smile. The five individuals talked about Emma and current events before Jax took Holiday to the dance floor. The young couple were in a tender embrace as they moved to the music.
“So what’s the scoop Mary. Is this the real deal?” Bunny asked in a hushed whisper.
Mary shook her head, “It most certainly is the real deal. Holiday was Emma’s hospice nurse practitioner. She took such great care of my sister and the family. Emma knew right away that there was a potential connection between those two. She worked until her last breath to bring them together. I am not exaggerating either. Her dying words are only known by those two. Somehow, she knew they would be perfect together. That bitch Colette tried to usurp them but alas it looks like she failed. Thank God!”
“Thank God for small miracles. Those two look very good together. Emma has herself a fine looking son,” Bunny said with honesty. Mary smiled but bristled internally. Women always went for the looks. Finally, a woman was getting the big picture that was her nephew. He was so much more than his outward appearance. Seeing Jax and Holiday move with intermittent kisses and words of love brought tears to her eyes. She once again dashed them away before muttering to herself, “You did it sister. You really did it.”
Jax looked down at Holiday and felt his heart swell. The love he saw in her hazel eyes could get him through anything. Since they moved in together, he had zero nightmares. Holiday was such a wonderful source of comfort and love that he could feel his heart mend over the loss of his mother. It would always be painful but he could smile again. He could laugh, something he thought would never happen again. Those days where they did nothing but sit on the deck and hold each other were marked as some of the best days of his life. Just having her near, listening to her soft breathing, did more for him than any cognitive therapy. How did he get so lucky? Perhaps his siblings along with Me-Me were working overtime to give him a slice of heaven.
“I feel it,” she murmured placing a tender kiss on his lips. Jax inhaled deeply and fought to contain the urge to dip her with a fantastic kiss. Instead, he led them off the dance floor to find their table and perhaps a drink to calm the new onset of his nerves. As they made their way to the bar, Jax spoke with several individuals. It was a feminine voice that stopped him in his tracks.
“Hello Jax,” Megan purred. Jax extended a hand to the woman, who passed and took a hug instead. The hug lasted a bit too long but she eventually released him. Jax, however, did not release the hold he had on Holiday, so it was a bit awkward.
“It’s good to see you Megan. This is my girlfriend, Holiday,” he stated evenly. Holiday smiled and extended a hand which the woman shook gingerly.
“Megan and I went to high school together,” he explained with some unease. Megan’s brow shot up before she could stop it. Holiday noticed the gesture for what it was. They had been intimate before.
“How did you get rid of Colette after your mother’s funeral. How are you handling that by the way?” Megan questioned seriously. Jax sighed, “With great difficulty and I am doing better.”
He lifted Holiday’s hand to kiss and smiled. Holiday’s hooded gaze set his body on high alert. Just a look was all it took. Jax felt so alive with this woman and forgot about Megan for a few long moments.
“So how long has this been going on,” Megan said interrupting their intimate stare down.
“Six months or so,” Jax said evasively. “Holiday has been my emotional rock. How are things with you Megan?”
Jax pulled himself out of their personal vortex. He wanted to take an interest in the conversation. He and Megan had history.
“I am great. The art gallery is doing well,” she added. “I am sorry that I couldn’t attend your mom’s funeral. I sent flowers and a card, did you get them?”
“Yes and thanks for that,” he answered. “She had a lovely send off, in spite of, the unexpected arrival.”
Megan huffed, “I heard Colette magically turned up just in time to be too late.”
“Bingo,” Jax stated. Holiday looked on with interest. “Holiday was mom’s nurse practitioner.”
“Wow really!” Megan said with excitement and newly peaked interest.
“She sure was,” Colette’s steely voice interjected. “She violated all manner of state laws to bag this one.”
Holiday gave a long sigh of frustration. Jax rolled his eyes most violently and refused to acknowledge Colette. However, she was not to be ignored and bolstered her way into the conversation.
“Hello Jax and Holly,” she said stiffly. Colette was taking in Holiday’s dress and bit back a curse. She was of course dressed in a long fire engine red, form fitting ball gown that had her breasts practically spilling out. Her hair was perfectly styled in a mass of long loose curls. Her ruby red lips made Holiday want to immediately wipe off the red lipstick she currently sported.
“Hello Colette and her name is Holiday. You should remember it well. It’s what I cried out in my dreams and shower for months,” Jax said sardonically. “Besides, I am the only one to call her Holly during very special moments.”
Holiday visibly blushed before catching the laugh before it could escape.
“Oh! That’s right! Her parents were going for creative,” she said ignoring the rest of his statement.
“How could you forget, it’s been on your lips for nearly eight months,” Holiday snapped. “Surely I am there when you dream at night too!”
Jax moved his hand up to cover his smile. Megan gave a slight turn but kept a keen ear to the conversation.
“Well it was nice seeing you Megan,” Jax said extending a hand. Before Megan could respond Colette remarked, “Oh, so, you can’t participate in a conversation with three women that you fucked? I get it, you didn’t think I knew about Megan, did you?”
“First off, ask if I care what you know,” Jax growled. “Secondly, it only matters who I am fucking now. That’s not you, nor is it Megan.”
He once again kissed Holiday’s hand before placing one on her cheek.
“The problem is you keep trying to protect her. When the real you show up, she is going to go running for the hills,” Colette stated. Holiday laughed loudly and added, “Do you mean that little bed and breakfast we went to last month in the hills? That was a very fun weekend.”
“Yes it was,” Jax replied as the memories flooded his mind. Colette waved away Holiday’s response while Megan colored a little.
“Joke all you want,” Colette sneered. “He will be up to two Dear John letters in no time.”
“Not your problem or your business,” Jax added calmly. “Enjoy your evening ladies.”
Jax made to walk away but Colette grabbed his arm. His eyes narrowed when he looked at the offending claw. Holiday made quick to remove it and toss Colette her hand back.
“Don’t touch what doesn’t belong to you,” Holiday hissed. “Lest we cash in strike three. This sure does feel like less than one hundred feet.”
Colette took a few steps back as Megan’s brow shot up once more. There was more to this situation than she thought.
“I just wanted to talk to Jax about a legal issue,” Colette said with an icy edge to her voice. “I can’t afford a lawyer right now.”
Holiday turned away to survey the room, she totally checked out. Megan stood stock still watching a tennis match of emotions cross Holiday and Jax’s faces.
“I also wanted to know why you had to sleep with my high school best friend after I left. That really hurt you know,” Colette pouted and thrust her chest out. Jax sighed loudly, “After you left me for another man, I had to restrict my interactions to non-acquaintances? Rich, even for you Colette. Megan and I had something for a little while but once Me-Me was diagnosed, I didn’t have the time for anything serious. We were both consenting adults as were you and your boss.”
“Hey, I am right here
,” Megan said raising her hand. Holiday took in the friend, who was wearing a black ball gown, with a silk sash at the waist, and a pair of killer designer four inch heels. Her jet-black hair was long and straight but not a hair out of place. Simple elegant makeup covered a fairly youthful face. When compared with Jax and Megan’s, Holiday wondered how they all attended the same high school at the same time. Colette must have missed a few grades, she looked worlds older. Holiday supposed the last few months without a benefactor had taken a toll on the woman.
“Jax and I found comfort in each other when you bailed. You remember when I broke up with Mitchell in the tenth grade. You were quick to sleep with him,” Megan laughed. “So I guess we are even.”
Holiday almost shouted with glee when she spied five very familiar faces. Five people she went to nursing school with were in attendance. She could tell they were having a discussion on the guests. It looked lively, animated, and fun, much more fun than standing around the “I fucked Jax” convention.
“If you will excuse me,” Holiday interrupted. “I see a few friends.”
Jax made to come with but she held him with a gaze.
“Finish this and come find me,” she said softly. His jaw clenched but he gave a subtle nod. Holiday planted a chaste kiss to his lips and walked confidently away. Jax checked out her form until she reached the group. When he turned back to the two ladies they both glared at him.
“What? My woman is fucking hot and that ass,” he shrugged.
“Are you serious? Since when did you become an ass man,” Colette shrieked and flaunted her breasts. “I always thought you were really into tits or was it just mine?”
“That was until I met an ass I couldn’t live without,” he answered quickly. “But trust, my woman has a glorious set of tits that I thoroughly enjoy.”
Jax's Holiday: An Interracial Romance Page 17
