Jax tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove us back to his house. He’d been mostly quiet the entire time we’d been at Luke and Alex’s, but I’d come to realize Jax was a quiet man. He had either been that way all his life, or it stemmed from being alone for the past two years.
We’d stopped by the grocery store and loaded up on food. I may have gone a little crazy, but I hadn’t been to a grocery store in I don’t remember how long. In LA, going to the grocery is a hassle with fans and paparazzi around every corner, so when I was home, which wasn’t very often, I either had someone get whatever I needed, or I ordered it online.
I never knew going to the grocery store could be fun and relaxing. The only contention was when it came time to pay. I had put way more into the cart than Jax had, but he refused to let me pay. I was so used to everyone around me expecting me to pay, so in a way, it was sweet. I could get used to someone wanting to take care of me. To be my partner.
“Is it always so low key at the grocery store?”
Jax burst out laughing. Putting a hand to his stomach, he continued to laugh for a good full minute. “That was it when it’s bustling. You won’t see it any busier than that on any given day unless the forecast is for snow or ice. Then you better get there early because all the bread, milk, and beer go fast.”
My surprise was evident from my gaping mouth. The local grocery store barely seemed to have anyone in it, and that was when it was busy.
“I’m not sure how Luke lives here.” Coming from LA to Fairlane must have been a culture shock.
“It’s not too bad,” Jax countered, staring at the road. His jaw ticked, and I knew I’d hurt his feelings by my remark.
“It’s not bad. It’s just so different and unexpected, but I understand its appeal.”
“Riverside is bigger and is probably more up to your speed. Lots of people go there to shop, but I wasn’t sure the condition of the roads getting there, otherwise I would have taken you.” He shrugged, and I had a feeling Jax might have been embarrassed when he shouldn’t have been.
“Next time. I definitely don’t want you to wreck your truck or be stuck in a ditch. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime. So,” I drew out the word, smiling over at Jax. His gaze flickered over to me, but he kept his eyes on the road. “I thought today went well.”
“You mean with your friends?”
Of course, I meant with my friends. Me not leaving to go back to LA went well beyond okay. At least in my book.
Jax let out a loud sigh. “I told you, I don’t do well with new people or people in general.”
“You did great,” I assured him. “I was shocked when Luke asked you to go watch soccer, and you said yes.”
My eyes might have almost fell out of my head while I’d watched Jax follow Luke out of the kitchen.
“I was trying for you.”
“Well, I appreciate you trying for me. Luke really is an easy-going guy.”
Jax smiled over at me. I felt a little flutter in my stomach at the sight of his devastating smile. He had no idea that his smile could make panties vanish off any woman he shined it at.
“Did you like Luke and Alex?” I desperately wanted him to like my friends so we could spend time together.
“Yeah, baby I liked them. don’t worry.” He winked at me. “I like how they look out for you like family.”
If it was possible, I would have melted into the seat right there and then.
“That’s how they feel to me, like family. I hadn’t felt that in a long time. Not until I met them. Alex doesn’t have any besides her son Mason, Luke, and her friends. She’s made a family out of those who are dear to her.”
His eyes softened as he looked at me. “Does Luke have family?”
“He does, but they live in Sweden for the most part, so he doesn’t get to see them very often.”
Reaching over, he wrapped my hand in his and placed them on his thigh. “When he took me downstairs, he threatened to kill me if I ever hurt you. Once I told him I had no intention of ever hurting you, he softened some. After I cheered for his soccer team, I was golden.”
“I’m glad he’s got someone to watch his soccer with. I know Alex watches it with him and said he can be very intense.”
“That’s one word for it,” he laughed. “I can’t imagine what he’d be like if he was actually there with all the people and charged atmosphere.”
“Thank you for going out of your comfort zone.”
I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been for him, but I knew the more he got out and saw that no one cared or noticed his scar the more he’d open up.
Bringing my hand to his mouth, he kissed my knuckles and smiled. That was enough for me. I looked out at the snowy landscape we passed by. Who would have thought I’d enjoy this winter wonderland?
We were quiet the rest of the way back to his house. I was lost in thought on what I was going to do with my life now that I was no longer in a band and had met Jax, who I was sure I was already in love with. I didn’t really have a life back in LA. I had a place to stay when I was in town, but that’s it. I used to have my band and the only real friends I had lived most of the year in Fairlane. Would it be so bad to live in a small town where no one would know me or bother me?
As we hopped out of the truck and took the groceries inside, I asked myself one simple question: would it be so bad to live in a small town where no one knew me or bothered me?
I took the groceries out and placed them on the counter, and Jax put them away since I had no clue where anything went. We worked together well even if it was a simple task. Once I was done, I continued to stand in the kitchen, looking around at all the work Jax had done. His house was old, but it was beautiful. Even with snow and ice covering every inch of the backyard, it was picture perfect. I could imagine spending summer days lounging by the pool and nights staring up at the stars, all with Jax by my side. I could see myself here for the long run.
Feeling a tug on my hand, I looked up into the worried eyes of the man who’d come to mean so much to me in only a matter of days. “Are you regretting your decision to stay?” His voice was quiet and laced with sadness.
My heart sank at his words. “Jax, no.” Lacing our fingers together, I led us into the living room to sit in front of the fire.
Jax’s hair fell in front of his eye, and for the first time, I realized he might keep his hair longer to help cover his scar.
“Since we left the store, you’ve been deep in your head.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
It was strange because in so many ways, I felt as if I knew everything there was to know about Jax, but once I said I’d stay, I realized how little I really knew.
“I’ve been thinking about my life in LA.” Jax’s face fell, and I wanted to crawl into his lap and show him how much I wanted to be here with him.
So, what’s stopping me?
Crawling into his lap, I cupped Jax’s scarred cheek. Closing his eyes, he leaned into my touch. “Gabi.” My name on his breath felt like a caress.
Brushing our lips together, his hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer until I could feel our hearts beating as one.
“Tell me what you were thinking.” His dark eyes begged.
“I’ve lived in LA for as long as I can remember, and yet I only have my condo there. A condo that I’ve barely spent more than two weeks a year in. My only friends were my bandmates and Luke and Alex.” His eyes brightened at my confession. “Luke plans to spend most of the year here, and now that I’ve met you—”
“Now that you met me?”
“I’m trying to figure out what I’m doing with my life now that I have all the time in the world and no job to fill it. I can’t think of a better place than Fairlane to spend my time.”
Jax opened his mouth about to speak, but I placed my index finger over his plush lips to quiet him. “I’ll need to go back to LA at some point to get more clothes and a few other things for my stay here.”
“I can live with that,” he said against my finger. He bit the tip, smiling mischievously. “Now,” he thrust his hips up to meet my core. “I can think of better things to do while we sit in front of the fire.”
“Oh.” I ground myself against his denim bulge. “I like the way you think, and I can’t think of a better way to work up our appetite for dinner.”
Jax growled as he flipped me over to lay on the floor. “I’ll have my dessert now.”
Whipping his Henley over his head, I stared at his muscular chest. The sparse hair that covered his pecs and happy trail glinted in the sunlight. Even when it had been dark, I’d known he was gorgeous, but I’d had no idea the true magnitude of his beauty.
Throwing my boots over his shoulder, Jax slipped my jeans and thong down my legs.
Laying down on the floor, his hands caressed up my legs as he kissed up my inner thigh. Strong hands gripped my hips, his thumbs spread me wide open. “You have the prettiest pussy I’ve ever seen.”
Never with all my lovers had I heard such words, and I’d never been more turned on than in that moment. My fingers tangled in his hair, and I pulled him to my aching core. “Stop talking and fuck me with your mouth.”
Jax’s eyes flashed with lust the moment before his warm tongue licked up my center. His mouth made love to my sex. His skill was unparalleled. With only a few well-placed licks and his finger rimming my hole, my back arched off the floor, and I moaned his name like a prayer.
Panting, I ran my hands through his overly-long hair that was smooth as silk. Kissing my inner thigh, Jax rested his head on my leg as he looked up at me. “I could do that all night.
“Let me return the favor.”