Jax rolled to his side. I was instantly chilled both inside and out, scared he was pulling away from me again. But he remained next to me. He traced his fingers over my face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. You deserve better than a fast fuck on a hard floor. Are you okay?"

I leaned up on my elbow, so I was facing him. I kissed his finger when it strayed toward my mouth.

Then I balled up my fist and hit him. I'm pretty sure my hand hurt more than his arm full of muscle, but he got the point. Sort of.

"Ow!" His face registered his shock. "What was that for?" I reached for his shirt and stood, pulling it on. I had to hold the material together with my hands since the buttons were scattered across his floor.

"That's for apologizing! Why do you keep focusing on what you think I deserve?" I stomped my foot. "Did you think that was a solo act just now?"

He started to smirk but wisely concealed it when he saw my look of anger. He grabbed his pants and was in the process of pulling them on when I advanced on him, poking his chest. "I wanted that, too, Jaxson Carter. Did it ever occur to you that I'm willing to take whatever you're willing to give? That maybe I don't always want to be treated like a fragile flower?"

"I—"

“I don’t care if it’s during sex or if there’s something else bothering you. Like tonight. Even if you don’t tell me what happened, don’t shut me out. Let me be here for you.”

He bowed his head. Were we back to where we were when I arrived? I twisted the hem of his shirt contemplating where to go. How did I fight for us when he wouldn’t let me in? I contemplated hitting him again, but my hand still ached from the last time.

“I know Gene Carlin.”

I looked across the room to see him sitting on the edge of the couch. His pants were unbuttoned, and his hair was still mussed. He looked incredibly sexy, except for the strained look on his face.

“You do? How?”

He leaned forward on his elbows. He cocked his head and stared at the floor. “He was my stepfather. For almost two years.”

For a change, I was speechless. Jax had never mentioned that his mother remarried.

“It was just a shock to see him tonight. I didn’t know he lived here.”

“You don’t stay in touch?”

“No.”

“I’m sorry. What happened?”

“Don’t be. And let’s just say it worked out better for everyone when the marriage dissolved. Seeing him just brought back some unpleasant memories.”

That was a little puzzling to me. Jax’s mama seemed so warm and friendly, and Dr. Carlin had always come across quiet to me, but no matter the circumstances, I supposed divorce was never pleasant. And who knew what happened behind closed doors; sometimes people brought out the worst in each other. I had a feeling there was more to the story, but I decided not to push it. Jax was obviously not used to opening up to people, and this was a big first step for him.

“Thank you for telling me. Maybe next time I won’t have to hit you so hard.” I fisted one hand into the palm of my other.

This time, he couldn't hide his grin. "I gotta say, this feisty side is kind of a turn-on. Let's go to bed."

"Jax!"

He blew out a long breath. "I'm trying, Grace. I've never cared what anyone I dated thought of me before. They could take me or leave me. I didn't care. I've already told you you're different. You matter. I care what you think. I don't want you to see the ugly side of me, of my past because..."

I held my breath when he hesitated. "Because why?"

His expression was urgent. "Because I don't want to lose you. I can't. It's like I've spent most of my life wearing dark sunglasses. And then you came along and removed them . Suddenly everything's brighter and a rainbow of color. And now, no matter how hard I try, I can't put those damn glasses back on.

"But my past isn't bright. It's dark and ugly, but it's shaped me into the person I am." He drew me close. "I'm sorry I shut you out tonight. I'm so used to only depending on myself. It was easy to slip into old habits. I'm not used to someone fighting for me."

"Well, that's what a person does when they love someone." I froze. I hadn't meant to say that.

He went still. "What?"

I panicked. I'd said too much and pushed too far. "I mean, when you care, you fight for someone."

"That isn't what you said, Grace."

"I...I..."

"Say it again."

I shook my head, but his grip tightened.

"I'm falling hard for you, Jax. I know it's too soon, and that long-term relationships scare you, but it just happened. I'm—"

I was cut off when his lips dipped to mine. "One more time."

Not saying it didn’t make it any less true. I went for broke. "I love you, Jax."

He closed his eyes and shuddered in my arms. I heard a catch in his voice as he whispered, "I’m falling, too. But it’s not hard and fast.”

My heart gave a leap, but from happiness or discouragement, I wasn’t sure. “It’s okay, Jax. You don’t have to reply the same way. I knew it was too early to tell you. I mean, I know this is all new for you, and I’m just glad you were willing to…”

He was smiling and shaking his head against mine. “Are you done?”

I gave him a sheepish nod.

“I’m not very good with words, so I’m not explaining myself right. Hard and fast would only push me away. Instead, with you, it’s slow and gentle, secure but not restrictive. I’m enjoying the same fall, Grace, so much I’m not sure I ever want to land. I know I'm not very good at it, but if you'll be patient with me, I promise—"

Tears streamed down my face. "You're perfect." And then we were kissing again, sweetly exploring this newly confessed emotion. He lifted me into his arms and started to carry me toward his bedroom.

"Wait," I whispered. "I need my purse." With a puzzled look, he leaned toward the table so that I could pull my phone out of my clutch. I turned it off, then dropped it back on the table. "No cock-blocking tonight."

He laughed. "Good thinking. I hope no one expects to hear from you the rest of the weekend."

He continued into his bedroom where he set me on my feet, his shirt falling from me with the movement. "You're so beautiful," he praised as his eyes slowly moved all over me and then returned to my face. "I’m here, too, Grace. Not perfectly, but completely. And I'm going to spend the rest of the night showing you."

"Then you better get started."

By the time I fell into an exhausted, but satisfied, sleep, I don’t think there was an inch of my body that Jax hadn’t tried to convince.