I wake up enveloped in the most amazing warmth, “Mmmmm,” I moan cocooning myself in the heat.
All of a sudden I hear a growl… “Stay the fuck still!” a big hand grabs my hip stilling my movement.
I stiffen, my heart in my throat, while memories from last night replay in my mind. Oh god… Jaxson.
The mattress dips as he flies off the bed. “Shit,” he yells before he goes into the bathroom and slams the door.
What the heck just happened? And why was he in my bed? I try to remember anything after the hospital but can’t. I look under the blankets and see I’m only in my bra and underwear. Oh sweet Jesus! Please don’t tell me I tried to seduce him? I groan in embarrassment when I remember him stilling my movement while I tried to rub myself all over him. I’m no better than that two-bit whore Melissa. Great! Way to stay mad at him Julia, he’s really going to be sorry now.
I get pulled out of my self-torment when I hear the bathroom door open. I sit up quickly, wincing from my bruised ribs, and pull the blankets up under my arms to cover myself as much as possible. Jaxson comes out and stands right in front of me leaning against the wall. I can feel him staring at me but I’m too embarrassed to look at him.
I take a deep breath, “Look Jaxson, I’m really sorry. I was out of it last night, I know it’s no excuse, but I don’t remember it.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” he asks confused.
I groan, of course he has to make me say it. “I’m sorry for… trying to have sex with you alright!” My face goes furiously red from embarrassment. When he doesn’t say anything I look up at him and see him watching me in amusement.
“Let me get this straight. You wake up half naked with me in your bed. You don’t remember shit and you think it was you who seduced me?”
“Well, why else am I half naked?”
“Because I took your dress off while you were sleeping,” he says as if I’m an idiot.
“Why did you do that?”
“Would you have rather slept in it?”
I think about this for a second… “Wait, so I didn’t try to have sex with you?” I ask in confusion… oh please let that be the truth.
“If you had tried to have sex with me Julia, you would still be feeling me inside of you.”
My heart skips a beat at his husky voice and I hate myself for the throbbing that starts between my legs from his arrogance. I glare at him, trying to hide the effect.
“You passed out before we even got in the truck. I brought you up here and Kayla left before I figured I would need help getting you out of your clothes. I stayed on the floor but then halfway through the night you asked me to lay with you, so I did,” he explains all too happily.
I’m annoyed at his amusement, “I’m glad you’re finding this so funny.”
“I don’t understand why you wouldn’t think right away that I’m the one who tried something?”
“It never crossed my mind, I know you would never take advantage of me.”
The smirk vanishes from his face and he shakes his head sadly.
“What?” I mumble feeling uncomfortable.
“Nothing,” then he changes the subject, “How’s your head?”
I clear my throat, “Not too bad, it’s my ribs that are hurting terribly today.”
“We probably should change the dressing and put more of that ointment on it. Do you want to have a shower first?”
I get uncomfortable thinking about him doing it. Before I can say anything I remember Gram’s brunch today. “Shit! What time is it?” I ask in a panic.
“Nine.”
“Crap! I have to hurry, I need to be at the senior home for Gram’s brunch in an hour.”
“Julia, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You should stay and rest.”
“Jaxson, it’s her birthday, I’m not missing it, I’ll be fine.” I throw the blankets off me then shriek, quickly pulling them back up, remembering I’m in my underwear. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” he says, making no effort to leave.
I point at the door, “Out!”
“It’s nothing that I haven’t seen before Julia.”
We stare at each other silently, tension filling the room as we both remember that night. I look away, breaking eye contact first.
“Ya well, that was a long time ago, things change,” we both know I’m not talking about my body anymore.
“Not everything changes Julia.”
I really don’t want to have this conversation right now, so I ignore his comment and change the subject. “I need to get in the shower so… “ again I wave at the door.
“You need to cover your bandage before you shower remember?”
Nope I don’t remember, but I don’t let him know that.
“Where’s your saran wrap?”
“In the pantry.”
As soon as he walks out the door I jump up, then wince again from my stupid ribs. I walk quickly to my closet and get my robe on just before he walks back in.
“Thanks,” I put my hand out.
“I’ll do it.”
“I can manage Jaxson, now give it to me,” I rip it out of his hands and go into the bathroom. I barely manage getting the saran wrap on. My ribs are so tender that I get dizzy from the pain. I get in the shower and moan when the hot water pounds on my sore body. Every muscle aches from my fall. Once the bruising goes down I’m going to need to see Kayla for a massage. I wash quickly knowing I don’t have much time before I need to be at Grams and reluctantly get out. I throw on a clean pair of underwear and bra then my robe again. Walking out of the bathroom I see Jaxson sitting on my freshly made bed. He has gauze, bandages and ointment sitting beside him.
“Can’t a girl get some privacy?” I ask annoyed.
“Quit your grumbling and get over here.”
“Jaxson, I’ll try and do it myself.”
“No! I know what to do, you don’t.”
“You can’t expect me to stand in front of you half naked.”
“It’s not a big deal, just come here and we’ll get it over with.” I stand where I am, not moving any closer to him. “Now Julia!” he demands firmly.
To be honest, I probably will have trouble and I wasn’t paying attention to what the nurse said last night. I walk over to him knowing I don’t have much choice but I glare at him to let him know I’m not happy about it. I’m a pretty private person, I don’t even change in front of a mirror. Jaxson and Justin are the only two guys that have seen me naked, both were a long time ago.
When I reach him I turn to my injured side and try opening the spot to my damaged ribs without having to open my robe. It’s not working well.
“I can’t get to it like this. Open your robe,” he says gruffly.
“No!”
“Jesus Julia, I won’t look anywhere else but your ribs ok? You’re wasting time. Don’t you need to get to Grams soon?”
Damn it he’s right. “Fine! But I mean it Jaxson, don’t look anywhere else!” I really shouldn’t be so paranoid. The guy has stayed the hell away from me for 6 years, it’s not like he’s going to jump at the first opportunity to see me naked.
I turn to face him a little more. When I start to pull my robe open he says, “Jesus that’s nice.”
“That’s it!” I quickly shut my robe and I turn around to storm off when he grabs my arm laughing.
“I’m kidding Julia.”
“It’s not funny.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. I won’t do it again I promise,” he’s trying to hold back his laugh but there’s a stupid smirk in its place that makes me just as irritated.
Fine two can play at this game… “You promise?” I ask seriously.
“Yes I promise,” he says trying to hide his smile. I turn to him fully and undo my robe dropping it down my arms so it pools at my feet. He sucks in a sharp breath as I stand before him in my black satin bra and panties. My irritation vanishes when the smirk he had moments ago is gone. His jaw is clenched as he stares at my stomach, completely frozen.
Ha! Not so funny now, is it buddy? “Hello? Are you going to start anytime soon? I’m a little cold here,” I say impatiently as I enjoy his torment.
“Fuck me,” he mumbles under his breath. Finally he moves and gets to work on my ribs.
When he goes to pull the bandage off I suck in a sharp breath and grab his shoulders digging my nails into them. “Ow, ow, ow,” I close my eyes and wanna cry it hurts so bad. The sticky tape holding the gauze pulls painfully at my raw skin, add that to the tenderness of the bruising and it’s a painful combination.
“I’m sorry, I’m trying to be careful,” he says gruffly.
My pain vanishes when his hot breath hits my bare stomach. I suddenly become aware of how close my body is to his as I stand between his legs and how strong his shoulders feel under my tight grip. Crap! This is not so funny anymore. It takes every ounce of my will not to squeeze my legs together to stop the ache that’s happening between them.
“Do you want to take some more pain medication?”
Jaxson’s question snaps me out of my sexual fog and I keep a tight hold on his shoulders, worried if I don’t my legs will give out from the need coursing through me.
I clear my throat and try not to let my voice betray what I’m really feeling. “No, maybe after Grams. I don’t want to be drowsy at her brunch.”
When he gets the bandage removed he starts applying the ointment gently. The coolness is a welcome relief to my over-heated body. I feel Jaxson tense under my grip as he applies it.
“I’m seriously going to kill that fucker.”
“It was kind-of both our faults,” I whisper anxiously.
“Julia, none of this was your fucking fault.”
I don’t respond because I don’t want to talk about Wyatt right now, especially with Jaxson.
“Cooper is coming by today to talk to you about last night.”
“Ok, but it will have to wait till after Gram’s brunch.” Jaxson nods in agreement.
When he finishes the last of the bandaging I go to walk away when he grabs my good hip pulling me close to him. It catches me off balance and I grab back onto his shoulders to steady myself. His heated gaze roams up my body to my face.
“Next time you pull something like that Julia, sore ribs or not, I won’t let you off the hook so easily.”
Oh the man is infuriating! Sexy… but infuriating. I stare into his fiercely heated gaze while need escalates between us. I pull myself together and lean in close with a confidence I don’t feel, “Then next time, Jaxson, don’t start something you won’t finish.”
His gaze intensifies and his grip tightens on my hip, “Oh Julia, you know me better than that. I always finish what I start.” I gasp when he leans in and presses a gentle kiss to my quivering stomach. His soft lips on my bare skin causes my nipples to harden while goosebumps break out over my body. He runs his rough hands up the back of my legs and cups my ass, making me to moan. Suddenly his phone rings breaking me out of my aroused state. His forehead drops to my stomach in frustration. I quickly push away from him and try to regain control of my body.
“What!” he snaps answering the phone in frustration. His hungry gaze travels over my body as he listens to whoever is on the phone. I break eye contact and walk quickly to my walk-in closet and close the door behind me. I take a deep shaky breath as I lean against it. Lord Julia, why the hell did you have to challenge him like that? It’s like dangling a piece of meat in front of a bear. I’m disgusted with myself for how easily I caved to him; the man still has so much control over me. I hear Jaxson talking to whom I’m assuming is Cooper.
“She’s visiting Margaret this morning, we will call you when we get back, then you guys can come.” Since when are “we” going to Grams, I think annoyed. “I don’t give a fuck what he wants, I’ll kill him if he comes near her again.”
Not wanting to hear the rest of that conversation I move away from the door and get dressed. I was going to wear shorts but change my mind not wanting anything snug against my sore hip, so I pull out a short black cotton baby doll sundress. I put my ear to the door and don’t hear Jaxson on the phone anymore. Taking a deep breath I open it and head straight to the bathroom, not looking in his direction. I start applying my make-up, making sure to be careful of my stitches.
“Running scared Julia?” Jaxson asks, coming up behind me to stand at the bathroom door.
I glare at him in the mirror then turn on my hair dryer drowning out anything else he might say. He watches me the entire time with his gaze narrowed. I pull my part over the stitches, I’m not able to cover it entirely but I get most of it.
“Are you going to ignore me all day?” he asks annoyed when I turn off the hair dryer.
“Nope! Because you’re not going to be here all day.” I turn around to leave but Jaxson is still blocking the door. “Do you mind?”
“We’re gonna have to talk about this sometime Julia.”
I sigh, feeling tired, and it’s only 9:30 in the morning. “I know Jaxson, but not right now.”
He lets out a frustrated breath and nods his head. “Fine. We need to call Cooper when we get back from brunch.”
“Why are you saying ‘we’?”
“Because I’m coming with you.”
“No you’re not!”
“I’m not leaving you Julia so forget about it!”
“You already did!” Damn! Why the hell did I have to say that? I look away, angry at myself for letting him know just how hurt I still am. He takes my face in both of his hands and forces my gaze to his. For the first time since I’ve seen him I see some remorse in his eyes.
“I promise Julia, I will make this right.”
“What if it’s too late?”
“It’s never too late because I will never give up on you.” I look away from his determined gaze. “Let me come with you to see Grams, I’d really like to see her.”
The thing is, I know Grams would be over the moon to see him. I let out a deep breath, “Fine,” I say giving in. When I see relief in his eyes I add, “But let’s get one thing straight Jaxson, I’m saying yes because I know she will be happy to see you. I’m doing this for her not for you. This does not mean that I forgive you.”
He says nothing but has that annoying smirk again.
“Lose the smirk and lets go,” I push him to the side and walk out. When he chuckles behind me I want to turn around and slap him.
We stop by Jaxson’s motel first so he can quickly shower and change. I decide after what happened in my room it’s best to wait in the car.
A few minutes later Jaxson emerges from the hotel looking his typical sexy and confident self. His usual white t-shirt stretches across his defined chest perfectly, but he’s added an unbuttoned long sleeve navy shirt over top. His dark washed jeans hang just low enough on his hips to visually tease me. I swear the man is a walking orgasm.
“Like what you see Julia?” he asks with a cocky smirk when he enters the car.
I quickly snap my gaze away realizing I’m gawking at him like an idiot. My face heats with embarrassment. God I’m pathetic. I ignore his comment and change the subject, “I’m surprised you aren’t staying with Cooper.”
He grunts, “He offered, but I didn’t want to intrude or hear him and Kayla fucking each other’s brains out. I remember what it was like living with that shit before. Plus, with the way Kayla has been acting towards me it’s probably better. She may just kill me in my sleep if she gets the chance.”
I giggle, knowing that’s probably true.
A few minutes later we pull up to the senior home, Sunny Acres. The courtyard is filled with lush gardens where residents will sit and have tea while looking out at the ocean.
“When did Margaret move here?” Jaxson asks, taking in the scenery.
“About two years ago. It was difficult for her to leave her home but she knew she couldn’t keep up to all the yard work. She seems to really love it here. There’s always an event going on: bingo, dances, even margarita nights.
Jaxson smiles, “I’ll bet she likes that.”
I smile, “That she does, the woman loves her margaritas.”
We walk through the front doors and head straight into the dining area that’s filled with people. I spot Grams at the back of the room laughing with a few of her friends. One of them points me out and she turns around with a beaming smile that dies quickly when she sees Jaxson. She brings a shaky hand to her throat and stares at him in shock. My heart pinches when I look over to see Jaxson with his hands in his pockets, looking unsure of himself. Grams walks towards us, her stunned gaze frozen on Jaxson.
“Jaxson?” she asks as if she’s imagining him.
Jaxson clears his throat nervously and nods at Grams, “It’s me, how are you doing Miss Margaret?”
“Oh Jaxson!” Grams says sobbing while she wraps her arms around his waist, “I’m so glad you’re okay honey.” My eyes sting and my throat becomes tight at Gram’s emotional state. She knows about Jaxson getting hurt and everything that happened when I went to Germany.
Jaxson pats her back uncomfortably, “It’s good to see you too.”
Grams stands back a little then reaches up and grabs his face making him have to bend over for her to reach. She gives him a kiss on each cheek, “You’re even more handsome than I remember. How is that possible?”
I roll my eyes, the man doesn’t need his ego boosted anymore. “This is the best birthday present I could have gotten.” Geez, really? I knew Grams would be happy to see him but I didn’t think she would let him off the hook so easily.
Finally she turns and acknowledges me, “I told you he would come back sweetheart.”
“Grams,” I say sternly under my breath.
Grams snickers at my embarrassment, “Come here honey,” she hugs me tight, thankfully on my good side. She gasps when she leans in to kiss my cheek.
“Julia, what on earth happened to you?” she asks looking at my stitches.
“I had a little fall last night Grams, but I’m fine, it’s nothing to worry about.”
I glare at Jaxson when he grunts, making me look like a liar.
“Julia Sinclair. What aren’t you telling me?”
I let out a frustrated breath. I guess she’s going to hear about it sooner or later. Nothing stays quiet in this town. “I had a minor altercation with Wyatt is all.”
“Wyatt did this to you?” she asks in outrage, “I knew that boy was trouble, he has always rubbed me the wrong way, same with his father.” She looks over at Jaxson, “Did you kick his ass?”
“Grams!” I scold her, Jaxson doesn’t need any further encouragement.
“Damn straight and I’m not done with him either.”
“Good boy!” She says patting his shoulder. I roll my eyes frustrated at the both of them.
“Really Grams, it was just a misunderstanding. I need to use the ladies room. I’ll be back.” I mumble as I quickly walk away.
I watch Julia walk away and know she’s pissed that I made Margaret aware of what happened.
“Come on honey, have a seat,” Margaret takes me over to a table. When I sit down she surprises me by slapping me on the back of my head.
“That’s for hurting Julia mister,” she says shaking her finger in my face.
Shit! I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy with her. I clear my throat and try to explain it to her. “I’m really sorry I hurt her, but trust me when I say it was for the best. She wouldn’t have been able to handle seeing me like I was.”
Margaret puts her hand over mine affectionately, “I’ve told you before Jaxson, she’s stronger than you think she is. You hurt her bad when you sent her away like that. I worried she was never gonna come out of it.”
My chest constricts with guilt, “I’ll make it up to her.”
“I know you will honey, but I’m warning you it isn’t going to be easy.”
“I know, but I won’t stop until she forgives me.”
“Good!” she says patting me on the back, “and while you’re asking for forgiveness you may as well tell her you love her.” I snap my gaze to hers while panic seizes my chest. “Oh don’t look at me like that. I’ve always known you love her Jaxson. I’ve waited a long time for you to come to terms with it, but you’re a little slow on the up-take honey,” she says snickering.
I shake my head, “She deserves better than me Margaret. She needs someone who can love her the way she deserves. I don’t know how to love, it’s something I was never around.”
“Jaxson, love isn’t always something you learn, it’s something that you feel. And I know you feel it, I can see it in your eyes every time you look at her.”
“I’m really messed up Margaret, even more so after what happened in Iraq.” I’m uncomfortable admitting this to her but I’m trying to get her to understand.
“Oh honey!” she says with tears in her eyes, “if you would let her, she could help heal you Jaxson. I don’t know anyone else who will love Julia or protect her more than you. Just look what happened with that no good scoundrel Wyatt,” she says angrily.
My body tightens with anger when I’m reminded about last night. I’m pissed at myself, knowing if I had been here in the first place none of it would have happened. I always thought I was doing the right thing by staying away but look at the mess that’s happened.
Margaret snaps me out of my thoughts when she touches the side of my face, “Jaxson, all I’m saying is for once think with your heart, not your head. See where that leads you.”
We get interrupted when one of the staff comes walking up to us.
“Hi Margaret, is this your grandson?” the girl smiles at me flirtatiously, flicking her hair over her shoulder.
“No! He’s Julia’s man, now get out of here!” Margaret says harshly, surprising the hell out of me.
She glares fire at the girl’s retreating back, “That girl is a hussy. You should see some of the stockings she wears with her uniform.”
The lady amuses the shit out of me. I look away trying to hide my grin when I see Julia making her way over to us. She’s so fucking beautiful it hurts just to look at her; mainly because I have to force my dick to stay down whenever I’m around her. I can tell by the way she’s walking she’s in pain, but trying to hide it.
I lean over when she sits in the chair next to me, “Are you doing ok? I brought your pain medication in case you needed to take some.”
She shakes her head, “I’m ok, but thank you though.”
Before I have a chance to argue with her she leans over and brings up the present she brought, handing it to Margaret, “Happy Birthday Grams.”
“Julia! I tell you every year not to get me anything.”
Julia rolls her eyes, “And every year I do, so stop your fussin’ and open it.”
Margaret pulls out a big black book from the gift bag. She opens it and gasps, tears immediately starting to form. “Oh Julia, this is so beautiful, thank you!”
“You’re welcome Grams. I’m glad you like it.”
When Margaret finishes leafing through the pages she hands it to me. The book is her life story, filled with pictures of her and her husband, Julia and her mom. I’ve seen pictures of Julia’s mom before and am always taken aback by her beauty. Julia looks so much like her.
Julia takes the book and flips to a page, “That’s my Pappi, right after he got out of the Navy,” she says pointing to a picture of him.
“Wasn’t he handsome?” Margaret asks me. I nod awkwardly because it’s kinda weird for me to agree. Julia chuckles at my discomfort. “The man took my breath away whenever he walked into a room. No matter how long we were together I never got tired of looking at him. I miss him dearly.” Julia leans over grabbing her hand affectionately. “He would have liked you Jaxson. I told you this before and I mean it, you’re a lot like him. I knew the moment I met you, you were right for my Julia.”
Jesus the woman doesn’t hold back anymore does she?
Julia lets out a snort, letting go of her hand, “Give it a rest Grams.”
Before Margaret can say anything else two elderly ladies come up to sit with us. They’re both wearing big smiles while they eye me with curiosity.
“Margaret, who is this boy and where have you been hiding him?”
“This is Julia’s Jaxson,” Margaret replies happily.
“He is not my anything!” I can’t help but chuckle at Julia’s growl. She looks over and glares at me.
“Why not? He’s handsome Julia. You have to hold on tight to men like him,” one says, winking at me.
Ok, that’s a little uncomfortable.
Julia smiles when she notices my discomfort and puts her arm around my shoulder, “Well Gladys, looks like it’s your lucky day, because it just so happens that Jaxson here is single.”
I glare at her, what the hell is she up to?
“Oh really?” Gladys says eyeing me like I’m a fucking treat or something.
“Yup and I promise to bring him here more often for ya. I should bring him on your dance nights, he loves to dance Gladys.”
Oh she’s going to fucking pay for this. She damn well knows I hate to dance. I look over at Margaret hoping she will help me, but she just looks amused as hell.
“You like to dance?” Gladys asks excitedly.
“Uh, actually no.” Her face drops making me feel like a dick. Jesus! I never thought the day would come that I’d have to worry about hurting an old lady’s feelings by shutting her down. “It’s just that I’m not a very good dancer is all.”
Her face lights back up, “Oh honey, don’t you worry. I can dance well enough for the both of us,” she says giving me another wink.
Jesus, is this lady for real?
Julia grabs the side of my face now, “Oh don’t listen to him, Jaxson’s just being modest. Believe me this guy has some killer moves.”
That’s it! I grab the back of her head and kiss the fucking smirk right off her face.
“Atta boy Jaxson,” Margaret cheers.
Julia gasps when my lips land on hers and it makes my dick painfully hard. She’s frozen at first and does nothing to kiss me back. But when I lick her lips she moans and opens for me. I plunge my tongue in her mouth and become intoxicated with her taste.
Fuck me! She tastes even better than I remember.
“Oh my!” someone says at the table, making me remember we aren’t alone. I pull back slowly and stare at Julia’s heavy lidded gaze. Shit! I just meant to press a hard kiss to her mouth, not maul her in front of everyone. Julia’s gaze starts to tighten with anger but it doesn’t hide the need I see in them.
“What the hell are you doing?” she whispers harshly, pushing me away.
“What? I was just demonstrating some of my killer moves you were telling them about.”
Margaret snickers, “Come on you two, food’s ready.” The three of them get up and start making their way to the food table.
“Wow! I gotta tell you, I’d like to see what that guy is packing.”
What the fuck! Did I just hear that right?
“Don’t you ever do that again Jaxson,” Julia says angrily, shoving her finger in my face.
I grab her wrist and pull her to me, “Then next time think twice before you play games with me. When you challenge me like that, Julia, all it does is make my dick hard. I thought you learned that in your room this morning.”
“You are so infuriating,” she glares at me with a mixture of anger and lust.
“Admit it Julia, you liked it and you want more,” I know I shouldn’t push her anymore but I can’t resist.
She looks down at my hard dick through my jeans and smirks, “You seem to be the one affected Jaxson.”
“Don’t tell me that if I shoved my hand up that dress of yours right now I wouldn’t find your panties soaked.”
Her eyes flare with heat but she tries to hide it behind her smirk, “I guess that’s something you will never find out,” then she stands and adds, “Take your time to settle down before you come and get your food.” She walks away but looks over her shoulder smugly at me. It makes me want to take her to the bathroom and show her just who’s in control.
Shit! The woman is testing my limits and I haven’t even been around her for 24 hours. Clearly it’s going to be harder to restrain myself than I thought. I need to keep a clear head, I’m trying to fix the mess I made, not screw it up more. I look over at her in line and stare at her ass when she bends over to grab something for Margaret.
I’m so fucked!