Chapter Four
Jax
This was going to be harder than he had ever imagined. How had he thought he could make it through the coming weeks without dragging Josie to the nearest bed when he could barely make it through dinner? Jax had planned every aspect of his claiming down to the last detail. The first week together was strictly for him to accustom her to his touch. With frequent, soft caresses and small chaste kisses, he wanted Josie to crave his nearness as much as he did hers. The second and third weeks together were for Josie to get to know the future father of her children as well as he knew her. By the fourth week of his bargained time with her, he fully intended for them to be announcing their engagement and planning the wedding of Josie’s dreams.
He did not take into account his own weakness for his Baby Doll though. After finally being able to touch her, Jax found he didn’t want to ever let her go. He was fully aware his love for Josie bordered on the obsessive, but he was beyond caring. Even if she could never love him the way he did her, just being able to hold her against him, her head nestled against the heart that now beat only for her, would be enough to satiate the yearning that had taken residence in his soul when he’d first set eyes on her.
Sending Josie upstairs, he had bought himself some time to calm down by cleaning up the kitchen. By the time he had scrubbed the counter down for the second time, Jax knew he couldn’t stall anymore. Erection as fierce as it had been throughout dinner, Jax thought it best to deal with the matter before heading upstairs to tuck in his Baby Doll.
Heading into the bathroom just off the main hallway, Jax leaned against the door as soon as it closed, and carefully unfastened the zip that was stretched tightly over his massive bulge. Pushing his pants down to just under his hips, Jax began a firm tug; up and down the heated length.
Eyes closing in concentration, Jax thought back to dinner. Josie’s lips wrapping around each bite. The moans of pleasure escaping the back of her throat at the taste of the wine he had purchased just for her. Quickening his stroke, Jax felt his release almost upon him. Jax imagined Josie wearing the nightie he purchased for her; her large breasts straining against the silk and lace, her rounded tummy encased in the soft material, the globes of her lush ass playing hide and seek with the hem of the tiny gown. Throwing his head back in ecstasy, Jax came on a loud, guttural groan. The orgasm was devastating in its intensity. Cum surged from his tightly gripped cock, falling in wet plops against the floor. Milking the last of his orgasm with long, slow pulls, Jax relaxed his bowed body against the door, and attempted to catch his breath. Tucking his spent flesh back in his pants, Jax wondered, if cumming felt this good with just the thought of his Baby Doll, would he survive actually bedding her?
After his second cleanup of the evening, this one of a more personal nature, Jax made his way up the stairs. He wanted to be the first thing Josie saw in the morning, and the last thing she saw at night. He may not be able to share her bed just yet, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t implement his will now. Start as you mean to go on, he thought to himself.
Tapping lightly at the door, Jax entered without waiting for a reply…only to find his Baby Doll asleep across the mattress. Dressed in the snug nightgown he had commissioned just for her, Josie was laying on top of the duvet, having appeared to fall asleep as she was dressing for bed. With a small smile at the sight before him, Jax moved further into the room to make Josie more comfortable. Dragging her to the middle of the bed, Jax gave up on tugging the covers out from beneath her prone body, opting to grab the duvet from his own room to protect his woman.
Once comfortably situated, Jax decided to lay down beside her softly snoring form. Kicking off his shoes, he removed his watch and emptied his pockets on the bedside table, before laying down behind her. Pulling her into his embrace, he closed his eyes, inhaling Josie’s unique scent. Never having felt so at peace before, Jax slipped easily into a deep sleep.
Josie
Waking was never a problem for Josie. Between one breath and the next, she was able to jump out of bed and take on the world. Today however, Josie was finding it almost impossible to get up; sleep unwilling to relinquish its claim on her body. Never had she felt such warmth and peace as she slept, and she was not anxious to give up the comfort she had found.
On the cusp of slipping back into the welcoming oblivion, a fragment of the previous day’s event pushed forward from the depths of her subconscious. Eyes popping open in alarm, Josie became aware of the source of all that delicious heat that had so easily seduced her body into slumber. Lying tucked under Jax’s chin, back cradled in against his broad chest, Josie was imprisoned against his solid form. Both his arm and thigh were draped across her body, pinning her securely to his frame, as if preventing her from sneaking off during the night. Josie was effectively trapped; finding herself unable to move.
A soft breath hit her, moments before a damp kiss landed behind her ear. Nimble fingers stroking a line of fire from her hip, down to her knee and back again, Jax whispered huskily in her ear.
“Ummm… Good morning Baby Doll. Did you sleep well?” Dropping one last kiss, he reluctantly detangled his limbs from around her body. Now free, Josie was able to roll onto her back, looking up at Jax as he stood beside the bed. Arms clasped together over his head, his muscles pulled under the rumpled fabric of his dress shirt as he stretched. Yawning hugely, he lowered his arms, and smiled down at Josie.
“I love seeing you like this Baby Doll. Warm and rosy from sleep, lying among tousled sheets. I can get used to this look.” Reaching down to the bedside table, Jax picked up his phone and several odds and ends, placing them in his pockets as he outlined the day’s schedule to a still befuddled Josie. “After we dress, I’ll run downstairs and fix breakfast. Usually the housekeeper is here at six, and breakfast is ready by seven, but she has the weekend off, so I usually just have cereal. But today will be a busy one for us, and I need you at your best, so I’ll whip us up something substantial. After we’ve eaten, I’ll drive you to your apartment so you can arrange to be away for the month, then, later in the afternoon we need to drive down to my cousin’s home for the annual Montgomery BBQ. There’ll be swimming and volleyball, so be sure to pack a change of clothes. I’ve already purchased a bathing suit for you, but if you already have one and rather use that, we can pick it up once we get to your place.”
Glancing at the clock beside the bed, Jax frowned slightly. “I guess we slept in later than usual. It’s already going on nine. I better get a move on. You’ll find everything you’ll need for the day in the closet, outfits, shoes; the works. As soon as you are ready, come on down to the kitchen and then we’ll be on our way.” Turning to the connecting bathroom, Jax threw over his shoulder “Get that gorgeous ass in gear Baby Doll, we have a busy day ahead of us.”
To say Josie was astonished by the number of exquisite outfits hanging in the closet would be an understatement. Last night, with the slight buzz from the champagne and the uncertainty clouding her mind, she had not really paid attention to anything more than the nightie on the door. Now as she stood in front of the rows of brand name clothing lining each wall, she marveled at the sight before her. From simple blouses, to elegant evening wear, all the stylish clothing still had all of the tags attached, and were all in her size. Hesitantly, with a tentative hand, she stroked the nearest outfit with a reverent hand. Although she made good money now, Josie was still unable to afford such luxury.
Getting lost in all the pretty things, Josie only became aware of Jax standing behind her when one arm came to hook around her waist and draw her into him. Ignoring her jump of surprise, Jax reached past her to grasp a beautiful cream colored sun dress. Around the hem were beautifully embroidered sunflowers, in various shades of gold.
“Wear this. It’ll be perfect for the BBQ, and with the thick straps, you can still wear a swimsuit under and it won’t peek through.” Kissing her neck lightly, Jax draped the dress over her arm, moving to the back of the closet to search for matching shoes. “I had Mandy make sure everything came with matching accessories, so your shoes and purse should be around here somewhere….ah, here we go. Perfect.” Handing her the strappy sandals and cream tote he had found, Jax brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face with a gentle caress, and smiled down at her. “Breakfast is ready. Once you’re dressed, come down and we’ll be on our way.”
Ten minutes later, dressed and ready for the day, Josie entered the wonderfully smelling kitchen. Dressed informally in faded jeans and a black t-shirt that hugged his muscles enticingly, he was leaning against the counter, talking on the phone. Noticing her, Jax smiled in her direction and ended his call, “See you soon mom. Love you too.” Walking to her, Jax smile widened.
“Baby Doll, you look amazing. Come sit, and I’ll serve you. I talked to my mother, and she’s made up a room for us at Mandy’s, just in case we are too tired to travel after the BBQ. I’ve also called Mike, and informed him that they’ll need to find your replacement for the month, as you are on assignment with me.”
Seating her at the small table by the window, Jax continued his one-sided conversation as he went back to the stove and plated up larger servings of the delicious smelling breakfast onto two plates. “I’m not obligated to go out of the country for the next few months, so all of my more pressing work can be done from home. This time of year is real busy for me, and with all the events and family gatherings, etc, it’ll be easier to make my base of operation from my home office. Which reminds me. I need to give you a tour of the house, and show you your office.”
Placing a heavily laden plate of scrambled eggs, French toast and crispy bacon in front of her, Jax removed the linen napkin resting on the table and placed it on her lap. Kissing the top of her head, he straightened before heading to the opposite end of the table for his own breakfast. “Eat up Baby Doll. Time’s a-wasting.” Bemused and off-kilter at the sudden lover-like behavior for her employer, one who, up until last night, had only ever shown the most polite, business like attention toward her, Josie dug into to her meal.
Almost moaning at the deliciousness before her, she closed her eyes to savor the flavors. In consideration to her waistline, she usually forwent a hot breakfast in favor of a lite yogurt or piece of fruit. Since keeping company with Jax, she had consumed more calories in two meals that she had in the previous week! Becoming aware of the sudden silence from the other end of the table, Josie opened her eyes to meet the lusty blue of her employer’s.
“Baby.” He started in a pleading tone “You can’t make noises like that. Have some consideration for my poor, abused will power!” Blushing under the heated stare, Josie looked back down to her plate, trying to alleviate the sudden need coalescing in her body.
Clearing her throat of its sudden thickness, Josie decided to get some answers to the questions that had been plaguing her since the events at the office the previous evening.
“So, Jax. What is really going on here? By rights I should be fired. I accidentally destroyed documents that will end up costing Emile Dickerson thousands of dollars, and the firm his business. I fully expected to be looking for a new job this morning, but here I am, in your beautiful house, eating enough calories to pad my ass in another couple of inches, wearing clothes I’ve only ever dreamed of.” Sighing in confusion, Josie forged ahead “I am just really confused.”
Laying down his fork, Jax pushed back his chair and made his way around in front of Josie. Taking her nervously twisting hands in his own, Jax pulled her up to standing.
“I’m not fond of deception, so I’m going to lay it on the line here. I want you. I have for a while, but things never seemed to fall into place. I may be an ass for taking advantage of the situation, but I don’t care. I do need a companion for all my social obligations, and all the reasons I explained to you yesterday are true. There is the added complication of my meddling family and their desire to see me paired off already. I’m the only boy in a large family, and my being almost forty, with no wife is something they’ve been trying to rectify; very insistently of late. Having you come with me, being seen with me, will help keep the meddling to a minimum and allow me to concentrate on more pressing matters.” Dropping a kiss on her forehead, Jax continued softly. “I want this, but I want you to be comfortable with the situation more. If at any time you are not, let me know and I’ll fix it.”
Floored by his response, Josie made no complaint when, seating her once again, Jax returned to his meal, closing the subject with a command for Josie to finish her own meal so they could be on their way.
An hour later, as they drove to Josie’s place, Jax kept up a running commentary of all she would expect during their month together. As he had intimated before, Josie was not to return to work, and would instead work with him from his home office between social engagements. As she had guessed from the pictures on the wall last night, the mysterious Mandy was indeed a relative of Jax.
“She’s technically my cousin, but her parents passed away when she was young, and she came to live with us, so I’ve always thought of her as a sister. An annoying, meddlesome, lacks any kind of brain to mouth filter sister, but a sister nonetheless. You’ve might have seen her at the office a few times. When she is in town, she likes to drop by and let me pay for lunch.” As they approached Josie’s apartment complex, she realized he hadn’t asked for directions.
Turning to face him, Josie asked “How did you know where I live?”
“Baby Doll” Jax said with a smirk “There isn’t anything about you I don’t know. Now let’s get upstairs to pack up any odds and ends you may need and be on the road. My mom is expecting us at noon, and it is quite the drive this time of day.” Huffing in frustration at the non-answer, Josie went to unlatch the safety belt when Jax’s hand covered her own, stalling her movements.
In a gentle, but firm voice she had never heard from him before, Jax commanded “Josephine, stop. I don’t want you to go and get riled up over nothing. I will always have your best interest in mind in all I do, never doubt that. All of your problems, all of your worries; they are mine to bare. You only need to lay them at my feet. We have a long drive ahead of us today, and I’ll answer any questions you have then, but for now, can you trust me enough to take care of you?”
Staring into his deep blue eyes, Josie found nothing but sincerity in his warm gaze. Nodding slowly in the affirmative, Josie had to hold back a smile when Jax let out his own gusty breath, one of relief, at her answer.
“Good, now let’s get this done. We do not want to be late and get on mom’s bad side. She might even be so angry, she won’t let us have any of her special cookies!”