chapter 24
Scarlett
IT TAKES ME A few weeks to find a job, but when I do I know it’s the right one for me. The library was looking for someone to do everything, from checking in books to reading to a group of children, and I thought it’d be something I’d really enjoy. It’s only a part-time job, which is good because I don’t want to stop volunteering at the shelter. I think by also getting a job I’ve kind of decided that I’m staying put for the time being, and I’ve told my aunt as much. I don’t want to leave Jaxon, and as long as the two of us are good I’m not going anywhere he’s not. After coming home from my first day, I’m over the moon. The day went really well, and I can’t wait to tell Jaxon all about it. When I walk past the sliding door to the backyard of my house, I stop and do a double take. Unlocking the door, I slide it open.
“Oh my god,” I mutter as I walk through my beautiful garden. There’s furniture here. Beautiful wooden pieces that look hand-crafted. Unique pieces, not ones you’d find in just any old furniture store. My garden is now complete, and it looks epic. I pick up the note left on my new bench and open it.
Hope you had a wonderful first day at work.
Hope you like what I made for you.
Jaxon
He made these? I had no idea he was so talented—in the carpentry department anyway—I know he’s talented in other areas.
Wow.
I’m absolutely blown away by this gift. He knows how much I love my garden, and how hard I’ve been working in it to make it my little slice of paradise. And now it’s complete. I’ve never known such a thoughtful man in my life. I sit down on the bench, running my fingers over the smooth wood, wondering how long it took him to create this. Is there anything he can’t do? I send him a picture of his card and type:
Thank you. You are absolutely amazing. I can’t stop smiling. What other hidden talents are you hiding? Love, Scarlett
I focus on the word love.
Should I put that in? Is he going to read it and get freaked out? I take a deep breath and contemplate just taking a risk and sending, but then decide to be safe instead.
So I delete the love Scarlett part and hit SEND. Is it too soon to tell him that I’ve fallen in love with him? Because I have. So deeply, I don’t know how I’m going to take it if he doesn’t feel the same. I spend some time admiring the five different wooden pieces, then head to the bathroom to have a hot shower before getting started on dinner. We’ve been staying at each other’s houses several nights a week. With his work schedule, it’s pretty much the only way we get to see each other, which is how I don’t know when he found the time to create that stunning furniture for me. Sometimes he’ll hit the gym before coming here, but usually I’m his first stop. It’s weird seeing him on the news next to his famous client because of her high-profile case. Jaxon just has me in awe with everything he does. He’s smart, funny, good-looking, and I’m sure he’s one of the sweetest men to exist.
How can I not love him?
Once dinner is finished I make myself a hot cup of tea and sit in my garden, admiring how everything has come together. The garden is like my life. Once barren and a complete mess, it’s now beautiful, well taken care of, and flourishing. I can’t wait to sit here and read a book during the day, rays of sun hitting my face.
“I thought I’d find you out here,” comes his voice. I jump a little, luckily not spilling any of the tea. I place my hand on my chest, calming myself.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be leaving here again,” I say, lowering my hand and standing to greet him. “Thank you so much for this, you have no idea how much I love it. And I had no idea you could do something like this!”
His lip twitches. “Just a small hobby to pass the time. Happy you like everything, babe.” He kisses my forehead, and then my lips. “Now tell me about your first day as a sexy librarian.”
“Only if you join me on my one-of-a-kind, absolutely beautiful bench,” I say, sitting back down and patting the spot next to me.
He sits and mutters, “It’d be awkward if it broke under my weight.”
“It won’t,” I say with confidence. “And work was so good! They showed me how to use the computer and the filing system, and there were these supercute kids who came in for a group reading session. I had a lot of fun.”
“I can tell by the way your eyes are lighting up as you talk about it,” he says, shaking his head when I offer him some of my tea. “I’m happy you found something you love.”
I did.
Him.
“Me too,” I answer, resting my head on his shoulder. “Today has been the best day ever.” I pause, just enjoying the moment. “Dinner is in the oven if you’re hungry.”
“What’d you make?” he asks, kissing the top of my head.
“Lasagna.” I run my hand over his knee and then rest it on his thigh. He lifts it to his mouth and kisses my knuckles.
“You spoil me,” he says, standing and offering me his hand.
I take it. “Says you who made me this,” I say, pointing at the bench, and then at the table and chairs. “I feel extremely spoiled today.”
And loved. He hasn’t said it, but I feel loved. No one has ever been so caring and thoughtful with me before. I can’t stop smiling, and I just feel so happy all the time. Is this what a healthy, loving relationship feels like?
“Just wait until I get you into the bedroom then,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Are we the old couple who only have sex in the bedroom now?” I tease, greeting him with a smug look.
“Oh, you’re going to pay for that one.” He grins, shaking his head at me. “Nothing old about us.”
I laugh and walk past him. He gives my butt a little slap as I head back inside to get the food out on the table. I’ve just opened the fridge when he closes it, spins me around, and lifts me up against it. “How about this? Different enough for you?”
My breath taken from me, all I can do is look at his mouth, those lips that keep talking when all I want them to do is kiss me.
“Nothing to say now?” he asks, smirking. We kiss, and then he slowly lowers me back to my feet. I want to be up against the fridge again. “Shame we’re a boring old couple, right?”
“That’s just mean,” I say, huffing. “You’re going to turn me on and then leave me hanging?”
“You going to take back what you said?” he asks, trying to keep a straight face. He then grabs me and throws me over his shoulder. “So if I took you to the room now and fucked you, you wouldn’t find that any good?”
“I would,” I say, slapping his butt, which is now right in front of my face. “I was just joking! I take it back!”
I can practically feel the satisfaction coming off him. He doesn’t like to lose, even when we’re playing around like this. Lawyer complex much? He starts walking toward my room, but then stops in my office, where I keep my computer and bookshelves. “How about here?” he asks, sitting me on the desk and lifting up my top.
Here?
Here is good.
He gets me naked and makes love to me right on my damn table, and he teaches me important lessons.
1. It’s easy to get him worked up. All it takes is a few carefully chosen words.
2. If it’s even possible, working him up makes the sex better. And it’s already amazing.
3. I wouldn’t care if we never left the bedroom. I just like being with him.
I’ve never had this playful side to me before, it’s him who brings it out of me.
He makes me a better person, and I can only hope that I do the same to him.
Jaxon Bentley is everything I never thought I’d find.
And now that I have him, I just have to hope that he wants to be kept.