“Never mind. I think it’s safer for my balls if we don’t attempt shaking hands. I happen to be very fond of my balls. I even named them—Lefty and Righty. The left one is named Righty,” Dad tells him, and Jax drops the dejected hand as he casts a helpless look in my direction.
Taking pity on him, I slap my father in the stomach. “Play nice. Why are you here?” I ask, but only so he can give a fake reason to Jax, since he’s already given me the real reason.
My father is a jackass. No big shocker there.
Dad’s grin returns, and he laughs lightly. Jax slowly relaxes, and he runs a hand through his disheveled hair.
Shirtless Jax… I wish Dad hadn’t pointed that out.
“My girl is in Hawaii, so why wouldn’t I come?”
A slight squeal sounds from behind him, and I turn to see Mrs. Marshall sitting upright. She’s redder than a tomato. If she hadn’t been such a bitch to me, I’d feel sorry for her right now.
“You the lady that thought my girl was a gold digger?” my father asks, turning his jackass back on.
I cover my face with my hands, and Jax’s mother stammers like a kid who just got called out for bullying the principal’s daughter.
“I… Well… We didn’t know… I’msosorry!” The last words are so rushed that it sounds like one word. Mrs. Marshall is suddenly a fourteen-year-old star-struck girl.
Dad snickers again before kissing my head.
“All is forgiven. Hope you don’t mind me joining the vacation. Couldn’t miss a chance to see my daughter in one of my favorite homes. We used to come here all the time.”
Mrs. Marshall is freaking drooling, and nodding absently. Never thought that woman could be rendered speechless.
“I’ll go get changed. Grab your swimsuit and meet me on the beach,” Dad says. He turns a pointed look at Jax. “You too, lover boy. My daughter better not have to swim alone.”
Jax swallows a lump, and Dad starts laughing again before walking off.
“He’s going to fuck with me the entire time he’s here, isn’t he?” Jax asks, turning toward me with horrified eyes.
“Yes. Yes he is.”
Jax groans, and I start snickering before jogging back up the stairs, leaving behind a shocked Mrs. Marshall as she continues to remain frozen to the sofa. On some level, I think she still doubted me until this moment.
I don’t plan on immediately heading to the beach, but I don’t bother pointing that out to my father.
As soon as we’re in the room, Jax spins me and pins me against the wall. Soooo wasn’t expecting that. His eyes lock on mine, and his lips twitch when my breathing increases to a pathetic, rapid rate.
“You enjoyed watching him make me feel like a kid at a prom date’s house, didn’t you?” he muses.
I can’t help but grin, and he rolls his eyes before brushing his lips against mine. What starts out as a barely-there graze turns into a tongue-war within seconds, and my fingers tangle in his hair as he pulls me tight against his body. When his hands cup my ass, I moan into his mouth.
Alarm bells sound off in my head, and I snap back to reality enough to push him back. “He’ll come get us if we don’t hurry,” I lie, barely getting the breathy words out.
Jax lets me go like I’m on fire, and he looks around like he’s a little lost.
“I have nothing to wear.”
A small smile lights my
lips, and I lean over to pick up a bag one of the house workers must have dropped off in here while we slept.
“You do. It’s Pretty Posh. Don’t worry. We have men’s clothing as well. I’m good with sizes, so I’m sure it’ll fit. I also had some new phones sent over for everyone who lost theirs in the fire. Well, I asked Jane to, rather. She got the makes and models of your old ones from your sister.”
His eyebrows go up, as I essentially reveal that other secret. Watching his dazed, confused, and awed look is becoming a little fun.
However, brushing my teeth takes priority over watching him piece the puzzle together because I can’t keep getting kissed with morning breath.