CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JAX
“THE FUCK, Peaches? Why are you on the ground?” I whispered as I stooped to get close enough for her to hear. Was she drunk? Sick?
I saw her eyes then, the damn eyes that had mesmerized me since I’d met her. The green in them glowed with fear. She grabbed onto my shirt to pull me close. Then she whispered, “Fire.”
That one word.
Four letters whispered from her lips was all it took for me to crumble back into wanting to save her. I scooped her up without thinking, without hesitation.
The blonde I’d been thinking about fucking that night picked that moment to scurry up to my side. “What the hell is wrong with her?”
“None of your damn business.” I tried to brush past her but with Brey in my arms, the narrow hallway wasn’t as forgiving.
“Jax,” she whined. “Who cares if she’s drunk? Just leave her. I want you ...”
“Move,” I commanded.
“You are an asshole,” she mumbled as she sidestepped out of the way.
Old news to me.
I rushed past her and skirted around the corner. I had gotten ready in a secluded area upstairs. I’d have to make it there without gaining any attention. Brey didn’t need this shit in the magazines tomorrow. The headlines would read, “Jax Takes Jay’s Drunken Fling for a Ride.” Or some other stupid shit that none of us needed.
“Peaches, you all right?” I whispered.
She didn’t reply and was practically panting. Like that night I’d saved her.
“Hey, I got you, I got you, I’m going to take you upstairs, okay?”
Her emerald eyes widened, shooting up into mine. “No! Jax, we have to get out.” Her voice was higher, louder than before.
“You are having a flashback, Whitfield,” I drew each word out. “We aren’t in a fire, okay?”
“Jax, put me down.” Her voice was firmer now and her body tensed. She strained against my grip.
“Settle down.”
“Put me down!”
“Fine. I’m setting you down. I want you to realize that you’re talking. You’re breathing. There is no smoke. Just breathe, baby.”
I let her body slide down mine as I said the words slow. The fear in her eyes dissipated, but a passion flared that had me instantly turned on.
Then, her embarrassment took over. As she held onto my arms and looked up at me, she realized what had happened.
“Oh my God. Oh my God.” Her trembling started and her eyes turned glassy. “I’m so sorry, Jax.”
“Peaches, it’s all right.” I moved to grab her hand like I used to when she would get embarrassed.
Her hands jerked off my arms and away from my hand as soon as I touched her. “No, it isn’t all right. I ...” Her lips pursed as if she wanted to explain but stopped herself. “I apologize, Jax. Believe me, it won’t happen again.”
“What?” I barked, louder than I wanted to. I’d be damned if she was going to put on a class act for me.
“Lower your voice,” she hissed. “I have to get back to Jay. Like I said, I am sorry. I hope you will use discretion if this is the topic of any conversation in the future. I really don’t want anyone knowing what just happened.”
Ending the conversation abruptly, the woman I’d lusted over for fucking years turned on her heels and started to walk away from me.