“I really adore your smile and how your eyes shine.”
“Jax,” she began and then spoke softly, laying her hand back in his and treasuring the way they seemed to fit together, his fingers lacing with hers. “I am off tomorrow.”
“Then how about brunch, shopping, and then pizza…”
He looked at her, waiting, and she smiled in agreement.
“That sounds wonderful.”
“Can I pick you up?”
She knew he was silently asking her to trust him, allowing him to know where she lived. While she was still antsy – she never trusted or felt so safe as she did around Jax.
He was protective, caring, gentle, and allowed her to be her own person.
“Yes,” she whispered, meeting his gaze. “I’m trusting you.”
“I know you are – and I’m grateful for it,” he replied. “I will never betray that trust or give you a reason to doubt me.”
* * *
The next morning,Mary’s heart was thumping nervously. Jax was picking her up and said he was on the way. This meant that not only was she trusting him with where her apartment was – she was putting herself in his hands, because she would be without a vehicle.
“Please God,” she prayed softly, feeling so shaken. “I just need a break and a chance to lead a normal life.”
The knock at her door scared her and she yelped audibly… only to hear Jax’s voice on the other side as he began banging loudly.
“Mary? Mary! Are you okay?” he hollered.
“S-Stop…” she yelled back, feeling her nerves reaching the limits of what she could handle as he tested the doorknob.
Somehow, somewhere deep down inside, she knew he was concerned, but this was one of her big triggers, because Joe did the same thing to mentally toy with her.
That jerk would come by at midnight, two, or three in the morning… jostle her doorknob and bang on it just long enough to wake her, scare the snot out of her, and then drive off laughing.
…But this isn’t Joe.
“Mary, honey… Are you okay?” Jax hollered loudly, and she heard Karen’s voice – letting out an audible sigh because he’d disturbed her neighbor.
“I’m fine,” Mary said, opening the front door nervously – only to see Jax push past as Karen hugged her, pulling her aside. Stunned, she saw him walk through the tiny studio apartment, checking the closets, before looking at her.
“Was he here? Are you in trouble? I heard you yell…” Jax began in confusion – and he had never looked more handsome to her in that moment.
There was a protective streak in him that was almost overwhelming… and made him look dead-sexy to every fiber of her being. The concern in his gaze, how his large form filled the room, aggressive yet soothing, oh yes – someone was playing her song, and she didn’t even realize that there was a tune lurking somewhere in the shadows.
“I wasn’t expecting you to knock, and it startled me.”
“I texted and said I was on the way.”
“I’m jumpy.”
“But youareokay?” he asked again, boldly reaching for her despite Karen being close by. Mary started to jerk back nervously – and hesitated. It was long enough for his hand to make contact, caressing her cheek and cupping her face tenderly.
“Well, this is my cue to leave,” Karen muttered. “I seriously miss my husband, dang it.”
Mary almost said ‘bye’ to Karen, but she couldn’t drag her eyes away from Jax’s concerned expression as he unabashedly stared at her. Those beautiful deep eyes were seriously driving her nuts.
“I’m okay,” she whispered, her eyes searching his. “I promise.”