“What if I said we should go get pedicures?”
“Can they use clear polish on my toes?” he grinned, causing her to laugh nervously.
“What if…” she began, and his smile widened even more, causing the little lines around his eyes to deepen in amusement.
“What if we eat lunch and then watch a movie marathon together. You can ask me any questions, say anything at all, and I’m yours for the afternoon. Nothing will ever be wrong that you say or do, Mary… so do your very worst.”
“My worst could be horrible.”
“Try me,” he grinned. “I’m serious. Whatever you can think of – I’m game. There are no wrong questions, no wrong suggestions, just spend time with me and relax.”
“Is that a dare? I could…”
“You could,” he interrupted, chuckling. “And you should – because I want you to know you are completely safe with me. If you wanted to shave my head and my eyebrows off - I would let you.”
Mary couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up within her, imagining that he would not be okay, but it had been an insane suggestion.
“Anything?” she whispered, meeting his smile with an incredulous sense of hope fluttering in her breast as she realized he would indeed do anything to spend time with her.
“Bring on your very worst torture imaginable,” Jax taunted softly, grinning. “I’m completely game.”
CHAPTER9
GHOST
Jax might have miscalculatedor made a serious mistake…
Opening his mouth, he dared Mary to do anything she wanted, inviting her to have enough trust and confidence in him to feel secure, not imagining that she would take him up on it.
They had stopped at a Walgreens, and she asked that he remain here while she ran inside, only to come out about ten minutes later with a bag of items. There was some coconut-scented foot lotion, a vicious-looking pumice bar, Epsom salt, several face masks, and all sorts of other items – including some pale pink nail polish and a large box of Whoppers.
He knew by the end of the evening that he would be sporting some shell pink shimmering nail polish either on his fingers, toes, or both… but that was okay, because he was intending to make the best of it. If his sweet Mary wanted to do a spa day while watching a movie marathon of Star Trek, then so be it.
The nail polish could have been neon pink, and he still wouldn’t care.
… Although ‘not caring’and ‘intimidated’were two different things.
As they got back to Mary’s apartment, Jax set about to work installing the door latch for her while she made some coffee.
“Why don’t you spread out your things, let’s get everything set up, and we can sip on our coffee while our feet soak,” he invited, and saw her look guiltily away.
Interesting…
Mary flitted around the apartment behind him as he drilled the latch into the wall, securing it. He was deliberately putting his back to her, letting her do whatever she wanted in order to get ready to take control of the afternoon.
If she wanted a pedicure, then so be it. He would be happy to polish her toes, rub her feet, or whatever… just so long as it wasn’t time to leave.
It was hearing the microwave beep that made him hesitate.
What was she cooking?
Nope. Whatever she had planned, he was game, because by the end of the day he was hoping he could have earned her trust… allowing her to open up to him.
“Alright,” he said easily. “The latch is installed and it’s really easy to use. Just move the bar over the door and it catches, only allowing an opening of an inch so you can peer out.”
He dusted off his jeans and picked up the things, still avoiding looking at her, but feeling distinctly curious.
“The coffee smells good,” he began easily, trying to fill the silence. “Did you put the pizza in the fridge?”