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“Sweet dreams, baby,” I hear him say, right before I succumb to the darkness.
11
A COUPLE OF DAYS after the phone call, I’m standing behind the bar in Jaxon’s pub, watching him at the other end talking with a couple of guys. He looks so relaxed and at ease. He’s casually leaning both hands on the bar. The long sleeves of his shirt are pushed up to his elbows, displaying his multitude of tattoos. I wouldn’t mind the opportunity to study them.
The morning after he snuggled with me in bed, I woke up refreshed, peaceful, and in a wonderful mood. It was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a very long time. It was because I didn’t dream that night about Steven. It’s been months since I’ve slept and not had nightmares. I can only attribute that to the fact that Jaxon was there to chase them away. Even before I had my nightmares, my dreams were restless because I didn’t know what the next day would bring with Steven.
After I realized that Jaxon was no longer in bed with me, I grabbed the pillow he used and hugged it to my face and chest, taking in his lingering scent. I loved falling asleep in his arms.
Jaxon’s stand up straight from the bar and reaches into his back pocket to pull out his phone. When he glances at it, his eyes get a hard look and a tic forms in his jaw. He swipes his finger across the screen and puts it to his ear. Whoever he’s talking to has obviously made Jaxon lose his lighthearted mood. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but I can tell that whatever it is, it’s said heatedly.
After talking on the phone for a couple of minutes, he lifts the bar partition and lets it slam back down. He then stalks toward the hallway.
I wonder who he’s on the phone with. Whoever it is, I already don’t like them. Jaxon is one of the sweetest men I’ve met, but I also know he has an intense angry streak as well. I hate to see that side of him. Not because I’m afraid of it, but because someone as kind as Jaxon should never be pushed to that level.
“Hey, sugar, you mind getting us a couple of beers, whatever’s on tap?” I’m pulled from my thoughts of Jaxon and turn to see Ethan and Jesse, a couple of regulars, waiting at the bar. They’ve been in here before and have shown me nothing but respect.
After I set their drinks down in front of them, Ethan leans his elbows on the bar and asks, “So, Bailey, what’s your deal? You seein’ anybody?”
I’m taken aback by his question, not expecting it. I’ve never been the type of girl who garnered a lot of male attention. I know I’m passably attractive. Before Steven, I was hit on occasionally, but not very often. After I left Steven, I figured my scar would scare off any unwanted attention from guys. So far it has worked, until I came to Jaded Hollow. It’s like the people here don’t see my scar, even when I pull my hair back. I’ve been hit on and flirted with more since I came here than I have in my entire life. I don’t know what to do with it. It’s flattering, but even more so it’s unnerving.
Looking into Ethan’s eyes, I see honest curiosity. No malicious intent or leering. There’s appreciation there, but nothing that sends off warning signals.
“No, I’m not seeing anyone,” I tell Ethan and watch as interest enters his eyes.
“Would you like to get a drink or have dinner sometime?” he asks in a hopeful voice.
Ethan is a very good-looking guy. He has dark blond hair that he keeps cut close to his head. His eyes, which are a rich chocolate brown, are kind. He’s tall and carries himself with confidence, but not in a cocky way. He’s dressed well in a pair of black slacks and a dark gray button-up dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. It looks like he just came from the office and is here to relax a bit. Even through all this, I can’t see myself going out with him. First, the thought of going out on date with a guy gives me the hives. Second, it would be pointless because I’ll eventually be leaving. And third, he doesn’t make my heartbeat quicken and my breathing shallow, not like someone else I know.
“Thank you, Ethan, that’s very sweet of you, but I’m not looking to date right now.” I smile at him to try to soften my rejection.
He takes it in stride and smiles back at me before replying, “Okay, that’s cool. If you change your mind, let me know.” He and his friend pick up their drinks and walk away.
Just then, Andrew walks up to me and places his arm around my shoulders. “Hey, there, sexy mama. How’re you doing tonight? Gotten into Jaxon’s pants yet?”
I choke out a laugh at his question. Andrew definitely doesn’t mince words. He gets straight to it. He always says what’s on his mind. Sometimes it’s hilarious what comes out of his mouth, and sometimes I wonder how he doesn’t have a perpetual black eye. He’s such a joker that it’s difficult to tell whether he’s serious or not.
I look at him now and the first thing I notice is his shirt. It’s white with big, bold, purple letters that say “[email protected].” I let out a laugh and shake my head. Every day he wears another ridiculous shirt bound to make me laugh.
When I look up into his face, I see a twinkle in his eye, but I also see open curiosity. He wants to know, but is still giving me the opportunity to take it as a joke in case it embarrasses me, or I don’t want to answer. I can’t really fault him his curiosity. He knows Jaxon and I have been spending time together lately.
I jab him in the ribs and joke back with him. “Now Andrew, you know a lady never tells her secrets, but if you must know, I have no plans of ‘getting into Jaxon’s pants.’”
He pats the top of my head like a child. “Oh, pretty girl, you don’t need any plans to get in his pants. He has enough plans for the both of you to get there. And when you two do get down and dirty, I want all the raunchy details!”
“Andrew! Seriously? You have no shame at all! I absolutely will not share any details with you! Besides, you’re wrong about Jaxon. He’s just a sweet and noble man being nice to someone he feels deserves it.”
He bends at his waist and bursts out laughing. I personally don’t see what’s so funny.
“You really are deluding yourself, Bailey. That man has the hots for you. Like really has the hots for you. And noble? I would have never used the words ‘noble’ and ‘Jaxon’ in the same sentence. But with you, I think you may be right. Jaxon’s had a lot of women in his bed, and he’s never had to work for it. If he did, he would just skip them. There’s only ever been one woman he had a long-term relationship with. With you though, I see a difference in him. He doesn’t mind the work. He knows in the end it will be worth it.”
His words make me pause. The more I know about Jaxon, the more curious I get. I wonder who the woman is that Andrew mentioned and what happened between them. I also wonder if she is the cause of Jaxon not wanting anything long-term.
As far as Jaxon being willing to work to get what he wants from me, which from Andrew’s standpoint is in my bed, I’m not exactly sure how I feel about that. It’s flattering to think Jaxon feels I may be worth it, and it sends a thrill through me. It’s also ludicrous because I’m not worth it. I’m used goods with a magnitude of problems. No way could Jaxon think I would be worth that much trouble. What makes me so special for him to break his habit of sleeping his way through women? He may feel protective of me because he suspects something terrible happened, but for him to give up his playboy ways for a girl like me? Not possible. Sure, he told me the other day that he wants to take me to bed, but that doesn’t mean he wants to keep me there. What’s to say I wouldn’t be like all the rest of his girls? Even if the thought of willingly having sex didn’t terrify me, I know that I would never be the type to have a fling.
I need time to think, so I tell Andrew I’m going to take my break in the kitchen with Hoot while there is a lull in the crowd.
He bends slightly and kisses my cheek. “It’s okay to feel, pretty girl. Jaxon would never hurt you. Of that, I’m certain. You know how I feel about him. Jaxon looks at you the same way I look at him. Only with you, there’s a possibility of something truly special coming out of it. I get that you’ve been hurt in the past, but don’t let it ruin your future. Whatever the bastard did to you is not worth it.”
