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“Shit, angel, are you okay? I didn’t mean to lose control like that.”
I lift my head up and look him. “It’s okay, Jaxon. I liked that you lost control. I like knowing I do that to you. You don’t scare me.”
Using one hand, he wipes my wet hair from my face and bends to place a soft kiss against my lips.
“Come on. Let’s get out and dried off before the water gets cold.”
Releasing the grip my legs have on his hips, I drop them to the floor. Jaxon shuts the water off and we both step of the shower. He dries me off first and then himself. I ask him to grab me a shirt, but he just shakes his head.
“No, I want to feel your bare skin against mine tonight.”
Still feeling nervous prancing in front of him naked, but liking the idea of having a naked Jaxon against a naked me, I nod.
We settle into bed with him against my back and his arms wrapped tightly around me.
* * *
THE NEXT DAY HAS us all hanging out in Lilly’s backyard, laughing and talking. The weather is beautiful and the atmosphere is light. Jaxon is busy manning the grill with Mac, Andrew, and a few other guys. It’s funny to watch Andrew. He’s in his glory surrounded by a bunch of good-looking men. He flirts relentlessly with each of them. None of them take it to heart, and humor him.
Lilly, Mia, and I are currently setting the tables outside with cutlery, food items, and anything else we may need. Tricia walks up carrying a big bowl of potato salad.
“I wonder how Anna is doing. Have any of you talked to her?” She sets the salad down on the table.
“She stopped by before she left yesterday. She couldn’t wait to leave. This is sort of like a vacation for her. She hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to leave Jaded Hollow,” Lilly says.
“She came by Jaxon’s yesterday morning as well and I spoke to her again yesterday afternoon while she was on the road. She’s so excited! I’ll give her a couple days before I try calling her. I’m sure Nick was surprised and wants to keep her all to himself for a while.”
We all laugh because we know exactly what Nick and Anna will be doing for the next couple days.
I pick up my wine and take a sip as I look out at all the people milling about. Off to the left I see Jake and Jack bickering as usual. Those two grate on each other’s nerves, but you can tell they share a close friendship.
Next I see Sarah, Michael, and Maddie on a playground set. Maddie and Sarah are on the swings and Michael and another little boy are in the sandbox. They both bend their heads and whisper to each other. They get up and run over to the girls and squirt them with the water guns they had hidden behind their backs. The girls start squealing and running away with the boys chasing after them.
I laugh at their playfulness and am glad they have a normal childhood. I never had boys chasing me with water guns.
Hunter is standing with Ethan and Jesse, talking. There are still several people I don’t know, and some whom I was introduced to once they arrived.
My gaze next moves to Jaxon, who is watching me. He gives me a small smile and a wink. I smile back at him and blow him a kiss. I’m amazed at how comfortable I feel in this setting. Weeks ago I would have been scared and nervous being in a crowd. Now the flutters and anxiety are gone. Jaxon and the people of Jaded Hollow have made this so.
I look over at Mia and see her shooting razor-sharp daggers at Mac. I walk over to stand beside her.
“So, what’s up with you and Mac?” I ask her casually.
She looks at me and mumbles, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, come on, Mia. I can see the sparks fly between the two of you even if you both like to try to hide it.” I know I’m pushing, but I can’t help it. It’s clear they have feelings for each other. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t have such animosity between them.
Mia looks at me for a minute before replying, “Okay, how about this? I don’t want to talk about it. It’s nothing personal, Bailey, I never talk about what happened between Mac and me. It hurts too much, so I try to forget about it.”
The pain in her eyes and the bitterness in her voice makes me withdraw my inquiry. I’ve been in her shoes before; hell, I’m still wearing them. Having people ask about my past is hard. Talking about it makes it fresh. Yes, it’s gotten easier, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready.
“Okay, sweetie, I get it. But please know that I’m here for you if you need me. You were there for me, and I’d like to return the favor if you want.” I reach over and squeeze her hand.
“Thank you,” she says.
Just then I feel an arm wrap around me and we both turn our heads to see Jaxon and Mac standing behind us. My eyes dart to Mia, whose eyes have become hard.
“I’ll see you later, Bailey,” she says, before walking off.
