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Jax disappeared around the corner, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished hardwood floors. I stomped off in the other direction toward the kitchen, my chest burning. In fact, my entire body felt warm.
“I don’t think he knew what to make of you.” Evan’s voice was tinged with amusement as he followed close behind. I grabbed some leftover steak, a knife, and a cutting board, but before I could get started, Evan was there. He wrapped his arms around me, pressing a kiss to my hair as he whispered, “It’s okay, baby. He’s okay.”
I slowly exhaled, not even realizing until then that I was shaking. It was as if the weight of the past few weeks was pressing down on me like a vise. All my worries and fears about Jax being out there, not knowing if he was okay, all the anger that he’d left without saying goodbye… They had taken a toll on me—one I hadn’t fully recognized until this moment.
I set the knife down, and my hand drifted to my belly while so many emotions raged within. “He’s okay,” I repeated, nodding, and breathing deeply again.
He’d risked his life for me. The last time I’d seen him was in those cages where Tomas kept us. I squeezed my eyes shut as I vividly recalled him pounding on the glass panes while Tomas threatened me. The desperation there. I hadn’t known what happened to him, how he got out, unsure at first whether Tomas had taken him away, or if he’d managed to escape—only that he wasn’t there the next time I woke up. That was the last time I saw him.
He’s saved me, and I hadn’t even had a chance to say thank you.
Evan turned me around and cupped my cheeks. “What’s going on?”
I opened my eyes to find him watching me, so patient and calm.
“I feel so chaotic,” I said. “My emotions are all over the place. I’m so angry that he just ran off like that, but then there’s the relief I feel at seeing him again, knowing he’s okay. I just want to ask what he was thinking. How he could do that after everything we went through.”
Evan gave me a gentle smile and tucked my hair behind my ear. “There’s nothing wrong with feeling those emotions. He did just get back, though. Maybe we give him a little space before you lay into him about that?”
I sighed, but I knew he was right. Jax had no idea what to make of my behavior. These hormones were something else. I needed to shake this off so I could act like a normal person when Jax came to eat.
“You have plenty of time to hear all about where he’s been,” Evan continued, kissing me softly on the lips.
“You’re right. Thank you.” I kissed him back, but the scent of the steak had me pulling away.
“You know what sounds good?” I turned back to the steak and began shaving off slices to make sandwiches. “Steak and peanut butter.”
Evan leaned on the counter, his eyes twinkling as he grinned. “That sounds disgusting. Pregnancy craving?”
I laughed and wrinkled my nose while I stacked the meat slices, then put a pan on the stovetop. “Maybe. Want to try it?”
“You can just let me know how yours turns out.” Evan took some Texas toast from the pantry and started buttering the slices.
Before long, the aroma of sizzling steak filled the air. I was determined to give Jax a proper meal before he got what I assumed was some much-needed rest. By the time the sound of Jax’s door opening on the second floor caught my attention—something I was still adjusting to—I was feeling much calmer.
He walked into the kitchen a minute later and stood on the other side of the island. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and despite the shower, there was still an air of exhaustion about him.
“Sit down.” I pointed at one of the barstools. “You need to eat.”
Jax sat down, then smirked. “I know you’ve always been a bit bossy, but is this some new dragon trait?”
Evan chuckled, and I glared at both of them. There was that familiar pressure in my chest that I’d learned to recognize as my dragon swelled. The two of them exchanged a quick glance, and Evan cleared his throat before turning back to where he was assembling the sandwiches.
“Mariah insisted on making something for you to eat.” Evan held a plate out, and I piled seared steak on top of the lettuce and tomato we’d sliced. He turned and passed it across the island to Jax before making his own sandwich.
“Thanks,” Jax said, reaching for the sandwich as he glanced my way. His dragon seemed to be taking note of mine. At least that’s what I guessed with the way my chest seemed to swell again. Mine seemed curious, too.
I spread peanut butter on my Texas toast, piled the steak on, then glanced up at him, our eyes locking. Jax shook his head. “I’m sorry. This is just really crazy.”
“The peanut butter?” Evan said, lifting his sandwich to his mouth. “Yeah, I thought so, too.”
I frowned at Evan while Jax cocked his head and made a face. “While that’s quite odd, love, no. I mean how I can sense your dragon like this.”
“Yeah,” Evan said, giving me a wink. I wasn’t sure whether I appreciated his attempt to lighten the mood. “You’ll get used to it.”
Jax took a bite of his food, his expression changing to one of pure satisfaction as he groaned. “This is delicious.”
“Thank you.”
