Outside the kitchen, the air felt different—quieter, more intimate.We walked in silence towards the front door, though I suppose my mind was drifting toward the few memories I had of my mother.Fewbeing the operative word.
Jaxon bent to pick his leather jacket off the floor and shrugged it on.Then he leaned back against the doorframe and looked down at me.
“Jesse double-booked himself.Asked me to tattoo one of his guys last minute,” he explained.
“Oh,” I murmured.
“Believe me, I tried to back out of it, but Ariyo's already there finishing up the tattoo for Skai, and it's Rissa's day off.I'm surprised she's back already.She told me she had a dance thing today.”
“She told me that, too.”
He nodded, then tilted his head, studying me.“You’re not here.”
I blinked.“Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
I shook my head too quickly.“Nothing.I’m fine.”
“I really wouldn't leave after what just happened between us.”
“No, I know you wouldn't.”
“Then what's wrong?Is it your grandmother being here?”
“No, nothing like that.I love seeing her.”I breathed out a laugh.“The visit just caught me off-guard, especially considering what we were doing.Honestly, I'm fine.”
His fingers lifted my chin anyway, forcing me to meet his eyes.The concern there unraveled me faster than I wanted it to.
“Sure?”he asked softly.
I exhaled, my resistance dissolving.
“Yeah,” I said, managing a real smile this time.“I’ll see you later.Dinner’s at six.”
His mouth curved.“Good thing I’ve got a watch now.”
I laughed quietly.
He dipped down and kissed me in what should have been quick and simple, but it softened, lingered.Butterflies, all-too familiar, fluttered happily in my stomach.His arm slid around my waist, steady and warm, like he wasn’t in a rush at all.I sighed into his touch, that feeling, the unwarranted images of my mother fading into dust.
He was so good at making the world disappear.
My fingers found their way into his hair and tugged.He groaned softly against my lips before he pulled back, his forehead pressed to mine.
“You’re lucky we got interrupted,” he murmured against my lips.“Otherwise, we’d be on round four by now.”
I laughed, pushing lightly at his chest.“Go away.”
He winked.“Later, trouble.”
And then he opened the door, letting in a sliver of cold breeze for a second before he was gone.I couldn't help but watch as he walked to his bike and pulled the helmet on, straddling it and leaving me buzzing long after he turned down the street.
What the hell am I doing?
Stringing out a sigh, I ran my fingers through my hair and turned around.Then I gaped at the two women staring back at me with wide smiles on their faces.
“Seriously?!”
