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His declaration is so open and vulnerable. He’s offering his heart to me completely, knowing that at any moment I can shatter it as he had mine, knowing that he would let me for just another chance to be with me again. It’s intoxicating and alluring and has my heart racing.
I slowly, tentatively close the distance, letting my lips brush over his, testing, wondering if I have the strength to let myself open up to Jaxon Wyle a second time. His warm lips, slick from the falling rain, are smooth and inviting. He’s still, as if afraid that the slightest movement will have me bolting like a scared animal. And perhaps he’s right to think that, but as soon as our lips touch, I’m undone. My anger, hurt, and pain melts away.
His mouth slowly explores mine. It’s remembrance and familiarity, and yet a touch of newness resides there as well. Heat surges in me, igniting a want for more, and I take the kiss deeper. I feel lightheaded and giddy, eager to discover this new Jaxon. I tangle my fingers into his hair. Jaxon’s hands wrap around my waist, pressing me into him, and I arch my body into his, wanting to be closer, to feel how perfectly my body fits with his. It’s as if he was made for me and I for him. He kisses me with the passion of eight years of pent-up emotions, and I match that intensity with my own lon
ging. Somewhere in the distance thunder echoes, like the heavens are cheering for our reunion.
We finally end the kiss, breathing heavily, resting forehead to forehead and staring into each other’s eyes. Old and new meld into this one moment standing in the rain. Jaxon pulls me into an embrace. He breathes a sigh of relief and nuzzles his face into my hair like he used to. We cling to each other, perhaps afraid that if we let go, we might lose each other all over again. We know that life isn’t as simple as it was when we were teens. But at least for this small moment, we can just enjoy each other.
We stay like that for a long while, healing a little more with each passing moment.
“We should get out of the storm,” Jax finally says and backs away. He leads me to the old hunting cabin, his warm hand wrapped around mine.
It’s a small one-room space with a stove, couch, bed, and a small table with two chairs. Jaxon finds some towels in a cupboard, and we work to dry off before sitting on the couch. When we sit, Jax pulls me into his side, like he can’t handle any space separating us. I oblige willingly and lace my fingers with his. I stare at our entwined fingers wondering if we can weave our lives as easily.
Jax reaches up to touch my wet hair with his free hand. “I always preferred your hair like this.”
He’s referring to the rain bringing my hair back to its natural curly state. Most mornings, I straighten it.
“I love it wild and curly,” he says. “The way you used to wear it. Besides, the curls will hide the cut part better.” He chuckles and I playfully slap his chest.
“My publicist told me to wear it straight when I auditioned for my previous role. She said it made my features stand out more, which she claimed would be good for the villain. She was right, I guess.” I shrug. “I landed it.”
“Veronica Chase,” Jax says.
I chuckle. “So, you’ve watched it?”
“I might have seen a couple episodes.”
“Somehow I didn’t pin you as the type to watch that kind of show. It’s basically a soap opera.”
He laughs. “It is not. It’s a drama.”
“A serial melodrama, set primarily around women’s lives.”
“You say tom-a-to, I say to-ma-to.”
After a moment, I turn to look at him. I’m still getting used to how his face has matured over the years. There’s a calmness to him that wasn’t there before, and his eyes are so much wiser than they were in his youth. But I suppose being a father will do that to a person. It’s still strange to think of Jax as a father. “Tell me about your child,” I say.
He smiles, and it reaches his eyes with love and pride. “She’s amazing. She’s always asking questions, smart as a whip. Smarter than me for sure. She loves animals and has been riding horses since she was able to walk. She’s full of wit and has a great sense of humor.”
I smile with him. “I suppose she would have to with a dad like you.”
“She’s the best thing that’s happened to us all, my brothers and me. She’s the glue that holds us together.”
“I bet your mom and dad love being grandparents.”
His smile fades, and a haunted look replaces his happy one. My heart sinks as I realize something must have happened to them. I sit up, turning to face him, and my hand goes to my mouth. “No,” I whisper.
He nods. “They died a couple months after my daughter was born. A drunk driver.”
I shake my head. My nose burns and eyes water. Jaxon’s parents were amazing, and I know how much Jax loved and respected them. “Jax, I'm so sorry. I—I didn’t know.”
He gives me a sad smile. “I know. It’s okay. I’m just glad they got to meet their granddaughter before it happened.”
“If I’d known, despite everything that happened between us, I would’ve come to the funeral to pay my respects. They were always so kind to me.”
“That’s because they knew you were the best thing for me.”
