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16
Saona
I rearrange the pillows, fidget with the furniture, inspect every corner of the apartment, tuck and untuck my hair behind my ears like four times. Maybe I should do as Sierra says and wait for Jax naked with a flower in my hair and a plate of food in my hand.
I don’t know why I’m freaking out. It’s not like he’s going to really care how fluffed my pillows are. He’s a man. He probably won’t even notice that or how clean the curtains are or the new area rugs. Last night before bed he said,I’m going to kiss you tomorrowand this afternoon right before he got on the road he texted,I can’t wait to hold you tonight.
And I was so excited I tossed and turned for an hour before I could sleep and then this morning I got my hair and nails done. The house is clean. The scented candles are burning and he’s thirty minutes later than he should be. I’ve been trying to avoid calling but what if he got lost?
I am looking forward to just being with him and shelving the drama with my mom and Josie’s last visit. I’m proud of myself for not freaking out, picturing him with his mouth smeared with her lipstick and his pants undone like when I caught David in that cheesy motel. Maybe it’s because he told me the same night and he seemed so bothered by the things she told him. Or maybe I just trust Jax. I still marvel at that. How can I trust him so much?
We don’t live in the same state and his job includes being friendly to women.
Because he’s not my dirty, sleazy ex-husband.
The intercom doorbell rings and I spring to my feet. His face appears on the screen and I hit the entry button. “Come up.”
I take one quick look at the apartment again and exhale. I rush to open the door. Less than two minutes later, he emerges from the elevator in jeans. He smiles when he sees me.
The fluttering in my belly is too much. All my reason goes out the window and all I can do is smile and mutter a weak, “Hi.”
He reaches my door in a few strides of his long legs. He drops his bag on the floor and wraps his big arms around me. I breathe into his neck and hug him tight to me.
“You look so good,” he says, but what’s so good is hearing his voice while basking in the warmth of his body. I squeeze him tighter and we linger.
We pull back slow, eyes on each other. I can’t get enough of his face. Yeah, I see it every day on my phone but it’s so not the same. We look away laughing.
“Come in.” I take his hand, wait for him to grab his bag, and pull him inside. He sets the bag by the door and we go into the living room. “Can I get you something to drink? Water or juice?”
He nods. “Juice, please.”
I rush into the kitchen. The jitters spread through my body and the butterflies in my stomach are multiplying. My hands shake a little as I pour the juice. I get back in the room and he’s looking around.
He turns to face me. “It’s so different to see it all in person.”
I smile. “Yeah, it’s the same with your house. Except, your place is amazing with all its charm.”
I hand him the juice and our fingers brush slightly and my face is on fire. I have to look away.God, I’m such a dork.
“This apartment is great. It’s so finished and polished. You have such great taste in stuff. And wow, that TV screen is huge.” He takes a sip of his juice and places it on the end table on top of a coaster.
The blush that spreads through me is instant. “Thank you.”
“Saona?’ He says my name so soft and pretty and sexy, like the first time it came out of his lips.
I’m almost breathless. “Yes?”
“Are you nervous?”
The truth slips out before I can try to play it off. “Yes.”
“Me too.”
We burst into laughter.
“Why are we nervous?”
“It’s different now. We’re in your house.” He swallows. And you’re free…”
