AllFreeNovel
Share Us
If she thought he was handsome before, those tanned, muscled shoulders and his chest were doing a number on her. She couldn’t help it as her eyes roved over him, and felt her cheeks redden.
He was built, but not excessively like some muscle-bound ogre. No, it seemed to fit him so well, and she would have never imagined him like this in her wildest dreams.
His stomach was taut, firm, and there was a fine sprinkle of chest hair over his heart and near his belly button that made her fingers itch to touch him, just to see if he was ticklish.
… And there were words?
Blinking, she realized that Jax had a Star Trek tattoo!
Staring, she saw it was of a jet plane – and a starship… both leaving vapor trails that framed the words ‘Boldly go!’ just above the waistband of his swimming trunks, close to his hip bone.
… Ohhh mercy,she swallowed.He was utterly perfect.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” he apologized instantly.
“Sorry. Just nervous and jittery.”
“Why? It’s just me.”
“That’s enough,” she admitted, smiling shyly… realizing it was true. He made her nervous and jittery because for the first time, she realized just how badly she wanted things to work out between them.
“This is an incredible view. I’ve never seen anything quite like it in person,” Mary began – and then realized what she said aloud, hoping that he thought she was referring to the view of the ocean… and not the sight of him, standing there at her side.
“It gets better too…” he smiled, taking her hand. “Come with me.”
As they walked towards the water, she hesitated by the chairs and slipped off her shoes that were quickly sinking in the soft sand – and smiled.
This was just like him…
The bottle of ‘supposed-wine’was actually lemonade - her favorite one.
He bought a bottle of the fancy stuff she adored and rarely purchased because it was pricey. It was made with sparkling water, fizzy, and she could practically taste it in her mind.
Did he know she liked it?
… And if so, how?
Because he’s an incredible guy and you are lucky to know him, that tiny voice said in her head – and this time? She was listening.
Smiling at Jax, who waited patiently for her, she thought of Glory’s words on the letter.Live a little, have fun, and trust me!the woman had said to her, and there was no one else around except Jax.
It felt like they were the only people on the planet… and she trusted him implicitly, because he’d been nothing but good to her, careful with her feelings, and cautious with making sure she felt safe.
Mary yanked off the t-shirt over her head, feeling exposed in the black bikini since it was something she wouldn’t normally wear… and was taking a chance for the first time in forever.
A chance at trusting herself, trusting him, and trusting whatever this was between them. This was her friend, the man she was coming to admire and care for, and somehow knew he would never be mean to her, hurt her feelings, or make her feel ashamed of who she was.
As she slowly turned, she saw his warm smile and those dark eyes that fascinated her… only to see his hand slowly held out towards her, waiting.
“My word, you are so incredibly beautiful,” he whispered hoarsely… and she felt that way.
Shefeltbeautiful in his eyes.
Swallowing back any doubts that were ready to spill forth, she took a chance instead, accepting what he said, his reaction, because she could see that he truly thought so.
She hated that her hand trembled as she placed it in his, but it was like he didn’t seem to care. He laced his fingers with hers, couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, and waited.
“I’m so glad we are here together,” he murmured softly. “How are you doing?”
