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My mom spun, her eyebrows raised as she gave Elliot the all-knowing glare.
He chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. “Sorry, Janet. I really do like ribs, Janet.”
I nudged him with my elbow as my mom smiled and walked back into the kitchen.
“One parent seems to like me,” he whispered.
I placed my hand on his chest and leaned in. If he was going to treat me like his girlfriend, then I was going to act like I was. Physical touch wasn’t out of the question, in fact his words still rang in my head. Physical touch was most likely Elliot Whittakers love language. He smiled down at me, our lips close enough to kiss.
“Just wait until you meet my dad,” I whispered back. “He’s a whole other ball game.”
“Daxton,” my mom called from the kitchen, “can I get your help here quick? Just help setting the table.”
Elliot bounced his eyebrows at me, “Of course, Janet, be right there,” he replied. His gaze never once left mine.
My hand fell from his chest as he turned to walk away, but I swear I could still feel his heartbeat.
Chapter Fifteen
-Elliot-
Jamie’s family was the complete opposite of how I pictured them. When she told me I had to call her parents “Mr. and Mrs.” until told otherwise, I was pretty sure they would hate me. Making sure to cover my tattoo as best I could as I helped cut the ribs, the thought crossed my mind that maybe Jamie was right and they wouldn’t mind it. Janet had corrected me from the get-go, seeming to take to me quickly. Her dad, Howard, shook my hand and welcomed me to the trip, although afterward he remained stoic and quiet, still trying to get a read on me. As any father should when their daughter brings an older man to their house.
The five kids, who had all given me a hug and told me my name was funny, sat at the kitchen island after dinner. They had a board game set up and were immersed in that. The adults, on the other hand, sat around the kitchen table. I scooted my chair close toJamie and slung my arm around the back of her chair, trying to relax as much as I could.
Truth be told I was dead tired. I wanted to curl up on the floor with a pillow and fall asleep. Our suitcases were still in the car and with a glance at the clock I quickly counted how many hours I had been awake after sleeping so little the night before. It didn’t feel like my show was just last night. I yawned and blinked my eyes a few times.
“Tired, Dax?” Harrison, Jamie’s brother that sat across from me, asked. He was a carbon copy of his dad—messy brown hair and dark eyes, his face hidden by a thick beard. His skin was tan from the sun and his clothes looked like they had seen better days. He looked comfortable.
A second yawn escaped as I nodded. “Well,someonemade me leave Portland at five this morning.”
“FIVE A.M.!? Jamie, seriously?” Jillian asked, turning to look at the clock. “It’s almost nine, no wonder Daxton is yawning.”
“We’ve been counting yawns all day, haven't we Dax?” Jamie grinned over at me, giving me a wink.
I slowly blinked back, “We have. I’m pretty sure you’re at fifteen.”
“And this makes fifty for you.”
“I have not yawned fifty times.” I furrowed my brow and looked over at her.
Her lips were pursed and pulled into a tight smile. Her eyes were narrow and focused on me. Her hair was behind her ears, falling on her shoulders in the perfect waves. She was sexy as hell in the moment and there wasn't anything stopping me from pulling her close and kissing her.
Hell, I told her I would.
Instead, I stood up, stretching my arms out to the side, and I couldn’t help but notice how Jamie watched my every move.
“I’ll go get our bags and your painting. Do you know what room we have?” I placed my hand on her shoulder and gave her a slight squeeze. She took a deep breath and turned to point to the stairs.
“I normally take the second on the—”
“Oh,” Mr. Gaines interrupted me, “we made a few changes to the sleeping arrangements.”
Jamie’s eyes widened as she slowly turned her head to her dad. “I always sleep in that room.”
Janet stood, taking her husband's plate with her. “Well, we figured you and Daxton would want a little more privacy. Holden, Jilly, and all the kids will all be here in the main cabin. Your father, Harrison and I will be in the second cabin, and you and Daxton get the small cabin.”
“The small cabin,” I repeated. “Jamie, they’re letting us have the cabin.” I squeezed her shoulder again, a little harder this time.
