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I look behind my mom for a second as though my heart commanded it, and that’s when I see him, standing and watching us. His round eyes trap me where I stand while his gorgeous smile forces life into my bloodstream. The need to run to him, to wrap my legs around his body and kiss him is overpowering. I want my lips to tell him how much tonight means to me, how muchhemeans to me.
“So Jax, huh?” Mom interrupts my thoughts, causing me to glance away from him. “Well, I do understand what you see in him,” she continues, wagging her brows suggestively.
“Ugh! That’s why you mentioned his name in such a suspicious way on the phone! Now you see why I don’t tell you anything.”
“What did I say? He’s cute. I mean hey, even your dad said so.”
“I did say that and I don’t even swing that way.”
“He’s hot, Sis. He even has me contemplating a move to NYC,” Amber announces. “I mean we don’t have men that look like him where we live.”
“Don’t you dare!” Dad remarks. “If another one of you moves, you’re all out of the will.”
“I’d never leave you, Daddy.”Oh Vanessa. She plays the baby of the family too well.
“And that’s why you’ll forever be my favorite.” He hugs her tight against his side.
“Um, excuse me.” Amber pops a hand on her hip and narrows her eyes. “I thoughtIwas your favorite.”
“No way, he always saidIwas his favorite,” I add.
“Oh, Tom.” Mom grins. “I think you’re busted.”
His hand flies to his throat and he clears it. “I’ve suddenly grown very thirsty. Would you ladies excuse me?”
“You’re not getting away with this that easily,” Amber shouts after him as he skitters away.
“So does Jax have any brothers?” Vanessa asks, flipping her long honey blond hair as though she’s auditioning for the next top model. She probably could. She’s tall, slender, and has large blue eyes she inherited from our father. Men fall at her feet when they’re around her and she doesn’t even have to try.
“Didn’t you just tell your father you wouldn’t move?”
“Well, Mom, he also said I was his favorite, so what’s another lie?” Vanessa cocks a brow, and then turns to me, waiting for a reply.
“He has two, but I never met them.” Yeah, no she’s not hooking up with either one of them. I would rather avoid any further complications in our already complicated non-relationship.
“Well, if his brothers look anything like he does, sign me up! But put in a good word with the hotter one.”
“I’m not—”
“They’re identical twins,” interrupts a deep, raspy voice behind me, “but I can put in that good word with both of them. Maybe they could flip a coin for you.” Vanessa’s mouth goes slack. My flesh slithers with the sensual power of his tone, causing my skin to warm and tighten.
“Hello again, ladies.” He picks up each one of their hands, kissing the top. They all silently gape as if they’ve never seen a man as gorgeous as him. I’m quite sure they haven’t. “I’m glad you all made it here so last minute.” He continues to speak as three pairs of eyes focus on his every syllable.
He comes around to me, lowers his face to mine and captures my lips in a soft kiss. My stomach dips as though I just fell down a large roller coaster.
One of my sisters draws in a sharp breath and I don’t blame her. He has that effect on me daily.
“You look so beautiful, baby. Happy birthday.” His breath fans across my neck as he whispers the words into my ear. My throat constricts. I want to say so much, but it’s as though the words I need to say haven’t been created yet. I can’t find even one to express how much this party means to me, but I settle on the simplest ones. “Thank you.”
I feel his lips pull up into a smile against my cheek and then he kisses my temple. “Anytime.”
“Thank you for doing this for my girl,” Mom says. “And thank you for paying for our flights. You didn’t have to do that.”
He did what!I flip my eyes to him.
“It’s no trouble, Mrs. Philips. I was happy to do it.” He looks at me, heat wafting from his gaze, and when he kisses the top of my head, the butterflies in my belly soar to new heights.Stop doing that!
“Mrs. Philips?” Her palms jump to her chest, pretending he just committed a heinous crime. “Do I look like Tom’s mother? Call me Anne for the love of God.”
