She looked up into my eyes with a smile on her face. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. It’s been so long since I’ve been touched. You could say I’m a little sensitive.”

  “I guess I can’t touch you when we stay at your parent’s house.”

  “After what we just did, I don’t know how to answer that.”

  “I feel like I’m fourteen. How embarrassing.” She slid off of me.

  I sat up and patted on my shorts. “Yeah, that’s never happened. I swear. You just got to me big time. Holding out is fucking hard. I can’t exactly jerk-off when you’re in my bed, so I wasn’t prepared.”

  We laughed again together, and it felt good to know she didn’t think I was some sick pervert. “Jax, can I ask you a question? I’m okay if the answer is no, I think I just want to make things clear before we take it any further.”

  I lifted up her chin and kissed her softly before answering. “You can ask me anything you want.”

  “Well, I haven’t been interested in anyone for a long time.”

  “You’re interested in me?” I teased. It was obvious she was.

  “You know I am. I still can’t believe we just dry humped. It’s so embarrassing.”

  “It’s our secret. Trust me, I don’t want anyone knowing that I enjoyed that.” I could tell from her grin that she did too.

  “I just don’t want to get carried away if you have no intentions of getting involved in something other than sex. I mean, I know we said we’d be friends, but it’s obviously changed now. I’m not into dating lots of people at once. I’m having enough problems opening up to one, and I’m not normally jealous, but you have a lot of unsettled feelings for your ex.”

  I knew what she was getting at, so I placed my finger over her lips. “Amber stop talking. I’ve been single for months. I’m not in love with Reese. That I’m positive of.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because when I’m with you I never think about her. That’s the truth. You make me see that she wasn’t the right girl for me. I’m not saying I’m ready to confess my undying love, but I can already tell I’m going to fall hard for you, or I’ll just always be hard around you, I can’t quite determine the difference yet,” I taunted. I wasn’t into talking about feelings, so that was the best answer she was going to get.

  “I want to know where this is going between us, Jax. You make me want things. It’s crazy how I can’t stay away from you.”

  “You make me want things too.” Admitting that wasn’t hard with Amber. She was the first girl that I was making an effort to be with. This was a new venture for me. “I’m willing to give you a chance, if you promise to be patient with me. I might freak out a couple times before I can get to the point where I’m comfortable with everything.”

  “Then I guess it’s settled,” She kissed me one more time. “We’re going to have to become a couple to figure out where it’s going.”

  “I can tell you where it’s going to end up.” I pointed to the mattress. “Right in this bed.”

  Even though I was going to hear Noah’s shit, I pulled Amber into my arms and held her tightly. She couldn’t know how happy it made me feel to know she was willing to give me a chance.

  “Or my bed,” she added.

  “Or the couch, or the floor, or the shower. I could keep going if you’re still unsure.”

  “Let’s just go day to day. We could wake up tomorrow and hate each other. It happens.”

  “Yeah, I’m like a little puppy. Once I hump your leg once we’re best friends for life.”

  When I got up to dress for work, and clean up the sticky mess in my shorts, I did it knowing Amber was still in my bed. I liked her being there, and that’s when I knew that this conquest had become so much more. She’d lassoed me up and put her hooks in me in less than a week. That’s why I knew I was a goner.

  Chapter 22

  Amber

  It was important for me to take a step back and evaluate how I’d gotten to the point of trusting Jax so easily. I wondered if I had some desperate need to latch onto him because it had been so long since I’d given myself the opportunity to bond with someone. Perhaps it was the fact that he was bending over backwards to impress me, which I felt was genuine on his part. No matter what the case I was falling for him already.

  After going home that morning, I went about my normal schedule, consumed with thoughts of what happened between us. It may have seemed juvenile for some, but it was the farthest I’d gone in a very long time. Jax made me feel comfortable. With every touch sparked an awakening. It was gratifying.

  He called me that night, and I half expected one of us to cave and drive to be together, but we didn’t. We both agreed that time apart would enable us to grasp our connection a little better, though I did admit to him that I never felt chemistry with anyone like we had.

  Jax kept me on my toes with his normal jokester attitude. Christian was more worried than I was. She kept trying to tell me that Jax was only being nice to get into my pants. She even thought I’d slept with him that first night he’d stayed at my house. After spending nearly an hour trying to convince her otherwise, she finally settled down. We had lunch on Thursday, and I was already prepared for the slew of questions she was going to ask.

  I’d gotten out of my car and started walking toward the pool yard when I spotted her. Since Ethan had to work it was just going to be the two of us. Her mother had made chicken salad sandwiches, and since anything that woman made was heavenly, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it.

  We sat down at a table with an umbrella, and Chris started taking things out of a large picnic basket. The first item was a bottle of wine, with two plastic wine glasses. “So, you better start spillin’.”

  “There’s nothing new to spill. Jax and I are dating, that’s all. Nothing has happened between us.”

  “You’re so full of it. My cousin isn’t interested unless somethin’ is happenin’.”

  “Chris,” I laughed. “I swear. Jax has been a perfect gentleman. He’s kind and patient with me. I told him everything.”

  “What? You’ve got to be kiddin’ me.”

  I shook my head with a big grin across my face. “Seriously. He’s wonderful. He’s so sexy, and careful. I’ve never met anyone like him.”

  She gave me the weirdest look. “Are we talkin’ about my cousin? The twin? The shallow pig that bangs everything with a vagina?”

  “Apparently not everything. He hasn’t banged me. He told me he’d wait until I was ready.”

  “He’s got to be on drugs. The Jax I know wouldn’t ever be that way for a girl.”

  “Well I guess he’s changed. He certainly isn’t a pig when he’s with me. We have fun together, and I feel safe. We’re spending the weekend with my parents, so I’ll let you know how that goes. After he meets them it could be a deal breaker. I’m honestly surprised he wants to go. I warned him about how awful they are. It isn’t going to be a fun time.”

  Chris seemed to change her tone. “Well, if anyone can lighten the mood it’s the twins. I’m sure he’ll have some witty way of making you smile, especially if he continues to be as great as you’re describin’. Don’t get me wrong. I love my cousin. He’s just always been a trouble-maker.”

  “He’s been a saint this past week. Opening up to him was a huge step for me. I hope things don’t change, because it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to trust someone.”

  She laughed loudly at the comment. “This is hilarious to me. I’m so sorry,” she giggled. “You must have him under a spell.”

  “There’s no spell. I’m telling you, he’s a good guy. He even gave me a pedicure and painted my toes.”

  “I saw the picture with the makeup. I thought he’d lost a bet.”

  “He lost at a race. I outran him.”

  She covered her mouth in a shocked sort of way. “You’re kiddin’? He must have been pissed. He hates to lose.”

  “I could tell. It was funny.”

  Just as I was talking so highly of him, I heard someone whistle. We both turned to see Jax leaning over the white picket fence that surrounded the pool yard. He was filthy dirty and dripping with sweat. I gave him a once over, noticing that he wasn’t taking his eyes off of me. Since I hadn’t told him I was stopping by the ranch I knew he was surprised. I waved and smiled. He waved back, silently sending me vibes that were definitely more than friendly gestures.

  When he opened the gate and began to strut closer I was already feeling my heart beating out of control. His disheveled hair was wet, and it glistened in the sun. His teeth were the only clean looking thing on his whole body. His chest, so defined, was shiny and begging to be wiped off.

  Christian broke my concentration. “You should probably pick your mouth up before somethin’ flies in it. Geesh, you’ve got it bad.”

  “Got it bad for what?” Jax asked as he stood amongst us.

  “Hi.” I was giddy. There was no use in hiding it, not when the proof was so easy to detect.

  Jax leaned forward and kissed me on the side of my lips. “Sorry I stink. I’ve been making love to pigs all day.”

  “Seriously? We don’t even own pigs, Jax,” Christian corrected.

  “I was kidding.” He never took his eyes off me when he spoke. “I need to make my girl smile. Every chance I get.”

  Yes, he called me his girl. Butterflies rumbled in my stomach as I appreciated how good it felt to be labeled that. My smile was cheek to cheek, while Christian pretended to be sick.

  “I must be dreamin’. There’s no way you two are already making names for each other.”

  “He’s my Skippy,” I added.

  Jax shook his head and stole a chip off his cousin’s paper plate. “I’ll be whoever she wants me to be.” He winked at me.

  “Should I leave you two alone?” She asked.

  “I just came by to say hello. I saw Amber’s car when I was grabbing something from the barn. I’ve got to get back to work.”

  I stood up and ambled in the direction he was walking. “Jax, wait up.”

  When he turned around he had a snarky grimace. “We can’t make out right now. I know I’m irresistible, but I’ve got to get back.”

  I didn’t care about the sweat, and he certainly didn’t smell bad. I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought my body closer. “I’m off tonight. Do you want to come over so we can leave first thing in the morning?” His beautiful light brown eyes looked into mine. “Are you inviting me to cuddle?”

  “Maybe.” I couldn’t help but smile.

  “Stick around for a couple hours. I’ll be done working, pack a bag, and ride with you. How’s that sound?”

  “It sounds like a date,” I replied.

  “How many more until we get to seven?”

  He’d been listening to me. That was another brownie point for him. “I’ll have to let you know.”

  He kissed me softly. “I’m looking forward to this weekend. I’ve never gone away with an older woman before. It’s sounds dirty.”

  I pushed him playfully. “Get back to work. I’d hardly say that nine months justifies calling me a older woman.”

  “Whatever you say, beautiful.”

  When Jax left and went back to work I had to face Christian. I could tell from the look on her face that she wasn’t amused. “This is by far the last thing I expected from either of you.”

  “Are you mad? I mean, I guess I should have asked if you were okay with it.”

  “I’m not mad at all. If Jax makes you happy than who am I to judge? He needs someone in his life. I just hope it’s for the right reasons. I’d hate to see you get hurt because he’s tryin’ to forget his ex.”

  She was right. I kept forgetting about Reese. I’d seen her that night when she was so broken up. It was obvious that she was devastated from hurting Jax. I wondered if she still had feelings for him, and if she did, would it ever change anything now that she’d been with his brother?

  “I’m living day by day with Jax. We’re having fun. For the most part we’re becoming friends.”

  “With benefits.”

  “We kiss. That’s all we’ve done.” I was leaving out the embarrassing dry-humping episode.

  “Please do me a favor and talk to him about Reese. Feel it out. If it seems like he gets offended, or defensive even, you’ll know he isn’t over her. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer. I just want to make sure that my closest girlfriend isn’t hurt by my cousin. I care about both of you.”

  “I know. I appreciate that.” I agreed with her, even if it was scary to think about. Jax was exciting and new, like a shiny toy at Christmas. I didn’t want to think about having to walk away from him. “I hope you’re wrong, though.”

  After the Jax talk, we spent the rest of the afternoon drinking wine and lounging on rafts in the pool. Christian was such a good friend to me, and I adored being able to spend time with her by ourselves. Not only did we talk about our happy moments, but also things that scared us. We’d both left messages at the prison, but haven’t heard anything back yet. It was nerve-wracking.

  When we were too pruned to stay in the pool, we hugged and called it a day. I climbed into my car and drove down the dirt lane until I reached Jax’s trailer. It wasn’t anything fancy, but the inside had been fixed up pretty nice. I could tell someone else took care of it before he’d moved in. The curtains were floral, and pillows matched that sat on the furniture.

  As I sat there waiting for Jax I wondered if he had any reminders of Reese with him. Had he brought pictures with him when he moved? Did he sleep with a stuffed animal that he’d won her at a carnival? Did he take back jewelry he’d given her?

  I was overwhelmed with curiosity, so much that I wondered if I should look around. As soon as I made it into the bedroom I heard someone’s voice behind me, causing me to jump out of my skin.

  Chapter 23

  Jax

  “Look at you being all sneaky?” As I said it, I watched Amber jump and scream. I hunched over laughing at the way she’d reacted.

  “You scared the crap out of me.”

  “Were you going through my things?”

  She put her hands up and smiled. “Guilty as charged.”

  “You’re cute when you’re freaked out.” While Amber fidgeted, I sat down on my mattress and patted the spot beside me. “Come here.”

  She smiled, looking seemingly worried. “Why? Are you going to spank me?”

  “Not unless you want me to. I mean, you said we needed to go slow, but I’m up for it if you are.”

  She sat next to me and slapped my knee. “Shut up. I was only being curious. Don’t forget I spent the day with Chris. She thinks you have some hidden motive about being with me.”

  I shook my head. “Yeah, it seems that nobody has faith in me.”

  Amber leaned her head on my shoulder. “I’m nervous about tomorrow. I haven’t seen them in a long time. I’m praying they don’t embarrass you too much.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting the two people who made such a beautiful woman. Trust me, they won’t embarrass me.”

  “Just remember they think I’m a bartender.”

  “Baby, you can service me any day.” While I laughed at myself, Amber shoved me down flat on the bed. She was smiling cheek to cheek as she climbed on top of me, pinning me down with her hands. We were face to face. “You’re making it really hard to go slow. In fact, I think you should start wearing old-lady sweaters. You know, the kind with the crocheted characters on the front?”

  She giggled and rested her head against mine. At the same time her phone started to ring. Amber flipped herself off of me and stood up to take the call. I watched her cheerful face turn bone white as the phone dropped to the floor.

  I jumped off the bed and caught her before she could break down. “Holy shit! Amber, are you okay?”

  I led her over to the bed and got her sitting down before picking up the phone. “Who the fuck is this?” The caller hung up.

  It took me a couple seconds to get her to calm down enough to be able to talk to me. When she did, I don’t think I was prepared for what came out of her mouth.

  “Please talk to me. You’re freaking me out. Who was that?”

  “Seth,” she whispered. “It was Seth.”