Chapter 20

20

JAXON

I planned on staying at the hospital all night, until Jim and Mom kicked my ass out. Before I left, the nurses were kind enough to swap out his chair for a cot. With a promise to call if something changed. I left reluctantly, but looked forward to losing myself in the arms of the woman I love. Knowing I could knock on her door anytime and she’d let me in.

When she opens the door, I sweep her off her feet. Spinning her around. The lyrics to the song that were playing on the drive here burned in my memory. “Kiss me as if we were to die tonight, baby.”

With her small hands framing my face, she slants her mouth over mine. Sweeping her tongue across my lower lip, driving me fucking insane. Our mouths part on a breathy moan as soft, wet kisses become hot, fiery, and passionate. When she licks, I suck, and then our kisses turn deadly. They’re greedy, violent, and carnal.

Desperate to be inside her, I rip and tear until our clothing is a shredded pile of bits and pieces. Our bodies are slick with sweat as I lift her up until her legs clamp around my waist. I don’t wait. I can’t wait and impale her in one brutal thrust.

“Ah, fuck. Move, Jax. Move.” With her arms banded around my neck, I bounce her up and down on my hard cock.

Not deep enough!

Stalking into the kitchen, I lay her on the table, and with my forearms braced against the surface I slam into her over and over again. Fuck. I’m still not deep enough. I want to crawl inside of her fucking tight body and just disappear.

Placing my arms under her knees, I slam back inside her hot pussy, grabbing her shoulders for leverage.

“Fuck, baby. You’re so fucking tight. I’m going to blow my load. Come with me.” I asked for a kiss and fuck if I didn’t get so much more. “I love you so much, Aria. Come all over my cock.”

“Oh my god. Jax. Fuck, I’m coming…”

A gush of hot liquid rolls over my cock and spills over the table’s edge. Catapulting me into orgasmic bliss that begins in the base of my spine and forces my hot sperm to ignite and detonate inside of her.

With my head resting gently against her neck, I feel her erratic pulse begin to slow. Knowing she’ll be sore if she stays on this hard surface, I scoop her up and carry her into the bathroom.

“Have you ever squirted before, Aria?”

“I had an orgasm for God’s sake, I didn’t squirt. That’s never happened.” I want to add “Until tonight,” but clearly she’s embarrassed. So I let it go. For now.

I set her down on the small counter before reaching inside to set the water. She has a beautiful condo, but her bathroom’s rather small. “Let’s get cleaned up and then I’m going to find us something to eat. I don’t know about you but I’m starving.”

“Jax. Come here.” When I step in front of her, she grabs my hands. Should I be scared?

“You’d tell me if there was something wrong, right? Something on your mind?” Did I miss something? We just had hot dirty sex on her kitchen table, and she thinks something’s wrong. Is this about Stephanie?

“Other than Mom having her stroke, baby. Nothing’s wrong. I promise I’d tell you if there was.” Does she know something I don’t? Makes me wonder what her and Mom talked about. She was pale when she walked out. “Why? Is there something you need to tell me?”

“Well, I’ve tried to tell you all day, but under the circumstances I didn’t think it was appropriate. I’m ready now if you are.” Oh my god. Is she pregnant? ‘Cause I wouldn’t not be happy, just shocked.

“Now I’m curious and a bit scared. Just spill, Aria.”

“Are you sure? It can wait.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Just tell me already.” This woman is going to be the death of me yet.

“I’ve thought of nothing else since… Never mind. So here goes. I love you so much, Jax, and I guess I always have. Someone very special reminded me of that today. My answer is yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. For real. Wherever and whenever. As long as I’m with you.”

Is this really fucking happening?

Perhaps it’s a figment of my imagination?

Could I be dreaming?

If so, pinch me just to be sure.

“Are you sure, baby? The last thing I want is to pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.” As hard as it would be, I’d let her go if that’s what she wanted.

“Deep down, I believe I always have been sure. There’s always been something between us, I just didn’t want to stand in the way of you and Stephanie. After today, I know how much you love me. It was obvious when you ignored her and wanted only me. I’m head over heels in love with you, Jaxon Carter. Can you forgive me for making you wait?”

Does she need to ask? Hell no, because I was in denial for years myself.

“Poppet, haven’t I forgiven you for all your crazy teenage antics? So why the hell wouldn’t I forgive the beautiful woman that you are today?”

ARIA

Jax is the one who reminded me that Macy was coming today. I completely forgot all about it. Under the circumstances, I’m sure she’d understand if I had to cancel, but Jax assured me between the three of them, they could take turns sitting with his mom. Since the band doesn’t have anything scheduled for the day, Zander’s able to stay with Hadley. With that settled, I’m supposed to enjoy my day with my bestie.

I’ve no doubt she’s going to be thrilled when I tell her it’s not a fake engagement anymore. Oh my god. It’s not fake anymore. Now Jax and I really need to plan our wedding. Maybe we should wait until Trish is feeling better. After all, she’s the one who put the bug in my ear to tell Jax how I truly feel. I could have spent years being in denial, but it makes so much sense now. I loved him enough to let him go while he pursued my sister. And when her true colors came out, I was there to pick up the pieces. Maybe it was the other way around, but whatever. What’s important at the end of the day is we found our way back to one another after so many years apart.

After last night I was exhausted, but now that I’m showered and dressed, I’m feeling so much better. I’m glad because I want to celebrate all good things with my bestie today. I haven’t seen Macy since our engagement party, and even then I didn’t have much time to chat with her. Today will be a great day to catch up.

As soon as I hear a car pull into the driveway, I open the door. It’s senseless to wait for her to knock or ring the bell. She smiles and waves when she notices me standing there. “Hey, girlfriend. It’s wonderful to see your smiling face.”

“Right back at ya. I’ll get out of your way so you can use the restroom.”

“Aw, you know me so well. I’ll make it quick. Girl, you’re glowing, and I want all the dirt.” Really?

While she’s taking care of business, I glance in the hall mirror and you know what? She might be right. With that said, it could be from her visit, or maybe Jax has something to do with it. Maybe a little bit of both. I do feel lighter and much happier since I finally had the chance to tell him how I feel. Loving him is the easy part, but admitting it to myself, not so much. Now I could shout it from the rooftops. I want everyone to know that I’m engaged to the hottest drummer in the damn world!

“Imagine that. Aria Mitchell is all alone and smiling. Who would have thought?” Sometimes she’s a snarky bitch. God, I love her so much.

“Don’t you dare tell anyone. I wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation of being a cold single woman. Oh, wait.” Holding up my hand, I wiggle it back and forth so the diamond hits the light. “Not single anymore. I’m engaged.”

“Do you plan on taking my advice then? Going through with the fake engagement since it’s very much real? Since I haven’t heard a peep out of you or from the tabloids, I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up here today.”

“In all fairness, I’ve been very busy since Jax’s mom had a stroke.”

“Oh my god, babe. What happened?”

I spent the next hour filling her in on everything that happened at the hospital, Stephanie included. Once she knew that Trish was doing much better it was time to change the subject.

“Apparently, you weren’t the only person who knew Jax and I were madly in love all these years. Someone else brought it to my attention yesterday.” I wait to see if she’ll bite, and of course I piqued her curiosity.

“Seriously? Well, sweetie, now you can’t deny it any longer if someone else pointed it out to you. Do tell, and don’t leave out a thing.” How could I? It’s embedded in my brain.

In my best Trish voice, I say, “‘Rumor has it that your engagement to Jax is as fake as a plastic plant. Thankfully, I know better. I watched your love blossom for Jax over the years. Always taking a back seat to Stephanie must have been tough, but your patience and genuine affection never wavered. Now, seeing you both together, it’s clear that your love is as real as it gets.’”

“Get the fuck out. She did not. Did she?”

“She most certainly did. It made such an impression on me that I memorized the damn thing. How intuitive is this woman who heard a ‘rumor’ but flipped it around to her advantage? And mine. After that is when I realized what a fool I’d been all along. Jax and I have loved each other for so long and I was in denial. Not anymore. Last night, I told him I loved him and that I’d be honored to be his wife.”

“Girl, it’s about damn time. Today’s the perfect day to plan a wedding before you change your mind.”

“I don’t know, Macy. Our moms were looking forward to making the plans and now with Trish, I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Is it too early for wine? I sure could use some right about now.” Standing up, I head into the kitchen with Macy right behind me.

“It’s too early for wine. Do you have any coffee liqueur? We could disguise it in our coffee, and I sure could use one. Hey, grab a notebook and pen. We’ll just jot down a few things that you want on a piece of paper. Then you can give it to them and everyone’s happy.”

“Oh, that might work.” Searching through my cabinets, I find what she wants. “Voilà, I knew I had some hidden somewhere.” I make a few cups of coffee, and we indulge in a touch or more of the good stuff.

With coffee, paper, and pen in hand, we sit at the island. And for the next few hours, I get lost planning my wedding with my best friend. Picking out several venues, invitations, flowers and catering companies. I make sure to choose four or five of my favorites in case they’re booked when Jax and I pick a date.

“I might be a little tipsy and a whole lot of hungry. Are you hungry?” I ask, setting down my pen.

“I’m not sure if I’m hungry or in need of a nap.” Macy and I giggle like a bunch of teenagers at a slumber party.

Opening up my cabinets, I grab the trail mix, dried fruit, dark chocolate, and popcorn. Not a bad haul. After popping a few bags, I throw it in a bowl and we carry all the goodies into the living room. Sitting on the floor, we start devouring everything in sight while drinking our second cup of delish coffee. We’re oblivious when Jax walks in.

“Aria. Hey, you okay? Macy? You look like a bunch of stoners. Aria, what are you drinking?” I totally ignore him while he runs in the kitchen. He laughs hysterically when he walks out holding a coffee pod. “Where did you find the CBD-infused coffee pods, poppet?”

What the eff?