11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

ISABEL

With everything weird and tense within our group, the next few days dragged by. Jet was frustrated with Annie about going off on Nic. They'd managed to make up this morning, neither of them wanting to still be mad for their anniversary tonight, except Annie was still so pissed at Nic that she wouldn't even set foot in the Thanos' house. And while it had been killing me to do it, I'd made Tucker go home the past two nights, sleeping in my room I shared with Annie instead. I was just too disgusted with him for fighting again. Annie had loved it, though, keeping me up both nights to chat and dish about everything going on and all the drama at school. I'd happily let her, knowing the losing battle with sleep I'd face, anyway.

I was dragging today because of it, nearly falling asleep in about half of my classes. Lisa was living it up, at least three new rumors starting about Tucker and I now that we were fighting. I didn't even care. She was still delusional, and I had other shit to worry about in my life than her pathetic self .

I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, outside air from where I was perched on the backyard patio set. Dinner was in the oven, and my Kindle was balanced on my lap as I listened to Archer and Colton play tag with Chelsea and Victoria. My vision blurred, and I blinked. I seriously needed to make up with Tucker. My nights were murder.

It was nice spending more time with Annie, though.

The sliding door opened, and she stuck her head out. "The timer's going off."

I sighed and stood, heading back inside to the kitchen where Annie had a spread of sandwiches, grapes, and celery with peanut butter laid out.

"For your date with Jet tonight?" I asked, grabbing an oven mitt to pull the casserole out of the oven. I didn't even question why Annie hadn't done it. If it had been me that found Mom with the smashed oven glass around her… I held back a shudder.

"That's the plan." Annie rested her hands on her hips. "Do you know where that big picnic basket is?"

"The laundry room, I think. Up on the top shelf."

Annie darted from the room and was back in less than a minute, the basket in hand. "Thanks." She smiled, adding the snacks she'd prepped into it. "Have you figured out how to get Jet out of the house yet?"

"Yes, sis. I know what I'm going to do. You just worry about getting ready."

"Good, and I know it's a big thing for you, but please , don't be late today."

"I've got it covered. Alarm." I tapped the back pocket of my skirt that had my phone before grabbing a spoon to start serving the casserole, knowing the kids must be hungry.

Annie frowned, looking concerned. "Maybe you should set two…"

I looked over and held up the giant spoon, shooting my twin a look.

"What? I'm serious. You were late the last time, and I don't want you late today."

Sucking in a deep breath for patience, I glanced down as my Fitbit buzzed.

Tucker: I'm sorry I upset you, but I'm not sorry I fought. I will ALWAYS defend you.

Oh, good Lord. Did he seriously think that was the message that was going to fix things? Fighting was fighting, and it had caused enough damage.

"What is it?" Annie asked, noticing my reaction.

"Tucker." I scowled.

"I'm guessing he's not off the hook yet. Are you going to wait for y'all's anniversary to forgive him?"

I rolled my eyes.

"What? It was a legit question. Kind of. It wasn't fun waking up still pissed at Jet this morning."

"Well, I'm glad y'all made up."

"Me, too." Annie smiled to herself just as the doorbell rang. "I've got it." She darted out of the room, and I gathered the plates, taking them to the table before calling the kids inside. I was just reaching for the sliding door when I heard Annie call out, "Hey, Izzy!"

"What?!"

"Come see! "

I groaned, already knowing what it was. Did Annie really have to show off how amazing Jet was when I was still mad at Tucker?

"They're beautiful, sis," I said when I stepped around the corner, spotting the tall vase with five large, bright sunflowers, one for every year she'd been with Jet. Their tradition.

Annie beamed down at her flowers. "Thanks, but there's something for you, too." She motioned towards the door.

I frowned, heading over.

"Izzy Donovan?" the delivery man asked.

"Yes?"

"Sign here, please."

I signed my name with shaky, excited fingers, and the man handed me a vase with four equally beautiful full-bloom roses, each in a different color. My stomach tensed for a moment, reminded of Zane before I saw the card, and my heart swelled as I read.

For the girl who means the most to me.

A yellow rose to say, I'm sorry,

A red rose to say, I love you,

A white rose to tell you you're beautiful,

And a pink rose so I can see you smile.

Waiting here with open arms to hold you again…

"So, I'm guessing Tucker's forgiven now?" Annie said from over my shoulder.

"Yeah. He's forgiven." I couldn't help but smile as I read the card again, and I closed my eyes, pressing my nose to the flowers to smell. He was getting a call the second I was done with twin duty tonight. I couldn't wait to be back in his arms.

JET

"Jet, someone's at the door for you." Nic appeared in our bedroom doorway to lean against the frame. I pulled a shirt from my closet, fresh from my shower, and gave him a questioning look. "Izzy," he added.

I nodded, pulling on my shirt as I headed for the door and found Izzy smiling and bouncing on her heels in her workout clothes.

"Hey," I greeted, relieved to see her happy.

"Hey. I'm here to take you to your present."

My brow furrowed. "You have to take me to my present? What about Annie? I was about to go meet her."

"She's there waiting for us. Now, come on. I'm supposed to meet Leo at the studio soon."

"Uh…alright. Am I supposed to bring anything?" I felt thrown, the date suddenly different than I'd expected.

"Just whatever you were planning to bring. Annie's covered the rest." She glanced down at her Fitbit. "Okay, now seriously. Get what you need, and let's go. I promised Annie I wouldn't be late."

"You mean you're on time?" I cocked my head in mock disbelief, earning me a glare.

"Yes, but I won't be for long if you don't hurry up, and then you'll have to deal with Annie's attitude. I'll be off the hook, dancing my ass off as I try to prep for my audition. "

Shit. She had a point. I ran to grab what I needed and followed Izzy out the door.

"There. Listen… Did you hear it?"

"Izzy, it's nothing." We were a few miles outside Breaker Ridge, heading to God knows where Annie was waiting when Izzy swore her truck was making some weird noise.

"No, Jet. Really. I hear something different. Like a whirring noise or something. It doesn't sound right. I think it's sick."

I rolled my eyes. "Your truck always sounds like it's coughing up a lung."

"But now, it sounds like it has full-blown pneumonia, and I have to drive all the way out to Summer Ridge after this." She pulled to a stop on the side of the road. "Can you take a look at it? Please?"

Shaking my head slightly, I chuckled. "Alright, I'll take a look." She clearly wasn't going to let up until I did, and if it'd make her feel better…

"Thanks." She twirled her fingers through the long strands of her ponytail that was draped past her shoulder. Her giveaway for nerves, and I gave her a funny look. Stepping down from the truck, I headed around to the front and smacked my hand on the faded blue hood.

"Okay, pop it, Izzy."

But instead of hearing the latch release, I heard tires spin in the loose rocks at the edge of the road, and the metal left my hand.

What the? Why is she reversing ?

She spun the truck sideways and stuck her head out the window. "Sorry, Jet. Happy Anniversary!" She grinned before throwing the old Ford into drive and taking off. "Follow the signs!"

The hell? I stood there with my mouth hanging open, my hand still up like it was resting on the hood that had just been there. What the actual fuck is going on?

I glanced around once the shock wore off, and my brow raised to find an arrow tied to a nearby cattle guard. Guessing it was one of the signs I was supposed to follow, I crossed the metal bars and headed down the gravel road, finding more and more signs leading me down the path as I went.

Keep going.

Getting closer.

Almost there.

Prep yourself now.

Hope you came ready…

I laughed at the last one, wondering what my girlfriend had planned as I rounded the last curve. Whatever it was, it had to be good.

ANNIE

I bit my lip, my stomach tied up with nerves as I waited, and I looked down to adjust the ribbon tied at my bust, having already done it a few times, but I needed something to do with my hands.

Where is he? I began to stress. I wanted Jet to see me. I hadn't put in all this work for nothing, and it was getting late, the colorful, orangey hues of sunset already starting in the sky.

I felt completely out of my element, but something told me Jet would like this. If the way he liked to take charge in bed was any indication. I shuddered, goose pimples erupting over my skin just imagining. I couldn't wait to see what he'd do with this…

I looked out the windshield, and my stomach jumped to my throat as I threw open the Mustang's door. Here goes nothing.

A warm breeze brushed over my skin as I stepped out, and Jet slowed to a stop when he saw me. I paused, somehow both terrified and excited for his reaction, and ran my hands along the tiny leather shorts at my hips, sliding my fingers up along my ribs to run them along the matching leather top. I brushed my hands back through my hair, the strands flowing long and loose, and leaned back against the hood of his Mustang, making sure the thigh high leather boots I'd chosen were well on display as I crossed my legs.

Jet just stared. Frozen.

I smiled and winked and prayed to God that he couldn't see past my confident front to how utterly ridiculous I felt. But this was for him.

It was all the invitation he needed.

He rushed forward, closing the gap between us in seconds to meet my lips with a deep and eager kiss, his hands going to rest against the hood on either side of my hips as he leaned in. But like he'd suddenly decided it wasn't enough, he reached behind me, placing one hand at my back to pull me against the heat of his chest while his other grabbed my ass, dragging my hips forward to meet his already straining cock.

I moaned, instantly ready, my core already aching. I pressed myself into him, breathing in the quiet scent of spices. That and the way he held me, so strong, eager , and sure, like he couldn't wait to take charge, fuddled my head, making it hard to breathe. I had to come up for air.

I gasped as I broke from our kiss, laughing at myself, and Jet grinned but never took his hands from my body.

"You like it?" I asked.

"You have to ask?" He gripped my ass harder.

"Not really." I laughed.

"Good because I'm not wasting one second of this fantasy." His eyes raked over me, darkening as he took me in. "Can I see more?"

"More?"

"Turn around," he directed, his voice deeper as he gave my ass another squeeze.

I grinned, realizing what he meant, and stepped around him when he released his hold. Reaching deep within to cast away all traces of absurdity that lingered, I bent as if to touch my toes, giving him the full view he was dying to see.

His hands twitched like he was barely holding himself back when I flipped my hair and arched my back to stand, and I released a nervous giggle.

Instantly, Jet was behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist to secure me to him. "Why are you laughing?" he growled in my ear, and I shuddered at the sound, something about it and the way his warm breath caressed my neck making me ache.

I swallowed so I could answer. "I feel ridiculous."

He spun me around to face him, and my eyes widened, momentarily taken aback at the desire I found in those clear, ocean blue eyes. I watched them darken as his voice deepened. "You are absurd if you think you are ridiculous."

My heart stuttered, lost in the intensity of his gaze, and he stole my breath away again with a kiss, brushing his tongue along my lower lip to demand entrance. I instantly complied, leaning into his embrace as he cupped my neck and steered me back around to lower me onto the hood of his car.

I shivered when the cool metal hit my back, but not for long. Jet's body was warm against mine, my fingers quickly wrapping themselves in his shirt behind his back. He helped me yank it over his head, and I dragged him back to me, needing him close.

His lips found my neck, tracing his tongue along the contours of my collarbone to the swell of my chest, and I arched my back, pushing it closer. He growled, running his hand over the leather to cup my breast as he brought his eyes back to mine, holding them as he bit the string of my top. I watched him pull back, the ribbon untying between his teeth, and he released it to let the top fall loose, my breasts now on display.

"You are so gorgeous." He ran his hand over one of my nipples and leaned down to suck the other into his mouth. I moaned, my back arching at the feel of his tongue, and I ground my hips against his before reaching for his zipper .

He grabbed my hand, holding it to my stomach between us. "Not yet, sweetheart. I still want to play."

Oh, fuck. My pussy clenched with those words. I wanted him so fiercely. But Jet held me still, refusing to let me go as his tongue explored my body, and I was a dripping, shaking mess by the time he released my hand.

I went straight for his jeans, biting my lip in frustration when the stupid button wouldn't cooperate, and Jet chuckled, taking over the task. My hands went to my own instead, peeling away the tight leather from my hips, and Jet's gaze went straight to my pussy as I kicked them away. I heated under the desire in his gaze, every nerve in my body suddenly alive and begging for his touch.

I reached for the zipper on my boots, suddenly desperate to be bare for him, when he placed his hand on mine.

"Leave them on."

Yes. Sir.

I instantly let go, and Jet grabbed my hips, hauling me into place as he dropped to his knees. "Oh, fuck, yes!" I cried out as he buried his face between my legs. His hands traveled up my waist to grasp my breasts, and I wrapped my fingers in his hair, my head falling back as he played my clit perfectly with his tongue. I was shattering under him within minutes, my chest rising and falling with gasps as he stood.

I watched in awe of him as he grabbed his cock and the way he stroked it as he stood before me. "This. This is all you. What your perfect fucking pussy does to me." My core clenched all over again with those words.

"Condom, babe. Please," I begged, and he smirked, reaching down for his jeans. Ripping the package open with his teeth, he rolled it on, stepping up between my legs, and gripped the leather at my knees, pushing my legs apart.

He looked into my eyes as he thrust forward, and I cried out at the feel of him. Everything about the way he moved tonight was possessive. Claiming. He could own me any time he wanted. He held himself over me, and I clung to his strong form, our bodies moving together, more aggressive and desperate the longer we went. It was like I was crazed as this version of me took over, matching the wild thrusts of my man as our hips moved in a desperate rhythm.

I sucked in a breath when I met his gaze, the forever deep and calm blue waters waiting for me, steady as ever even in our frenzy. My calm in the storm. He knew I was close, gratification only seconds away, and I kept my eyes locked with his. Love this intense was rare, and I wanted to remember this moment forever.

"You are the best girlfriend ever."

I heard the words rumble from Jet's chest against my ear, and I snuggled closer to him on the blanket we'd laid out on the grass. I smiled up at him. "I take it it was a good gift?"

He smiled back. "I'll say it again. You have to ask?"

It felt like every piece of me was beaming, and I laid my head back down on his chest to listen to his heart beat, thinking about how crucial it was for that steady rhythm to continue if my own was to survive. I didn't see how I'd ever be able to live without him. He was the best thing I could have ever asked for in my life .

"Sweetheart?" Jet whispered after several quiet minutes had passed.

"Mmmm?"

I felt him move, reaching for something off to the side of the blanket. "Happy anniversary."

He held something up above us, and when my eyes finally focused in the almost dark, I gaped, reaching for the necklace to steady its swaying. The chain fell over the back of my hand when he let it go, leaving a set of interlocked diamond hearts in the palm of my hand.

"Babe…" I stared, touched and in awe. "It's perfect."

"Is it? I was worried you wouldn't want to wear it. I know you're not big on jewelry."

"But this matches my ring. It's too perfect not to wear." I sat up and turned, passing him the necklace as I pulled my hair over my shoulder, waiting as he fastened the clasp behind my neck. I held the pendant against my chest with my free hand as Jet struggled in the dim light, and as soon as he was done, I turned so he could see. "How does it look?"

He just stared for several moments before he spoke. "Annie Donovan, you are the most beautiful, sexy, compassionate woman I know, and I'm so fucking grateful to call you mine."

My heart swelled to my throat. How could I ever tell him how much I loved him?

But I didn't have to. He knew. Just like I knew how much he loved me.

"Thank you for the best anniversary ever."

"You're welcome." I laughed, laying back down. Jet had just laid beside me when I shot back up. "Holy crap. I forgot. I brought food if you're hungry." I hopped up to go grab the picnic basket from the car, ducking inside, and I smirked at the look on Jet's face when I emerged.

"Yeah, I'm hungry right now, but not for what's in that basket. Feel like putting on my present again?"

I gasped. "Oh, my God, your present. Happy anniversary." I held my arm out to his Mustang. He gave me a funny look, and I laughed. "Your car was never messed up. Izzy lied, and your dad was in on it. I paid for some new rims and spark plugs and stuff. Don't ask. David gave me a list, and your dad ordered it all. But it should help your car go faster. What do you think?"

I yelped as Jet lunged, dragging me back down to the blanket. "You are the best girlfriend ever ," he stressed, setting the picnic basket to the side as he crawled over me.

"Oh, yeah?" I grinned, my body already thrumming in anticipation for him again. He nodded, his eyes darkening as he spread my legs with his knee.

"Buckle up for another wild ride, sweetheart. And I don't mean my car."