It’s almost three in the morning when we’re all more than ready to leave. We’ve played way too much poker and drank even more. Thank goodness for taxis, or we would all be crashing here tonight. Logan leaves his gifts except for mine. He refuses to keep them here and retrieve them in the morning with the rest of the presents. Drunken logic, got to love it. I peer at Connor and Jax with my head held high. It there was a competition for best present, I so would have won. They both know me too well because they shake their heads at me.
Connor says, “You cheated with pictures!” at the same time Jax says, “It’s not a competition, Ads.”
“Obviously since I blew you guys out of the water. You’re just mad, Evans, because you’re a sore loser. Bring your A game next time, Chandler,” I taunt them.
We all laugh as we make our way to the lobby after saying goodbye to Connor. I stop in my tracks when I notice only one taxi. I stand next to my brother, glaring at Jax.
“Why is there only one taxi?” I ask him.
“We’re going to share a taxi,” Jax says as if it’s obvious.
“You and me? Why? You don’t live near me.”
“We’re gonna make sure you get home safely,” Logan says.
“You two do realize I’m not a child, right?”
Logan sighs loudly. “Get in the car, Addie.”
I really, really do not want to be crammed in a taxi with Jax. That does not sound like a good time to me especially in my drunken state. I’ll do something to embarrass myself. I know it.
I stomp my foot. “No! I can get home all by myself. Thank you very much.” The words jumble together. Stupid alcohol.
They both laugh at me. Screw them! I will not ride with Jax. I refuse! Jax’s eyes widen and he shakes his head in frustration. Logan stops laughing and stares at me and then Jax in question. Crap! Stupid alcohol, I said that out loud. I can only stare open-mouthed at my brother, hoping that he doesn’t piece together what’s happening with his little sister and best friend.
“Why can’t you ride with Jax? What did he do?” He asks the other question to Jax, stepping closer to him.
This is not good. Jax chuckles. Does he have a death wish? I seriously think there’s something wrong with him.
“Ads is just mad because she shattered the screen on her phone last night and blames me instead of her two left feet.”
They both turn towards me. I open my mouth to tell him off, but stop. He wins, I can’t yell at him because if I do, then Logan will know something is up. After a few more choice words, I follow behind my brother and sit in the middle of the taxi.
“Nice save,” I whisper to Jax.
He nods but doesn’t say anything. Maybe he’s back to ignoring me? I would ignore me, too. When the cab takes off, my eyes drift shut. I feel my body being moved, but I can’t open them to see why. I feel protected. I rest my head on something hard and welcome the pleasant woodsy scent.
I count to five slowly, hoping that I’m dreaming, but I know I’m not. I’m not that imaginative, I can’t dream up Jax’s scent. I’ve tried and failed. As soon as I breathe in his scent again, my brain wakes up from its drunken slumber to let me know I’m in Jax’s arms. I open my eyes and I’m met with the most beautiful green eyes in the world. Just being this close to him makes me moan in pleasure. His jaw tightens.
I hear the distant click of my door unlocking and become instantly aware of my surroundings. Logan attempts to hold the door open, but settles for leaning against the doorframe for support. I’m not surprised by my brother’s drunken state. He shouldn’t have done those shots with Connor. Logan barely makes it to the couch before passing out. Guess he’ll be sleeping here tonight.
I am surprised how sober Jax appears, though. When we reach my bedroom, I struggle out of his arms, wanting to be as far away as possible from The God, but he grips me closer to his chest. I want to stay here forever wrapped in his arms. But reality is a bitch and this isn’t a dream. I don’t belong in the safety of his arms.
“Put me down,” I demand quietly.
Ignoring my protest, he continues to carry me.
“Jax, please, I just want to go to bed. You’re going the wrong way.”
He flips on the light to my bathroom. I squeeze my eyes closed and bury my face deeper into his warm chest. That was bright. He finally lets me go and deposits me on the counter. I watch him make himself at home in my bathroom. He squeezes toothpaste on my toothbrush, runs it under the sink, and holds it in front of my mouth.
To my shock he says, “Open.”
I’m too stunned to do anything but obey. His complete focus is on my mouth. I sit immobile while he brushes my teeth. I’m so entranced as he takes care of me that I barley notice that he’s stopped brushing my teeth.
He points my toothbrush towards the sink, humor evident in his eyes. “Spit.”
I want to spit in his face, but I of course I do what I’m told. He rinses off my toothbrush when he’s finished, then puts it back in its rightful place. He grabs my make-up removal cloths next. I put my hand up to stop him.
“I’m capable of doing this myself, Jax.”
He swats my hand away, takes my chin in his huge strong hand and starts wiping off my make-up. “I never said you weren’t,” he says once he’s done.
Thanking him, I slide off the counter but he moves too fast and suddenly I’m in his arms again. I sigh dramatically, trying to pull off the “I’m annoyed sigh” but it comes off more as a moan than anything else. Lovely.
“Just so you’re aware, I can actually use these to walk.” I kick my legs to prove my point.
He chuckles as he nears my bed. I think he’s going to set me down and leave, but nope, that would be too kind of him. Instead he drops me on my bed. Roughly.
“Ouch,” I say in mock anger.
He laughs as he strides to my dresser to get me something to sleep in. If I wasn’t fully aware that my brother is in the living room I would taunt him by stripping, but instead I settle for studying him. He wears a smug grin when he gives me a jersey. I don’t even need to see it to confirm it’s one of his. Wanting to get rid of his stupid smile, I stand up and turn away from him. I’m done being waited on.
Glancing over my shoulder at him I ask in a sultry voice, “Get the zipper?”
His Adam’s apple bobbles up and down a few times before he reaches out slowly to unzip my dress.
“Thanks,” I whisper.
I saunter into my closet with the jersey in hand. I strip out of my dress, unhook my strapless bra, and slide a long shirt off the hanger. Once I’m dressed, I throw his jersey into my hamper before rejoining Jax in my bedroom. When I say walk I mean stumble since I’m still drunk. When I finally reach my bed that I swear has moved, it dawns on me that I didn’t grab boy shorts to sleep in. Awesome. I start to stand, but the stupid floor starts to move. What the heck is that about? Jax steadies me and bends down so his face is lined with mine.
“Get into bed before you hurt yourself, Ads.”
I close my eyes to prepare myself for what I’m going to say next. He couldn’t have just left me to fend for myself, could he? No, of course not. Jax lives to confuse the crap out of me.
I whisper, “I’m not wearing any panties . . . can you help me to my dresser so I can grab some boy shorts please?”
He sucks in a breath. He clenches his jaw so tight I’m sure it’s about to break, and he runs a hand over his face. His eyes darken. At first I think he’s turned on, but that changes when I notice how pissed off he is. Why is he mad? He’s the one that wouldn’t let me get up.
Without a word he spins on his heels, makes his way to my dresser and grabs the first thing he sees. He tosses it over his shoulder and surprise, surprise, the boy shorts land right next to me. Ugh, why is he good at everything without even trying? I yank them on. I open my mouth to thank him but he’s already gone. Shocker.