"No shit," I grumbled. Too tiny to be drinking like a fish. That was my area of expertise, not hers.

"Here you go, Jax," Harlow ran breathlessly up to us and handed me the keys. "He said to tell you the registration's lapsed. Don't speed."

"Oh, fuck. Well that's awesome. Tell him I'll pay to get it registered as a thank you." I shoved the keys in my pocket and lifted Lily into my arms. "I wasn't here tonight, okay?"

"What?" Kayla looked confused.

"Nothing. See you ladies soon."

"Bye, Jax!" Kayla lifted her arm and waved wildly overhead, drawing the eyes of a few people sitting by the fire. Great, another audience. This wasn't the kind of attention I wanted to have.

Harlow watched me closely as I picked my way over the sand to the staircase. Lily was as light as ever in my arms, but as I began to climb the stairs, my arms started to burn. Her head lolled against my shoulder. "…mean anything…" she muttered, then let it fall back.

"Jesus fuck, Bit." I reached the landing and lowered her gentle to the planked floor. I stood up and stretched. "What the hell was that?"

To my surprise, she lifted her heavy head and squinted at me. "I just wanted to have some fun," she slurred before trailing off again.

"Drinking your body weight in alcohol is not the right way to have fun." Fuck, when did I turn into a fucking nun? I was chastising her like her father. Well, not really. Her real father would have probably joined in and gone shot for shot with her.

"Not here," she grumbled, lifting her arms and then dropping them heavily to her sides. "With you."

I crouched down. "I was having fun with you, Lil. Right up until the moment you went psycho on me."

She didn't answer. I crouched there, waiting, holding my breath.

She let out a gentle snore.

I laughed. I couldn't help it. "Come on, Bit. Let's get you in bed."

Chapter Twenty-Five

Liliana

The room was too hot and too bright. I threw the covers off my sweat-drenched body and saw that I was wearing my purple flannel pajamas.

I stared down at them, confused. I had most definitely not worn those to the club last night. I specifically remembered my outfit, because it had taken me so long to pick it out. And I think I had torn my favorite purple tank top when we… when Jax…

It took me a minute to realize that the pathetic moan I was hearing was my own.

Something had come over me when I saw him on stage. Something wild and reckless and desperately needy. I wanted him to fuck me, but when he did it had felt more like… making love.

I quickly shoved that thought out of my pounding head and hauled myself upright. My mouth tasted like an old sock and felt like a desert. That's when I saw the glass of water on the shelf by my bedside.

He had dressed me in pajamas, put me to bed, and left a glass of water for me when I woke up with the inevitable headache. That was… really nice.

I flipped out on Jax in front of a bunch of his friends. Not because he was being an asshole. Because he was being too nice.

I suddenly felt like the worst person on the planet.

My resolution to hate-fuck him in a fun, easy fling had gone up in the smoke from the bonfire. I drank way too much, and he got me home safely, undressed me without waking me, and tucked me into my bed. Flings don't do that for each other. Something had changed last night. He had changed.

I clapped my hands over my face, wanting to hide from the light of day. I still had nine days here. The only thing I could do now was avoid him until the wedding and get the hell out of here before I did any more damage. To him, or to my fragile willpower.

After I finished the glass of water, I felt marginally better. The water sloshed in my stomach as I got dressed slowly and painfully. I poked my head out into the hallway. His door was closed, but that could mean anything. I hoped he was anywhere but here. I couldn't take him seeing me like this. Not when I could still feel last night's ache between my legs.

Then his door opened and Jax walked out carrying a glass of water. He froze. "Oh, you're awake." He was dressed, showered and shaved and his hair looked freshly dyed. The blue was so intense it gave me a headache.

"You were watching me sleep again? Oh my god Edward Cullen, stop being creepy."

"Who?"

"You're kidding me, right?" I waved my hand. "Never mind."

"I was just bringing you more water, psycho." He set the glass down on my bedside table and took the empty one, before backing away with his hands held up.

I rushed to slam the door on him, then instantly regretted it when the loud slam pierced my skull. "Oww," I moaned, sagging back onto the bed. "I'm never drinking again."

Jax chuckled on the other side of the door.

"Are you laughing at me?" I demanded.

"Yup."

"Why?"

"Because you're being ridiculous. Open the door, Lily."

"No."

"I have aspirin…"

I slunk miserably to the door and let it swing open as I stared down at his feet. "Give them to me."

"Say please."

"Really? Asshole!"

"Then I guess you don't want them?"

"No. I don't want them. I don't want anything from you."

He waited a beat. "You're a liar."

"I'm not." Fierce, I reminded myself. "You're just a bad habit. I can quit you just like I quit biting my nails."

He lifted my hand and turned it over. I was aware of every inch of contact his skin made with mine as he inspected each ragged, freshly bitten fingernail. "Huh," he said.

I snatched my hand away and my fingers immediately went to my lips, before I remembered and lowered them back down again. I lifted my chin.

Jax's mouth curved into a knowing smile. He leaned forward, so close I could feel the atoms buzzing between us. "One good thing about me, Lil. I'm not a quitter."

Shutting the door on him didn't feel nearly as good the second time. It felt like I was admitting he had won.

*****

I opened my door again not long after, determined not to be driven into hiding. I could handle this. There were other people in this house besides Jaxson Blue, and I meant to go find them.

The sounds of far-off banging and jovial shouts rang through the house as I made my way into the kitchen to see my father sitting there at the island with a bunch of circuitry spread around in front of him. Glasses, the first time I had ever seen them on him, perched at the end of his nose and he peered over them while he swore softly at a wire.

"Morning, Dad," I said, sliding into a chair. I looked around hastily. Jax was nowhere to be seen.

My Dad looked up and gave me a wry smile. "Actually, afternoon, but no matter."

I looked up at the clock. He was right. I suddenly felt like a lazy slob. "What are you working on?"

"Stuff for the studio."

"Shouldn't you be working on wedding stuff?" I grinned at him. "You're getting married pretty soon and all."

He waved his hand. "Annie's got that all figured out. Honestly, you really think she's letting me anywhere near her big day? I'm just showing up, wearing a monkey suit, and keeping my mouth shut."

I spotted my chance. A way to keep busy and out of close proximity to Jaxson Blue. "You know, you made me come out here early because you said you needed help with the planning, and so far, all I've done is sleep and write. Is there anything you need me to do today?"