Page 42 of Find Me

“I think,” Jax starts, “that you have enough determination in your little finger to do whatever you want, and enough fire in your soul to burn the world down if it doesn’t yield to you.”

“But that fire has changed, remember?”

“Then it’s a good thing I’d set the world on fire for you too,” Jax replies solemnly, as his eyes dance.

“Why me?”

“Hmm?”

“Why me, Jax?” I press. “Why are you doing this for me? Mr. Morally Gray Crime Boss is suddenly invested in helping me—a trust fund baby who lost her way and is floating at rock bottom.”

He runs his hand through his hair.

“The truth, love?” he responds, his eyes serious. “Is that you remind me of someone from my past. Someone who I should have been able to save but couldn’t, and I’ve lived every day with the regret of losing them. I refuse to make the same mistake twice.”

Jax’s phone rings and he picks it up to see who’s calling, before looking back to me. “But that’s a story for another time. Excuse me, love, while I take this call, I’ve been waiting for it all morning.”

Jax steps away from the kitchen, standing in front of a pile of canvases while he talks on the phone, glancing at me occasionally. He keeps his voice low, making it hard for me to hear what’s being discussed, but I have a feeling it has something to do with me from the way he looks at me before his voice descends into a growl. “Just do what you need to do, I’ll take over as soon as I can.” He hangs up abruptly.

He walks over to me, his anger disappearing quickly as he stands in front of the stool I’m still sitting on.

“What was that about?” I ask bluntly.

“It was nothing,” he responds, his voice clipped.

“And here I thought we were on good enough terms to tell the truth.”

He sighs heavily. “It was nothing of importance right now. Ryan, my second in charge, is taking care of it for me. He can hold it together for a few days, until I’m free to assess the situation myself.”

A few days? Did that mean he’s planning on staying here…

His eyes sparkle with amusement. “Yes, love, you’re stuck with me for a few days.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” I start, my pitch high as my cheeks redden, the idea of spending so much time with him here, alone, causing my thoughts to go to all sorts of inappropriate places. I look at him, the energy between us still tangible, and his words to me a few nights ago playing on repeat in my head. Heat gathers at the thought of that memory.

“I’m capable of taking care of myself.” I continue, “I know it was a… rough… few days, but I’m fine and I’m sure I can take it from here. Plus, I’ll be working anyway so if you’re here you’ll just be entertaining yourself most of the time.”

“Are you done?” Jax asks patiently.

I nod.

“Firstly, while it would appear you’re too old for a babysitter, love, you have proved time and time again that your self-preservation is nonexistent, so therefore, no, you’re not okay on your own for the next few days. So, I’ll be here keeping an eye on you to make sure you don’t make any other… unfortunate… choices and help you get back on the right path.”

I roll my eyes at him for using the metaphor against me.

“Secondly,” he continues, “you won’t be working this weekend, remember, love? Boss’s boss privileges.” He winks.

I roll my eyes at him again.

“Roll your eyes at me one more time, love, and see what happens. I dare you,” he whispers quietly, a primal need replacing the humor in his voice.

I look up at him. “If you think that’s going to deter me from rolling my eyes again, you are severely mistaken,” I whisper back, my voice becoming heavy with my need for him.

We stand still, and I swear I can see the sparks dancing between us.

“It’s not like this with other people, is it?” I whisper.

He takes a deep breath, as if to steady himself. “No, it’s not,” he says quietly. “Tell me what you want, love. Anything, and it’s yours. What do you need to make everything right again after all of this?”

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