Page 25 of Kiss Me

New Year’s Eve

The next year

Pullingme flush against his long, lean body, Jax asked huskily, “Are you going to find me under the mistletoe at midnight?”

“You bet your sweet ass I am. Why tempt destiny?”

My hand gave that sweet ass of his a slap before it slipped underneath the black button-down shirt he’d left untucked, skirting up his muscled back, feeling each muscle tighten and ripple at my touch.

He kissed me behind my ear on the spot that always made me melt for him. His gravelly voice sent shivers down my spine. “I thought you didn't believe in destiny.”

My hands roamed to the front of his shirt, feeling the light smattering of hair along his rock-hard abs and traveled up his smooth skin until my hands covered his pecs. Jax smiled down at me knowingly. I couldn’t get enough of him or stop touching him when he was near.

Leaning up on my tippy toes, I kissed the side of his neck. “It brought me you, didn’t it? Let’s not tempt fate.”

“I like the way you think,” he murmured as our lips touched. My hand cupped his cheek as my thumb traced along his scar. Pulling back, he smiled down at me. “Say hi to Alex for me. I’m going to go find Luke and the guys. See you at midnight, if not sooner.” He gave me one last kiss before sauntering off to find his friends.

I stood watching as Jax moved through the crowd, how his dark jeans hugged his tight ass with every step. It wasn’t lost on me how many women at the party turned their heads as he walked by.

I was still in awe at how quickly Jax had done a complete one-eighty after I’d decided to stay a year ago. After only a month, his whole demeanor had changed, and he’d become more outgoing. From the impression I’d gotten when I’d met him, and the way he’d talked, Jax had seemed extremely anti-social. His ex leaving him had nearly destroyed his self-esteem. Now, you’d never know that Jax had once had a complex about his scar. From the beginning, I’d thought it was hot, so I made sure to let him know every chance I got, which was daily.

When Luke and Jax had met, their friendship had been instant. They were like two peas in a pod. It had made me so happy that they had clicked so well. Jax had hardly any friends, and I was used to the hustle of LA, so I wanted to be able to hang out with my friends when they were in town and available.

Fairlane had been a culture shock with its limited shopping and no one giving a damn about who I was. Missouri was nothing like California, and it had taken me a good while to get used to it, if that was even possible. The weather was crazy unpredictable with one day being in the high sixties and the next day being in the twenties. I never knew what to wear and was constantly hot or cold. Jax and Alex always made fun of me.

When Luke had introduced Jax to a bunch of guys Alex had gone to high school with, I had been a little nervous, but I’d had nothing to worry about. They’d brought him into the fold, and now they all got together once a week, either to watch sports or to play poker. Luke had even managed to get the guys into watching soccer.

While the guys did their thing, Alex and I usually sat around drinking and singing. She wouldn’t admit it, but she had a great voice. She transformed from this tiny girl into a powerhouse whenever she sang.

Hearing Alex’s laugh from the other room broke me out of my thoughts and sent me in search of her. I headed to the kitchen, where I was sure I’d find her. She was always in her kitchen, eating or making something. Not that I blamed her; her kitchen was as gorgeous as the rest of the house. I’d never been one into design or knew the type of style a house was called, but it reminded me of what you’d find in Tuscany. It was warm and cozy and made everyone feel at home with its rock walls, exposed wood beams, and the comfortable furniture that went impeccably well with the house.

Just as I’d expected, Alex and her friend Taylor were standing at the kitchen island, laughing and eating.

“Hey, girls!” I greeted as I came up on them, putting my arms around them both and giving them a hug at the same time.

“You’re finally here!” Alex exclaimed in excitement, hugging me back. “I was starting to think you’d never show up.”

Shaking my head, it was all I could do not to smile. “You’re being ridiculous. We’re only twenty minutes late. Jax decided to join me in the shower, and well, you know how that goes. I’d say I’m sorry I’m late, but I can’t. It was too good.”

“Oh, please, don’t start talking about all the sex you guys are having,” Taylor replied, trying to give us a stern look, but didn’t manage it in the least. “I can’t even remember the last time I had sex. I forgot how little sex drive I had after Ben was born. I’d much rather sleep or read than have sex with my husband.”

“I like sleeping and reading too, but sex is so much better than the two combined. No, let me take that back. Good, no, amazing sex is so much better.” Alex laughed before taking a sip of her drink.

“You know, I don’t begrudge you for having great sex,” Taylor said hugging Alex and rubbing her back. It was obvious now that they had both been drinking. Taylor always became even nicer, if that was possible, when she drank, and all touchy-feely. Alex, on the other hand, laughed and got loud, and then tried to jump her husband. “If anyone deserves it, it’s you, but you don’t have to remind me how often you’re getting it. I mean, you guys should be past the stage of every day.”

“Every day?” I questioned. I could feel my eyebrows were almost to my hairline with Taylor’s proclamation. How the hell did they have sex every day? They’d been together for almost three years, if my math was correct.

“More like twice a day, at least,” Taylor interjected. “I don’t know how they ever make it out of the bedroom.”

“Because it’s not all in the bedroom. We’ve had sex all over the house and outside.” Alex blurted and then blushed.

It was sweet. I wasn’t going to tell them that Jax and I were the same way.

“I don’t even know how you even have the energy.”

“All I have to do is look at Luke, and he gets my engine fired up. When he takes his shirt off, it’s all I can do not to jump him on the spot. Well, I mean I do, if we’re at home and alone. I swear he gets hotter as he ages. I’m seriously going to have a complex when I start going gray and getting wrinkles. I don’t think I’m going to have the same luck and keep getting better with age.”

“How drunk are you?” Taylor asked, affronted. “You are gorgeous, and you’ve gotten better looking over the years. Don’t act like your hottie of a husband doesn’t tell you all the damn time that you’re beautiful.”

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