Page 34 of Dangerous Curves

“Good morning, boyfriend.” There’s a smile so large on my face that my cheeks literally ache from it. “How did you sleep?”

“Like a baby,” I laugh out loud. “What?”

“It was good to see that some things never change. You still sleep so incredibly hard. With all my moving around you never once even stirred. I wish I could sleep that heavy still.” I roll over to face him. There’s a smile on his face. My hands reach out and trace the tattoo on his chest once more.

“If I remember correctly that used to be an inside joke for us.” He winks at me. He’s right, though. We used to joke with one another that if anyone ever wanted to rob the house they needed to come at night when we were asleep. We’d sleep right through any noise. It worried us so much that we eventually got an in-home security system before they were really popular and had it tied into the stereo system that was set up throughout the house in hopes that it would at least wake us up.

I nod my head. “Yes, it was. I just don’t always sleep like that anymore.”

Jaxx runs his fingers through my hair, smoothing down the crazy bed head I’m currently rocking. “Why is that?”

I attempt to shrug. “Sometimes my mind just won’t shut off.”

“I thought writing helped with that,” he says, concern in his voice.

“It does most of the time. If I’m being honest, I think I just missed your warmth on the other side of the bed.” Tears burn the back of my eyes. I hate that we lost so much time. As thankful as I am to have a second chance with him, I hate that we lost so much. I wish I could have been a better version of myself back then.

Jaxx must recognize the slow decline of my mood because he pulls me closer to him and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “Wherever that pretty head of yours is going right now, stop.”

“It’s just hard knowing I cost us so much time.”

He shakes his head. “It wasn’t just you. I walked away and stayed away. My pride seemed more important after a while so I didn’t come back, but I love seeing all these positive changes in you. I’d do it all again even though it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done if it meant this version of you was born.”

“Jaxx…”

“You would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.” His stare is so unwavering it makes me want to look away yet I can’t.

I shake my head. “I don’t know if I could have. You’re stronger than me.”

“No, I’m not. I just loved you enough for the both of us. I loved you when you couldn’t love yourself so walking away from us was the only form of love I had left to offer.” He kisses the tip of my nose.

Shortly after, we fall back asleep only to be woken up later by housekeeping. Jaxx grabs the door and returns a few minutes later. I sit up in the bed. “I guess we should pack. When is your flight back to Los Angeles?”

“Later tonight.”

I smirk. “It wouldn’t be the seven o’clock flight, would it?”

He climbs into the bed next to me. “In fact, it would.”

“Any plans I should be aware of before I get dressed for the day?” I ask.

Jaxx takes a few moments before his face lights up with an idea. “I actually think I might have one place we could get off your bucket list and still make our flight back in time.”

“Do I need to dress comfortably?” I ask.

“It won’t be too much walking. I promise,” he tells me, as he holds up his crossed fingers.

We get ready in silence, working around one another, but I enjoy every moment of it. After swiping a few coats of mascara over my eyelashes I head to the bedroom and find Jaxx patiently waiting for me. I have to stop and appreciate the sight in front of me. His long legs are in his signature medium wash jeans, black moto boots, a navy blue t-shirt with his aviator shades hanging from the collar. His hair is sticking in every direction. A coat of stubble covering his jaw. My heart melts at the sight of him while my stomach does a little dance of flipping around. “I’m ready,” I announced.

When he looks up, my body heats from the way his eyes roam my body. This is something that used to make me feel self-conscious but now it makes me feel powerful to some extent. My black jeggings hug me perfectly and compliment the gray lace tank I picked with the black lace bomber jacket. My black studded moto boots finish off the outfit. “It should be illegal to look that good,” Jaxx says, his voice husky as he stands and makes his way to me.

I give him a questioning look. “I could say the same thing about you.” Once he’s close enough, I grip his shirt and pull him towards me. He comes willingly, meeting my lips halfway. I will never get tired of kissing him. When we finally break apart. “Well, I guess we should get going.”

Jaxx nods and takes my hand. “I called and had them take our luggage downstairs.”

“Is it silly that I'm going to miss this place?” I ask.

He shakes his head as he opens the door to the room. “No. I don’t think so. It’s where we found us again.” Jaxx and I walk hand in hand to the elevators. We don’t separate until he heads for the front desk to check out. I decided to go grab us some coffee from next door. Jaxx finds me waiting for my order. “You didn’t have to get coffee.”

---