Page 86 of The Last Second Chance
She detacked Apollo and returned him to his stall before heading up to the house. The Jeep was parked out front and foot and paw prints led up the steps onto the front porch. She grabbed the last few bags out of the back and followed the trail.
She found him unloading groceries in the kitchen in a cozy scene. Jax, with snow in his hair, was putting vegetables in the refrigerator while Waffles inhaled the remains of his breakfast.
It felt…good, comfortable.
And that worried her. Was she already getting too attached? Or was she just appreciating the fine male form taking care of a domestic task? She’d probably feel the same way if she found Jax folding laundry, which was a task that she didn’t bother wasting time on.
She tabled her concern for the moment and dumped her bags on the island.
“Colby took the dogs back to the farmhouse for now,” she told him. “They got tired running around the stables.”
“I’ll check in on them when I head back out.”
“How was town?”
“I forgot how stupid snow makes everyone,” Jax said, filling a glass with water from the tap and downing it.
“Fistfights over bread and milk?”
“No, but there was almost a civil war over pineapple vodka.”
“Yay! You got the tequila,” Joey said, picking up the bottle. “I should have warned you that the liquor store before a snow storm is busier than Mrs. McCafferty’s mouth.”
“Actually, you can thank Taneisha for the tequila. It’s a long story that involves Fitz so don’t ask. But I did get you these.” He pulled out a bag of salt and vinegar chips.
“Gimmie!”
Jax handed them over and watched her rip into the bag with enthusiasm. “Oh, my God. I haven’t had these in forever.” Joey peered into the bag and frowned. “Why can’t they put more chips and less air in the bags?”
“Because then you’d just have a big pile of chip dust.”
“I’ll eat all of these before dinner,” she sighed mournfully.
“Then it’s a good thing I got you a second bag and hid it already.”
“You sure know the way to a girl’s…” Joey shut herself up before she said anything stupid. She shoved another handful of chips into her face for added measure.
“So have you thought of the living arrangements for the storm?” Jax asked.
“You’re staying here, right?” Joey mumbled through a mouthful of salt and vinegar. “I mean, it just makes sense logistics wise. That way we can tag team snow removal in the morning.”
“I’d have two extra dogs with me,” he reminded her.
Joey shrugged. “That’s what the guest room is for.”
“Okay then. I’m going to finish up some things on the farm and I’ll swing by the house and get the dog beds and food.”
“Bring pants with an elastic waistband,” Joey said. “You’ll need them after dinner. I’m planning a blizzard feast.”
“Beds, food, and a pair of Summer’s maternity pants. Got it,” Jax said, leaning against the island.
Joey smirked at the thought. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him toward her placing a smacking kiss on his mouth.
“That better be an appetizer of what’s to come,” he said, moving in for another kiss.
She let him take the lead, deepening the kiss on a sigh. The kiss chased away the chill of the storm and brought Joey’s blood up to a simmer. It was just their lips that touched, but she could feel the effects throughout her entire body. Like an engine revving, ready to throw caution to the wind.
He pulled back with a growl and ran his thumb over her lower lip. “I need to get back out there and finish up a few things before dark. Hold that thought?”
