Page 53 of Then Came Love
Jordan startled upright at the female voice. Jax’s arm swept around her, tugging her against the side of his chest. The back of her head barely missed his face. “Whoa, baby. You nearly knocked me out.”
“Sorry.”Her gaze shot to the tall redheaded waitress wearing knee-high leather boots, a black leather miniskirt, and a Whiskey Bro’s T-shirt. Colorful tattoos decorated her arms, and she wore a big-ass grin.
“I was going to see if you wanted a drink, but after watching you two, I think I need one. Or maybe a cigarette, and I don’t even smoke.”
“Hey, Dixie,” Jax said. “I was just teaching Jordan how to play. Jordan, this is Bullet’s sister, Dixie Whiskey-Stone.”
“Hi. I would love a drink, please.” Or three.
“I bet you can use a stiff one right about now,” Dixie said. “What’s your pleasure?”
Jax held her tighter. “Sex on the Beach. Right, babe?”
Oh no, you didn’t. Paybacks are hell, Jaxon.She slid her arm around him. “You said you wouldn’t give away my secrets, Jaxie.”
Mischief shimmered in his eyes. “I didn’t tell her how much you like sand between your cheeks.”
“Hey now,” Dixie said in a singsong voice. “You’re my kind of girl, Jordan.”
“It’s Jax. He’s a bad influence.”
Jax didn’t miss a beat. “Bad wasn’t the word you used last night.”
“Oh yeah. That was quick.” She lowered her voice. “Don’t worry. It happens to a lot of guys.”
Dixie burst into laughter. “I think I’ll get that drink.”
As she walked away, Jax backed Jordan up against the pool table, every inch of his hard frame pressing against her. “The only thing quick about me is how fast I’m falling for you.”
Emotions whipped through her like a hurricane.
He leaned forward, speaking directly into her ear. “If you were mine, you’d know the only other quick thing about me is how fast I can make you come.”
A needy sound escaped before she could stop it. The heat she’d seen in his eyes only minutes ago was nothing compared to the inferno staring back at her now.
“The mic is now open for karaoke,” the leader of the band announced.
“That’s us!” Jax shouted. He grabbed Jordan’s hand, pulling her toward the stage, while she tried to remember how to walk.
“Jax. What are you doing?”
“Getting you up onstage.” He tugged her closer. “You’re too great a woman to be afraid to do anything.”
He ascended the steps, taking her up with him, and talked with the band leader, still clinging to her hand. Everyone was watching them. Anxiety prickled her limbs.
“Jordan, what are we singing?”
She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “You’re asking me?” She lowered her voice. “I can’t do this.”
He stepped closer. “I’ve never sang onstage either, but with you I’m willing to try anything.”
He made her want to try anything, too.
“What song do you know all the words to?”
“Um…”She scrambled to think of something. “The song from Mannequin.”
“The movie?”
“Yes. I’ve watched it a million times. ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.’”
He grinned. “Perfect. I know that one.”
A few minutes later, the band started playing, the din of the crowd quieted, and Jordan’s nerves caught fire.
Jax squeezed her hand. “Look at me, not them.”
His gaze remained trained on her as he sang about seeing paradise in her eyes and wanting to give her the love in his heart. He made her feel like every word he sang was solely meant for her. She didn’t think as she joined in, singing about not caring if people said they were crazy, being together as the rest of the world fell apart, and never looking back. God she wanted that. As they sang the chorus, everything else—the people, the band, the music—faded away, leaving just the two of them, pouring out their hearts in a bubble of sizzles and sparks. Jax clutched her hand as he sang about sticking by her in good times and bad, and they belted out the chorus, so lost in each other, they lifted their joined hands, emphasizing their words, and she believed every one of them. When she was with him, she felt unstoppable.
As the last lyrics left their lips, the crowd rose to their feet clapping and cheering, and she threw her arms around Jax, laughing and feeling like her heart was going to burst.
“I want to kiss you so bad right now,” he growled into her ear.
“Jax,” came out as tortured as she felt. “I can’t.”
He held her so tight and felt so good, she never wanted him to let go.
But she knew she had to, and reluctantly, she said, “I think you’d better take me home.”
