Page 6 of Then Came Love
Tears burned her eyes, and she blinked them dry, willing them not to fall. She hadn’t cried in so long, she didn’t know where the emotions were coming from. “As you should.”
“But that’s enough about my family. Tell me about yours. You didn’t go into detail last night. Were you with your family over the holidays?”
“I was in New York with Todd. His family has a Christmas party every year. It’s kind of a work thing. His father is also in finance, and they host a few hundred people. Todd invites his clients, and they spin deals over drinks. It’s one of their most profitable gatherings.”
His brows knitted again. “Did they have a separate family celebration?”
“No. His parents always leave right after the party and go to Cabo for Christmas.”
“That’s different. Did you do all the fun Big Apple holiday must-dos? See the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, go ice-skating, take a romantic carriage ride through the park?”
She shook her head. “I’ve never done any of those things.”
“Really? Is your family in the city? Did you get to see them?”
“No. Todd and I celebrated together, and then I went to my aunt and uncle’s in Ridgeport, Massachusetts.”
“I have relatives in Ridgeport. It’s a nice town. Todd didn’t go with you?”
“No. He usually spends Christmas working on the deals he negotiated the night before, so I go by myself.”
Jax’s jaw tightened. “Excuse me for saying this, but holidays should be about love and family and building traditions that have nothing to do with business.”
“It’s okay. We’ve been together since we were in college, and I know how hard he’s worked to get where he is. He got a promotion last year that requires more of his time and attention.” The rationalization came so easily, she barely noticed she did it anymore. But Jax’s thoughts on holidays were so different from Todd’s, it magnified what she was missing.
“That’s noble of you to understand, but no woman should come second to anything in her man’s life, especially over the holidays.”
Jax looked like he wanted to throttle Todd and take her in his arms, and that made her feel vulnerable, which she never allowed herself to feel. She sat up a little straighter, reminding herself that she didn’t need to be taken care of.
“You didn’t mention the rest of your family. Did they meet you at your aunt and uncle’s?”
“They are my family. They’re all I have left.”
He put his hand over hers, holding it tight. “I’m so sorry. When did you lose your parents?”
“They were killed in a car accident when I was nine.”
“You were so young,” he said softly, eyes full of pain.
“It’s okay. My aunt and uncle raised me after I lost them, and they were good to me.”
He moved closer, and her pulse quickened. “It’s not okay, Jordan. Losing your parents is never okay, no matter how old you are, unless they were harmful to you.”
“They weren’t. They were wonderful.”
“Then you must have good memories of them.”
So many memories.She nodded, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat.
“You must miss them terribly, especially during the holidays.”
She lowered her eyes to try to keep her emotions in check. “I do. And my little sister, too.” The admission surprised her. She rarely talked about her family and had learned never to mention her sister.
“Aw, babe. You lost her as well?”
She nodded, and when she met his gaze, the torture in his eyes was so different from the annoyed expressions Todd wore when she talked about her family, it nearly drew tears. Not that she talked about them much anymore, but Jax’s emotions were so genuine and raw, they loosened the chains keeping hers at bay.
“I am so sorry, Jordan. I know how devastating it was when Tory died. It affected everyone who knew her. I can’t imagine how it would feel if it were my parents and sibling.”
Her tears sprang free, and she turned away, wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He drew her into his arms and put a hand on the back of her head. “It’s okay to cry.”
She tried to stop her tears, feeling weak and embarrassed, but at the same time, he felt safe, and he was so kind to her, she wanted to stay right there and give in to the sadness she repressed so often. He didn’t just share his mother’s warm embrace. His was warmer and so powerfully reassuring, the way he cradled the back of her head with one hand, keeping her close with the other, the steady beat of his heart against her chest calming the frantic pace of her own.
But embarrassment won out, and she sat back, wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know where all of that came from.”
