Page 108 of Fighting Temptation (Men of Honor 1)
When I don’t answer Jaxson stops and looks at me. I smile at him when he sees me watching him.
He drops my bag and closes his eyes, “Stop looking at me like that,” he says roughly.
“Like what?” I ask innocently. I’m sitting on the side of my hospital bed with my feet dangling close to the ground. My white baby doll sundress lays against my upper thighs. I’m still covered in bruises but they have faded immensely.
Jaxson’s low growl brings me out of my thoughts. He starts over to me, stands between my legs and leans over me, bracing himself on his arms. He brings his mouth so close that his lips barely brush mine as he says, “Like you want me to do things to you that I can’t do… especially right now.”
I moan when he brings his mouth fully on mine. He keeps the pressure gentle, like he has been with me all week. As much as I love this side of him, I want his other side back, the aggressive Jaxson. We haven’t talked much about what happened with Wyatt; it’s just as difficult for me to talk about it, as it is for Jaxson to hear. I’ve had this overwhelming desire of just needing to be with him, for him to be inside me, to erase the memories of having Wyatt’s hands on me. I need all of Jaxson to do that.
“Uh knock knock,” Coopers voice breaks up our kiss. Jaxson pulls back, his eyes shining bright with naked lust. He kisses me on the forehead before turning around and facing Cooper.
“What are you doing here?” Jaxson asks him confused.
Strangely Cooper doesn’t look at him, but only addresses me, “Um Jules there’s someone here who’s been wanting to talk to you. Is it okay?”
“Sure, who is it?” I ask confused, wondering why Cooper seems so nervous.
“Well…”
“Me,” Ray Jennings says, walking in behind Cooper.
My anxiety spikes and in a flash Jaxson is moving towards him, “What the fuck are you doing here?”
Cooper grabs Jaxson before he can reach Ray. “What the fuck are you thinking bringing him here?” Jaxson shouts angrily at Cooper.
“Easy man, he just wants to talk to her. He’s not here to start problems. I wouldn’t have brought him otherwise.”
“I don’t give a fuck, he’s not welcome anywhere near her,” Jaxson says pushing away from Cooper.
“It’s alright Jaxson.” I don’t know why on earth he wants to talk to me, but I know Cooper wouldn’t have brought him here if it were to start trouble.
“No it’s not. You don’t have to listen to anything he has to say Jules, you fucking owe him nothing.”
Ray ignores Jaxson and keeps his gaze on me, “He’s right, you don’t owe me anything but I feel like I owe you. And I’d really like it if you would hear me out, Miss Julia.”
I take in Ray’s appearance and for the first time the wealthy, powerful man looks unkempt. He has dark circles under his eyes from exhaustion, his clothes are wrinkled as if he slept in them, he looks… sad.
I nod my head, “Alright go ahead.”
He nods back and lets out a relieved breath, “Well, first off, I just want to say I’m sorry. Real sorry for what my son did to you. I knew he was quite taken with you but I did not think he was obsessive. Over the last few days I’ve learned things about him that I never knew and for that I am truly sorry.” His eyes start to well up and he swallows thickly, “If I would have known I would have gotten him help.”
I can only imagine how hard it was for Ray to hear half of the things he did about Wyatt. Including dealing cocaine, which is how Melissa was supplied for her drug habit.
My heart starts to ache for him because I realize that although I am not sorry Wyatt is dead, I am sorry Ray lost him. As far as I know Wyatt is all Ray had. Wyatt’s mom died when he was a small baby and Ray never remarried after.
“I know my apology doesn’t make up for what he did, nothing will. But I’d really like to take care of your medical bills if you would let me.”
“No!” Jaxson shouts before I can say anything, “we don’t need your fucking money.”
“Jaxson, stop!”
Ray shuffles nervously and clears his throat, “Like I said I know this won’t make up for anything but I would really like to do something to show how sorry I am.”
I think about it for a few seconds before responding, “Alright,” I say quietly, then I throw my hand up at Jaxson’s angry protest, “thank you for your apology and I will accept your offer to pay for my medical bills.”
“Jesus Christ! Unfuckingbelievable!” Jaxson says angrily.
I glare over at him, not appreciating his outburst.
Ray clears his throat again, “Well, thank you for hearing me out and letting me take care of them. Again, I’m real sorry. I’m glad you and your baby are alright,” he turns around to leave.
“Mr. Jennings,” I shout, stopping him before he can walk out the door.
He turns around and my heart breaks when I see a tear fall from his eye, “Despite all that happened to me at the hands of your son, I know his value to you is what my baby is to me, and for your loss, I’m so sorry.”
He watches me for a second as if he’s looking at me for the first time.
He nods his head, “Thank you,” he croaks out before heading out the door.
I sit there for a moment in silence, staring at the closed door Ray just walked through. Then I’m covering my face and sobbing into my hands as sadness sweeps over me. I know I shouldn’t feel this turmoil, Wyatt’s death was unavoidable, even necessary, for my baby and I. But I just can’t help feel sad for Ray, knowing he is all alone. So many lives were affected from Wyatt’s actions, not just mine.
