Page 109 of Fighting Temptation (Men of Honor 1)
A second later I hear the door shut again, which I’m assuming was Cooper leaving. Then I feel Jaxson come to stand in front of me. He leans down and rests his hands on my thighs.
I keep my face buried in my hands, “I know you don’t understand me taking his money and I know you don’t like it. But he’s hurting too Jaxson. He didn’t do this to me, Wyatt did. And if letting him pay for my bill brings him any small measure of peace then I’m going to accept it.”
I feel Jaxson plant a gentle kiss on the inside of my thigh then he rests his head on my leg, giving me comfort. “You’re right I don’t understand it, and I don’t like it, but that’s because you’re a better person than I am.”
Another small sob escapes, “I just want everyone to stop hurting, including myself.”
Jaxson tightens his grip gently, “I know baby. You’ll get through this Julia, I’ll help you.”
And I know he’s right, because he is all I have ever needed.
“I have to say Jax, this is kinda kinky, we should try this sometime,” I say teasingly, as I sit in the passenger seat of his truck blindfolded.
Jaxson growls, “Julia, behave yourself. I’m serious.”
After we left the hospital we had stopped to grab something to eat in the truck on the way home. It was way past supper time, by the time we had left the hospital. Halfway home Jaxson pulled over on the side of the road and blindfolded me, telling me he had a surprise for me.
I feel the truck come to a stop, “Are we home? Can I take it off now?”
“No don’t take it off yet. Just wait, I’ll come around to get you out.”
Jaxson slams his door and I wait for him to come to my side. I’m bouncing with excitement, dying to know what he’s up to. I’m assuming this has to do with the few times he left me at the hospital.
My car door opens, I turn around and feel Jaxson’s hand span my hips. I have to say, all joking aside, feeling his touch on me while blindfolded is a major turn on. My hands find his shoulders as he helps me down. When my feet touch the ground I wrap my arms around his neck and his hands wrap around my waist. I feel him staring at me and also feel how hard he is against my stomach.
“Kiss me,” I whisper longingly.
He groans then leans down and kisses me. Again I feel him holding back.
“Come on,” he says breaking his mouth from mine too quickly.
The gravel crunches under my flip-flops as he leads me across it, holding my hand. Once we hit grass Jaxson stops then comes around behind me. My heart rate speeds up when he leans down and presses a kiss to the side of my throat.
The warm night breeze blows a few gentle strands of my hair across my face that has escaped my high pony. I moan when he flattens his hand on my stomach and pulls me back against him. “Are you trying to kill me?”
Jaxson chuckles, “I love you Julia,” he whispers in my ear.
I smile as warmth spreads through my body. I will never tire of him saying those words. “I love you too.”
He brings his hands to the back of my head and unties the blindfold. I blink a few times while my eyes adjust to the fall of night. Then I take a moment to absorb what’s in front of me. I know my heart understands it before my brain because tears immediately stream down my face.
In front of me is a massive tree that’s been buried into my front lawn. Strings of white lights decorate it, making it look beautiful and romantic. But my favorite part of it all, and that has my heart flooding with warmth, is the hand-made wooden swing that’s attached to it.
I bring a shaky hand to my heart, “I can’t believe you remembered this,” I choke out.
I feel him beside me, watching me, but I can’t seem to take my eyes off of the beautiful tree.
“I remember every word you have ever breathed Julia.”
His admission pulls me out of my state and I look over at him to see he’s completely serious. “I can’t believe you did this for our baby.”
He doesn’t say anything he just smiles, takes my hand and leads me over to the swing. Grabbing the rope that’s on either side of me, lit with white lights, I sit down.
Jaxson comes to kneel before me, “I did this for you, when our baby gets old enough then I will push them too, every night after supper.”
I laugh but it turns into a sob. Closing my eyes I bury my face in my hands again, feeling overwhelmed with all the emotions coursing through me. I feel Jaxson shift around then he’s grabbing one of my hands and pulling it from my face. “Look at me baby.”
I open my eyes then gasp in surprise, “Oh my god, are you serious?” I say on another sob.
Jaxson smiles, holding up a beautiful square cut diamond ring, “Julia…”
“Yes!” I cut him off before he can finish. He laughs. “Okay sorry, continue,” I say trying to reign in my excitement.
“Julia, marry me.”
“You’re supposed to ask, not demand it,” I laugh through my tears.
“You know me better than that Jules. I’m someone who demands, not asks. But, if you say yes, I promise to love you forever and push you on this swing every night for the rest of your life.”
I smile, “You’re right I do know you better and I like you bossy. So shove that beautiful shiny rock on my finger then come over here and kiss me.”
“Now look who’s bossy,” he says with a smile sliding the ring on my finger. Then he leans in giving me the most delicious kiss. A kiss that has me craving more, one that has me craving all of him.
