Page 50 of Fighting Temptation (Men of Honor 1)
“Goddamn it, stop!” he spins me around so my back is to his front and locks his arms around me so I can’t get my arms loose. I give up trying to get free and fall to my knees, sobbing hysterically. Not letting go Jaxson falls with me.
“Talk to me baby, what happened?”
“He came here,” I manage to choke out through my sobs.
Jaxson tenses and spins me around again to face him, his face murderous as he holds my upper arms firmly, “What did he do? Did he fucking hurt you?”
I can’t answer him because I’m crying too hard.
“Fucking answer me Julia, are you hurt!?”
I shake my head no and continue to cry. I can’t seem to stop and I’m crying so hard that I can’t catch my breath.
“God Julia, breathe baby, it’s ok,” Jaxson pulls me to him and holds me while trying to talk me through whatever is happening to me. I bury my face in his neck and close my eyes. Eventually the deep baritone of his voice and the comforting circles he’s rubbing on my back start to calm me enough that I’m able to catch my breath. My breath hitches quietly from the after-effects of not being able to breathe.
Jaxson grabs my face in his hands and leans back so he can look at my face. He clenches his jaw, “I’m going to fucking kill him.”
I grab his shirt as panic seizes my chest again, “No you can’t! Jaxson you have to listen to me, he’s crazy, like I mean seriously crazy. He thinks I’m his. He thinks we have been in love with each other for years, he thinks… oh god,” I start losing control again of my breathing.
“Stop Julia, just calm down!”
He goes to get up but I grab on to him, “No! Don’t leave me!”
“Fuck me!” he picks me up and takes me into the kitchen with him, setting me on the counter. He grabs me a glass of water, “Drink this, just little sips.”
I take the glass from him and take a small sip, the cool water bringing relief to my raw throat. Jaxson grabs the glass from my hand since it’s shaking violently.
He moves to stand between my legs and puts his hands on either side of my face, “Julia, I need you to tell me exactly what happened and what he said.” I start to tell him but he stops me putting his hand over my mouth. “Calmly baby, everything is going to be ok.”
I close my eyes, take a deep breath and as calmly as I can I tell Jaxson everything that was said. He stiffens and rage contorts his face when I tell him about Wyatt asking me if I spread my legs for him and gave Jaxson what was his.
“I told you this would happen,” I say through a fresh wave of tears, “I’m dropping the restraining order.”
“No you’re not! Julia, listen to me, he’s trying to scare you…”
I laugh bitterly, “Ya well it worked, I’m fucking scared. I’m serious Jaxson, I’m dropping it and there’s not a damn thing you or Cooper can do to stop me.”
“Goddamn it! Listen to everything you just told me. Now more than ever should make you understand just how much you need that fucking restraining order.”
I shake my head, “No! If I drop it everything can go back to the way it was and I’ll just stay clear of him.”
“Would you listen to yourself? Come on Julia, do you really think it will be that easy?”
“I don’t have any other choice!”
Jaxson grabs my arms firmly, “Yes you do! Stand up to him. He’s a rich asshole who’s used to getting his way by either paying people off or threatening them. Don’t let him push you around.”
“I’m scared. You didn’t see him, he’s crazy,” I whisper fearfully.
He pulls me against him, “I won’t let him hurt you Julia, not ever. He might be crazy but he’s a fucking coward. It’s why he came to you and not me.”
I shake my head as tears fall down my face.
“What do you think he’s going to do once you lift that restraining order? Do you really think he will just leave you alone? He’s infatuated with you. Lifting it is only going to cause you more harm.”
I take a deep breath knowing he’s right. “How did he find out about it already? I thought Cooper said it would take 24- 48 hours.”
Jaxson clenches his jaw, “I don’t know, but I’m going to fucking find out.”
With that he takes his cell out and dials Coop’s number, “Ya hold on a sec,” he covers the phone and looks at me, “Why don’t you go get your shoes on.”
“I don’t want to go out anymore.”
“We’re not, we’re going to my hotel so I can get my things and check out.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m staying here with you.”
Thank god! I really don’t want to stay by myself, especially tonight.
I hop off the counter and go to the bathroom first. Looking in the mirror I groan, I look like hell. I wash my face, the cool water stinging my hot eyes. Afterwards I go put on my shoes and come up to Jaxson on the phone talking quietly but harshly to Cooper.
“Oh come on we both know she fucking told him.” I’m guessing he’s talking about Jenny, I figured it was probably her too.
“I don’t fucking care! I’m telling you now Cooper, if he comes near her again I won’t tell you first, I’ll fucking deal with him my way.”
A shiver runs down my spine from the icy disdain that drips from Jaxson’s words.
“Fine, get back to me after you do,” Jaxson hangs up the phone putting it in his pocket. “Fuck!” he smashes his fist on my counter making me jump. He leans over bracing both hands on my counter, his back moving rapidly from his harsh breathing.
I slowly walk up behind him, his muscles tense when I lay my hand on his back. I wrap my arms around him and hug him tightly from behind. He lets me for a few seconds then he turns around and holds me back.
