Page 103 of Chaos

Witnessing the shock on his handsome face, I can't contain my laughter. “What?”

His brows furrow. “I don’t know. I kinda assumed you’d be pissed or be thinking about leaving.”

I shake my head and place my hand over his to stop the tapping. “If that’s what you think is best for us, I’m not going to argue. You know what you’re doing, I don’t. I want Maeve safe, that’s all I ask.”

He lifts my fingers to his lips, softly touching them to my knuckles. “Always, baby.”

“And you, Jax Carter. I need you safe, too, please.”

“You got it, sweetheart.” He winks at me and finishes off his glass.

He moves around the table, tugging my hand with him.

“What do you say, early night?”

As he flashes me his best lopsided grin, I savor the last drop of wine before letting him lead me upstairs. We brush our teeth at our his and hers sinks, laughing as we keep making eye contact in the mirror.

He pulls back the blanket for me and taps my side of the bed. I can’t take my eyes off of his naked body.

I take off my top and slip beneath the sheets, snuggling up to him. My leg drapes across his body, and I rest my head on his shoulder.

Even just in silence, wrapped up in his arms, everything in the world seems okay. We have our little girl asleep across the hall.

“Do you ever see yourself having more kids?” he asks, stroking his fingers through my hair.

“I think Maeve would love a brother or sister.” I think Jax would love a boy. God, I’m getting ahead of myself here.

“Would you get married again?”

I laugh. “What is this, twenty questions?”

His deep breath makes my cheek rise and fall. “Maybe. I just want to know where your brain is, Sof.”

I trace the tattoos on his chest with my nail as I contemplate my answer. Although swearing I’d never, ever, get married again after what Brody did, I think Jax may be different. He’s special. For him, I would.

“To the right guy, I can be persuaded,” I tease.

He pulls my head up by my hair to look into my eyes. “Me?”

“Keep treating me and Maeve like you do, then yeah, I’d marry you, Mr. Carter. One day,” I reply with a grin.

“Is that right?” His soft chocolate eyes almost look surprised.

“And what do you want out of life, Jax?”

“To wake up with my wife in my arms, being prodded by our kids.”

Kids. As in multiple. My eyes go wide. “How many?”

“Three?” His reply is almost instant.

“What else?” I think he’s been mulling this over for a while.

“I’d be back at professional boxing, not that shitty underground stuff. Doing bigger jobs for Mikhail, but enough I get to be home for the people who matter.” He lies back, with his hands behind his head, and I push myself up using his chest.

“Maybe a dog? A vacation home. I don’t know, is that too much to ask for? Just to be happy,” he continues.

“Are you? Happy, I mean?” Staring at him, I try to find any hint that this is a joke.

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