Page 99 of Chaos

Holding me in place by pressing his hips against mine, he pulls out a small black box from his back pocket. I tighten my legs around him and he removes his hot palm from my mouth so I can catch my breath.

I eye him suspiciously, but my heart is in my throat.

“What is it?” I ask quietly.

“Open it.” He takes a sharp breath and holds it as he watches me.

I can’t stop the tears that well in my eyes when I open it. I run my finger along the thin silver chain, onto the diamond heart that has three silver letters entwined in the center, J, M, S.

“Jax, it’s beautiful,” I gush.

“So you always have us with you,” he whispers.

I’ve truly never been happier in my life than I am right now.

“Thank you, for everything, Jax.”

Carefully taking the delicate necklace from the box, I hold it up between us and he covers my hand with his.

“Let me.” He threads it around my neck and puts it in place.

I look down, and it sparkles in the light. Bringing my gaze back up to his with a grin, I grab the thick silver cord that sits around his neck and pull him forward to kiss me. His hungry mouth takes my breath away. I twist the chain around his throat so it tightens and his fingers find their place on my neck.

“You really know how to turn me the fuck on,” he says in a low voice against my lips. “Every damn time I look at you, you take my breath away. So keep choking me, baby, and I’ll show you just how good it feels, too.”

He winks before going back for more ferocious kisses. His hands sliding up my dress send sparks through me. But when his fingers tighten beneath my jaw and he squeezes, I moan against his lips.

“Y-yes, Jax.”

“You ready to fall apart for me?” he asks as he pushes two fingers inside me.

“Always,” I reply.

FORTY-EIGHT

JAX

It takes me a minute to register Maeve’s crying down the hall.

Shit.

It’s just me this morning. Sofia left early for her interview.

“Time to be a parent,” I grumble to myself. I’ve never been alone with my daughter for more than a few minutes. It’s both exciting and terrifying that it’s just me with her today.

“I’m on my way, baby girl!” My voice makes her fall silent until I push her door open.

Her grabby hands extend over the top of her crib as she reaches for me.

She wants me. I’m hers.

It makes my heart swell when she smiles and coos against my chest as I pick her up.

“Dadada.” Her babbles might not be what she’s actually trying to say, but it makes me feel pretty important, anyway.

I’m so damn proud of her. I want to show her off to the world.

What I wouldn’t give for Kai to have met her. “Your uncle Kai would have loved you as much as I do, Maeve-baby.” Bouncing, we work our way over to the changing table where I lay her down and unbuckle her pajamas.

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