Page 12 of Chaos

“Twenty-six.” He looks deep in thought. “What the hell are you doing getting married at that age?”

“Clearly, I didn’t have a clue. Now, that, I don’t want to talk about.”

He salutes me with his beer and pairs it with a wink. “Got it.” He stands and grabs us two more drinks, dropping a freshly opened one in front of me. “Ladies first…”

I tap on my chin, I’ll start easy on him. “Never have I ever broken a bone?”

He tips his beer and I leave mine on the counter.

“Many. I like to fight too much.”

“You any good?” I bite the inside of my mouth to hold back the smile.

“Haven’t lost yet.” He grins.

I doubt he has. He’s huge, jacked, and has that slightly crazed look in his eyes that tells me he would thrive on it.

“Your turn.”

“Never have I ever moaned the wrong name during sex.”

I take a drink and then burst out laughing.

“I don’t believe you.” I eye him suspiciously and he bites down on his lip. Clearly, we aren’t playing the usual rules.

“Is that where we’re going with this?” I ask, feeling the heat spread to my cheeks.

“The naughty version is more fun. Unless you want me to start listing my felonies or broken bones?” He holds out his left hand, palm down, showcasing two crooked fingers.

“I’m sure that’s quite the list.” I look closer and see small scars dimpling both of his eyebrows and jaw.

His lip turns up in a wry smile. “You have no idea.”

“Okay, my turn.” I straighten my back, resting my hands on the counter. “Never have I ever had a threesome?”

He stiffens beside me, looking straight past me at the wall, his fingers tightening around the neck of his bottle.

I can’t help but lean forward and place my hand on his thigh. It’s almost like he’s seen a ghost.

Without averting his gaze, he lifts his drink and empties it in one long swallow. His tongue bar clicks against the rim before he lowers it.

“I’m guessing it wasn’t good?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood. He snaps his eyes to me, a darkness flashing over them that has me jerking my hand back. He shakes his head, snatching my fingers and placing it back on his thigh. The warmth of his touch sends tingles up my arm.

“It was pretty damn great,” he says, looking at me with a crooked smile.

The change in his expression puts me more at ease.

“Well, you’re free now. Maybe you can try one.” He leans in and nudges me with his shoulder against mine.

I almost choke on my drink, and my cheeks start to burn.

I never thought I’d be sitting here laughing this evening. I have Jax to thank for that.

He leans closer, invading my space. His musky aftershave lingers in the air. I close my eyes to fight the woozy feeling. It has to be the alcohol. I wouldn’t be getting this hot and flustered over him otherwise.

As I open them, I find him searching my face, tilting his head slightly to the side. Assessing me. And suddenly everything is too much. This dress is so damn tight it’s hard to breathe.

I pull at the corset trying to give myself some room, but it does nothing.

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