Page 30 of Jax

The air was thick with the smell of sizzling meat and fried delights as they placed their order at the counter. Jax ordered a ton of sides and dips, hoping to tempt Mia with as much as she could possibly eat. Then they took a seat at a booth near the back of the restaurant.

“I guess our punk clothes aren’t helping us blend in so well,” said Jax. “There’s a lot of people looking at us.”

Mia twirled her hair around her finger. “I think they’re looking atyou, Daddy. You’re kinda hot.”

Jax swallowed. “If they’re looking at either of us, it’s you, babygirl. You’re like a supermodel.”

Just then, their number was called, and Jax walked away to get the food. As he left Mia, he got the strangest sensation. He hated walking away from her like this. He never wanted to walk away from her ever again, even if it was only to fetch a damn burger. He looked back and saw her looking back at him. Their eyes stuck on one another’s for a moment, then Mia bit her lip and looked away.

And of course, Jax got another full-on fucking hard-on.

“God damn it,” he whispered under his breath. “Not again.”

He returned with the tray of food, feeling slightly off-balance.

There was an unspoken attraction between them, a charge in the air that made his skin tingle. He set the tray down on the table, trying to ignore the heat in his cheeks. The sight of her biting her lip sent shivers down his spine. Damn, this was getting out of hand.

Mia rubbed her hands together as she started to open all the food wrappers. “It’s like Christmas!” she exclaimed. “Well, not like any Christmas I ever had. But like other people’s Christmases.”

Jax made a mental note that if he still knew Mia at Christmas he was going to give her the best damn Christmas a Little could have.

But for now, they had this stolen moment in a fast food restaurant, a shy smile on her face as she took her first bite of a steak sandwich.

This was a first for her, and he was glad he could share this experience with her.

"You like it?" he asked, his voice just above a whisper.

Mia nodded eagerly as she ate some more. “Oh my goodness!” she said between bites. “It’s so good!”

Jax watched her, mesmerized by her enthusiasm. It was contagious, making him want to taste the sandwich himself. He picked up a fry from their shared platter and brought it to his lips, suddenly aware that he was ravenous. He devoured the crispy snack with a hunger that he recognized as more than just for sustenance.

“I love the dips too,” said Mia, helping herself to everything. “I think it’s safe to say my appetite has come back.” She paused. “You know, Chad never let me eat much. Said I couldn’t get fat or the customers would ask for their money back.” She frowned, seemingly lost in the memory.

Jax swallowed hard, trying to hold back the emotions that threatened to spill over. He knew he had to be strong for her, andfor both of them. He placed a comforting hand on her back and squeezed it gently. "We're in this together, Mia. No one can take that away from you again."

Mia looked up at him, her eyes filled with both gratitude and sadness. She took a deep breath and wrapped her hand around Jax's fingers. "You're the only one who’s ever made me feel safe," she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Well, apart from Savannah.”

Jax's heart ached for her, but he knew he had to be strong. He gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll find you a life where you can be safe and happy. And I'll make sure no one ever hurts you again." He smiled. “Plus, you’ll be seeing Savannah again real soon. I promise.”

“How long are we doing this, then?” asked Mia. “Lying low?”

Jax considered this. “I think we should do at least a week. Give your enemies time to lose interest and stop sniffing around. If they don’t find you within a week, something tells me they’ll be replacing you with the next girl. They’re all about business, after all.”

“But . . . will I ever be safe going back to Chicago? What if I run into one of them on the street, or at the grocery store, or whatever?”

Jax's brows furrowed in thought as he took a moment to contemplate Mia's concerns. He knew that going back to Chicago would always pose a risk, especially with the shadows of her past haunting her every step. But he also understood that running away forever wasn't a solution either.

Leaning in closer, Jax locked eyes with Mia, his gaze unwavering. "We'll figure it out, Mia. Together. I won't let anyone harm you ever again." His voice was firm, laced with determination.

Mia nodded slowly, a mix of fear and hope swirling in her eyes. She trusted Jax more than she had ever trusted anyone before,and that trust gave her a glimmer of courage she hadn't known she possessed.

As they finished their meal, their conversation shifted to lighter topics, exchanging stories and jokes, their laughter mingling with the background chatter of the fast-food joint. Mia's laughter was like music to Jax's ears, easing the tension coiling inside him.

Finally, when they’d finished their food, and Mia had eaten as much as she could manage without bursting, they left the restaurant, stepping onto the quaint streets of Bloomington in the warm glow of the early evening sunlight.

"Jax, I don't want to leave yet," Mia said suddenly, stopping in her tracks and looking up at him with pleading eyes. "I haven't felt this alive in years. And this . . . normal. Can we stay in Bloomington just a little longer?"

Jax hesitated, knowing that lingering in one place for too long could be dangerous. "Mia, I love being here with you, but I think it’s for the best if we keep moving. If there’s a chance that anyone saw us here today . . .”

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