Page 10 of Burly and Possessive

“Hell,” he continues. “If someone did that to one of my sisters…you don’t want to know what would happen.”

My eyes widen as I look at Jax. There’s no mistaking the dangerous implication in his words. Part of me thinks I should be scared as I listen to him, but I’m more attracted to Jax than I would’ve imagined. I don’t like violence, but I love the idea that someone would care so much for me that they would literally fight to protect me.

“I wish I had someone like you in my life before all this happened.” My voice trembles, but it’s true. Everyone told me that Derek was a great catch and how lucky I was to land him. Even my mom didn’t say howhewas lucky to landme. I’m not used to being the catch, but that’s exactly how Jax makes me feel.

The light in Jax’s blue eyes shifts. “Well, I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to, either.”

Oh.

Jax’s words pierce my heart, and I’m left speechless. How is it that getting lost has allowed me to find a man who is supportive and caring? What would my life be like if I had met him instead of Derek? Would we be married?

Whoa, Leesa.I blink rapidly. How can I even look at another man? Sure, Jax rescued me and is lifting me up when I’m at my lowest, and he’s as hot as hell, but…surely I must be projecting, right? How could I want to fall into the arms of another man when I’ve just left the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with? When I was driving away from the church, I swore through my tears that I was done with men. How is Jax making me rethink the vow I made to myself?

Because Jax is the man Derek could never aspire to be. The thought hits me like a freight train. I drown in another wave of sadness. How could I have been so blind, so naïve? Everyone said Derek was a great catch, so I went along with it when we started dating and got serious. I thought I had my life mapped out, but now? Now I realize I didn’t even love Derek.

I loved what I thought I should be doing with my life—find and marry a good man. Only Derek wasn’t good.

“You okay?” Jax’s voice is gentle. “Where did you go just now?”

My cheeks heat. “I… Just thinking about what happened.” It’s not a lie, but telling Jax that I wonder what it would be like if I’d met him instead of Derek? Those words are so,sonot coming out of my mouth right now.

“Okay,” he says slowly. I’m not sure he fully believes me, but he doesn’t challenge me. “How about we have something to eat? I picked some things up from the market.”

I’m about to say I’m not hungry, but when Jax goes to the kitchen, I suddenly smell the food he brought back, and my stomach rumbles loudly. “That would be great.”

Jax moves efficiently around his kitchen, pulling containers from a brown paper bag. He deftly transfers the roasted chicken to a plate and pops it into the microwave. The rich aroma of herbs and garlic fills the air, making me realize I’m ravenous.

“It’s nothing fancy,” he says, stirring the mashed potatoes in a bowl. “But I figured comfort food might be what you need right now.”

“It’s perfect,” I assure him, and I mean it. I bite my lip, because watching him warm and plate dinner is such an unexpected turn-on. He makes me feel so special, even though we haven’t even known each other a week.

We eat at his small kitchen table, and the silence between us is comfortable. The food is exactly what I need—simple, warm, and filling.

After dinner, we move to the living room and sit in front of the fireplace. Jax pours a couple of fingers of whiskey for each of us, and the warmth of the spirit spreads through me. My muscles relax slightly, and it suddenly seems possible that everything will work out okay.

Jax keeps glancing at me, and my core heats to molten levels.Is it possible he’s attracted to me?

I try to push the thoughts away, but I can’t. Something about him that makes me want to lean in—and that terrifies me.

Without warning, Jax’s fingers brush the back of my hand. The touch is gentle but deliberate, and desire shivers over my body. My breath catches, and I look at him, startled.

“You’re stronger than you think,” he says, his voice low and steady. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you were brave to do what you did. I admire and respect you for standing up for yourself like that.”

His hand stays on mine, the warmth of his touch spreading through me. I don’t pull away, though every logical part of me screams that I should. Instead, I sit there, my heart pounding in my chest and my core heating to volcanic levels.

“I don’t feel strong,” I whisper.

“You are,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine. His hand lingers for a moment longer before he pulls it back, leaving a strange ache in its absence.

I don’t plan it. I don’t even think about it. One moment, I’m listening to him talk, and the next, I’m leaning forward and kissing him. When my lips touch his, everything else fades away. His mouth is warm and soft, a stark contrast to the way his beard tickles my skin.

Jax cups my face, his thumb grazing my cheekbone in a caress, making me squirm with longing. The kiss deepens, and I’m lost in a haze of lust. My body screams to give into this moment and give myself to Jax completely. Jax’s other hand finds my waist, his fingers pressing into my flesh through my thin shirt, and setting my skin aflame with need.

I part my lips, and his tongue slides deep against mine, commanding the kiss. My moan is pure need and desperate want tangled into one breathless sound. I pour everything I’ve been holding back—the confusion, the raw attraction, the aching desire to be wanted, to be consumed—into the kiss.

Jax’s fingers tangle in my hair, and the slight sting when he pulls sends sparks of pleasure through me. I lean into him, chasing the solid heat of his body, the intoxicating taste of him that’s somehow both fierce and sweet. I’m burning alive, every nerve ending singing with red-hot desire.

With a sharp, uneven breath, Jax pulls back abruptly, his eyes wide with a wild expression that I can’t read. He runs a hand through his hair, taking a step back.

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