Page 52 of Dangerous Lies

“Hey.” His lips curved into a devastating smile. “Mind if I join you?”

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

Jax lowered himself beside her, his long legs dangling over the edge. His nearness sent a riot of butterflies fluttering through her stomach. She tried to push them down, but it was impossible. He had an effect on her that couldn’t be wrangled.

Her gaze dropped to the sling cradling his arm. “How’s your shoulder?”

“It still hurts, but it’s healing.” He drew in a deep breath and nodded toward the scorched patch in her yard. “I see you hauled away the boathouse.”

“Pops took care of it.” Megan glanced behind her and nearly groaned. Her grandparents were not-so-subtly watching them from the porch. She scowled and waved behind Jax’s back, signaling them to stop staring. So embarrassing.

Jax chuckled, missing nothing. “Your grandparents are happy.” His lips quirked. “I dare say, I think your grandfather might like me now.”

Megan laughed. “You’ve come a long way with Pops, that’s true. I think it was the press conference that finally won him over. Chief Garcia announced I was officially cleared of any wrongdoing.” She nudged Jax lightly with her shoulder. “Thank you.”

“For what? Chief Garcia told the truth, that’s all.”

She arched a brow. “Dawson already ratted you out. He let it slip that you specifically asked the chief to include that in the announcement.”

Jax didn’t respond, just gave her a quiet, almost bashful look. Megan’s heart squeezed. Even now, even after everything, he was still protecting her.

“It means a lot,” she murmured.

His gaze lingered on her face before flickering out toward the lake. Tension rolled off him, subtle but unmistakable. Megan tensed in response.

“What is it?”

“I spoke to my family this afternoon.”

“Oh.” She winced, bracing herself for heartbreak.

“I told them I’m in love with you.” Megan’s breath stalled. Jax said it so casually, like it was something he’d been saying to her for years. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. “And that I want you to be a part of my life. A big part.”

She stared, unsure if she’d heard him right.

“They’d like you to come to Sunday lunch,” he continued. “In two weeks. So… I guess I’m asking if you’d like to.”

Megan blinked. “Your family wants me to come to Sunday lunch?” Her voice was laced with disbelief. “But what about?—”

“It was never your fault. And finally, my family is ready to heal.” His gaze searched hers, questioning. Then he swallowed hard. “But if your feelings have changed, that’s okay. Just say so. It was a crazy week, with a maniac trying to kill us, and—well, we can continue on as friends.”

She sucked in a breath, her pulse hammering. “No, Jax. We can never be friends.”

His face fell, just slightly, but before he could react, Megan reached up and cupped his cheek. “I could never be just your friend,” she whispered. “I love you too much for that.”

Relief crashed through his expression. “Oh, thank God. I was worried for a second that I was going to have to be your friend while being hopelessly in love with you.” His lips tilted. “Pretty sure that would be harder than being your enemy.”

“You were never my enemy. I didn’t like you much, but you weren’t my enemy.”

Jax threw his head back and laughed, the rich sound carrying on the wind, filling Megan’s chest with warmth. She could spend forever like this—sitting on a dock, next to Jax, listening to him laugh.

Then he looked at her, and all the air fled her lungs.

Megan’s heart tumbled over itself as he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a whisper-soft touch. The world faded, shrinking to nothing but him—this moment, this man. Jax kissed her like he had all the time in the world, like he was memorizing her. His good arm wrapped around her, pulling her close, anchoring her against him. The heat of his palm pressed into her lower back, sending shivers up her spine.

Megan melted into him, her hands sliding up his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.

No, she took it back.

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