Page 37 of Beach Bum Billion-Heiress
"It was. Or, I thought it was. We dated for a long time and then she decided she couldn't handle dating a continually broke guy. Left for richer pastures." He shrugged, like it was nothing, but I knew from Bailey that it was definitely something.
"Did you love her?" The idea of Jax loving someone else was weird and repulsive. The idea that someone could leave him over money was also repulsive. I hated this woman already, but was thankful she'd been of so little substance. She'd left him single and available for me.
He shook his head slowly. "I thought I did, but looking back, there were a lot of other signs too. I'm happy for the experience so now I know what I want and what I don't want."
"And what do you want, Jax?"
He looked up at me then, his piercing blue eyes looking into my soul, rendering me motionless, on the edge of my rock, as it were, needing to hear his answer.
"I want a partner. Someone who understands my need to work hard and to preserve my father's legacy, even if it'll never make me a ton of money. I want a lover and a best friend I can build a family with."
I nodded, just then remembering the similar statement he'd made that first day we'd talked in The Shack after I'd rented a surfboard. I gazed back at him, hoping I fit the bill, even though we'd started out on opposite sides and seemed so different on paper. "I don't think that's too much to ask when you're planning to spend the rest of your life with someone."
Jax leaned in to pull a strand of hair out of my face, his fingers trailing down my cheek and then behind my neck to pull me in for a sweet kiss. We broke apart and finished our apples before hiking back to camp, all serious talk over for the time being.
I lobbied hard for an afternoon siesta, with Jax pulling out all the stops to take me fishing. Back at our campground, we compromised on something else entirely when I started stripping before we even made it to the tent. I only had my boots left on my body when Jax picked me up and sat me down on the end of the wooden picnic table next to the tent. The wood was weathered and rough, making me wince at the thought of splinters in sensitive areas. Jax, of the ever-present-gaze noticed, of course, and unbuttoned his shirt, lifting me up so he could put it under me.
He dropped his shorts and boxers, grabbing for his wallet then spreading my knees and pulling me to the very edge of the table. I bent my knees and placed my boots on the edge of the table, thankful for the grip the heavy tread provided. No time wasted on teasing, he put the condom on, lined himself up and thrusted, filling me. My arms went around his neck and my head dropped to his shoulder.
Damn, he felt so good. Like he was both splitting me in two and putting me back together. All my attention zeroed in on the center of my body where we were connected. His hands gripped my hips in a tight grasp, his body retreating and slamming back quickly.
Then he stopped entirely, which forced my head up, being that I was ready to beg him for more.
"Lay back."
The command was back in his voice, his need to tell me what to do when we were naked together. I kissed his neck, his ear, his cheek and finally a quick lick across his bottom lip before I laid back on the table, leaving my feet where they were. It was broad daylight and I was splayed across the picnic table, like a feast ready to be eaten.
It was worth it, to see his jaw clench and his eyes dilate. He still didn't move and I tried to take matters into my own hands. Literally. I palmed my breasts and pinched my nipples, wiggling on the table to get the friction I needed.
"Touch yourself." Another gruff command. His hands pushed my knees further out to the sides. "Lower."
His intention was clear and though I'd never done something so brazen in front of a lover, and especially not out in the open for anyone to see, I obeyed. One hand trailed lower to feel where he penetrated me, the quick squeeze enough for him to start moving again. A growl and a dark look had me moving my hand a bit higher to touch right where I knew he wanted me.
Only then did he pull almost completely out, hovered there for an agonizing second, then plunged back in all the way. Then again, almost out, barely dipping in, then back out again, ending with a hard thrust back in. He continued in this way, teasing me even as my desire ratcheted higher. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore and I begged him for more.
"Faster, please. Please." My hand was rubbing fast, my breaths coming out in pants and moans.
He gave me what I needed, letting out a loud holler the same time I arched my back and saw the stars. His heavy body lay over mine, his breath hot on my neck. I looked up and saw a bright blue sky with wispy clouds floating across. The breeze hit my skin and I smelled the forest, that natural scent you just couldn't bottle up. I wasn't sure how I felt about heaven, but I had to think this moment must be what it was like. Absolutely nothing could have made me happier than this. Right here, right now.
Except maybe a hot shower. I was feeling mighty hot and sticky. I wasn't a snob, but a girl had her limits.
