Page 12 of Then Came Love
“Don’t be silly, Jordan,” his mother said. “The more the merrier. I’ve been cooking for Nick and Trixie all day. I have plenty of extras.”
“Oh, did they change their plans? I thought they were having an at-home honeymoon and trespassers would be shot.” Trixie told her that she and Nick were going to hang a HONEYMOON IN PROGRESS sign on the door and not come out for a week other than to take care of their animals.
“They are, but do you really think those two lovebirds will remember to eat?” His mother shook her head, but her smile told Jordan she was all for their love nest. “Someone has to provide sustenance for them. But they gave me strict instructions to leave the food by the front door, ring the doorbell twice, and leave.”
“That’s because clothing is optional on their at-home honeymoon,” Jax said with a chuckle.
Jordan couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have Todd’s undivided attention for a few hours, much less a week. He checked his phone incessantly, even on the weekends, so as not to leave his clients hanging. That’s why they were delaying planning their honeymoon until the fall, when he hoped things would slow down at work.
“Well, good for them, and good for us that you two are here for dinner.” His mother put her arm around Jordan, guiding her down the hall with Coco on their heels. “Clint is out on the patio grilling vegetables. You and Jax can hang out with him while I finish up in the kitchen. It shouldn’t take long, and we can get to know each other better over dinner.”
“Are you sure you don’t want some help?” Jordan offered.
“She’s sure.” Jax took Jordan’s hand, pulling her toward the patio door.
His mother flashed an approving smile.
Coco trotted out the door with them and darted into the yard.
“I thought I heard an unfamiliar voice. It’s nice to see you again, Jordan.” His father embraced her and clapped a hand on Jax’s shoulder. “Are you sticking around for dinner?”
“We are,” Jax answered.
Coco pushed a basketball onto the porch with her nose and sat at Jax’s feet, panting up at him.
“That’s my good girl. Thanks, baby.” He bent to love her up and picked up the basketball. Coco trotted over to a lounge chair by the basketball court and made herself comfortable.
His father said, “Does his dog know him, or what?”
“I didn’t know Jax played basketball.”
“Just a little here and there,” Jax said coyly. “Do you play?”
“No. I’m too uncoordinated for sports.”
His father arched a brow. “Maybe you just haven’t had the right coach.”
“No, I’m seriously bad at all sports.”
“Let me show you a thing or two. Do you want to borrow a pair of sneakers from my mom?”
Was he really going to make her do this? “No, it’s okay. I’ll just take these off.”
“You might want to lose your jacket, too,” Jax suggested. “It’s too restrictive for the court.”
As she took off her jacket and heels, Jax shrugged off his shirt and hung it over the back of a chair, revealing planes of lean, hard flesh and ripped abs. Her pulse quickened as he picked up the basketball and dribbled, his muscles flexing with his movements as he closed the distance between them and said for her ears only, “Careful, sweetheart. Wouldn’t want you to get drool on your pretty white shirt.”
She clamped her mouth closed, stealing a glance in his father’s direction, relieved to see he was busy grilling.
With a hand on her back, which was starting to feel familiar, he led her on to the basketball court and said, “Love the stars.”
It took her a second to realize he was talking about the white stars painted on the red polish on her toenails. “My mom used to paint them on our toenails. Casey loved them so much, I guess it makes me feel closer to her.”
His expression turned thoughtful. “Now I like them even more.”
His voice was so honest, his expression so genuine, it tugged at her heartstrings.
“Ready to show me what you’ve got?” He spun the ball on his index finger.
“I haven’t even touched a ball in so long, I probably won’t hold it right.”
His smile turned a little bit wicked. “Don’t worry. I’ll put your hands in all the right places.”
“Jax!”she whispered. “You are bad.”
He stepped closer, eyes darkening. “I promise I’m incredibly good.”
She had no doubt. “What happened to not flirting?”
