Page 14 of Then Came Love
“Coming. Give us a second, please.” Jax’s eyes remained trained on Jordan. His mother closed the patio door, and he stepped closer. “Jordan—”
“Maybe I should go.” She was so confused. In all the years she’d been with Todd, she’d never wanted to kiss any other man, until she’d met Jax. She’d spent eight months getting over that heart-racing feeling every time she’d thought of him, and in the space of twenty-four hours it was even stronger than before.
“Please don’t leave.” His eyes implored her. “This is my fault. I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable. I’m not usually like this.”
She gave him a yeah, right look.
“I’m serious. You can ask anyone who knows me. I just have so much fun with you, it’s hard to hold back. But I promise if you stay, I’ll be on my best behavior.”
But can I be on mine?
“I know I said this already, but you can trust me this time,” he said earnestly. “I promise to keep us in line.”
“Okay. I will, too.”
As she put on her heels, he said, “And if I mess up, you can always spank me.”
She glared at him as she grabbed her jacket and he put on his shirt.
“I’m kidding.” He sidled up to her. “Unless you’re into that type of thing.”
Lord help her. If she weren’t engaged, she’d be on him like white on rice.
JAX HAD PROMISED himself he wouldn’t come on too strong, and he’d blown it. He’d never been a blatant flirt, but Jordan brought out his primal instincts, and he was having a hell of a time trying to rein them in. He looked at her, loving up Coco on the way to the table, hugging his pup despite the fur clinging to her clothes. Giggling as Coco licked her face and neck. If she married that twit in New York, he’d better get her a dog. At least that way she’d get the unconditional love she deserved. She’d already been let down in so many ways, he refused to add to that disappointment and vowed not to break his promise again.
Jax pulled out a chair for her, earning that slightly shy smile that underscored that heart-stopping moment they’d shared outside. He sat beside her, across from his parents, and she whispered, “I love that your parents sit beside each other like mine used to.”
He fought the urge to put his arm around her and kiss her temple, whispering, “They always have,” instead.
Coco settled in at Jordan’s feet, which was surprising, since she usually stuck to him like glue, and his father poured them each a glass of wine.
“Did Jax teach you a thing or two out there?” his father asked.
“Yes, he did.” Jordan laughed softly. “I even made a basket, and I’ve never done that before.”
“See? It’s all about having the right coach.” His father nodded at him. “Jax was a star player in high school.”
“That was a long time ago, Pop.”
“Were you Homecoming King, too?” Jordan asked.
Jax shook his head. “No. I didn’t go to the dance.”
“Couldn’t get a date?” she teased.
“I had better things to do.” But if I’d’ve known you were right around the corner, I’d have given up my plans to take you.
“He always had a gaggle of pretty girls vying for his attention,” his mother said. “But it was LA’s Fashion Week, and he didn’t want to miss it. He watched all the Fashion Weeks from the time he was a little boy.”
“Really?” Jordan’s eyes lit up. “I thought I was the only weirdo who did that.”
She had to be kidding. “You missed school dances to watch Fashion Week?”
“No,” Jordan said. “But I’ve watched them from the time I was a little girl.”
His father eyed him curiously. “Well, aren’t you two peas in a pod?”
Yes, we are.
“When I was young, my parents made a big deal of it for me. My father always bought me a fancy new dress and sketch pads and pencils so I could draw while we watched. They’d set up Christmas lights around the living room, and my father made enormous homemade pretzels with my mom’s famous honey-mustard dipping sauce, which was delicious. We’d have pigs in blankets and Hawaiian Punch in champagne glasses. The whole meal felt extravagant, and for dessert we’d have lime gelatin salad with Cool Whip mixed into it. I thought that was the most decadent dessert.” Jordan’s enthusiasm was contagious. “We’d all sit on the couch and eat and talk about the clothes. Casey called them yucky, because none of them were flannel, but the last year we watched together, she let my mom put flowers in her hair, which she never did. I think she only let her do it because I asked her to.” Her expression softened. “Gosh, I haven’t thought about that in the longest time.”
Jax felt a tug in his chest and couldn’t resist giving her hand a gentle squeeze under the table. She smiled appreciatively, but he was quick to pull his hand back, so as not to renege on his promise.
“Your parents sound wonderful. Is Casey your sister?” his mother asked.
“Yes.” Jordan took a bite. “This is delicious. Thank you for inviting me.”
