Page 14 of Against My Fire

I go to sit next to him as we just watch them. It’s amazing how something so small can mean the world to him. That a few butterflies can bring this little boy so much joy. He crawls onto my lap as he lays his head against my shoulder.

“Ley?” He whispers not to scare the butterflies.

“Yeah?”

“Are you daddy’s girl?” He looks up at me with those same green eyes as his dad. How do I answer him? I don’t know. Do I want to be? A smile forms on my face as I think of Jaxon. He has crawled into my heart without me noticing.

“I hope so.” I was being honest. I didn’t want a relationship when I got here but Jaxon Walker had other plans. He didn’t give me a chance to build those walls higher before he started tearing them down.

We sit out there for a little while longer until a cool breeze starts blowing. I look out into the distance and I feel my heart contract. If there is one thing I hate, it’s thunderstorms. They scare the shit out of me.

“Taylor, we need to go. It looks like it will be raining soon.” He gets off my lap as I get up. “Want me to give you a piggyback ride?”

“Yes!” I bend down to help him onto my back. It will go faster if I carry him. This weather is rolling in too fast for my liking. I started towards the house and we just made it before the lighting started striking. I placed Taylor down in the living room before I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I scrolled through my contacts until I found Jaxon. I pressed the dial button and waited for him to answer.

“Bentley, I’m on my way. Grab a bag for Taylor. There is a tornado warning.” He answers and I don’t like it.

“Jax, I am scared of thunder,” I whisper as the first thunder hits us. I hear Jaxon breathe on the other side of the phone.

“Baby, I am right outside. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise you.” His soothing voice comes over the phone before the door opens with him on the other side. He drops the call as Taylor and I run into his arms. He picks Taylor up and he pulls me closer to him. “I got both of you.” He kisses my forehead before he hugs Taylor to him. “We are safe from the tornado.” I pull away to look up at him. “The warning wasn’t for Piper Falls, but we are still under a tornado watch.” I nod as he puts Taylor down and leads us to the living room.

I nearly jump on Jaxon when the thunder booms through the air. My heart races and Jaxon pulls me closer to him. He rubs my back while Taylor holds my hand. “I’m here,” Taylor says as he squeezes my hand.

“See, we got you. Us, Walker guys will keep our girl safe from the thunder.” Jaxon’s voice rumbles in his chest as I rest my head against it. “Why don’t the two of you watch a movie and I will make us some burgers.” Jaxon kisses the top of my head, but I don't want to let him go. I am feeling safe in his arms. Like the thunder can’t get me here. Nothing bad can happen with him next to me.

“I was supposed to make dinner.” I pout and Jaxon laughs before kissing me on my pouting lips.

“You can make dinner tomorrow. For tonight we need to get your mind off the thunder.” He moves me to the couch where Taylor is already waiting for me. I cuddle up next to Taylor as Jaxon covers us with a blanket.

Taylor chooses ‘How to train your dragon’ as the movie he wants to watch and I let him. He entertains me with his excitement over the movie that I barely register the thunder anymore.

“Look, Ley!” He pats my arm to get my attention. It’s the part where the dragons fight in the sky and it looks like thunder. I chuckle at how he sees it. How wonderful a toddler's mind can be. He sees things differently and maybe he might just help me overcome my fear. He and his father might just be what I need. And I am prepared to give them my all.

Chapter Fourteen

? Jaxon ?

My heart broke hearing Bentley’s voice crack when she told me she was afraid of thunder. If I wasn’t on my way home already I would have raced home as fast as I could. I felt her anxiety as soon as I walked through the door.

Preparing dinner for them was a blast as I listened to them laugh and talk throughout the movie. My heart nearly combusted when Taylor told her what thunder was all about. Or at least what his three-year-old mind saw thunder to be.

It did help her as all through dinner she was laughing with Taylor and me. They both devoured the burgers, and I couldn’t help but fall more for her with each sweet word she said to my son, and with each laugh they shared. This is what I want for him, to love the person that I am in love with. Even though I am not about to tell her, because I don’t think she is ready to hear it.

I pull back the comforter as I wait for my beauty to come back to my room. The weather has calmed down slightly but I still see some lightning in the horizon. Bentley walks in with a smile on her face.

“I had to read Beauty and the Beast to him. Apparently, I am beauty and you are the very handsome beast.” She walks over to me and I pull her closer to me by the waist.

“You are my beauty.” I lean down and kiss her lips. She runs her soft hands along my chest and I look into her blue eyes. “I want you to be mine and only mine.”

“You want me to be your girlfriend?” Her eyes sparkle and I almost come undone with the bite of her lip. How does she do this to me?

“Yes. Be my girlfriend. I want you in mine and Taylor’s life.”

“I want that too…” I pick her up as she squeals. I spin her around but she yelps when thunder strikes near the house. Settling her down between my arms, I press a kiss on her forehead as she snuggles against my heart to steady herself.

“Damn, I hate thunder. I need something to distract my mind.” Her lips brush against my naked chest as she speaks, sending shivers down my spine to my cock.

Lifting her chin with two fingers while warming the small of her back with my free hand, I smirk as I dive into her deep blue oceans. “Well… I know something that could ease your mind… If you want it too….” Snaking my hand underneath her shirt, I play with the hem of her bra, intensely watching her eyes light up, and her smile grows wide. Using my other hand, I toss her hair aside to trail kisses down her neck, still working on the hooks with two fingers.

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