by Ramona Gray
“Hi,” she said.
“Hello, butterfly.”
A ribbon of heat twisted through her. God, it did things to her to hear him say her childhood nickname in his raspy voice.
“Come in.”
She hung his coat in the closet as he took off his shoes. He followed her down the hallway and into the kitchen.
“Did you come straight here from the barbeque?”
She had practically flown home, showering quickly and applying some makeup before slipping into her favourite pair of jeans and a tank top.
He shook his head. “I stopped at home to feed Ricky and Lucy.”
A smile crossed her face and he tugged lightly on a lock of her dark hair. “What?”
She shrugged. “You just don’t seem like the pet bunny type.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, butterfly,” he said teasingly.
She studied him carefully. “Yes, I guess there is.”
An odd current of tension shimmered between them and she cleared her throat nervously. “Are you hungry? I could make us something to eat.”
He shook his head. “God, no. I ate way too much at the barbeque. There’s no delicate way to tell you this but your mother is a food pusher.”
She laughed and the slight tension was broken. “She really is. I’m surprised I don’t weigh three hundred pounds.”
His gaze dropped to her body and she licked her lips as her pulse sped up. “Would you like to uh…”
She trailed off. How did one just go about asking a man to join her in the bedroom for sex without sounding like a total whore?
“How about a tour?” He suggested.
“Good idea,” she said with a smile of relief. She led him from the kitchen, jumping a bit when his hand curled around hers.
“Relax, butterfly,” he said softly.
“Right,” she cleared her throat again before showing him the living room. “This is the living room.”
“It’s nice,” he said as he stood behind her. He pushed her hair to the side and dropped a warm kiss on the back of her neck. She shuddered and leaned against him as he put his arms around her and rubbed her flat belly.
“I like your artwork.” He kissed her neck again as he studied the painting over the fireplace.
“Thanks. I painted it.”
His hands, which had begun to unbutton her jeans, stilled and he moved away from her to study the painting more closely. “Really?”
“Yes. Both Court and I love art. We both have taken a few art classes over the years.”
“It’s amazing.”
She laughed. “You’re being generous.”
“I’m not.”
“You are,” she said before holding out her hand. “Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”
He followed her down the hallway as she pointed out the guest bathroom and the spare bedroom. It had a small twin bed and an easel was set up in the one corner.
“This is where you paint?”
She nodded. “Mostly. Sometimes I paint in the living room while I’m watching TV.”
“Can I see your latest?”
She shook her head. “I don’t really like to show people a canvas until it’s done.”
“Alright,” he kissed her knuckles and she tugged him out of the bedroom and shut the door firmly behind her.
“This is my bedroom.” She opened the door and he followed her into the room.
“It’s nice.”
“It’s not as big as yours,” she said. “And the bed is only a double, not a king.”
“There are advantages to a small bed,” he whispered before drawing her into his embrace. “Don’t you think?”
She nodded and moaned when he traced her collarbone with the tip of one rough finger. “You know,” he said suddenly, “I think your mother is on to us.”
“She thinks I like you,” Mel said.
“And do you?”
She hesitated before nodding. “Yes, I do.”
He leaned in and cupped her face before rubbing his thumb across her cheekbone. “I like you too, butterfly.”
He pressed a light kiss against her mouth, pulling back when she parted her lips. “In fact, I’m afraid I might be a little obsessed with you.”
She stared up at him. She was struck with the sudden urge to tell him she wanted more. To say fuck their differences and find out if their desire for each other could be something more. She closed her eyes and silently berated herself as he kissed a soft path down her throat. Jax had made it perfectly clear what he wanted and she wouldn’t try to change his mind. Besides, she could understand his obsession. He had become some kind of obsession for her as well and she hoped that one more night would end their mutual obsession.
Keep telling yourself that, Thomas. Maybe it’ll make it true.
“Mel?”
She opened her eyes. Jax was giving her a look of concern and he threaded his hand through her hair. “Do you still want to do this?”
“Hell, yes,” she said.
“Good.”
He kissed her deeply and she inhaled his already-familiar scent as he tugged her tank top over her head and unhooked her bra. He cupped her breasts almost reverently and coaxed her nipples into an aching hardness.
He pressed a soft kiss in the hollow between her breasts. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, butterfly.”
She stared at him. She had no sense that he was just trying to flatter her and warmth spread through her as she reached out and traced the scar on his face. “Thank you. You’re beautiful too.”
He smiled and pressed a light kiss on the tip of one throbbing nipple. She arched her back, her hands sliding into his hair and he smiled again before rubbing his rough cheek against her soft skin.
“You’re wearing entirely too many clothes.”
“So are you.” She pulled impatiently at his t-shirt and he stripped out of it before draping it neatly on top of her dresser. She studied his hard body in the dim light.
“Your body is amazing. You know that, right?”
He actually blushed a little and she laughed before unbuttoning his jeans. “Also, you’re kind of adorable when you blush.”
He pulled her forward and reached for the button on her jeans. “I do not blush, Ms. Thomas.”
Quickly, they helped each other out of their clothes and she teased him gently again when he picked up their clothes from the floor and placed them neatly on the dresser.
“So beautiful,” Jax murmured when she was standing naked in front of him. “I can’t get enough of you, butterfly.”
She pushed him on to his back on the bed and straddled his hips before letting her fingers drift back and forth over his hard chest. “God, your body is like granite. How often do you work out?”
“Just about every day,” he replied.
She shook her head. “I could never have that kind of dedication when it comes to exercise. Although, maybe I should try.”
“No, don’t. Your body is perfection,” he said immediately before squeezing her hips.
She leaned over him and brushed her breasts against his chest, enjoying his sharp inhale. “This is madness, you know that right?”
“I do,” he agreed before cupping her ass and squeezing it lightly. “But I’m enjoying every fucking minute of it.”
She nipped at his earlobe. “I am too.”
He stroked her back as she rubbed her pussy against his erection, and made a low moan of pleasure. “Fuck, butterfly, you make me so goddamn hot I can’t think straight.”
“Good,” she said before tracing his ear with her tongue. She straightened and he watched as she took out a condom from the nightstand. He slipped his hand between her thighs and rubbed at her clit.
“You’re distracting me,” she admonished lightly as she tore at the foil wrapper. Her fingers were trembling and she moaned under her breath when he tugged lightly at her clit. With sudden impatience, she ripped the foil open and pulled the condom out be
fore scooting back. She studied his cock, marveling inwardly again at the size of it, and squeezed the base firmly.
He gasped with pleasure, his hips arching against her hand as she stroked and rubbed him until a bead of precum appeared at the top. She leaned down and licked it away, smiling at his groan, and pulled back when his hands threaded through her hair.
“Please, butterfly,” he whispered. “Please.”
“I like it when you beg,” she teased before slowly rolling the condom on to his cock.
She positioned herself above him, his hands on her hips steadying her, and guided his cock to her wet entrance. As the head slipped inside of her, they both moaned and she made herself stop. Her legs were trembling and she was aching to take his entire cock but she waited.
His eyes opened and he gave her a look of dark desire that had her pulse racing. “Butterfly, stop teasing.”
She smiled and slowly sank down on his cock. She bit at her bottom lip as she stretched around him. He was lying perfectly still beneath her and she took his hands and placed them on her breasts. He kneaded them lightly and she closed her eyes before rocking back and forth. The motion put delicious pleasure against her g-spot and she rocked faster as he watched her take what she wanted from him.
She rocked harder and faster, her hands digging into his chest as he pinched her nipples. The slight pain mixed with the pleasure and she cried out as he pinched her nipples again.
“Jax, oh, oh…”
The tension was building inside of her and with a final cry, she threw her head back and rubbed herself furiously against Jax’s cock. Her orgasm roared through her and she shuddered wildly before collapsing against his chest.
He rubbed her back, waiting patiently for her breathing to slow, and then kissed her shoulder. “Turn around, Mel.”
She eased off of him and straddled him backwards. He helped her position herself and groaned harshly when she sank on to his cock again. He rubbed her ass as she stared at him over her shoulder.
Her legs were still trembling from her orgasm but when he raised his legs, she braced her hands on his knees and rode him with slow and deliberate movements.
“Fuck, just like that,” he muttered as his pelvis rose and fell. “You’re so goddamn tight.”
His hands tightened around her hips and he held her firmly as he pumped in and out. She rubbed her clit lightly, the new pleasure surging within her making her tighten around him. He cursed and thrust harder and faster.
She bounced up and down, her fingers rubbing more firmly and when her orgasm washed over her, sudden and completely unexpected, she arched her back and cried his name. He groaned and thrust furiously until his body stiffened and he came with a hoarse shout. She rested her forehead on his knees as he stroked her back and ass with his warm hands.
“Christ, Mel,” he mumbled as she climbed off of him and collapsed on her side next to him.
He rolled to face her and as he cupped her face a small shudder of pleasure went through her.
You’re in so much trouble, Thomas.
* * *
“Will you tell me how this happened?”
It was half an hour later. They were lying in the bed together and Jax’s hand, which had been tracing lazy circles on her naked back, slowed to a stop as Mel touched the scar on his face.
She waited patiently. She was almost positive he wouldn’t tell her but he tugged her a little closer and kissed the top of her head before saying, “I was trying to protect my aunt.”
She lifted her head and stared at him. “You got it as a child?”
He nodded. “You’re surprised.”
“A little. I thought you got it working for Golden.”
“No.”
She sat up and reached for the glass of water on the nightstand, drinking a few swallows before handing it to him. He finished the water and leaned back against the headboard, staring at his hands, as she stroked his arm lightly.
“What happened?”
“I had only been living with her for a few months and I was naïve and stupid enough to think that she actually cared about me. I hadn’t realized just how big of a hold the drugs had on her, you know?”
She nodded and scooted a little closer as he shifted in the bed.
“Her boyfriend – he was also her drug dealer – was over and they got into a fight. He pulled a knife on her and I tried to protect her. He sliced me open.”
“Oh my God, Jax.” She stared horrified at him and he squeezed her leg lightly.
“There was a lot of blood and it sent both my aunt and her boyfriend into a panic. He left and she took me to the hospital. She made me tell them that I tripped and fell into a window and was cut by the broken glass. She said if I didn’t lie about it they would take me away to a foster home where they’d really hurt me.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”
“Did you – was there any part of your childhood that was good, Jax?”
A small smile crossed his face. “Mr. Golden threw me a surprise birthday party when I turned fourteen. His daughter, Jade, invited a bunch of my classmates and Mr. Golden rented one of those big bounce-house things, you know? We were way too old for it but it was actually kind of fun. Twelve teen boys jumping in this stupid bouncy house, trying to beat the shit out of each other as we jumped. He rented a giant screen and projector for the backyard and we ate pizza and popcorn and watched all my favourite movies.”
“It sounds nice,” she said.
“It was,” he replied.
“You love him, don’t you?”
He frowned at her. “Who?”
“Golden.”
A hard look came over his face and he shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
She stared puzzled at him as he turned away from her. She cupped his face and made him look at her. “Jax, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“There is. Don’t shut me out,” she said.
He sighed. “I don’t love him, Mel. I owe him and he saved my life but he isn’t a good man.”
“Because he’s a drug dealer?”
He pulled his face free of her hand and looked away again. “No.”
She was silent for a moment before touching his shoulder hesitantly. “Why do you work for him then?”
“I told you – I owe him.”
“You’ve spent your entire life working for him. Don’t you think you’ve repaid the debt? You could find something else to do with your life.”
He laughed jaggedly. “Like what? The only skills I have are using my fists, Mel.”
“That isn’t true.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No,” she said. “You’re a smart guy, Jax. You could do whatever you want with your life.”
“You barely know me,” he said a bit sullenly.
“I know you’re wasting your potential working for a drug dealer like Jimmy Gold – “
“Enough, Mel. Please,” he said harshly. “I don’t want to talk about Golden while I’m in your bed. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
He paused before putting his arm around her and tugging her against his chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”
“You didn’t. Besides, it’s none of my business. I’m just being my usual nosy self.”
He kissed her forehead. “I like your nosy self.”
She pressed her lips against his chest as he relaxed against the headboard. “Do you like being a nurse?”
“I do. I like helping people. Maybe a little too much, sometimes. At least according to my brothers. They could probably use a little less of my ‘helping’.”
She stared up at him. “I ran into my brother’s ex-girlfriend the other day. She said that they broke up because I kept interfering with their relationship.”
“Do you believe her?”
She shook her head. “No. She was a lying bitch who cheated on Court numerous times. But I think there�
��s probably some truth to what she said. I spend a lot of time worrying about my brothers even though they’re older than me. Well, maybe not so much Court now – Julie’s a great woman and perfect for him – but definitely Cal. He’s wasting his potential just like you are.”
“Maybe it’s why we’re friends. We’ve bonded over our mutual lost potential.” He grinned at her.
She studied him carefully. “You are friends, aren’t you?”
“Yes. At least starting to be.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you friends with my brother? You have nothing in common.”
“Neither do we, yet here we are,” he said teasingly.
“We’re not friends though, are we?” She said.
A brief look of hurt flickered across his face. “No, I suppose we’re not.”
“Are you friends with him because you want to be or because Jimmy Golden asked you to be?”
He jerked against her and tried to hide his shock. “Why would you say that?”
“Golden said he had big plans for my brother. Do you know what they are?”
“No,” he lied.
“I hate it when you lie to me,” she said before pushing out of his arms.
He grabbed her arm before she could leave the bed. “Do we have to talk about this now, Mel? Can’t we just enjoy…”
He trailed off and she arched her eyebrow at him, “Fucking each other?”
He nodded and she sighed loudly before allowing him to pull her back into his embrace. “You drive me crazy, Jax Anderson.”
He cupped her breast and squeezed it lightly. “Ditto, Melanie Thomas.”
Chapter 11
Court stared at the laptop screen. The trailer that served as his office on job sites was hot and stuffy, and he opened the window behind him before wiping the sweat from the back of his neck. He had the start of a headache, two guys had called in sick, and he had a client meeting this afternoon that he was dreading.
He glanced at his watch. Julie would be here any minute for lunch and he was looking forward to it more than he could say. He typed a calculation into the spreadsheet and frowned at the results. He’d have to talk to Mark about –