On Edge

by Kim Cong

  It was 12:18 a.m. by the clock on the wall, and all of Pax’s team had arrived. I hadn’t met any of them before, so being introduced at such a sombre occasion was awkward.

  There were the investigators, a bunch of rough, muscle-fit guys who were quiet and serious. All of them had an aura of mystery and hotness about them. I finally got what Addie meant about the eye candy.

  They came and went, talking to us, phoning, texting, doing what needed to be done to progress the investigation and keep on the trail while it was hot.

  There were also Evie’s co-workers, a group of about ten guys who were all slightly paler than anyone else in the room. A few were overweight, one appeared to be severely underweight. Two were fit, but still not in the same league as the investigators. These guys were dressed in varying types of nerd apparel like Star Wars t-shirts and Marvel gear. Apparently they’d come directly from a LAN party—whatever that meant.

  These guys were chatters, with nervous ticks, walking, stalking, and getting cup after cup of terrible tasting coffee from the machine. They made me fret.

  Police came and went, asking questions and getting our stories. Some knew Pax and his boys, and slapped comforting hands on their shoulders or backs. I felt the clock slow down as the night progressed.

  Finally, as the hands crept closer to 2:00 a.m. a doctor entered the room. He hesitated, seeing so many people.

  “Mr. Falco?”

  Luc stepped forward with a nod. “She okay?”

  “Perhaps if you could follow me?” The doctor gestured outside the room. Luc stood squarely and shook his head.

  “We’re all here for Evie. Is she okay?” The doctor hesitated another moment and Luc rumbled out a growl of frustration. “Hurry the fuck up, man. Is she okay?”

  “Yes.” Collectively we all breathed a sigh of relief.

  “But she’s still in a serious condition. She’s lost a lot of blood and I am afraid that the bullet tore very roughly through her. It took us quite a while to repair the muscles and remove all the debris. The wound to her side shattered much of her ilium and resulted in a fracture to her femoral head.”

  “English?”

  “Her hip bone has been injured quite severely. Our priority was wound treatment, minimising blood loss and stabilisation of the fracture. As a result, we’ve had to externally pin the hip at this stage, but that will need to be moved to an internal solution once Ms Franklin is stabilised. We’ve examined Ms Franklin and it doesn’t appear that she has suffered any bowel injuries, which,” the surgeon shook his head, “Frankly is a miracle. She will be in ICU for another few hours, perhaps another day, before we move her to a ward for further recovery.” He looked around the room.

  “I do warn you it is not pretty. Her wounds are extensive and will take a long time to heal. There is also the risk of lead toxicity from the bullet itself, as well as infections.”

  “Can I see her?”

  The surgeon nodded at Luc. “She’s sleeping now, but you can come in and sit with her. You’ll have to wear some scrubs. I can get a nurse to show you to her.” He paused and glanced at the other people in the room.

  “You can peek through the ICU windows if you want. I’d prefer to keep visitors to an absolute minimum at the moment. Ms Franklin needs her rest.”

  He gestured for Luc to precede him. I watched as the hard men and beautiful women around me all started grinning, hugging, laughing and toasting Evie and the medical team with very bad coffee. Pure joy. Life, for the moment, was good.

  Jetta

  “You’re quiet.”

  Pax had taken me back to his place where we’d collapsed, exhausted, into bed. I’d slept for a few hours before waking up in a nightmare. I’d snuck out, leaving Pax sprawled across the bed, sheets pooled around his hips, his back exposed. He was beautiful and as much as I enjoyed the view, I needed space.

  I was currently sitting, legs tucked up under my chin, on one of his pool lounge chairs, a light blanket wrapped around me, watching the morning sun gently touch the sky shades of pink. It may have been summer, but nights in Canberra could still get cold.

  “Hey. Sorry. Did I wake you?”

  He swung a leg over to straddle the seat behind me and then gently tucked me against his chest.

  “Missed you.”

  I closed my eyes, letting those words sink in deep. The warmth of them chased away the lingering cold.

  “Did you hear anything more?”

  “Got a text from Luc. She’s doing well. Woke up for a bit and is back resting. They expect she’ll be transferred to a ward in the next day or two, all remaining good.”

  I opened my eyes and breathed a little lighter. Thank God.

  “I’m so sorry, Pax.”

  “Ssshhh. It isn’t your fault. Did you pull the trigger? No. So just hush.”

  His hands dipped beneath the blanket and slid up my front, wrapping around me and pulling me closer. His thumbs traced gentle circles along my arms, giving me comfort as we watched the morning sun paint the sky.

  “Do me a favour?” His voice was low, soft.

  I looked over my shoulder, meeting his serious eyes.

  “Anything.”

  “Go grab your guitar and play for me.”

  I froze for a moment.

  “Please.”

  Doing as he bid, I moved away and walked inside to snag my acoustic. Without thinking, I automatically swung the strap over my shoulder and started strumming to check its tuning as I walked back. I straddled the lounge, facing him.

  “Requests?”

  Pax shrugged, eyes on me. With a deep breath, I started playing Kings of Leon’s song, Beautiful War.

  As I got to the chorus, my eyes met his.

  “Love, love…” His eyes were glowing that gorgeous green and I nearly tripped over my words as they fell from my lips, my heart echoing the song. As I slowly strummed out the finish, we sat there looking at each other. We didn’t speak. I licked my lips. His eyes darkened in response.

  “I want you, Jet.”

  I exhaled in a rush. “I want you, too.” The words trembled between us.

  A small smile crept over his lips. “Good.”

  In silence, he led me to the bedroom. The light was soft, gentle, teasing through the bare windows. I was wearing a large t-shirt and a pair of his boxer shorts. He was wore only shorts. His scars were on display, but rather than be grotesque, they only enhanced his beauty. They reminded me of his sacrifice. Of how lucky I was to have him there with me.

  Pax stopped before the bed, turned and pulled me gently toward him. His eyes were a deep green, the gold flecks glinting at me. I knew this look; I’d seen it before. My right hand reached up and timidly grazed his chest. I brushed my fingers lightly over the puckered scars as he lowered his head, his breath touching my lips in a soft caress.

  “Jet…” I couldn’t help but melt at the worshipful way he said my name.

  “Pax…” I breathed his name against his lips as they settled on mine. Hot. Rough. His stubble rasped against my sensitive skin as he consumed me.

  I knew what I wanted. His hands slipped from my arms to my waist and pulled me flush against him. I could feel heat everywhere. He deepened the kiss with a soft murmur and I groaned against his lips and let him have his way.

  I was hot and shivering. Each leisurely lick of his tongue, his lips against mine, made me want him more. He was demanding, and I gave in with pleasure.

  The last kiss on my lips was his. It was only fitting that we were there once again. I felt drugged by the feel of his mouth against mine. Years and experience had made his kisses all the more potent. His hands anchored me as he possessed my mouth with devastating intent. I was absolutely lost to him.

  He drew back and I chased, my arms coming up and wrapping around his shoulders, one hand tunnelling into his hair to keep him close. I mumbled a protest, and kissed him. He shuddered against me and his hands slid down my back to the top of my boxer-clad bottom, and slipped under the elastic. I
pulled back with a gasp, my eyes flying open, blue meeting green fire.

  “Jet,” his voice was a gruff growl. “You’re not wearing panties.”

  I blinked up at him. “How is this a problem?”

  Paxton grinned, the smirk utterly male and utterly devastating. Instead of answering, he lowered his head and kissed my neck. I gasped and pushed his head closer with my hand. Hot spots and erotic novels, that was amazing! All my girl parts were wet, hot and ready. His hands remained on my arse and gently palmed it.

  “Pax,” I panted his name, trying to remember what I was about to say as he leisurely started sliding the boxers down.

  “Pax…” My boxers dropped and I was covered by a long shirt and nothing else.

  “Paxton!”

  He stepped back, abruptly releasing me, causing me to wobble on unsteady legs. His arms were crossed and he was staring at me like I was… I have no comparison. His boxers were protruding and I was kind of impressed. Okay, a lot of impressed.

  “You could be a porn star if you ever wanted to give up the security gig.”

  His lips twitched and he raised an eyebrow. “You stopped to tell me I can be a porn star?”

  I drew in a breath. “No. I wanted to stop because…” I gestured to his ‘downstairs.’

  He looked down and then back up. His brow remained raised. “Because?”

  “Because that.”

  “What?”

  “The Loch Ness monster in your pants.”

  “The what?” He started laughing. “Way to ruin the mood, Jetta.”

  “What? How?”

  “Umm, you just compared my dick to a non-existent animal. Way to make me feel incompetent.”

  “Pax, that thing was digging a hole in my abdomen. I compared it to a legendary monster, not a myth, you idiot. Would you prefer unicorn? I can arrange for some glitter to be delivered.”

  “I’ll give you some uni-horn…” He reached over, tugging me to him while I squealed and tried to get away.

  “Stop!”

  He immediately dropped his hands. “What’s wrong, Jetta?”

  “I’m a virgin, okay? I wanna hand in my V-card and get the tramp stamp back but I’m nervous.”

  “I thought Courtney was joking when she said that you had waited for me.”

  I shook my head. “Dude, your ego could not be any bigger. Don’t flatter yourself. I wasn’t waiting for you.”

  His eyes remained on me, arms folded across his impressive chest.

  I huffed out a frustrated sigh. “Fine— short version? Parents’ death, grieving you, busy holding down lots of jobs, Courtney, touring with Courtney, being me.”

  He didn’t say anything, just kept staring.

  “Fine. The longer version is that shit got real after you left. I was busy with Courtney, grieving and trying to not be destitute. Then once I kind of thought I’d be able to have a life, Courtney hit the terrible teens. Hard. She started trying to sneak out and get into mischief so I ended up dealing with that. Then once she started coming good, Paul signed her and the next thing I know I’m trying to hold down jobs while being her guardian on her tours. Then a few years of that and suddenly I was alone and not having to look after someone else and… and that was nice.” I tilted my head at him, shrugging. “It was just nice to have time to discover who I was without needing to worry about another person. So yeah, the opportunity just never presented itself.”

  “So it’s not because you’re waiting for something or someone?”

  I laughed. “No, Pax. Not at all.”

  His eyes went molten, a small smile on his face. “Get on the bed.”

  I shivered and complied, crawling across the mattress. When I was at the head, I turned and arranged myself laying down.

  “What do you want, Jet?” I felt a hot shiver of pleasure start at my head and work its way rapidly down my body to pool, liquid hot, in my groin.

  I licked my lips. “You. This.”

  “Good. Now lie back and let me take care of you.”

  Dear God. The look in his eyes. I bit my lip and nodded, unable to find words. A smirk crept across his lips and his gorgeous green eyes darkened.

  “You’ll enjoy this.” I nodded again. The way he was talking—our history...

  “Wait.” I sat up. “I know what I wanted to say! I think we’re going too fast.”

  He froze. “Explain.”

  I ran a hand through my hair and scrunched the strands at the back of my head. “We’ve only been reconnected for a handful of days and suddenly, I’m falling into bed with you?”

  “Babe.” There was a wealth of meaning in the one word.

  “What? Don’t you think this is weird?”

  “I think it’s weird that you’re telling me a minute ago you wanna hand in your, quote, ‘v-card,’ – which, if you ask me, is a terrible way to refer to your first time but that’s your choice not mine - then thirty seconds later you’re saying we’re moving too fast.”

  I laughed. “I’m a woman! Irrational thought processes are part of my DNA.”

  Pax stared at me for a minute and then swung his head to look over his shoulder. “Did you hear something? I think I hear the phone ringing.”

  “Pax!” I kept laughing as he threw himself on the bed, collapsing on top of me, forcing us both down. His big hands came up and burrowed into my hair, gently holding my head.

  “Look at me, Jetta.” I met his gaze.

  “We’ve know each other for years. Sure, we only just reconnected, but I know you. You know me. Maybe not all my history and all the junk that comes with it, but enough. You, though? I know you. Mum kept me updated on you. And I got your letters. I kept tabs on you. This, right now? This is what was meant to be all along. We’re what’s meant to be.”

  “I….” I didn’t know what to say. “I thought…. You never wrote back.” His eyes tightened a little at the corners.

  “Your letters got me through some shit. I couldn’t write back. I didn’t want you tainted, worried, pining for what could be. I wouldn’t have put you through that shit.”

  “But, I don’t understand.”

  “I wanna talk this out with you, Jet. I really do. But you’re half naked, and I’m getting a serious case of blue balls, when I’d rather be in you. Now. Decide. We on now, or are we off? You want this?” He gently pressed his pelvis to mine before withdrawing. “Or you wanna talk? No pressure. I’m not about to go anywhere. I’m in this for the long haul; you have my word, babe.”

  I looked into his serious eyes.

  “Kiss me.”

  Pax’s kiss was deep and thorough. I felt like every inch of me was on fire. I was hot and shivery and had a deep ache for more. My heart pounded as we rolled around the bed. His gorgeous lips were doing things to me that I couldn’t describe but totally loved. I snaked a hand between our bodies and slipped it into his boxers. He hissed out a breath against my lips. My eyes fluttered open and were captured by the pools of emerald staring back at me. I stroked and he groaned and kissed me harder, devouring my lips. Pax was hot and hard in my hand as I continued to stroke. I felt daring, empowered by the pleasure I was obviously bringing him.

  “Jet.” He growled it against my lips and pulled back, carrying me with him. He whipped my shirt off, making a satisfied noise before lowering his head to my right breast. My girls were perky and crying out for attention. He paused, a whisper away from my nipple, and grinned up at me. I whimpered a little and tightened my hands around his cock in protest. He winked and lowered his head, his mouth finding my breast.

  I whimpered again and started panting. He lowered us both back down, not breaking the connection. I was squirming and making strange little sounds. His other hand scraped slowly, so slowly, up my ribcage and his palm gently brushed the tip of my left breast. My back bent, arching to push my girls up into his hands.

  “Yes….” I hissed, and my eyes closed. All senses were tuned to him. My hands let go of his cock and dropped to the boxers, pushing them down.
They caught and I swore and shoved at them uselessly.

  Pax started laughing. “Babe, just—wait.” He stood up and ripped them off, tossing them over his shoulder.

  Holy mother of—

  He stood there, hands on hips, looking down at me. His skin was naturally tan and the guy was built. His scruff was stark against his face, and he had a tiny smattering of hair across his chest and down to a defined goodie trail pointing to a very happy part of him. His hair was tousled, lending him a mischievous look.

  “Jet.” His voice was gruff, heavy with arousal. It sent tingles straight to my breasts. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

  My heart flipped over and I could see myself falling off the cliff. I couldn’t hide anymore. I didn’t have any walls against Paxton Elliot. He was it for me.

  “Pax.” There was a plea in my voice. He immediately came back to me, his kisses landing on my lips, my cheeks, my neck, my breasts (oh, gawwwd!), my stomach, my thighs…

  He spread my legs and gave me a devil-may-care grin. I knew my eyes were wide as I watched his head lower and—

  “HOLY FUCK!” My hips came off the bed. My head was thrown back and my hands found his hair, gripping him, holding him to me, or pushing him away or—

  “DON’T STOP!”

  “Princess.” His voice was gruff, rough with desire, and his pet name sent new hot sparks down my body. “You’re so wet. Someone likes what I’m doing?”

  His tongue, his gorgeous, beautiful, should-have-it’s-own-award-or-planet-or-OMG tongue, hits. Just. Right. There.

  “Come for me, sweetheart.”

  I shivered and panted, moaned and gasped. His tongue teased at every nerve ending and suddenly, it broke over me. My thighs clenched around him as I cried out and fell straight into my orgasm.

  I almost didn’t notice as he swapped tongue for fingers, continuing to coax my reaction. Moving up the bed, Pax reached for the draw of the side table with his other hand. I finished, still floating, watching dazedly as he sheathed his cock.

  “That’s… wow,” I murmured as he looked up. The heat in his gaze scalded me.

  “Just the start, princess.” He settled himself between my legs, but didn’t move except to kiss. I could taste myself against his lips.