by Pepper North
Pressing her fingers against her mouth as she tried not to cry, Ember forced herself to wheel away from him and run for the elevator.
“Ember, baby!” his voice followed her as she darted into the car that a co-worker held open for her.
As the doors squeezed shut, second thoughts immediately bounced around her brain. Jax had been so upset. Was she making a big mistake? Could she have screwed up her only chance at happiness? Maybe it was too late now.
He’d come to see her. That meant something, right? A small tendril of hope began to grow.
Throwing herself into her work to quiet her tangled thoughts, Ember didn’t allow herself to decide what to do until the day ended. When she reached the quiet of her apartment, she gathered her courage. With Pockets tucked in her arms, Ember tried to call Jax. When it went to voicemail, she hung up and sent a message. Holding her breath, she watched the minutes tick by. When Jax didn’t answer, she hid her face against the stuffed kangaroo’s soft fur. It soon became damp with tears.
She’d missed her chance.
* * *
Jax’s phone sat abandoned in Tex’s kitchen. Distraught, he’d chosen to be with his trusted friends. Discovering they were all daddies years ago had further bonded the team together.
The ringing of his phone had gathered the attention of Cricket, one of three little girls already matched to a military daddy. Cricket belonged with his commander. Jax had given Ember her number to call when he’d been deployed earlier. Hope was happily married to Sam, while Rosie had just found Tex.
The Littles crowded together. They’d all been warned by their daddies about interfering in others’ lives, but this was important. They all wanted Jax to be happy.
“What’s going on, Cricket?” Hope kept her voice low.
“I don’t know, but Jax left his phone on the kitchen counter while they were outside.” Cricket paused dramatically as all three women leaned forward. “He has all these silly sound effects on his phone. Something sounded like a kiss, and I just happened to be standing right there. So, I looked at the screen. A picture of a woman with long red braids appeared.”
“Ooo! Jax has a girlfriend!” Hope celebrated.
“More than a girlfriend!” Cricket declared. “He’d listed the picture under the name My Baby Girl with heart emojis in front and behind the words.”
“He’s found his Little!” Rosie exclaimed.
Nodding enthusiastically, Cricket clapped her hands. “And wait till you hear this! When he didn’t pick up the phone, she sent him a text message. It said: I’m scared, but something inside me says I need to be brave. I’ll see you tomorrow night at seven.”
“Don’t you think we should we take it out to Jax?” Hope asked.
“No! My bottom was hot for days the last time I touched Daddy’s phone. Jax will have to find the message when he comes looking for his cell.” Cricket rubbed her bottom dramatically, drawing giggles of sympathy from the other Littles.
* * *
Picking up his phone on his way out the door, Jax didn’t check it until he got home. He didn’t want to ruin everyone else’s fun. The Littles enjoyed getting together so much, his crappy love life didn’t need to bring everyone down. Plugging in his phone to charge, he saw that he had missed a call, and he had a message. Holding his breath, Jax opened the message. Seconds later, he pushed the button to call.
“Baby, I’ll pick you up after work.”
“Jax?” Her voice sounded rough and sleepy.
“No one else better call you, baby,” he said decisively before gentling his tone. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me neither. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too. You need to sleep. I’m sorry it’s so late. I just got your message,” Jax explained. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Night, baby.”
“Night, Jax.”
His heart felt lighter than it had in days. That feeling lasted exactly seventy-nine minutes when his phone rang. Looking at the screen, Jax cursed.
“We’re downstairs. Grab your bag.”
Chapter Five
Eleven days inched by after the text came in from Jax. She knew he had an unpredictable job and Ember had lectured herself repeatedly. When she checked her phone again, she announced into her small office, “He sent me a message before he left. Jax will call as soon as he’s back. Stop imagining the worst!”
No sooner had that last syllable left her lips when her phone rang. The sweet lullaby she’d tagged to his contact startled her, and the device fell to the carpet. Scrambling, she knelt on the floor and grabbed it from under her desk.
“Hello? Jax?”
“Hi, baby. I’m so sorry I’ve been gone for so long. We just got back.”
“You sound so tired,” she worried.
“It was a tough mission. Everyone made it back. That’s all that matters,” he said.
Even obviously exhausted he sounded good to her. “I’m so glad.”
“I’m driving from the base. Baby, I need to see you. I’m going home to crash and then there’s a celebration at one of my teammates’ home. Will you come with me?”
“To the party?” she asked, trying to make sure she understood.
“I need to hold you now. Will you come home with me? Can you be that brave?” Jax’s voice was quiet as if it took a lot for him to admit he wanted her support. She smiled, realizing that Jax needed her, too.
“I’ve been working on that brave thing. I really want to see you,” she admitted.
“What time can you leave work, baby?”
Looking at the clock, Ember calculated in her head. She’d already put in several hours in advance since he’d been gone. Preferring to work late instead of going home to her empty apartment, Ember had stayed at the office, only leaving in time to catch the last bus home.
“I’m walking out of my office right now. I’ll meet you at the curb out front?”
“I’m on my way, baby.”
Ten minutes later, the large blue pickup pulled up to the bus stop. Ember jumped to her feet and ran to meet it at the curb. Jax got out and rounded the hood to help her inside. He looked so good. He was still dressed in his wrinkled fatigues, and Ember could read the exhaustion written on his face. He needed sleep, but he’d come to see her first.
Without a second thought, she bolted into his arms. He lifted Ember up with powerful arms and crushed her to his body. Tilting her head, she offered her lips to him. As his mouth crashed down over hers, the scattering of people in the area stopped and applauded. This area knew and appreciated the sacrifices that the soldiers at the base and their families made every day.
Ember heard something happening around her but focused totally on Jax. Damn, this man can kiss! The heat flared instantly between them. Ember’s world narrowed to include only this captivating man. His lips slid hotly over hers as if he’d thirsted for her kiss forever. She opened her mouth, inviting his tongue to enter, and wiggled slightly against him as his flavor filled her mouth. The tightening of his hands around her body rewarded her response.
Visibly controlling himself, Jax raised his head to look down at her with desire-hooded eyes. “I was afraid I’d missed my chance when they sent me away. Thank you for waiting for me, baby.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve been so stupid.”
“Not stupid. I’m guessing scared?” His gaze searched her face. When she nodded, he looked at the crowd watching. “I need to be alone with you. Will you come home with me?”
“Yes,” she whispered, hardly recognizing her own husky voice. There was no misinterpreting his request. He wanted her completely. Ember pushed aside all those ideas of how a relationship was supposed to be. None of that mattered. She wanted to be with him. This time, she would listen to her heart.
“Thank you for your service, son,” an elderly man called as Jax helped Ember into his truck.
Ember loved that even exhausted and wanting to spend time with her, Jax took the time to shake the man’s hand and talk wi
th him quickly. He really was a different type of man than she’d ever met before—passionate and fierce, but dedicated and respectful. Add to those qualities he was beyond hot and a daddy, Ember couldn’t believe that he was into her. Jax was the complete package. She’d almost screwed this up.
When he jumped into the driver’s seat, she devoured him with her eyes as he pulled into traffic. When they were finally underway, Jax took her hand and gripped her fingers as if he was afraid that she would escape. “I need to shower and crash for a while, baby. I’ve been up over seventy-two hours without sleep. I’d like to hold you close.”
“I’d like that, too.” She hesitated. Was that all he wanted—just to hold her?
At a stoplight, Jax turned to look at her. His green eyes were darker than she’d ever seen them. “I don’t want you to misunderstand. I want you more than anything right now, but I don’t want my tiredness to rush or affect our first time. It’s going to be so good, baby.”
Captured by the heat in his gaze, Ember nodded. “I can wait. I just want to be with you.”
Ten minutes later, they pulled up to his house. Devoid of any flowers or decorations, the building just sat there. Ember knew immediately it wasn’t a home. It was simply a place to sleep when he was in town. She tried to keep her mind from imagining what it would look like after she’d worked on it. It was impossible. By the time he’d opened her door, she had planted flowers and filled a pot to overflowing with fat strawberries.
At the doorway, Jax whisked her into his arms and carried her over the threshold. Still holding her cradled in his arms, he lowered his mouth to press a soft kiss to her lips. So gentle and loving, it took her breath away. Pressing her fingertips to her lips, Ember stared at him in disbelief. How could this happen so fast?
“I know, baby.” He lowered her feet gently to the floor and tucked her hair behind one ear. Cupping her cheek, he leaned in to kiss her again. With a groan, he took her hand but stepped away. “Shower and bed with you in my arms. Come on, Ember.”
She followed him readily through the almost bare house. No decorations. No knickknacks. Halfway down the hall, a door stood out from all the rest. Painted a pale pink, he’d decorated it with baby animals and flowers. “Do you have a daughter?” she asked, bewildered.
“No, baby. That’s the nursery that I created for my little girl. I put it together hoping I would find you.”
Walking on autopilot, she allowed him to tug her into the next doorway. Obviously his bedroom, here you could see his personal mark. Pictures and medals hung on the wall. She stared at him as she tried to make sense of his words.
“You think I’m your little girl?” she asked as he tore the T-shirt over his head to reveal his body. Her mind lost track of their conversation as she stared at his torso. Sliding over his chiseled flesh, her gaze narrowed on several scarred marks. She knew his job was dangerous, but she didn’t want to think of him being shot or stabbed.
A small sound of distress escaped her as she rushed forward to trace a dirty bandage on his side. “You’re hurt.”
“You can play nurse after my shower.” Jax leaned forward to kiss her. “I’m okay. The entire team came back a bit battered, but we all came back. Shower and sleep,” he repeated. “Go lie down on the bed, baby.”
When she turned around, he swatted her bottom to encourage her. The sting went straight to that private place between her thighs. Ember bit her lip to hold back a moan. With wide eyes, she turned to look at him.
“I know, baby. It’s going to be good. Go lie down.”
His tone was firm, and she followed his directions automatically, this time backing away from him instead of turning around. His low, knowing laugh made the heat between her legs grow. When Ember reached the bed, she stepped out of her sandals. Quickly crawling onto it, she turned toward him as she stretched out.
Freezing on her hands and knees, Ember watched as Jax’s fingers unfastened his fatigues. His erection thrust proudly into the air. His gaze fixed on her, Jax stroked down his thick shaft and back up as she watched spellbound. She settled back to sit on her shins as she twisted around to watch him touch himself.
“Baby, you’re going to destroy my good intentions. Stretch out. I’ll be there soon.” Jax lifted his hand from his body and thrust his pants down to his ankles. Stepping out of them, he kicked them into the corner where his T-shirt had landed. Then turning to give her a breath-taking view of his tight butt, Jax strode purposefully into the attached bathroom.
The sound of water and then his protesting yell made her giggle. She knew that the water was frigid. Continued curses and grumbles showed that he had selected it deliberately.
Ember lay down on his bed. It was narrow with one pillow. Immediately she was reassured. This was not the bed of a player who screwed anyone he could get to his house. Jax obviously hadn’t purchased this bed for gymnastics. It was a single guy’s bed, built for sleep.
She had no reservations that he was inexperienced. Women had to throw themselves at him all the time. Ember listened to his movements in the shower. Hearing the change in the water’s sound, she could tell he was cleaning up quickly. His groan of relief as the water snapped off captured her attention. Her eyes focused on the doorway.
Jax reappeared with a towel wrapped low around his hips, his damp brown hair darkened by the water and roughly dried with the towel. She could read his fatigue in the rings around his eyes. Without a word, she scooted to the edge of the bed and held out her hand for the bandage material in his hand. The wound was shallow but oozing slightly.
“Doniphan is our medic. He said to put this on it and cover it for a day. Then leave it open to the air,” Jax relayed.
Ember nodded and followed the medic’s instructions. She was glad that she was there to help. Jax could have twisted to take care of it, but he allowed her to tend to him. She liked the intimate feeling of caring for him. Finished, she lifted her eyes to meet his as she moved to lie back on the bed. Ember kept her eyes glued on his face as he dropped the towel and crawled onto the bed.
Flopping on his back, Jax instructed, “Lift a bit. I need to hold you.” He slid an arm under her body and pulled her to lie against his chest. His skin was chilly to the touch and Ember shivered against him before his body warmed quickly against her.
“Sleep with me, baby. Two hours and I’ll be fine.” Those green eyes drifted shut as she watched. Although he was out immediately, Jax continued to hold her close to his body.
Tempted to curl upward just enough to sneak a peek, she stiffened her spine. No, no, no, no! She would bow to his wishes to make their first time special. Besides, it felt Peeping Tom-ish to check him out while he was asleep. Ember did sniff the curve of his neck, appreciating the clean smell of Jax. Her eyes noted a scattered pattern of red bites on his skin. That must have hurt like the dickens, Ember thought as she tried to stay awake to monitor his condition. But his warmth and the regular pattern of his breathing lured her into dreams as well. She slept more soundly than she had since she moved to the city. Protected in his arms, she felt safe and content.
Chapter Six
Warm lips moved against hers.
“Jax. Kiss me more,” she entreated, trapped between dreaming of him and waking in his arms.
“Baby,” he whispered against her mouth. “Wake up for me.”
Blinking her eyes open in confusion, Ember looked up into his deep green eyes. Instantly, heat flared between her thighs. Her sexy dreams were banished for the real thing so close to her. “Hi,” she whispered, loving that she could tell he was turned on just by the color of his eyes. The rigid erection pressed against her stomach just confirmed what she already knew.
Jax lowered his mouth to hers once again. His soft kisses deepened and became more urgent as his hands roamed over her back and sides. She gasped as his hand cupped one full buttock and squeezed it firmly before pulling her body against his pelvis. Tearing his mouth from hers, he urged, “Tell me now if you’re not ready. It’s okay, ba
by. I’ll wait for you.”
His husky reassurance was the sexiest thing any man had ever said to her. Ember already knew that he was special. She hadn’t known him for long, but he definitely wasn’t like the other guys she’d had in her life. He was concerned for her.
“If you stop, I’m going to kill you,” she teased, before sobering to admit the truth, “I want you, too, Jax.”
“I’m going to demand everything from you, baby,” he warned before taking her mouth once again.
Ember’s thoughts scattered from that provocative statement to focus on him completely. The previous chill of the shower vanquished by the now fiery heat of his body, Ember wiggled closer to him. When he pulled her T-shirt from the skirt’s waistband to glide his hand over her skin directly, Ember moaned in delight. She wanted his touch.
“Let’s get these clothes off you, baby. I love unwrapping presents.” His voice was low and intimate.
Her focus constricted to that narrow bed that held the two of them. Ember felt wrapped in a cocoon of desire that eliminated everything around them. She grabbed the hem of the soft material to help Jax removed her shirt, but he controlled its movement.
“Daddy’s in charge, little girl. He gets to remove the pretty things wrapped around you. I can’t wait to feel your skin against mine.”
When she released her hold, he praised her, “Good girl.” Slowly, his hands caressed her body, pushing the unneeded garment up as he touched her. There was no rush, just appreciation. Finally, he tugged it over her head. Jax encircled her lifted wrists in one hand and pinned them to the bed. He scanned her body slowly, taking in the lacy bra and her creamy skin. “Look at you, baby. So pretty!”
Lowering his mouth to the curve where her shoulder met her neck, Jax pressed an ardent kiss against the sensitive skin. “Let’s see what you like, Ember girl. Do you like this?” He kissed her neck once again but then swirled his tongue lightly over her skin. When her hips bucked up against him, he laughed softly. His husky tone glided over her in a touchless caress.