Even as late as it was, Jax didn't feel tired, he was busy having too much fun just talking. She was so sweet and funny, with a sexy voice that kept him hanging on to her every word. Lying this close to her, Jax could smell the citrus scent of her shampoo. He wanted to bury his face in it and breathe in that glorious scent.
“Are those rain clouds?” Kehau asked suddenly, looking up.
Jax followed her finger toward a lowlying patch rolling across the night sky. Trained eyes studied them intensely.
"You’re right, rain," he announced matter-of-factly.
"Do you think we'll make it?" Kehau asked him, a worried look on her face.
"Only one way to find out," he said, a genuine smile crossing his face as he stood and offered her his hand.
"What's that?"
"See if we can outrun them."
In the end, they couldn't. Halfway down H2, the clouds began to spill their load. Rain pelted their bodies as they rode back toward Kehau's house. Despite this, Jax felt the smile on his face might have to be surgically removed. Nothing about her he didn't like, the way she moved, laughed, talked, and teased. Everything about her was something to admire. Helluva lot better than my last girlfriend.
A cadence came to mind then, one they'd sang in formation runs around the base.
Jodie, Jodie six foot five
Jodie don't deserve to be alive
Think I'm gonna take a three-day pass
Then I'm gonna go kick Jodie's ass!
Jax had kicked Jodie's ass as a matter of fact. He realized he was tensing up and physically forced his body to relax. Years ago, he’d learned the hard way that he broadcasted his emotions to everybody around him. It got especially bad after he came back from Helmand. Time and some reasonably decent therapy helped. Once people learned he wasn't a ticking time bomb waiting to go off, they realized he wasn't hard to work with. They had to play by his rules though.
Now he concentrated on the gorgeous woman behind him. What wasn't there to like about her? Not a single thing. His grin returned full force. And she's a good girl, not some Jodie bait. He shifted into the right lane, headed down the off-ramp to her house. Which sucks for me, because I really do not want this night to end. At least not outside of her bed. He wanted to ask her, which of his friends did she find out his favorite color from? He badly wanted to pull that green dress off her body an inch at a time and see what it took to make her moan. But she's a good girl, and what the hell does a man do with that? Jax shook his head of his own thoughts.
Pulling up to the curb slowly, Jax killed the engine.
“Sorry we have to cut it short,” he said as Kehau unwrapped herself and stood.
Jax rotated in his seat to look up at her. Even soaked to the skin by the falling rain, she was gorgeous to behold. Dear God, I want you in my arms, woman! Cursing at his rotten luck. Why did the night have to end like this?
Standing two feet from him, Kehau grappled with a question she’d been fighting all night. Do I kiss him or not? You know you want to, she told herself. And it’s gonna hurt like hell to kiss him with bruised cheeks. Jax stood then and gave her a hug.
“Thanks for the wonderful time tonight. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful, funny woman to spend it with.”
That does it, I’m kissing you whether you like it or not! Especially because my cheeks hurt!
The typical Hawaiian goodbye is a hug and a kiss to the cheek. When Jax went to kiss her cheek though, Kehau’s lips were waiting for him. In an instant, those hungry lips grabbed ahold of his. For a moment, Jax was stunned. But certain reactions are instinctual, and after living on three continents, Jaxson Kuznia knew about women. He returned her vigor in kind, running his tongue across her lips. She tasted even better than she looked.
His hands began to make small soft circles on her back and she moaned inarticulately. His right hand strayed down, running across her flank ever so slowly, enjoying the feel of strong, toned muscle beneath dusky skin. His left hand made similar motions, and both drifted even further down, across the back of her thighs. Who dares wins. His hands lifted her up and off her feet. For a moment, she was held up only by the strength of his arms, then he felt those same gorgeous legs wrap around his waist as she began to kiss him with renewed vigor.
Barely able to contain himself, Jax sat down on the seat of his bike as they gave in to the feelings they could no longer hide.
*****
"It's after one in the morning, where are they?" Carli said anxiously as she grabbed yet another Heineken from the fridge, her eighth so far.
Marissa had gone to sleep nearly an hour before, pleading the need to get some rest before church in the morning.
"Relax. If we really need to, we’ll wake up Marissa and have her call her cousin, Kimo, over at HPD. Now sit down and relax," Pua commanded.
"Okay, I'll relax, but first I’m gonna go turn on the porch light and see if they're here yet," Carli decided.
Taking a pull from the bottle, Carli opened the front door. For the second time that night, she felt her jaw hit the ground. Parked beside the curb right in front of the house, Kehau was straddling Jax's lap, her dress pushed up as far as it would go with her muscular legs wrapped around his waist. His hands were tangled in her long dark tresses and they were kissing each other with wild ferocity. The light rain falling down on them was completely forgotten as he bared her neck to a slow series of kisses beginning on her jaw. The kisses ended at her collarbone as he bit into the soft juncture between shoulder and neck, causing her to gasp in surprise and pleasure.
Hell, I can hear them from here! she realized with a start. Kehau was moaning as she ground her pelvis into his hips. Carli had never been a voyeur, but at this moment, decency was swept aside as the sight of the passionate kissing stirred a fire within her. I can even see his muscles beneath that wet shirt. Her thighs clenched together tightly, fighting the urge. Kehaulani, I'm glad you met him, but right now, I loathe you!
Carli finally turned around, her beer forgotten as she closed the door, face flushed.
"Wow," she announced to the room.
"What's wow?" Pua asked.
"Don't look outside unless you've got a damned good sex life."
In moments, two more faces were peering outside, just able to make out the scene at the curb.
"Oh my God. This is really happening!” Pua exclaimed.
"I'm never gonna be able to watch The Notebook ever again," Nikole said with finality.
Carli didn’t hear any of it, she was off in her bedroom, with the door closed. She either handled this now, or she’d be up half the night thinking about it. Damn it all to hell, how did Kehau get so lucky? Carli wondered as she found what she looking for. Would it be too much to ask for a sexy guy who likes being my midnight booty call? She hit the ‘on’ button to her familiar friend. “I fucking guess so,” closing her eyes, feeling the vibrations of her BOB as she replayed the scene she'd watched, knowing it wouldn't take her long to detonate.
Minutes later, she rejoined the women in the living room, her blonde hair slightly frazzled, but at least she had gotten rid of the aching burn between her legs. Taking a long pull from the Heineken, she realized with disgust the night had gone straight to hell. She stood on wobbly legs. “Anybody else up for a round of the new Srichacha Vodka I bought?”
“Better make mine a triple shot,” Pua ordered. The other two women quickly followed her lead. It was a very good night to get drunk.
*****
Kehau was barely cognizant of even her own name. All that mattered was the man she was attached to. Her hands were stuck in his curly black hair, even as her tongue dueled fiercely with his. Her cheeks hurt where Sione had struck her, but the feeling from kissing Jax made it a sweet pain that left her utterly intoxicated. Better than any champagne she’d ever drank.
She wasn’t a virgin, hadn’t been for a long time. By now she knew the difference between lust and love. With Sione, it had been straight lust. Jax brought this cr
azy mix of lust and something else, something stronger. More tangible. Passion. Yes that was the word, passion. She shuddered all over as he ran his lips across her cheeks, her eyes, her ear lobes. This was what she wanted. A man with passion to take her and make her his.
Thunder cracked directly overhead and Kehau jumped out of the seat. Jax looked at her curiously.
“Don't like thunder?” he asked, a look of concern flashing across his face.
“I’m scared to death of it,” Kehau admitted.
Standing, he took her by the hand. “How about we get you inside and dried off?” he suggested gently.
“But what about you?” she asked him.
“What about me?”
“You're all wet and you can't drive home in this weather!”
“I'll be fine,” Jax started to say when Kehau cut him off.
“No, please stay here for the night!”
Damn, I like where this is headed.
“Sure,” he conceded.
Within, all the lights were on, and the remnants of a couple dozen Heineken bottles and a large container of ice cream strewn across the coffee table.
“Oh no,” Kehau murmured. Worried, she made a beeline for the kitchen. Jax followed her out of curiosity.
Slumped on the floor and around the bar, three women were passed out, an open bottle of Srichacha Vodka at hand. Kehau’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Well,” Jax said from where he stood beside her, “how about we clean up this first?”
Walking over to the first woman closest to him, he picked her up in his arms. “Point me to a room,” he said nonchalantly. As if picking up stupid drunk girls is easy! she chided herself. At least I’m not having to try to carry them.
One by one, each of the girls was put in the same king-sized bed in Pua’s room. None of them had so much as stirred at all. Kehau gave them one last look before she closed the door softly.
“Thank you for the help.”
“Not a problem, where’s the laundry room at? I’d like to dry my stuff please.”
“It’s right through that door, and here’s a towel to dry off with,” Kehau explained as she guided him through the house. “I’m gonna go change and dry off in my room. See you when I get out.” She kissed him again, a quick kiss that hinted at things to come, then disappeared up the stairs.
After throwing his wet clothes in the dryer, Jax sat down on the couch, a towel around his waist. Thirty-four hours awake. Damned insomnia. He closed his eyes, grateful for the momentary reprieve. Just gonna lay here with my eyes shut and relax...
Kehau heard a low rumbling when she stepped into the hallway. "What is that noise?" The closer she got to the living room, the louder it grew. Turning the corner, she saw Jax, clad in only a towel, snoring in his sleep. His right hand lay on the vest bundled up beside him.
She crossed her arms. "No way."
This close though, Kehau realized something that she hadn't earlier in the hot tub. The tattoos covered a crazy network of scars all over his torso, hands, and wrist. He's been a busy man collecting all those. Are you sure you want to take him to your bed?
She stepped up to him, internally debating what to do. He still smelled good, and she doubted he'd mind if she cuddled with him. Grabbing a light sheet, she draped it over him, and curled up next to him. Jax barely stirred, and she leaned in closer. Darkness enveloped them, and soon sleep did as well. Though now her dreams were occupied. Not by the nightmares she'd lived with across previous weeks, but a man who stood between her and the nightmares, laughing as they approached.
*****
Four hours later they woke on the couch, Jax still wearing a towel around his waist. "So we didn't even make it to her bed," speaking out loud as he looked around the room, noticing that one of Kehau's roommates must have woke and found them because someone had thoughtfully left his clothes neatly folded on the couch beside them. Moving quietly, Jax had extricated himself from Kehau, then dressed, hoping all the while he didn't wake her.
Even in her sleep she smiles. And I can't get enough of it. Is this love? Am I seriously falling in love after one date?
He walked out, closing the door quietly behind him. Then standing curbside in front of her house, he thought maybe it was possible. And winged-monkeys are gonna fly out of my asshole.
She had looked so pretty it hurt to even think about leaving. He just wanted to stay right there like that. He heard the door open and close, looking up he watched as she walked toward him. When she stepped in front of him, he blurted, "I like you. A lot."
Now she blushed. "So that's what last night was all about?"
"That and then some," he admitted.
"What are you doing today?" Kehau asked suddenly.
"Nothing yet." She took his phone, tapped something out on the screen, then handed it back.
"What's this?"
"Where I'll be at noon. Dress nicely."
"I'll see you then." He kissed her gently, stepping away, getting on the quad, and pulling away.
Kehau watched until Jax was no longer in sight before turning back to the house, and already looking forward to seeing him again.
Chapter Five
You were hanging in the corner
With your five best friends
You heard that I was trouble but you couldn't resist
I make them good girls go bad
Cobra Starship
Jax realized as he paced around the sidewalk near the door that he should've known better.
"Of course she's Catholic. Why wouldn't she be exactly that?"
The address Kehau had given him led straight to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace on Bishop Avenue.
Well done, asshole, corrupting a good girl. You douche canoe, kicking himself mentally. At least you dressed nicely. He snorted. Dressing nicely works easier when you’ve got the money for it.
Since he was little, Jax had been a casual dresser. Blue jeans with a dress shirt was as far as he got. Then he met Joachim Drake, one of the few real friends he’d made during his time in the service. Joachim was the epitome of a clothes' horse, a real life dandy man as it were. Joachim gave him a first class education on how to dress and present himself, and now that he had real money behind his name, Jax’s wardrobe was a thing to behold. The blue Armani suit jacket he wore was tailor-made to accommodate his massive torso, just like the skintight yellow dress shirt and matching blue tie. The only concession he made was to wear blue jeans and polished leather harness boots.
The doors opened, and he watched a steady stream of parishioners come out. Then he saw Kehau, laughing as she walked along, talking with an elderly woman leaning on a cane.
Her eyes alighted on him, and she smiled even more broadly. He approached her and she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek.
"Well, Kehaulani, who is this handsome young man?"
"Aunty Ipo, this is Jaxson Kuznia."
"Come closer, my old eyes aren't what they used to be."
"Aunty, how can you say you're old? You can't be more than twenty?" Jax said, smiling down at the diminutive woman.
"Twenty? Ha! I'm old enough to have changed your grandfather's diapers boy." She looked up at Kehau and mock-whispered, "If I were just ten years younger, I'd charm him right out from underneath you."
Kehau patted her hand. "You can try, Aunty, but I wouldn't play fair. Not for this one."
Ipo cackled hysterically. "Good for you, Kehaulani." The elderly woman spared Jax a glance. "They don't make many men like this anymore."
A car pulled up to the curb behind them.
"Ah, here's my ride. You two keikis behave today. And Kehau?"
"Yes, Aunty?"
"If he makes you cry, I'll give him lickings myself. Wit da big spoon."
"I'll try to ruin her lipstick, Aunty, not her mascara," Jax answered with a smirk.
Ipo cackled with glee as she climbed inside the car. Even as it pulled away, they could hear her.
Jax turned to see Kehau standing ther
e, hands on her hips.
"If she dies laughing, it'll be your fault."
"I can live with that."
"You!" She poked him in the chest. "Are you always so impertinent?"
"Are you always gorgeous?"
She surprised him with a sudden hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I like hearing you say that."
He pulled her in a little closer. "And I like seeing you. Especially when you're smiling."
Kehau looked him in the eyes. "Take me for a walk. Please."
Holding out his arm, Jax gave her a smile. "Lead on."
The breeze blowing in off the ocean kept the temperature down as he walked her around the church property. Jax needed it because being around this woman made him hotter than an Afghan summer. And frankly, he wouldn't mind being back there right now, if only because he understood it better. Taking a patrol outside the wire didn't carry the emotional baggage and bullcrap that dealing with a possible relationship did. Still, for a woman like this, he'd try. And maybe because deep down I'm hopeful she's a very naughty girl. He looked around. No lightning strike. So far.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked.
Kehau sighed. “I’m very confused right now.”
Oh boy. “Please, do share.”
“I just got out of a relationship with Sione four months ago. Now you come along. You’re the first man I’ve been on a date with or kissed since him.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. And I’m scared.”
“That you might be jumping right into the same thing all over again?” he said, giving voice to her fears.
“Or worse,” Kehau replied.
He stopped walking to examine a bird-of-paradise flower on one side.
“I told you I liked you,” he said without preamble. “Truth is, I like everything about you. And the more I get to know you, the more I want you in my life. I want you to be my girl, but I also want to take my time with this. We just met, however, I feel the pull to you, but I want to take it slow, be sure for both our sakes.”
Jaxson Page 4