Jax shot his big brother and sister-in-law a grateful smile as he took the stairs three at a time. “I'll go see how they're doing.”
Hesitating outside his bedroom door, Jax rapped on the door and called out, “Serena? Ashley? It's me, Jax. Can I come in?”
He heard sniffles and Serena's low, comforting voice. The door opened and Serena beckoned him in. She went back quickly to Ashley's side. The little girl was sitting up in bed, hugging a pillow tightly. Her eyes were red and puffy, and when Jax came in, she buried her face in the pillow and turned away.
“Hey Ashley.” Jax pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.
“Is she okay?” Ashley's voice was muffled by the pillow.
“You mean Ne-ma? Yes, she's fine,” Jax answered. “She thinks you're amazing.”
“She's not angry with me?” Ashley peeked up at him and sniffed. “But...I ruined her hair...”
“No, you didn't ruin anything. In fact, Ne-ma's really excited that she'll be able to get a new hairstyle. She's going to her hairdresser's now and I just know that she'll look fantastic!”
Ashley dried her eyes and put down the pillow. “I like them,” she said finally.
“They like you too!” Jax said sincerely. “We all do.”
That earned him a big, watery smile and Jax felt a sharp pang in his heart.
In that instant, Jax knew that he would do anything and everything to protect this beautiful, amazing little girl and her mother. They were already part of his heart, his life.
My mate, my cub, his bear growled possessively.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
After spending a couple more minutes telling Ashley and Serena a few jokes about himself, Jax leaned forward and dropped his voice to a dramatic whisper, “Do you want to know what you are, Ashley? I'm a bear shifter, and bear shifters are pretty awesome. But you are something waaayyy more awesome than a bear shifter.”
“More awesome than you?” Ashley sounded dubious but Jax saw the excitement and hope in her eyes.
“Uh-huh. You—are a very, very special kid, Ashley. In fact, I think you're the coolest kid in Shadow Point.”
Ashley crawled forward on the bed and stared at him. “What am I?” she asked breathlessly.
Jax glanced at Serena who was sitting at the edge of the bed and looking worriedly at him. He gave her a reassuring smile and turned to Ashley, “Are you ready for this?”
“Yes!” Ashley shouted, bouncing on the bed.
“You—are half human, half fire demon.”
Ashley's eyes widened and she turned to her mother. “What is that? Is that good or bad, Mummy? I heard some of the kids say that demons are evil. I...I don't want to be a demon.”
“Honey, you're not evil,” Serena said at once. “And it doesn't matter what you are. It's who you are that's important. You have some very special powers, Ashley. You used your powers to save me, remember? You are my hero!” Serena kissed the top of her head. “I'm so proud of you.”
Ashley bit her lip and said, “I don't want the other kids to stop playing with me. I just want to be normal.”
“Why would you want to be normal, when you can be awesome!” Jax said, slapping both hands over his heart and staring at Ashley with an awestruck, adoring expression.
Serena's smile broadened. “Uncle Jax is right. You are awesome!”
“The other kids don't think so,” Ashley said, looking down.
Jax held Ashley's shoulder and looked her in the eye. “Listen, Ashley. Would you consider coming to the Shadow Point kindergarten? Shadow Point has a great kindergarten. All kinds of kids go there. There are human kids, shifter kids, fae kids...”
“Do they have demon kids?” Ashley asked.
Jax took a deep breath. “Not yet.”
“So they won't like me,” Ashley mumbled.
“No. That's not true. That's not true at all,” Jax said fervently. “Hey, Ashley. I'm going to tell you something about myself. It's not a big secret or anything, but it's just something that used to bother me a lot as a kid.”
Ashley and Serena both looked up at him.
“I can't hear at all out of this ear,” Jax said, tapping his right ear. “When I was six, a bad man hit me so hard he damaged my ear permanently. He was a bear tamer, and he captured Joshua and me after killing our mother. He trapped us in a cage and forced us to perform in a circus. He was cruel and brutal, and he tortured and starved us. Joshua and I would have died but Marcus saved us. Marcus was working in the circus then and he saw us being beaten savagely. So he freed us and the three of us ran away.”
“So Uncle Marcus isn't really your big brother.” Ashley frowned.
“Oh he is. He's our big brother all right. We're family. We care for one another, and we love and support one another. And you and your mom, you're family too,” Jax said.
“We are?” Ashley said, looking surprised and delighted.
“Yes.”
“What happened after you ran away from the circus?” Ashley asked curiously.
“Well, we came to Shadow Point, and Joshua and I went to school here. At first, we were suspicious of everyone and we were unfriendly and surly. The other kids made fun of me because I couldn't hear very well. I didn't tell anyone that I was deaf in one ear so they thought I was either slow and stupid or ignoring them on purpose. Uncle Joshua got mad and I cried a lot. That didn't help, so we decided to stop being mad and stop crying.”
“What did you do then?” Ashley prompted.
“We decided to stop being so suspicious and hostile. And I decided to tell the other kids and the teachers that I was deaf in one ear. Finally they understood and some of the kids actually came up to me to apologize for being mean. I shouldn't have been ashamed of my disability. If I had just told them the truth, they would have understood and helped me instead of hurting me.”
“So—if I tell my teachers the truth...” Ashley began tentatively.
“They'll help you, and they'll explain to the other kids what you are,” Jax said.
Serena and Ashley were silent for a long while. Finally, Ashley spoke up, “I want to do what Uncle Jax did. I think he's very brave. I want to be like him, Mummy.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Serena knelt down and tucked Ashley's hair behind her ear. She adjusted her daughter's coat again and kissed her twice. “Are you sure you're okay with this? Mummy won't be coming with you,” Serena said.
“Mummy! You've asked me this like a million times. I'm not a baby,” Ashley protested, squirming.
“You're my baby,” she said just as the doorbell rang.
“They're here, they're here!” Ashley squealed, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Jax went to open the door, and Gramma and Ne-ma bounded into the house. There was a lion cub perched on Gramma's shoulder.
“Are you ready to go, Ashley?” Gramma asked excitedly.
When the lion cub growled at Ashley, Ne-ma glared at him and scolded, “Jeremy! Behave yourself!”
Ne-ma was sporting a chic pixie cut, and she looked stylish and elegant. “You look great, Ne-ma!” Serena blurted out.
“I know.” Ne-ma beamed and patted her hair.
“I told her to change her hairstyle eons ago,” Gramma said rolling her eyes. “How do you like my new highlights?” Gramma asked, showing off the pink and blue streaks in her hair.
“They're very groovy.” Jax grinned.
The two witches grinned back and went to Ashley. “This is our great-grandson, Jeremy,” Gramma said, putting the lion cub down on the floor. “He's really excited to meet you, but he's being very naughty. He refuses to change back into human form.”
“H-hi, Jeremy,” Ashley stammered.
Jeremy growled and sniffed at Ashley. With another growl, he shifted to human form. A young boy with light brown hair and an impish face stood in front of Ashley. He was about Ashley's age but he was a little shorter than her. “What are you?” he demanded. “You smell funny.
”
“Jeremy!” Gramma and Ne-ma snapped at him.
But Ashley didn't back away. Instead, she kicked her chin up and said, “I'm a fire demon.”
The little boy's eyes rounded. “You are?” He flashed a grin suddenly. “Cool!”
Ashley turned to smile happily at her mother and Serena exhaled a shaky breath as she smiled back. Her little girl was going on her first play date. Gramma and Ne-ma told her that their great-grandson, Jeremy was attending kindergarten and it might be good if Ashley had a friend in school. Jeremy's parents, Jackson and Harper Gray, had agreed to the play date and they had dropped by the day before to introduce themselves to Serena and Ashley.
They were a wonderful couple. Jackson was a bear shifter, but he had adopted Harper's son and it was obvious that Jackson adored his wife and son.
“Come on,” Gramma said, holding out her hand to Jeremy. “Your mom's waiting.”
“Jeremy's mom has prepared cupcakes and sandwiches for you, Ashley,” Ne-ma said as she took Ashley's hand. “Shall we go?”
Ashley nodded and walked to the door with Ne-ma. As she put on her shoes, Serena asked softly, “Are you sure you don't want me to come with you, darling?”
“I'm sure, Mummy. I can go by myself. I want to,” Ashley answered confidently. She turned and ran back suddenly to give Serena and Jax a big hug each. “Bye, Mummy! Bye, Uncle Jax!”
“All right then. Have fun,” Serena said, kissing her daughter's dark hair.
Ne-ma squeezed Serena's shoulder and whispered, “Don't worry, we'll be with them the whole time.”
Jeremy was eyeing Ashley, sizing up his new playmate. “I'll race ya to the car,” he challenged.
Ashley gasped and rushed after him. The two children scrambled into Gramma's little car and began to squabble. Gramma tooted the horn, and she and Ne-ma waved at them before driving away.
Serena wrapped her arms around herself and watched the small car bounce down the street. She knew that Gramma and Ne-ma were right. It was good for Ashley to be on her own and be confident around other kids. She would have to hold her own against Jeremy, a smart-mouthed, rambunctious five-year-old. She would be meeting kids like him in her new kindergarten.
She had to stop worrying, fearing and fretting. Her little girl was growing up, growing into her own person. As long as Ashley was safe and happy, she should let go so that Ashley could learn more about herself and her world.
But it was just so hard.
Jax came to put his arm around her shoulders. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She sighed and closed the door.
“Don't worry. Ashley is in good hands. The Gray family are good people. They will take good care of her. And Ashley will have made a new friend before she starts kindergarten next week. It's all good.”
“I know, I know. I have to learn to let go.”
Jax took both her hands in his. “But when it comes to the ones you love, you can never fully let them go,” he said huskily.
He pulled her closer and she gravitated towards him, suddenly aware that they were alone in the house. It was a Sunday, and Marcus, Staci and Joshua were out.
There was just the two of them. And when Jax leaned in to kiss her, she almost forgot to breathe as the whole world receded from them.
Time seemed to stand still, and nothing else mattered.
They were in each other's arms, and it felt so right, so perfect.
“Serena,” Jax whispered as his huge hands circled her waist and pulled her flush against him.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Serena returned Jax's kisses with equal fervor and ardor. She pushed her fingers through his soft black hair as she moaned against his lips. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to have someone hold her and love her.
Jax was sweet, sexy and protective. She had instinctively known that he was a good man the moment she looked into his eyes through his car window. Her heart had whispered to her to trust him, and for once, she listened to her heart.
Jax and his family had been so supportive and warm. They accepted Ashley and her into their home and treated them as one of their own. They even roped in Gramma, Ne-ma and the entire Gray family to help them.
Serena was deeply, deeply touched. She hadn't had such love and support in a long, long time. Her old neighbor, Mrs Huang, had been an angel to her, but she had largely been on her own. She had just been working and struggling to make ends meet and raise her daughter. She hadn't even had the time or energy to think about love and she never thought she would ever meet someone who would love her and Ashley so wholeheartedly. She was resigned to raising her daughter alone and being alone for the rest of her life.
She never, ever expected to meet Jax. A man who was so perfect for her.
She was very grateful to Jax, his family and friends, but it wasn't just gratitude that she felt towards Jax. It was something more. Something she had never felt before.
Her heart seemed to skip and beat faster whenever he smiled at her. He was a very handsome male, tall, tanned and broad with black hair and deep, brown eyes. He was about her age, twenty-five, but he was way more mature than most of the men she'd met. He was sensitive to others and he was fiercely protective of the people he loved.
Serena closed her eyes and simply savored his kisses. Jax was an incredible kisser. His lips moved hungrily, passionately over hers, and he knew just how to touch her. She wanted to feel his touch on her bare skin, all over her body. She just needed to be closer to him, to feel him against her, on top of her, inside her.
His body felt so hard and hot against her, and she groaned as the ache between her thighs intensified.
“Jax, oh Jax,” she breathed as he kissed down her neck.
When his hands cupped her heavy breasts and kneaded them, she cried out and writhed against him. Her nipples were erect and throbbing, screaming to be licked and sucked. She wanted, needed to feel more of him, have him all over her, against her, inside her.
She wanted him, but could she really have him forever, or just for now? She shouldn't kid herself, and if a few hours was all she had with Jax, then she would take these few hours, savor them and remember the time she had with him forever.
Serena pushed all her thoughts and doubts out of her head. Jax was in her arms now, and she would have him. He was hers for this moment, for just a few hours. She knew that she would never forget this experience. And she would never forget him.
She would soon be on her own again. But for now, she would enjoy the time she had with Jax and his beautiful family.
If only…
Serena shook her head, refusing to indulge in wishful thinking. She would soon have to move out of Jax's house and find a small place she could afford. She would find work in this town and send Ashley to school. Jax would always be a dear, dear friend, and it would kill her to see him with another woman, but...he deserved happiness.
But for now, he was hers.
Serena grabbed Jax's muscular shoulders possessively and growled, “I want you, Jax.”
He stared into her eyes, his breathing loud and ragged. There seemed to be a light behind his dark eyes, and he looked at her with raw, primal lust.
A low growl tore from his throat as he snatched her up and carried her up the stairs.
Striding into his room, he threw her on the bed and ripped her blouse apart.
The realization that he was going to have her right there and then aroused her rather than frightened her. Feeling the dampness between her legs, Serena gasped as Jax came to her, his claws glinting from his fingertips.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jax ripped Serena's clothes off her body and sucked in a breath as the sight of her lush, naked body. She was fucking beautiful. Her body was soft and curvy, and the scent of her fierce arousal was driving his bear insane.
He wanted to mount her and fuck her like an animal. He wanted her so bad, but he was afraid to hurt her. He would never, ever cause Serena p
ain.
He tore off his clothes and grabbed Serena's luscious hips. He needed to taste her and feel her intimately with his mouth and hands. Spreading her legs, Jax licked hungrily at her pink, wet pussy and penetrated her with his stiffened tongue.
She tasted so damn good, so sweet and sticky. Serena writhed and moaned with pleasure as he took her closer and closer to the edge. She was coming, he could feel it. Her muscles tightened and she shuddered and cried out suddenly.
Jax pulled her hard, engorged nub into his mouth and sucked greedily. As he flicked her clit with his tongue, she climaxed again.
“God, you're so beautiful,” Jax grated.
Serena was panting hard, and her skin was hot and flushed. She pushed herself up and stared down his glistening body to his huge, pulsing erection. Swallowing, she whispered, “I want to feel you inside me, Jax. Please...”
With a snarl, Jax pushed her onto her belly and raised her hips. He knelt behind her and grabbed the round, fleshy globes of her buttocks. When he inched into her body, Serena moaned and fisted the bedsheets.
Stroking in and out of her hot, creamy pussy, Jax ran his hands up and down her back. Serena was all luscious, womanly curves. He was going crazy trying to hold back his orgasm. He wanted to make her come again as he pounded into her. He would take her and make her his now.
Thrusting deeply into her, he bent forward to fondle her swaying breasts. Her erect nipples stabbed into his palm and he groaned as he pinched them between his fingers. She was so amazing, and he knew that he was never going to have enough of her. He had wanted her the moment he set eyes on her.
She had gotten into his car and his life that night, and he was never going to let her go.
Jax pistoned in and out of her body, feeling her channel tighten around his cock. Gritting his teeth, he moved faster, hammering hard and fast into her.
Serena threw back her head and cried out as her body began to quake. A powerful orgasm rocked her body and she screamed in ecstasy.
Brave Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (BRIDES fur BEARS Book 2) Page 4