“Caitlyn Brown is a client who wants some renovations done. Charlie isn’t interested in her at all, in fact, I’m pretty sure Caitlyn has a girlfriend.”
“Really?” Ella gasped. I nodded as I strode into the kitchen with Ella in my arms. Dillon looked up from the table.
“It’s always a good sign when you have to be carried in from a girl’s night out,” he laughed.
“Dillon, how do you feel about children?” Ella started. Poor Dillon, he was in for it now. He looked at me confused and I shrugged as I deposited Ella on the kitchen bench by the fridge and quickly poured her a tall glass of water.
“They serve their purpose,” he joked. “Are you asking me to help you produce one? Because I am pretty sure Sarge there knows all the basics, but if he’s not getting it right I will give him a talking to.” Ella blushed and quickly drank down the entire glass of water.
“No, Sarge has it covered. But Annie has a little boy, Eli, he’s six.” Dillon stretched back in his chair and laced his fingers behind his head with an amused look on his face.
“Sure, I remember him, cute kid totally into Transformers. And?” He urged Ella on to whatever she was hopefully getting to sometime soon.
“Just wondering what you thought of them, Annie and Eli.” Dillon nodded and looked at me with a knowing smile.
“Annie’s pretty and she’s a good mother, Eli is a breath of fresh air.” Ella beamed, seemingly satisfied with herself. Then her mood suddenly changed. Not sad, or angry, but pensive.
“Was my mother cremated or buried?” Dillon’s smile became sincere.
“She was buried, in the same cemetery as your father though not together.” Ella nodded.
“It’s been a long time since I was there. Maybe one day I will go back and visit.” Her words were not filled with sorrow but quiet deliberation. She smiled at me. “I don’t mean to be a buzz kill, let’s go upstairs and practice making babies.”
“Right, bed!” I scooped her off the bench with enthusiasm and made for the stairs as Dillon coughed from behind us, hiding his laughter.
“What the fuck is this?” Dillon had finally noticed the cactus.
“Oh, that’s my penis cacti. It needs warmth so maybe it should go by the fireplace. OH, and not much water! It usually lives in the desert,” Ella called out over my shoulder as I made my way up to the loft. I caught Dillon’s astonished look as he took in the unusually shaped cactus before he shook his head and turned away.
I lowered Ella to the floor of the bathroom and started up the shower. I helped her undress then held her hand as she stepped into the stall.
“You should join me,” she said seductively and I hesitated. If I did there was no way I could keep my hands to myself, but Ella had been drinking and I couldn’t take advantage of her like that.
“Jax,” she sang my name. “If you don’t get in here with me, I will have to take care of things myself. After all the sex talk tonight I’m feeling a little, hot.” She looked so cute leaning against the wall of the shower her hands rubbing lazy circles over her stomach and slowly moving higher. Ah shit, maybe if I was a bigger man I would have done the right thing and let her be. In this moment I was weak though, and I stripped like my life depended on it, joining her in the large double shower. “Why do you have a double shower stall?” She asked as I began soaping up a washer.
“Have you seen the size of me?”
“You don’t need two shower heads though.” I knew what she was thinking and even if I didn’t, the jealousy and irritation in her tone wasn’t hard to miss. Washing her back, I leaned over and whispered in her ear.
“Baby, you are the only woman who has ever stepped foot in this shower. I had two shower heads installed because I was waiting to find you and bring you home with me, so we could do this.” My hands lathered the soap against her stomach and eventually found her perfect breasts.
“Really?” She breathed, enjoying the soft massage as much as I was.
“I promise you.” She turned in my arms and began washing my chest and arms, finally her hands slid down my abdomen and brushed my quickly growing dick.
“I love your body,” she sighed. I leaned forward and kissed her neck, licking the water that ran in rivulets down her front.
“Are you just using me for my body?” I groaned as her small hand wrapped around my dick.
“No, I really do love this shower too, especially knowing I’m the only woman that’s been in it,” she teased. My hands lowered and I slipped a finger into her core, which I found wet and hot. Her body responded to my touch and I absorbed her moan with a kiss. The point of no return had passed as I carefully lifted her, resting her back against the wall and gently lowered her onto me. We both groaned at the sensation, of me filling her and her walls squeezing me, it was perfect. With demanding strokes I began to pump into her body before abruptly realizing my mistake, I forgot the condom. I slowed, trying desperately to get control.
“Fuck angel, I need to grab a condom.” Her eyes, glazed with desire locked onto mine.
“I had Rebecca take me to her doctor last week in our lunch break, I’m on the pill and I’ve had health checks over the years, I’m safe.” Her grin was breathtaking. “It was meant to be a surprise, so I guess this is it, surprise.” As I absorbed her words her smile fell. “Unless you don’t want to, we can stop.” I thrust forwards into her leisurely and grinned.
“Not a chance. I have yearly checkups along with all the staff at Mercy’s and I’ve never gone without a condom, I’m as STD free as a boy scout. And we’ll talk later about you leaving Bouquets to go to the doctor.” She smiled again as my pace quickened. I kissed her deeply, fiercely, appreciating the feel of a woman without the barrier of a condom for the first time ever. I was glad it was with Ella. It was a perfect representation of the trust and love we felt for each other. When I felt Ella tense and shudder with her orgasm, whispering my name into my ear, my body could do nothing but willingly join her.
“I love you Jaxon James Carter,” she breathed. I groaned with a smile sitting on my lips. She loved me.
“You’ve been talking to my mother.” I kissed her jaw, followed by the sensitive spot under her ear.
“Uh-huh, I know all your secrets now,” Ella shivered and that was the truth. Over the last few weeks we had talked about war, Sarah, the little I knew about my father. Ella knew everything about me, more than any other person could ever claim and I knew everything there was to know about her. It was almost as if our love for each other washed away the bullshit and left nothing but perfection. Ella owned me, my heart, my soul and all my secrets. I lowered her carefully to the floor as the water was quickly growing cold. Once we were tucked under the thick warm blankets of my bed, I pulled her back against my chest.
“I love you Ella Mai Munroe.” I kissed her cheek and felt her smile, before sinking into a deep sleep.
Chapter 38
Ella
When I woke it felt as though my head might actually split in two and my stomach protested severely at the slightest movement. Once again Rebecca had cast my body into a nightmare hangover. Silently I cursed my boss as I hung my head over the side of the bed trying to find some release from my pounding frontal lobe. Jax chuckled as he climbed the stairs to the bedroom.
“Good afternoon,” he said.
“Must you be so loud,” I groaned. His laughter felt like a hammer on my skull. I looked up and took him in. Damn he was sexy. Faded blue jeans, white shirt, his blonde hair had that messy look that only fingers can create. He crouched down before me with a glass of water and two pills. I graciously took them and allowed my head to hang back over the bed. Jax carefully rubbed my neck.
“Afternoon?” I mumbled
“It is. You slept all day. I had to check your pulse twice just to make sure you were alive. Can I get you anything else?” He whispered and it still made my head pound. I groaned loudly.
“Can you kill Rebecca for me? This is the second time I have woken feeling lik
e this because of her.” Jax tilted his head in thought.
“When was the last time?”
“The night after the tree lighting ceremony,” I grumbled. Jax forced me to roll onto my back as he sat down beside me. His eyes carried the weight of regret as he gazed down at me.
“I’m sor….” I quickly placed my hand over his mouth.
“That’s done Jax. We’re here now, that’s all that matters.” Jax’s hand roamed unhurriedly over my naked body.
“Couldn’t even get me into pajamas huh?” I joked. He smiled, his dimples lighting his face with the boyish charm I adored.
“I have a new rule. No clothes allowed in this bed.” I eyed his state of dress and he laughed.
“I have to go to the shelter for a bit. Mercy wants me to pick up some supplies and drop them off. Dillon is in the study, he wants me to bring back some groceries, he’s craving pancakes.”
“Mmmmm, pancakes.” It seemed to be the only thing my stomach was willing to tolerate. Jax kissed me but before he could draw away I pulled him closer and took the kiss deeper. He groaned loudly when we finally parted.
“Fuck angel, I’m going to be walking around Claymont with a hard-on now.” He laughed.
“I’m sure the chill outside will help with that.” He gave me another chaste kiss before leaving me to my suffering. Somehow I slipped back into sleep, like my body was demanding nothing today except complete oblivion.
When I woke some time later, the house was dark. Pulling myself from the bed I found my drawstring pajama bottoms and a sweater. I tugged on some fluffy socks and lifted my hair into a messy pony tail before tiptoeing downstairs. I wondered what time it was, had Dillon gone down for a nap? Jax was obviously not back from Mercy’s yet. At the kitchen I flicked the switch for the light and nothing happened. I looked about the room noticing the digital display on the microwave was also out. I made my way over to the fireplace, found the matches and lit a candle which sat on top of the stone hearth. I carefully lifted it and headed for the study to wake Dillon. He would surely know how to replace a fuse if that was the problem. I tapped on the door softly.
“Dillon, are you in there?” When there was no answer I turned the knob and pushed the door open. The loud creak made me smile. The house was letting him know someone was intruding on his space. I loved noisy houses. “Dillon?” I crept into the room and used the candle to light up the space. It was empty. I rubbed at my chest nervously and picked up the phone at the desk. There was no dial tone, but if we were without electricity it might mean the phone didn’t work either. I checked the garage which was quiet and empty then made my way back upstairs to my phone which sat beside the bed. I flicked through the phone numbers until I found Jax and pressed the green ring button. I stood at the window looking out over the snowy back yard. Jax’s phone went to voice mail.
“Hey, the power is out and I can’t find Dillon. I don’t know anything about these things, fuses are man’s business as far as I’m concerned. How far away are you?” I hung up and threw my phone onto the bed just as I noticed something glowing amongst the white snow outside with a neon brightness that only a phone screen can bring. I stood for some time watching, contemplating before noticing the dull light from the work shed. Maybe Dillon had made his way out there and lost his phone on the way. I grabbed my thick jacket and snow cap and climbed back downstairs, pulling on a pair of Jax’s boots that sat by the back door. They were way too big but they would protect my feet from the freezing snow. The early evening was still and silent, the only sound was the ice that crunched under the big boots as I crossed the big back yard. I stopped at the phone I had noted from the upstairs window. Picking it up I confirmed it was definitely Dillon’s. He had six missed calls and four text messages ranging from three hours ago to just now, all from the same number. I glanced nervously at the work shed door and when curiosity got the better of me I checked the messages.
Answer your fucking phone
Where are you?
Dillon, I’m not shitting you, we need to talk, SOS
Fairmont has left!! Fucking call me
Fuck it, I’m on my way
I glanced to the door of the shed again. My sixth sense was screaming, demanding I return to the house. What if Dillon was in there just chilling out though? What if Dillon was in there and needed my help? My hand shook as nerves racked my body but I still took purposeful steps to the shed and turned the latch, pushing the heavy timber door open. I hadn’t yet been inside Jax’s work shed and the size surprised me, it was large and clean. The scent of timber filled my lungs. A lamp was glowing from a desk on the opposite side of the room, but other than that the place seemed quiet and empty. I took a few steps inside.
“Dillon, where the fuck are you?” I called out as I neared the center of the room. The gentle click of the door closing behind me sent a splinter of sharp fear through my body. I wanted to run while the need to turn around and face the possible threat was just as consuming. The stand and fight nature of my being won as I turned around and was confronted with my demon, my nightmare, Marcus Fairmont who stood with a gun pointed level at me.
“You always did have a dirty mouth Ella,” he drawled. The sight of him standing before me after so many years was as terrifying as I imagined it would be. I stiffened, paralyzed with fear. He had not changed a bit. His perfect blonde hair styled into a perfect GQ magazine cut. His hazel eyes still filled with hatred and loathing as he looked me over. He wore a sharply pressed chocolate brown suit for fucks sake with perfectly polished brown Salvatore Ferragamo’s. He was dressed for a boardroom meeting while standing in a dusty timber work shed in Claymont, sixteen hours away from his home and business during the middle of winter. All for me, why the fuck couldn’t he just leave me alone? Anger thrummed like an electric charge through my body as I faced him.
“Found me huh?” I said, my voice calm, betraying the anger and fear that swirled like a tidal wave inside me.
“I believe I told you I would. I can find a needle in a hay stack if I so wish. Remember that Ella?” My fists clenched at the memory of that night. Marcus sighed and took a few steps forward. He was a tall man, but for some reason I didn’t find him quite as intimidating as I did all those years ago. Perhaps I had grown, found my strength and was no longer afraid of him like I used to be, or perhaps I had gotten used to Jax who literally towered over Marcus.
“Your lover is out back, gunshot wound to the back, likely dead by now. Unfortunately he shot Tom first, but it’s no big deal, works in my favor really. Looks like Tom came here with nefarious intentions, cornered your boyfriend, there was a shootout they both died, tragic story for a small town like this and right on the eve of Christmas.” Jax couldn’t be dead, he wasn’t even here. It must have been Dillon and I ached with the urgency to go check on him, to get him help, but for now I could do no more than keep some distance between me and Marcus, and stay alive.
“All this just for me? To get me to come home with you?” Marcus laughed and the sound sent a shiver down my spine.
“I don’t want you to come home with me Ella. I am here to finish this. We didn’t get the chance last time.” I balked at his statement.
“So you just want to fuck me?” I screamed. He shook his head, slipping the gun into the back of his pants.
“That wasn’t my intention, but now I’m here…” His sick gaze perused my body and it took effort not to shrink under that look. “And of course cut you, it’s time to finish this. You, my dear Ella, are a threat I need to dispose of.” He took another step forward and I backed away.
“Threat, I’m hardly a threat to you, I just want to be left alone.”
“Somebody has been looking into me, digging. I’ve covered my tracks pretty well but when you’ve got secrets and a past like mine, there is always a possibility something might be found. It’s time to clean house, Ella.”
“I don’t know your past and the only secrets are the ones that concern me, I have no reason to tell anyone.”
“Too late Ella, the damage has already been done.” Marcus’s head tilted to one side in thought. “Did you know my mother was a whore? She was actually paid to fuck. It made me sick, she gave our family name no value. I cut her Ella, just like I cut you. I didn’t save her of course, I watched her bleed out, I watched her until her eyes were finally blank and I was free of her. Now it’s time to be free of you too. Tragic little broken fuck up from Duntson who already tried to take her life once finally does the job right after her lover is killed in a shootout with a corrupt police officer. Poetic, don’t you think? Has that Romeo and Juliette heartbreaking ending that all good romances need.” My heart was beating so fast it hurt, my limbs shaking with fear and building adrenaline. Dillon had been shot and if he wasn’t dead already, he might be soon. Marcus thought Dillon was my lover, which meant he didn’t know about Jax, and Jax was alive and well and hopefully close to getting home. I just had to stall Marcus and keep enough distance between us until he did.
“You k-killed my mom, didn’t you?”
Marcus’s answering smile was so giddy it bordered on childish. “So you heard the terrible news? Yes, your mother had served her purpose and she was growing sloppy, using prescription drugs to escape an unhappy marriage. When I found her passed out in the bath it seemed like she were gifting me with the perfect opportunity. The drugs in her system must have thinned her blood, she bled…” His sinister grin made me shiver. “Oh how she bled, it was beautiful. I can’t wait to see you painted in red, Ella.” Then he lunged toward me. I tried to back away but Jax’s heavy boots got caught and I fell back with Marcus on top of me. He hit me hard and I brought my knee up connecting with his balls. He yelped, clutching at himself and rolling as I scrambled out of the massive boots and made for the door. His hand pulled at my hair, ripping me backwards. I ducked and turned escaping Marcus’s large arms and another blow landed on my face. I fought like a scrappy street fighter, punches landing blindly and thankfully one of them hitting his throat which caused his grip to loosen as I scrambled away once more. I barreled out the door into the freezing snow, my feet aching with the bite of the ice surrounding them and I slipped and struggled my way across the back yard toward the house. From behind I was tackled, my body forced down into the frigid ice. Winded my lungs burned for air as Marcus ruthlessly rolled me over. In one hand was the gun pointed straight at my head, in the other hand was the knife, after all these years he still had the same fucking knife.
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