“Fuck,” I chuckle, “That never happens.”
“With incentive, it does. Ego inspires.”
“That it does.” I set my cup down on his rustic coffee table that’s got a manly and solid iron foundation, and walk to the fireplace to throw another log on. “I could live here.”
“Why don’t you?”
Throwing him a look over my shoulder, I grab a poker and break up the charred wood. “You know what I do.”
“I only asked because I knew you’d say that.”
Laughing loudly, I toss a new log on and walk to stare at the view. It’s a foggy morning, just like back in Louisiana, and of course that makes me think of her.
“I met a woman, Jax.”
“No shit?”
On a long exhale, I mutter, “Yeah. Didn’t work out though.”
“She didn’t like you gone most of the year?”
Huffing through my nose, I shake my head, only seeing Luna’s face. “She’s a loner.” At his low laugh, I spin around and point at him. “Don’t say it!”
“Taste o’ your own medicine?”
“You fuckin’ said it.” I grumble. “And you should know, buddy.”
He shrugs and kicks his boots onto the coffee table, making sure not to knock over my cup as he takes a sip from his own. I love his style, not just in how he restored this old barn with the combination of rock, metal and reclaimed gray and brown wood, but also in his dishes. Those mugs have big handles meant for a man’s hand. You feel good drinking from them.
“I know I’m a loner, Jett. You know you are, too. That’s why it’s funny to me that you’re heartbroken over a woman who’s just like you. Not funny, but…you know what I mean.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, walking to one of the beams and leaning on it. “But those women on the road didn’t know me long enough to love me. They just loved the idea. And the sex.”
“They sure do get hung up on the sex, don’t they?” he mutters from personal experience.
“I don’t think enough men give it to them the way they want it.”
“Yeah,” he smirks. “Also women want what they can’t have. If they think you can’t be tamed, damn if they don’t want to lasso and tie you upside down with a brand on your butt.”
“Except the one you wish would do that.” We stare at each other.
“How long you know her?”
“That’s a complicated question. Gonna take a while to answer it.”
“I’ve got all the time in the world,” he says with patience.
Even though it’s only six in the morning I ask, “Got any bourbon?”
“Just talk.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, and launch into it. Jaxson listens intently, asking questions when he needs clarity, and dropping his feet on the ground to lean forward and soak it all in. I tell him everything. No detail is spared. I make sure to tell him all the good things about her, and the bad. I’ve been dying to get this off my chest. It feels like I’m dead inside. I needed Jax.
Known him my whole life, which sounds weird, but he was there when I was born. The others came after. We had some time alone.
The twins were a unit beneath us in age, so Jaxson and I have a closer bond than with the others. Growing up we were their leaders, but now that our brothers are all grown, I’d say none of them follow us in any way anymore. They’re all their own men.
Jaxson’s quieter than I am. He has a wise soul. Never asks anyone for anything. He’s out here on this farm all by himself and likes it that way.
I’ve got my club and we rarely stay in one place for long.
So while we’re both strong, we’re different.
But we get each other.
He understands that when I say Luna is the one for me, I mean it.
“What’re you gonna do, Jett? Made any decisions?”
“Yeah.”
“What?”
“Nothin.’ I’m doin’ nothin.’ She’s got my card and is charging up hotels and food, but I’m leavin’ it alone. She’s got no one. She’ll find her way. Get a job or steal the money. Hell, I don’t know. Probably steal it, I guess. I can’t see her workin’ under some boss. The only consolation I have is I know she’d never sell herself in any way. Hell, after what she’s been through? She’s only been with three guys. I’m the third.”
“No shit? Man, I have no idea how many women I’ve had.”
“Me neither.”
“It makes sense with her childhood. How old is she?”
“I never asked. Late twenties, I think. Looks like Penelope Cruz and acts like a Lynx in a cage after the sedatives wore off. And when she looks at me I want to eat her alive. I love her. I fuckin’ love this bitch.”