Walking into the kitchen the next morning, I’m glad to see Ellie alone, and am surprised my sister didn’t stay when she came to pick up Hope.
Grinding my teeth. I know men have to hit on Ellie all the time. Fuck, if she was on the opposite side of the street from me, I’d walk to the other side and see if I could get her number. Today, her hair is down in big waves. Her long-sleeved black shirt is tight, with a scoop-neck, making her breasts look even fuller. The jeans she has on are ripped and baggy, with the bottom cuffed, showing off a pair of black boots with high chunky heels that make her ass look phenomenal and her legs look long.
“Morning, baby,” I greet her, placing a kiss on her neck as I lift my arm over her head to reach for a coffee cup.
“Morning.” She smiles then her head ducks away, but I still catch the blush that has risen on her cheeks.
“We need to talk about something,” I tell her, watching her face pale.
“What?”
“Here, up you go,” I say, placing her on the counter then pushing her legs open so I can stand between them.
“Jax, what is it?”
“Your mom was arrested yesterday,” I explain, watching as her bottom lip goes between her teeth. “My uncle will be calling you today, explaining to you what is going on and when or if you will need to be in court.”
“I have to see her?” she whispers worriedly.
“Most likely.” I nod, rubbing her thighs.
“My mom is—”
“Your mom has nothing to do with your life now,” I say, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “And I’m here with you. You’re not alone.”
“I’m not, am I?” she asks softly, studying me as her fingers move along my jaw then over my bottom lip.
“Never again, Ellie,” I tell her, and her forehead comes to rest against my chin. She and Hope have not only me, but also all of my family. They will never be alone again.
Chapter 6
Ellie
Walking down the hall to Jax’s office, I stop at the threshold, nibbling my bottom lip while leaning against the doorjamb so I don’t fall over.
Jax is sitting at his desk shirtless. His hair is messy, and he has a pair of black-framed glasses on I have never seen him wear before. As I watch him, he lifts his hand and runs his fingers through his hair, causing the muscles of his arms to flex, along with his pecs and abs.
“Hey,” I mumble, feeling my cheeks get hot when his eyes come to me and do a head-to-toe sweep.
“Hey, baby.” He smiles, motioning for me to come to him.
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Shaking my head, I take a step back. I don’t trust myself. I know if I get close to him, I’m going to want to kiss him, and then I’m going to want to make out with him. I don’t have time to do that and go for a run before I have to get ready for work. And I really need to go for a run since the whole diet thing went down in a burning ball of fire.
“I’m going for a run,” I explain hastily, when he gets up from his chair and I notice he has on his nylon shorts that outline a very large erection.
“So come kiss me goodbye.”
“I can’t.” I shake my head frantically, watching him smile.
“You can,” he assures me, pressing his knuckles into the desk, making his arms and abs flex.
“I can’t. I know I can’t,” I tell him, taking another step backward into the hall. Then, without thinking, I run for the front door, hearing him run behind me as I swing the door open, and bolt down the steps to the sidewalk.
“Ellie,” Jax growls as I jog across the front yard.
“I’ll be back,” I yell over my shoulder, running faster. Getting to the end of the block, I turn right and spot the park at the end of the street, where I take Hope to play. As soon as I reach the large grassy field, I fall down on my back, panting heavy.
“I’m dying,” I wheeze, trying to catch my breath. I have no energy to run again. Really, I have no idea what I was thinking when I said I wanted to start running to begin with. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I press dial when I reach July’s number in my call log.
“Hey, what are you doing? Are you okay? You sound out of breath,” she answers.
“I’m pretty sure I just died,” I tell her through deep breaths.
“Did you decide to finally start running?” she asks on a snort.
“Yes, and I made it two blocks before I had to rest. Now, I’m lying in the grass at the park, talking to you on the phone, killing time before I have to head back to the house and face Jax,” I say through pants while listening to her laugh.
“I don’t think Jax will care that you don’t run,” she mutters.