He was so alpha, it scared her. She had always been attracted to men who believed in taking charge with confidence and poise, and Jax Wilde truly possessed those qualities.
Denim trembled just thinking about it.
Last night, they'd made love so many times she'd lost count. The last round had been out on Pappy's back porch with the stars sparkling down on them while she straddled his lap.
Damn, it was going to be hard when it was finally time to say goodbye.
* * *
It was almost closing time when Jax stepped into the diner. A black t-shirt stretched across his muscular chest and blue jeans hung low on his hips and perfect butt. As she watched him move across the room, she felt weak at the knees. It wasn't hard to figure out why. It was the sheer power he exuded. He was sexy, confident, determined and an amazing lover.
Denim finished wiping down a table in back, then reached for a tray of dirty dishes and carried them toward the front with a corky smile.
"Hey you. What brings you here?"
Grinning, Jax leaned in and dropped a quick kiss to her lips. "I came to escort you home."
"It's been three days. You still think I need a bodyguard?" She was teasing, but the look in his eyes said he wasn't in the mood for jokes.
"Until my father meets with the pack, I think it's better if I keep making sure you get home safely."
Denim set the tray down on the counter and nodded. "Okay. Who am I to complain when a gorgeous man wants to escort me home?" She pressed her mouth to his, then sauntered over to the diner door. Deep down she was glad he was keeping a close eye on her. His presence had a way of making her feel safe and secure without a worry in the world. She would never admit it, but she was afraid of the she-wolf and what she might do to her the next time she caught her alone.
Denim waved at the last customer as he stepped out. She then locked the door behind him and flipped over the Closed sign.
"Busy day?" Jax asked.
Denim turned around and shrugged. "We had our moments."
As he walked over to the counter and straddled one of the stools, he had this solemn look on his face. Denim gave him a sidelong glance. She didn't want Jax worrying about her. She had a hard enough time trying to figure him out as it was. Personally, she'd rather see lust burn in his eyes.
"Why don't you leave your car here and I just bring you to work in the morning."
"Pappy will ask too many questions. I don't want him to know anything about what happened that night."
Before she could step around him, Jax dragged her over to stand between his parted legs and murmured, "Tell him I'm protecting what's mine."
Mine. Denim loved the way that sounded. Reaching up she locked her hands behind his head and pulled him toward her mouth in a kiss that was explosive, hot and fierce. Everything inside her came alive and she was aware of nothing else except the feel of Jax's lips pressed against hers that sent her blood surging like a wildfire through her veins. She leaned in trying to get as close to him as she possibly could, body pressed against body, yet it still wasn't close enough.
Denim finally stepped away, her breathing coming hard and fast. "What in the world am I thinking? Pappy is in back."
Jax winked. "Come on. Let me help you clean up so we can get out of here. I desperately need to be somewhere private."
* * *
Denim watched as Jax walked over to his Harley, slung a leg over the bike, then knocked the kickstand back with his heel. He waited for her to climb into the VW Bug and start the engine before he pulled off.
She drove a few feet behind, pulse racing uncontrollably. In all the years she'd visited Justice, she had never been to Wilde Ranch and was actually anxious to see how the Wilde pack lived. No pun intended.
As she followed him up the long windy road, she admired the way Jax hugged the bike and looked so comfortable as if the motorcycle had been custom-made just for him. Goodness, Jax was one sexy beast.
Denim followed him onto the long private driveway through a thicket of trees. From the wood-lined road, there was no evidence of the ranch, or better yet, the Weres that owned it. And then after another windy turn, the trees cleared and she gasped at the house before her. It was like a Spanish hacienda. Large. White. And breathtaking.
Denim pulled her car onto the circular drive and climbed out, then stared up at the amazing view. It reminded her of something she would have seen in Spain or Mexico or any of those places she had seen on television-a big white house with a red tin roof, palm trees and hibiscus all over the place. There were even a few cactuses, just as a reminder they were in Texas. From a distance, she heard the melody of a nearby stream. To the far right were two large stables where some of the world's most exquisite horses were bred and raised.
"Welcome to my home," Jax said and he came up beside her. Denim looked up as his mouth curled into a wild smile. She didn't know what was more mesmerizing, the house or his smile.
"Wow! I had no idea your ranch was so beautiful." Pappy's land bordered the ranch and yet they were worlds apart.
"Thank you," he said, beaming proudly. "It's all my grandmother's doing. She was the creative genius. After my father bought the additional land, she added a few new wings to the house in the hope of her grandsons never leaving home." There was this twinkle in his eyes and Denim could tell he still had a deep affection for his grandmother, who he told her had passed away last spring.
"Come on, let me show you around." With his hand at the small of her back, Jax led Denim into the house and down the long halls while she admired the rich furnishings and beautiful Spanish tile floor.
"This is the main part of the house," he said, as they passed through a wide, arched doorway into a grand, open-floor plan that had vaulted ceilings with wide wooden beams and large ceiling fans spinning over the magnificent space. Her eyes swept the beautifully decorated room of stucco and slatted wood that spanned back to a large sunroom with windows that covered the entire length of the room. Behind it was a view of the lush land that ran farther than her eyes could see.
Jax took Denim by the hand and led her to the other side of the house where there was a second floor that they reached climbing a sweeping staircase. At the top, was a skylight shaped like a star that marked where the house branched off in several different directions.
"There are five suites. Grand'Mere designed it so that each of us had our privacy." Considering the size of the house, she could imagine it was like having their own apartment, which she was sure was bigger than any apartment she'd ever rent.
"We all prefer the lower level of the house," he explained. "It's easier to get around in any shape or form," he added with a wink.
"This place is like a maze," she said.
Jax scratched his chin and smiled. "It can get a little confusing." He signaled for her to follow him back down the stairs.
Her eyes swept the space, admiring all of the fine craftsmanship. "I also noticed there are no handles or doorknobs. Why is that?"
Jax nodded and appeared impressed that she had noticed. "It's easier to get in and out with a push of a paw or nose."
She smirked. "I never thought about that."
He took her hand and they walked down a pair of wide stairs, past a massive library with more books than she could have ever imagined reading in her lifetime. They rounded the corner into a large family room and she spotted his brothers and an older man who had to be his father, standing behind a large polished bar.
"Speak of the devil," Aidan said with a grin as they walked into the room.
"What did I do this time?" Jax said as he led her over to the end of the bar.
"We were wondering where you were." Chayton scowled. He was so serious Denim didn't know what it was Quinn saw in him.
Jax gave him a firm look. "I needed to make sure Denim was safe," he replied, then gestured toward the man behind the bar. "Father, I'd like you to meet Denim."
Her eyes snapped to the man and it was easy to see where they got their good looks. He had to be in his early fifties with the same golden eyes and sun-kissed skin. His blonde hair was practically gray and added a distinguished look about him. She could only imagine how magnificent his fur looked as a wolf.
Mr. Jackson Wilde, Sr. stuck out his hand and gave her a tranquil smile. "It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
Aidan snickered, like it was some kind of private joke.
Denim shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I've read about your horses in a magazine. I can't wait to see them up close."
"Thank you." She could see the pride in his face. "Make sure Jax takes you out to the stables." His father poured dark liquor into a glass, then took a sip. "I am sorry about what happened with you and Troy in the forest."