Jax placed it onto the island, then looked up, eyes wide with amusement. "This is the next best thing since a microwave."
"Really?" She played along.
"Yes, this is a sandwich maker. Check this out."
She watched in fascination as he sprayed cooking oil on the interior and plugged it in.
"Once it gets hot, I'll pop these sandwiches inside for five minutes and viola, hot ham and cheese."
"Ingenious." Her lips quirked with amusement as she shifted again on the seat.
"This gadget here is a life savior on Ms. Gayla's days off. It's either this, go to the diner, or starve," Jax said, as he cut the sandwiches into halves, then placed them onto the trays and lowered the lid.
"Do you still think about your mother?" Denim asked gently.
His brows lifted slowly until they stretched to the center of his forehead. "Hell yeah. All the time. She was my rock." There was a pause as he momentarily looked up at the ceiling before his troubled gaze returned to hers.
"I still remember the day she died in that crash. I was seven and had just won a prize at the county fair for one of our horses. Mom had been in Austin at a day spa with a wife of one of the other pack leaders. Dad said she was rushing, trying to make it to the fair in time to see me ride. She was two exits away when this guy riding a tractor-trailer fell asleep at the wheel and weaved over the concrete barrier into southbound traffic, hitting her head-on."
Denim saw the pain in his eyes as she whispered, "Oh no!"
Jax steeled his expression as he continued. "The highway patrolman told my dad she never saw him coming." He shook his head. "Knowing my mother didn't suffer is what helps me sleep at night." His jaw clenched.
"That's such a relief," Denim managed barely above a whisper, and then she didn't know what else to say. Her eyes took in Jax's stiff stance and the arms crossed tightly against his chest. She could only imagine what he and his brothers had gone through. Her own mother drove her bonkers, but she didn't know what she would do if suddenly Samantha Barr was no longer a phone call away.
"That green light means our sandwiches are ready." Jax had changed the subject and the pain she had seen on his face was gone. Denim almost groaned out loud. Just like a man. Afraid of being seen weak or vulnerable. To her it showed the human side of Jax.
He rushed over to get two plates from the cabinet near the sink and her eyes followed him again with admiration. He placed the dishes onto the island and then lifted the lid. Inside were four golden-brown sandwich halves with cheese oozing out the sides.
"Those look delicious," she commented.
Jax's smile returned. He reached for the spatula, put two on each plate and pushed one in front of her.
"What would you like to drink? I've got tea, water and beer."
Denim flashed a smile. "A beer sounds good."
After he grabbed two beers, Jax popped the caps, then reached for a bag of potato chips and took the seat beside her.
"Eat," he ordered.
She bit hungrily into her sandwich. "Mmmm, it's really good!"
* * *
Jax felt heat rush to his groin. Denim had no idea the things her moans did to his body. As she chewed her sandwich, his gaze took in her small waist and her perfect breasts that were calling his name. While he was out in the field watching Denim sit on top of the horse, passion raged through his body so strong, he desperately needed to be buried inside her again. She had become his addiction and that scared the hell outta him. Her smile, her smell, beauty, that dry sense of humor … , Denim was truly an amazing woman. She had bought such joy to his life that before her was bleak and somewhat lonely. Now he had a reason. A purpose. A destiny and a life that included her. If she wanted that and he hoped like hell he hadn't scared her. His life was scary at times, now more than ever with the tension between the packs and Troy's vendetta against him, but he desperately wanted Denim to see, to understand, and most importantly he wanted her to accept the life he had to offer.
"Now that I've introduced you to my world. What are your thoughts?" Jax watched as Denim wiped her mouth with a paper towel, taking the moment to photograph her flawless face, long lush lashes, high cheekbones, and perfect button nose. Jax could see the wheels in Denim's head turning and he'd give anything to have her ability to read thoughts.
"Your world is fascinating."
"In what way?" he asked and turned slightly on the seat needing to see her dark brown eyes as she spoke.
Denim took a swallow from the bottleneck beer before continuing. "Your life is wild, and feels so unreal that I feel like I've gone through the wardrobe … " She must have noticed the puzzlement on his face because Denim paused and said, "You know, The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe."
Jax stroked his chin and struggled to keep a straight face. "So, let me make sure I got this right. Being back in Justice is like stepping inside the wardrobe."
She nodded and reached for a chip.
His lips tipped upward. "And I guess the lion is me, and Troy's the witch?"
"Exactly." She laughed and he barked with laughter before reaching down for one of his sandwiches and took a bite.
"What I'm saying is … this is like a dream. I never believed werewolves existed, and yet I've known one practically all my life." Denim was waving a hand as she spoke. "I'm not going to lie, what happened with Troy in the forest was scary as shit. But instead of being afraid, I feel drawn toward you and your world. My mind is spinning, because not only do you exist, but you have freaking speed out of this world and can sense when I'm in danger."
"I can only hear the people I care about."
Her eyes studied his. "See and that's enough, to have my stomach in a ball of knots knowing you care about me."
"I would do anything to protect you. I hope you know that." He wanted to reassure her that as long as he was breathing she never had anything to worry about. If anyone ever thought about putting a hand on Denim they would have hell to pay.
"I know you'd protect me. I heard everything you and your brothers said about keeping me safe."
Jax's smile melted off his face. Denim's sandwich was inches from her mouth when he swiveled her around until her startled expression was facing him.
"Don't make any mistake about it. Regardless of what my brothers said about the family protecting our own, as your mate it's my job to protect you."
"I-"
"My job," he repeated firmly. "I'm a Were and when I commit there will be never be anyone else but me. I don't share, Denim. I hope you understand that."
Their eyes locked as she whispered, "Of course I do."
"You are my responsibility." He caught her chin with his hand. "Keeping you safe is my duty. If I can't protect my woman, what do you need me for?"
Denim sucked in a deep breath and simply nodded her head as he continued.
"I'm not a jealous man, but I don't share. I can be possessive and overly protective, but I will love you like no other. Can you handle that?" he challenged.
"Can you handle knowing you're the only man I want in my life?'' Denim pointed a finger to his chest. "Jax, you can act like the big bad wolf all you want, but I know that gentle person who exists inside."
He toyed with the center of her chin, kissing it. "Only for you."
"I love being back in Justice," she said matter-of-factly.
He had to know that she wanted only him. "Do you like being here at the ranch?"
She met his eyes and blushed. "If you're asking if I love being here with you, the answer is yes."
Jax lovingly caressed the side of her cheek. "My brother was right. I chose you to be my mate."
Searching his eyes, Denim rested her hand on his arm and asked, "Why me?"
He looked down at the slim fingers clutching his biceps before replying, "I think fate decided long before I did. I fought it, thought after eight years I had forgotten, but I hadn't. And once I saw you, tasted you, had my cock buried inside you, I knew there was no turning back. You are mine Denim Barr. You're my soulmate."
Denim drew a deep breath. "And you're mine."
Their eyes locked again and Jax waited to make sure she clearly understood what was happening between them. "Weres mate for life. Are you sure this life is for you?"
"Jax … I want you. Only you."
He took in her glowing smile. The way her eyes cherished him.
"The only cock you will ever feel will be mine. The only arms that will hold you will be these and those lips will never feel the warmth of another man," he said pointing to her mouth.
Jax was met by the full force of her beautiful brown eyes as Denim replied, "I want that. I know it probably sounds crazy for someone on the outside looking in, but I want you. I really want you. I never felt so complete with a man before. Not Asher or any other." It was her turn to reach out and press a delicate hand to his face. "I choose you Jackson Wilde." She paused and gave a happy giggle. "Something about us has given me the ability to read minds and to see you moving so fast, as if time stood still," Denim said before adding under her breath. "I still don't understand how that was possible, but I know all of that is because of you."