Two days later, Jesse snuggled on her couch in yoga pants and an old band shirt. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she had abandoned all thoughts of a bra when she decided she was rather going to stay indoors.
Again.
She was more focused on reliving her last few minutes with Devon to actually go out and do something with herself. Replaying his words repeatedly. Lingering over the feelings he inspired. Then there was the kiss.
Constantly alternating between high-fiving herself for a job well done, and Googling how a person could disappear without a trace before anyone could find out how she threw herself at him.
It was honestly 50/50 depending on how much she was overthinking it.
She was in the middle of burying her face in her pillow, embarrassment scratching at her yet again, when there was a light knock on her front door.
Eyes wide, Jesse popped her head over the back of the couch to look at the door. A minute or two passed. Then another knock, slightly louder than the last. Swearing softly, Jesse scrambled to her feet and rushed across the room towards the door.
She peaked out the window next to the door, her mouth falling open in shocked surprise.
Jax grinned when he noticed her gaping at him.
“You going to open the door or just stare at me all day?” He teased her when she didn’t immediately move.
Jesse jolted and quickly unlatched the door.
“Mr. Monroe, I-”
He quickly stopped her with a quick motion of his hand.
“Jax, please, Jesse. You’re no longer an employee and I’m no longer your boss. I think we can put the niceties aside now.”
“Right. Jax,” Jesse breathed, still struggling to understand how he knew where she lived or even why he was there. And fuck it, if the visual blow he dealt her when she saw didn’t scramble her brain either.
“Perfect.” A rumble of sound. “Mind if I come in?”
“What? Uhm, yes. No! I mean -” Jesse took a breath and stepped aside, opening the door wider. “Please, come in.”
His arm brushed her chest when he moved past her. Her home suddenly seemed so small with him filling the entryway. His electric presence prickled at her skin and his cologne seemed to have a direct connection to her nipples.
How did this man affect her so much?
Nervous yet curious, she closed the door behind him.
“Could I offer you something to drink?”
“Oh no, I didn’t mean to interrupt your day,” Jax said, brushing his messy hair away from his face as he turned to her. His grin got wider as he took in her bare feet and rumpled state. It was the complete opposite of the prim, perfect look she had perfected for work. His face said he liked how she looked.
A lot.
Jesse fidgeted, looking anywhere but at him.
“You’re, uhm, not interrupting much, to be honest.” She gave an awkward cough. “Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?”
“I might have bribed your friend at the office to give me your address.” Jax answered with a sheepish chuckle and rubbed the stubble on his chin. The mischievous look in his eyes drew her in and coaxed the raging current of mixed emotions inside her into a quiet rush.
“And she just … gave it to you?”
Something that Jesse would pay her back for. Once she figured out if she was happy or angry at Sasha’s interference.
“You make it sound like it was easy,” he grinned down at her. “I can guarantee you she made me work for it. Said it was late fee for not asking for your details when you were still at the office.”
“My details?”
Fuck sakes Jesse, get it together, girl!!
His grin became self-deprecating.
“Come now, Jesse. I’m sure you know I’ve been trying to get your attention all week. I almost tugged at your ponytail a time or two but decided to wait until we were in a more … private setting.”
His meaning hit with a sensual lick along her nerve endings and she had the most desperate thought to drop onto her knees.
“Don’t look so surprised, little guppy. I’ve been trying to find a way to get to know each other all week but you’re a difficult lady to get alone.”
“But your brother …”
“My brother,” Jax, agreed with a nod. “He and I are a story for another time, but for today I’d like there to be just you and me. Something that Devon knows and enthusiastically agrees with.”
Holy shit …
What is happening right now?
Fear and excitement wrestled inside her. Those hopeful things she had firmly talked herself out of thinking came crashing back altogether.
“Now, I know you said that I’m not interrupting your day, so I hope that means that I could convince you to go to a festival with me.”
“A festival?”
Jax nodded.
“There’s one not too far from here,” he took a folded paper out of his jean pocket and handed it to her. “I saw it this morning and thought I’d take a chance to see if you’d join me.”
“I’m not sure …” Jesse hedged while she read the poster. Although good music with beer and margaritas on tap sounded good, a part of her cringed at the bold letters exclaiming it to be a beach party. Sand, bikinis, and people … it really didn’t sound like a good time.
“It will only be for an hour or two. We’ll have a few drinks, share a plate of nachos, and enjoy some music. If you’re not enjoying yourself we’ll call it a day and I’ll bring you right home.”
He gave what she assumed was the boy scout salute.
Jesse nervously shifted on her feet, staring at the poster. A part of her was screaming to say yes. To take this offered chance and live a little. While the older, warier part of her urged her to say no. To stay at home, with all her comforts. Declaring one brave act enough to last a lifetime.
Two lifetimes, really.
“Hey,” He gently cupped the back of her head, drawing her attention back to him. “Don’t overthink it. We’ll take it easy today. Nothing too serious. Besides, it would make me feel a lot better knowing that I got you onto the beach before those two years passed by.”
Jesse laughed, the anxiety pressing on her chest settling at his teasing.
She took another moment to contemplate.
“Alright,” she finally answered, allowing herself one more brave step before she went back to her comforts.
“Yes?”
“Yes,” she confirmed with a smile, secretly loving the pleased look on his face, “but you need to promise that we’ll come back if I ask.”
“Scouts honor.” Another salute.
Jesse squinted up at his smiling face before shaking her head and handing him back the poster.
“You can make yourself comfortable,” Jesse said, waving a hand towards the lounge. “I need a few minutes to get changed.”
“Take your time. I’m in no rush.” With a soft kiss to her temple, he let her go and stepped back so that she could pass him. He was lounging on the couch, browsing through shows by the time she got to her bedroom door.
“Jesse?”
She poked her head back out the bedroom door at the sound of her name.
“We’ll be taking my bike, so make sure you wear jeans and a jacket.”
Oh, shit … Jesse thought faintly.