Your Heart to Keep: Holly and Jax (17 page)

My eyes closed and I sounded out the joy his caress brought.

“You like that? Feeling my touch?”

Before I could respond, he was at my neck again, his stud lightly pressing in to my skin as his open mouth hovered, teasing me.

“Yes!”

“Ummm.” It was a sound from him that vibrated into me. I had to seize both his arms to stop myself from falling.

“I…uh…have to go. My father is waiting.”

“Stay.” There was that plea again that had my heart skip a beat.

“I can’t.”

“I know but it was worth a shot.” He kissed my nose, hovering a breath away from my skin.

My chest was rising and falling as if I’d just run a marathon. “Thank you for saving me from that guy and bringing me home.”

“No regrets here.” He breathed in an emotion rich voice.

Standing a little awkward, not wanting to go inside but not wanting my dad to poke his head out again, I moved back and started to walk away only getting a few feet when he spoke.

“Holly?”

“Yes?” I asked a little too eagerly.

“Come for a ride with me tomorrow?”
Excitement at the thought of being on the back of the bike, holding Jax again had me grinning stupidly.

“I’d like that.”

I’m sure I could hear the mirth in Jax’s voice. “Pick you up at ten.”

“Okay. See you then.”

Pulling out my cane, I hastily made my way to the front door, high from the kiss. High from the bike ride. High that he wanted me to spend time with him tomorrow. The bike didn’t start up until I was inside the door, leaning against it, replaying the night’s events over and over.

“Did you have a good night, Darling?” my mother asked.

“Mmm.”
“Why didn’t Leah bring you home? Is she alright?”

“Yeah, Mom. She’s fine. She had a little bit to drink and wanted to stay at the party so Jax brought me home.”
“I see he’s over his anger towards you.” Dad piped up, his voice carrying a certain amount of innuendo.

“He’s coping better now with everything.”

“I don’t like you riding on the back of motorbikes, Holly.” He wasn’t annoyed. He was merely voicing his opinion.

“Dad, I’ll be twenty-one in two months. I’m not a little kid any more. Besides, Jax is a great driver." How was he going to react when he found out I was going on the bike again tomorrow?

Mom stood up and came over to me. “We’re so happy that you’re getting out and living a more normal life. We really are. Your father is just concerned for you, that’s all. It’s not so much that Jax isn’t a good driver. It’s just that there is nothing to protect you if you come off.”

“I feel safe when I’m with him, Mom.” Okay here goes. Let’s see what the reaction will be when I tell them. “He’s asked me out tomorrow to go for a ride.”

I could hear both of my parents sigh but they didn’t argue further. “We don’t like it but we can’t stop you. There is one condition though,” added my mother.
“What’s that?”

“You have to let us meet him before you go.”

That shouldn’t be a problem. He would come to the door and knock anyway. I’d just make sure one of my parents answered.

“Sure.” I leaned into her and gave her a hug. “Thanks Mom.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Just make sure that boy brings you home in one piece.”

I huffed and walked over to the couch where I knew my dad was sitting. “Thanks Dad. We’ll be safe tomorrow, I promise.”

“You’re mom and I love you, Hols. If we seem a little over-protective at times, it’s just because you’re extra special to us and we’d be lost without you.”

My mouth started to quiver and I had to mentally will the tears not to fall. At least until I was in my bedroom. I knew how deeply my parents loved me and because of my lack of vision, they worried more.

“Love you too. Both of you. Now let me get to bed so I can sleep and be wide awake for tomorrow.”

I knew that wasn’t going to happen because I could still feel Jax’s soft, moist lips devouring mine and the feel of the tongue stud against my sensitive neck.

Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, all I could think of was him putting that tongue stud on other parts of my body.

Chapter Twenty Nine

Jax

You’re a thick fuck! What the hell happened tonight? You just couldn’t keep your hands to yourself. If you’d had your way, she would have been bent over the bike, taking it from behind, hard and fast, virgin or not. You’re not meant to be feeling anything for her, remember?

My head was yelling at me to leave the poor blind girl alone but seeing her arrive at my house, wearing those damn fine, slick leather pants and jacket had pushed me over to the dark side. The wild part of me that didn’t give a toss about reason. A part of me that solely functioned on feeling. Okay and my dick had been begging for release too as I’d watched her dance that pretty ass off and shake those gorgeous hips. I still had blue balls from the consuming sexual need and fuck me, if feeling those long legs wrapped around my thighs on the ride home hadn’t nearly sent me over the edge, then that kiss had drawn some leakage from me. Hearing her throaty little moans as I’d let her explore the silver in my mouth had almost been too much.

After dropping her off, I’d come back to a house I didn’t recognize. Bodies passed out in various places throughout, including the backyard. One guy was sleeping, standing up next to the refrigerator, leaning against the cupboards with a beer still in his hand. A girl whom I didn’t recognize looked like a snow angel spread out on the grass out back along with a couple of guys that had been sitting in the chairs on the lawn when I’d taken Holly to the bench to talk. Thankfully my bedroom was empty. Leah had been dirty dancing with Micah who had obviously been offering her more alcohol because in the space of time I’d been away, I could tell she was off her tree. I called her a cab, letting Micah know and then I’d bid my friends a fond farewell and escaped into the quiet of my room.

It had been around 3am when the house had stilled, music turned off and voices gone.

Now as I gripped my cock, lying in bed naked, all I could think of was a leather-clad Holly and what her reaction would be if I stripped her bare and spread those creamy white thighs so I could delve my tongue inside her, using the stud to stroke her g-spot.

Oh yeah. There’s so much I could teach little Miss Prim and Proper. So much pleasure I could give her.

I had no business even thinking about Holly. No business at all. It was wrong but I couldn’t stop it. Something had shifted in me tonight. The bitterness had gone. The resentment. Had it been seeing her let go like she had? Discovering that she was a normal person with feelings, instead of the bitch that had Chloe’s heart? I’d gotten to know her more. She’d been kind and caring. The whole package. She’d made me feel emotions other than anger. How could I keep treating her like she was nothing when clearly she was something? Micah had known right from the start but I’d had my head shoved up my ass and hadn’t wanted to see. All it had taken was a little effort on my part and I was finding out what an incredible girl she was.

So she was blind? Did that really matter? Looking at her you’d never know. I’d seen plenty of guys eying her up as she’d danced. Hell, I’d never seen anyone wear leather as good as I’d seen Holly wear it. I was a sucker for a woman dressed like that.

I wanted her under me right now, skin on skin, me buried inside all the way while my mouth worked those perky breasts.

Stroking myself would have to do for now. At least it was something. Some way to ease the incredible craving. My balls felt huge and solid as I grabbed them in one hand while the other one harshly moved up and down my swollen rod, paying some attention to the slick head before plunging back down to the base.

“Ah, fuck Angel. That’s it. I can almost feel my rock hard shaft forcing your tight little lips apart, your walls gripping me so goddam hard that I can barely breathe as I thrust in so deeply, your womb massages my head.”

Christ! My legs were beginning to twitch. The vein in my dick was so engorged I could feel the pulsing blood underneath my fingers. Yeah. So unbelievably good. The build-up. The desperate need to come so frigging hard that I didn’t want to drag it out. My cock and balls were throbbing as the pleasure of a monumental orgasm fired up almost from somewhere near my asshole as it travelled into my scrotum, gaining in strength. I manhandled myself, crying out expletives at the sheer exquisiteness of it. My hips jumped off the bed. I felt the semen rise and shoot out in endless powerful surges from the sensitive head as I basked in pure bliss, Holly’s name like a chant on my tongue. I couldn’t see, I was so blinded by the euphoric state I was momentarily in as I twitched and bucked some more while I drew every last drop of pleasure out until I sank back onto the pillows, delirious. My ragged breath still dragging groans out into the quiet.

The last thing I remembered thinking in my listless state was, “That girl is in trouble. Big trouble.”

Chapter Thirty

Holly

Landing face down on the carpet with a solid thump after tripping over the mound of clothes Leah had left on my bedroom floor, I let out a curse. Footsteps came hurriedly down the hallway.

“Holly, are you alright?” My mother anxiously asked as her hand went around my arm to help lift me up.

I nodded. I should have been looking down when I got up and I would have seen the huge blob. I wasn’t thinking. My alarm just went off letting me know its 9am. Jax is going to be here in an hour and I guess I was hurrying into the bathroom.

“Well, be more careful Honey or you won’t be going anywhere today apart from the emergency room.”

“Sorry, Mom. At the same time, Leah didn’t have to leave the pile right in the middle of the floor. I’ll call her later and get her to come pick them up.”

“How about I just move them over to the side against the wall and that way we won’t have any more mishaps.”

“Before you do that, I need your advice on what I should wear today. I am going to be on a bike and it is cold out so do you think jeans and the leather jacket I had on last night will suffice? I’m sure Leah won’t mind if I borrow it again and if she does it’s too bad because she owes me for leaving her clothes all over the place.”

“Where is Jax taking you? Maybe if you knew that you could determine what sort of clothing to wear.”

“I’m not sure. As far as I know we’re going for a ride. Nowhere special.”

“Then I guess jeans and a leather jacket will do. You might want to wear a pair of gloves too to keep your hands warm.”

I was hoping to keep my hands warm by placing them inside Jax’s jacket but I wasn’t going to tell my mother that.

“Fine. Could you hunt out my skinny jeans, Ralph Lauren shirt and Leah’s leather jacket and bring them into the bathroom for me when you find them?”

“Of course, Sweetheart. You go on in and wash your hair. I can smell stale cigarette smoke on you from the party last night.”

“Really? I can’t smell it.”

“Trust me. It reeks.”

I’d smelt a little smoke last night but didn’t think that it would attach itself to me. As I walked into the bathroom, shutting the door and turning both faucets on, I pulled my hair under my nose and sniffed. It actually did smell of smoke as if I had been running through a burning fire all night. Huh. Something else I’d learned.

My favorite apple shampoo would fix it up. In fact, I would put it through twice just to be sure.

Once I was certain I didn’t stink any more, I reached for the towel that was always kept on the vanity and dried myself, excitement building at seeing Jax soon. Last night, he’d made me feel things I’d never felt. Not only emotionally but physically. I had actually kissed a guy with a tongue stud! What other piercings did he have and did I really want to know where they were? Oh Lord. I think I did.

Dressing in the clothes my mother had left on the other side of the vanity I made my way back into my room to search karound in my drawer for a pair of woolen socks that I could wear under my black boots.

My hair was going to be left down because I figured it would be less uncomfortable with a motorbike helmet on so I brushed it and then went into the lounge room to wait.

While I waited I called Leah on my cell and was put through to voicemail so I left a message.

“Hi Leah. I was just wondering if you got home, okay. And what is happening with your car? I hope Micah is going to get it back to you. Can you call me about picking up your clothes, which by the way, I tripped over this morning because you left them in a big pile in the middle of my bedroom! I’ll be out with Jax this morning and not sure about this afternoon but if you call me back we can organize something. Bye. Chat soon.”

Feeling a little antsy and nervous I rose off the couch and took fifteen steps into the kitchen. “Mom?”

“Yes, Sweetie.”

“Is the coffee ready?” I could smell the beautiful aroma and was hoping it was hot.

“Your father put it on a little while ago so it’s good to go. Here, sit down and I’ll pour you a cup.”

“Speaking of Dad, where is he?”

“He’s out back in the garden, tidying up. The grass needs mowing and the weeds sprayed so I think he’s spending the day outside before he has to leave again.”

“You should go out and join him. Spend as much time together as you can.”

“Don’t worry about me, Hols. You just go and enjoy yourself. I’m going to bake some choc-chip cookies and do some things inside. I might go out and join your father later.”

My coffee came and it was none too soon. I had only taken a few sips when a loud rumble rolled into the street. I knew Jax had arrived.

“You stay and finish your coffee, Honey. I’ll get the door.”

I knew Mom and Dad were eager to meet Jax and size him up for me. It peeved me quite a bit that they got to see him and I didn’t. I wondered what he really looked like. Each person saw different things in others so I knew that both my parents would look at him through different eyes. I would only truly know what he looked like with my own eyes. It was all a matter of individual perception. The idea of trying another corneal transplant was starting to flutter within my belly.

There was a loud knock before my mother got to the door. I listened intently to what was being said.

“Mrs. Jenkins?”

“Yes. You must be Jax. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

At least I didn’t have to worry about my mother being rude. She was nice to everyone, although if she didn’t like Jax, I would soon know about it when she got me alone.

“It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Please, come in. Holly’s just finishing her coffee in the kitchen. Would you like a cup?”

“No thank you. I’m good”

He was certainly being polite. Was he trying to make a good impression? Not that I didn’t think he was well-mannered. It’s just that he came across as a bad boy with attitude. Not a guy I thought I’d ever go for but I guess you can’t choose who your heart calls out to.

Was that what was happening? Was my heart calling out to him? After one seismic kiss? Or was Leah’s assumption correct and it was Chloe’s heart that recognized Jax? If so, how could I ever really be sure that they were my feelings? Could someone else’s heart force me to fall for their boyfriend?

Ugh. I was overthinking it again. I just wanted to ride on the open road, wild and free and enjoy the day.

Two pairs of feet stepped into the kitchen, causing me to look up. “Hey Holly.” Jax greeted me with a cheery cadence to his voice.

“Hi. I’m almost finished if you want to grab a seat.”
“Sure. Take your time. There’s no hurry.”

“In that case, let me go get your father.” Mom spoke to me before turning and walking out the back sliding door from the kitchen into the yard.

I felt a little embarrassed having Jax in my house after our hot tryst the night before so I focused on finishing my coffee.

“You…ah…you look nice.”

Nice? That was not a word I expected to come out of Jaxon Reynolds' mouth. Maybe he was trying to tone down his descriptive adjectives in case my parents overheard.

“Thank you. I decided to wear Leah’s jacket again. You know, for the bike ride.”

“Leather’s always a good choice for riding. It helps give you a bit more protection. Plus you look hot in it.”

Almost inhaling my last swig of coffee, I spluttered. Suddenly it was too hot inside and all I wanted to do was feel the cold sting of the wind, lashing my face through the helmet as we whizzed down a country road.

My father stepped in to the kitchen, walking up to Jax who scraped his chair back and stood.

“Nice to meet you, Son.”

“Like wise, Mr. Jenkins. I promise to take good care of Holly today and get her back to you safe and sound.”

“Well that’s decent of you to say. I appreciate it. Just make sure she’s home before dark.”

“You bet, Sir.” Jax turned his attention to me. “You ready to go, Holly?”

“Yep. All done.” I grabbed my backpack that had my usual stash in it and stood as my mother and father both came and hugged me goodbye. Mom whispered in my ear, “Holy smoke. He’s a hottie!”

I gasped, hoping he hadn’t heard. My mother had never said such a thing before! Hearing that out of her mouth, was just so wrong.

The sooner we left the better.

Shaking my head in disgust I let them lead me to the door before Jax took my hand as we waved goodbye to my parents.

His large fingers laced through mine as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do. His thumb rubbed the top of my hand in a gesture that let me know that we were still okay after our kiss. He obviously hadn’t backpedalled and had second thoughts. The soft stroking that stayed until we reached his bike was reassuring.

“You ready to ride, Angel?” I loved hearing the endearment that he’d started to call me. I made a mental note to ask him about it later.

“I’m so excited!” I raved. “Where are we going?”

“I thought we’d head out to Golden first. It’s just over twenty minutes away. It’s a cute town we can stop at for coffee. After that I say we just let the road and the wind take us wherever it wants to.”

He placed the helmet on my head again, making sure it was secure before I could hear him putting his own on.

“That sounds perfect. I haven’t been to Golden before.”

“Really? You have led a sheltered life. I’m going to take you to the Windy Saddle. It’s my favorite café in Golden. You’ll love their coffee.”

Excitement bubbled. This was the best thing to happen to me in so long, aside from receiving my new heart. We had the whole day at our feet. Free to do whatever and go wherever we wanted.

And I was getting to spend it with Jax. He genuinely sounded happy to have me as his passenger.

After being lifted up and onto the bike, he climbed on, kicked the stand away and fired her up.

The rumble of the engine vibrated through me as I wrapped myself around the muscly form in front of me, breathing in his aftershave, savoring this moment.

I was a little disappointed he’d zipped up his leather jacket but I could understand it. The morning was still freezing.

I locked my fingers together around his waist, letting sensation swim through me. My hearing was acutely honed in to the sounds around us as we pulled away from the curb; as well as my other senses. The throb of the bike underneath my private parts was stimulating me in ways that it shouldn’t. Sparks of erotic pulses were intensifying causing me to press down into Jax’s backside, my fingers unlatching to grip his jacket tightly. I wasn’t sure if he knew what I was doing but he seemed to angle his butt further towards me, a shudder reverberating over his back. The bike picked up its pace for a moment before slowing back down.

My body was betraying me. Letting me down in the most promiscuous of ways. Naughty images exploded in full color. Naked male anatomy. Touching. Kissing. Gripping. Hard yet soft. The throaty sounds of growls. Hips bucking. A clawing need, driven by the strange, new part of me that I couldn’t name. It’s power strengthening each time I was near this man who was currently wrapped within the confines of my arms.

My core was wet, marking me with the scent of arousal. All I wanted was to pull over and make him mine. To climb inside of him and hand over my heart. The one that he already owned. The one that he cherished even before it became mine. This clarity was unravelling with each inhale of his scent. Each sound of his voice and each bolt of lightning that zapped me when we touched. Chloe’s heart was his and as if it had its own memory, it had never forgotten. It still pined for the one who had claimed it and filled it with love. While it still beat in my chest it would continue to crave the piece of itself that was also in Jax. To fight to be whole again. It was a battle I knew I could never win. To battle the heart was to deprive oneself of true joy. To live life as only half a person.

The sound of the bike slowing and pulling in to a parking spot, jerked me back to myself. I’d been unaware of the passing landscape or the amount of time we’d been riding.

When we were still, Jax pried my fingers from his jacket while I sat there dumbly trying to process my epiphany.

My heart wasn’t my own and never would be. It belonged to the man who was removing first my helmet and then his own before brushing his fingers through my hair and then rubbing my temple softly.

My skin came to life in that one area, the rest of me cold and windblown.

“Would you mind telling me what you were doing?” His deep voice was coated in honey.

Suddenly embarrassed by my grinding pelvic maneuvers, I let my eyes fall. “I’m sorry. I was trying to get comfortable.”

“Not from where I was sitting. That was way more than a casual nudge or change of position. What were you doing?”

Was he really going to push me to say it? His hand came to grip my chin hard, lifting it. My eyes searched the shadow that was his head. My mouth opened to say something but the words died.

“I’m not moving until you answer. Tell me.” His shadow was moving closer and I hoped he would kiss me to get me out of speaking the words I couldn’t say.