“And that kind of talk won’t get you invited to dinner,” Caroline snapped at him when she brushed past them, head held high to see what the noise was.
All three men watched her walk away, three pairs of eyes on her ass. Hunter took off after her. “Looks like I need to correct the pretty lady on the kid remark.” His eyes remained fixed on the sway of her hips.
Jax grabbed him by the shirt tossing him back. “If you want to live, you’ll shut the fuck up.”
Hunter growled at him, but backed off at the look Jax tossed his way.
“You got a death wish?” Blaze stopped Hunter from following Jax. “Back off before I send you packing.”
Jax heard every word spoken behind him, but ignored it as he followed Caroline into... He glanced at the sad little building and had a hard time calling it a house. He stopped just inside the door spotting Caroline staring up at the huge hole in her ceiling.
“Crap,” Caroline cursed, staring up at the hole with her hands on her hips.
“Don’t stand there,” Jax ordered, expecting more danger to head her way.
Caroline turned to give him an evil frown. “This is your fault.”
“My fault?” Jax glared back at her. “If this is the way you say thank you for saving you, you suck at it.”
That stumped her for a second as she bit her lip. He could actually see her mind working. “Well, I wouldn’t have needed saving if you wouldn’t have made me mad.”
“Ah, I see.” Jax shook his head and folded his arms. This woman drove him absolutely insane and he wanted nothing more at that moment than to taste those frowning lips again. “So because I showed concern for your safety, you got mad and stomped on a disintegrating roof.”
“What do you want, Jax?” Caroline quickly looked away from him and started cleaning up the mess in the middle of her kitchen floor. “I’m obviously busy and the roof guy is going to be here any minute. If you’re here to tell me not to bother you anymore, well, I haven’t been. I’m sorry I sent those two texts after you said to stay away...lesson learned.”
Jax watched her, but kept a close eye on the ceiling above her head, ready for action if more boards and plaster decided to fall.
“And you didn’t need to bring your buddies with you.” She huffed picking up a large board and staggered as she moved it out of her way. “I got the hint.”
Walking over, he nudged her out of the way grabbing the heavy boards before turning around to face her. “What in the hell are you talking about?” He glared down at her.
“Do you need your hearing checked?” Caroline ushered him out of her way continuing to clean up. “I thought vampires had excellent hearing.”
“I heard you perfectly.” Jax growled as he looked up to check the safety, but it didn’t look safe at all. “I just don’t understand what your problem is.”
“No problem, Jax. Just tell me what you want.” Caroline tossed a large piece of plaster which landed directly on his foot. “Sorry.” She muttered in a tone that clearly said she wasn’t sorry at all.
Hurt crossed her face before she turned away twisting his gut. Dammit, he sucked when it came to women. He never said the right thing and more times than not, he ended up slapped or cursed. Frowning down at his plaster-covered shoes and pants, he sighed. “I am still trying to find Mika and need to know if you’ve talked to my sister.”
With her back turned toward him, her shoulders stiffened. It was a minute before she answered.
“No, I haven’t,” she replied, her face blank of any emotion. “Is that all?”
Fuck no, that wasn’t all, he wanted to shout, but didn’t. He was trying to keep her safe, but she was too stubborn to see that. His brother would stop at nothing to harm anyone associated with him. Before he could say anything, Blaze stuck his head inside the front door.
“Some guy just pulled in.” Blaze glanced up at the ceiling. “Damn.”
Caroline walked past Jax without looking at him, straight past Blaze and out the door.
Jax started after her, but stopped when he spotted a sleeping bag in the corner of the room. Blaze followed his gaze.
“She cannot be sleeping in this place.” Blaze frowned at the sleeping bag complete with pillow and a lantern.
“Son of a bitch.” Jax headed toward the door, but his eyes stayed on her little sleeping place. She was crazy.
******
Taking a deep breath as she stepped outside, Caroline tried to calm herself down. Damn that man to hell. Why did she fall for the assholes? Every single freaking time. ’Cause you’re stupid, that’s why.
“Ms. Fitzpatrick?” a male voice interrupted her thoughts.
Caroline looked up to see an attractive man heading toward her, his smile friendly. He was well built, a little short for her liking... What in the hell was she doing? Was she that damn desperate that any good-looking guy smiling at her was a potential date to take her mind off the vampire whose kiss she couldn’t forget?