“She’s tired,” I say, watching while she studies me.
“Me too,” she says in a whisper, pulling my hand from the arm of the couch and wrapping it around her waist. She then tucks herself into a ball against my chest while her tiny fingers play with mine for a moment until they still. Tipping my chin downward, I find her asleep as well.
At a loss, I kiss the top of her head, letting my lips rest against her hair as I pull in a breath then let it out slowly as I feel my chest crack open, as if they just ripped my heart out and split it amongst themselves. Listening to them breathe, I close my eyes, holding each of them a little tighter, understanding exactly what my mom meant. I would protect these girls with my life. I would die for them. And I will never let anyone take them from me.
Sliding out from under Ellie, I carefully adjust her until she’s lying down as I hold Hope against my chest.
“Ax?”
“Shhhh, sweetheart, I’m going to tuck you back into bed,” I tell her gently, carrying her up the stairs. Opening her door, I lay her on the bed, tuck the covers up around her, and then kiss her hair again before moving to the door and closing it halfway.
Going back downstairs, I pick up a still sleeping Ellie from the couch and carry her up to her room.
“Jax?” she whispers, clinging to me.
“I’m putting you in bed, baby,” I tell her, kissing her forehead as I use my shoulder to open her door. Carrying her across the dark room, I lay her down on the bed, wanting so badly to follow and climb in behind her. Instead, I whisper, “Slow,” against her ear when her arms tighten around my neck letting me know she wants the same thing.
Kissing her once more, I pull her arms from me and move to the door before I can’t force myself to leave.
“’Night, Jax.”
Looking over my shoulder at my beautiful woman, I whisper back, “’Night, baby,” closing the door halfway behind me.
It’s going to be a test of my willpower having Ellie down the hall from me, especially having seen the way she goes wild once I touch her. Going to my room, I leave the door open, that way I can hear if I’m needed, and then strip down to my boxers and get into bed.
Walking into the kitchen the next morning, I’m glad to see Ellie alone, and am surprised my sister didn’t stay when she came to pick up Hope.
Grinding my teeth. I know men have to hit on Ellie all the time. Fuck, if she was on the opposite side of the street from me, I’d walk to the other side and see if I could get her number. Today, her hair is down in big waves. Her long-sleeved black shirt is tight, with a scoop-neck, making her breasts look even fuller. The jeans she has on are ripped and baggy, with the bottom cuffed, showing off a pair of black boots with high chunky heels that make her ass look phenomenal and her legs look long.
“Morning, baby,” I greet her, placing a kiss on her neck as I lift my arm over her head to reach for a coffee cup.
“Morning.” She smiles then her head ducks away, but I still catch the blush that has risen on her cheeks.
“We need to talk about something,” I tell her, watching her face pale.
“What?”
“Here, up you go,” I say, placing her on the counter then pushing her legs open so I can stand between them.
“Jax, what is it?”
“Your mom was arrested yesterday,” I explain, watching as her bottom lip goes between her teeth. “My uncle will be calling you today, explaining to you what is going on and when or if you will need to be in court.”
“I have to see her?” she whispers worriedly.
“Most likely.” I nod, rubbing her thighs.
“My mom is—”
“Your mom has nothing to do with your life now,” I say, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “And I’m here with you. You’re not alone.”
“I’m not, am I?” she asks softly, studying me as her fingers move along my jaw then over my bottom lip.