“I invited you into my territory for a meeting,” Ben growled. “Let’s get this done.” Ben turned on his heel and sauntered back toward his cabin. “Now, Grizzly,” he barked over his shoulder.
When Annalise looked up at his face, Jaxon was smiling like a green-eyed demon, but there was no humor in the curve of his lips. There was the promise of murder. And now she was starting to understand why the boys didn’t want him in their territory. Their rapport would always be like this—defensive and right on the verge of a bloodbath. The panthers were brawlers, but Jaxon’s animal was different. Jenny had been right about him being too big and dominant to stay in the territory, especially with the crew on unsteady ground.
The realization blasted pain, dark and deep, through her chest. As she watched Jaxon walk away with those graceful, powerful, inhuman strides of his, she inhaled deeply, forcing her lungs to expand to ease the ache behind her sternum.
It was in this moment she realized she couldn’t have both Red Havoc and Jax.
Hands shaking from how damn close Jax and Ben had come to clawing each other, she blinked hard and picked up the box off the ground, then watched Ben open the door to his cabin and disappear inside. Jaxon hesitated on the porch, then raised those fiery green eyes to hers. She couldn’t read his emotions because he’d closed down, but a strange possessiveness overtook her. Even monstrous, Jax was hers.
He dipped his gaze away and disappeared into Ben’s house. The firm click of the door closing was loud in the silence of the clearing. And she felt alone again.
This was her least favorite feeling. It had been her only companion for months, and she was ready to move on. Ready to connect with people and build herself up again. She was ready to get out of the ashes she’d been wallowing in and be the damn phoenix already.
Just to make herself feel better, she marked off number one on her short-term goals checklist.
1. See Jaxon again asap.
Juggling her notebook and the box, she shoved her door open and squatted down in the small living room where she didn’t exactly use her claws, but she did rip and pull at that tape until she could wrestle the lid open.
Inside was a huge stack of papers. On top of the stack was a cell phone with a gold glittery case with a skull on it. There were black jewels for the skull’s eyes. It was cute, and badass, and sparkly, and so her. With an emotional grin, she read the top page. He’d really done it. Jaxon had printed off all their text messages, starting from day one, when they’d found each other on that dating site and exchanged phone numbers. He’d highlighted a part of their first conversation in purple, her favorite color.
Jax: So, you’re telling me you’re a girly girl then? Deal-breaker.
Anna: Totally girly girl. In fact, if you saw me right now, you would be appalled by my girly-ness. Guess what I’m wearing? And don’t be gross about it. I’m not into dirty talk on a first text-date.
Jax: Okay, I’ve got this. You’re about to be so creeped out and think I’m hiding in your bushes, looking at you through the window.
Anna: Hey Creepy McCreeperson, less of that.
Jax: Lol, okay. Pink sparkly dress, hair done up like a sixties pin-up girl, matching pink high heels, bright red lipstick, matching bejeweled phone case and purse, and because I’m a dude, I have to say I’m also imagining matching pink panties. Please say they have sequins.
Anna: God. I already regret giving you my number.
Jax: No, you don’t. You like to play games. How close am I?
Anna: Well, I know you’re not in my bushes. I just giggled saying that last part. Sounds perverted. But no. You aren’t close at all. Black yoga pants, a white tank top with a mustard stain from the hot dog I ate for lunch, panties are comfy cottons in the color boring-beige, and I haven’t brushed my hair in two days. Are you running yet, Jax? #girlygirl
Jax: #dreamgirl
It had the times printed with the messages. It had taken Annalise three minutes to respond because he’d surprised her. She’d expected him to be turned off and leave the conversation. In a way, she’d been testing him.
Anna: Really?
Jax: I’m relieved. I told you…deal breaker. I’m not really into girls who sparkle. Was I at least close on the phone case?
Anna: Nope. I don’t even have a cute case. My phone is just black. Dream phone case would have a cute skull on it, though. I saw one once in a store. It was expensive so I didn’t get it, but I still think it’s the cutest one I’ve ever seen. I like sugar skulls.
Annalise set the page down and ran her finger along the edge of the jewels on the phone Jax had gifted her. He’d remembered a conversation from four months ago. He’d bought her a new phone and a dream case. He didn’t seem like the type of man to give gifts easily, but he’d seen her need for a phone and filled it. And he’d done it in such a meaningful way. And then he’d listened to her last night when she’d expressed her regret over losing their text conversations and he’d printed it out.
Under that top page was a title page. The words were short and sweet.
Favorite Story
By: Anna and Jax
“Oh my gosh,” she crooned, pulling out the huge manuscript from the box.
This was her favorite present ever. He’d gifted her endless highs when she needed an escape from the hard stuff. She could pull out any page from these hundreds and be instantly transported to the moment they were having that conversation and how she felt—which with Jax, was always happy. Or as happy as she could be at the time.
Out loud, she admitted softly, “Aww, I like him.”
The vision of his glowing green eyes flashed across her memory, but she didn’t care. Because inside of this giant of a man, this dangerous man, this Titan Bad Bear, he cared, and he was sweet. Maybe the outside world couldn’t see that part of him, but she did.
And lucky her that he had shown her this hidden piece of himself.
Chapter Eight
Annalise sat on the floor surrounded by pages of Favorite Story. She’d been devouring their old conversations for the past half hour.
There was a soft knock at the door. Hopeful, she stood and jogged over the scuffed wooden floors to answer it. Jaxon stood on the ground, right near the first porch stair, his hand on the back of his neck, chin lowered, with a look of such uncertainty in his lightened eyes.
“The present,” she started, struggling for the words that would do her gratefulness justice. “Jax, that was everything.”
Must’ve been good enough because his lips curved up in a stunning smile. Just a flash before it faded and he said, “Can I come in,” in that gruff voice that said Titan was still close to the surface.
“Just so you know, my dirty mind wants to turn that perverted.”
“Can I come in your house, and in you?” he said with a bad-boy grin.
“You were always good at playing.”
The smile faded, and he leaned against the railing, staring toward the other cabins. “You needed the play. I could tell.”