Shatter Me (The Jaded Series, #1) (25 page)

“Angel, what do you think it would do to me if anything happened to you?” He counters.

“Any of us in this town that have met you, Bailey, would be devastated if anything happened to you. Don’t underestimate us. We may be a small town but we hold our own and protect what we feel is ours. You’ve been Jaxon’s since you first asked about that job, and in a sense the whole towns.”

I look up at Mia and see determination in her eyes. She truly means what she says. When I bring my eyes back to Jaxon, he’s watching me with careful eyes.

Can I truly trust that they can help me without getting hurt? It’s a huge risk, but do I have a choice? If I want to stay here, and I most definitely do, then I have to chance it and hope that it’s not one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.

I nudge Jaxon a little with my knees. He leans back so I can drop them. Once my feet are on the floor, I scoot to the edge of the couch, which brings my legs to either side of his waist. I place both of my hands on his scruffy cheeks.

“Okay, Jaxon, I’ll stay,” I tell him and lean in for a brief kiss.

He wraps his arms around me bringing my body flush against his. I may have instigated the kiss, but it’s Jaxon that controls it. It’s gentle, but I know Jaxon is holding back for two reasons. One, he doesn’t want to frighten me, especially in light of what I just told him. And two, because we have an audience.

Even still, he runs his tongue across the seam of my mouth and waits for me to open for him. When I do his tongue barely grazes mine. I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him closer to me.

The kiss ends just as quickly as it started and I can’t help feeling disappointed. Jaxon finishes it by kissing the side of my mouth, my chin, the tip of my nose, and then finally my cheek right over my scar. After, he places his forehead against mine.

“You’re staying with me until this is over.” He says while looking in my eyes.

I don’t hesitate to agree with him because the thought of sleeping alone in the apartment terrifies me. It would be all too easy for Steven to get to me there. There’s no security system and the locks aren’t all that great either.

“Okay.”

I’ve taken him off guard by my easy acceptance. With my one-word reply, he pulls his head back. “Okay? That simple?”

I nod my head. “Yes, okay. I’m not stupid, Jaxon. I know I’ll be safer with you. The thought of him getting to me petrifies me. I’m not going to make it easy for him.”

“That’s my girl.” He smiles at me and when he does it lightens his face. I love that look on his face. It completely transforms him from the big, tough, intimidating man to a sweet and endearing man.

“Alright, let’s get you home. Work’s over for you tonight.” He backs away and gains his feet. Reaching down he takes my hand and pulls me up, putting his arm around my neck to bring me closer as soon as I’m standing.

Nick walks back into the office and his eyes zero in on Jaxon. “Nothing. No one’s seen a damn thing. He’s gone.”

Jaxon’s jaw goes ridged, but he nods his head.

Nick walks up to me and kisses my forehead. I feel Jaxon slightly stiffen beside me but when I look up to him, he looks relaxed. Nick’s words pull my attention back to him.

“Don’t worry about anything, Bailey. We’ll take care of him. He’s not getting to you again.” His words are sincere and they send a shiver down my spine. I know that these people will do almost anything for me. I just pray they stay safe in the process.

Nick steps back and Mia takes his place. I’m pulled from Jaxon’s arm when she reaches over and hugs me and says in my ear, “I know I haven’t been the friendliest person and I’m sorry.” She pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Please let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“Thank you.”

She smiles at me and I suck in a breath. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen her smile. She was beautiful before but when she smiles she’s utterly breathtaking.

Jaxon reclaims his place by draping his arm back around my neck. Kissing the side of my head he says, “You ready?”

I look at him and reply, “I just need to grab my purse from the bar and a few things from upstairs.”

“Okay, let’s go.” He walks me across his office and out to the bar, where I grab my purse. After gathering a few essential items from upstairs, he leads me out to his truck, where he deposits my bag in the back seat. Getting in and buckling up I watch Jaxon move to his side and get in. He looks over to me and grabs my hand.

“It’s going to be okay, Angel.”

I nod and turn my head forward to look out the windshield.

Please, God, let Jaxon be right.

––––––––

I
’m sitting on Jaxon’s huge king size bed with my phone in my lap. I’m about to call Chris. I hate to worry her, but she needs to know what’s going on, just in case. Jaxon is in the shower.

Jaxon’s house is a complete shock to me. It’s gorgeous but not what I expected. His three bedroom, two bath log cabin style home sits on ten acres of wooded land. When we first pulled up to the house, after driving for about fifteen minutes, the house that sat before me was nothing I would have pictured Jaxon living in.

The whole house has a wraparound porch with several comfortable looking padded chairs. I only noticed these because the porch light was on. Other than the porch light the house is surrounded in darkness. The outside of the house is made of dark wood.

When we first walked in and Jaxon flipped a switch to turn on the lights my amazement heightened. The first room we enter is a cozy living area that has two couches shaped into an L, with an end table between them. In front of them is a huge fireplace. An image pops into my head of Jaxon and I snuggling on the plush carpet sitting in front a roaring fire. Pillows are laid out and we’re laying there entwined with each other under a nice warm blanket.

The kitchen is of modest size with nice stainless steel appliances. The cabinets are a finished dark wood and the counters are a nice sapphire blue. There’s a small table on one side of the room and a sunken in pantry on the other side. Off from the kitchen there’s a decent size mudroom that houses the washer, dryer, utility sink, and a few other items.

The family room consists of another couch, a recliner, a coffee table, and an entertainment center that holds a big flat screen television. On either side of the television are two tall towers where a stereo, a DVD player, several stacks of DVD’s and CD’s, books, and several framed photos sit.

Down the hallway is one of the bathrooms, a spare room that has a single bed, a linen closet, the stairway that leads to the basement, and the master bedroom.

Jaxon’s bedroom is arguably the biggest room of the house. Even though his bed is massive it does even take up half the room. He has both a dresser and chest of drawers, end tables on both sides of the bed, a captain’s desk that holds a laptop, a recliner, and a chest at the end of the bed. The closet is walk in and is almost the size of my bedroom back at the apartment. The color theme of Jaxon’s bedroom is steel gray and dark blue. It matches him perfectly.

Bringing myself out of my thoughts of my brief tour of Jaxon’s house I look down at my phone. After swiping my finger until I find Chris’s number I hit the talk button. She picks up on the third ring.

“Hey, girl! How’re you doing?” I feel guilty at her excitement because I know that I’m about to squash it. The last several times I spoke with her we were both doing good. Our conversations were light and carefree. Yes, the lingering anxiety of my situation sat in the background but, overall, it almost felt like old times talking to her, before I met Steven.

“Steven found me, Chris.” My voice is low.

“Son of a bitch!” Chris explodes. “How do you know?”

“I received a phone call from him tonight and then I saw him in the bar. I passed out and by the time I came to he was gone. He says he’s coming for me.” I say and I start to feel the fear seeping back into my bones.

“What are you going to do? Obviously you can’t stay there any longer.”

“I can’t leave. I won’t leave. I met someone, Chris. Remember the guy that I told you about? The one I’m renting the apartment from and owns the bar? Well, we’re sort of seeing each other.” I feel a nervous flutter go through me when I tell Chris this. I know she’ll probably be upset that I haven’t told her. I normally tell her everything.

“What? Since when?” She asks. I can tell by her voice that she’s hurt.

“For the last several weeks. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted to, but I wasn’t sure myself what was going on between me and him.” I stand from the bed and start pacing the room. It feels really good to be able to finally tell her.

“Are you sure you’re ready for that, Bailey?” I expected this question and I’m immediately ready with an answer.

“No, I’m probably not but it feels right. He’s nothing like Steven. He’s one of the most gentle and kindest person I know. And his patience with me is remarkable. He’s known for a while something was off with me but he’s never pushed me to tell him. He’s sweet and caring but has a protective side to him. He makes me feel safe. For the first time in my life, Chris, I feel safe when I’m with a man. He makes me feel like nothing bad will ever touch me again.”

“Oh sweetie, I’m so happy for you. You deserve all that and so much more. Just please be careful, okay.” She tells me with a soft voice. I can tell she’s happy for me, even if still a little hesitant.

“I will. Anyway, when I blacked out tonight I had no choice but to tell him what was going on. I didn’t want to leave him without an explanation. When I told him, he became very upset. I’m going to be staying with him until this is all over.”

Chris is quiet for several seconds. I stop my pacing in front of the bathroom door and place my hand on the wood. I hear the shower running and I know Jaxon is on the other side. The thought gives me comfort.

“I’ve got a break from school coming up in a couple of weeks and I’m going to put in some time off at work...”

“Chris...” I start, but she talks over me.

“...I’m coming up there to see you.” She finishes.

“You don’t need to do that. I’m fine here.” I drop my hand from the door and go back to sitting on the bed.

“Well, I’m coming anyway. I need to see you and meet this guy you’re talking about. I need to see for myself that you’re okay.” There’s worry in her voice and it’s that tone that makes me back down. Chris has been my best friend for years and has helped me so much throughout those years. If she needs to come up here to help lesson some of her stress then so be it. I have to admit that the thought of seeing her again brings a smile to my face.

“Okay. Let me know when you’re coming. I can’t wait to see you again.”

A few minutes later we hang up. I hear the shower shut off and I get up to rummage through my bag to gather my night clothes. Jaxon opens the door a couple minutes later. I’m back to sitting on his bed. His hair is a wet mess, like he doesn’t even take the time to comb it, just uses his fingers as a brush. The look is boyishly cute.

He’s wearing a pair of dark gray sweat shorts that ride low on his trim hips and a white v-neck T-Shirt. I can see his tattoos peeking out of the top of his shirt. The ever present wristband that he usually wears is gone but, his eyebrow and gauges are still in place.

He walks right up to me so I have to spread my knees to allow him room. He tips my head back and swipes his thumb across my bottom lip.

“Are you okay?” He asks while looking deep into my eyes.

I give him a tiny smile. “Yes.”

He smiles at me in return. “Good.”

“I spoke with Chris. She’s going to drive up her in a couple of weeks. She’s worried about me.”

“Let her come. I want to meet and thank this person that’s helped you.”

Jaxon takes both of his hands and pushes the hair back from my face. His touch is light, but it causes my heart rate to speed up. For years, I’ve feared a person’s touch. Since being here in Jaded Hollow that fear has lessened significantly. Especially Jaxon’s touch. I cherish the times he touches me.

“I need to get in the shower,” I tell him breathlessly.

Jaxon runs his hands down my arms until he meets my hands. He gives me a tug until I’m standing before him. He brings my body up against his and wraps his arms around me. I lay my head against his chest and I hear his steady heartbeat. It’s a calming rhythm that I could definitely get used to hearing on a daily basis.

I feel Jaxon kiss the top of my head before he pulls back. “Go shower. I’ll be here when you get out.” He bends and places another kiss on my lips.

I reluctantly step back and turn to pick up my clothes. Once inside the bathroom I turn the water to blistering hot. Seeing Steven tonight reminded me of all the times I’ve felt dirty. I need a hot shower to scrub away the memories.

––––––––

W
hen I come out of the bathroom twenty minutes later, I find Jaxon already in bed. He has the covers pulled up to his waist and he’s no longer wearing his shirt. Just at the edge of the covers I can barely see the top of his sweat shorts.

On our drive over Jaxon informed me that I was sleeping in his bed with him. He told me that he would feel better knowing I was tucked into his side.