Chapter 17

HAYLEY

Today’s the day I’m meeting some of the pack members. Jax suggested I start with the Rose Club.

The Rose Club is a group of female wolves who meet weekly to chat about life. It’s not mandatory, but they enjoy catching up, according to Jax.

Axton’s coming with me, but he’s not supposed to listen in. Knowing him, he will. He just can’t share anything he hears because he’s not a female.

It’s been a few days since I spilled everything to Lily and I feel lighter. My mood’s been a rollercoaster, though.

I’ve had my breakthrough, but I still have moments when I just want to curl up and cry. But I’m hanging in there. I’m taking it one day at a time.

My thoughts wander to Jax and I can’t help but smile. Just thinking his name fills me with happiness.

We’re doing well and I’m comfortable with him. I’m just not ready to let him go.

The thought of letting him go is like a punch to the gut. My breath quickens and my heart pounds in my chest.

If I tell him everything, he won’t want me anymore.

So, I’m going to keep my secrets close (Axton taught me that phrase) until I’m ready to let him go. But I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to let him go.

He’s my world. My soul. My everything.

A gentle touch on my cheek interrupts my thoughts. I keep my eyes closed, recognizing the tingles. No need to panic. I feel a smile tug at my lips.

The bed shifts and I feel his breath on my face. My body comes alive, hyper-aware of his touch.

His fingers trace a soft path from my cheek to my jawline, then to my chin, and finally to my lips. His thumb brushes my bottom lip, stealing my breath.

He leans in and his breath tickles my ear. I’m consumed by a wave of bliss.

“Hayley,” he whispers in his husky morning voice. It’s incredibly sexy.

I murmur, unable to form words. His hand slides up my bare thigh, under my T-shirt, until it rests on my waist.

He leans in even closer and says, “You have drool running down your chin.” He pulls away, laughing like a maniac, and I open my eyes to glare at him.

I smack his arm and sit up, pouting.

I turn my back to him, pull my knees to my chest, and bury my head between my legs.

Jax is still behind me, laughing his head off while I pretend to cry. I’m a little embarrassed about the drooling, but I’ll feel better once I get my revenge.

After a few moments, Jax realizes I’m crying.

He immediately stops laughing and sits up. He wraps his arms and legs around me, pulling me into him so I’m sitting between his legs.

He rests his head on my shoulder and nuzzles the base of my neck. His thumb rubs the bottom of my ribcage as he pulls me closer.

“I was just teasing, baby. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he whispers, inhaling my scent deeply.

My revenge plan flies out of my head. All I can think about is his hands, his warmth, his body, his scent.

Just him.

My breath catches and my heart pounds in my chest. His lips brush the sensitive skin on my shoulder. He trails delicate kisses up to my neck. He pauses.

I snap back to reality.

I’m supposed to be giving him a taste of his own medicine, and I’m failing miserably.

Quickly, I turn around in his arms and push him back onto the bed. He’s caught off guard, so I seize the opportunity. I start tickling him like crazy, laughing loudly.

What I didn’t expect was for him to look at me blankly and say, “Babe, did you really think I’d be ticklish?”

I sit back, annoyed that my plan didn’t work. His fingers start to brush my hips and I realize what position I’m in.

I’m straddling Jax.

I push past my comfort zone and lean down to give him a quick peck on his soft lips.

I blush furiously and quickly hop off Jax, sitting at the end of the bed with my back to him.

I hear laughter behind me, and I shake my head, joining in.

I mumble, “I’m gonna take a shower,” and then hurry off to the bathroom.

***

Part of my morning routine is having breakfast with Jax. We start and end every day together with breakfast and dinner.

Jax usually skips lunch because he’s so busy with the pack. I keep telling him he needs to eat, but he never listens.

Jax hands me a slice of toast and I smile gratefully at him. He winks back at me, and if I wasn’t already sitting, my knees would buckle.

“Axton will be here at nine, as usual. I’d love to be there with you, baby, to support you, but I’ve been postponing this meeting for weeks. I’m sorry, baby.” He leans over and kisses my temple.

“It’s okay.” I pause. “I need to do this…on my own,” I say proudly. He beams at me.

Being able to talk with Jax has been so refreshing. It feels as natural as breathing.

I’m not the best at forming sentences, but I’m proud of my progress.

It’s also improved my relationship with Jax. We can get to know each other on a deeper level.

We fall into a comfortable silence as we eat our breakfast.

A loud, persistent knock echoes through the building. Jax rolls his eyes and mumbles between bites, “Axton’s here.”

He slides off the stool and heads to welcome Axton. A wave of anxiety washes over me, and I toy with the idea of slipping out the back door. The mere thought of meeting new people sends a shiver of fear down my spine.

But before I can make up my mind, the two of them are already stepping into the kitchen…