Stripped Bare (7 page)

“In his professional life, Jax Monroe is warm and charming,” she continues. “He’s also manipulative and arrogant. That’s how the game is played in the corporate world, and he’s good at it. In his personal life, he’s not much different. Money talks in both worlds, and that’s how Jax has lived his life. He’s not a bad person. We come from a strong, loving family with great parents. There are no demons to speak of, except that he’s closed himself off emotionally for a long time. That is, until you came along.”

She’s his sister, and his therapist, so I’m sure she knows how we met. I’m not embarrassed, but I do wonder what she thinks of me. It doesn’t matter, really, but I’m curious.

So I ask.

“I think you are amazing, Tesla. If for no other reason than because of the powerful effect you’ve had on my brother in such a short period of time. I don’t want to say too much about how he feels, but surely you realize he cares for you.”

I stare at my hands. “I care for him, too. I’m just not sure I can deal with this level of protectiveness. I can’t worry that every time a guy looks at me that Jax is going to fly into a blind rage.”

“I understand that. And, I think, in time, he’ll find a balance. This is just new for him, Tesla. Feeling
anything
is so foreign to him. But I am sorry you had to see his temper last night. The man’s going to be okay, though. They stitched him up at the hospital and sent him on his way.”

“I’m glad.”

We sit quietly for a few minutes until she finally stands up.

“You look tired. I should let you rest.”

I thank her for coming and follow her to the door. She turns and gives me a soft smile.

“As a sister, can I just say one more thing?”

“Of course.”

Tara takes a deep breath. “He’s so worried about you. He knows he frightened you. He knows he fucked up last night, and he’s afraid you’ll never want to speak to him again. I’ve . . . I’ve never seen my brother afraid. Ever.”

Her voice breaks, and I blink back my tears.

“Tell him . . . tell him I’m okay and that I miss him. And tell him I’ll call him when I’m ready to talk.”

She smiles and reaches for me, hugging me close.

Then she’s gone.

“Mr. Monroe? We’re here, sir.”

I know we’re here, but for some reason, I can’t make my hands reach for the door. I hear Tara’s voice in my head, reminding me not to assume the negative. After all, at least she called. At least she’s agreed to meet with me. Surely she wouldn’t have invited me
here
, to our lighted gazebo in the park, if she was going to tell me to go to hell.

Right?

My driver, deciding I must need help, exits the car and walks around to my door.

Stop being a pussy, Monroe.

“Thanks, Gus,” I say as I step out into the fresh air.

“Of course. You’ll text when you’re ready, sir?”

“You . . . uh . . . might want to stay close by. This could be quick.”

“Yes, sir,” he replies with a nod. Just as I’m about to walk away, my driver surprises me. “Mr. Monroe, I know my opinion doesn’t matter, but I want you to know that I can’t blame you for beating the shit out of that guy. I would have done the same thing for my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend.

I haven’t had a girlfriend since college. That’s not to say I’ve been a monk. Nothing would be further from the truth. But those women were just . . . women. They weren’t dates. They weren’t anything, and they understood that. No promises were made. No feelings were hurt. No strings and no commitments.

Suddenly, I want the strings.

And the girl who holds mine is waiting for me at our gazebo.

I walk the path slowly. I’m hesitant. I’m anxious. I’m desperate. So fucking desperate to see her. Three days is too long. Much too long. And if she forgives me, I’m making it my life’s mission to never spend another day without her.

I reach the gazebo, and I lift my eyes. Tesla’s sitting on top of our table, looking out across the park. My eyes ghost along her profile, and I notice she’s biting her lip.

She’s nervous, too.

I continue to stare until she finally turns her head in my direction. Our eyes lock, and she offers me a soft smile.

It’s all the encouragement I need.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” she replies. She looks a little pale and very tired, but I’ve still never seen anything so beautiful. “Thanks for meeting me.”

“Thanks for calling me.”

I climb on top of the picnic table, careful not to touch her. I have no idea how she feels or what she’s thinking, and I don’t want to push my luck.

“How are you, Tesla?”

She’s quiet for a long time until she finally replies, “I’m miserable.”

It’s all I can do not to reach for her. It’s painful, having this much distance between us when she’s so close.

“I’m sorry.”

Tesla’s gaze finds mine. “Are you really?”

Her tone isn’t accusing. She genuinely wants to know if I’m sorry for kicking that guy’s ass. I knew she’d ask, because that’s how she is. Straight-forward and constantly calling me on my bullshit.

“I’m sorry that I scared you. I’m sorry that you had to see it. I’m sorry that you lost your job because of me. But no, I’m not sorry for what I did. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

She doesn’t seem surprised by my answer.

“Will it always be like that? Any time a guy gives me an ounce of attention, you’ll kick his ass, too?”

If he touches you, yes.

I don’t say it aloud. I’m not a complete idiot.

I don’t have to say it. She knows.

“Everything about us is so intense,” Tesla says quietly. “The way we look at each other. The way we touch. The way we kiss. The way you make me feel—”

“How do I make you feel?”

She turns her head and looks me right in the eye. She’s brave. So independent and strong.

“Like I’m all that matters.”

“You are all that matters.”

I take the chance and lift my hand, gently drifting it across her cheek. She doesn’t flinch or try to move away.

“You are,” I whisper, and her eyes dart to my lips. I lick my own in anticipation before tenderly kissing the corner of her mouth. She sighs, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve never heard.

“Please don’t be afraid, Tesla.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

I let my lips linger on her cheek, and my entire body trembles with the effort of not covering her entire mouth with mine.

“What are you afraid of?”

I close my eyes when her hand cups my face.

“Jax, I can’t live like this. I can’t worry that some random guy at the supermarket is going to get the shit beat out of him because he dares to ask for my number.”

“Does that happen a lot?”

“It happens,” she replies. “I don’t need another father. I have one. One is plenty.”

“Tesla, I’m always going to protect you—”

“And that’s fine, if I need protecting. I didn’t need protecting with that guy at the club. Do you really think he’s the first guy to ever break the rules? He only touched my thigh, and I warned him. He didn’t let go, and I was just getting ready to kick him out when you showed up. You completely overreacted, and I’m just not sure I can deal with this level of intensity when it comes to my security. I’ll suffocate.”

She closes her eyes, and I can feel her slipping through my fingers.

I can’t let that happen.

I’ll
suffocate.

So I take a deep breath.

“I can’t lose you. I love you.”

I’ve never said those words before. Only to Tara, and probably my parents when I was a kid. But never to a woman.

But I mean them.

I mean them.

“Please say you believe me.”

Tesla gently caresses my face. “I do believe you, but I need you to do more than tell me. I need you to show me.”

I instantly think of the sky blue building, but I know that’s not what she means.

“I’ll show you. If you’ll let me.”

She smiles and leans close, brushing her lips across my cheek.

“I love you, too,” she whispers against my ear.

“Close your eyes, Tesla.”

“The car hasn’t even stopped.”

Jax sighs loudly, and I give in, because he’s just too excited.

I’m excited, too.

The past month has been full of little surprises, just like this one. He’s taken my challenge quite seriously, and every day he
shows me
how much he loves me.

At first, it had been a struggle. While thoughtful and sweet, the daily delivery of roses and the reservations at fancy restaurants wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind. Jax got the hint pretty quickly—with a little help from his sister—and he’d found inexpensive ways to show me how much he cared. The gazebo had become our favorite place in the city, and when the weather was nice, that’s where we’d have lunch. He was also working with a personal trainer at the gym, and the exercise was really helping him to work off steam and keep his temper in check.

Of course, his desire to take care of me had led to one big argument, and that was when he’d offered me a job with his company. I was stubborn and refused his help, which pissed him off since he felt responsible for my unemployment. Instead, I began teaching dance to five and six year olds at the local youth club downtown. Dance teachers are still woefully underpaid, but it’s a job, and I enjoy it.

The month has been a struggle in other ways, too. Jax and I are finding it increasingly difficult to keep our hands to ourselves. Our kisses are sweet and tender, and while I appreciate the fact that he’s holding himself back, I’m ready to move forward.

I have a plan.

“Why are you smiling like that?” he asks.

“I was just thinking about surprises,” I tell him, careful to keep my eyes closed as Gus drives us through the city traffic.

Jax squeezes my hand. “I like surprising you.”

“I like surprising you, too.”

“Hmm. Are you keeping secrets from me?” His finger slides against my wrist, and the thrill of his touch is like a jolt of electricity through my veins.

“Y . . . yes.”

“Is it a good secret?”

“I think it’s a fantastic secret.”

He lifts my hand, pressing gentle kisses along my wrist, and I shiver.

“Cold?”

“No.”

My body trembles when his tongue teases my fingertip, and I’m grateful my eyes are still closed. The visual stimulation of seeing his tongue against my skin would cause me to climb into his lap, and that would totally ruin my surprise for later.

“Jax . . .”

It’s a plea. To stop. To not stop. To never stop.

No wonder guys think women are confusing, because we totally are.

“I’ll be good,” he says.

Damn it.

“Besides, we’re here. Keep your eyes closed, please?”

I nod, and I feel him move away from me. I hear a door open and close, and I know I’m alone.

Well, except for the driver.

“Gus?”

“Yes, Miss Jones?”

“How bad is it?”

“Excuse me?”

“The surprise. I just have a feeling it’s . . . a big one. I want to be prepared.”

Gus laughs. “I’m not sure you could prepare yourself, Miss Jones. It’s pretty epic.”

I sigh. “I was afraid of that.”

“Don’t be afraid. He’s very generous. It takes some getting used to, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“I understand. Last year, my wife was diagnosed with cancer.”

“Oh, Gus . . . ”

“It’s okay. We caught it early, but the doctor still recommended chemo, just to be sure. Mr. Monroe found us the best cancer specialist on the east coast and paid for every treatment, every prescription, and every doctor bill. It was very hard for me to accept his help, and if it’d been for me, I probably wouldn’t have. But it was for my wife. I love my wife.”

I’m close to tears. “Of course you do.”

“He’s a good man, Miss Jones. Don’t ever doubt that.”

Suddenly, my door opens.

“Are you read . . . Tesla, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

I must have been closer to tears than I thought.

“I’m fine,” I reply, wiping away my tears. “Can I open my eyes?”

“Not yet. Give me your hand.”