Page 40 of Furious
“How long do you need to recover from this?” He loved being alone with Jax, just talking, and he wanted more. “Aside from the oxytocin, I would like to see you again outside of this hall.”
This time, Jax flushed, and Tristan couldn’t help but admire the pink that bloomed along those angular cheekbones.
“Three days at most.” Jax tugged on Tristan’s hand, pulling him in and pressing their lips together in a soft kiss. One turned into many, and Tristan’s whole world narrowed down to the plush softness of Jax’s lips and the warm wetness of his mouth. But before he could lose himself in those kisses, Jax pulled back, and Tristan could only stare. With his white hair, blown pupils, and rosy cheeks, Jax seemed even more otherworldly, making Tristan’s heart do a triple flip. “And I’d love to go on another date with you.”
11
JAX
“Youhavetostopsending me pictures. I was in line at the post office when I opened the last one,” Tristan hissed in a low voice as he caught up to Jax in The Pointe’s kitchen.
“Did the people behind you get an eyeful?” Jax winked, giving Winter a grin as they passed by, giggling. After Dylan’s chocolate bar had left Jax languid, he’d managed to get into his car and have Finn drive him home. He’d woken up still high as hell the next day and had sat back to enjoy it, allowing his body to rest and trying not to feel too mortified about what had happened.
On the first night, Tristan had sent pastries from Vice and Virtue, along with a get-well balloon, and they’d texted and even video-chatted the following two nights, which had Jax practically vibrating with happiness.
While Tristan had taken up space in Jax’s brain since physical therapy, he’d recently gained a lot more territory. Now, Jax constantly wondered what Tristan was doing, how he was feeling, and if the guests were treating him well. They’d even gotten to the point of texting quick good mornings, good nights, and work gossip, including an ongoing analysis of Marci’s scary abilities.
Plus, Jax sent many more suggestive photos. This morning, he’d let his hair fall flat, angling his body in a patch of sunlight and taking a few artistic nudes, which he’d quickly sent to Tristan.
“No, because I almost dropped my phone.” Apparently, Tristan hadn’t learned to check texts from Jax in private.
Jax wanted to kiss Tristan’s frowning lips, but he held back. Even thougheveryone knew about them, the news was still fresh, and he didn’t want to fan the flames. He just needed to hold out until something else caught their attention.
“I’m sorry,” Jax grinned, knowing that he didn’t sound sorry at all. “By the way? I need to thank you for the lift. How about I cash in on that second date and cook dinner for you at your place?”
Jax knew that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, and he wanted to make a banging meal that would end in banging. Technically, hewastaking it slow because he’d wanted to climb Tristan from the moment he’d seen him in the doctor’s office, and that was months ago.
But he couldn’t wait any longer. He felt drawn to Tristan in ways he couldn’t explain, because there weren’t words for how his pulse raced every time those sandy-brown eyes looked his way, how Tristan’s calm radiated into him, and how being beside Tristan felt like home.
Tristan’s frown vanished, replaced by a charming smile. “You don’t have to thank me, but I’d like that very much.”
“Do you have any allergies or foods you hate?” Jax had a menu in mind but Tristan’s answer could change it.
“Nope.” Tristan’s smile shifted to self-deprecating. “During my thru, I used to eat instant noodles straight out of the package, no water. I’m sure I’ll love whatever you make.”
Jax made a face. “Wasn’t that gross?”
“Very.” Tristan chuckled in that endearing way, and Jax quickly looked around, stood on his toes, and kissed him on the cheek.
“What was that for?” Tristan asked, putting his hand over the spot as if it were precious.
“No reason,” Jax smirked as Angelo came over, giving them a friendly nod.
“Hello, guys! Jax, I have some news for you. There was a scheduling issue, and Carson’s time off and mine overlap next month. That usually doesn’t happen, but his wife is due the same day that my sister is getting her PhD.”
“Tell your sister I said congratulations. Who will be running things while you’re away?” He had a sneaking suspicion what Angelo’s answer would be, and his heart began to pound.
“You, of course.” Angelo’s grin was infectious, and Jax found himself mirroring it even though he was sweating. “I’ve been watching, and you weren’t kidding, you know how to keep a kitchen running, smoothing the road before it gets bumpy. That’s not something that can be taught, and you’ve honed it like one of your knives.”
“Thank you.” Jax tried to sound confident and professional even though his stomach was in knots; however, some of that was excitement. Angelo had been impressed, and his chronic pain hadn’t affected his trajectory in this kitchen at all; in fact, he’d been given an incredible opportunity.
He just hoped that his body held up.
“I’ll be gone for three days, Friday to Sunday, and there’s a full house each day.” Angelo gave him the same kind of stare from the gallery interview, the one that told Jax he was being assessed. “You ready for that?”
Jax quickly glanced at Tristan, whose mouth sat open, his gaze full of proud surprise, and it bolstered Jax’s confidence.
“I was born ready.” Jax allowed himself to lean on the excitement, showing it in his smile. “I appreciate this, Angelo. I won’t let you down.”
