They were a sweaty disheveled mass of arms and legs, twisted sheets, pillows flung to the floor when it was all over. Jax had never been so relaxed, so content, yet so aware of everything around him, especially everything that centered on Nikki. He could sense her heartbeat, her breathing, the flow of blood through her veins. All of it was intoxicating, a heady mixture that made him dizzy.
After a long time she snuggled against him, sighing deeply and he managed to pull the blanket over them. She was so quiet, her breathing slow and regular, that he thought she was asleep. When she spoke, it startled him.
“Do you still mean what you said? About falling in love with me?”
For the second time that night, her question took him by surprise. But for this question he had an answer.
“Of course I do.” He kissed her forehead, his fingers winding through her hair. “Why would you think I didn’t?”
She shifted uneasily in his arms. “Because no guy ever has…loved me after.”
Jax thought his heart would break at the sadness in her voice. He pulled her against him, cradling her body, kissing her forehead, her cheeks, finally resting his chin on her head as he held her.
“Nikki, I’m not one of those guys. When I give you all of me, it’s yours to keep for as long as you want me. Nothing will change that. Not with me.”
Her shoulders trembled and he realized she was crying. He gently pushed her back, looking into her face.
“I’m sorry, Nikki…I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
But she was shaking her head, her a smile playing about her lips. “It’s okay. It’s just an odd place for me to be in…these feelings that I have. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. It’s…it’s scary.” She sniffed, wiping her eyes on the sheet.
“I know it is. But you can trust me, Nikki. I promise…I’ll never hurt you.”
She was looking up at him, her eyes shining in the dim light from the hall.
“Do you believe me, Nikki?”
“I do. I believe you, Jax.” The tears spilled from her eyes.
Jax rose over her, holding her face in his hands, his eyes locked with hers.
“Good. Because I love you, Nikki. I can’t ask you to feel the same and that’s okay. But know that right now, and for as long as I live, I will love you.”