“What are we going to watch?”
“I don’t care. Pick whatever you want.”
She scrolls for a bit before deciding we’ll just watch the TV show, White Collar, from the beginning. It feels good to be lazy like this with her. It makes me wonder how it was possible for us to get so far from this place to start with, but I push those thoughts away. We’re starting over. With each passing episode, I realize more and more exactly how long it’s been since I’ve touched or kissed my wife. We manage to stay in front of the TV until I hear Avery’s stomach growling.
A nervous, soft laugh escapes her as if she’s embarrassed. It makes me want to laugh, but I don’t. Avery pauses at the start of a new episode.
“So, I’m hungry.” She smiles.
I laugh. “Let’s see what’s in the kitchen then.”
“I need to go grocery shopping really soon,’’ she says as we enter the kitchen and she goes to open the fridge.
“I could go with you,” I offer.
She glances over her shoulder with surprise. “Sure, if you want. Sandwiches sound okay? There might be some chips in the pantry.”
“Sounds good, I’ll check.” I grab a bag and toss it onto the counter. Facing Avery, I watch her movements. My eyes travel from her shoulders, down her back, over her ass, and all the way down her legs. I’ve stepped toward her before I really realize it. “Avery?”
“Yeah, Jax?” she replies without looking at me. When I don’t reply, she turns around, curiously. That smile I love so much is faintly playing with her lips.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Because I’m making you a sandwich?” she laughs.
I chuckle, but shake my head. I come closer to her and see her breath catch. “No, I just meant you.” Another step and I cup her cheek with my free hand. She relaxes into it, briefly closing her eyes, long enough for me to close the gap between us.
The kiss is soft at first, but then Avery’s fingers grip my left arm and I press my lips to hers harder. She moans as I part her lips with my tongue. Damn, it’s been way too long since I heard that sound. Avery’s grip tightens when I push against her, my hand sliding down to the back of her neck. Her jeans rub against me. I groan at the friction, instantly tempted to inch things further.
Instead, I kiss her good one more time and, with much reluctance and strength, pull away.
Chapter Eighteen
Avery
Damn Jax and his great kissing skills. I groan in frustration as I clean up from the lunch we had. I walk into the living room and I can tell that he’s still in pain. I know that he didn’t take any pain pills today. I grab one for him and a bottle of water.
“Take this and go lay down.”
I’m ready to fight him because I know he’s going to protest, but surprisingly, he doesn’t. He takes the pill, kisses me once more, and heads to the bedroom. His arm must be killing him to do so without complaint.
While he is upstairs, I make a quick list of what we need from the grocery store. It’s obvious that Jax hadn’t been to the store at all since I left. I go to the bedroom to check on Jax, and he’s out like a light. I jot a quick note, letting him know I’m heading to the store.
After a couple hours at the store getting everything that we need, I head back to the house. I check on Jax, who’s still asleep, and then I put everything away. I think about Jax and the fact that the roles have reversed. Now, he’s fighting for our marriage, and I’m the one pushing away.
Why?
Isn’t he what I want?
The truth is he’s the only one I want. There’s no one else but Jax.
A smile appears on my face thinking about our fourth date. It’s the one where I told him I loved him, and the first time we had sex. The only way to describe that night is magical. If I could have dreamt up a perfect date, it was that one.
The problem is, now, it’s the hardest one to recreate. I push the thought out of my mind and figure out what I’m going to make for dinner. I lay everything out and I figure I should check on Jax. He should be waking soon. I grab the one thing from the bag that I know my help him and go to his bedroom.
Our bedroom.
I shake my head.