Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

“Clearly not. They don’t come over to my side of the house. At least not since I was a teen and they caught me jacking off.”

As much as I want to ask a follow-up question to that story, I need to focus. “We can’t do this in your parents’ house.”

“I prefer words of affirmation. Like ‘Oh God, we can do this, especially in your parents’ house.’ Come on, live a little.” Jax laughs.

I move to grab my thong off the floor, but he beats me to it. “Give that back.”

“I’ve grown rather fond of them. Get another pair.”

“What? Who grows attached to underwear?”

“Me. I’ll take it as a white flag of your surrender.”

“To what? Your insanity?”

His wide smile makes my chest tighten. “I love the way you verbally spar with me.” He tugs me into another kiss despite my innate need to escape the room.

“Jax, stop.” I breathlessly protest after he kisses me for another minute.

“You better get going because it looks like Mum wants to give you a day to remember.”

“So, we’re going to act like this never happened?” I point at the scene of our crime.

“Oh, no. It definitely happened. And it’ll happen again. And again.”

“What about fate’s big fuck you?” I tease.

“While fate’s fucking me over, I might as well fuck you.”

25

Elena

“I’ve been dying to get you alone before Caleb comes over tomorrow, but Jax kept saying you were busy. Does anyone tell you that you work a lot?” Vera clutches onto her cane as we stroll through a small park in the heart of London. When I asked earlier if she wanted me to call the car after walking through multiple shops, she brushed me off and claimed she wanted to take a walk.

After Vera stumbles again, I steer us toward a bench. “Do you mind if we sit? My shoes are killing me.”

She offers me a knowing smile. “Oh yeah, those sandals look beyond uncomfortable.”

I laugh as we sit under a tree. “You don’t let people off easy, do you?”

“Where’s the fun in that? And to be fair, I’ve heard a thing or two about you, which tells me you’re the same way.”

“I guess it takes one to know one.”

“Indeed. Anyone who can manage my son for months on end definitely deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Tell me, why did you sign up for the job to help him?”

I keep my eyes focused on a family playing tag on the grassy quad across from us. “I needed the kind of money they were offering.”

“To help your grandma, right? Jax mentioned to us that she is sick.”

I nod my head up and down.

“Ah, that’s such a sweet gesture of you. And a sacrifice too for someone as young as yourself.”

“She was always there for me while I grew up. I owe everything to her, so the least I can do is make sure she’s well taken care of.” I don’t realize my mistake until it’s too late.

“What about your parents? Do they live in Europe?” She speaks soothingly.