The third story In the Ryan Family series!
•Not a stand along with read!• Must read Loving Navy and Invitation Only first!•
Lanie Ryan moved to California to peruse her dreams of becoming a clothing designer but along the way met Reggie Sheldon and...
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Once back home I changed and walked up to Jax's house and knocked on the door.
"Hey come in I'm just grabbing a shirt." He said.
I couldn't help but look at his chest. He had a few tattoos but that six-pack is what caught my attention.
"You have a nice place here," I said looking around.
"Thanks, it's not far from Morgan and Trace's at all." He smiled.
"No wonder you smell when I'm cooking." I laughed as he grabbed his wallet and keys.
He must have taken a shower because he smelled so good. We walked through his house out to his garage to his truck.
He had a nice white new Chevy truck. He opened the door and helped me to step on the running board and get inside.
Once he got inside the truck and pulled out I looked over at him... "Is the ice cream shop still opened?"
"It should be but if not I have a key plus my parents live above the ice cream shop." He said.
"Oh you could eat ice cream anytime you want." I smile.
"Yeah and that's why Tony lives with me. He was eating too much ice cream and it cost too much." He laughed.
"I bet that's how he brought in girls too wasn't it?" I said.
"Yeah Tony usually doesn't stick around with a girl for very long but he likes Jessa." He said.
"I'm glad he does because she is a sweetheart and has been through a lot as well," I said.
"Really? How so?" He asked.
"Trace and Jessa were on their way to the airport he was coming in for Morgan's birthday and was in a horrible car accident and she was in ICU for a while had bleeding on the brain," I said.
"Oh wow, that's crazy but looks like she is ok now." He said.
"Oh, she is great now. No side effects or anything from that." I said as we pull up.
The ice cream shop is still open and we walk in and Jax's mom smiles.
"Hey, ma!" He said.
"Well hello, there you two. What ice cream flavors do you want today?" She asked.
"Umm, Ma you know that I only like mint chocolate chip." He laughed.
"What about you Lanie?" She asked.
"Umm, I'll take the cherry this time please." I smiled.
We walk over and grabbed a table while Jax walked back over and got the ice cream and kisses his mom's temple.
That's was a very sweet gesture of kindness. He may have tattoos and buff looking but he has a great heart I'm learning.
I smile when he walks back over and hands me my ice cream cone. "Here is your cherry."
"I'm sure it's just as good as the chocolate mint. Want a lick?" I asked.
He choked on his ice cream. "No I've had it before but thanks."
"Fine then more for me." I smiled.
Jax is bringing me out of my shell more than I thought a stranger ever would and I'm letting my guard down with him. If he ever was to hurt me like Reggie my sister wouldn't hesitate to kick his ass.
"So Jax when are you going to show me some self-defense?" I ask.
"Oh, whenever you want to start is good with me. Maybe tomorrow evening before our beach walk?" He asked.
"Oh, you want to walk on the beach with me daily?"
"As long as I don't have to stay over for a tat. I mean right now I am just taking walk-ins but I know it won't be long. Trace is covered now and he started out like me." He said.
"How many tattoos do you have?" I ask.
"Under ten. I don't get them unless they have meaning." He said.
"Did Morgan tell you how many she has?" I laugh.
"No how many? I'm going to guess fifty or so." He said.
"Seventy-three and counting she says." I laugh.
"Wow, she does have a lot. She was talking about getting another one the other day. What about you do you ever want any?" He asked.
"I've always said no but maybe someday I'm not sure. It would have to be something I really wanted." I said.
"I would love to tattoo you someday and make Morgan mad." He laughed.
"She would die if I let someone else do it." I smiled.
I took a bite of my ice cream and I watched Jax watch me and then he closed his eyes like he was trying to forget something.
"You umm got some ice cream on your face." He said.
I felt embarrassed because that's why he was looking at me like that.
"Where at?" I wiped at my mouth.
"You missed it. May I?" He asked.
"Sure go ahead," I said.
He leaned across the table and with his thumb he raked under my bottom lip. He didn't use a napkin or anything just his thumb and then he sucked the ice cream off.
I felt my face heating up and I couldn't make eye contact with him... "Thanks, Jax."
"It's no problem, Lanie." He smiled.
His dad walked over to our table... "Son I hate to bother you on your date but I need your help. I can't get the freezer to cool in the back."
"I'll be right back Lanie." He said getting up from the table and following his dad out of sight.
I finished my ice cream and sit looking out the window when Dee walked over... "So what did you think of the cherry?"
"Oh, it was just as good as the chocolate mint." I smiled.
"Good! Now you make Jax bring you back for ice cream again." She smiled walking around wiping off the tables.
"Why don't you let me do that Dee. I'm waiting on Jax to help his dad fix the cooler anyway." I said taking the rag from her.
"Oh thank you, sweet girl. I'll go lock the door and count the money then." She said.
"No problem." I smiled wiping the table we were sitting at first.
