Race the Storm

Chapter 28

Her expression was unreadable. The feeling that he had royally screwed up this major question, this hope that had been crushing him, was overwhelming. He should've waited. He should've said it differently. He shouldn't have brought up the baby. While the baby would always be an important part of their relationship, obviously, it wasn't why he wanted to try dating.

It was her. Her laugh, the way she cared about other people, how her hand fit into his. Her curiosity and drive, her fierce independence but willingness to accept help. She was...

How had he screwed up telling her about his feelings so badly? Man, he was the worst with words. At least she knew that, but it didn't make the idea that he had hurt her any easier.

"I would want to be with you no matter what," he said, "If we met somewhere else. Like we were talking about at dinner. And the way we met. Or if there was some other way, I'd still want to try this with you." He let go of her elbow so he could run a thumb along her cheek. "I'm not doing this out of obligation, I swear."

Willa didn't soften. She seemed so wary. "Mhmm."

How was he supposed to get her to believe him? She had her walls up now. "If you say no now, that's okay. I'll ask again tomorrow. And the next day, if you say no again."

This time, she shifted toward him, an almost imperceptible centimeter. That casual expression on her face warmed. "What if I said no again on that day?"

"I'll ask you every day, and you don't have to say yes. I'll just...keep asking."

This time a small smile stole across her lips and Jax felt his heart soar–maybe there was hope yet. Maybe he hadn't completely killed his chances.

"Who knew you were a secret romantic, Jax."

"Not me," Jax said very seriously, and honestly.

Willa giggled, her whole face lighting up now, and Jax found himself caressing that cheek again, basking in the fact he'd somehow made her light up like this.

Then her expression fell. "Are you sure, Jax?" She bit her lip. "I don't want you to feel pressured..."

Jax brought his other hand to her other cheek, framing her face now as he stepped closer. "I don't talk a lot, Willa, but I think you know that when I do, I mean what I say."

She nodded, that warmth returning to her expression, but now Jax was the one to feel a sliver of doubt. "But, if I'm pressuring you, and you don't want–"

"Jax," Willa interrupted, her hands coming up to clasp his. "You were doing so well, don't be an idiot now." And then she grinned at him, and couldn't help but stupid smile back.

"Okay."

"Okay?" Jax tilted his head, trying to decide what she was saying okay to. "Okay to me asking you every day?"

This time her giggle included a half-snort. "Okay to us dating, Jax."

He stared at her long enough that she rolled her eyes, pulled his hands down from her face, and then with their hands still clasped, leaned forward and up on her tiptoes. She let go of one of his hands and pulled on the front of his shirt. "Come down here, big guy."

Obediently he leaned forward, brain still trying to catch up to what was happening, when her lips pressed softly against his.

He was stunned. That was the only word his brain could process, but at least it was doing a little better in terms of action. He wrapped an arm around Willa, pulling her up against him, while he also released her other hand to cup his around the back of her neck, holding her in place.

This kiss was...everything.

The way she responded, melting against him, was a better balm to his fears, his worries, than anything he could've asked for. He knew now that, in some way, at some level, Willa at least returned his feelings.

And there was so much to learn about her from just even just one kiss. The way her mouth opened to him, the soft sounds she made as they teased and played with each other...

And then was another spark, shocking them apart, although neither stepped way.

"You're doing it again," Willa said, laughing breathily as her bright eyes met his, cheeks flushing a pretty light rose color.

"Pretty sure it's you," Jax murmured distractedly as he wrapped one of her fiery curls around his finger.

"Must be this house," Willa said. Her hand dropped down to his bicep, fingers against his skin. "Generates static cling."

"I guess..." Jax wasn't too worried about static shock. He was much more fixated on the way her eyes caught the glow of the warm lamps throughout the room and the way she was looking up at him, like she enjoyed being there with him in the moment.

She grinned and kissed him again, quick this time, basically a peck on the lips. He still liked it, and he wanted to hold her tight–

"Hey, you two, are you planning on turning in for the night?" Ms. James called from somewhere deeper in the house, probably back in the kitchen. "I'm about to settle down myself."

"Yes, ma'am," the two of them answered, sharing a look.

Jax ran his knuckles over Willa's cheek, warming when she leaned into his touch for a moment. He knew he needed to take things slow; he had to prove to her that this was something real and something possible.

It was going to be extra difficult to share a bed now.