It's Hard Not to Hate - An Outlaw Love Story

Chapter Fifteen.

Taylor had half expected Jax to jump up and leave when their bodies had recovered, but he surprised her, pulling her into his chest and holding her close as they both settled back into the real world. The feelings of ecstasy began to subside, and she began to notice other emotions creeping under her skin; fear, uncertainty, embarrassment. She felt her body stiffen, a reaction to her racing thoughts. Jax noticed, and she felt his hand move off her shoulder, the spot where had beeb tracing her skin becoming cold.

"You okay?" He asked, concerned he had taken things too far.

The words flowed from Taylor's mouth before she even knew what she was saying. "Yeah. I'm not normally the type to just jump in bed with someone I barely know."

Jax chuckled. "Wow. Way to kill my vibe."

"No, that's not, I-" Jax squeezed her tight, placing a soft kiss atop her disheveled hair, his way of putting a stop to her rambling. She sighed. "I just meant that this wasn't exactly what I had planned when I invited you over."

"Well this wasn't exactly what I had planned when I accepted the invitation, either." Taylor looked up at him, resting her chin on his bare chest near where Abel's name was permanently inked into his skin.

"Oh yeah?" She asked with a smirk. "What did you have planned?"

"I was going to use my charm to convince you to go on a date with me," he replied. He bared his teeth in a wide smile, and it caused Taylor's heart to flutter. She leaned forward and kissed him, not quite as hungry as before, but just as passionate. Jax's hand tangled in her hair as he kissed her back. "So what do you say," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers. "Can I come back at eight and take you to dinner?"

Taylor bit down on her lower lip. "Eight sounds great."

&&

Taylor looked at the clock, her leg bouncing anxiously as she waited for Jax. She couldn't wait to see him again, to see his smile, to feel his arms around her, his lips on hers. It was all she could think about, how her soul burned with a passion that was indescribable. It wasn't just about the physical connection they had shared, though that had satisfied her in every way, shape, and form. The emotional connection, though; the bond that had strengthened. She hoped Jax felt it too, surely he did. Even though sex was a steady factor in his life, there seemed to be more at play here.

Eight o'clock came and went, eight fifteen going just the same, and she had heard nothing from Jax. She gave him the benefit of the doubt; could be traffic, he could've been held up by Gemma's incessant questioning when he dropped off Abel. He could've spent too long in the shower, just as she had, washing off the smell of sex and savoring the feelings that washed through her body.

Eight thirty came around and she was starting to get anxious. She pulled her phone from her bag and dialed his number. Straight to voicemail. She waited a few minutes and tried again, to no avail.

Was he really standing her up? She didn't think it was possible, it seemed as if he felt just as she did. She thought back to the conversation she had had with Opie earlier that week. He had all but warned her that Jax, despite his best intentions, may not have it in him to change his ways. Maybe what had happened between them was all an act; maybe his words and his actions had paid off just the way he had wanted, he fucked her, and now that he had conquered her he could move on to the next. She felt foolish and gullible and betrayed.

Taylor kicked off her heels and collapsed on the couch, her body expressing the defeat she felt. Silent tears caressed her cheeks, in the same manner Jax's hands had just hours earlier. This is exactly what she had been afraid of, opening herself up to someone only to be let down.

She looked at the clock one final time, the microwave flashing 9:03. She pushed herself off the couch, deciding to just get some sleep, and as she took the first step towards the hall she heard a rapid pounding at her door. She stomped towards it and yanked the door open, prepared to admonish Jax for his tardiness, but instead she was met with Opie. He towered over her, his breathing labored, his cheeks flushed.

"Ope"

"Taylor, it's Jax," he muttered. "He was in an accident."