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

Chapter Thirty-Seven

"What'd they say to do about it?" Jax asked as he sauntered up behind Taylor. Her right arm was above her head, and she was staring at her reflection, at the angry red skin that spread from the side of her breast to her armpit. It was as if she had been lying in the sun for hours, unprotected, roasting her skin in the rays of the warm sun. But she hadn't been. She had spent the last five days, only ten minutes each day, lying on a thin metal table while her body was zapped with invisible rays, tens times more potent than that of the sun. "It looks like a bad sunburn."

Jax kissed the back of her head and Taylor dropped her arm. "That's basically what it is; they said to treat it like one. Fragrance-free soaps, Aquaphor, warm baths." She turned to face her boyfriend, resting her backside against the sink. His eyes flickered over her bare chest, wincing as he did, and Taylor dropped her head. "I know it's ugly."

Jax chuckled, just once, grasping under Taylor's chin his with his fingers and pulling her face back up. He looked at her, into her piercing green irises; her eyes looked sad, slightly defeated, and it broke his heart.

"Baby, there is nothing even remotely ugly or unattractive about you," he said softly. Taylor's eyes fluttered closed as she savored his words. "I'll stop at the store and pick up some things. But for now," he stepped back from her, taking two large steps toward the tub and kneeled down as water began to pour from the faucet, "a warm bath will have to do."

Taylor smiled, the immensity of her love for this man, and his for her, was astounding, and despite everything else she had never known happiness quite like this.

The tub filled quickly, the heat from the water filling the room and caressing her skin in all the right places. Jax grabbed her hand and pulled her close to where he sat on the edge of the bath. His fingers found the hem of her pants and, in one swift motion, slid her shorts and her underwear to the cool floor. Taylor picked up her feet, left first, then right, stepping out of the discarded cloth until she stood bare before him. Their eyes never left each other's, not even as Taylor climbed over the side of the porcelain and sunk down until the water covered her body.

"Mmm," she groaned as the water worked diligently to rid her muscles of the tension they had been holding. Her hand slipped from Jax's, her eyes falling closed as she inhaled the steam that wafted from the surface and allowed it to coat her lungs. When her eyes opened again she watched as Jax, too, slipped out of his sweatpants, no underwear beneath them, his beautiful body now bared to her. With hooded eyes she roamed his form, staring first into his baby blues that were slightly clouded with lust, trailing down over the ink on his chest and his arms, across the pink scars below his ribs, and down to the hardness forming below his waist.

"Scoot up," he said, his voice low. Taylor cocked her head to the side in confusion, but did as she was told. A smile graced her lips as Jax lifted his long legs over the edge of the tub and, placing one of each side of her hips, slid down until he was seated behind her, her back flush against his front.

Leaning her head back against his chest Taylor's fingers found Jax's where they rested on the side of the tub, and she took them in hers, playing with the calloused skin. "For such a big, tough outlaw biker you sure are being awfully sweet," Taylor quipped with a smirk. Jax laughed, the most beautiful sound, and the feeling of his muscles moving against her back drove Taylor wild.

"Yeah, well, I figured I'd turn on my charm a little extra today, since it's your birthday and all." Taylor's body tensed, her eyes flying open. It was her birthday. She had totally forgot, and to be honest she had all but thought Jax had, too. "What, did you think I forgot?" His voice was softer this time, more gruff, and his warm breath ghosted over her ear as he spoke. He moved even closer and she could feel his lips on the sensitive skin. "I could never forget, darlin."

His voice sent a shiver down Taylor's spine, a sharp contrast to the warm water that surrounded her. Jax's large left hand swiftly moved her to her left breast, engulfing it before giving her nipple a soft tug. He pulled her earlobe in between his teeth as his fingers worked over her chest, a groan falling from her lips. She leaned her body further into his, to the point where they were basically molded together. His lips moved down her neck, kissing and sucking at the soft skin. He trailed the fingers of his right hand down the middle of her chest, dipping them under the surface as he reached her belly, trailing them further and further until they settled between her legs.

"Jackson," she breathed as she focused on the feelings beginning to bubble inside of her. At that point nothing else mattered—not the pain, not the uncertainty, not the fear of the future. All that mattered was this man, his love for her, and how her body reacted to his touch.

"Happy Birthday," he whispered as his fingers picked up their pace beneath the water. Taylor's breathing became shallow as she writhed against him. "I love you."

With those three whispered words she came undone, his name quietly falling from her lips, three times in quick succession as she struggled to catch her breath.

As the euphoria faded from her body it was replaced by a sense of peace, overwhelming and stagnant, settling into every crevice of her heart.

Taylor licked her lips before bringing Jax's palm to them, placing soft kisses across it. "Thank you," was all she managed to say before silence settled around them.

By the time they exited the tub the water had turned tepid; it was as if their hearts had sucked up all the warmth. Taylor curled up in the corner chair, holding the towel tight around her body. She watched as Jax dried himself, his cheeks still pink and flushed from the pleasure they had provided to one another.

"You leaving me?" Taylor asked as Jax dressed. Their eyes made contact in the dresser mirror and he grinned.

"I won't be gone long. Couple hours tops. It'll give you a chance to get all dolled up while I'm gone."

"Dolled up for what?" Taylor asked. Jax chuckled and turned to face her.

"No questions. Just be ready by six."

"Ready for wha-" Jax pressed his finger against her pursed lips, stopping her interrogation.

"I just said no questions, Tay." He removed his finger and replaced it with his lips, pressing forcefully against her own, her lips plump and still swollen from the many kisses he had stollen from her throughout the afternoon. "Six. Okay?"

Taylor nodded. "Not a minute later."

"Wouldn't dream of it."