Shawna stared blankly. “What? Oh, right. We were going to take pictures. I wanted to see how they’d turn out. I wasthinking of asking about an engagement photo shoot with the heart books.” She looked around. “Maybe I’ll do it another day. I need to think about everything you said.”
“We can talk whenever you want.”
“Thanks. So, um, should I wait while you yell at the kids?”
Jax looked at the big clock on the wall. It was after four.
“I’ll keep them here until around five. Why don’t you head home and have a few minutes for yourself. Whatever you’d planned for dinner can keep until tomorrow. Text Harris and tell him to bring home takeout. You pick. Get what you like and the rest of the family can work around it.”
Shawna’s eyes widened. “I couldn’t do that.”
“You can and you will. I’m not asking. I’m telling. It’s what you’re going to do.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Jax thought Shawna might have more to say but just then Ramon flew over and landed on a nearby shelf.
“Hello, pretty lady,” he said loudly.
Shawna shrieked a little and jumped back. “Oh, God! He’s huge and so close.”
Jax sighed. “It’s okay. I know he scares you. You can go, Shawna. When you get home, try to relax, okay? And remember what I said about the takeout.”
“I will. Bye.”
The last word was thrown over her shoulder as she bolted for the door. When she was out of sight, Jax held out her hand.
“Don’t take it personally. You’re kind of an intimidating guy.”
“I’m a lover, not a fighter.”
“I know, but Shawna doesn’t see it that way.”
He hopped over to her hand. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now I have to go yell at my children. How they’ve disappointed me.”
“Courage, dear heart.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter Eighteen
Ryleigh had no idea what to wear for a “sex only” date. She’d tried looking up suggestions online, but had discovered the search sent her to some really scary places, so she was on her own.
They’d agreed Alex would be coming to her place, so she didn’t have to go out in public, but even so, she wasn’t comfortable walking around in a sexy nightgown. And that thought sent her into her closet to figure out if she had any really sexy nightgowns. And when it turned out she didn’t, she wondered if she should buy one or two. If not for him, then for whomever she was going to meet in her new life, not that there was time to get anything delivered in the next twenty minutes.
She stood in the center of her bedroom, confused and nervous about the upcoming, ah, event. She’d done all the grooming things, she’d change the sheets. She’d also wasted way too much time trying to figure out if she should provide refreshments, but wasn’t sure what was appropriate and thinking about a postcoital cocktail was strange.
She’d spent an hour playing with Lucy so her cat wouldn’t meow at the closed bedroom door, then had put on her favorite animal channel in the hopes of distracting her.
“I have to get dressed.” Because while naked was the point, there was no way that was happening before they started to, you know, do it.
She finally settled on matching bra and bikini panties under a simple sundress. She skipped shoes and brushed her hair one more time before walking into the living room and staring at the front door. Seconds later she heard a knock.
A flood of nerves swept through her as a million second thoughts filled her brain. Still, she walked over and opened the door to find Alex standing there.
They stared at each other for several seconds.
