He opened it a moment later, looking like he'd just gotten out of the shower, his brown hair damp, his cheeks freshly shaved, his T-shirt clinging to his broad chest, and his jeans hugging his long, lean legs. She felt her nerve endings fire at the sight of him, the attraction she'd been feeling growing even stronger now that he'd told her something about himself. Not that what he'd told her had been that good, but she felt like she was finally starting to see the man, not the mysterious stranger.
"Everything okay?" Jax asked.
"I just got off shift, and I wondered if you might want to get breakfast with me."
He debated for a moment, then nodded. "I could do that."
"Okay," she said, surprised at how easy that had been.
"What?" he challenged.
"I thought you were going to say no."
"And yet you still asked."
"Well, sometimes I'm braver than I am smart."
A small smile lifted his lips. "I think you're both. I'm hungry, and I don't have much food in the kitchen."
"Then my timing is good. We could take a drive down to Carlsbad, get out of the area, in case you're worried about that photographer hanging around. You haven't seen him again, have you?"
"No. And getting farther away sounds great."
"We could take my car. Keep yours out of sight. Do you need some time?"
"If you're ready, I'm ready."
He grabbed his keys and wallet off a nearby table and then stepped out of his apartment. The courtyard had been empty when she first came through, but now Josie was nearby watering some plants by the pool.
"Good morning," she said, giving them a curious look. "Where are you two off to?"
"Going to get some breakfast," she replied. "How are you doing today?"
"I'm well."
"As always," she teased, knowing she'd never gotten a negative reply from Josie and probably never would.
"Have fun," Josie said.
"One other thing…" She gave Jax a quick look and then decided not to care whether he appreciated her next words or not. "Someone was taking photos of us yesterday in town. He might show up here."
Josie's smile dimmed. "Well, he won't be welcome. And I'll keep an eye out for him."
"Thanks."
As they walked out to the parking lot, she scanned the area quickly for anyone lurking in the shadows and noticed that Jax did the same. He'd parked his car at the far end of the lot the night before, on the other side of the truck where their handyman was parked, which kept Jax's vehicle out of sight. They both relaxed once they were in the car and heading away from the building.
"Do you care that I told Josie about the photographer?" she asked.
"No. I appreciate your forward-thinking."
"Why didn't you do it?"
"I don't want to make Josie feel like she's responsible for me. She has done enough for me already. She gave me a place to live and warned all her friends here not to bother me."
"I'm sure you could have afforded to live anywhere. It seems like you've had some success in your life if the press is chasing you."
"It wasn't about money; it was about distance and seclusion."
