Page 39 of Always My Comfort
“No need to be nervous. They will love you.” She shook her head and continued to gaze out the window.
“I’ve never met someone’s family before,” Logan finally mumbled when I shifted the truck into park. The whole town must be here from the looks of it, and all I could feel was Logan’s nerves and panic as it bounced around the cab of the truck.
“Trust me. They are goin’ to be so damn thrilled I’m bringin’ a girl home that they won’t be judgin’ you, sweetheart.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her soft skin.
“I just…” She hesitated, looking at me and then through the windshield at all the people mingling under the tent in the distance. “I need them to like me.”
“Trust me, you’ll be wishin’ they didn’t because they might never let us leave.” A small smile tugged at her red lips, and I fought every urge to smear that goddamn lipstick and kiss her.
“Then, I hope they hold us hostage.” The softest giggle filled the cab, and I watched some of the nerves disappear from her eyes.
Hopping out of the truck, I jogged around the hood, needing to get her in my arms. She had already opened the door and was trying to stand on the gravel in the pair of heeled boots she paired with jeans and a white sweater, looking like a damn angel, sent here as my redemption.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, sweetheart.” I grabbed her hips, fingers sinking into her stiff jeans. “But if you open that door again, there’ll be consequences.”
She blushed and grinned so hard, I caught the briefest hint of a dimple in her cheek again.
“We’re already sharing a bed, cowboy. No need to butter me up.” She rested her hand over my heart, and I wondered if she could feel it beating double time.
Does she know that it beats for her?
“In case you didn’t know, sweetheart, I’m crazy about you. The way you look is just the cherry on top. You have me fallin’ damn hard. I hope you can catch me.”
Red crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Her lips fell open in the softest gasp I had ever heard.
“Jax, you can’t mean that. We hardly know each other.” Her hand found the edge of my jacket, her fingers curling into the material, pulling us closer together.
I wondered if she notices that we always gravitated closer, that we both were falling.
“I mean every damn word, Logan.” I kissed the corner of her lips, and she moaned.
“Then, who is gonna catch me?” she whispered, standing on her toes so that her nose brushed mine.
It took every muscle in my body to stay still, to stop myself from kissing her. She had warned me back at the cabin not to ruin her lipstick. She threatened to sleep on the couch if I ruined the makeup she spent nearly an hour perfecting.
“I will. I’ll always catch you, sweetheart. You never have to worry about gettin’ hurt when I’m around. I’ve got your back.” There was a new light in her eyes, and I wished more than anything I could capture this moment, that I could save the happiness that shone in her eyes so I could take it all in, not even daring to breathe.
“We’re going to be late, and then, I’ll look really bad,” she whispered, nodding her head toward the tent, but I didn’t care.
“They won’t notice.” I spoke too soon because suddenly, a tiny body barrelled straight into us, and I barely have a chance to steady Logan and catch the wiggling body that was exploding in giggles.
“Uncle Jax! You’re finally here!” Alice screamed in pure excitement. I hoisted her up into my arms, and she threw her tiny arms around my neck, squeezing with all her might. “I missed you so much. Did you know that?” She peppered kisses all over my cheek. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Logan covering her laughter.
“I missed you, too, Ali bug.”
She swiveled around in my arms, and her eyes scanned over Logan. “Who is your pretty friend?” she whispered loud enough for Logan to hear. “Do you think she likes horses? What about babies? She can have Sawyer.”
I shook my head at the outspoken child and let Logan answer, knowing she adored kids. “Hey, Ali. I’m Logan. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Alice looked between the two of us, raising a blonde brow. “Of course, you have. I’m Uncle Jax’s favorite niece. Did he tell you that?” She pressed another wet kiss to my cheek.
“I have two nieces, Alice, and you’re both my favorite.” She glared at me, looking so much like her mother.
“Right, so are you more than friends like my mommy and daddy?” She winked at Logan, who stifled another laugh. “I might have overheard Daddy telling Mommy to ‘be nice’.” She put little air quotes around the word. “I dunno why he said it like Mommy isn’t nice.”
Shaking my head at her, I put her on my hip and wrapped my arm around Logan, leading her to the tent.
“I remember your mommy not always being so nice,” I told her, and she gasped.