Filed to story: Breathe Story (Sadie White & Jax Stone)
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said in a raspy voice.
I liked knowing our kiss affected him. “I know.”
He gave me one more grin and walked away. I watched him until he was almost out of sight. He turned back around and stopped to look at me. He lifted his fingers to his mouth and blew me a kiss before walking around the corner. The slim phone in my pocket reminded me he would call soon, and I would hear his voice. It would have to be enough to get me through.
* * * *
Marcus took me home after work. Jax had left a car to take me home, but I couldn’t bring myself to ride home in his vehicle without him.
“What do I have to do to make you smile?” he asked when we pulled up beside the apartment.
I sighed and forced a smile. “Nothing.”
He leaned back against his seat and closed his eyes. “I hope he knows what he’s got.”
I glanced at my friend, not sure what to say. I dropped my hand from the car door. Apparently he wanted to talk. “I’m the one who has been given something special. Jax isn’t like people think. He is this wonderful guy who is kind and polite and sweet. He makes me laugh and is happy just holding me. In his arms, I feel safe. It’s like I have finally found somewhere I belong.”
Marcus let out a short, hard laugh. “Sadie, holding you isn’t a hardship for him, I can promise you. And how do you know you can’t find all those qualities in someone else. Jax isn’t the only guy on earth who is kind, polite, and sweet.”
“I am sure you’re right. But no guy I have ever met has made my heart go on a frenzy and my skin tingle just by walking into a room. Somehow, he is the only one who has ever been able to touch my soul.”
Marcus sighed and shook his head. “You’re right, it isn’t something just anyone can do to you. It just sucks Jax Stone is the one to make you tingle.”
I let out a small laugh. “I’ll always love him. But I know, soon, I will have to learn to live without him and move on. Right now just isn’t the time.”
Marcus nodded.
I opened the door and got out. “Thanks for the ride.”
He smiled. “Anytime.”
I walked inside. Marcus was a great guy, and if I didn’t love Jax so much, maybe I could feel something for him. But my soul was already taken.
I didn’t want to fall asleep for fear I would miss Jax’s call. I swept the kitchen and scrubbed the bathroom before finally getting in the shower. I left the cell by the sink just in case the phone rang. When I finished, I put on my nightgown, and then I turned to my bed and fought the urge to crawl in. I knew if I did, I would fall asleep. Closing my eyes was out of the question even though they were very heavy. I sat down on the edge of the bed and thought about the likeliness of him calling me tonight. I’d just about convinced myself he wasn’t going to call when I heard Jax singing “Wanted Dead or Alive.” I hadn’t expected a one of a kind ring tone, and I laughed as I answered the phone. “Hello.”
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Do I happen to have the only recorded version of Jax Stone singing ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ as a ringtone?” I asked, unable to get the silly grin off my face.
“Yes, you do. When I tried to think of a song to play when I called you, I realized I’d never recorded a song you liked, so I went into my studio at the house and recorded the only one I knew you would enjoy.”
I smiled and crossed my legs Indian style on the bed. “I happen to have become an obsessed fan. You could have put any of your songs on there, and I would have been happy.”
“Is that so? I wish you’d have told me you were a fan. I would have left my door unlocked so you could sneak in and squirt perfume on my pillow.”
I laughed out loud, and then covered my mouth so Jessica didn’t wake up and come in. I hadn’t discussed Jax with her again, and I hoped I didn’t have to.
“I don’t wear perfume.”
“You mean you smell that good without help?”