Page 127 of First in Line

“Originally, yes, but I’m not sure anymore. Wesley Pryce wants to keep everything very American-made, so people have been saying that might not happen after all. I mean, it makes sense to keep it there, near the Altron facilities and shit.”

“I see… Well, it means we can spend Christmas with your parents.”

“That’ll be nice, yeah.”

As I pass my fingertips along the parts between his braids, I realize it’s been a while since I last did them. Every couple of weeks, we sit down in front of a movie, with him on the floor between my legs while I redo them. It’s one of the few quality moments we have, so I’ve become slower and slower at it, just to make it last longer. He probably noticed but hasn’t complained, likely enjoying it as much as I do.

“Do you have time before your flight tomorrow so I can redo your hair?” I ask.

“I don’t think so, sorry, princess. They have booked someone for it, anyway. They want something a little more… sophisticated for the photos.”

“Oh, okay.”

He looks up at me, planting his amazing eyes into mine. “You’re still my number one braider.”

I smile down at him, touched by his words of reassurance.

When he crawls a little higher to lay a tender kiss on my lips, I welcome him with eagerness. My legs spread to lure him closer as my hands tug at his hoodie, pulling him in. When I writhe my hips into his to feel him better, he moves away.

“I’m way too tired to perform, princess,” he mumbles.

“I can perform. You lie down, and I’ll take care of you.”

He thinks about it for a moment, then groans. “Tomorrow morning. Before I leave for London,” he negotiates.

Disappointed, I pout. It’s been over a week since we’ve had time for sex, and I really miss being close to him like that.

“Why don’t you come with me?” he offers. “We’ll have a nice hotel room for a couple of nights. I’ll take you to that fish and chips place you liked last time.”

“Do you think we can have another afternoon tea? That was so nice.”

He winces. “I won’t have a free afternoon. But I promise I’ll spend every available second with you, princess.”

Well, I can’t say no to that now, can I?

“Okay, I need to go pack,” I say with renewed enthusiasm.

But he doesn’t move. Or he does, but just to lower a little and plaster himself onto me again. “Just give me a minute of this.” He rests the side of his face right onto my chest, nestled between the heavy mounds. “Oh yeah, that’s the stuff,” he murmurs, closing his eyes with a grin.

I can barely hold mine as I roll my eyes.

Sometimes, I forget the boy he used to be when we first met. Looking back, we were so young. Still kids, basically. But already then, we knew. This is forever. And although it’s been six years since those days, it still rings as true today as it did then.

We’re each other’s ride or die. Always.

Apair of soft, plump lips is exploring my shoulder. They pull me out of slumber in the most delicious way I could think of, one kiss, one tender graze at a time.

Slowly coming to my senses, I realize there’s an arm thrown around my middle, keeping me plastered against a solid bodybehind me. As always when I wake up with Jax, a mix of joy and contentment fills me before I’ve even opened my eyes.

Feeling oddly at peace, I let out a contented sigh, stretching a little. Gosh, I’m sore everywhere. I can’t remember struggling to keep up with his stamina when we were younger. Maybe I’ll get there again. Eventually.

Noticing my stirring, he tugs me closer, and I arch my behind right on the hard length between us.

“’Morning, princess,” his low, raspy voice murmurs.

“Hmm …”

“Did you sleep well?”