My phone beeps, and I move to grab it off the nightstand of our hotel bedroom. Jax’s hand swoops in and steals it away from my grasp before I have a second to check it.
He stands over me like a shadow, shaking his head. “Nope. I’m holding this baby hostage for a week.”
“That’s pointless. I have an iPad.”
He smirks. “Confiscated as well, love.”
My smile drops. “What? Why?”
“No working means no working. And since you’re you, I couldn’t chance the favor with you breaking the rules. It’s only Monday, after all.”
“Says the guy who asked me to be a rule-breaker,” I mumble under my breath.
“Ahh. But that’s different. I reap the benefits of those broken rules. Anyway, you can smile instead because we’re going out.”
“Out?” Last time I checked, Jax had a gala tonight. A look at the hotel’s clock tells me he is running out of time to get ready.
He grabs my hand and lifts me out of the bed. “You’re going to a gala.”
“I’ve been to a gala.”
“Yes. But have you ever gotten drunk at a gala on two-hundred-dollar bottles of champagne?” He smiles wickedly.
I see where this train wreck is going. I’d say no, except the smile on Jax’s face tells me a favor is a favor, and unless I’m willing to owe more, I better suck it up.
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?” I rasp.
“Only in the morning, love. For now, let’s let loose and have some fun.”
For people like Jax, fun is synonymous with trouble. But when you date the ultimate troublemaker, you’re bound to join in eventually.
I decline the champagne after a glass because if I plan on getting drunk, that’s the last hangover I want tomorrow. Jax asks the bartender for a bottle of top-shelf tequila. A whole bottle. One-hundred percent blue agave and one-hundred percent likely to get us all fucked up sooner rather than later. I clutch onto the tray carrying the sangrita chasers, lime wedges, salt, and eight Caballito glasses for us and all our friends.
Elías and I teach everyone the proper way to drink tequila. We weren’t raised to knock back shot glass after shot glass. Our grandparents taught us to cherish the flavors and enjoy the glass sip by sip.
Jax helps me get settled into my seat at our table. Sophie and Maya eye the tequila bottle with a smile while Noah rubs his eyes.
“We love tequila.” Sophie grabs the long glass.
“So does the toilet after you puke up your guts.” Liam pinches his nose.
“That happened a while ago.” Maya laughs.
“That was last month,” Noah offers dryly with a smirk.
“Okay, remember to sip rather than shoot,” Elías calls out to the group as he pours the glasses.
Everyone holds out their full glasses in the center.
“A toast…” Santiago calls out.
“To friends…” Elías starts.
“…who become family.” Noah smiles in Maya and Santi’s direction.
Elías and my eyes meet. He started this connection with everyone by hosting his game night, but Jax and everyone else solidified it. I can’t help the feeling of vulnerability settling in my stomach at gaining new friends.
Awareness washes over me as I move my attention toward Jax. Damn him. He’s working his way into every single crevice of my soul. He makes me want to be accepted by him and his friends, who act like a family I’ve always craved but couldn’t have. No one wants to be friends with the person who keeps cancelling because of work and other obligations like helping Abuela. Well, everyone except Elías, who doesn’t take “I’m busy” as an excuse.
Jax must sense my mood changing because he squeezes the area above my knee reassuringly.
“And to sad wankers like Liam who will never win another Championship in their lifetime.” Jax breaks the silence by clinking his glass against the rest.
The group laughs, washing away my darker thoughts.
“And to assholes who made history by falling in love faster than anticipated.” Liam raises a brow in Jax’s direction.
I pretend not to notice Jax shaking his head, fighting a smile. I pretend my heart didn’t squeeze at the idea of Jax falling in love. I pretend so well, I end up drinking quicker than intended.
A few glasses of tequila later, I gain new friends, along with securing myself one killer hangover.
And it was most definitely worth the pounding headache.
“So, I have a question I’ve been dying to ask you…” Sophie rocks back on the heel of her sneaker.
“Oh God. No.” Maya groans at her best friend.
Reporters and camera crews move around the room, concentrating on setting up their gear before the press conference with Noah, Jax, Santiago, and Elías. The four of them sit side by side at a long table, waiting for the start of the event. No one pays us much attention.
So far, I’m loving my vacation. I’ve honestly enjoyed myself, including the girl time I’ve spent with Maya and Sophie getting massages and binging on ice cream while watching a new TV series. It’s normal…yet everything I didn’t realize I needed.
“So, Jax clearly is a bit of a wild card, if you catch my drift.” Sophie starts anyway, ignoring Maya’s protests. “I’ve been dying to know if he has a kink we don’t know about. Everyone knows he gets off on public shit, but you know…does he have a daddy kink?” Sophie waggles his brows.
If I had a glass of water, now would be the time I choke while drinking from it. Jax definitely has a public sex kink. I don’t think I’ll ever look at pictures of the London Eye and not think about our time in there. But instead of confessing the dirty details, I remain composed like I train athletes to do. “I’m sorry? A daddy kink?”
Sophie looks around before whispering, “Yes. Daddy. Spanking. The works. Come on. Share with the girls.”
I try my best not to break out into a fit of hysterical laughter. Reporters continue asking questions, focusing on the racers instead of our gossip session in the back of the room.
Deflect. Always deflect. “Is that something he’s known for?”
Please say it’s nothing he’s known for. I don’t think my heart could handle that news.
Sophie shrugs. “That’s why I’m asking you. You’re the girlfriend here.”
Maya rubs her eyes and tries to step away from Sophie. “Ignore her. She’s been convinced about this idea since last year.”
“Is this some kind of friend initiation test?” I tilt my head.
Sophie and Maya laugh in unison. Okay, that was kind of freaky. I’m not ready for that cellular level of friendship from anyone.
Maya smiles at me. “You’ve been a friend for quite a while. Getting drunk on tequila the other day sealed the deal.”
“But dishing some gossip wouldn’t hurt to test your loyalty.” Sophie winks.
I laugh with them. Hanging out with Sophie and Maya without worrying about the next item on my to-do list is refreshing.
Jax looks over at us and smiles wide. His eyes remain on me as Noah answers a question. I don’t bother looking away, loving every second of his attention.
Jax finishes his conference and whisks me away from his friends, claiming he needs to take a nap. We enter a waiting town car and head back toward the hotel.
I sit with Sophie’s words for five whole minutes of silence before I let curiosity get the best of me. “So…I have a question.”
He lifts one brow. “Okay?”
“Do you like to be called ‘Daddy’ while you’re having sex?”
The roar of laughter that escapes him answers the ridiculous question. “I’m going to tell Liam to buy Sophie a gag so she can learn when to speak.”
My jaw drops open. “So, it’s true! A gag is totally something a Daddy would use.”
Jax laughs to the point of coughing. “Fuck no. If you call me Daddy, I think my dick would attempt to break off my body and run away.”
“Thank God,” I whisper up to the ceiling of the car.
“But I do have other…quirks.” He smirks.
Jax shows me just how much he enjoys public displays of affection. He kisses me the entire car ride to the radio our driver blasts at eardrum-shattering levels.
Jax leads me toward a new section of the McCoy paddock, clutching my hand in his as we walk through the narrow halls.
I concentrate on the way his race suit accentuates his butt, enjoying the view. “Don’t you have to get ready for the race?”
“I’ll go to the pit once I set you up.” He smiles over his shoulder as the doors to a large room open.
“Where is everyone?” I scan the unoccupied space.
“This private place is meant for my family and friends.” He leads me toward an area with a couch and televisions showing the pre-race footage.
That explains the emptiness. Jax keeps his family life private from the public. He doesn’t let them attend any races, including his home race. The thing about Jax is he loves too much, which makes him worry about what the media will say about his mum’s disease. So instead, Jax chooses a life of isolation from the press. Seeing his race day spent by himself makes my heart ache for him in a new way. I now understand how, while his favor helped me relax, it also benefits him to have someone appreciate him.
He places a headset on my head and checks all the cords with a huge smile plastered on his face. “This lets you hear everything from my team radio.” He explains different buttons and how to mute his voice, as if I could do that. This is like an all-access pass to Jax’s head on a race day and I’m taking it.
I look up at him, smiling. “This is so cool! I’m so excited.”
“Enjoy it. I’ve been dying to have you in here, but you always find some way to work during the races.” He tugs me into him and places a kiss on my lips.
My heart threatens to become a puddle beneath my feet. From the top of my head to the tips of my toes, my body hums with approval.
“There’s water in the fridge, and you can press the button next to the TV if you want food and champagne brought to you.”
“Wow. Talk about five-star service. Be careful, Kingston. A girl can get used to this kind of treatment.” I raise a brow.
Jax chuckles to himself. “You’re simple to please.” He walks over to a drawer and plucks a bag of Reese’s Pieces from it.
If I wasn’t questioning my affection toward him already, now would be the time. The way he wants to make sure I’m provided for has my eyes stinging. “I don’t think I’ve ever had someone take care of me like this. Not since Abuela—”
“I know. And I want to be the one to take care of you for a bit—if you don’t mind, that is.” He smiles sheepishly.
Dios, ayudamé. A sweet Jax is irresistible. But a shy Jax makes me want to spin in a circle and laugh up to the ceiling like a giddy cartoon character with hearts floating around me.
I walk to him, rise on my toes, and kiss him with every ounce of appreciation I feel. For the first time in a long time, I allow myself to rely on someone else.
