Sliding out from under Ellie, I carefully adjust her until she’s lying down as I hold Hope against my chest.

“Ax?”

“Shhhh, sweetheart, I’m going to tuck you back into bed,” I tell her gently, carrying her up the stairs. Opening her door, I lay her on the bed, tuck the covers up around her, and then kiss her hair again before moving to the door and closing it halfway.

Going back downstairs, I pick up a still sleeping Ellie from the couch and carry her up to her room.

“Jax?” she whispers, clinging to me.

“I’m putting you in bed, baby,” I tell her, kissing her forehead as I use my shoulder to open her door. Carrying her across the dark room, I lay her down on the bed, wanting so badly to follow and climb in behind her. Instead, I whisper, “Slow,” against her ear when her arms tighten around my neck letting me know she wants the same thing.

Kissing her once more, I pull her arms from me and move to the door before I can’t force myself to leave.

“’Night, Jax.”

Looking over my shoulder at my beautiful woman, I whisper back, “’Night, baby,” closing the door halfway behind me.

It’s going to be a test of my willpower having Ellie down the hall from me, especially having seen the way she goes wild once I touch her. Going to my room, I leave the door open, that way I can hear if I’m needed, and then strip down to my boxers and get into bed.

Walking into the kitchen the next morning, I’m glad to see Ellie alone, and am surprised my sister didn’t stay when she came to pick up Hope.

Grinding my teeth. I know men have to hit on Ellie all the time. Fuck, if she was on the opposite side of the street from me, I’d walk to the other side and see if I could get her number. Today, her hair is down in big waves. Her long-sleeved black shirt is tight, with a scoop-neck, making her breasts look even fuller. The jeans she has on are ripped and baggy, with the bottom cuffed, showing off a pair of black boots with high chunky heels that make her ass look phenomenal and her legs look long.

“Morning, baby,” I greet her, placing a kiss on her neck as I lift my arm over her head to reach for a coffee cup.

“Morning.” She smiles then her head ducks away, but I still catch the blush that has risen on her cheeks.

“We need to talk about something,” I tell her, watching her face pale.

“What?”

“Here, up you go,” I say, placing her on the counter then pushing her legs open so I can stand between them.

“Jax, what is it?”

“Your mom was arrested yesterday,” I explain, watching as her bottom lip goes between her teeth. “My uncle will be calling you today, explaining to you what is going on and when or if you will need to be in court.”

“I have to see her?” she whispers worriedly.

“Most likely.” I nod, rubbing her thighs.

“My mom is—”

“Your mom has nothing to do with your life now,” I say, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “And I’m here with you. You’re not alone.”

“I’m not, am I?” she asks softly, studying me as her fingers move along my jaw then over my bottom lip.

“Never again, Ellie,” I tell her, and her forehead comes to rest against my chin. She and Hope have not only me, but also all of my family. They will never be alone again.

Chapter 6

Ellie

Walking down the hall to Jax’s office, I stop at the threshold, nibbling my bottom lip while leaning against the doorjamb so I don’t fall over.

Jax is sitting at his desk shirtless. His hair is messy, and he has a pair of black-framed glasses on I have never seen him wear before. As I watch him, he lifts his hand and runs his fingers through his hair, causing the muscles of his arms to flex, along with his pecs and abs.

“Hey,” I mumble, feeling my cheeks get hot when his eyes come to me and do a head-to-toe sweep.

“Hey, baby.” He smiles, motioning for me to come to him.

Shaking my head, I take a step back. I don’t trust myself. I know if I get close to him, I’m going to want to kiss him, and then I’m going to want to make out with him. I don’t have time to do that and go for a run before I have to get ready for work. And I really need to go for a run since the whole diet thing went down in a burning ball of fire.

“I’m going for a run,” I explain hastily, when he gets up from his chair and I notice he has on his nylon shorts that outline a very large erection.

“So come kiss me goodbye.”

“I can’t.” I shake my head frantically, watching him smile.

“You can,” he assures me, pressing his knuckles into the desk, making his arms and abs flex.

“I can’t. I know I can’t,” I tell him, taking another step backward into the hall. Then, without thinking, I run for the front door, hearing him run behind me as I swing the door open, and bolt down the steps to the sidewalk.

“Ellie,” Jax growls as I jog across the front yard.

“I’ll be back,” I yell over my shoulder, running faster. Getting to the end of the block, I turn right and spot the park at the end of the street, where I take Hope to play. As soon as I reach the large grassy field, I fall down on my back, panting heavy.

“I’m dying,” I wheeze, trying to catch my breath. I have no energy to run again. Really, I have no idea what I was thinking when I said I wanted to start running to begin with. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I press dial when I reach July’s number in my call log.