Bodyguard's undeniable pull

HANDS THAT REMEMBER

Chapter 4

The ocean stretched out flat and endless, waves folding over themselves in slow, lazy rolls. She came out here to breathe, to shake off the weight of the morning and the way Jax’s hands had felt on her skin hours earlier…..still lingering like a promise she wasn’t sure she deserved.

Luke(co-star) was already there.

He leaned against the railing, forearms braced, staring at the water as he owned it. White linen shirt rolled at the sleeves, sunglasses pushed up into his hair. He looked effortless, golden, the way he always did when he wanted someone to notice.

“You disappeared,” he said without turning. “After our little chat earlier.”

“I needed air,” she replied

He glanced over his shoulder. Smiled that easy, practised smile. “Plenty of air out here.”

She stayed near the glass doors. Didn’t close the distance.

Luke straightened. Walked toward her slowly, hands in his pockets. “You’ve been different since we got to the Hamptons. Quieter...Happier, maybe. Or just… distracted.”

Elena met his eyes. “I’m fine.”

He stopped a few feet away. Close enough that she could smell the salt on his skin mixed with whatever cologne he wore….something sharp and expensive.

“You don’t have to pretend with me, Elena… I see it.

The way you look at him. The way he looks at you like you’re the only thing keeping him upright.”

Her stomach tightened. “This isn’t a conversation we need to have.”

“It is if you’re making a mistake.” His voice dropped, softer now, almost concerned. “He’s your bodyguard.

That’s the job. When the job ends, he leaves. I’m not going anywhere.”

She crossed her arms. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know you deserve someone who can stand next to you in the light. Not in the shadows behind you.”

He reached out…slow, giving her time to pull away and brushed his fingers along her bare arm, light…testing.

The touch was warm, deliberate.

Elena stepped back. “Don’t.”

His hand dropped. The smile stayed, but it didn’t reach his eyes anymore. “You’re shaking.”

“I’m not.”She replied

“You are.” He tilted his head. “Are you sure about him? About what happens when the cameras stop and the checks clear?”

She felt the words like a slap…small, stinging. “I have thought about it. I’m still here.”

Luke studied her for a long beat. Then something shifted in his expression, charm giving way to something colder, sharper.

“Fine,” he said quietly. “But when it blows up…don’t expect me to be the one who picks up the pieces.”

He turned…walked past her, shoulder brushing hers on purpose. She didn’t flinch…didn’t move until his footsteps faded down the hall.

The house felt colder when she stepped back inside. She moved through the hallway, bare feet silent on hardwood, needing to find Jax, needing to tell him what just happened before it festered.

Voices stopped her outside the study door.

Jax’s tone..low, controlled, edged with something dangerous. And a woman’s sharp, venomous.

“…you really think you can just end this?” Victoria was saying. “After everything I’ve done for you? For him?”

“You did nothing for me,” Jax answered. “You used me. Used him. And now you’re trying to use her.”

A bitter laugh. “She’s a client, Jax. A pretty distraction. When the check clears, you’ll be gone. And she’ll be alone again.”

Silence.

Then Jax’s voice…quiet, final. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Elena pushed the door open.

They both turned.

Victoria’s eyes narrowed. “Eavesdropping now?”

Jax stepped toward Elena, positioning himself slightly in front of her…Protective without thinking.

Victoria looked between them. “This is pathetic.”

“Get out,” Jax said.

Victoria smiled..thin and vicious. “You’ll regret that.”

She brushed past Elena on her way out, heels clicking sharply against the floor. The front door slammed a moment later.

Jax exhaled. “She’s been calling all morning.

Threatening to pull strings...

Elena locked the door behind

She crossed to him, took his face in her hands.

“You meant it?..she said softly. He stared in confusion then she said: “About not going anywhere.”

His hands settled on her hips and he said“Every word.”

She kissed him.

It started slowly, with comfort...then it deepened. His fingers tightened. Her finger slid into his hair.

They stumbled back. Her spine hit the desk. Papers slid to the floor.

She tugged at his shirt. He yanked it over his head.

Scars everywhere..familiar now, loved now.

Her top followed. Bra unhooked. His mouth on her neck, her collarbone, lower.

She gasped when he lifted her onto the desk. Legs parting. His hips are slotting between them.

Clothes came off in hurried layers…jeans shoved down, underwear aside.

He entered her in one slow thrust.

They both stalled..breathed.

Then he moved..deep, steady, every roll of his hips pulling a soft moan...

She clung to him…nails in his shoulders. Mouth on her nipple

The desk creaked. The room smelled like salt air and them.

She felt it building again….tight, bright, unstoppable.

“Jax” she moans

“I have got you" he replied

She shattered…clenching around him. Crying out against his shoulder.

He followed. burying himself deep. Groaning her name like a vow.

They stayed locked together… Panting, Hearts slamming.

He kissed her forehead calmly.

“I’m not letting her near you,” he whispered.

She smiled against his skin. “We won’t let her.”

A sharp knock cracked through the quiet….three fast, deliberate raps on the study door.

They froze.

Then Victoria’s voice…low and venomous, filtered through the wood like ice

She said...

“Open the door, Jax.

I have the photos.

All of them.”

Elena’s breath caught.

Jax’s arms tightened around her like steel.

The handle turned.