Bringing The Fight

2.

* Jaxxen *

Coralee rolled out of bed twenty minutes after I woke. I heard her puttering around in her room before I started the coffeemaker. She skips downstairs, her tight little body hidden by wearing saggy pants and a fugly pea green sweater. I meet her freshly scrubbed face with a frown.

"There are clothes in your closet that should fit. Please, wear them."

Jutting out a hip, she asks, "Are you saying you don't like my threads?"

"Own a mirror?" I chuckle at her prissy tone, "Why do you hide behind ugly f*****g sweaters?"

She flushes a pretty pink, "No reason. I wasn’t aware the shirts were up for grabs. Fine, I'll change."

"Hurry up." I grin at her backside, laughing when she stomped on the landing to emphasize her displeasure at being told her outfits suck.

I finish packing food into the cooler just as she comes back wearing dark jeans that hug her ass and a short-sleeved light blue flannel. f**k me, she’s big-breasted! I stare at her t**s straining against the material. How am I supposed to refrain from eye-f*****g her all day?

She catches me gawking, letting out a huff as she struggles to keep the shirt away from her perfect chest, "It’s a little snug. I should put my sweater back on."

"No," I growl then laugh awkwardly, making her smirk, "Looks good. It's getting late. You look great."

Outside, we pull on our shoes and I load the vehicle while she coos at the huskies. I watch her giggle over their wet kisses, feeling lighthearted. I rarely receive visitors, so they don’t interact with people unless I take them with me into town. They obviously like her, sitting still while she runs her slender fingers through their thick fur.

"What are their names? I can’t believe I didn’t ask last night!" When she shifts, the sunlight turns her hair a brilliant blonde color with soft red undertones.

"Ren and Stimpy." I pet them to stop staring at her.

She lets out a peal of laughter, "Awesome job naming them."

"Glad you approve." Once more I peek at Coralee. She’s charming as hell — frumpy or otherwise.

She beams at my dogs, "Are you good doggies? Yes, you are!"

Clearing my throat to dispel the jealousy I experience at her showering the boys with affection, I open the door for her, "Get in."

Now she gives me that cute frown-squint, "So bossy."

The weather’s warm, the Big Sky Country clear of depressing clouds. Perfect for sightseeing. With the mountains before us, I point out things on my property I think she’ll enjoy learning about, which she eagerly soaks up. The Ponderosa pine trees give some shade as I drive at an easy pace.

"Wow, fifty acres," she sighs, arm propped out the window, "It's so beautiful here, Jax. When I was young, I wanted to come here."

"Is that why you chose Perla?" I casually question, fishing for information in case the person she’s running from deducted she’d retreat to Montana.

She shrugs, looking away. I let the subject drop, noticing her body going rigid. It’s another five miles to the waterfall I plan to take her to. I lucked out locating it after my initial purchase and worked for over a year clearing the surrounding area.

Quiet minutes pass before I hear her sharp inhale when she catches sight of the water glistening in the sun. Before I’m finished turning the key to cut the engine, she’s dashing to the edge of the deep pool the cascading ten-foot deluge creates. The spot’s secluded, but I made sure there are two exit points in either direction.

"Surprise!" I lamely exclaim.

She swivels on her heels, glowing with delight, "This was the date you planned?"

“Is,” I correct her, needing to touch her, so I do. I seize her hand and she doesn’t mind, "This is a date Coralee. I’ve never brought anyone out here. This can be our secret spot."

She looks down, biting her lip. I gently chuck her chin, bringing her face back up. We study each other for a few moments before she blushes, grinning at my ogling. I can see why a guy would chase after her. She’s adorable.

"Hungry?" Stepping backward, I released her with the realization she probably thought I lied about taking her somewhere special, "Find a spot for the blanket?"

"Okay. Thank you, Jax." she runs to the jeep, "This is so nice. Really."

"We’re just beginning," I tease.

"Ugh, I hate that expression," she grumbles, wrestling with the quilted groundsheet I recently bought. I’m a big man but overestimated its size.

Chuckling, I set the cooler aside to help her out, "Why?"

She jerks a shoulder like it’s obvious, "Saying it’s a start means there will be an end. A bad one."

I can’t have her second-guessing my intentions. "Not with me. I'll show you plenty more. All good, all for you."

"That's nice, but kinda getting ahead of yourself," she plops down once we situate the quilt, straightening her legs out, gazing at the water, "Today is enough."

I squatted by her side, examining her expressions as I asked her the question driving me crazy, "Who hurt you?"

She stiffens, "Everyone has hurt somebody, Jax. Why do you live out here all alone? I don't think you do though, with all those women’s clothes unless you're a cross-dresser?"

Funny girl. “How about we trade tragic backstories?” she rolled her eyes, “You first. Who are you dodging? I promise I won't judge you or tell anyone here.” I mean townies because my buddy’s investigating her past as we speak, “Share one secret and I’ll do the same.”

She sighs heavily, dragging a hand through her hair, then studies me with resignation written on her pretty face, "He was my fiance. Or rather, he told me he was. I was given to him when I was seventeen and I ran after I turned eighteen."

Holy s**t. I figured she left an awful situation, but this is heavy.

Keeping my voice neutral, I respond, "Okay, so it's been a few years."

"Months," she bites out, looking pissed, and my fists curl, imagining pummeling her abuser, "That was the first time."

I sit down close to her, making sure there’s a gap between us, "He found you and you got away again? So, how long have you been running?"

She palms her face like I’m annoying the s**t out of her, "Jaxxen, don't act as if you can help. You’re sweet with the flowers and everything, but I shouldn't have said anything. I'll be moving along soon."

Coralee scowls when I ruefully chuckle. "I can help. I will help. As for leaving? Over my dead body, and I'm hard to kill. I purchased those clothes for you, sunflower. You need a friend and now you have me."

She scrambles up onto her knees, "What are you saying?"

I lick my lips as she stares me down. There are many promises I could make right then — but don’t. I’m an asshole on even days and a bastard on odd ones. She makes me want to hunt down every d**k that ever looked at her wrong and give her the best f**k of her young life at the same time. I’m not a man who cajoles or plays house. Something about Coralee draws out instincts I forfeited years ago, like justice that doesn’t come without paying with blood. Rivers of it. I turn on the charm instead of frightening her with my dark thoughts.

"Coralee, I bought that s**t hoping you’d want a place to stay. With me. I'm tired of hiding, aren't you? I isolated myself, but meeting you made me realize it’s not enough. Not anymore. So who is he? If you don't tell me, I'll find out either tonight or tomorrow." I warn with conviction.

"Who are you?" she questions bright eyes probing mine as if I’m trying to trick her.

"Depends on who you ask, but my home can be your haven, Coralee. Please… If you’re willing to trust someone, I’ll try not to disappoint you." I firmly lay it out, staring her down, daring her to detect a lie.

With a shake of her head, she breaks eye contact, looking pensive. I let her stew on our talk, opening the cooler to set out the sandwiches I made. I lost my appetite after such a screwed up conversation.

Who would give a kid away? What kind of piece of s**t would do that to a seventeen-year-old girl? The bigger problem is the person chasing her. Forcing answers from Coralee won’t work because she’s skittish as hell, but how else am I going to keep her safe if she doesn’t confide in me?

"He put a tracker in me," she softly says after a thoughtful silence, "I cut it out myself."

"In your leg?"

She points over her back, "Shoulder. God, that was painful."

I hide the anger surging through my veins by snatching a sharp rock off the ground, grinding my palm against the rough surface, "What happened to your ankle?"

She grabs a sandwich, picking at the cellophane while explaining, "After I dug the chip out, the man on watch duty tried to stop me, not knowing I had a kitchen knife. I fell, he took it and stabbed me but... I freed myself."

Smiling at her in understanding, I hope she hears the truth of my words through her inner turmoil, "You're strong, sunflower. I thought so the night we met. Question is, do you think you’ll survive much longer without help?"

She peers upward, studying my face for signs of deception, "Help is a foreign concept. After I accepted my situation… I turned numb. Then one day experienced this deep heat inside. Inside my soul. Like there was a stick of dynamite about to blow me apart if I didn't change my circumstances. Every day I'm away from him resets a timer. A detonation button at the ready. If I see him or his men again... I just know I will end him or he'll kill me."

Shivers shoot down my spine from the intensity of her declaration. Yes, this girl has a fire under her ass. I itch to hold her, to tell her she'll never experience that emptiness again, but she’s not there yet, so I do the next best thing and fulfill my part of the bargain.

"I hurt people," I confess in a whisper, "Paid to do it until I couldn't any longer. It disconnected every facet of my life. I became… Let’s just say my sudden absence relieved a few assholes. I get what you mean. Deciding if our mortal soul is worth taking a chance on isn’t an easy notion. If we find someone else who understands our pain, why not hold on to them? You've seen s**t Coralee, but let me carry some of your burdens."

She bites her lip with uncertainty, "Yes, I have witnessed evil. He'll never stop looking for me. It's been eight months since I gave him the slip. Why do you care Jax? I've got a lot of baggage."

Tired of words, anchor her face between my large palms. They look comical cupping her pink cheeks, but I kiss her anyway. Her plush lips feel like pillows, and I withhold a groan when she moves them against mine. The anticipation had been worth it. I imagined this all week. When would she lower her guard enough to allow my touch? Where? In front of a waterfall with her pretty eyes filled with tears, I’ll take.

She moans low in her throat, and that’s my cue to dive greedily into her mouth. f**k, she tastes so sweet. A perfect fit under my wandering hands. I caress her hair with careful movements, sliding the silky strands through my fingers. She’s incredibly responsive, leaning forward, another soft moan escaping from her sinful lips. My blood roars in my ears, eager to learn all about this mysterious woman as I swipe my tongue along her upper lip. I want to crawl inside of her head and plant seeds of love, lust, and eternal life at my side.

Damn, I’m a goner.

I pull away from Coralee far sooner than my raging hard-on judges a good idea, "That's why, Sunflower."

She appears dazed, licking her swollen lips, "Point made."

Smirking, I mentally pat myself on the back, "Glad you understand. No more running. We’ll return to the tavern so you can grab your stuff, but from now on you live with me."

Coralee drops the fingers she was touching her flushed face with, "So bossy. What will the locals think?"

I roll my eyes, "f**k them."

She gives me a reserved smile, "Right. Are you always this domineering?"

I hand her the sandwich she dropped. "Yes, but push back. I can handle it.” she snorts, “Ever camp? Wanna learn how to live off the land? I'll even throw in some self-defense lessons. Now, eat up, sunflower."

“How magnanimous. I lasted this long without your humble expertise.”

“Somehow,” I nudged her side playfully, “Pass me one of those waters, smartass.”

She giggles, and I grin at her while opening my bottle. Kissing Coralee felt so natural and right. I can’t wait to have her under me, but for now, I will make her safe. First, I need her to trust me and to find out who the asshole chasing her is before I go down that rabbit hole.

"I’ll nickname you too," she muses, "Just not yet."

"No." I smirk at her confused pout, "Not a nickname. It's a term of endearment because you’re gonna blossom if you stick with me."

Coralee blushes beautifully with a frown-squint, then eats like a starving animal.

* Coralee *

I must've gone bat s**t crazy running from Braden all these months. Why else would I let Jaxxen bully me into staying with him? The man is cocksure of everything he utters but tries to soften his orders with that megawatt smile he flashes like he already knows how it disarms my defenses. And it does. It’s bewildering and thrilling being on the receiving end of his attention. He doesn’t act as if I’m broken, although it’s obvious I’m screwed up.

On the drive into town, I decided to go with the flow. To see how long he waits before trying to pull a stunt. He has hot showers and free food up for grabs, and I’m not above taking advantage of it. He’ll want me in his bed eventually and I’ll ditch Perla as planned. Just friends, my ass.

Jax followed me upstairs in the tavern, forbidding me to bring the comfy sweaters I collected because he stated they were, 'f*****g god-awful'. The guy barely fit through the door, pointing out everything to leave behind, maintaining he purchased new clothes. I ended up with hardly anything, telling myself I'd donate the rest after work one day.

"Please stop buying me stuff!" I plead on the way to his so-called cabin, "I make money at Tom's. I’m capable of shopping for my own things."

He shoots me a mischievous grin before focusing on the road. Gah, the man’s always tossing smiles my direction, making me extremely warm and fuzzy in places I would rather not be. His dark hair flits about his head in the wind, shiny and touchable. My hands curl into my lap, tempted to run my fingers through his locks as he did mine at the waterfall.

The afternoon had been a magical setting with nightmare conversations. I revealed nothing after Jax told me he hurt people for a living before moving to Montana. With his size and eyes that seem to peer into my very soul, I don’t doubt it but want to learn more about him. He’ll lead Braden right to Perla if he keeps poking around, so I resolve to tell him everything tonight. Well, not everything, but enough to stop him from looking into Braden. By morning, I’m confident I'll be squatting at the bar once more. Jax can’t possibly mean to let me stay once he finds out I will not have s*x with him.

"Do you eat steak?" he asks after petting the dogs when they welcome us.

"I’m all about meat."

He grins, making my pulse leap. “Perfect answer, Sunflower.”

Shyly, I follow him into the house after shedding my worn muddy shoes. Jax is going to kill me with his good looks. After that ridiculously hot kiss we shared by the waterfall, I kept peeking at his mouth. No one ever made me so aroused as he had while kissing. I can still feel his gentle strokes through my hair.

For such a massive man, he’s smooth on his feet. Quick. He emptied the cooler, stowed it in a large hall closet, then turned to the sink to wash up in the kitchen while I stared like an interloper.

He smiles over his shoulder when I continue standing in the middle of the room, "Do you cook Coralee? Come here."

"Yes, Braden made certain I learned how to cook and entertain," I say, joining him.

His gray eyes narrow, catching what I purposely let slip, "Braden, huh? Can you make a salad while I do the steaks?"

I nod, stepping towards the fridge, "Don't go searching for him, Jax. If I get a whiff he's sniffing around here, I’m on the next bus out of here."

He leans against the counter smirking, "Sounds as if you're ready to explain who the f**k he is."

Jax has such a filthy mouth, but I like it. The protective way he speaks makes me believe opening up to him will be useful in the future. Why? This mountain man is a stranger, but he treats me as an equal. I crave normalcy. I’ve told nobody about my history. Might as well start with him. Two outsiders finding a mutual connection. He said as much during our picnic. Asked me to hold on to him. It was sweet.

I pulled out vegetables as he laid out a cutting board and knife for me to use. I remain silent until he retreats to season the meat. This isn’t an easy conversation to have, and I’m glad I have something to keep me busy while I talk.

"A couple by the name of Winter’s adopted me when I was five. My foster parents were older, owning a live-work bakery in a neighborhood that gradually declined into corruption. We were okay for several years. They paid protection to the Conry Family until Braden decided he would rather have me."

Jax stood on the other side of the kitchen behind me, quiet as a mouse. I inhale deeply, trying not to cry at the memory of their betrayal, "Since they were old, having put everything into the business, they agreed. What could they do when threatened with arson and death?"

"No comment," he growls.

I remember the night I came home...

"Cora," mom stopped me in the foyer before I spotted brand new luggage set by the stairs.

"What's this for?"

"You're going on a trip," her tired eyes avoided mine, "Take these upstairs and pack a week’s worth of clothing."

We'd never traveled before, "Where are we headed?" I couldn't control the grin on my face as I hefted the case up, “Please say Hawaii!”

"No dear, just you," she sighed, turning away from me, "A man will be here in an hour to collect you. Don't ask why. This is... a surprise."

I shrugged, knowing she’d explain after I packed. I tended to run my mouth, and she always waited until I finished tasks before approaching me.

But before I found answers, the man sent for me forced me into a car, shoving the suitcase across my lap, busting my lip, and spraying blood on the pristine bags.

I chop the lettuce as Braden taught me, "My parents died anyway. Late one night the building caught fire, killing them in their sleep. He said nobody cared that he plucked a homeless orphan off the street and he saved me by giving me a better life. He never actually confessed to murdering them, but he didn't have to."

"Jesus," Jax banged the cast-iron skillet onto the stove, "Sorry... go on."

I reach for a tomato, squeezing the fruit, "Braden kept me locked in his house, cameras everywhere. At first, someone would follow me, then when I stopped fighting him, he'd let me do little things like cooking. He loved degrading me in front of his boss, a jerk named Enzo. No one was to touch me, but he tolerated Enzo watching us together for the power play."

"See her flush so prettily for me, Enzo," Braden’s silky voice taunted from behind, "Doesn't she look so beautiful with my c**k in her ass?" he leaned over my tied down form, hissing in my ear, "You're lucky Cora. So very lucky."

Enzo licked his lips, jerking his small d**k from the armchair he regularly occupied. He wasn't allowed to speak when Braden f****d me, but his sinister eyes conveyed all the sick things he wanted to do.

I stare down at my hands, realizing I demolished the tomato in my fist. My stomach turns, recalling the way Braden’s wet mouth would send me off into the most electrifying orgasms while scolding how lucky I was.

"Hey," Jax leans over until his concerned gray orbs fill my vision, "That's enough for now."

I flicked the faucet, washing off the mess. "I convinced Braden I adored him. He's charismatic, rich, and will not stop until he has me back, Jaxxen. You claimed you used to hurt people," I turn to witness his handsome face dark with anger, "Braden does it for fun."

"He won't find you. If he does, he'll be sorry, but the bastard will never touch you again." Jax sounds so certain, I almost believe him, "What I did in the past will enable me to protect you Coralee. Men like him are a dime a dozen and I'm not afraid. Trust me?"

I sit on a stool with a groan, "I don't know Jax. Tall order. People have let down one too many times."

"That sucks. You aren't completely distrustful though. Good ole Tom’s wrapped around your pretty little finger."

Truth. "He’s a sweetheart, thinks I'm saving up to visit my grandmother."

"I'm sure he doesn’t buy that s**t, but whatever," he laughs at me, "You'll find out a man of my word, Coralee. I'll prove it to you." He winks, and I blush because he’s so charming when he plays.

Shaking my arms to release tension, I concede, "Fine. Let's table all of this depressing talk and have dinner."

He claps his big hands together, making me jump, "Agreed. Come back around here and try not to squish another tomato."

We settle into a peaceful rhythm in the kitchen as I wrap up the salad while he sears the steaks. We sit at the beautiful oak table and after I slow down to appreciate the taste of the food, ask easy questions not to disrupt the pleasantness of the evening.

"How old are your dogs?"

"I bought them as pups before I came here. Someday we'll go to Alaska and they'll thrive there too." he shakes his head in an obvious fondness for them. "They love it here though."

"And you trained them?"

He nods, finishing his meal, "Some guy I met a long time ago told me how to do it. Get enough to eat?"

I hold in an embarrassing belch but my chest burbles anyway, but he only chuckles, "More than enough. I've been living on noodles with boiled water from the coffee pot at Toms."

He looks horrified, then places his warm hand on my arm, offering another meaningful smile, "What’s mine is yours. I'm going to fatten you up, sunflower."

“Thank you,” I whisper, pulling away.

He’s already filling my heart with hope, and it won’t end well.

* Jaxxen *

I tried to keep the conversation light with Coralee throughout dinner and afterward while we cleaned the kitchen. She insisted on loading the dishwasher and I wiped down the counters. We maneuvered around each other like we’ve been living together for months instead of a few hours.

The entire time I fume over the information she gave concerning that Braden asshole. Coralee spoke about him in a ghostly, detached voice as she stood there murdering a tomato. I bet the f*****g city mobster loser kidnapped her and without permission, making the fire seem like an accident. He probably faked her death too. She’s right to be scared, but I’m not.

Coralee shyly turns when I follow her out of the dark kitchen. "So, my shift at Tom's starts at five. I’ll have to leave an hour early hoofing it on foot."

I cross my arms, "I'll take you until he replaces you. Do you have to work there?"

Her hazel eyes widen, "How else will I earn money? I searched all over town before he took me on."

"You don't need it," I’m coming on strong so add with a smile, "I could use help. Work for me."

"What? Are you serious?" she scoffs, flipping her long locks over her shoulder.

"Absolutely. I can list twenty things a day for you to do that don't involve busting tables for f*****g drunks."

She giggles at that, then bit her lip. f**k, I wanted to bite and suck those pillow lips. I step closer, opening my stance. Her eyes rake over my face, her breathing quickening. Oh yeah, she’s recalling our kiss.

The kiss that sealed her fate.

"It’s getting late. Are you sleepy?" My tone is low, soothing, so she knows she has a choice.

She inhales deep like she’s smelling me, leaning forward a little, "Not really. I mean, what do you do for fun?"

Running my tongue over my lower lip to get a reaction, watch as her pupils dilate. Bingo. Her cheeks turn that pretty shade of pink, which never fails to boost my ego. So responsive is my Sunflower. She puts on a tough girl act, but she’s so innocent in a lot of ways.

"Now you're here, I have a few ideas." I smirk, "I don't think you'll find it amusing though."

She arranges her small hands on my broad chest, and I blink at the realization she’s comfortable enough in my presence for random touching. She’ll create a monster if she keeps it up. "Try me."

Holding in a groan, I war with myself. I could take advantage of her openness, but it’s too soon. Coralee’s a runner and until I know she won’t flee, I have to behave. The heat of her little body so close to mine has me hard as hell, but I can’t touch her. She deserves my patience.

The urge to spread those long legs around my waist while nailing her to the wall with my c**k is strong, but I shake it off, bringing her hands up to my lips, kissing the pulse points on her wrists. The fierce thrumming below her soft skin drives me crazy. Her thick eyelashes lower and Coralee steps closer, shy yet oh so seductive. Does she have any idea what she does to me? Damn, time to put on the brakes.

"Usually I play with the dogs before dark." I say, before pecking her forehead with a lightness she sighs at, "Come on, let me show you how I feed them. This will be one of your jobs."

I almost smirked at the red flush that zoomed from her chest to her adorable cheeks when I walked away. Maybe she realizes we need to slow down too, pretending I didn’t trick her by keeping silent.

She helps me fill the bowls for the huskies, then plays with them for a while. The night air turns brisk, but I sit on the deck watching her instead of seeking warmth. Ren and Stimpy revel in her attention. Coralee exclaims she loves all animals, and I tell her I do too, another thing we have in common. I really don’t, I hate cats, but I’m trying to hook this girl into staying with me.

"Bedtime?" I suggest a while later when she rests sleepily in a chair by the table at the far end of the porch, "I expect breakfast at seven."

She rolls her eyes, heading for the stairs, "Okay, Mr. Bossy-Pants, you win. I'll tell Tom tomorrow I'm now a live-in maid for the recluse of Perla."

Funny girl. "That's not a good endearment, Sunflower. Try again."

I wait until I hear her door shut before entering my office. I’m glad Coralee isn’t fighting me about sticking close because I’m going to f*****g murder Braden when I locate him.