Bringing The Fight

8.

* Jaxxen *

I trust Wylan, but with the man hanging around my house, flirting shamelessly with Coralee, it makes me wonder if he’ll keep his d**k in his pants. I’m sure Wylan wouldn't actually try anything, but when his eyes linger on her ass or when he inserts raunchy opinions into our conversations, my jaw ticks in irritation. Coralee seems oblivious, which takes the sting away.

For over a week I kept my distance from Coralee except for working out in the gym or sharing meals, and she accepted our new dynamic in stride. I kiss her like a damn schoolboy when Wylan’s not around, but there are no more visits to her bedroom nor do I bring up Braden. We’re in a weird holding pattern.

I want Coralee’s complete confidence before having a serious discussion about the bastard chasing her and what she plans to do. I’m sitting on information concerning her birth family we still need to deal with but luckily no one brings the subject up and I go to bed each night thankful for another drama-free day with the girl I’m falling for.

Wylan taught Coralee self-dense moves one evening, and as I watched them wrestle and share inside jokes, my insecurities surfaced. Am I too old for Coralee? She isn’t even twenty-one yet while I’ve been through a lifetime of s**t. She deserves a carefree life with someone her age and although Coralee behaves and speaks like an old soul — still has a lot to learn. But who doesn’t?

"I bet I can outrun you, Jax," Wylan taunts stretching his legs before we left on a hike, "Let's race."

"How old are you?" Coralee teases but stretches alongside him.

I keep myself in check, catching Wylan staring at her chest, which I admit; I gawk at too. The exercise clothes I gave her tease my control. Her body has filled out the last weeks she’s lived with me and can’t help but want to explore her new curves. She has the best rack and ass I've seen in years.

Sadly, the skimpy yellow top allows us to view the scar where Braden tagged her before she crudely cut it out. Imagining the bravery Coralee must have dug deep the day she did it made my d**k a little hard. What will she say about mine? I can’t hide them from her forever.

"You haven’t learned the terrain," I dryly remind them both, "Let's complete the two-mile trek first. All set, Coralee?"

She flashes a smile, picking up a water bottle, "Yep. How hot will it get today?"

"Not very since it’s early spring," I reply, beginning a fast-paced walk, itching to run, but I’m doing this to show her the path I normally take.

Wylan sighs and falls into step, although I told him he doesn’t have to come. It’s a perfect morning for hiking as the winds are low and the sky clear. Wylan runs his mouth for a while, explaining to Coralee how he infiltrates people’s data. Sometimes he’s too cocky for his own good, but she won’t mention anything to anyone.

"Why would you do that?" she sounds offended, "I know you hacked my information, but it's illegal and immoral."

"Immoral?" he scoffs, "Do you think the government cares when they do the same thing? At least I'm not digging into women's info, jacking off in my mom’s basement with—"

I spun around, frowning at her shocked expression, "Dude, f*****g quit."

Coralee’s hazel orbs lock onto me, and they seem troubled. There are questions in her beautiful eyes I refuse to answer. I am conflicted. If the truth about my past drives a wedge between us, I wouldn’t know where to start to repair it. I’m a Grade A-Asshole and Wylan not far behind.

The night she bared her nearly naked and extremely fuckable body begging for my touch, all I wanted to do was settle between those milky thighs and do what comes naturally, but I couldn’t. Not yet. Ever since I laid eyes on Coralee, felt in my soul she would be mine. The one I see myself marrying and having children with. Now knowing all the f*****g drama she brings; another matter altogether. I want this girl any which way I can, but have to be certain she’s mentally and physically willing. I’ve ruined more experienced women, and she deserves better.

“Happy? I love seeing you smile,” I whisper in her ear as we walk side by side.

She gazes up at me with a goofy grin, "Stop! Sometimes I think you say things like that just to make me—"

"Ren!" Wylan snaps when my dogs bark and growl ahead of the trail.

I place a firm hand on Coralee’s arm. "They only react this way when predators are around."

They stand aside as I watch the huskies do their job. After living alone with them all these years, we three are a unit. Coralee gives me a curious look, but I focus on what my boys perceive as a threat. After five minutes they trot back, calm, and lick my hand telling me it’s safe to proceed.

"What was it?" she asks, shifting uneasily in her Nike's.

I shoot her a reassuring smile, "Probably a coyote. Carry on."

Wylan and I resume walking, with Coralee bringing up the rear. Ren and Stimpy relax and playfully scamper up and down the pathway which helps Coralee regain her good mood, and soon we’re talking about plants.

I ramble, explaining the edible ones like Shepherd's Purse, which is a little bitter but has a lot of benefits. She listens and stops to poke at the plant while Wylan and I keep going. Coralee soaks up knowledge like a sponge. I love that about her. It’s impressive and sexy as hell.

By the time we reach the two-mile mark by a rock outcrop large enough for me to lean on, Coralee goads Wylan into a race. I watch in amusement, no longer jealous. Their relationship has turned into a bratty brother and sister rapport. Thank f**k for that because I’m not sure if I’d stand in their way. Wylan’s practically the same age while there’s over a decade between us.

"You may be tall, but I ran track in school!" Wylan smugly jeers.

Coralee pivots on her heels and takes off with a devious cackle. I chuckle when he shouts something about cheating, running after her. I push off of the rock, jogging forward to spot Coralee smoking Wylan, although the man tried hard — she’s faster. There’s a bend, and I lose sight of them for a few seconds, but then I hear her cry out. My heart smashes against my ribs as I break into a sprint, fearful she got hurt.

"Coralee!" I roar, rounding the corner to see her over Wylans’ shoulder screeching.

"Let me go!" she laughingly demands, beating on his backside with her open palms.

He chuckles, spinning around with a grin, "She cheated. Gotta keep your eye on this one, Jax."

I roll my eyes and grasp Coralee’s hips. "She beat you and you’re a sore loser. Just admit it."

She slides down my body, slapping at Wylan’s chest, "Exactly."

Wylan grins but doesn’t respond, walking ahead of us towards the cabin. I shake my head at their antics while Coralee catches her breath. She’s adorable all flushed and sweaty and when I smell her vanilla lotion, pretend to admire the sky, so I don’t do something stupid like drag her into the trees to have my way with her.

"Montana is so pretty!" she exclaims with a sigh, strolling at a leisurely pace, "You know so much about the flora and fauna too."

I raise an eyebrow, "Can I ask you a question?"

She nods, long ponytail bobbing, and I picture working my fingers through the silky-looking locks while she chokes on my c**k. f**k! I need to stop before she noticed the raging hard-on I sport every time we’re alone. Coralee drives me absolutely crazy. Keeping my hands off of her is difficult, and kissing in secret like horny teenagers does nothing when laying in bed picturing her t**s and the way she shook in my arms, begging for it.

"Of course."

Right. Back to my questions. "He took you out of high school—"

"I finished though," she cuts me off defensively, "I aced online courses and earned a high school diploma."

Just another thing Braden did for Coralee I'm confused over. He made sure she's educated and able to keep a home but never had s*x with her. What was his end game?

"Braden gave you have access to the internet?" I question.

She narrows her eyes, "If you are asking why didn't I seek help there was none. He monitored everything down to how many tampons I used."

I shake my head at how this conversation is going. "I'm not trying to imply anything, Sunflower. Seriously. Just curious about how s**t went down between you two."

She opens the water bottle, taking a long drink before replying, "I arrived green but didn’t stay that way after a creep dumped me on his doorstep. To say he loved me with a single focus is an understatement."

The cabin came into view, "It must be hard to talk about it, but you can."

"What about you, Jax?"

"What about me?"

"Will you finally explain your past if I tell you how he tied me to chairs or locked me inside closets so he could party with his friends and whores without worrying I’d escape?"

It’s a struggle to remain relaxed at her detached tone, as if it was a normal occurrence for him to restrain her. Bastard! My hands clench when I calmly reply, "I suppose that's a fair trade, but all in good time."

"What! Come on, how do you earn all that cash you throw around? Not personal enough? Why did you build a house with a security system to rival a bank?" she spun to face me, hazel eyes searching mine for truths she won’t find. "Fine. You said you hurt people for a living. Are you a bad man?"

Shrugging, I carefully admit, "Can't deny I’ve done awful things but am I bad for you is a more relevant question. I will never betray or purposely hurt you. I want to be better."

"As to what?" she pries, "Were you like the lackeys who babysat me?"

"No."

I walk away, hating myself for not giving Coralee answers when I need more information about Braden. Maybe I should ask Wylan to speak to her. She meanders behind, calling to the dogs who are busy sniffing the bushes. I glance back one more time before heading inside, watching her dash into the gym where Wylan likes to hang out. The morning took a dark turn and I hate she’s hiding from me.

In the kitchen, I down a glass of water then checked my cell, glad there are no messages. Since it’s not lunchtime yet, head to the office. As I’m punching in the pin, hear a ringing upstairs. Curious, I hurry to find the source, finding Coralee's little flip phone chirping. A burner. Smart girl. Who had she given the number out to? Why don’t I have it?

Not wanting to intrude on Coralee’s privacy, I backtrack to my office and spend a good hour messing around on the computer. I’d formed a paranoid habit of checking into the people of my past, making sure they aren’t anywhere near Perla. Living out in the middle of nowhere has its perks, but remaining vigilant keeps my instincts from slipping.

When I come out to see if Coralee’s hungry, find them eating at the table on the porch. I relax when she says they set food aside for me. She’s so considerate and kind it’s hard to imagine someone abused this incredible girl. I hesitate to touch her but say what the hell, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead. She stiffens, and it kills me to think that all my progress with her may have come undone with one misunderstood conversation.

“Kiss the cook,” Wylan jokes, puckering his lips.

I smirk, “You wish.”

She laughs, but a wary air lingers between us when I return to the table to eat. I need to tell Coralee about my past soon. When I do, hopeful she’ll understand why I hesitated. Everyone in her life has, in one way or another, let her down and I don’t want to join their ranks. I care for her more than she realizes and will prove it by my actions, not just my vows. To do that, our trust in each other must be as solid as gold, and I look forward to the day she looks at me not as an ally, but as the man she loves.