Page 5 of Jaxon (Stone Brothers #4)

I cuddled closer. "I sure did, and I'd do it again. And as much as I'd like this day to go on forever, I better pull my clothes back on—oh shit, I mean my bikini and head out. I need to find Alex and cool down his temper before you get into trouble."

"Well, let me just say that I think that's a terrible fucking plan. Seriously, you need to dump that prick."

"I agree, only it's sort of complicated." I pushed up from the mattress and picked up my very skimpy bikini. "Argh, next time I jump over a boat railing I need to remember to pull on my coverup … and shoes."

The floor creaked as Jaxon stood from the bed. It still took my breath away to see him reach full height. "I'll give you a sweatshirt, but I'm afraid my shoes are big enough for you to sit in—like a canoe."

"I'll take the sweatshirt."

Jaxon walked to a small closet and pulled out a black hoodie. He dropped it over my head, and we both laughed as I got entirely lost inside of it. It came nearly to my knees, and the sleeves hung way past my hands. Jaxon rolled each sleeve back until my hand finally popped out of it.

I hugged myself and took in the soapy scent. "Hmm. I like this." I smiled up at him and noticed he looked sad.

"You should stay with me," he said.

I reached up and touched his face. "I think if you knew more about me, you'd be happy to see me out the door."

"Impossible," he said.

I hopped up on my toes and kissed him lightly. "Just so you know—I won't forget this day … ever."

Jaxon pulled on his shorts, and we walked out of the room in silence. I was already feeling the weight of walking away from him, and I was expecting it. I knew he wasn't going to be an easy man to leave behind. Still, I wouldn't have changed a thing about this day.

"I'll give you a ride to—where are you staying?" he asked.

"Uh, I can just walk to the bus stop. I don't want to get you in trouble."

Jaxon took hold of my hand in the entryway. Faded floral wallpaper hung off the walls in strips and an old chandelier, complete with heavy crystals all crusted with dust, hung over our heads. "Stop worrying about that. I need to make sure you get home safely. I'll get my keys."

"I'll just have you drop me off at the Oceanview Marina. I'm sure Alex has taken the boat back to its slip." I sensed his profound disappointment when he realized I was going back to Alex, but I wasn't going back with open arms.

Jaxon walked back upstairs, and I headed out to the porch. His brother, Crusoe, was smeared in black paint. He looked up from his hand painted sign "Fuck You, Walsh" with a proud grin. "It's sweet, simple and to the point," he announced.

Theo was in the front yard doing some impressive tricks on a BMX bike.

He balanced on the back wheel and rode it like a unicycle up to the steps.

The front tire came down on the bottom step, and he straddled the bike.

It looked miniature beneath his tall, athletic frame.

They were certainly a breathtaking bunch, the Stones.

"Well, well, well," Theo said with a crooked smile that gave him a nice dimple. "Jaxon has pulled some big stunts before, but stealing a girl right out from under a dude's nose—now that is one for the record books."

"It was sort of a mutually agreed upon escape rather than theft," I explained.

"I'd say you're worth all the shit he's gonna be in after this," Crusoe said with a beaming smile. It was obvious he admired his big brother.

"Thanks, but I'm not too sure I'm worth the hassle." I motioned toward the sign. "Guess this has to do with Croft Beach."

Crusoe sat back, wiped his face with the back of his hand and left a black streak on his forehead. "The fucking asshole claims he owns that stretch of beach now, and he's generously given us one more week to use it. Fuck that. He's picked on the wrong surfers."

The screen door opened. Jaxon stepped out of the house. "Told you guys, big money lawyers always win. You're going to be disappointed," Jaxon said.

Crusoe was about to hurl a coated paintbrush at his brother but then decided against it.

"I hate to agree with Mr. Downer back there, but yeah, I know Nathan Walsh, and he's a ruthless businessman," I said.

"How the hell do you know him?" Jaxon asked. "I'll bet he's friends with Alex the Prick. His new name, by the way."

"Yeah, they're friends. Alex's dad, James Hurst, and Nathan Walsh are good friends. But I knew Nathan Walsh before—" I paused as we all turned toward the sound of tires coming up the dirt road. The shiny black limo with heavily tinted windows came into view as it rounded the curve.

"What the fuck?" Jaxon muttered, and the others echoed his sentiment.

I took a deep breath and released an annoyed sigh. "Nathan Walsh is greedy, ruthless and lacks any of the qualities needed to be a good human."

The limo stopped. The door opened. "Bridget, get inside, now," a deep voice commanded from somewhere behind the dark windows.

I looked back at Jaxon. "And, he's my dad." I hurried over, kissed Jaxon on the mouth and whispered into his ear. "I won't forget you." I hurried down the steps and jumped into the car. I plunked down on the seat and blinked my eyes to hold back tears.

"What the hell have you been up to, Bridget? Alex is planning to press charges, and I'm in full support."

I knocked on the window to the driver. "Let's go," I said abruptly. "If he presses charges, I will never speak to him again, and this devil's bargain you struck up with James, selling your daughter's soul for a mega-merger deal, will be over."

Dad scoffed. "Don't be so dramatic." His sideburns were starting to turn gray, but the rest of his hair was black, along with his eyebrows and mustache, that, coupled with his constant scowl, always made him look mean.

It was hard to know how a man who had everything could still constantly walk around with an angry chip on his shoulder, but that was my dad.

I crossed my arms and sank down into the giant sweatshirt.

"What the hell are you wearing?" he asked gruffly.

I ignored the question and him for the rest of the ride home. It had been a spectacular day, but I was back in reality, and it sucked even more now knowing there were men like Jaxon out there in the world.