FALLING: The Negative Ion Series Read online

  Jaxen smiles at me when they leave us alone. “It’s always been great to have a well-known food critic for a father. When it’s known, of course.”

  I laugh. “I can’t wait to try his choices. It’s certainly been quite the experience the couple of times Samantha and I have been out with him and they realize who he is.”

  Jaxen nods. “John Williams, food critic, commands respect but John Malloy, husband and father, can come and go as he pleases. Thank God only a slim few know him by face.”

  So true. When we’ve dined with John Malloy, there was no ass-kissing or preamble. We got our food and was out of there. Twice I’ve dined with ‘John Williams’ and those experiences were completely different. The first time, it felt totally uncomfortable to be stared at while eating. I mean they took gawking beyond its definition. That’s when John introduced me to Eating 101, and now, outside of fast food, I approach my food the way he showed me.

  The first course arrived and the waiter smiled as he set it down. “This is Formaggio with spinach, artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers. Buon appetito!”

  I studied the food in front of me, approaching it in the same way I’d witnessed Jaxen’s father sample food when he eats in a restaurant. When I decided I liked the presentation, I deeply inhaled. It made my mouth water.

  Jaxen just picked up his knife and bread, looking like he was about to attack his food. I quickly reached out and stopped him.

  “Stop! Hasn’t being your father’s son taught you anything, Jaxen?”

  He laughed. “Oh, God… not you, too!”

  “Yes, me too! Take a moment and appreciate what the chef has done for you. Look at his creation before you eat. Smell and try to decipher the spices and herbs. Then actually taste the food,” I say as I take another long whiff.

  Jaxen shrugs then smells. “Mmm. It’s making my stomach rumble more, baby.”

  “Then it’s appealing to more of your senses. Use them when you eat. You’ve done sight, then smell. Now taste and feel. Take a small bite and allow it to dance on your tongue.”

  I spread the dip on a piece of bread and I watched Jaxen as I took a small bite and let it linger on my tongue then softly and slowly chewed. I sigh closing my eyes in complete heaven. John can choose my food any time, I think as I swallow.

  “Mm. I can taste garlic and basil. Oh, and Romano cheese. Go ahead, Jaxen. Taste how wonderful it is.”

  I startle when I feel Jaxen’s lips on mine and kiss him back thoroughly, gripping his thick brown hair.

  “I taste it all,” Jaxen whispers when he finally releases me. “That’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life.”

  My fingers go to my swollen lips and I blush fire as I look around the restaurant. Jaxen smiles at me then takes a deliberate bite of his of his dip, starting at me as he slowly chews. I stare at his lips while we eat, wanting them back on mine and just as I am about to lean in, the waiter comes back and removes our first course dishes.

  We sit silently, just staring at one another as we wait for the next course. I’m in real trouble. I think I may lose my virginity tonight. Sighing, I turn away and close my eyes as I chant to myself to keep it together. It can’t be tonight. No way am I going to give up sex on the first date, I don’t care if I have known him for four years. So what if I’ve seen him half-naked. And who cares that I have lusted after him for two years? I don’t need to fuck him just because he has a hard dick in front of me, just like his mother said.

  His mother? No… no, no… I cannot be thinking about her right now. Or mine! Shit! Well, maybe I should think about them. Talk about a bucket of cold water! I am definitely calm now. I wonder if Jaxen is…

  I peek at Jaxen and he’s still staring at me. I blush again and look down. I can’t tell if he’s hard or not because the red tablecloth is blocking his pelvic area. Damn. I quickly look back up and see a dirty smile on his face. If this isn’t a sexy look, then I swear I’ll never know what is. Sexy cocky bastard!

  Jaxen gives me a slight affirmative nod with hooded eyes.

  “What?” I frown.

  “I am.”

  “Huh?”

  “Erect. Have been since I saw you in that dress.”

  “Oh,” I whisper then clear my throat.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t try to do anything you don’t want to do,” Jaxen whispers again then leans to my ear. “As much as I look forward to hearing it from you, I think the wait will make the act all the more better. If we ever get to it. This is enough for me.”

  I shiver. God, the heat of his breath on my goose-bumped skin… it literally gave me chills. I am so far gone over him. I want him bad.

  Thankfully, before I could embarrass myself, like jumping on his lap and riding him like a bull in this dark restaurant, the second course arrived and I focused my attention to it and inhaled the aroma.

  “Italian Wedding Soup, which includes orzo, meatballs, spinach and Parmesan cheese,” the waiter practically sang.

  I silently finished the bowl and wanted to weep, it was so good. Jaxen scraped his and muttered a curse when he threw his spoon in his empty bowl. The waiter cleared the dishes then came back soon after with our third course.

  “Lasagna Bolognese made with Alfredo sauce, ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and fresh, house-made noodles. Enjoy!”

  Again, I inhaled as John taught me then smiled. Intoxicating, in a good way. Smiling, I picked up my fork and took a bite. It melted in my mouth. I turned to Jaxen and was impressed he was doing exactly what I told him.

  By the time we finished that course, I was stuffed. I ate every damn bite and so did Jaxen. The waiter came and said we had our choice of dessert, since John said any one offered went well with our meal.

  “Your choices are Citrus Zabaglione, your choice of a berry sauce on the house cheesecake and Caramel Crème Brulee. All are house-made fresh today, including the berry sauce.”

  “No,” I whined. “Not another bite for me, please. Can we take it to go?”

  “You must, Miss Kimber,” the waiter smiled. “You will insult our pasticcere if you do not try his dessert under his stare, especially after enjoying the rest of the meal!”

  “Oh, God! I couldn’t possibly eat dessert too!”

  Jaxen squeezed my hand. “We’ll share a serving, Marco. I think I’d like to try the Brulee.”

  “Okay, share,” I smile. That seemed to satisfy the waiter because he scurried off and came back quickly.

  “As requested, Caramel Crème Brulee: vanilla bean custard infused with caramel with a caramelized sugar crust. May I get you coffee or another beverage of your choice? Perhaps more water?”

  “Ice water, please,” I murmur as I stare at the confection.

  “Same for me, Marco.”

  “Very well, miss, sir.”

  We silently eat the dessert and I practically drool. It was just that good. Or maybe it was because Jaxen held my hand the entire time.

  We killed that beautiful dessert, play fighting over the last bit with our spoons. Jaxen won and I pouted when he brought the last little bite to his mouth. With a sexy grin, he moved the spoon to my lips. I slowly bit half of what was left then pushed the spoon away. Jaxen slowly slid the spoon into his mouth and grinned.

  “That was the best bite all night.”

  I swear the entire restaurant heard the groan that escaped me. Jaxen kissed me again then signaled for the waiter while taking out his wallet.

  “Check, please,” Jaxen murmured when Marco came over.

  “It has been taken care of, sir. Compliments of your father.”

  “Okay,” Jaxen laughs. “Then let me give you a generous tip. Your service was excellent. My girlfriend and I were completely relaxed with you.”

  “No, thank you, sir,” Marco grinned as he moved the table for Jaxen. “Also taken care of and very, very nicely I might add.”

  Jaxen shook the man’s hand after he stood then held his hand out to me. “Good ole dad,” he laughed. I laughed and sigh
as he holds my hand while we leave and he held it until we got to the car.

  It was only 9:30 and I was disappointed to end the night so early. Jaxen didn’t want it to end either. He drove us to the beach. I sat between his legs and leaned back into his chest as we sat on the wall. His arms wrapped around my waist and kept me warm as we sat there and looked out to the ocean.

  “Tonight was perfect, Jaxen. Thank you.”

  “No, thank you. I enjoyed every minute of it with you.”

  “Me too. This is the best date I’ve ever had.”

  Jaxen’s arms tighten around me and I sighed. This feels like home. Too bad we only have 124 days left, I think as I tilt my head up for his kiss.

  Chapter 7

  75 Days left…

  I tried and tried to relax but Mom is making me antsy today. We had a beauty day and she’s taking forever to pay the bill. I promised Jaxen we’d see each other in an hour and I still had to go home and change.

  The last 48 days have been the best of my life. The first date ended magically with Jaxen walking me just inside my house where he kissed me sweetly then said good night. He called me when he got home and told me that his parents questioned him almost endlessly, even though it was well past 2 a.m. when he walked in the door. His father about the menu choices, his mom about me and our date. She was on the fence about the two of us and was understandably nervous. Jaxen said he calmed her fears but the next few times I visited, I could tell Sara was still on the edge.

  I think she finally accepted Jaxen and I were serious as we could be when there was 109 days left, 16 days into our relationship. I came over to see Samantha, who was there to start packing up her room. She had basically moved in with Parker and he was encouraging her to start sooner than later for the move. For some odd reason, they were leaving on the 13th of July because they wanted to drive to New York. I swear I don’t know why they wanted to drive all the way but I shrugged it off, especially after they asked if I wanted them to take my two trunks in their rental truck. Who was I to argue?

  During that visit, I told Samantha I was already dreading the day I had to leave. I went from liking to loving Jaxen. He showed me nothing but respect and sweetness. He was patiently waiting for me to give him the okay to make love to me, but I was holding out. Why? No idea. Although, to be completely honest, we did come close a couple of times. The closest was on his parents’ couch but he stopped it.

  I had on a red mini-skirt and white thigh-highs, a white mock turtle neck short-sleeved top and red ballet flats. I thought I was cute. So did Jaxen. That’s how we ended up on the couch making out heavily as he laid between my wide legs. I had reached for his pants and was just getting the zipper down when he stopped my movements.

  “No,” Jaxen whispered. “Not here, not like this, Itsy. Trust me.”

  I pushed him off me and sat up, fighting tears. “You don’t want me. Not like… not in that way.”

  Jaxen eyes flashed then he grabbed me and threw me down, grinding his erection onto my moisture. I moaned. He was at my clit.

  “Does this feel like I don’t want you, Itsy? Hmm?” he panted. “I want you so bad that the pain from not having you is literally killing me.”

  I gasped then kissed him fiercely.

  After a minute, he groaned as he pulled back. “My parents will be home soon and I don’t want to rush your first time. You deserve far better than that.”

  Panting, I nodded then went in the bathroom to freshen up. When I came out, we sat on the over-sized chair, softly kissing. Ten minutes later, I was glad Jaxen had the sense to stop us from going any further because his mother walked in, smiled and shook her head at us before disappearing upstairs.

  The day I told Samantha I loved her brother, Sara came in the room in tears, begging me to say I meant what I said. I did. She held me tight and cried. Samantha shrugged and mouthed ‘parents’.

  True to his word, Jaxen never initiated anything sexual with me. We kissed a lot. Cuddled. Heavy petting. But I wanted more and told him so. That’s when Jaxen first fingered my clit. I came so hard I thought I learned Portuguese or something else foreign as I kept shaking and shuddering. I beamed after, proud I had my first real orgasm. I wanted to clobber Samantha. I had gotten that bullet thing she was talking about. It did give me an orgasm but Jaxen giving me one was so much better.

  We went to a lot of places and did fun things, just as Jaxen promised. Going on the bumper cars was the best because I kept bumping into Jaxen and he laughed loud and happily. His laugh is infectious, especially when it’s genuine.

  Tonight, Jaxen said he wanted to try something with me he had never tried with a woman before but he wouldn’t tell me what it was, just to pack an overnight bag and wear jeans. Jeans? Overnight bag? I certainly wouldn’t have put the two together but I shrugged and agreed.

  “Mom? Do you want me to pay the bill?” I asked, completely exasperated. I was beginning to run late for Jaxen. He was picking me up at 7 and it was already 6.

  “No, honey. I will… I’m just… I can’t concentrate lately. I have no idea what’s wrong with me.”

  I frowned at her. “Is something bothering you, Mom?”

  “Yeah, something is but don’t worry about it. I’ll work it out.”

  I tap my fingers on the counter as my rapidly-becoming-frantic mother searched her purse. I think this is about my move. My leave date was fast approaching and the closer it got the more funny Mom acted.

  “Would you like me to change my plans about moving to New York?”

  Mom stopped her search and sighed. “Yes and no! I’m going to miss you but you’ve had this planned and I don’t want to stand in your way. Go and live your life, honey. Your mother will be just fine.”

  “I can’t live my life if I’m sitting in New York worried that you’ll shoot someone because you’re missing me!”

  “That won’t happen,” Mom laughed as she finally finds her card holder. “I have no desire to sit out my days in a jail cell because I pulled out my guns and went on a massacre in this town!”

  Mom handed her card to the cashier who stared at her frightened. Mom patted her hand.

  “Don’t worry, hon. Relax. I’m the Hampton Police captain. I’m allowed to have a gun.”

  “Oh, thank God! I thought I was going to have to dial 9-1-1!” the girl breathed then swiped Mom’s card. “Enjoy your evening, Captain Kessler!”

  Mom smiled as she took her receipt. We hurried to the car and as soon as we got home, I ran inside to shower and change into the outfit I had laid on my bed this morning: a fitted pair of jet black jeans and a lime green crop top. I had gotten a new haircut today and my hair was now shoulder length and straight. I smiled at myself, thinking I needed a change before I go to New York. I thought cutting inches off my hair would ease that but no, I want something drastic. I think I want to dye my hair. But what color? I’d have to think on it.

  I slid on my black cowboy boots and ran downstairs with my leather back pack with my overnight stuff and smiled at my mother, who was sitting in the living room, looking like she was having trouble hanging on to her lunch.

  “Mom, are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah, I think it was the shrimp. I think I over did it or it was expired or something. Thank God you couldn’t have any. I’d hate for you to feel like this too. Ugh… would you grab me a ginger ale before you go, honey?”

  “Of course.”

  I quickly go to the kitchen, grab a warm ginger ale and take it to her and watch her for a few minutes as she takes small sips.

  “I think I’m going to lie down now, honey. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Okay but I don’t think I’ll be back tonight.”

  Mom nods. “Have fun. Not too much,” she chuckles then heads for the stairs but stops when the doorbell rings. I open the door and smile at Jaxen as he studies me with a grin on his face.

  “Good evening, Jaxen.”

  “Captain Kessler,” Jaxen nods at my mother. “H
ow are you?”

  “Peachy,” Mom says then belches. “Had some bad shrimp and now I’m going to bed. Take care of my baby. That is not a request.”

  “I always do, ma’am,” Jaxen said, smiling at me.

  “Good. You can call me ‘Shauna’ now.”

  “You got it, Shauna,” Jaxen grinned. Mm… that face.

  “I’m leaving now, Mom. I’ll keep my cell on.”

  “Okay, honey,” Mom smiles. “See you tomorrow.”

  I watch Mom go up the stairs then I turned to Jaxen and grinned. “I’m in the jeans as requested and I have my overnight bag. Now tell me what we’re doing!”

  “Nope! It’s still a secret,” Jaxen grins mischievously then grabs my bag. “Put a jacket on, young lady.”

  “A jacket? Okay,” I say then grab my black leather waist jacket. “This good enough, sir?”

  “Perfect,” he grins.

  I put the jacket on then follow him outside and see his bike with two helmets sitting on it.

  “We’re going for a ride on your bike?” I grin as I stare.

  “Yes we are. I promised you, remember?”

  “I do and it’s about time! Let’s go!”

  I grabbed his arm and practically dragged him to the bike. He gave me a helmet and after I put it on and strapped it, Jaxen checked it. Twice.

  “It’s on, Red! Come on!” I whined, jumping up and down.

  “Aren’t you anxious?” Jaxen laughed.

  “Yes! I’ve been wanting to go for a ride on your bike since you got it!”

  Jaxen slowly swung his leg over the bike and sat then grabbed his helmet.

  “So it’s the bike you’re attracted to and not me?”

  Ooh, I wanted to smack him! Here I am, finally getting on the bike and he’s prolonging it with his teasing! Fine. I’ll play.

  “Absolutely! If you got rid of the bike, I’d definitely lose interest!” I said in a sigh as I overly fawned the bike.