“Jax, this is crazy.”
 
She whispered into his lips as the statuesque man continued pressing them against her own. His tongue found hers again, grazing it gently. Never before had she felt this way about someone’s touch. The feel of his rough hands moving up her thighs, to the way his swollen lips felt as they moved down to her neck, causing a shiver down her spine while his tongue circled softly against the sensitive skin. His hips moving back and forth between her legs as his hardened member pulsated against her moist center. Her hands had found their way up the back of his shirt, her fingertips traced the outline of his muscles before sliding her nails down against his skin, infatuated with the low groan he let out in her ear.
 
Despite everything her body was telling her, she had to pull away. She’d dreamed of this moment thousands of times but she knew nothing about him. He knew nothing about her. Regardless of growing up in the same town they were essentially strangers. Was she going to change her mind of being with him? No. She wasn’t insane enough to let the most attractive man she’d ever met go – but this had to move slow for it to work.
 
“Jax” she pressed again, placing her hands on his chest to stop him.
 
Jax pulled away from her neck, licking his lips as he looked down at the mark he’d left behind with pride. She was his and any other man who so much as thought about touching her would have to answer to him. His eyes met hers, full of lust and longing. The way she said his name between panting breaths made it difficult for him to control himself. The passion between them was undeniable. The way her body reacted to his touch was exactly how she’d imagined, but if she wasn’t ready – he wasn’t going to push it. With a deep inhale, Jax adjusted his pants before looking at her. The two started laughing at how this turned out.
 
Her radiant smile came through again as she took his hands in hers, intertwining their fingers. “I want to know everything about you, Jax. I feel like we’ve both had this image of what the other was like but I know nothing about you. I want to do this right.”
 
He lifted one of her hands to his lips, kissing her fingertips slowly before pulling in, giving her another kiss. “I’m down for anything it takes to make this work, babe. How about tomorrow night, we head go out to dinner?”
 

 
“Jackson Nathaniel Teller” Gemma Teller – Morrow’s voice rang out across the lot causing the focused man to bang his head against the hood of the car he was working on. “What!?”  
He yelled, holding the back of his head. He looked out across the lot to see her motioning him over with her finger at her office door. Stepping inside he threw his arms out by his sides. “ What, Mom?”
 
“Where the hell have you been? I talked to Wendy. She said you didn’t show to her doctor’s appointment this morning.” She asked, placing her glasses down on the desk as she crossed her arms.
 
“Why would I go to that? I don’t even know if that kid is mine.” He said blatantly.
 
“Jax. I don’t like this situation anymore than you do, but she’s carrying my grandson and I’ll be damned if you turn out to be a deadbeat.”
 
“I’m not dealing with this. I told her she could live at my house. She’ll stay there until this kid is born, then we’ll figure it out.”
 
He walked out of the office, ignoring his mother’s look. He needed to get ready for tonight. As much as he wanted to give the relationship a fresh start, he needed to tell her about Wendy. Technically he was still married. He might be having a child. Leila was pretty old fashioned. Wanted things done right. Dating, marriage, kids. It actually scared him to think it could be a deal breaker.
 
If it was one person he needed to talk to about this, it was Opie. Opie had been in a relationship with Donna since high school. Her parents hadn’t been thrilled that she was with someone who was going to become a member of the Sons but they made it through everything. Of course this was on a bigger scale. He rode to his best friends house, for the first time, his palms were sweating. He was nervous. The last time he’d been on a real date was before Tara left and that was over a decade ago.
 

 
After a day spent preparing, Leila had never felt as unwound as she did right now. Jax Teller had an unexplained effects on her. Never in her life did she think she’d be going on a date with him. All the horror stories she’d heard about him and his family yet that’s all they were – stories. He was different. Caring. Gentle. Protective. Loyal. There was a certain alpha trait to him that she could not deny her attraction to.
 

Arriving home from getting her hair and nails done, she walked into her closet looking through the possible outfit choices. She considered pants by that didn’t seem appropriate for a dinner date, praying to God he wasn’t planning on picking her up on his bike. She tried on almost everything in her closet before deciding on a light pink long sleeve wrap dress with a low cut v-neck line. She put on her nude pointed toe heels with small diamonds studs and a diamond bracelet before spritzing on her favorite perfume. While she looked in the mirror to see the finished look her cell phone began ringing.
 
“Hello?” She answered seeing Jax’s name on the screen.
 
“Hey. I’m at the door.” he answered bringing a smile to her face. She quickly made her way down the stairs to her kitchen door.
 
As soon as she swung it open Jax felt his heart start racing. He’d never seen a sight more beautiful and all for him. “Wow.” He said as she took his hands in hers, leading him inside. “You look.. amazing.”
 
Feeling her cheeks burn with blush Leila bit her lip, closing the kitchen door behind him. “Thank you.” She smiled. pulling him closer against her, pressing a kiss onto his lips. “Let me grab my purse and we can head out.” She whispered against them excitedly before pulling away to run up the stairs.
 
Halfway up the staircase a knock on the door interrupted them. Looking at Jax through the kitchen door nervously, she made her way back down to him. “Hide. In the bathroom, please.” She asked, leading him down the hallway as the impatient figure at the door knocked again.
 
“Jesus Christ, this is like high school all over again.” He said as she let out an uneasy nervous laugh. She closed the door as she left him, walking back to the doorway to open it. “Dad!” She said as she took a step back letting the man enter. “Wasn’t expecting you.”
 
“Are you going somewhere?” Jeff’s gruff voice asked as he noticed her clothing, checking his watch.
 
Looking down at her outfit, she nodded looking up at him, “Yes. Out to dinner with friends. We’re meeting in Stockton at 8. Was there a reason you stopped by?”
 
“Mhm.” The old man nodded at her plans. “I heard what you pulled with Stahl yesterday.” He said, stepping closer to his daughter. “You completely went against my direct orders.” He said, his voice getting louder. “Made ME look like a fool!” he shouted.
 
Jax clenched his fists, listening to the conversation through the bathroom door. If he heard her so much as whimper, he’d kill this man right then and there but instead he heard a stronger voice, one he’d witnessed on many occasions coming from her, just never towards her father.
 
“You made yourself look like a fool.” Leila crossed her arms speaking calmly. There were many things she’d let her father dictate in her life, but her business with Stahl was not one of them. “You knew I was going to be at the lot, yet you had her show up there minutes after me.”
 
“It doesn’t matter what the fuck you have against her.” He stepped closer, grabbing her arm. “If I give the order for her to raid that lot at that time, then that’s when it fucking happens.”
 
Pulling her arm away forcefully, she took a step closer. “Yet it didn’t did it? Because I was there. You can give any order you want but if she’s ever in the same room as me, you’re plans don’t mean shit.”
 
“How dare you? How fucking dare you?” He shouted.
 
“You have no right to ask me that.” She looked at the clock on the wall, before looking back down at her father. “I need to get going, she’s not worth this conversation. But you won’t be able to get anything done with her involved. I’m sure you’d rather be the one to handle this instead of Uncle David. ”
 
The man’s eyes widened at the statement before narrowing at the woman standing in front of him as she walked to her front door leading him out. Taking a deep breath she leaned her forehead against the door after shutting it behind him. The nerve of that man coming here to bring up June Stahl. That fucking cunt.
 
“That went a little different than last time.” Jax’s voice broke the silence.
 
She turned to look at him and this time it wasn’t sadness or fear in her eyes, it was hate. “I’m sorry he keeps running in on us. I think you’ve spent more time hiding in this house than hanging out in it.”
 
He laughed and walked up to her placing his large hands on her waist kissing her cheek before looking down into his eyes. “Like I said, whatever it takes.” Placing a hand on the small of her back, he kissed her lips as they formed into a smile. “let’s get going.”
 

 
Arriving at the restaurant, Jax stepped out of the car removing his cut and leaving it in the back seat before walking over to open her door for her assuming that’s what she was used to. He held out his hand as she slipped into his trying to step out of the black pick up truck.
 
She laughed lightly as he grabbed her by her hips to help her down since her dress wasn’t cooperating.”Such a gentleman.” she beamed as he took her hand.
 
“I don’t know how you do it.” He laughed, lacing their fingers as they made their way inside.
 
“Do what?” She asked following him inside.
 
“Wear those high ass heels day in and day out. You’re feet must be killing you all the time.” He smiled as they approached the front, giving the girl his last name and following her to the table. He pulled Leila’s seat for her before sitting down across from her.
 
Leila laughed “It doesn’t phase me anymore. I can do just about anything in heels.” she smiled as she followed him to the table, extremely impressed with his manners so fast. She never seen this side of him talked about. It was a shame really, people would really like him if they knew he was more than just a big bad biker.
 
“That’s something I’d love to see.” he winked at her.
 
The waiter walked up to their table, introducing himself as James and asking if they’d like to get started with some drinks. Jax looked over at Leila while she ordered a water with lemon before ordering a beer for himself. He noticed the waiter looking at her before shooting him a look, causing the guy to look away immediately. She laughed noticing the brief interaction and lowered her eyes to the menu once again. “What?” He asked knowingly.
 
“Nothing,” She smiled, “Have you been here before?”
 
“Once. It was years ago though. I haven’t been out on a real date in like 12 years.” He answered as he flipped through the menu.
 
“Jesus!” She laughed, “Why not?”
 
Jax shrugged, not really wanting to bring up Tara. “Well, after my ex left I lost interest in the whole dating thing.”
 
Closing her menu, Leila leaned forward in the seat noticing his attitude change. “Well, she must have been one hell of a woman.” She smiled softly causing the man to lighten up again.
 
“That she was.” He answered.
 
“Where’d she go? If you don’t mind me asking.”
 
Breathing in deeply he closed his menu, looking at her curious expression. “Chicago, right after high school. She wanted to go to medical school.”
 
“Well good for her.” She smiled, acknowledging his bitterness towards the subject. “Well if it helps, this is the first real date I’ve gone on in years.”
 
“I just saw you on a date the other day though,” He asked as he recalled the site of that other man holding her hand at the table.
 
Sighing, she shook her head. “I said a real date.” Looking into his puzzled eyes, she continued. “Ever since our picture was in the paper, the PR team has been having me go on ‘dates’ with this guy Cam. He’s the son of one of my dad’s friends and it looks good on paper.” She shrugged.
 
“Does Cam know it’s just for the paper?” He asked trying to hold in his jealousy.
 
Shaking her head, Leila looked at him. “No. I doubt it.”
 
Clenching his fists on the table he took a deep breath to calm down. “Great.”
 
“Jax, I wouldn’t let anything happen. It’s just a couple of dates.” She reasoned. “I’ll be sure to tell the team I won’t see him anymore.”
 
He nodded his head, still hating the fact that her life was so controlled. The waiter came back to take their orders making sure not to stare at her for too long. Leila ordered a plate of pasta, while Jax ordered the steak. She took a sip of her water before looking at him again. “Don’t be upset.” She smiled.
 
Reaching over the table he took her hand in his. “I’ve waited a long time for us. I just don’t want another man having his hands on you.”
 
Nodding her head she leaned over, giving him a soft kiss. “Not a problem.” She smiled. “So you haven’t been in a relationship since your ex left?”
 
“Well..” He hesitated, unsure of how to tell her about Wendy.”I did get… uh.. married. Like a year ago.”
 
Her face scrunched in confusion as she looked up at him. “Married? You’re married?”
 
“NO!” He corrected immediately. “I filed months ago.. she had a crank addiction and I couldn’t deal with it.”
 
“Oh..” She nodded. “Well, that’s unfortunate. I’m sorry.”
 
“It’s okay. I’m not sure why I married her.” He said, relieved she wasn’t angry. “Can I ask you something?”
 
Adjusting herself in her seat, she nodded. “How do you have the ability to command so much respect from anyone you come in contact with without saying a word but deal with all this bullshit from your dad?” He said, lifting his eyes to meet hers.
 
Leila’s eyes widened, leaning back in her seat she bit the corner of her lip. “Jax..” She said softly. This was the last thing she wanted to talk about.
 
“No.” He said insistently. “I’m serious. Everyone who talks about you speaks so highly. You have so many powerful connections in your family. You could easily ruin him. So why do you put up with it? Is it money? I mean it shouldn’t be. I doubt you’d be broke if he went to jail.”
 
Her jaw dropped in disbelief as he spoke, outraged at how little he thought of her. “Is that what you think this is about? You think I stay because of the money?” She asked, insulted by the notion.
 
“No.” He backpedaled, reading her reaction. “I just mean.. I don’t know.. why else?”
 
Placing her hands on the table, she leaned forward narrowing her eyes at him. “I put up with him because that’s my dad. My last living parent. You’ve lost a parent. I thought you’d understand. I don’t care about the money. I know I’d be fine without him, but the fact is I don’t want to lose him too.”
 
Jax leaned back in his seat as she spoke. Damn she was good at intimidating people. If she hadn’t made him feel like shit he would have been rock hard. Leaning forward he shook his head. “Lei, I didn’t mean anything by it, I just mean you deserve better than this. And if he lays another hand on you – I’m gonna kill him.”
 
“Here you go.” The waiter came by, dropping off their plates. Her expression softened as she took a moment to calm herself. “It’s fine Jax. It is. He just likes things done a certain way and when they’re done wrong he gets really upset. I can handle him.”
 
“And Stahl?” He asked hesitantly, immediately regretting it when he saw her face harden like never before.
 
“I don’t talk about Stahl.” She shook her head ending that topic before it went any further. She picked up her fork and took a bite of her pasta, smiling at him. “So did you go away for school?”
 
Relieved at the change of subject he smiled but shook his head no. “Nah, I always knew I wanted to be in the club. My dad was founder, my step dad is in it, my best friend and his dad are in it. It’s been my whole life.”
 
“Well Jesus,” she smiled, “Talk about a family business.”
 
“What about you? What’d you go to school for?” He asked, cutting up his steak to take a bite.
 
“Media Communications.” She laughed. “I know it’s silly but I wanted to go in for marketing or work for public relations.”
 
“Like the people that run your life?”
 
“Yup, pretty much.” She laughed, “I just thought if i was good at it, i could do it myself instead of having all these people around.”
 
Jax laughed, “Well that worked out..” He said sarcastically. “I always thought you’d go in for music.”
 
“Music?” She asked confused, taking a sip of her water.
 
“Come on, you have an amazing voice, you sing all the time.”
 
Shaking her head she smiled up at him. “I’d never pursue it. There’s such a slim chance of making a career out of it.”
 
He shook his head knowing that was her father speaking. “Yeah, well if it’s something you love, you shouldn’t stop doing it just because of slim chances.”
 
Laughing quietly, she nodded her head, pointing her fork at him. “I think that’s the best thing I’ve ever heard you say, babe.”
 

 
Jax drove her home after dinner. After the rocky beginning with the less than pleasant conversation, things ended up going really well. Pulling into Leila’s driveway, he helped her out of the car, holding her hand as he walked her to the door.
 
“Thanks for tonight, Jax.” Leila smiled as she unlocked her door. “Want to come in for a bit? It’s still pretty early.”  
He nodded his head, smirking at her as he walked in, shutting the door behind him. He followed her to her living room, taking a seat on the couch. “Beer?” she asked, slipping off her heels by the door.
 
“That’d be great.” he smiled as she left the room to the kitchen. He felt his phone vibrating in his pocket thinking it was the club he pulled it out to check the name only to see it was Wendy. He immediately pressed the decline button as Leila entered the room again holding a bottle.
 
“Everything alright?” She asked noticing the disgruntled look on his face.
 
“Yeah.” His expression turned into a smile as she approached, pulling her down next to him on her couch.
 
She smiled, handing him the beer, sitting closer against him. “You know, you really surprised me tonight.”
 
“How so?” He asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
 
“You were just so different from what I’ve always heard about you.” She said cautiously to not offend him. “I’m really glad we did this.”
 
He smiled, watching her lips move as she spoke, “I am too” He smirked, placing the bottle down on the table before leaning in giving her lips a soft kiss.
 
Closing her eyes, she leaned into him, kissing him back as his hand cupped her face, his fingers moving up into her hair softly. For a man so rough and rugged, this was the most gentle she’d ever been handled.
 
His hand ran down her body to her thigh, gripping it firmly as he lifted her up over his lap. Opening her lips with his, his tongue found hers as she moved her hips back and forth against him. He groaned into the kiss feeling himself harden while her hips grinded against him. She bit his lip, tugging on it gently as she pulled away from the kiss looking down into his eyes with need. His fingers ran through her hair pulling it back softly, making her arch her back and exposing her neck as he kissed down her chest through the neckline of her dress.
 
“Jax” she moaned into his ear feeling a vibration between her legs. “your phone.” she said breathlessly as she pulled away.
 
He grunted in disappointed as she got off of his lap adjusting herself while he pulled out his phone to see Wendy’s name again. “Do you need to get that?” she asked as he pressed the decline button again.
 
“Nope” he said as as he pulled her body close to him, laying her on her back. He watched as she bit her lip in anxious excitement as he climbed on top of her. His phone interrupted him again as he was about to continue and he pulled away irritated as he answered it. “what?!”
 
Leila sat up again, jumping slightly at the sound of his angry tone, she adjusted her dress and hair trying not to listen to his conversation.
 
He hung up the phone looking down at her with angry disappointed eyes. “I gotta get going.”
 
She nodded her head, standing up to walk him to the door. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?” she asked hopefully.
 
“I’d be pretty upset if you didn’t.” he smiled, leaning in kissing her lips again giving her hip a gentle squeeze. “Goodnight beautiful”