Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
"Married, kidnapped." He gives me a teasing smirk as he rolls to a stop.
"You're teasing me, trying to lighten the mood."
"Shit, here she comes." I turn my head to see the blonde flying out the front door.
"Jax! Who do you have here? You didn't tell me you were bringing someone home." Cosima pulls at the passenger door handle, but it’s locked. “What the hell?” she huffs.
“She means well,” Jax says, “but it’s easier if we rip the Band-Aid off.”
“What—” I’m cut off by the sound of the locks opening. Cosima jerks the door open; her bright blue eyes lock right on me. A giant smile overtakes her whole face. She’s even more stunning up close.
“The reporter!” she squeals. Is she talking about me? “You brought home not only a beautiful girl but a smart one!” Okay, that’s really sweet and nice. But I kind of love that she considers me a reporter.
“Mom, pump the brakes and step back so she can get out.”
“Right,” Cosima takes a breath, stepping back. “Are you hungry? Are you two dating? What’s happening?” Okay. This is not how I expected this to go.
“Mom,” Jax mutters. “I meant to pump the brakes and give her some space.”
“Oh my God, I’m being good.” Cosima throws her hands up. Jax unclips my seat belt. I’m kind of frozen, not sure what to make of her; this isn’t what I thought I would be getting with her after those warnings. “You can’t fault me. I’m with all these boys. I get excited for girls. It took me four tries to get a girl.” She holds up four fingers, wiggling them, showing off her shiny pink nail polish and a very impressive wedding ring you’d never miss. She is very girly from head to toe.
“Mom,” Jax pleads again with her. It’s actually quite adorable.
“I don’t really have much of an appetite right now, but thanks for the offer, Mrs. Marino.” I only answered her first question, skipping over the other two.
“Call me Cosima. We’re practically family.” She pulls me into a hug. Before I even know what’s happening, I find myself wrapping my arms around her.
“She’s never going to come back,” Jax murmurs.
“Oh, you hush,” Cosima says, releasing me from the hug. Her hands come to my face, cupping my cheeks. “You’re so tall and beautiful.”
“Ah, thanks.” Heat rushes to my cheeks. This woman has given me more affection and compliments in the last five minutes than my parents have all year.
“All this hair, did you braid it yourself?” She grabs one of my two braids.
“The braids help control it.”
“Do you mind, Mom?” Jax takes hold of my wrist and gives a small tug, so I step back.
“Maybe I do mind.” Cosima puts her hands on her hips.
“If I give you something, will you let us breathe?”
“What are you going to give me?” Curiosity glimmers from her. I, too, want to know what he’s about to offer up. Jax really is about his deals.
“She’s my girl.” Oh shit. Did he really say that?
“I knew it.” Cosima clasps her hands together, giving a small bounce on her heels. She has to be in her forties, but she doesn’t look it.
“All right, sweetness.” Z steps outside behind his wife, wrapping an arm around her. I have seen him at the football games, too. Z and Cosima oddly fit. She has that whole cheerleader vibe, and he’s the bad boy. “I need your attention.” He gives me a half smile in acknowledgement, and I return it. “Let them be.”
“But she only just got here and—” Z scoops her up into his arms. “Hey,” Cosima huffs as he carries her back into the house. “I’ll see you later,” she shouts over his shoulder.
“Sorry.” Jax shakes her head. “My mom is…”
“Sweet,” I tell him. The term "sweetness" works for her. I can’t help but smile even if it makes my chest ache. I tell myself that how my parents are doesn’t bother me, but when I see a mom who adores her kids, it hits me hard.
“Come on.” Jax still has a hold of my wrist as he tugs for me to come with him. I don’t really have much of a choice as he leads me into his home.
I’m not sure I really want to. My own curiosity is always getting the best of me.
Chapter Eleven
JAX
It’s hard to be pissed about what happened at the warehouse when it led to Kinsley sitting on my bed in my room. Her eyes are taking everything in. I’m sure she’ll scribble it all down in her notebook later.
“So.” Her tongue comes out, swiping across her bottom lip. “Now what?”
“I sent a few messages out to my cousin, and Damon is looking into a few things as well, so right now, we wait.”
“Wait? I’m not good at waiting.” Kinsley hops up from my bed, and all I want to do is grab her and press her back down onto it. She starts pacing back and forth. “This room is really big. The whole house is actually.”