XXX ‖ breathless

LONDON
February
Location: Jaxen's House

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Using whatever ingredients I could find in the fridge, I whipped a simple dinner for the three of us. Serving bowls of pared noodle to Jax and Thea, I waited nervously for them to taste, in hopes that it would suit their taste. After all, I grew up in Shanghai and only spent time learning simple Chinese cuisines which I wasn't quite sure would fit their western palate.

"Yummy!" Thea beamed, unconcerned about the sauce all around her lips.

"It's really good," Jax nodded in agreement before turning towards Thea and wiped some of the sauce away from the side of her mouth with his thumb. He chuckled, "You're such a messy eater, ángelé."

"Let me cut the noodles into smaller pieces for her," I laughed, relieved that they were both enjoying my cooking. Standing up, I was going to head back into the kitchen to grab a pair of scissors but Jax held onto my arm and settled me back on my chair.

"Don't worry about it," Jax mentioned. "Thea is old enough to start learning how to portion her food."

Then, the front door system beeped and the door clicked open. A middle-aged lady rushed into the entryway and she panted to catch her breath. Thea noticed her first and waved excitedly towards her, "Marianne!"

The lady hastily removed her shoes and looked towards us before heaving an audible sigh of relief. Jax called out to her with a slightly surprised tone, "Marianne? I've thought you returned to Nottingham."

The lady walked towards us and mentioned through her breathlessness, "Good heavens, Jaxen! I was almost scared to death when Thea rang me up to say that you didn't return home after I left!"

"I'm terribly sorry, Marianne. How should I make it up to you?"

"Not to worry, son," she exhaled a laugh, moving towards Thea and cradled the child towards her. Thea stood from her seat immediately and returned her hug. Marianne smiled at me and directed her attention at Jax again, "You aren't going to introduce your girl to me?"

"W-We're not—" Gods above, why am I stuttering like a frightened daughter-in-law?

Marianne only laughed after I tripped over my words. Jax also chuckled silently as he introduced, "Marianne, this is Iva Laurent."

I stretched my hand out towards her and composed myself enough to not make a fool out of myself again. I let out an awkward cough, "I'm just a friend."

"Marianne Boulle." She took my hand and returned my introduction with a warm greeting, "It's very nice to meet you, darling."

I could understand why Jax and Thea would be so fond of this lady. She was absolutely warm and welcoming, motherly even. Though Marianne seemed to enjoy poking fun at me as she said, "You're definitely more than a friend, Iva. Don't mind me commenting, but this is the first time Jaxen ever brought anyone home."

"Marianne," Jax mentioned with a smile, seemingly preventing her from spilling more stuff and he offered, "Would you like to join us for dinner?"

"That would be nice," Marianne looked anticipatingly at me and heat blossomed my cheeks.

In the fastest speed possible, I escaped the dining table and scurried into the kitchen to prepare Marianne's portion. I mentally slapped myself, wishing that all the red would disappear before I join them at the table again.

◩

Since Marianne's back, Jax had offered to drive me back home. He packed my stuff in a bag and I realised that he had my clothes washed. Digging my hands in, I picked up my pair of tights and slipped it on. However, I hesitated to change out of the hoodie he lent me because it was all too soft, comfortable and it has a lingering faint scent of him. My hand pushed the door slightly ajar and I popped my head out of the space, facing Jax who was leaning idly against the glass railing.

"Anything's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"It's kind of weird to ask..." I swallowed a little and shrugged my shoulders before continuing, "But can I keep your hoodie?"

"Of course, sweetness," he chuckled, his happiness apparent in the slight crinkling by his eyes as he smiled. "That hoodie's yours now."

Closing the door again, I lowered myself and sat on my heels. I grabbed the hood and covered myself with it, unable to ignore the loud palpitations of my own heart as I repeated under my breath. Get a grip, Iva Isabel Laurent. 

When I exited the room and went downstairs with Jax, Thea ran towards me and hugged my legs, "Iva would come and play again, right?"

Before I could even draft an answer out for this little girl, Jax had already picked her into his arms and responded, "Yes, she would. Give her a goodbye kiss and say your thank you, ángelé."

Thea stretched her arms out towards me and I leaned my face close enough for her to land a small peck on my cheek as she giggled, "Thank you for taking care of me!"

"You're most welcome, sweetheart." I kissed her nose and she tittered adorably. Then, she pulled me close to her again and whispered in my ear, "Remember to be Daddy's girlfriend."

"You—" I blushed.

"What did you say to Iva, ángelé?" Jax pulled her and kissed on her chubby cheek. Thea only lifted her hands to cover her mouth and she turned to request Marianne to carry her instead. Jax frowned a little and handed her over, chiding, "Keeping secrets from me already?"

"Girls have their secrets that fathers shouldn't pry, Jaxen," Marianne laughed. She nodded at me, "See you around, Iva."

Thea cast me an impish look before saying it out loud, "Iva, remember to—"

"Gods above!" I swore, cutting Thea halfway and nudged Jax towards the main entrance. I rushed, "Let's get going!"

Following behind him, we walked towards the garage and I was quickly awe-struck by the number of cars that lined in this basement. Unable to believe that I actually missed this entire view the previous time, I felt so lost for words and Jax arched a brow towards me from beside, "You didn't seem so interested the first time you were here?"

"I wasn't feeling well," I argued. My feet stopped in front of one of my favourite cars of all time. I reached out and brushed my hands longingly against the sleek matte black surface and marvelled at its unparalleled beauty of his McLaren P1.

"Would you like to drive it?"

"Can I?" I gleamed.

"You do fancy cars, don't you?" he chuckled funnily and threw a pair of keys towards me. Hurriedly, I unlocked the car and the doors swept upwards in a stunning display, spreading with elegance like a pair of dark wings. Hopping into the car, excitement bubbled within me and I squealed enthusiastically when I set the car up and the engine hummed melodiously in a resounding rumble.

Jax mentioned, "I'm going to activate the jamming system."

"Thank you," I grinned, rolling my lower lip between my teeth. Stepping on the pedal, the sound of acceleration revved satisfyingly.

"Don't do that, sweetness."

"Sorry?"

"Don't bite your lip." 

"Hmm?" I dropped my head slightly to the side in confusion but the moment the garage shutters lifted open, my focus was back on the road. My thoughts were immediately robbed by the smooth acceleration of the car and I manoeuvred the steering adroitly, leaving his residence and began my way back home.

The drive was fantastic and I let out a hesitant sigh when I had pulled the car to a stop in the underground parking lot of my apartment complex.

"Let me send you up," Jax said.

"Alright?" I was slightly taken aback but we walked to the lobby and took the elevator up. He remained silent throughout the way and even waited for me to unlock the door. My hand reached out, wanting to push on the door handle but his hand had intercepted mine while his other arm circled my waist and tugged me towards him. Hastily, pushing against the handle to open the door, Jax hurled me into my apartment with him. He mumbled, "Push me away if you don't like what I'm about to do."

"J-Jax, what—" I shrieked in surprise.

I wasn't even allowed a second to process the situation when he commandingly pinned my entire back against the wall in the entryway and claimed my lips with his. His body was pressed against mine to trap me in and one of his strong, grounding hands wrapped the nape of my neck, guiding me deeper into the kiss.

The taste of his lips caused a hailstorm of emotions within me and the heat that flushed my skin intensified a strong urge of want and need. Jax was merciless and demanding in the way he moved, drawing out every possible ounce of air in my lungs till I was left utterly breathless. My fingers closed into the soft material of his jacket, bunching it tightly as my whole body quivered helplessly. I whimpered into the thin space he left between our lips, "Jax, I c-can't b-breathe."

"Then, don't," he whispered huskily, moving his mouth over mine again to drown me in the fierceness of his kiss. Peeling my eyes open and I was, at once, sieged by the intense storm within his saxe blue eyes.

◩

jax: fuck it. *throws self-restraint out of the window*