"You still have it. I figured you would have had it removed or covered up." Said Jax as he got dressed and watched as Avery cleaned herself up. He was referring to the black ink of the crow on her side

"Why would I have done that? You will always be a part of me Jax. Even if I hadn't come back to Charming, every time I saw this tattoo I would think of you." Said Avery as she continued to get dressed.

"When you say things like that, it makes me... hell, I can't describe it. I just know that I like it and I feel the same damn way." Said Jax before walking over to Avery.

Running his hands into her hair, tangling his fingers in the dark tresses, he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Just the feel of his hands in her hair and his nearness had her melting into him.

"Let me take you out to dinner tonight. Somewhere besides Lumpy's Diner. Are you free?" Asked Jax after breaking the kiss.

"As long as I get finished up here." Said Avery.

"I'll send a couple of the guys over to help you finish up." Said Jax.

"Okay. In that case, what would I wear?" Said Avery.

"Doesn't matter. Just keep in mind I'll be riding my bike." Said Jax.

"Okay." Smiled Avery.

"I hate to run but I've got a couple things to take care of before I can be free for dinner tonight. I'll send some guys over to help you finish up here. Pick you up around 8?" said Jax.

"Okay." Said Avery smiling up at Jax.

"Okay," Jax murmured, his lips lingering on hers for a tender moment before pulling back slightly. "I'll see you then, baby. I love you."

Those three simple words, spoken with such genuine affection, sent a familiar thrill racing through Avery's heart. A warm blush crept up her neck and dusted her cheeks. She knew some might raise an eyebrow, perhaps even express outright disbelief, at the speed at which their relationship seemed to be rekindling. After all, she had only returned to their small town a mere two days ago. But Avery had always been a steadfast believer in the enduring power of true love. The connection she shared with Jax wasn't some fleeting infatuation; it was a deep, resonant bond forged over years, a connection that had stubbornly persisted even through the long stretches of distance and the relentless passage of time. Theirs was a love that felt destined, an unbreakable thread that had patiently waited for the moment to be woven back together.

"I love you too." she replied.

After stealing one last kiss, Jax walked out of her office and made his way to his bike. Avery watched from the window as he climbed onto his Harley. When he cranked the motorcycle, he strapped his helmet on and blew her a kiss before tearing away from the curb and down main street in the direction of the club.

*****

Alone in the quiet aftermath, Avery replayed the encounter with Jax, the echoes of their intimacy stirring a disquiet she rarely experienced. A prickle of self-doubt, an unfamiliar sensation, surfaced amidst the lingering warmth of their connection. Her feelings for Jax remained a steadfast truth, a comforting anchor in the sudden storm of uncertainty. Yet, a nagging question persisted, a shadow cast over the otherwise bright memory. The shared oversight, the mutual disregard for protection in the heat of the moment, replayed in her mind. It was a detail that, during their passionate entanglement, had seemed inconsequential, a mere footnote to the intensity of their reunion. Now, in the solitude of her thoughts, it loomed larger, a significant lapse in judgment that left her vulnerable and questioning.

Had she truly made the right decision in surrendering to the undeniable pull between them? The question echoed in the stillness of the room, unanswered and unsettling. A wave of vulnerability washed over her as another, more insidious thought crept into her consciousness. Had she been merely a fleeting conquest, another insignificant mark in Jax's romantic history? She immediately recoiled from the notion, pushing it away with a fierce internal resistance. No, that couldn't be it. Their connection ran deeper than mere physical attraction. There was a shared history, a palpable energy that crackled between them whenever they were near. Their chemistry, as undeniable as it was potent, had always defined their interactions.

Her mother's recent observation echoed in her thoughts, a knowing smile accompanying the words, "You and Jax? It was only a matter of time." Just two days prior, her mother had casually acknowledged the unspoken tension, the inevitable spark that always ignited between them. It seemed her mother, with a wisdom born of years and a keen understanding of her daughter, had foreseen this very moment. And perhaps, Avery conceded, her mother had been right. Their hookup felt less like a surprising detour and more like an unavoidable collision, a point on their intertwined paths they were always destined to reach.

Her mind flickered back to that moment in his arms when he'd kissed her, that intense, unrelenting kiss that had left her breathless, undone. The way he had pulled her so close, as if he were afraid of losing her even then. It had felt like more than just desire; it had felt like a desperate need, a craving for something deeper, something that went beyond the physical. But could it be possible that he wasn't as sure as she was? Could it be that he wasn't ready to take that step, to fully embrace the possibility of what they could be together?

Avery was pulled from her spiraling inner monologue by the sound of someone saying her name. Her head whipped in the direction of the sound of the voice. Her eyes locked with Jax's blue ones, ones that mirrored the questions swirling in her own mind. The briefest of pauses passed between them before he stepped forward, his broad frame filling the doorway.

"I didn't want to leave things hanging," he said, his voice low and steady. "I came to make sure we're good."

Avery's breath caught in her throat. The weight of his presence seemed to fill the entire space, and for a moment, she was uncertain whether she should step back or pull him inside. Her instincts told her to pull him in, but her doubts were still fresh, lingering like a shadow.

"We're good, Jax," she replied, her voice quieter than she intended. The words sounded simple enough, but there was an edge to them — one that wasn't there before.

"I had a realization as I was pulling into the lot at the clubhouse," he said, his gaze flickering to the floor briefly before returning to hers. "We were both reckless today. I dont– I swear to God, Vee, I don't make it a habit of sleeping with women without a rubber. Only ever done that with you."

"Jax, you need to know that I'm not on any form of birth control. As you know, I had no reason to use it before today." A heavy silence hung between them, the air thick with the weight of their unspoken concerns. Avery's stomach twisted as she waited for Jax's reaction, unsure of how he would take her confession. The vulnerability she felt now, laying bare the truth of her situation, was even more intense than the moments they had shared earlier.

Jax's expression softened, his brow furrowing as he processed her words. The tension in his shoulders seemed to relax just a fraction, though the guilt in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, stepping closer. He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers tugging at the roots in frustration. "Vee, I didn't— I mean, I should've thought it through. I never wanted to put you in that position. It was reckless, and I—" He paused, his voice losing its edge of self-recrimination as he looked back at her. "I should've made sure."

Avery swallowed hard, her pulse quickening at the vulnerability in his voice. It wasn't often that Jax allowed himself to show this side of himself, the one that felt responsibility — that felt guilt — especially when it came to matters of the heart. She could see the weight of his regret, the way it had already begun to settle like a storm cloud over him. It almost felt like he was taking the blame for something she too was responsible for.

"Jax," she said, her voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions swirling inside her. "This wasn't just on you. I wasn't thinking either, okay? I could've said something. I should've said something. I'm just as much to blame." She could feel the weight of the words even as they left her mouth. She wasn't used to sharing the responsibility for their decisions, especially when it came to moments that felt so intense, so beyond the control of rational thought.

He let out a low breath, the air seeming to leave his body all at once. "I just don't want to mess this up. You're... you're the one thing that feels right in all this mess. I don't want to screw it up by being an idiot."

Avery stepped forward, closing the small distance between them, her hand finding his. His fingers were cold against hers, a stark contrast to the warmth of their earlier connection. She lifted his hand to her chest, pressing it against the steady beat of her heart. "We're in this together, Jax. One slip-up doesn't change that."

Her gaze softened, and for the first time in what felt like hours, she let herself breathe. The question that had been gnawing at her — whether this was just a fleeting connection or something more — began to ease. Maybe they hadn't been perfect, maybe they had made mistakes. But perfection had never been part of their dynamic, had it? It had always been about the rawness of their bond, the realness of their connection.

Jax's eyes met hers with an intensity that made her breath catch again. His voice was quieter now, more contemplative, as if he were trying to sort through his emotions. "So, what do we do now?" he asked, his hand tightening around hers, as if afraid to let go.

Avery paused for a moment, considering. She could feel the pull of him, the desire to throw caution to the wind and give herself completely to this. But she couldn't deny the question that still lingered in the back of her mind. Was he ready for more than just this physical pull? Was he prepared to face the consequences of what had happened between them?

"We go to dinner like we planned. And we wait and see what happens." she replied, hoping that she sounds more confident than she felt.

"Okay." whispered Jax, closing the distance between them. "I'll see you at 8:00." He placed a light kiss on her lips. "And I'll send someone over like I promised to help you get done here."

"Okay."

Just like when he'd left before, he kissed her gently and walked out of the office.

*****

"Looks like we're all done here." Said Half Sack, one of the guys Jax had sent over to help her finish up the floors and cleaning.

"I can't thank you guys enough. I'd have been here the rest of the night." Said Avery wiping sweat from her brow.

"It's no problem ma'am." Said Half Sack. Avery wondered how someone got a nickname like that and intended to ask Jax later tonight.

"When the VP tells us to do something, we do it. No questions asked." Said Happy, the other guy Jax had sent over. Again, she wondered how he got his nickname. She hadn't seen him smile not once since they had gotten to the office nearly 2 hours ago.

"Well, you guys still deserve a thank you." Said Avery.

Both guys just nodded in acknowledgment before turning to walk out the door.

******

After showing, Avery styled her hair in loose curls and did her makeup, going for a smoky, halo that made her dark brown eyes pop. Knowing just what she wanted to wear, she dug through her suitcases and found her favorite pair of distressed skinny jeans and favorite spaghetti strap top, pairing it with black booties. The booties would give her a little height while the plum colored top would both accentuate her chest since it laced up in the front and compliment her eyes.

Avery had just finished getting dressed when she heard Jax's bike pull up out front of her parents house. Eager to get to him, she practically ran down the stairs.

"What time will you be home tonight?" Yelled Paige, Avery's mom from the kitchen as Avery hit the last step.

"Umm, I'm not sure." Yelled Avery back. "I'll call you."

"Okay sweetheart. Have fun." Yelled Paige.

******

Avery walked out the door of her parents home, meeting Jax on the walkway, halfway to her house.

"Damn. You look delectable." Said Jax after he placed a kiss on her lips, careful not to smear her makeup. "And this shirt... fuck me."

"I'm glad you like it" Smiled Avery knowing that Jax was thinking about removing it from her body at that very moment.

"You ready?" Asked Jax shaking his head and smiling.

"Oh yes." Said Avery huskily.

Grabbing her by the hand before he ripped her clothes off on the front lawn of her parents, Jax walked the two of them to his bike where he handed Avery a helmet and helped her climb onto his bike.

Before climbing on the bike, Jax palmed both sides of her face and placed a hungry kiss on her lips, signaling what was to come later. Avery was already antsy and wanting to skip through dinner.

"Let's go eat and visit the kid so I can get you naked and under me." Said Jax hungrily. "I even got a fresh box of condoms for us to burn through tonight."

"Okay." Whispered Avery, a smile on her face.