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"Letfor weeks Ever since Jax sold off o, he'd been unsettled, unhappy and there was an emptiness within him that was unmistakable

"I gave up everything for you, beautiful" He bounces the earring in er "So you could have your dream"

"It wasn't just about that" I cup my hands around his cheeks "You know that"

"I was scared" His voice is so low I have to lean in to hear each word "I was beco driven by money I almost lost you because of it"

"You were chasing your dad's dreahtly brushabout what your dreams are"

"I have been thinking about it," he offers I' up the subject of Jax finding a new business focus he's quietedneed to be by my side twenty-four hours of each and every day

"You already have so in mind?" The question pains ht and not sharing Even though I know Jax Walker isn't one to share everything openly, it still stings knowing that he's been conte as i any thought to my opinion

"We'll talk about it soon" He lifts his head and stares into et off the premises before my former boss calls the authorities to remove me"

"She wouldn't go that far" I grin

"I'ainst mine in a tender kiss before he turns to leave the studio "What about e?"

"There isn't one" I bitefor free, remember?"

"Goddammit," he teases as he breezes out the door "Fired and kicked to the curb with nothing in return, all in one day"

Chapter 2

"When are you going to tell me more?" I pick at the la our dinner after I unceremoniously threw him out of the jewelry shop, but I just don't have an appetite

"About what?" He picks up the goblet of red wine in front of hiain," You're sure you don't ine?"

I shakeyour tiht of it I want hih that he can open up and share

"It's not a big deal, beautiful" He nods towards my lamb chop and I sh

ake my head as he pulls it from my plate onto his "You've barely eaten all day"

"It is a big deal totogether I've been the one always trying to bridge the eap that is still there Unless he lets down the barrier that he's built around hih so My life with Jax is beautiful, enriching and more than I could have ever wished for Even with that knowledge, I still want more I want all of him, especially the darkest parts of his heart His secrets had torn us apart too ain

"I was talking toin soh the corner of his mouth as he quickly devours the lamb chop I barely touched

"You have the eating part of that down" Ianxious inside

"You should ask the question, Ivy" His mouth thins "I know you want to, so do it"

The challenge is e the elephant in the roo us ever since Mark had been arrested for fraud