Soft candlelight flickered quietly around the bedroom.
The lavender scented candles Mari had brought with her sat neatly on the nightstand and dresser, their soft glow making the room feel warm and peaceful.
Jax’s bedroom looked exactly like him.
Clean.
Organized.
The bed was properly made except for where they now sat.
His books were arranged neatly on the shelf close to the window.
Even his watch and phone rested side by side neatly on the bedside table.
Mari smiled faintly to herself as she sat behind him on the bed.
Only Jax could work himself half to death and still keep his room looking this perfect.
Jax lay with his eyes closed while she slowly massaged his shoulders.
He wore only a pair of grey sweatpants now.
His damp hair brushed lightly against the back of his neck.
Mari’s fingers moved carefully over his tense muscles.
And God.
He was so stiff.
"How are your shoulders harder than concrete?" she murmured softly.
A tired hum left him. "How is your ass softer than my mattress?"
Mari giggled. "That’s not the right response to my question."
"Neither is yours the right response to mine."
Mari rolled her eyes even though he could not see her.
"You should have been stretching."
"Hm."
"You should have been eating properly. You’ve lost so much weight."
"Hm."
"You should have been sleeping well."
"Hm."
Mari narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Are you even listening to me?"
Jax’s lips twitched slightly.
"No. I’m too busy thinking about your soft ass on my back."
Mari gasped dramatically and slapped his ass.
"You’re terrible."
"I’m exhausted."
"That’s true," she admitted more softly.
Her hands slowed slightly.
Now that he was relaxed against her like this, she could feel just how tired he truly was.
It made her chest ache.
Jax suddenly turned around and pulled her into his arms.
Mari blinked.
Then smiled softly when she realized he was trying to cuddle.
"You really missed me," she whispered.
Jax opened one eye lazily. "You’re just figuring that out?"
Mari giggled softly. Her fingers moved up slowly to the back of his neck.
Jax inhaled sharply.
Mari paused immediately. "Is there a problem?" She asked, pulling back.
"No," he said quickly.
Then after a second he added hoarsely, "maybe there is."
Mari blinked in confusion. "What’s wrong?"
Jax looked at her and let out a tired laugh. "You’re lying next to me in that tiny skirt while rubbing your hands all over my body. Do you really not know what you’re doing to me?"
Mari stared at him innocently. "Oh, that."
Jax closed his eyes again dramatically. "Exactly. That."
Mari burst into laughter. "I was trying to help you relax!"
"You are not relaxing me."
That only made her laugh harder.
Jax laughed too.
And the sight alone made Mari’s chest warm happily.
God!
She was pletely smitten.
Jax reached up blindly and pulled her back to him again without even opening his eyes properly.
Mari rested her head against his chest.
The steady sound of his heartbeat filled her ears softly as she lazily traced little patterns against his chest.
For a while they simply stayed like that quietly.
The candles flickered softly around them.
"Did I tell you that my friend is getting married?" she murmured softly, "
Jax’s sleepy voice rumbled beneath her ear. "You mentioned it."
Mari smiled faintly. "Will you be my plus one when the time es?"
"Who else would be your plus one if not me?"
Mari smiled. "Who else indeed."
Seeing that he seemed sleepy, she decided to shut up and let him sleep.
He was silent for a long time and just as she was beginning to think he was asleep and was planning to pull away from his arms, Jax’s arm tightened around her waist slightly.
Jax made a sleepy sound. "Mari?"
"I thought you were asleep."
"I think I’m obsessed by you."
Mari’s heart fluttered helplessly.
God.
How did he say things like that so casually?
"You should sleep now," she whispered softly.
"I’m trying."
"Then close your eyes."
"They’re already closed."
Mari giggled quietly.
A few seconds passed peacefully before he spoke again.
"What about your friends? Did they make up?" He asked.
Mari smiled. "I think so."
One eye opened slowly. "What does that mean?"
Mari sighed softly.
Then she told him everything Emily had realized about Callan overhearing her words and how she was yet to hear from Emily since their last conversation.
Jax listened quietly.
His hand moved slowly up and down her back absentmindedly while she spoke.
When she finished, he sighed softly.
"He probably felt hurt."
"Yeah."
Mari lifted her head slightly to look at him.
"She didn’t mean it though."
"I know," Jax said quietly. "But sometimes the people we love hit the hardest without meaning to."
Mari watched him carefully for a second.
There was something thoughtful in his face now.
Like he understood the feeling very well.
Her fingers brushed gently through his damp hair. "Have I done that to you before?"
"No," he said without hesitation.
"Will you let me know if that ever happens?" She asked.
"Hm."
"Hm?"
"I can’t make any promises. But I’ll try," he said, yawning.
"You need to sleep."
"I will. Soon. Have you ever thought of settling down with me?" Jax asked.
Mari’s heart skipped a beat at that.
"Why are you asking that?" Mari asked, raising her head to look into his face.
"Because I want to know. Do you think you love me enough to want to get married to me?"
Mari was silent for a moment, and this made Jax open his eyes to look at her.
He sat up.
Mari blinked in surprise when he suddenly sat up.
The sleepy softness in his face was gone.
Not pletely.
But enough for her to know he suddenly cared very much about her answer.
Mari slowly pushed herself up too.
His eyes stayed fixed on her quietly.
"Jax..."
Mari opened her mouth. Then closed it again.
Jax looked away briefly and rubbed the back of his neck. A tired laugh escaped him.
"You know what? Let’s forget I asked."
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