Summary: Jax and Lexi go on their first real date, and the realities of being in a relationship with an immortal start setting in.
Lexi woke up to deep brown eyes staring back at her. His jet black hair all tousled and messy in a sexy way. It felt like it was a dream too good to be true, but it wasn’t. She was here in Jax’s room in the Shadow Den, but Jax and his people were no longer relegated to being second class citizens confined to their own little world. Her heart swelled with pride for all Jax had accomplished for himself and his people.
“Good morning beautiful.”Jax’s smile beamed. “I suppose I should say good afternoon.”
“Working for Adrian, being with you…afternoons are my morning now.” Lexi pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “How is my favorite, sexy clan leader feeling today?”
“Still a bit in shock to be honest. There is so much I want to do, to accomplish, but for now I could use a little more time to celebrate with you.”
“We had a pretty incredible celebration last night, but I’m always up for more.” Lexi traced a finger down Jax’s muscled chest and hooked it in the waistband of his boxer briefs.
Jax flipped Lexi over with one smooth motion and hovered over her. She felt his hot breath on her, lips grazing her neck, before he abruptly pulled away and hopped off the bed. “God, you are so tempting, but I have some shadow den business to attend to.”
Lexi hurled a pillow at him. “You are such a tease.”
Jax chuckled. “There are some loose ends to tie up before we transition to a clan, but I really did mean it when I said I want to celebrate with you. I want to take you out tonight on a date. Our first real date.”
Hearing the word made everything seem more real. Going on a date, like a normal couple. Or as normal as you could be with a vampire boyfriend. “I would love that. What did you have in mind?”
“There’s this ramen restaurant in the East Village I used to go to, and I would love to take you there. I haven’t been there since…well, before I was turned. Best ramen I have ever had.”
“Ramen noodles? “Like the ones you can buy for a quarter at the grocery store? I lived on those in college. I’m not used to anything fancy, but…”
Jax shook his head and smirked. “It’s a similar type noodle, but the dishes are much more complex. You know how much I love food and cooking. You really think I would take you somewhere that served packaged noodles?”
Lexi laughed at her own naivety. “You are right. If you like it, I’m sure it will be delicious.”
“Great. You are welcome to wait around here if you want, but you might get a little bored.”
“I think I might go see what Lily is up to…or I heard they were looking for more volunteers to donate blood.”
Jax swooped Lexi off the bed and pulled her standing flush against him. “That’s admirable of you, but I was thinking l might need to feed later, if you felt like saving it for me.” He cradled her neck, running his thumb over the smooth skin, sending shivers down her spine. She was certain he could feel her pulse start racing. Lexi didn’t know why she even entertained giving her blood to someone else. Maybe subconsciously she was looking for a reaction like she just got.
“Hanging out with Lily it is. Now go take care of your business before I force you to stay.”
***
A black car with tinted windows pulled up on the street outside of the Shadow Den. The driver got out,opened up the door, and motioned for Lexi to get in.
“What’s all this? I assumed we would just be taking a cab.”
Jax shrugged. “I know it’s a little pretentious, but Adrian said I could use his car service whenever I needed it. I thought it would be nice to spoil you just a little tonight.”
“Oh it is nice. I was just surprised is all. Pleasantly surprised.” A warm smile crossed Lexi’s lips. It was sweet how much thought Jax had put into their date. He was even dressed up a bit more than usual – a white button-down shirt, rolled partway up his toned forearms and close fitting dark jeans. The scent of his musky cologne drifted across the space between them.
The restaurant was quaint and charming with rich wooden booths and Japanese themed decorations on the walls. Heavenly smells wafted through the air, and for the first time that day, Lexi realized just how hungry she was. Lexi perused the menu “So what do you recommend? I’m not sure where to start.”
“Just about everything is great here from what I remember. You can’t go wrong.”
“That’s not very helpful, Jax. Why don’t you choose for me?”
“I can do that. And how about Sake? Have you ever had it?”
“I know what it is, but I’ve never tried it. Lexi admitted.”
“I’ll order us a bottle of this.”Jax pointed to the menu. Not too dry, not too sweet…You know, I’m the one who’s been stuck in the shadows, but it looks like you’re the one who needs to get out more,” Jax joked with a grin.
“What can I say? I’m a small town girl, and I haven’t been around as long as you, old man. I guess you will just have to take me out more often.”
“I think that can be arranged, as long as you stop calling me old man. I’m a baby compared to Adrian and Kamilah. I may technically almost be old enough to be your dad, but I’m very youthful looking for my age,” Jax said with a wink.
Lexi laughed, but for the first time she started the think about the downside to dating an immortal. She felt more deeply for Jax than she ever had for anyone. Dare she say she was even falling in love with him? He hadn’t told her yet exactly how old he was or when he was turned, but he couldn’t have been more than 30. Sure she was younger than him now, but one day she would get old, and he never would. She realized she was getting ahead of herself, and decided to shelve those thoughts for another time.
They finished dinner, the food far exceeding Lexi’s expectations. Jax announced their next stop was the botanical gardens within walking distance nearby. It was a gorgeous evening – warm with a gentle breeze. They walked down the street hand in hand, a comfortable silence between them interspersed with comments about the architecture, or places Jax used to frequent.
Just before they reached the gardens Lexi noticed a petite brunette with icy blue eyes, probably in her 40s, giving them a double take as they stood on the corner waiting to cross the street.
“Jax? Is that you?”
Jax’s brow furrowed before a look of recognition took over. “Anna…hi. It’s been a long time.”
“You wouldn’t know it looking at you. You haven’t changed a bit. I suppose I can’t say the same for myself.”
“No, you look great.”
“Please, I’ve got a lot more gray hairs and wrinkles since the last time you saw me, and I’m not quite in shape like I used to be. But, I guess three kids will do that to you, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It took awhile, but I’m really happy now.” Lexi noticed something fleeting in Anna’s eyes. “It seems you are doing pretty well yourself.” Anna eyed Lexi from head to toe with a wry smile.
Lexi was suddenly self-conscious. Anna was obviously someone important from Jax’s past. His human past. Vampires like Adrian and Kamilah had been turned so long ago, they didn’t have to worry about running into ghosts from their previous life. Lexi didn’t look that much younger than Jax in appearance, but she could tell Anna was judging him for being with someone half his age. “Hi, I’m Lexi.” She extended her hand and Anna shook it firmly.
“Nice to meet you Lexi, but I really should get going. It was good to see you again Jax.” Anna smiled weakly and turned without waiting for a goodbye. There was something painful in their history, she could tell, but Jax didn’t say anything more, and Lexi didn’t want to press him further.
They walked through the entrance to the botanical gardens and Lexi soon put the encounter out her mind. The space was illuminated by the moonlight and thousands of twinkling lights wrapped around every pergola and archway in the place. A few other couples milled about, but it was quiet, the prevailing sound the trickling of cascading waterfalls spilling into the ponds below. It was unquestionably the most romantic place Lexi had ever been in the city.
Jax led Lexi to a secluded corner of the garden and sat down on the grass. He patted the spot next to him, and Lexi lowered herself down to the ground.
“This place is gorgeous and so peaceful… a little oasis in the middle of the city. Is this where you take all the girls?,” Lexi asked, only half joking.
“I found this place a while back. I’ve only passed by, but I always thought if I met someone special, I would want to bring her here ” Jax gazed at Lexi intently and her heart skipped a beat. She rested her head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her securely like he never wanted to let go.
Minutes passed as they sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Anna crept back to the forefront of Lexi’s mind. She was hesitant to get into it now while she was trying to enjoy their date, but she had to know more.
“Hey, Jax?”
“Hmm?”
“I didn’t want to bring this up tonight, but I can’t stop thinking about Anna. I can tell she was someone important to you.”
Jax shifted his eyes downward. “She was important to me. She was my girlfriend. Had I not been turned, I probably would have married her.”
“How did you end things? She still seems to be hurt by it.”
“I actually never saw her again after I was turned. I went missing, and a few days later, I called and told her I had entered a rehab program for a prescription drug problem she never knew I had. I made it up of course, but I needed an out. I hated what I had become, and I couldn’t face her. I told her breaking up is what I needed for my recovery. She wanted to stick by my side and help me through, but I never looked back. It was too dangerous and I knew she could never accept the new me.”
“Do you still have feelings for her?”
“I still feel terrible about the way things ended, and I’ll always care about her. But the depth of what I felt for her, even then, doesn’t compare to the way I feel about you. Had it been you in her place, I know I wouldn’t have been able to stay away. I mean that Lexi, honestly.”
A weight lifted off her chest, but there was still more she needed to say. “I believe you, but there’s something else I’ve been thinking about. I’m younger than you now, but what happens in 10 years? 20 years? You’ll be forever young and I’ll get old. People will start thinking I’m you mother and then grandmother.” She couldn’t say the thought of asking him to turn her eventually had never crossed her mind, but it was too soon to ask that of him. She didn’t even know yet if that’s what she wanted, but what she did know is she didn’t want to picture her future without Jax in it.
Jax answered as if reading between the lines. “We have several years before that happens, Lexi. We’ll cross that bridge when it comes. For now, I want to live in the moment with you. I’d rather be kissing you right now that worrying about all the what-ifs.”
His answer appeased her for now. “So you’re saying you want to kiss me?”
“Would it be a proper date if I didn’t?” Jax tilted her chin up and descended his mouth upon hers. She could still taste the wine as his tongue found its way inside her mouth.
“Mmm. Maybe we should take the date back to your place?”
“Lexi, I cannot believe you think that I’m the type of guy who puts out on a first date.” Jax feigned a look of disapproval.
“I happen to know firsthand you are the type of guy who will put out before the first date.”
“Can you blame me? How can I resist this sexy woman.” He trailed a hand down Lexi’s back.
Lexi smiled playfully. “You can’t. Now let’s call the car and go home.”
***
Jax laid Lexi on the bed. “You rewarded me last night. Let me take care of you tonight” He slipped her dress over her head and kissed her hungrily. She fumbled with the buttons on his shirt as he worked to unhook her bra. His fangs came out as he nibbled down her neck. Lexi didn’t know if she’d every get over the thrill of knowing he could sink those fangs into her at any moment if he wanted, even though she trusted him implicitly. He cupped her breasts in is hands, thumbing lightly over her nipples sending heat straight to her core while she wriggled out of her panties.
Jax cocked his head to the side “You ready for me so soon?”
“So soon? I’ve been waiting for this since I woke up with morning. If you wait much longer, I might come before you even touch me.”
“As much as I’d like to see that, I have other plans for you.” Jax pushed her knees apart and dove between her legs. His mouth enveloped her sex, tongue running through her folds, taking in her juices. “Every part of you tastes exquisite.” Lexi panted as his tongue circled her clit, building up waves of pleasure just waiting to be released.
Lexi groaned with disapproval as Jax pulled away. “I want to try something, if you are up for it. Are you still okay with me feeding off of you tonight?”
Lexi nodded wordlessly.
“I’ve never never fed this way with anyone before, but I want to try it with you. Jax kissed the skin on her inner thigh over her femoral artery. I want to feed down here while I make you come.”
A guttural sound escaped her throat at his words, and her core ached for him. “Yes, I want that.”
Jax flashed a devilish grin and gently sunk his fangs into her thigh. Lexi gasped at the sharp prick, the pain quickly being taken over by the familiar electric tingling sensation that made feedings so pleasurable. It was so close to her center she wasn’t sure she needed any additional stimulation to push her over the edge. Jax slid two fingers inside her and it was almost too much to handle. He ran his thumb in circles over her clit, her body arching into his touch.
“Jax…more…I’m so close.” Lexi uttered between ragged breaths. Jax plunged a third finger inside and Lexi came undone. As her walls pulsed around his fingers, Jax continued to feed and her whole body was on fire, like a climax that didn’t end until he retracted his fangs and sealed her wounds.
“That was…I don’t even know…I’m spent.” Lexi lay motionless on the bed.
“That’s too bad because I’m not done with you yet.” Jax put his mouth on her again, gently sucking on her sensitive bundle of nerves.
Lexi writhed beneath him, trying to pull away as the intensity was overwhelming, but Jax held her down and kept going. “Jax, it’s too much, I..Ohh.”
Jax looked up with a sly grin. “Better now?”
“Yes…good…keep going.”
She was almost ready to come again when Jax threw her legs over his shoulders. He teased her wet entrance with his hard length. “You want me to keep fucking you with my mouth, or with my cock?”
“I want you inside me…now.” Lexi dug her nails into his ass and Jax pounded into her.
“God, Lexi. I’ve been waiting to do this to you all day.” Jax pinned her arms over her head with one hand and rubbed her clit with the other. He picked up his pace and pushed her over the edge again, her whole body trembling as she cried out his name. “You feel too good, Lexi. I’m not going to last much longer.” Jax grunted and moaned as he found his release inside her.
Jax laid next to Lexi, stroking her hair. “My sexy Lexi.”
“You know, I’ve always hated that nickname, but hearing you say it…I like it. You are the only one that gets to call me that.”
“Good, because I want to be the only one to know how sexy you really are.”
“It’s all reserved for you. You are pretty damn incredible yourself…but I’m a little disappointed you didn’t break anything this time,” Lexi joked.
“Oh Lexi, this was only the first date, remember?” Jax said with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Just wait until you see what’s in store for our third date.”