"Dinner will be here in five minutes. I ordered burgers and fries." He said with a smile.
My stomach growled out in hunger which seemed to be funnier to him than myself.
After dinner Jackson was surely happy. "Close your eyes, I have a surprise for you." He said.
"Jax, when have I ever enjoyed surprises!" I said.
He smiled and that sent shockwaves through me because I wanted to be the reason for that smile.
I closed my eyes and I could sense him looking at me. I could feel the smile on his face.
I heard him get up and turn the light off.
"Jax, why are the lights off?" I asked.
He laughed, "I told you to close your eyes!" he said.
"Jackson I heard the switch!" I proclaimed!
"Open your eyes Indie!" He said with glee.
As I opened my eyes I noticed a cupcake with pink frosting and one candle sitting in front of me.
"What's this?" I was in shock.
"Happy Birthday Indiana!" He said with a smile and that made me melt.
"I guess the days must have slipped from me! Thank you Jackson!" I closed my eyes and blew out the candle.
Happy birthday to me. I slid my finger across the frosting.
Slowly licking the frosting from my finger. "Yum!"
"Good frosting?"He asked.
I smiled dipping my finger once again in the frosting but this time I pressed it against his lips allowing him to lick the frosting off my finger.
We both laughed. I shared my cupcake and I was able to enjoy his happiness.
"Jackson? Will you read to me? You haven't done that in so long!" I begged.
This made him grin.
"Indie, that's because you said I was reading too slow!" he said in a protest.
That caused me to roll my eyes. "Jackson I was 10! To be fair you kept trying to read to me books where the dish ran away with the spoon in it!" I said objecting.
He laughed. "Who knew 10 year olds didn't like picture books!" He said amused.
"Everyone! You acted like you are so much older than me, we are 5 years apart. Besides, your mom told you I wouldn't like that book." I said.
"Yeah but I didn't think you would be so mean to toss it at my head!" He exclaimed.
"Also I enjoy when you read to me, I enjoy the sound of your voice." I said shly. "Also you have read to me since then and you know it!"
His look in disbelief, "Except when I'm in your ear and you are getting hurt." he said replying to enjoying the sound of his voice.
This was the moment I had that girlish giggle that I usually have to use when I'm dealing with Dom or Trey but with him it was real. I saw this melt his tough outside. I looked at him and just like that we were in my room and he was in my bed with a book in hand. I let him pick because at this point it didn't matter what he was reading. I noticed his choice was a book of poems. The book was old and the book cover had seen its days. This was the book that he always turned to. As I closed my eyes resting my head against his chest, I could hear his heart rate quicken. He was a fan of Poe.
So as he read Annabel Lee "It was many and many a year ago.."
This poem caused me to dream of the sand. The beach was always fun but it was always Jax who wanted to build a sandcastle when we were younger. I usually wanted to study the water and sea life.
I woke up around 4am. Surprised to see Jackson asleep beside with his book against his chest. I slowly inched myself off the bed trying not to wake him. I crept downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. I walked to the living room and I noticed Jax's sweater jacket was laying there. I grabbed it and just like him the smell intoxicated me. I slid it on and was warm and inviting. I turned the tv and end up drifting back to sleep. I woke up to Jax carrying me to my bed.
I shook my head "Jax I'm awake! Put me down! " I noticed the sunlight pouring through the windows. He finally put me down... on my bed!
"Ouch!" I felt sharp pain on my back, it must be the scrape and bruises.
His worried face hit hard "I am so sorry Indie. I forgot!" He apologized.
I shook my head. "Jax, it's fine." I said.
His fingers traced a bruise instantly, making it feel like ice against my skin. This sent chills through my body and goosebumps on my side.
I think he was getting some kind of enjoyment out of making me weak.
"Are you sure you're okay?" his sly smile as he spoke to me.
"Are you taking some kind of enjoyment out of this? Because you aren't playing fair." I teased.
His lips kissed my forehead. "Goodnight Indie!" he said.
I watched him walk over to my window and pull the shade close and the drapes shut; leaving me in the dark. I grabbed a pillow and squeezed it to me.