A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(24)

Caroline walked over, snatching the plate from his hand. “Dinner.” She put the plate back on the table.

The burned-to-a-crisp hamburger was eaten on the edges only and the lonely hotdog was so black and deformed he felt sorry for it. “That’s food?” He couldn’t help but ask with a snort.

“Yeah, smartass.” Caroline slammed her hand on her hip. “I had a little trouble with the grill, but it was perfect.” The disgusted crinkle of her nose revealed her lie.

Cocking his eyebrow at the food, Jax pulled out his phone and shot off a text. “You have any tools?”

“You really don’t have to do this,” Caroline said, her face blushing beautifully.

Jax stared at her without saying a word, waiting for her answer.

With a huff, Caroline went to the corner, bent over to grab a tiny toolbox, making Jax groan, and then set it on the table with a glare. “Anything else?” Her tone was definitely not pleasant.

Now wasn’t that a loaded question. Jax watched her, appreciating how beautiful she looked in candlelight. Staying clear of her was sure going to hell, he cursed to himself. She had a vulnerability to her that drew him in, plus she was beautiful, smart and what the f*ck was wrong with him? Next he’d be kneeling at her f*cking feet spouting poetry. “Fuck!” He growled, grabbing the tiny toolbox and heading toward the front door.

Before long, he had fixed both locks and had tried them multiple times before handing her the keys.

“Thank you.” Caroline took the keys.

“You’re welcome.” Jax rolled his shoulders, becoming uncomfortable and was glad to hear the motorcycles coming up the road. “Make sure you have these doors locked, both of them.”

“Why are you doing this when you so adamantly stated you wanted nothing to do with me?” Caroline looked up from the keys in her hand, true confusion coloring her voice and shadowing her eyes.

Caroline’s question was fair and Jax knew it. He just didn’t know how to answer her. And he never said he wanted nothing to do with her. He had warned her to stay away from him, which to be fair, she had. He was the one having a hard time, and wasn’t that a kick in the balls. The knock on the door saved him from saying anything at all.

“Who in the world can that be?” The knock startled Caroline.

Jax knew she hadn’t heard the bikes because of the music playing, something else that bothered him. Anyone could sneak up without her even knowing it. He watched her walk to the door and followed her. She was about to open the door without asking who it was, but he slammed his hand against it, preventing her.

“Never open the door without knowing who’s on the other side, Caroline.” Jax dropped his gaze to hers, her scent enveloping him in warmth. “Wouldn’t you tell your kids the same thing?”

Caroline’s glare softened with understanding. “Who is it?” she asked loudly, but her eyes stayed on Jax. He could have sworn she inhaled his scent as well.

“Pizza and my friend, beer. Now open the door. Pizza is getting cold and beer is getting warm, plus you have the biggest f*cking mosquitoes out here that I ever saw. Blaze is fighting one as I speak.” Hunter’s voice came through the door. “Shoot the bastard.”

Jax grinned as he removed his hand from the door. Even though he knew exactly who had been out there, he wanted Caroline to realize living on her own in the middle of nowhere was dangerous. She needed to be smart and safe.

Laughing, Caroline opened the door wide letting them in. Blaze was actually swatting at something buzzing around his head. “I didn’t order pizza,” she said as Hunter passed her with three boxes. Blaze passed also, carrying a case of beer.

“He did.” Hunter nodded toward Jax and headed to the table.

“I didn’t order beer.” Jax caught one that Blaze tossed him.

“That was all me.” Hunter grinned, catching a beer in one hand while setting the pizzas on the table.

“What about me?” Caroline frowned, staring at Blaze who was setting the beer on the floor. Blaze gave her an approving nod, grabbing one out of the box and handing it to her. “Thank you.” She smiled.

“What in the holy hell is that?” Hunter picked up the paper plate bringing it to his face. “Is that a hot dog?”

“I had a little trouble with the grill.” Blushing, Caroline grabbed the plate and tossed it in the garbage bag.

“I’d say.” Hunter snorted, shaking his head. Opening one of the pizza boxes, he pushed it toward her.

“Kind of looked like what old crazy-eyed Mable was going to do with yours.” Blaze chuckled and leaned against the wall.

“Not funny.” Hunter glared at the garbage, then to Blaze. “But an uncanny resemblance.”

When Caroline frowned at Jax, he just shook his head with a chuckle. “Don’t ask.”

CHAPTER 11

Slade hung up the phone as Pam and Duncan walked in his office with Sloan close on their heels. Seeing Pam, he frowned. She was extremely pale, her cheeks sunk in. She was deteriorating fast which made him wonder exactly how long she had been sick.

“I’m sorry Duncan hasn’t been at work much.” Pam looked up at Sloan.

“Damon, Jared, Sid and Jax have things under control.” Sloan offered her a smile. “You just worry about getting yourself better.”