Chapter 39: Crowd-hating

Jaxon's POV:

I didn't have a destination in mind, when I suggested we could take a walk, but seeing her obediently follow me out without her usual bickering and bantering, I figured I'd just make the best of this moment.

Moments like this were very much rare to come by, so I didn't hesitate. I led her towards the square and the massive Starbucks in the heart of it. With each step, I kept stealing glances at her like I'd earlier in the car. She opened her mouth as if to say something and then closed it again.

Was she going to say something or did she possibly want me to say something?

But what could I possibly say?

Not that I once an introvert, but right now. I could possibly think of anything to say. I stole another subtle glance at her, only to meet her staring right back at me. Fuck!

She smiled. Just a little, before looking away. But that was all I needed. Just a little was enough for me.

It was a whole different feeling from her usual alarmed look or sharp glare. It was beautiful. She was beautiful.

Five minutes in to the walk, I resigned to my fate, I was content with just walking with her like this. Even though I didn't know any way to start up something that wouldn't— come off as ackward. I was content to remain silent and I guess she was too.

But that only gave me the opportunity to suddenly notice how many people were staring at us, wait…snapping at us, pointing at us and even…yelling at us. We were making quite the scene.

A small crowd was forming behind us and increasing by the minute. Fuck!

I had totally forgotten that she was famous and I was too, though more in the business sense than circular. But together, we made quite a buzz..

I swallowed hard.

“Any further now and the reporters will be on our heels.” She suddenly called out.

I nodded, hunching my shoulders in. I felt like turning around and punching this crazy bastards, get them to put their mobiles down and be on their way. But that'd only worsen everything.

Fuck the whole lot.

I clenched my fist.

“I guess we have to turn back now.” I said after a few more cursing under my breath.

Laura shrugged. “I guess.”

We turned around, only to be greeted by more photographers.

“They seem pretty worked up over something.” I observed.

“Oh,” She said in a knowing voice. “I was in the papers earlier on today.”

“What?” I jerked my head to study her from the side. She looked adorably cute in my jacket, and the way she tilted her head over to stare at me. Made me want to ruffle her hair.

I resisted the urge by tugging my hand firmly in to my trouser.

“What were you in the paper for.”

“Something about my album and some other stuffs.” She didn't want to talk about.

I respected that. I didn't pressed her any more. Didn't want to push my luck more than it was already.

And as for the photographers. At least they were smart enough not to get any closer to us.

The car was just a black silhouette under the wild street lights, we approached it slowly. Ignoring the throng gathering from every angle.

I darted towards her side of the car, and opened the door for her and held it in place, waiting for her to enter.

She blinked and looked up at me, her eyebrows raised momentarily and a perplexed expression on her face — but I wasn't going to let go of this door, and she had no choice but to hop in.

Some women didn't appreciate this kind of a thing, which was okay with me. But what wasn't, was trying to figure out the women who did and those who didn't. I always stuck to the etiquettes I knew, instead of making a bluff of myself.

Well, she was one of those who did.

Her perplexed, broke into a second smile that evening and she nodded a silent “Thank you.” And slid past me in to the car.

I closed it firmly in place behind her and jogged the distance to my own side of the car, and jumped into the driver's seat.

“We've lost Ryan.” She pointed out, as I grinded the key in to the ignition, her smile was gone.

Are we back to the old Laura Jacobs now, huh?

The car coughed up. I threw a glance at her, “Don't you know your own house, or are you scared we'll get lost?”

“No.” That was firm. Too firm.

“Then what are you scared of?” I threw my head sideways to look at her, she was pulling herself out of my jacket. She finally folded it and dropped it on her lap. Before speaking again.

“I'm just scared of what you'll do?”

My eyes shot up. “Huh?”

But she turned her head away, facing the window. Looking at the little crowd that was gathering there.

“If you don't hurry up, we might not be able to make it out of here before the paparazzis show up.”

Right.

I stepped on the gas pedal, and released the hand brake. The car lurched forward in a squeal of tires protesting against the asphalt.

The onlookers leaped out of the way, several more cameras flashed and they were behind us.

I never thought it was so tiresome to be a celebrity. I had never once had to worry about the crowd at public places or couldn't even take a walk in the street. Though I couldn't remember when last I did that.

“Take the next right.” She suddenly called, pointing at my right. I did that.

“Stop at the curb there.”

I stepped on the brake pedals, and maneuvered the car to a stop.

“Thank you for bringing me home, safely.” She smiled appreciatively.

I nodded back at her. Though wondering what she meant by safely. I watched as she slipped out of the car and walked gracefully up to the gate of her apartment and disappeared behind the twin giant gates.

I stroked the steering wheel, while one hand reached out to grab my jacket.

The very one she had just dropped.

The very one with her scent and all.

I buried my face inside. God! How could a lady smell so good.

So damn, fucking adorable! Christ! I pressed the jacket to the steering wheel and buried my face inside. As her perfume invaded my nostrils, I thought about all I could do to her. Every damn naughty image I could process while pinning her beneath me.

God! I sniffed.

I was sure definitely sure, that I'd never wash this jacket for a very long time. A very very very long time at that.

My phone buzzed in the jacket. I groaned and dipped my hands in to the pocket and pulled it out.

Evan!

I clicked the answer button. “Yeah?”

“Thank Goodness, where are you?” She sounded worried.

“On my way home, why?

Silence. I peeked at the phone, the call hadn't ended yet, while was she not talking.

“Evan?” I half yelled.

“Yes, I'm here.” She said in a small voice, her breathing raspy and hard. Audible over the phone.

“What is it?”

“Nothing, just that I ..?”

“You what?” I snapped. Getting at the end of my patience.

“I need you.” It was a low whisper. “I need you inside me, Jax and now!”

“What?” I gripped the steering wheel tightly.