5

Chapter 71 Anticipation

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As they rode down various streets and highways, taking random turns, Ava felt a rush of freedom. She'd never traveled beyond the resort because she wasn't completely comfortable traveling alone. The resort felt safe, so she'd never ventured out beyond its lush grounds. Being with Jax allowed her to do things, she never would have done without him.

She never got drunk rarely even had a drink when she went out because she had to drive home. If she didn't have to drive, she still limited herself to two drinks because she didn't want to drink and face the real possibility of getting drugged and raped. It had happened to a couple of girls at one of the clubs she used to frequent until she heard what happened to them.

Having Jax with her, gave her freedom to live a little because for all his failings as a toxic male, he did watch over and protect her. It gave her comfort knowing he would take care of her. It was a new feeling and for now, it made her feel good. He had been so kind last night; she still couldn't get over this new side to him.

Maybe she needed to look at Jax in a new way—not as a husband of course, but kind of like a traveling companion. They could have a good time together sightseeing, going to clubs and dancing. It would be like going out with a girlfriend only she wouldn't have to worry about the girlfriend going off with a guy and leaving her on her own.

She enjoyed having her legs and arms around Jax and the feel of his body against hers felt surprisingly sexy. It didn't make sense to her that she found him sexy since she wasn't in love with him. She wished she could remember more about that kiss last night. She had a very vague memory of enjoying it. She definitely needed him to kiss her again so she could see if her memory were correct.

After about two hours, Jax found a half dozen food trucks parked in a little open area. There were tables and chairs in the middle with the food trucks around the outside. Judging by the crowd of people, the food must be good to attract that many people.

"Hungry? Thought we could give some of the food here a try," Jax said.

"I've never had food from a truck before," Ava said.

"There's a truck that comes by TM but I think this is going to be a different experience," Jax said drily. He didn't share with Ava that they called the food trucks that came to TM roach coaches. He thought that would cause her to be reluctant to try these food trucks.

They walked around and checked out all the different menus the trucks were offering from poke bowls to plate lunches including Hawaii's favorite canned meat product Spam. Jax decided to try a poke bowl despite his misgivings about eating raw fish. Ava never ate raw fish after getting food poisoning twice from sushi. She didn't like the texture of raw fish so never eating raw fish was no hardship for her. Ava was eating some roasted pork dish with macaroni salad.

"Can't say that I like raw fish," Jax said after trying several bites of his poke bowl. "Too fishy."

"My pork's really good all tender and tropical."

"Can I have a bite?"

"Help yourself to a taste," Ava said.

Jax decided he loved Ava's pork. He returned to the food truck where she'd gotten her pork dish and got his pork made into a sandwich with some homemade pickles on the side, which he generously shared with Ava.

"How do you like riding on the bike?"

"It's a lot more interesting than riding in a car."

"I thought after lunch, we'll get gas for the bike and then figure out where to spend the night unless you want to go back to the hotel."

"I don't care about going back to the resort. I just want to stay somewhere clean."

Jax couldn't get over how accommodating Ava was being about the whole motorcycle trip. He kept expecting her to have a tantrum and demand to go back to the resort. Instead, she seemed to be enjoying herself. There just might be some good in Ava. When they were getting along, she was actually fun.

They got pina colada flavored shaved ice to complete their meal. Ava took a couple of pictures of them on the motorcycle and texted them to her father. He would be shocked to see them out having fun on a motorcycle.

"Trying to shock your father?" Jax asked with a smile.

"Just a little," she said with a grin. "It will really make him mad if he thinks we're having a great time on this honeymoon. He wants us to be miserable."

"Your father sends us on this great honeymoon all expenses paid because he wants you or both of us to be miserable. That doesn't make sense."

"I think he knows that we didn't fall madly in love while you were in prison and he gave us this honeymoon so we would fight and be unhappy."

"Or maybe he wants us to have this time together to get to know each other. Start looking at the things your father does in a positive way. You think he got me out of prison to screw you over and I prefer to believe that he got me out of prison because he wanted to right an injustice."

"You don't know him like I do," Ava said scowling at Jax.

"We're in Hawaii and having fun. What more do you want right now?"

Ava lifted her face to the fun and looked at the beautiful tropical paradise they were in. Jax had a point. Things were pretty good right now. What did it matter if her father sent her to have a miserable time?

There was something that kind of sent a shiver along her find looking at Jax the sun turning his hair to bright gold, his eyes squinting a little in the sun and his lips were sexy as hell without that nasty facial hair covering up there beautiful shape.

"You're right. We do have it pretty good right now," Ava agreed.

Jax noticed the way Ava was looking at him had changed. He'd seen that look in female eyes since puberty. His reluctant bride was definitely finally feeling the Jax Teller sex magic.