CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Website where all photos of all outfits mentioned is on my profile. In answer to why Sarah gasped in shock, simple. She didn't hear Vince sitting down and looking up she was startled that he was there. :-)

Jax and Opie hold court at one of the pool tables for well over 2 hours but when they come back to the table they're both grinning widely. Jax repeats his earlier motions of picking me up and sitting down on my seat with me on his knee. His head burrows into my hair and in spends several seconds inhaling deeply, before pulling his head back and setting his chin on my shoulder.

"What are we talking about?" His eyes dance around the table, Maggie left the table a little while ago to deal with some issue outside between two of the girls. Since her leaving Donna and I had been joined by Dani and the three of us worked through another jug of the martinis and we certainly haven't been talking about things that can be shared.

One of the prospects slides past, carefully removing the twin empty bottles and replacing them with two full ones as Donna's eyes flash between mine and Dani's and we all erupt into giggles.

Jax groans "Oh second thought, I don't want to know."

Dani quietly stands up at the gesture of one of the Sons in the corner and my glance in the direction shows that it was Tank, the Son she'd admitted to wanting more from, the smile on her face as she's pulling into his lap could light the room and as I lean closer to Jax enjoying the fact that I finally have my Old Man, and Abel and silently praying that Dani catches the one she wants without the shit that I've had to go through.

I struggle to sit up straight and suddenly am aware that my wiggling in Jax's lap may not be the best idea when he sucks in a breath of air and holds it, digging the fingers of one hand into my hip.

"Sorry." I lean sideways into his chest, his arms coming around me and holding me in place where I'm facing Donna and Opie, but my drink is still within reach and taking a small sip which ends up being half the glass I feel myself melt into his arms, the warmth that they provide not needed in the smoky packed room but welcome anyway.

Jax chuckles behind me and twists his head so his mouth is millimetres from my ear "Don't be sorry. I'm not."

I turn my head so I'm facing him and kiss him slowly, the sounds and smells from around us fading into oblivion while his lips caress mine. A repetitive feeling on the back of my head has me pulling back in annoyance and turning to glare at Donna who had been firing peanuts at the back of my head.

"Not fair D!" I exclaim picking up a few of the rebounded projectiles and flicking them back at her.

"I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes. That was my last attempt." Donna mutters, rolling her eyes and picking the peanuts from in her top, dropping them into an ashtray on the table. "You kind of became the floor show there."

I blink and glance around the room, sure enough several people are just sitting staring at Jax and I, my face heats and I hide the warmed skin in the crook of Jax's neck, "Hide me?" I mutter against his skin.

Jax chuckles "Always babe. How bout we go outside so you can cool down a little. You feel a little warm."

I pull my head back and poke my tongue out at him "Sure, outside sounds good."

We both stand up, Donna and Opie following the movement and I feel several peanuts fall from my hair and down my back, shaking my hair out to make sure there are no more nutty surprises Jax smirks, the twisting of his lips evident in the corner of my eye.

Raising an eyebrow at him "What?"

He shakes his head and pulls me close, his hands holding my upper arms, lowering his head so it's inches from mine he smiles and blinks slowly "I love you."

I smile brightly, the words at a tone only I can hear, but I step closer to him, sliding my arms around his as much as I can with his grip on my biceps "I know baby. I love you too."

With Jax's arm slung around my neck I follow him outside, well not so much follow given he has me plastered against his side. Donna and Opie have already claimed a table not far from one of the drums that is burning even in the unusually warm night air. Jax drags me in their direction and I smile when I notice the refill jug of black martini, our glasses and several beers already sitting on the table along with an ashtray.

The cooler air is a welcome feeling on my flushed cheeks and the fresh martini Donna pours as I sit down is just as cold, the liquid sliding down my throat a cooling burst. I look over at Donna as I set my glass back down "No more after this jug. I'd like to be able to walk later. And we're going home tomorrow. Having a hangover on the back of a bike for two hours doesn't sound like my ideal trip."

Donna shakes her head "No, definitely not."

Donna and I have both finished another glass of the martini mixture when Blade and Tank come over, Dani not far behind them with Abby, who can't tear her eyes of Blade, I feel slightly like cupid with the amount of pairings I'm observing tonight. The pair of men nodding briefly at us before turning their attention to Jax and Opie. "Sturgis?"

Jax nods and Opie looks towards Donna with a curious look on his face. Donna immediately catches the look. "Who's Sturgis?"

The four of them laugh and I feel momentarily embarrassed for Donna, but her glare has them all shutting up in seconds. "Not who, baby. What. Sturgis is a rally in South Dakota in August. Clay sent out feelers about who'd want to go, so far we've got 5 charters interested in making an appearance. It will be all completely above board, no deals, no club business, just a trip with bikers, to a rally."

Donna nods slowly "And you want to go?"

Opie nods, his eyes lighting up and I'm immediately struck with the resemblance he bears to an overly excited Scooby Doo. My giggle has Jax leaning closer and cocking his head. I quietly whisper "I was just picturing Ope saying 'Ruh Roh' and unmasking a villain who complains about meddling kids."

Jax immediately gets the reference to Scooby Doo. When we'd been younger it had been one of the guilty TV programs the four of us had watched together without admitting it to anyone else. A smile spreads across his face as he nods "I can see that."

"You want to go to this place too don't you?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"I do, but with Abel we may not get to." He says the disappointment is clear in his voice.

"I can look after Abel." I remind him, he frowns and shakes his head.

"No, cause I'd want you with me."

I giggle "Well then, we have Grandma. It's what, two months away?"

"Just under, 4th till 10th." Jax confirms.

"And how many riding hours are we looking at?" I'm already planning hunting down accommodations and talking to Clay about the numbers when we get back.

"21 hours each way, give or take. We did talk about it in church before we left, four of us want to go, but of course it depends on a whole lot of shit. If we do go it'd be split into two days riding each way so we'd be leaving on the 1st and back on the 12th probably."

I nod "Talk to Grandma when we get back to Charming and we'll see if she'll look after Abel for two weeks."

We turn back to the conversation to find that Donna and Opie are both watching us with raised eyebrows.

"What?" Jax says, sitting back into his chair.

"Quiet finished?" Opie asks, grinning.

Jax nods "Yep, we're sorted." He turns to Blade "We'll be part of the Sturgis party."

Tank grins "Excellent."

Blade nods and turns to Opie who shrugs "Don't know man. I got twins I've gotta think about."

I lean over and poke my finger into his chest "You also have a Grandma who will love to have all three kids for a couple of weeks."

Donna nods and Opie shrugs, turning to Tank again "Well if Sarah's right and we have a kid sitter then we'll be there."

Tank's grin widens and he goes in search of more beers as I drag my chair sideways closer to Jax and lean into his shoulder "Why do I get the feeling it'll be an interesting trip."

Jax nods and watches Tank work his way through the crowd, the energy and enthusiasm he has reminding me very much of Juice, Dani's face split in a huge grin, that matches the size of the arm thrown around her neck.