CHAPTER 228: GOOD NARCISSIST

After ending her call with Jamal, Mari headed to the kitchen to join Jax, and she found him standing by the cooker.

She smiled as she watched him stirring a creamy sauce in a small pan with one hand, while the other flipped seasoned chicken pieces in another.

He had a cool R & B playing low from his phone. A gleam of mischief crept into her eyes as her gaze fell on his wide shoulders and the curve of his neck.

She smiled as she stealthily tiptoed toward him, holding her breath to keep quiet.

Then, without a word, she wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and pressed her lips to the back of his neck, which she remembered he mentioned was his very sensitive spot.

Jax stiffened. He sucked in a breath like someone had hit a switch. "Mari," he groaned. His voice was low and thick.

She giggled and kissed his neck again, a little lower this time, seeing that the spot seemed to make him lose it, and she wanted to make him lose it.

He turned around fast, his eyes dark and burning. "You don’t listen, do you? You’re a menace," he muttered just before crashing his lips to hers.

His kiss was deep and hungry, like he hadn’t spent the most of the day kissing her. Mari wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back just as hard.

He lifted her without breaking the kiss, and her legs wrapped around his waist for a moment before he sat her gently on the cool kitchen island.

Mari grinned against his lips. "Finally," she whispered breathlessly, "I’m sitting on the island."

Jax chuckled, his hands on her thighs. "I don’t plan to do anything here except kiss you."

"Too bad," Mari teased. "You’re putting such a fine space to waste."

He laughed again and leaned back a little, brushing her hair away from her cheek. His eyes softened as he looked at her.

He didn’t say anything for a moment as his eyes roamed over her face like he was searching for something.

"What?" She asked, feeling self-conscious.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Mari’s smile faded just a little. "Yeah. Why?"

"You look... I don’t know. Your eyes are a bit dull unlike before," Jax said gently. "I can tell you’re worried."

Mari frowned. "I don’t look worried. I was laughing and kissing you a moment ago."

Jax shrugged, "You don’t look it doesn’t mean you’re not. What’s wrong?"

Mari sighed and looked down at his hands on her thighs. "I guess I’m just thinking about my friends. They’re all going through a lot, and I wish I could do something. Be there. Help them."

He tilted his head. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

Mari looked up at him with a sly smile. "I’ll talk about it... when you officially become my boyfriend on Friday. Or maybe we can just do all of it today."

Jax laughed. "Ah. Blackmail. Nice."

He turned back to the stove, stirring the sauce again.

Mari watched him. "What are you making?"

"Pasta. Chicken Alfredo," he said. "And tell me the truth... can you really not cook?"

"Not really," Mari admitted. "I just... I’m not good at it."

"I can teach you," Jax offered with a smile. "By the time you leave here, you’ll be able to cook at least five meals."

Mari grinned. "I like not knowing how to cook. If I learn I’m going to become too perfect. I don’t want to be more perfect than I already am."

Jax threw back his head and laughed. "Are you a narcissist?"

"A good one," she said with a wink.

"I’ve never heard of a good narcissist."

"Then I’m the first. How did you learn to cook, anyway?" She asked, changing the subject.

"My mom," he said quietly. "She taught me everything."

Mari noticed how his shoulders slumped a little. "You were very close to her?"

Jax nodded. "Yeah. She was my favorite person... until she died."

Mari’s chest tightened. "What happened?"

"Diabetes," he said simply. "It got worse, fast. I was sixteen."

"I’m sorry," Mari said softly.

Jax let out a long sigh. "Me too. It’s been so long but I still miss her some times. I guess I love to cook because I think of her a lot when I cook. I’ve heard and read about how easy it is for people to forget the face and voice of a loved one after a long time. I don’t want to forget her. Ever."

Mari reached out and touched his hand gently. "My biological mom died too. But... I didn’t know her. So, I can’t exactly remember her. Andy raised me. She’s the mom I know. She is my world."

Jax smiled at the thought of Andy. "If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Andy was your biological mom. You’re just as crazy as she is. You can only inherit such craziness."

Mari giggled. "You’ve met her?"

"Of course. A few times," he said.

Mari tilted her head. "How come I’ve never met you?"

Jax shrugged. "Maybe you have, but you don’t remember."

"Nah. I would never forget seeing a face like yours," she said with a smirk.

He laughed. "Maybe you only noticed me now because we’re alone. In a sea of handsome faces, mine probably didn’t stand out enough for you to notice me."

"I don’t believe that," she said. "You ever been to my house?"

"Yeah. A couple of times," Jax said, flipping the chicken. "While you were at school. I even slept over once."

Mari frowned. "For real? Why did my parents never mention you? I mean, if you’re so close to them how come I never knew about you?"

"Maybe because I’m part of your dad’s past he didn’t want to mix with you," he said with a shrug, but he didn’t sound upset or offended about it.

Mari stared at him. "What do you even do for a living?"

Jax smirked. "Guess."

She narrowed her eyes. "You never leave this house, but you seem like you’ve got money and time. Are you a social media influencer? Or you’re into tech and you work at night? Or do you trade forex or crypto?"

He chuckled. "None of the above. I’ll tell you on Friday."

Mari groaned. "Ugh. I wish I could go to sleep now and wake up Friday so we can get this over with."

"It’ll be Friday soon," he said with a wink.

Jax finished preparing the meal, and Mari helped him plate the pasta and sauce, carefully copying how he sprinkled the parsley and grated cheese.

The kept what was left in the microwave for Chad, and just as they sat down at the dining table, Chad walked in.

"Hey, little mermaid," he greeted pleasantly as he kissed Mari’s forehead and she giggled.

"Welcome back. I missed you," she said, and Jax eyed her, wondering at what point of their time together she missed Chad.

"I missed you, too." Chad looked at the food and raised his brows. "Did you leave me any? Or is this strictly a dinner for two?"

"Didn’t you eat over there?" Jax asked, and Chad sighed.

Mari pointed to the microwave. "Check in there. Your royal share is waiting."

"Thanks, baby." Chad grinned and walked over to get his meal, Jax turned to Mari, "You missed him? Really?"

She giggled but before she could respond Chad returned to join them at the table with his plate.

"So, how did it go with Venita?" Jax asked as Chad sat down.

"Venita’s still mad at you. Diva’s still mourning, but I got them laughing a bit. They’re coming over tomorrow."

Jax blinked. "They? Diva too? Why?"

"She’s coming with Venita. You know how those two roll. That’s why you don’t get involved with your sibling’s bestie." Chad said with a shrug, then glanced between Jax and Mari, a slow smile spreading. "Looks like you finally opened up to her."

Mari blinked. "Opened up about what?"

Jax glared at Chad. "Chad. Shut up. I haven’t told her anything yet. Not until her birthday."

Chad chuckled. "Okay, okay." He turned back to his food.

Mari looked at Jax. "What are you two talking about?"

Jax just smiled. "You’ll find out soon enough."

Mari rolled her eyes and focused on her meal. They made small talk as they ate.

After dinner, Chad stretched and stood. "I’d offer to do the dishes, but I don’t want to rob the lovebirds of their chance to hold hands in soapy water," he said, making both Jax and Mari laugh.

He kissed Mari on the cheek. "Goodnight, little mermaid. I’m exhausted. Need to call it a night. I never knew appeasing angry ladies I’m not even dating would wear me out this way."

"Goodnight, Prince Charming," she said, laughing.

When he was gone, Jax shook his head. "You enjoy his attention."

"I do," Mari admitted with a grin as they cleared the table together.

Mari watched as Jax did the dishes and when he finished, she smiled at him as he dried his hands. "Can I sleep in your room tonight?"

"No," Jax said flatly, not even looking up.

Mari burst into laughter. "Didn’t expect anything less."

She linked her fingers with his. "Will you at least be a gentleman and walk me to my room, then."

Jax nodded and walked her down the hall.

At her door, she turned and smiled at him. "Want to come in for a nightcap or coffee?" She asked with a suggestive smile.

Jax chuckled. "You don’t even have any drink or coffee in there."

She laughed. "Well, when people make such offer half the time they’re not really offering a drink."

Jax chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "What are they offering then?"

Mari grinned but said nothing as she stood on her toes, and kissed him softly.

Before she could pull away, Jax deepened the kiss. Her back was pressed against the door, and one of his elbows rested on the door, while other hand slid up her thighs, teasing her skin until she gasped softly.

His fingers found that spot that made her legs shake, and her knees wobbled. She leaned into his chest as he worked her clits with his fingers while kissing her deeply.

She clung to his shirt breathlessly as she experienced her first ever clit orgasm. Mari trembled and moaned against his lips.

Jax pulled his hand away and broke the kiss so that she could catch her breath. He watched her with dark eyes as she slowly regained her composure.

When her gaze met his again, he smiled down at her.

"What was that? I thought... Are we going to go all the way now?" She asked, her blue eyes filled with desire and confusion.

He leaned close and whispered in her ear, "That was a little something... to have you dreaming of me."

"But..."

He kissed her forehead and stepped back. "Goodnight, Mari."

He turned and walked away before she could pull him in again.

Mari stood there, her face flushed and the spot between her legs a throbbing wet mess.

She touched her lips, then shook her head with a big smile.

Friday couldn’t come fast enough.