Chapter 10: Veil of desire.
Jax sat on his couch, the weight of Sarah's ultimatum crushing him. Her words from last night echoed: "I just want us to keep having sex… You know you can have us both, a win." Her smirk, her fingers grazing his chest, had stirred memories of their summer fling...hot, reckless nights, her body pressed against his, her moans filling the dark. He'd wanted to say no, to push her away, but the fear of her spilling their past to Lena had paralyzed him. Lena's smile, her trust, the way she'd melted into him during their bathroom encounter...those were worth protecting, even if it meant this dangerous game. He rubbed his face, guilt gnawing at him, but Sarah's offer was a lifeline: keep her satisfied, keep Lena in the dark.
His phone buzzed...Lena: Can't stop thinking about last night. Coffee today? His heart ached, picturing her hair, her laugh, the way she'd moaned his name. He typed back, Beanery, 1 pm..i Miss you too. He would play Sarah's game, but only to keep Lena safe. The lie tasted bitter, but losing her would be worse.
Lena practically skipped into the kitchen, her body still excited from her night with Jax. The memory of his hands, his lips, the way he'd pinned her against the bathroom wall, sent a shiver through her. She grinned, grabbing a mug, her heart full. Sarah was at the counter, stirring coffee, her usual brooding vibe replaced with a rare lightness. Lena noticed, her smile widening.
"You're up early," Lena said, pouring coffee. "And you look… different. Happier, maybe? I'm happy you're coming out of this your shell, Sarah. Before you know it, you'll get a man who'll love you... You know, try coming out once a while."
Sarah's lips curved, her eyes glinting with something Lena couldn't read. "I know, right? But sometimes I just love my peace." She leaned against the counter, her voice softening. "Lena, I'm excited you found Jax. I know he cares about you genuinely." The words were warm, but her fingers tightened around her mug, a flicker of pretense Lena missed in her glow.
Lena beamed, oblivious. "He's amazing, Sarah. Each time I go visit, it's always amaizing and our last… Gosh, I can't even describe it." She blushed, remembering Jax's touch, the heat of their bodies. "And you're finally getting out, you know hanging out with us, sometimes... It'd be mad fun and you guys could get along, I want us to be really close. We could go clubbing, Jax could invite his friends and who knows, you might find the one."
Sarah's smile held, but her eyes darted away, masking the thrill of her secret. "Yeah, Jax seems… easy to like," she said, her tone teasing but laced with truth. She'd felt him again last night, his body yielding to her, and the rush was worth the risk. Lena didn't need to know. "Just don't get too lovesick, okay? I'm heading out tonight, by the way. Got plans."
"Plans?" Lena's eyes lit up. "Look at you, living a little! Who's the mystery guy?"
Sarah laughed, waving a hand. "No guy, just… meeting some old friends. You and Jax have fun." She grabbed her jacket, leaving Lena buzzing with excitement, clueless about the storm brewing.
Jax sat at The Beanery, his nerves fraying as Lena walked in, her smile brighter than the afternoon sun. She slid into the seat across from him, her hand brushing his, sending a jolt through him. "Hey, you," she said, her voice warm. "You look tired. Everything okay?"
He forced a grin, Sarah's threat looming in his mind: If you say no, I'll tell Lena everything. "Just didn't sleep much," he said, his eyes lingering on her. "Thinking about you." It was true, but guilt twisted the words. He wanted to tell her about Sarah, the fling, the blackmail, but her trust was too fragile, too precious.
Lena blushed, leaning closer. "Good thoughts, I hope." She laughed, her fingers tracing his. "You know, Sarah's been different lately. More… social. She's even thinking of getting closer to you. I told her she'll find someone soon if she continues like this, well I'm just happy we're all clicking."
Jax's stomach churned, Sarah's smirk flashing in his mind. "Yeah, that's… great," he managed, his voice tight. Sarah's "warming up" was a lie, a cover for her desire to keep him in her bed. He hated himself for agreeing, but the thought of Lena's eyes dimming with betrayal kept him silent.
They sipped coffee, Lena's chatter filling the air, her excitement infectious. "I'm thinking we should all hang out soon," she said. "You, me, Sarah. It'll be fun, right?" Jax nodded, his smile strained, the weight of his secret affair with Sarah pressing harder. He'd keep it hidden, for Lena's sake, but every touch, every lie, felt like a step toward disaster.
That night, Sarah slipped into Jax's apartment, her eyes glinting with hunger. "Miss me?" she whispered, closing the door, her body close enough to feel her heat. Jax's jaw clenched, his resolve wavering. He didn't want this, not really, but Sarah's threat...and the pull of their past, kept him trapped.
"This has to stop," he said, his voice low, but Sarah's fingers were already on his chest, her lips brushing his ear.
"Lena's happy," she murmured. "She thinks we're friends now. Let's keep her that way. She doesn't even have to know about this...are you gonna tell her?" Her kiss was fierce, pulling him into the storm of desire he couldn't escape, not yet.