He laughs and takes a sip of his beer. "An ex pretty much pushed me into it. Honestly, I didn't think it would be something I would like, but I was wrong. I love it. I can't imagine not doing it now. I didn't work my a.s.s off like you to get here. Honestly, it just happened to land in my lap. Now that I have it though, I'd never give it up," he says, running his hand threw his dark hair.

We're both living our dreams. How f.u.c.king amazing is that?

"I think that's great. You didn't even know this would be something you'd love, and yet here you are, one of the top models," I gush.

He rolls his eyes, shaking his head. "That's what I hear. Between us, I'm just me. I don't think of myself that way. I think of myself as a construction worker that works for his brother, lives with his best friend since high school, and loves hanging out with his friends. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the fans and everything they do for me. s.h.i.t, if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be modeling. But I'm still me," he says, shrugging.

Wow, I never thought of it like that. I just a.s.sumed most models thrived on the popularity. This makes me so much more comfortable with him, not thinking of him as a model.

"Well, how about you tell me about you then. What do you do for a living?" I ask.

He gives me a smile and reaches out to squeeze my knee. "My brother, Brody, owns BB Construction. You remind me a lot of him with your career; he lives and dies by that company. He's given up a lot to get where he is, as I'm sure you have. Anyway, I pretty much build houses. I do framing, concrete work, even drywall. I've been working for him since I graduated high school. I'll be honest; I was in a bad way back then. I hung out with the wrong crowd, got into drugs, and was on a downward spiral. My parents pretty much turned their backs on me, but Brody never did. He gave me a job and told me if I didn't straighten up, he'd send my a.s.s to jail. It was not a good time in my life, but I threw myself into construction and it worked," he says with a slight nod.

I'm floored. I had no idea he'd been through so much. My heart actually hurts knowing he went through that.

"Wow, that's an amazing story. You are one inspiring person. Thank you for telling me that. So I take it you're close to your brother?" I ask.

He squeezes my knee again, and that's when I notice he never moved his hand. He's already told me this is just a friend thing, so I'm not going to make a big deal about it. He's probably just a touchy guy.

"Yes, Brody and I are very close. What about you? I know you said you were doing a family photo of your brother's family. Are you close to him?" he asks.

I nod my head and finish off my wine. "Braden is one of my best friends. He's always supported my dream; he was the one who suggested I photograph people, not just objects. He has always given me the little push I needed. He's married and has two of the most beautiful girls in the world now. I adore my nieces. They are some of my favorite models," I say, smiling.

He finishes off his beer and grins at me. "I bet they are beautiful, if they look anything like their aunt," he says.

I focus on my empty wine gla.s.s, wishing it were still full. I know he's not flirting, well, I hope he's not flirting, but it does make my stomach swim with b.u.t.terflies. I know I'm not an ugly girl, but when a man this s.e.xy, this unbelievably hot, says you're beautiful, it feels pretty f.u.c.king amazing. I lift my head with a shy smile.

"Thank you. Is your brother married?" I ask, changing the subject. Before he can say anything, I smell something and jump up. "f.u.c.k! Dinner's burning." I run out of the studio, racing to the kitchen. I open the oven and pull out the eggplant. "s.h.i.t, s.h.i.t, s.h.i.t." I throw the oven mitt and lay my head on my arms on the counter. I f.u.c.king burned dinner. How f.u.c.king embarra.s.sing, and not to mention, we have nothing to eat now.

I feel Jax behind me, and suddenly, he's rubbing my shoulders. "Kallie, it's my fault. I sat down in the studio to talk instead of out here. Don't worry about it. I'll go pick us up something and bring it back," he says.

I don't even bother lifting my head. I just talk to him with my voice m.u.f.fled in my arms. "You don't need to do that. It's my fault for not setting the timer. I can order something and have it delivered." I allow him to rub my shoulders for a minute longer before I stand up. "I'm sorry. I can't believe I f.u.c.king burned it," I say, looking at the burnt eggplant.

He starts to laugh, and at first, I want to punch him in the face, but after a few minutes, I start laughing with him. The more I think about it, the harder I laugh. I burnt f.u.c.king dinner.

"See, no harm done. I'll go pick up Chinese. Are you good with that?" he asks, tilting his head. I nod my head and go to my bedroom to get some cash to give him. When I come back, he's standing at the door waiting. I go to hand him the money, and he grabs my hand. "Not a shot in h.e.l.l. What do you like?"

"Please, Jax, I owed you dinner, and I burned it. Let me pay for the Chinese," I whine.

He opens the door and walks into the hallway. "I already said no. Now tell me what you like," he says, raising his eyebrows.

I lean against the doorway and hold out the money again. "I like chicken and broccoli, now take the money," I insist.

He smiles and walks down the hallway, pushing through the stairwell, just like he did the first time he was here. I close the door and pour myself another gla.s.s of wine. Taking a sip, I think this dinner may be a burnt mess, but I'm having a great time getting to know him.

Chapter Six.

Jax On my way back from picking up the Chinese food, I can't stop thinking about what a great time I'm having. I don't usually open up to women about my past, or honestly, how I feel about things in general. I feel comfortable with Kallie. She gives off this amazing aura that makes me feel like I can trust her. That is something I'm not used to with women. It may be that she's in this industry and gets it, or it may be just the person she is, I honestly don't know.

When I first got there tonight, I had all intentions of making a move on her, but after she told me how she has worked so hard to get where she is and that it's her life, I couldn't do it. I don't want to be the reason she loses her dream. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't make me any less attracted to her, it probably makes her more attractive to me, but I won't do it. I'll do exactly like she wants and be friends because I do feel a connection to her.

I pull into a parking spot and grab the Chinese food off the pa.s.senger seat. I make my way into her building and take the stairs. I rarely take the elevator, it seems lazy to me. This building is beautiful. Her apartment is amazing, especially that studio. I didn't expect to see such a kick-a.s.s place inside her apartment. She definitely worked hard to get it the way it is, which again proves just how important this is to her. I knock on the door and walk in. She's standing in the kitchen and smiles that genuine smile of hers.

"Where do you want me to put it?" I ask, holding out the food.

She grabs her wine gla.s.s and another beer for me and brushes past me. "I had the dining room set up for dinner, so we can eat in there. Thank you so much, Jax. I still feel awful about this. I wish you'd let me pay."

She is ridiculous. I know this isn't a date, but honestly, I like that I bought dinner for her. She shouldn't feel bad about it. I put the bag on the table and take out the containers.

"Stop already. I wanted to do it, so let it go," I say.

She lightly laughs and shakes her head. She takes the bag from me and places it on the floor before sitting down.

I sit down opposite her where the other plate is set. "I got chicken and broccoli, but there's a lot of other things, so just take what you want."

We both make our plates and start to eat.

"Oh my G.o.d, this is delicious. Where did you get it?" she asks.

I finish what's in my mouth and smile at her. "I found this new place, China Kingdom. It's only about ten minutes from here. They make some great food. Blake and I have eaten there a few times since they opened," I tell her.

She moans when she takes another bite, and I need to concentrate on my plate because that sound is getting the attention of my c.o.c.k, and that is not where this is supposed to be going.

"They'll end up knowing me by name. This is really good," she says, laughing as she takes a sip of her wine. "You never did tell me, because of the burning food and all, if your brother is married?"

I give her a tight smile and chug back half of my beer. "He was engaged, but he walked in on her and his best friend one day, so needless to say, he ended that. It's been hard for him," I say, forcing a smile.

She puts her fork down, reaches over, and takes a hold of my hand. f.u.c.k, it's just like the first time I shook her hand. I feel like it belongs.

"I'm so sorry. That must have been horrible for him and you. I know you told me how close you are," she says sadly. She really does get me.

I squeeze her hand. "He was better than me, because I would have beaten the s.h.i.t out of his friend. He let him walk out of the house. I don't like seeing anyone I love hurting, so yeah, it was hard for me too," I say.

She pulls her hand away and gets back to eating. "You haven't mentioned your parents. Do you have a relationship with them?" she asks.

I f.u.c.king hate talking about my parents. They never did anything for me or Brody. They were always too busy, and I don't mean busy in the way of trying to support us. They wanted to be rich, and they did everything and anything to make that happen. My mom tried modeling, and my dad tried acting. They tried selling real estate, flipping houses, and even selling drugs. They never gave a s.h.i.t about us; we did nothing but take their money. I haven't spoken to them since I graduated high school. Brody talks to them occasionally, but I don't have the heart to tell him it's because they're looking for money. They both tried to contact me after I started modeling, so I changed my number.

"No, I don't have a relationship with them. They're selfish a.s.sholes who didn't have time for their own kids. It's better this way. They're toxic," I explain.

She looks at me and shakes her head. "d.a.m.n, Jax, I'm so sorry. You've suffered so much, I honestly don't know what to say."

I fill my plate with more food and shrug my shoulders. "It is just s.h.i.t I had to deal with. If anything, I'd say having to deal with it all helped make me who I am." Once again, I tell her something I never share. The only people who know about my parents are Brody and Blake. "What about you? Are you close to your parents?" I question.

"I never met my dad, but yes, I'm close with my mom. She inspires me with all she gave up to raise Braden and me. s.h.i.t, sorry," she says, looking at me with pain clear in her eyes.

"Kallie, don't feel bad that you had a great mom. I'd never want anyone to suffer the way we did. Please, tell me about her," I say.

She pushes her plate away and finishes off her wine. "She's just a great woman. She always put us first, worked her a.s.s off to provide for us, and supported me just as much as Braden did with my dreams. I don't know if I'd have made it this far without the love and support of my family," she says, tucking her hair behind her ear.

That's exactly what she deserves, nothing less.

"Having the support of your family is amazing. I'm lucky I have that with Brody, and even though Blake is a pain in the a.s.s, he's just as much my brother as Brody is. I'm grateful to have them support me," I tell her.

She pulls her legs up on the seat and wraps her arms around them. "Blake is a piece of work, but he seems like a great guy. Speaking of, did you know he and Brinley are out to dinner tonight?" she says, laughing.

I laugh as I finish my dinner. "Yes, I did know that. Are you finished?" I ask, nodding to her plate.

I don't know exactly what kind of person Brinley is, but Blake is one h.e.l.l of a player, so I hope this doesn't f.u.c.k up this friendship we're trying to build here. I'll beat the s.h.i.t out of him.

"Yes, I'll clean up. Don't even think about it. You've done enough for the dinner that was supposed to be for you," she says getting up and taking our plates to the kitchen, and I close the containers of food. When she gets back, she puts them all in the bag they came in and carries that to the kitchen as well. I follow her with my empty beer and her wine gla.s.s. "You take this food home with you because it will go to waste here. It's only me," she says.

I can't imagine living by myself, it seems like it would be lonely.

"Why do you live alone? You didn't want to live with Brinley?" I question.

She laughs and hops up on the counter. "Honestly, it doesn't bother me. Yes, it definitely gets lonely sometimes, but I manage. Brinley and I would kill each other if we lived together. She's my best friend, but we are total opposites. I have my beliefs and she has hers. We argued about just that earlier," she says.

I lean on the counter next to her and cross my arms, turning my head toward her. "What beliefs are those?" I ask, generally curious.

She tucks her hair behind her ear and smiles. "I told you I don't date or sleep with models, never have, never will. She's the opposite, and it p.i.s.ses me off because I know all too well how that can f.u.c.k up your career. I worry about her."

I wink at her and smirk. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't done the same thing. Like you're saying though, I've seen what it can do to a career, so I'm careful now," I confess.

She gives me a tight smile, and I want to f.u.c.king crawl in a hole. Why the f.u.c.k would I tell her that? She probably thinks I'm some male model s.l.u.t now. That is definitely not the impression I want her to have of me.

"I know it happens. I see it all the time, that's not what I'm saying." She turns her head and looks directly in my eyes now. "You know that saying, you don't s.h.i.t where you eat? Well, that's how I feel about it. I'll never understand it, but like I said, that is my belief," she says with a small grin on her beautiful face.

I laugh at her a.n.a.logy. Yep, she thinks I'm a male s.l.u.t, and honestly, how can I argue it? I've slept with a lot of women, models or not.

"Listen, I'm not saying I'm proud of what I've done, but it has happened. I don't want you to think less of me for it," I say, almost pleading with her.

She drops her head, tucking her hair behind both ears. "I don't think less of you, and honestly, what would it matter if I did?" she whispers.

I slap my hand on my chest getting her attention. When she looks at me, I dramatically clench my chest.

"I, Jax Burke, solemnly swear to never sleep with another model again from here on out." She laughs, which is exactly what I was going for. Even though she thinks I'm bulls.h.i.tting her, I am going to put a stop to it. She made a valid point; not to mention, I want her total respect. "And for what it's worth, it would matter," I quietly say.

It's like I can't stop myself from speaking the truth when it comes to her, but it does matter. I can't explain it, I just met her for Christ's sake, but it matters.

"You sure you sleep around with models? Because you're kinda corny," she says with a huge smile. We both burst out laughing, and she starts to yawn.

"Yes, I'm corny, but the women love it," I say, winking at her once again as I push off the counter and rest my hand on her knee. "It's late, and I need to be up early tomorrow, so I'm going to head out," I say, knowing she is exhausted.

She jumps down from the counter and grabs the Chinese food bag. "Don't forget this."

I take it from her, and we both stand awkwardly, wondering what to do next.

"f.u.c.k it," I mumble.

I put the food on the floor and wrap my arms around her. She does the same, and we hold on to each other. Holy s.h.i.t, I don't want to let go. She feels so f.u.c.king amazing in my arms. Her scent is intoxicating, and her tiny body feels like it was made for me. What the f.u.c.k is going on here?

Before I can question it, she pulls away all too quickly and smiles at me. "I really had a great time tonight, Jax. It was wonderful getting to know you," she says, crossing her arms.

f.u.c.k, she has no idea what she's doing to me.

"I had an amazing time too. Thank you for the invite, and how about next time you let me make you dinner at my place," I suggest.

She raises her eyebrows, and I laugh, holding my hand up.

"As friends, Kallie, just as friends," I say.

She smiles and nods her head. "I'd really like that." I pick up the food bag and head to the door, knowing I need to get out of here before I tell her I'd like to get to know her body tonight. "Thank you for dinner," she says.

I open the door and turn to face her while I stand in the hallway. "Kallie, it was my pleasure." She smiles and we say good night. As I walk down the hallway, I mutter to myself, "d.a.m.n, was it my pleasure."

It's been two weeks since my dinner with Kallie, and we've talked or texted every day since. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite people to talk to. Like right now, I'm on my lunch break at the pizza place, and instead of bulls.h.i.tting with the guys, I'm sitting at the end of the table with a goofy smile on my face texting Kallie like a d.a.m.n teenager. She's getting ready to do a shoot, telling me her ideas. She really is one amazingly talented photographer. She sent some of the pictures from the beach shoot, and holy f.u.c.k, they are breathtaking.

"Hey, douche bag, you want to join us, or are you too busy flirting up the wrong tree?" Blake says.

I don't even look at him, just flip him off as I finish sending my text. He doesn't need to know we were saying good-bye.

Once it's sent, I focus on him. "What did I miss?" I ask.

He throws a fry at me, and I laugh. "I know you really like her, Jax, but you told me yourself nothing can happen, so what's the point?"

I raise my eyebrows and shake my head. "What's the point? We're friends, a.s.shole, just friends," I say, defending myself.

He rolls his eyes, and some of the guys we work with continue to watch the back and forth between us.

"You keep saying that," he says.

He's right, I do, and I think mainly it is to remind myself.

We finish lunch and head back to the job. I won't be sorry when this one is finished. The homeowners are a bunch of pains in the a.s.ses, always changing one thing or another. I've moved a wall three times already because it was in the wrong spot. We get right back to work, and thankfully, we make it through the day without another visit. I'm cleaning up my tools when Brody walks over.

"Jax, you want to go grab dinner tonight?" he asks.

I throw my hammer into my toolbox and close it. "Yeah, sounds good. Where do you want to go?" I pick up my toolbox, and he follows me out of the house and locks the door behind us.

"How about the diner?" he suggests.