by the very gods, I have to worry about whether he is truly okay or putting up a front.
"At least we have Brianne to help as well," Jax added. "He'll be okay. He has our support."
He looked over to the small table where two-thirds of my beer still remained.
"Are you going to drink that?" he asked.
"Nah." I gestured to the bottle. "You can have it."
"Thanks." He walked over to it and took a long swig of it, and I watched him while my thoughts seemed to wander.
Side of darkness or light. Greed and power versus justice and burning resolve.
My eyes looked over at Jax, but then I held my breath as what I saw was clearly an illusion of some sort.
There was Jax, but his eyes were pure black as spiked flames burned behind him like the whole world had crumbled down, yet there he remained with a sinful grin that taunted me on so many levels.
His emotions came blaring in, feelings of built-up rage. The desire for revenge was so thick, it could have created a blanket that empowered him to complete his mission of payback.
"Connor?" Jax asked, and as if it really was a wall of an illusion, the real Jax walked through the image, which faded away in seconds, leaving me a little shocked and confused all at the same time.
He was in front of me for a few seconds before he put his hand on my forehead.
"Are you feeling under the weather?" he pondered, more to himself. "We did just arrive. Maybe it's jet lag."
"I'm okay," I reassured him. "I think I'm a little tired from all the alcohol from before."
"Ah." Jax nodded in approval. "Could be. It's been a while since we've drank like this."
It was unexpected, but he planted a kiss on my lips before I could react. My eyes trailed him as he turned around and stopped at the door the next second.
"I'm going to head in first. I'll see ya in bed shortly?"
"Ya," I whispered and lifted my hands to my lips to prove they were still there and working after the simple but tingle-inducing, heat-charging kiss. Its brief occurrence made me want more, which felt odd at the same time because I was normally in control of my desires and needs.
Jax was gone before I could try to think of a bunch of questions to ask him, but it was a good thing. I'm sure if he was close enough, I'd be diving into that mouth and devouring him in a way I never thought I could see myself venturing into so soon.
With a sigh, I took one final glance at the starry sky above us.
"I'll figure this bargain out and break the spell of an unforeseeable future," I quietly vowed.
Time to focus on what's before me and bring nothing but joy.
The Beach With Us And Spectacular Day
BRIANNE~
"You're sure you'll be fine?" I asked one last time as Finnick lowered onto the blanket covering the sandy surface.
"Yup! I kind of like it when I feel the inspiration to sketch something out right away. It turns out really nice in the end," he replied with a wide grin. "You...don't mind, right?"
I shook my head and knelt down on the blanket to be on the same level as him.
"Nope. Kaito wants to check out that rock structure over there before the sun sets so we'll check it out while you create a masterpiece."
"A masterpiece, huh." Finnick chuckled and reached out to stroke my cheek. "There's one in front of me that's far too hard to draw because she's already beyond perfection."
I couldn't find words to reply as my cheeks flushed at his compliment. The look we shared was washed by the glistening orange rays of light that flickered on our expressions, which only heightened Finnick's handsome qualities that had seemed to grow with maturity.
His hand moved through my hair, gripping my head enough to pull me in for a simple yet passionate kiss. The stillness that followed had us pressing our foreheads together as the world seemed so calm all around us.
"You're changing, Finnick," I quietly acknowledged.
"Is it a bad thing?"
"Not in the slightest," I whispered. "It's motivating to witness, that's all."
"Whenever I worry about changing, I always remind myself that I shouldn't be afraid because I have you by my side."
His words made my grin widen as I gave him a bonus kiss.