Nat continued gazing at Jax. He perched himself closer to the edge of the seat. It was clear that he knew the man, Landon and she wants to know how. Her fingers absentmindedly running through Cass' hair as she continued to hold her waist in her sleep. She released a slow breath while gathering her thoughts.
"How do you know that Landon guy?"
"He works as an agent at the same agency as me... Marx Records. I was assigned to take over Cassie as my client."
Natalia curses finally allowing the pieces to click into place. His name, Cass said it during the radio interview. He was late to his meeting with Cass the day she found him on the side of the road. She nods her head as Jax continues his fixation on her. Worry clearly written on his face.
"So you are Cass' manager/agent?"
Jax nods his head in confirmation. She glances down to find Cass' head burrowed into her stomach as her arms remain locked around her waist. Her heart hurting for all her best friend has went through. She can't imagine what would have happened if she wouldn't have gotten that text or shown up when they did.
"May I ask you a question?" Nat nods her head as she continues looking to Cass. "How do you know Cassie?"
"She's my best friend." Jax presumed this much but needed the confirmation. "She's the one I was telling you about."
The air going quiet as they digest the new information. The stillness of the night settling over the home while only their thoughts consume them. After several long moments, Jax slowly stands up cautious of waking Cassie. He walks over and holds out his arms.
"May I?"
Nat hesitates before nodding. Jax moves his hands under Cassie's back and legs. He begins to lift her but her grip tightens around Nat. He stops moving as Nat slowly rubs her best friend's arms unlocking them from her torso. Giving her a kiss on her forehead as Jax continues lifting her up. Her arms locking around his neck while Nat stands up leading them to her bedroom. Jax following down the hallway to a closed room before Nat pushes it open to reveal a nice bedroom. One he is presuming is Cass'. Gently laying her on the bed, he backs up allowing Natalia to cover her and tuck her in. His eyes following the way she cares for her like a child. Another kiss placed to her forehead before backing up.
Cass burrows herself into the pillow making Nat smile gently brushing her hair back before turning and exiting the room. Jax following directly after her. She closes the door gently before leading him to the kitchen. Her hands instantly going for the fridge, Jax leaning against the counter watching her. He smirks seeing her turning around to with bottles of beer. Twisting the cap off of one, she holds it out for him. He takes it and watches as she uncaps her before taking a big gulp of hers.
Her eyes meet his and he feels his heart accelerate slightly. Her long dark locks running wild around her. Her sun kissed skin looking as soft as silk, along with her luscious lips that he was wishing to touch yet again. It was however her eyes that sealed him. Her dark eyes so rich and yet were so expression filled. He could see it all... the care for Cassie, the anger towards Landon, and frustration & worry that probably stemmed for Cassie.
Without realizing it, he slowly walked towards her before setting down the beer. His hand coming up to cup her cheek and brushing the silk skin beneath the pad of his thumb. Her eyes never leaving his as he leaned forward to kiss her forehead tenderly. The moment lingering for both as neither wished to pull away. When he finally did pull back, he pulled her into a deep hug allowing her scent to envelop his nostrils like an addicting perfume.
Nat relished the comfort his arms were bringing her in that moment. So many thoughts were running rapid however his masculine scent and strong arms were all she wanted for a few moments. Her head resting gently on his shoulder while his fingers gently ran the length of her back before going back up again. She inhaled deeply and released it with a sigh.
"Tell me about Landon."
Her words making his hand motion pause momentarily before continuing. She waited patiently as he seemed to be mulling over the answer.
"To be honest, I do not know much about him. I have met him only once prior today. During that meeting, he wanted to ask questions about Cassie." Nat raises her head looking into his beautiful eyes.
"What questions?" Her words soft.
"He wanted to know how she was doing... but it wasn't what he was implying." Nat waits for him to explain. "His eyes showed he wanted to hear if she was hurting or devastated from his departure. I've met men like him before, he wants a pay day for a good story."
"What did you say?"
"I told him it was no one's business other than my own"
This earns a small smile from Nat. She reached up running her finger over his jaw line. She watched and saw his adam's apple bob but didn't say anything.
"Good answer Jax"
"The only other time he came up in conversation was when Tate and I were listening to Cassie's radio interview. Tate was furious when we saw the photos of him with the newest artist. I wasn't made aware of his punishment."
"Cassie talked much about him. I felt from the way she spoke that he was a cockroach... but with me being so far away, I didn't feel I had the right to intervene... She was happy or at least she appeared to be."
"Tell me about Cassie and you"
She smirks and steps back. His eyes following hers as she stepped around taking another swig of the beer before flopping down on the couch. Jax taking a seat beside her on the couch. His body angled so his knee is touching hers and his arm rest on the back of the couch. Nat gets comfortable tucking her legs below her and turning to Jax.
"Like I said, she chose me when we were in college... And now years later, I couldn't imagine my life without her."
"She seems to care a great deal about you if she was willing to put herself in danger to protect you."
Nat forces a smile before propping her elbow on the couch with her hand holding her head. Jax can see her mind replaying the events of earlier and begins to apologize before she begins speaking.
"She is my soul mate... and before you question it. No I do not mean in the romantic sense." He can see her eyes twinkle in the dimly lit room. "It's just... she had no one, her parents did not view her as a person but as an object. Her friends were not 'friends'."
"You talk like she was a lost puppy?" He says with a slight chuckle making Nat giggle gently as well.
"In some senses she was. She was lost from anything real in her life when I met her. She was stunned when I spoke the truth from her. God I can remember her face when I told her to drop all of her friends, it was quite comical."
"And she did?"
"Her only stipulation was that I would have to teach her what it mean to have true friends..."
"Which is how you became her best friend." Jax concludes watching as her eyes illuminate with a glow. It is obvious that these two have a very strong connection. It only makes him wonder one thing... "How come I have never heard of you in any of her interviews or bios?"
"That's easy." She says leaning forward setting down the empty beer bottle before settling back. "Cass said since I was the only real thing in her life, she refused to allow others to learn of me just to tarnish it."
"And that didn't bother you?" Jax asks intrigued. Most girls would jump on the chance to boast about a famous celebrity friend... but then again, this is Nat. Her face scrunched up at his question.
"Why would it. Cass was my friend, and to be honest, I never cared for the interviews."
"Interviews?"
"I told you I owned a successful ranch in Texas." She grins speaking about it. It was easy to see she cared a great deal about her ranch.
Silence once again enveloped them but they didn't seem to mind. It was a comfortable silence. Nat sighed when she felt his fingers begin combing through her long hair. She leaned against his arm as he continued.
"What will happen now?"
Jax continued to watch her like she was a masterpiece that would vanish if he blinked. He understood what she meant making him sigh lowly.
"I called and spoke to Tate, he said he will help Cassie. Landon is facing criminal charges and with that good head hit, he shouldn't be any further problem. I'm sure he won't remember what happened."
She nods her head against his arm when he stills making her look up to him. "What?"
"Did you have that gun on you all night?"
With this she bust out laughing. Jax couldn't help but smile at the melodic sound. It was a sincere question but the reaction was priceless.
"Yes.. I did. Not because of you but for many reasons. Keith wouldn't allow me to leave home without it. It was our dads."
His fingers go back to massaging her hair as she scoots closer to him as her fingers gently graze through his own hair. Jax other arm wraps around her pulling her close to his frame. Natalia doesn't refuse and morphs against him. Jax slowly leans forward as his eyes continue watching for any signs of hesitation but finding none. His lips finally meet hers in a sensual slow rhythm. Her lips tasting of beer and strawberries. Her fingers grip his hair tighter making him groan against her lips. She smiles against his lips making his own smile appear. She pulls back slightly pecking his lips once more for good measure.
"I think I want to get her away."
"How long?" Jax says knowing her mind is not with them right now but with Cassie.
"I'm only supposed to be gone for another week. Thinking maybe making a road trip with her before taking her back to my home."
"To Texas?"
She nods her head in confirmation. His grip becoming tighter thinking about her leaving. He wasn't ready to let go. Like she said, she was the most real thing he has met in so long... And just like Cassie, he wanted to keep it.
"Would you want to come with?"
This snaps Jax eyes open wider. He was not expecting her to include him. He thought about the few clients he was assigned. Most were authors except for Cass. None currently needed attending to. He made a plan in his head before nodding. This earned him a mega watt smile before she hugged him. His head going to her neck and inhaling deeply. His heart beat accelerating at the budding feelings for Natalia.
After another hour, Jax leaves leaving Natalia to go to her best friend's room. Opening the door, she finds Cass still curled in the duvet. Leaning against the frame of the door, she begins considering what she thinks would be best. Looking at the blonde lying in her bed, all her thoughts were with her just needing to get a fresh start...
And that sure as hell was what she was going to get her.