Sunset Beach Condos

Mercy stretched out on the sofa and was just about to doze off when her phone rang. She had a new number, and her parents were the only people she had given it to, so she reached over and grabbed it.

“Hey, Daddy.”

“Yes, I’m all set up. The place is a dump though. Outside is exactly as advertised, but I’m kind of expecting a rat to run across the floor any minute.”

“I know! I’ll be fine here until I can get a job. I don’t want your help! I’ve got enough money put away for me to take my time and be very selective and careful this time.”

“I’ve got a taser, pepper spray, and my gun is loaded. Besides, you know I took MMA. I promise I’m safe!”

“No, I’ve not met any of my neighbors yet. I’m not sure if I want to.”

“I love you too. Tell Mama I love her!”

She hung up the phone and sighed. She did need to start building her new life, but she figured it could wait a few days. Moving sucked, and she was exhausted. She put her phone on the coffee table and was quickly down for the count.

Jax stepped out of the shower, water running down his muscled and tattooed frame as he slid the towel off the rack, and around his waist. He had, ironically, showered all the sand off him, only to be going back to the beach for the evening bonfire. He chuckled quietly as he stepped into the bedroom, and stepped into a pair of black board shorts. Although he would quickly lose it, he slid a tank over his head, the thought being that he would be less likely to be hassled by anyone if he was at least clothed in the building.

A quick run of his hand through his unruly hair, and a pair of sandals later, Jax was stepping out his door, only having stopped to grab the beer in the fridge to bring to the party. He looked down both directions of the hall, and then had a thought. Vic’s bonfire was open for everyone, and he had heard a new girl move in only a few days before. He debated for a moment. She was hot, he thought, but more importantly, she looked lonely. He knew there was a chance he was wrong on that front, but unwilling to take the risk, he stepped up to her door, and gave a solid knock, then stuck his free hand in his pocket as he waited to see if she would answer or not.

Mercy heard the knocking and at first she thought she was dreaming. Finally, it hit her someone was actually knocking. She grabbed her taser off of the table and made her way to the door. She held the taser in one hand behind her back while she unlocked the door and cracked it open as far as the chain would allow.

Her eyes grew momentarily larger than usual as she looked at the man standing there. He was hella sexy. She sure hoped he was a neighbor so she wouldn’t have to tase him. He might be fun to bite, but not to watch jerking around on the floor while urinating on himself.

As coolly as if none of those thoughts had crossed her mind, “Hey, what’s up?”

Jax’s advanced hearing is what allowed him to notice how slow and cautious her steps were behind the door. He was also old enough to know what something like that could mean. In thought, he took an extra step back before she opened the door so she could see he was no threat to her, and intended her no ill-will.

When that door did crack open, his face held a friendly smile, though his sharp as razor eyes couldn’t help the sweep of her he took. Looking her in the eyes, and in a gesture of peace, he held up the bottle he was holding. He felt a little bad about potentially scaring her, so he kept his tone light. “Hey. I’m Jax.” He introduced himself first. His smile showed perfect teeth, and his eyes were easy and light. “I’m hoping you won’t mind my asking, but I was headed to the beach to attend a bonfire happening down there. It’s kind of a weekly thing, and since you’re new, I was wondering if a lovely lady such as yourself might consider accompanying me?”

If she said no, he would understand, and his eyes, so many blues they didn’t have just one shade, would reflect this thought. Hoping he wasn’t about to get a door slammed in his face, he kept his stance relaxed, waiting for what she might say.

Mercy eyed the bottle, gave Jax another once over glance, and unfastened the chain on the door, She went to extend her hand and quickly realized she had the taser in it. She made sure the taser was off, stuck it in her pocket, and reached her hand out again, “I’m Mercy. Is it nearby? Beach attire?”

She realized she still had him standing in the hallway, “I’m sorry for being rude. Come in. Yes, I’d love to go. I just need to change clothes.” It would be good for her to meet the locals. She needed to establish some sort of life. Besides, knowing who was local would help her notice who wasn’t from around the area. That could be the difference between life and death for her.

The icing on the cake was getting to look at Jax longer. He was smokin’.

Jax nearly offered his hand, until he saw a taser in hers. He chuckled softly, eyebrows raised in quiet curiosity as to why she answered the door with a taser, even as his brain went into overdrive to discover it. Reminding himself this was not his ship, or his business, he said nothing, and waited until she switched the hand it was in.

Only then did he offer his hand again to take hers. When she took his, she may have found him much warmer than a typical male, but he showed no symptoms of sickness. “It is great to meet you, Mercy.” He said genuinely, before nodding his head. “Beach attire, that’s right.” Then he had to beg his brain to behave as he started to picture what her beach attire might be. “And it’s not far at all. Pretty much just gotta walk out the front door, and we are there.”

When she realized that he was still standing there, he stepped inside the small apartment. He didn’t make any attempts to follow her, or engage her on any level that might make her feel unsafe. All he did was hang out near the door, and sip his beer as he watched her through eyes so blue, they didn’t have a name. “Been here long?” It wasn’t an accusatory question, or meant to be a prying one. He was just making conversation as he waited with his beer.

Mercy made her way to the bedroom, but left the door open so she could hear him, “I’ve spent two nights here. Finished unpacking the last of everything this afternoon. I HATE moving. What about you? Native or transplant?”

As she rummaged around looking for something to wear, “Does it get chilly out there at night?” She pulled out a swimsuit and some cutoffs as she waited on him to answer. She hadn’t set foot on the beach since she’d arrived. Warm enough to get in the water at night, or cold enough for a jacket? He’d been wearing shorts and a tank top, but what was comfortable to him might be cold to her. She put the cutoffs back up and decided to wear her swimsuit under a sweater dress.

After changing, she grabbed a big fluffy beach towel from the bathroom closet. She could use the towel for a blanket if she got cold, or a towel if she swam.

She finally walked back into the living room in, and again was overcome by how hot Jax was, “Sorry I made you wait so long. I need anything else?”

Jax leaned against the tiny counter, and let his eyes follow her across the room as he silently checked her out. He looked away once she got to the bedroom, looking around instead to realize that all of the apartments were indeed in the same shit condition. He shrugged as his focus turned back when he heard her voice answering him, and then asking him about himself. “Transplant, though loosely used. I travel a lot.” That was about as close to the truth he could get without straight out admitting he was a pirate.

Her next question made his brain misbehave a little as she asked if it got cold, and all the ways he could keep her warm started to drift through his mind. Outloud, and calmly, he said; “Not particularly, but if you do get a little cold, there will be a huge bonfire.” He told her honestly, continuing to patiently wait.

When she did emerge from the room, he smiled softly at her, his eyes lightly roaming her once before meeting her eyes once more. “Oh, no problem. I sprung it on you. Least I can do is wait.” To her question of if she needed anything else, he smiled and shook his head. “Not a thing, unless there’s something specific you like drinking.” If she had something, then he would wait for her to grab it, but otherwise, he would look at her, then move to the door to open it for her. “Ladies first.”

Mercy noticed him checking her out, and she couldn’t help but smirk a bit. She apparently wasn’t the only one liking the scenery. Her face suddenly brightened up as she realized she truly was free.

Before Richard, Mercy had been more focused on school and then her career than on men. She had plenty of interested suitors, but she blew them off. But before college, Mercy had guys chasing after her, and she let quite a few catch her, at least temporarily. She’d been one of those girls who seemed to have it all. She was confident, popular, a brainiac, and a guy magnet.

Richard had drained her confidence and spark. She’d lost any semblance of a life outside of work and Richard. Her unexpected appreciation of Jax’s physique and handsome face was a sign she was still in there. She just had to claw her way back out.

With a little more away in her hips, Mercy grabbed her keys and stepped out of the door. Once Jax closed it, she locked up, “Jax, thank you for this. It may just be a bonfire on the beach to most people, but it’s the beginning of my new life.” She brazenly kissed his cheek.

Jax, obviously, didn’t know what she was thinking, but his sharp eyes did notice that she was at least looking at him too. Subtly, he may have flexed a little, but it was playful. He smiled at her as he pushed off the counter and moved to open the door.

He opened it for her first, getting the pleasure of watching her hips sway with even a small touch of confidence, and waited until she was out before he left after her. He closed the door gently and stepped away so she could lock up, waiting with his ever quiet patience as she locked the door.

When she spoke, he listened, but he hadn’t been expecting her to say something like that. However, he could recognize the sincerity of it, and could only guess what had happened to her before. Surprise touched his eyes when she kissed his cheek, but it made him smile brightly as he looked into her eyes. “Then let’s make the first day of your new life an amazing one.” He then offered her his hand to hold, if she wished, and would start to lead her down to the beach.