Mr. Grumpy

Ava's POV

After leaving the pond, I returned to the mansion as quickly as I could. The thought of my encounter with Jaxon was stuck in my head.

Before now, I never experienced a kiss to be something more than the joining of lips and exchange of saliva between two people, this felt like much more.

I touched my lips several times, trying to feel him on me again. God, was this all in my head or did it really happen?

Thinking of the way I yearned for more when he pulled away, I felt embarrassed… He was a total stranger!

How did he command such influence over my body? Was I really sex deprived like he claimed?

I was 24 years old and I haven’t been with a man since I turned 20. But how could I when I only had eyes for Liam West?

If I hadn’t been away from Liam between 18 to 20, maybe I would still be a virgin, waiting for him to be my first and possibly last.

He was my only fantasy, I had never imagined sex with another man.

I went to Maria's bedroom and surprisingly she was still asleep. She hadn't even noticed that I left the room.

Just before breakfast, Liam came and apologized to me. However, we didn't talk about why I was mad last night because I couldn't discuss it with him.

How do I tell him that I wanted him to desire me? To crave me?

How do I explain that I didn't want us to be just friends?

Amira showed up with her soon to be fiance at the big table for breakfast and that soured Liam's mood. I quickly held his hand openly for her to see, and on cue he smiled. This pissed her off.

Just then Jaxon walked in, his eyes met my hand in Liam's and there was a silent reaction on his face. My heart skipped as I thought about the kiss we shared earlier today.

“Wow, what a surprise seeing you join us for breakfast today,” Grandma West said to Jax.

He gave her a little smile. “Well the whole family is here, Granny. It is only right I show up. Or don't you think so, Miss Taylor?” He turned his attention to me.

I coughed immediately, surprised by his mention. “Yes… of course,” I smiled nervously.

And from there, everything was going smoothly until Grandma West teased Jaxon.

“Jax darling, your brothers are all bringing home a woman, you are over thirty already. When are you going to bring a nice girl home too?”

Jaxon smiled, he clearly took it as a joke, until Liam snorted, mumbling something before laughing softly.

Jaxon looked up from the opposite side of the table, pausing his meal. “Did you say something?” He asked, his piercing stare aimed at Liam.

Liam looked up from his food. “I said you will probably not find yourself a woman, you will need to deserve her in order to find her.” He scoffed.

“Pick your next words carefully.” Jaxon growled. I noticed his fingers fold around the fork and my heart skipped.

“Or else what? Hurt me like you hurt mom?” Liam retorted.

Jaxon slowly rose up, still holding one of the cutleries, he growled. “You want to do this here?”

Everyone paused eating to stare. I was confused. Were they going to fight?

Liam also stood up. “Why not? You are good at pretending everything is fine.”

“That is enough you two!” Mr. West Snr who had been silent the whole time finally spoke up.

“Yes boys, break it up!” Grandma said. “I just want us to have a nice West Family breakfast.”

“Well, that usually happens without him here.” Liam blurted.

I could see Jaxon’s face red with anger. “Right… Y'all enjoy your breakfast,” he spat and headed out.

“Jaxon!” His grandmother called but he kept walking until he was out of the room.

I turned to Liam with questioning eyes. “What was that?” I asked in a low voice.

“Welcome to the West Family,” he replied. “I have lost my appetite,” he added as he walked off as well in the opposite direction.

Okay… When Jax said he didn't have a good relationship with his brother, I had no idea it was this bad.

I managed to sit through breakfast, believing it would be disrespectful if I also left. Josh on the other hand seemed to enjoy the drama, giggling with his girlfriend Amira.

After breakfast, I went out in search of Liam. He was not in his bedroom, I walked out to the back balcony and from there I sighted Jaxon walking into the woods behind the mansion.

It was a different path from the one leading to the pond so I doubted he was going to take a bath, either way I was eager to know.

Out of curiosity, I rushed downstairs and secretly followed him. I could see him walking ahead and I tried to catch up without him seeing me, but somehow he disappeared from my sight.

I paused, looking around to catch his trail but it seemed like he had vanished. I took a few steps forward when an arm grabbed me and pinned me to a tree.

I tried to scream but he immediately muffled my mouth with his palm.

“Why are you following me, Miss Taylor?” His husky voice growled at me.

“Mmghmm…” I murmured, unable to speak with his palm covering my mouth.

He uncovered my mouth, still trapping me between his body and the tree.

“I thought you were Liam,” I lied in panic.

He snorted. “You don't even know the whereabouts of your supposed boyfriend or what he looks like,” he blurted mockingly as he let go of me and continued into the woods.

I chased after him immediately. “Don't blame me for mistaking him for his brother.”

“Yeah. Right.” Jaxon scoffed. “You are a terrible liar, Miss Taylor. Why were you really following me?” He asked as he walked ahead.

I sighed, deciding to come clean. “Okay… you just have this strange mysterious aura around you and I am intrigued by mysteries, so I couldn't help but follow you.”

He looked at me without stopping, a smirk on his face. “Strange how?”

“Well… Mafia Boss? Drug lord? Serial killer?” I muttered. “Please don't be a serial killer!” I added quickly.

He chuckled, his lips parting in a smile that quickly faded. “Do you follow every serial killer you meet, Miss Taylor?”

“Well I haven't met one yet.” I casually replied. “Right?” I asked, just to be sure.

I could see him hold back his smile as he shrugged and kept walking. Soon we arrived at a Cabin and once again I was amazed.

I kept uncovering mysteries in this Estate.

“Is this yours?” I asked as he unlocked the door.

He didn't respond but I still followed him in, looking around. A cabin in the woods? Sounds like something that would exist in a book.

“Wow! You paint?” I asked with wide eyes as I noticed the paint board and brushes on a stand.

“Don't touch anything,” he said in his usual grumpy voice and began opening the windows.

I looked on a table and saw a revolver. “Wow, you have a gun,” I smiled, picking it up.

“This is Texas, there are more guns than people,” he replied as he walked back to me. “Now give me that before someone gets injured.” He said, taking it off me.

Ugh! So grumpy!

I pulled out the shelf under the table and found a book. I picked it up immediately.

“Wow, a journal… you write?” I asked inquisitively

His eyes flashed towards me instantly and with the speed of lightning, he snatched the book off me like I had committed an abomination.

“I asked you not to touch anything!” He yelled.

“Wow! Chill… Okay, I won't touch any other thing, but can I take pictures of the cabin and items in it, it's a lovely place.”

“No.” He refused straightaway. “In fact you should leave, your boyfriend is clearly not here, go find him elsewhere!”

I huffed. “Fine! You are so grumpy, no wonder you are all alone. Enjoy your cabin!” I blurted and stormed out.

“Yeah, whatever Miss goody two shoes, and don't come back here!” He screamed back at me.

I cursed, kicking the grass as I walked away. Both of the West brothers were assholes when they wanted to be.

Unbearable! Impossible, annoying Texans. Everyone says Texans are sweet and loving. Clearly Jaxon doesn't make the cut.

I returned to the house and went to check on Liam. Pushing his bedroom door open, I froze at the sight of him making out with Amira on his bed.

They were ripping each other's clothes apart when I walked in.

“Liam!” I yelled, freezing at the spot.

**