Fairy Tale Part 28 to 33

by: Belle

"I won! I won! I won!" Brenda screamed as she jumped up and down in the doorway of the suite. She and Jax had just raced up to the room from the lobby. "I guess you - Mr. Jax, will be buying my dinner tonite." she smiled triumphantly and did a little Brenda dance.

Jax opened the door for her, shaking his head. "You didn't win." he stated. "You cheated."

"What!?" Brenda responded. "Jax - I'm hurt. How could you say that about me?" she pouted prettily and looked up at him with her brown eyes.

"I can say it because it's true." Jax said simply. "But - it's okay. I'll be a gentleman and still buy dinner." he laughed at her indignant face and sat down on the couch.

"I didn't cheat." Brenda insisted. "I just.....I just played with the rules a little." She sat down on the coffee table directly across from him resting her feet on his legs.

"A little?" Jax cried. "Brenda - the deal was we raced up the stairs. Don't think I didn't see you sneaking into the elevator..."

"Well....I was just trying to make things fair. Afterall - your legs are *so* much longer than mine and I am incredibly tired after you made me drive the jet ski the entire time."

"Hey - it was *your* idea that you drive the jet ski - not mine." Jax exclaimed. "Why would I ever voluntarily put my life into your hands?"

"What!? Because you trust me!" Brenda cried. She stared at him icily and pulled her legs away. "Besides - "she proclaimed. "I happen to be a *fabulous* driver."

Jax couldn't get over how adorable she was when she was angry. All he wanted to do was reach out and hug her, but he could tell from her body language that she wasn't going to let him anywhere near her. "Bren - " he said reaching out for her hand which she pulled away."Come on......don't be mad. I was just kidding. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start a fight. I was playing with you. And you're right. I *do* trust you. A lot."

Brenda relaxed a little upon hearing his declaration, and slowly moved her legs back onto the couch. They both sat there for a moment in silence as Brenda played with her watch. Finally, she looked up at Jax, her face completely serious and hopeful. She reached over and took his hand, "Do you really trust me Jax? Truly?" her dark eyes stared into his intensely and he was startled by how important this seemed to her.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Jax answered this question with such ease and sincerity that Brenda didn't doubt him for a second. She felt complete wonder as she looked into his eyes and realized that Jax was the first man who ever trusted her without her having to prove herself to him. A smile filled with pure joy lit up her entire face and Jax knew that he was forgiven.

"No reason." Brenda responded. "I'm sorry also that I got so mad at you. Sometimes, I can be a little impulsive and crazy." she made a silly cross-eyed face and Jax burst into laughter at her antics.

"Your impulsiveness and craziness are what I like best about you." Jax declared while grabbing her hands and pulling her up next to him.

Brenda shook her head, grinning. "Good answer." she said, tapping him on the cheek with the tip of her finger. She moved her hand so that it layed flat on his beautiful face, and studied him for a moment. "You are so gorgeous."she purred flirtatiously, letting her hand trace it's way down his face, and chest where she stopped and played with the buttons.

"You think so?" Jax tried to act nonchalent, but he could feel his pulse and heart quickening. For some reason Brenda had an unprecedented affect on him.

Brenda arched one eyebrow and smiled sexily at him. "I certainly do." she cocked her head, ruffling his hair with her other hand. "of course - you use more hair products than most woman I know."

"Oh - you're just downright hysterical."Jax managed to respond. Her hand on his chest was making him insane, so he grabbed her hands and pinned them behind her so that their arms were wrapped around her body. They were standing so close that they both lost their balance and fell onto the couch directly on top of each other.

Brenda was so startled she closed her eyes, but when she opened them she was lost in a world of blue. A sea of hope and trust and acceptance. Suddenly she became acutely aware of the warmth and closeness she felt in Jax's arms. As they stared into one another's eyes it seemed asthough time had stopped. The only thing Brenda could hear was a fast, rhythemic heart beat. She couldn't tell if it was her's or Jax's - or maybe it was both of theirs - beating as one. All Brenda wanted to do was kiss him. To feel his lips on her mouth. Making everything all right, easing her pain, creating emotions inside her that she'd never felt before. "YOU MADE A DEAL!" a voice inside her head shouted. "STOP - YOU LOVE SONNY!" voices repeated these phrases over and over again, but Brenda was immune to them because for that moment all she could see or think or feel was Jax.

"Brenda." he murmered huskily.

"Jax...."she responded almost unknowingly. She leaned up towards him and slipped her arms around his neck. This was it - she was going to -

RING..........RING............The urgent sound of the telephone broke the spell both Jax and Brenda had been under. They were both so startled that they sprang up colliding their heads.

"Owww...." Jax rubbed his head and reached over to the table to grab the phone. Whoever the hell this was, he was *not* pleased with their timing. "Hello!" Jax nearly shouted.

"Jax? Where the hell are you?" It was Kieron and he didn't sound very happy. "I've been waiting for you for nearly 20 minutes. I understand that maybe Brenda has you a little distracted, but honestly - haven't you had all day for that?"

Jax blushed at Kieron's incinuation."Hi Kier - I'm sorry. Brenda and I were out jet-skiing and we kind of got held up. We'll be down as soon as we can. Why don't you order some champagne and appetizers - on me." Jax looked at Brenda who was nervously pacing back and forth in front of him. She looked confused, and she was. On the couch only a moment before all she had wanted was Jax, but now she was thinking about Sonny again and how he was the reason for all this. "It's Kieron - we're late for dinner." Jax mouthed to her. Brenda made a "oh no!" face, gestured that she needed to shower and change and ran to her room. Jax became so distracted by Brenda that he forgot Kieron. He was brought back to reality by Kieron's shouting:

"Jax? Jaaaaaxxxx.....Hello - are you still there?"

"Uh - yeah." Jax stuttered. "I uh, I uh - was just a little distracted."

"I can imagine why you are so distracted and I'm sure you weren't held up jet-skiing." Kieron laughed. "If you think appetizers and champagne are going to ease the pain I'm feeling right now, you're kidding yourself." Kieron pretended to be crying. "I never thought you would find someone to replace me - your best friend."

"Very funny wise guy. So - get yourself the most expensive appetizers and if you're nice and on your best behavior, maybe I'll throw in the Picasso you've been wanting me to give you."

"Now you're talking." Kieron joked. "This Brenda of yours must be pretty amazing Jax for you to be so spaced."

Jax laughed as he heard Brenda singing "In Your Eyes" at the top of her lungs in the shower. "She is Kieron...she certainly is."

"Mr. Jacks - your table is right this way." the host said while gesturing Jax and Brenda to follow her through the restaurant. He turned to look at them and smiled. "Mr. McKinnon has already been here for some time. He asked me to tell you something about how if he died of solitude and boredom before you got here that you should pay the dinner bill and have the Picasso shipped to his mother ."

Jax burst into laughter and rolled his eyes. "Kieron - the little dramatist." he turned to the host "Thank you for the message." He noticed that Brenda was looking at him oddly, and he whispered in her ear that he would explain it to her later. She nodded and smiled. She loved that he never tried to hold things back from her.

"Here's your table sir, madam." The man pointed towards a round table in a bayview window. The table was surrounded by beautiful arrangements of callalillies, snapdragons, and gardenias."I hope you have a wonderful meal."

"Thank you." Jax took Brenda by the hand and led her over to where Kieron was seated. The table was cluttered by numerous appetizers and a tall bottle of champagne. When Kieron saw them he shook his head and pointed to his watch, frowning slightly. He was a devestatingly handsome man in his young 20s with golden blond spiked hair, and saphire blue eyes. Brenda could tell from the cocky look in his eyes, that his personality was perfectly suited to Jax's. This was definitely going to be a night to remember.

Jax just laughed at Kieron's exagerrated antics, and slapped him on the back playfully. "Kieron - buddy. Sorry we're so late. We got here as soon as we could. Just think - you got a free meal out of this." Turning to Brenda, Jax pulled her to his side and smiled. "Kieron McKinnon - this is Brenda Barrett, the woman who's devilish ways caused our "detainment" today. Brenda - this is Kieron, my best friend and bussiness partner, who should understand our lateness since he himself has participated in more devilish activities than one can count."

"Pleased to meet you Kieron." Brenda said extending her hand. Tossing her hair off her shoulder she giggled. "But - promise me you won't believe a word that Jax just said. It seems that his new favorite hobby is blaming me for his own insanity."

Kieron laughed, took Brenda's hand and kissed it flirtatiously. Looking up he flashed her his sexiest smile, "Brenda Barrett - the pleasure is all mine. " He arched one eyebrow and elbowed Jax. "You're forgiven pal." he nodded towards Brenda, "I can understand now exactly why you were so....what did you call it again?" he rubbed his chin asthough in deep thought. "Ahhhhh yes - distracted. The two of you were "distracted"."

Jax flushed and glared at Kieron while helping Brenda with her chair. As he sat down himself he mutted to Kieron, "Behave yourself. You promised."

Kieron nodded and whispered. "Why didn't you just tell me that the woman you were looking for as the DKNY model was Brenda Barrett?"

"What are you talking about?" Jax hissed, making sure that Brenda was busy looking over the menu. She was.

Kieron looked at him like he was crazy. He spoke in a fake-Australian accent, imitating Jax. "I was thinking someone dark haired, mysterious, exotic, sexy.... Hmmmm....Jax, I wonder who was on your mind when you were describing that one? I'm surprised you didn't mention a mole right above her mouth." Kieron laughed and smiled. "Honestly Jax - she's beautiful."

"I know." Jax smiled. He glanced at her next to him, busily studying the menu. She had her delicate eyebrows furrowed in what appeared to be deep thought. Kieron was right. She was beautiful. When he had told her about Kieron's suggestion that they go gambling and dancing she had gotten all excited about how it sounded like a 1920s evening. She had gone out and bought a long, tight black Zelda-Fitzgerald-styled dress. Her hair was curled and and gelled so that it was sleek against her head. Tiny ringlets were pinned back with silver barretts. She wore a diamond drop necklace that glistened above the dresses plunging neckline and matching earrings. Somehow she had even coerced him into wearing a black and charcoal pin-stripe suit and fedora hat. He had tried to fight her, but one sexy pout and he was a goner. "Hey-" he said, tapping Brenda playfully on the leg. "What are you thinking about?"

"Hmmmm?" Brenda mused not taking her eyes off the menu.

"I asked what you're thinking about. It must be awfully important because I've never seen you stay quiet for more than thirty seconds. This must be a record." he kidded while examining his watch.

Brenda laughed and slapped Jax flirtatiously on the arm. "You're very funny Jax. Actually, I was thinking about what amazing meal I'm going to order tonight." she smiled triumphantly at Kieron and announced. "Jax is buying dinner because I *beat* him in a race today."

"Yeah - well she cheated, but being the gentleman that I am, I agreed to pay *eventhough* Ms. Barrett broke the rules."

Brenda pretended to be injured and moved her chair away from Jax's, much to his chagrin. He reached over and pulled her back, she pulled away. The game pursisted for a few moments, until Jax finally dragged Brenda off her chair onto his lap. "Truce." he whispered in her ear. As much as Brenda tried to remain angry, she couldn't help smiling.

"Fine." she huffed, still feigning anger. She loved the feel of his arm around her and his eyes looking intently at her face.

"You know - "Jax whispered, "you look awfully sexy when you're angry, or should I say *pretending* to be angry."

Brenda rolled her eyes. "Your seduction isn't working with me Jax."she lied. He pouted and gave her puppy dog eyes. "Okay! Okay, "she laughed. "You're forgiven. Now let me go back to my seat." she kissed him lightly on the cheek and moved into her chair.

"Are you two returning to planet earth now?" Kieron asked jokingly. Part of him couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. He had known Jax for nearly his entire life, and he had never seen him act this silly or strange about any woman. Clearly Brenda had him tied around her little finger. It was hysterical. He and Jax were definitely going to need to have a chat before the night was over.

To be continued....

- Belle