Brenda’s eyes flutter open at the morning sunlight and she squints and looks down at her waist where Jax’s arms were still
entwined. He was so wonderful to her…not many men would agree to spend the night and not expect anything. This was the
first time she had actually slept in the same bed with another man. She had never made love before…Jax did not know this yet.
Brenda shifts slightly and Jax begins to wake up.

“Hi,” Brenda whispers softly. “Well, hello beautiful,” Jax responds sleepily and kisses her forehead. “Sleep well?” Brenda asks
nervously. “Perfectly…all I did was dream of you,” Jax says and nuzzles his face in her silky hair. Brenda giggles nervously and
says, “I am glad you slept well.” “What about you?” Jax asks. “It was the best sleep I have had in a very long time…no
nightmares or anything,” Brenda responds and she plays with a strand of her hair.

“So, what are we going to do today?” Jax asks. “Jax, it is Monday, don’t you have to work?” Brenda asks. “Well, Brenda,
then technically you would have to work too, but lucky for us…it is Sunday,” Jax says laughing hysterically. “Oops…I lost
track of the days,” Brenda says, grinning sheepishly. “So then we have the whole day to do whatever we want…what shall it
be?” Jax asks.

“Hmmm… what would you like to do?” Brenda asks, turning to face him. “I would love to take you on a mad shopping spree
on Fifth Avenue but this is your decision…you choose,” Jax replies with a grin. “Ick…I hate when I have to choose,” Brenda
groans. “Why is that?” Jax asks. “Because what if you hate what I choose?” Brenda says.

“Brenda, anything with you that I do, I enjoy,” Jax says and brushes her cheek gently. “You sure?” Brenda asks. “Positive,” Jax
says. Brenda smiles and begins, “My parents are in Morocco on business right now and my house is free…would you like to
go to Darien and go horseback riding on the property?” “That sounds fabulous…how about I pick you up in an hour?” Jax says
and sits up. “Sounds good,” Brenda responds and jumps up in excitement.

“Bye sweetie,” Jax says and brushes Brenda’s lips and hugs her. “Bye,” Brenda says with a grin and watches him walk out.
Robin is at the kitchen table reading with a knowing look on her face. “What?” Brenda asks with, trying not to smile.

“Jax spent the night here,” Robin says, raising an eyebrow. “Yes, and nothing happened!” Brenda exclaims. “Did he just hold
you?” Robin asks. “Yes, and it was so perfect…I don’t think I have ever felt so happy!” Brenda says in excitement. “So you
two cleared up the Barbie Doll’s mess?” Robin asks. “Yes, Jax assured me that Chloe does not matter to him anymore and I
trust him,” Brenda says in confidence. “Good…Brenda, life for you is going to good from here on in…I can feel it,” Robin says
with a grin.

*******************************************************

Jax walks into his penthouse and realizes the door had been unlocked. “Chloe!” Jax asks in anger. Nothing but silence filled the
room. He shakes his head…maybe he had forgotten to lock the door when he rushed out last night. He opens the door to the
bathroom to see a naked Chloe sitting in a tub of bubbles.

“Hi Jax,” Chloe coos seductively and raises up a leg of soap suds and dripping hot water. “Chloe,” Jax starts before Chloe
interrupts him. “Jax, let me explain…I decided I have been taking the wrong approach with this whole thing…what really need
is the passion back in our relationship,” Chloe says, standing up, completely clad except for bunches of bubbles placed in the
appropriate places.

“I want you, Jax,” Chloe says, stepping out of the tub and wrapping her arms around Jax and kissing him passionately. Jax pulls
away and says, “You have stooped to an all time low…get out.” “But Jax…” Chloe pleads. “Out Chloe before I call the
security…get changed and leave!” Jax yells. “Ha…you are so going to regret this…leaving me for that twit of a girl,” Chloe
says, grabbing her robe and storming out. Jax hears the front door slam and he goes and locks it and puts a chair against it so
she could not come back in.

He needed a nice, long, hot shower to clear his head.

*******************************************************
Three hours later…

“Oh Jax, I cannot wait to go riding!” Brenda says, hopping out of the limo in excitement. Jax had come by in high style with his
personal black limo, filled with caviar and sparkling apple cider. He had decided not to tell her yet about the Chloe incident.
Today he wanted her to feel only happiness and relaxation. “So where do we begin?” Jax asks. “The stables,” Brenda says,
yanking his hand in the direction of the stables. She was like a little girl and she giggles in delight when she sees her two dogs
run towards her.

“Hey big guys,” Brenda says, kissing the dog’s noses. “Come on… Marcy and Ginger are waiting for us,” Brenda says,
pointing to the stable. Jax watches in amazement as she completely transformed into such a free and uninhibited spirit.

She runs into the stable and goes into the horses. “That is Ginger,” Brenda says, pointing to the chestnut-colored horse. “And
this is Marcy,” Jax says patting the nose of the black horse. “Yup…I always ride Ginger…she was a gift to me from my father,”
Brenda says, jumping up onto Ginger.

“Well, I think Marcy and I will get along just fine,” Jax says, swinging onto the midnight-colored horse. “Come on,” Brenda
says and begins to gallop out onto the land. “Can you keep up with me?” Brenda asks with a devious grin. “I am going to try,”
Jax says laughing and watches as Brenda and Ginger take off. Brenda’s long dark hair was whipping behind her and the
muscles in her calves could be seen under her dark jeans. She was truly magnificent. There was just something so unique and
special about her and he knew he could spend everyday with her and still be amazed. Brenda turns around and smiles brightly
and motions him to follow her into the woods.

Everytime our eyes meet
This feeling inside me

Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me

I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away

I’ve never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts

I can see your dreams
 

Jax takes off and follows behind her. Today was going to be special…he could feel it.

*******************************************************

Brenda and Jax sit on the grass and eat their lunches as the horse’s drink from the stream. “This felt so, so good!” Brenda says,
sipping her iced tea. “Yes, it is so beautiful here…I never could have imagined a place like this existing,” Jax says, biting into his
sandwich. “When I was a teenager and I did not feel like going to the garden, I would come here and write,” Brenda says.

“Must have been a good escape,” Jax says softly. “It was…I always felt at peace here,” Brenda nods. “Would you like to go
back to the house?” Jax asks. “Yes, but first I want to stop somewhere,” Brenda says smiling.

*******************************************************

“I had a feeling we would come here,” Jax says. He and Brenda had put the horses back in the stables and Brenda had led him
to the garden. “I wanted to be here with you for once when we were not fighting,” Brenda says with a nervous giggle and
throws her hair into a ponytail. “Good idea but I never have had bad memories of this place,” Jax responds, walking over to the
lilac bush that he always found Brenda staring at.

“Really?” Brenda asks in surprise. “Of course…I met you here, didn’t I?” Jax asks with a grin. “But I was so mean to you!”
Brenda exclaims, laughing. “It did not really bother me…I was too busy looking at you and being awestruck by how beautiful
you were,” Jax says, pulling a lilac off the bush and handing it to Brenda.

Brenda blushes and responds, “I looked into those eyes of yours and I just did not know what to do with you…it was like you
had walked off the page of a fairy tale…and it scared me to death.” “And now…we are happy and that is all the matter’s,” Jax
says, hugging Brenda. “I know…it almost seems too amazing too believe,” Brenda responds softly. “But it is real, Bren…we
are real…and you are the only thing I need,” Jax whispers. “And it is so wonderful,” Brenda responds with tears in her dark
eyes.

I don't need a lot of things.
I can get by with nothing.

Of all the blessings life can bring,
I've always needed something.

But I've got all I want
When it comes to loving you.

You're my only reason,
You're my only truth.

I need you like water,
Like breath, like rain.

I need you like mercy
From heavens gate.

There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through.

I Need You.
You're the hope that moves me

To courage again.
You're the love that rescues me

When the cold winds rage.
And it's so amazing

'Cause that's just how you are.
And I can't turn back now,

'Cause you've brought me too far.

I need you like water,
Like breath, like rain.

I need you like mercy
From Heavens gate.

There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through.

I need you.
Oh, yes I do.

Brenda’s mouth touches Jax’s gently and he holds her cheeks as the kiss deepens. Brenda’s knees were weak…there was no
way she had ever felt like this before. She was losing complete control…and for the first time in her life…she wanted to lose
control and give in to Jax and how she felt about him.

Jax felt at that moment that they were the only two people on this planet…and they were meant to be together. He pulls away
and cups her chin…she was so beautiful. He takes a deep breath. “Bren, I think I am….” Jax begins.

*******************************************************

Music from this Chapter…
1.) “Amazed” by Lonestar
2.) “I Need You” by Leann Rimes