Sea Breeze 01 - Breathe

“Thirsty?”
    I took the water in the hope it would ease my suddenly dry throat. “Yes, thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. Which grocery store do you want to go to?”
    I smiled at the thought of Jax Stone asking where I wanted to go buy food. “Sea Breeze Foods will be fine. It’s closer to my apartment.”
    He picked up his remote again, and with a click of a button the tinted glass between us and the driver came down. “Sea Breeze Foods, please, Kane.” The giant in the front seat nodded, and Jax slid the glass back up.
    “Do you mind if I go inside with you? I’m craving a Reese’s Cup.”
    I frowned, remembering his wish to remain hidden. “No, I don’t mind, but won’t it blow your cover if you’re seen walking around Sea Breeze Foods?”
    He smirked. “Yeah, it would, but I’m prepared.”
    He reached over the seat and opened a compartment. It took all my will power not to lean over and sniff him, he smelled so good. I’d noticed it earlier, but not as much as I did now in such close quarters. He sat back in his seat, and I composed my expression into a curious smile. He slipped a black baseball hat on with the letter
A
on the front, which I recognized immediately as the University of Alabama’s logo.
    “Nice touch,” I said, grinning at his attempt to go incognito.
    He then slipped on tinted glasses.
    “Isn’t it a little dark for those?”
    He grinned. “Actually, these brighten up the nighttime. They’re glasses used for seeing, not to shade the sun. I shouldn’t stick out too much.”
    His designer jeans and the black T-shirt clung to his muscular chest and arms, and I frowned. “No, you’re going to attract attention in that shirt.”
    He glanced down at himself. “You think so?”
    I tried not to stammer from the shock my system took from his grin. “I know so. Any girl in a ten-mile radius is going to stare you down if you wear it. It’s impossible not to.”
    A huge grin broke across his face. “So does this mean you like me in this shirt?”
    I sighed and sat up a little straighter. “I’m mature for my age, Jax, not blind.”
    He laughed and reached back into the compartment over the seat. “As much as I like the idea of you being unable to take your eyes off me, I don’t want to draw attention, so how’s this?” He slipped into an old faded blue jean jacket. It covered up his impressive body.
    “Better,” I assured him as the Hummer came to a stop.
    Jax slid the glass wall back down. “Kane, go park in the parking lot, and don’t open our doors. I want to appear normal, so just hang out at the car.”
    Kane frowned and nodded.
    “Let’s go shop.” Jax jumped out and took my hand, and I stepped out behind him. We walked in silence to the grocery store entrance. Suddenly my nerves assaulted me. What if people recognized him and bombarded him? I didn’t want his attempt at being nice to be ruined by crazy teenage fans. We entered the store, and I looked back to see Kane following behind us. He stopped and stood outside the large glass window. Apparently, he would be standing guard in case of a mad rush of fans. I should have figured the large giant doubled as a bodyguard.
    “Where to first?” Jax asked, grinning as he pulled out a shopping cart when we walked in.
    “You seem really excited about shopping for food,” I whispered, not wanting anyone around us to hear me.
    “I haven’t been in a grocery store since I was a kid hanging on my mom’s cart, begging for Big League Chew.”
    I pitied the little boy inside who missed things as simple as grocery stores. “Well then, let’s make this memorable. If you’re good, I’ll buy you some Big League Chew.”
    “They still make it?”
    I shrugged. “Sure, this is the South, Jax. Things don’t change here often. Time kind of stands still.”
    He nodded in agreement. “I know, it’s part of the reason I love it here. No one is in a hurry.”
    I walked ahead of him, and he followed behind me with the cart. I was a little embarrassed when I realized he would witness my bargain shopping. I hadn’t thought of the fact that he would see me worrying over the cost of bread. I couldn’t get out of this now. I might as well swallow my pride and get what I needed. I reached for the store-brand loaf of bread. I didn’t want to face him, but I knew he was watching me. I walked over to the cold meats and grabbed the deli shredded roast beef Jessica adored. I hated wasting money on such expensive meat, but if