Pawliday Love

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

HOLLY

F uck. What were you thinking, inviting Jax to your cottage?

I can’t remember the last time I had a guy over that wasn’t related to me. I can’t remember the last time I went out on a date. Not that this is a date. It’s not. It’s two people who are old friends catching up.

“More wine?” Jax asks, holding up the half empty bottle we opened when we got to my place.

“Thanks.” I hold out my glass. “How did you know moving to Florida was the right decision?” The words tumble out before I can stop them.

He studies me for a second. “I didn’t. Sometimes you just jump and hope the decision is the right one.” He shrugs. “I figured I could always move somewhere else if it didn’t work out.”

“Makes sense.” I reach forward to set my wine glass on the coffee table and misjudge the distance.

“Careful.” Jax grabs my glass as it begins to fall, his thigh brushing against mine as he sets the glass down on the table.

“Sorry.”

“You okay?” He moves closer to me until he’s sitting right next to me, our legs pressed together.

“Just cold.” I rub my arms, needing to do something with my hands before I reach out and touch him, or worse, climb into his lap. I take a deep breath, willing myself to calm down, not do anything rash.

He reaches behind him and grabs the blanket that I keep folded on the back of the couch and drapes it over my lap.

“Thanks,” I say, turning so my back is resting against the arm of the couch and I’m facing him.

“You’re welcome.” He flashes me a megawatt smile, his dimples making an appearance, and my panties are ruined.

My gaze drops to his lips and I wonder what they would feel like. Is he a good kisser? Does he like to kiss? He swipes his tongue across his lips, and I can’t help but watch as he does. Wonder what that would feel like on me.

Fuck, is it hot in here? Because I swear I’m sweating now.

What the hell is wrong with you?

My attention goes to his hands resting in his lap. I bet he’s good with them too. I wonder if his?—

Jax clears his throat, and I blink out of my lust-filled thoughts, meeting his gaze. His hazel eyes sparkle, and I hope like hell he can’t read my mind.

He leans closer to me and whispers, “Penny for your thoughts.”

I snort out a laugh, shaking my head.

He stares at me for a beat before saying, “Maybe it’s the wine talking but can I kiss you?”

My mouth falls open.

Did not see that coming.

“Shit.” He shakes his head. “That was inappropriate. I’m sorry, Holly. I misread the situation. I thought, you know what, I don’t know what I thought. Let’s blame it on the wine and the altitude change. I’m going to—” He starts to get to his feet.

I put a hand on his arm, stopping him.

“Yes,” I whisper.

He gives me a small smile studying me before he grazes his lips against mine. He goes to pull back, but I crash my lips against his. He tastes like cherries and chocolate, like the wine we were drinking, and something that’s entirely him. He groans and grips my hips, pulling me onto his lap. The blanket falls to the floor as I straddle him, my dress sliding up my thighs.

I moan when my center comes into contact with his hardening dick. I slip my fingers into his hair, sliding them along his scalp as we kiss. My hips have a mind of their own and begin to rock against him, seeking friction to dull the ache.

Much too quickly, he’s pulling away from me.

“Holly,” he mumbles, panting, his lips swollen, hair mussed from where I was running my hands through it.

“Jax.” I grin at him, sure that I’m equally as disheveled.

“Fucking hell, that was more perfect than I imagined it would be.”

“You imagined kissing me?”

He nods vigorously. “Since I saw you this afternoon at the reception desk.”

I lean forward, giving him a quick kiss before pulling back to meet his eyes. “Me too.”

“Oh yeah? Was it as good as you thought it would be?”

“Better.”

He smirks at me. “Good. I-I should probably go.”

“Oh?”

“As much as I’d like to stay and kiss you again, we’ve been drinking, and I don't want either of us to regret anything in the morning.”

“I’m sober. I had one glass.” I gesture toward my wine glass that’s still full from the second drink he poured me. “And one at dinner. But we ate, so…”

He smiles at me. “I know, but maybe we should take this slow. Whatever this is between us.”

“Take this slow?” I repeat his words back to him. “You’re leaving in a few days.”

“I know.” He frowns. “And maybe that’s reason enough for us to leave this at just the kiss.”

“Maybe. Or we could have fun and see what happens.”

He gives me a quick kiss. “Maybe, but think about it tonight—if you really want to do this, whatever this turns out to be, knowing I’ll be gone in a few days. I don’t want us to make any rash decisions just to regret them in the light of day.”

I reach out and cup Jax’s face with my hands. How did I get so lucky to find this incredibly sweet man? Just to have him be leaving in a few short days?

“Okay.” I kiss him one more time before climbing off his lap and walking him to the door.

He pats Huck on the head before zipping up his jacket and heading toward the main resort.