Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
The way he’s looking at me, I almost expect him to take back the offer. But then he starts nodding.
“Follow me,” he says and walks off.
I spring to my feet and trail behind him—this towering hunk of a man.
No. No, no.
I shake my head. I can’t think of Jaxon that way. He’s my teacher. Like a coach. That’s better.
He leads me into his home theater and gestures for me to sit in one of the oversized black leather recliners near the front. I sink into the chair, and he takes the one next to me. He lifts a panel in the armrest to reveal a built-in control screen.
“From here, you can run everything,” he says, like he’s inviting me to use the space whenever I want.
As he talks me through it, I glance at his face. Jaxon really is generous. I can’t deny that. He’s magnetic—until he flips the switch and becomes a complete ass. But now... I’m not so sure anymore.
He honestly thinks I’m the selfish one. And rude.
Maybe sometimes I am. I tend to skip small formalities. It’s not that I don’t feel them—I just wasn’t raised to validate every moment with a “thank you” or a “you’re welcome.” I didn’t even notice that about myself until Jaxon kept pointing it out—during the show and after.
Still, he could be a little nicer about it. At least, that’s what I think.
“Got it,” he says gruffly, finishing his tutorial.
“Got it,” I echo, determined not to take his tone personally.
“Good.” He flashes a smile, like I, his newly minted student, just earned my first A.
I smile back. And suddenly, we’re caught in this moment—just... smiling at each other.
And here’s what I know, with certainty:
If we were a real couple, I would kiss him right now.
Right after he finishes licking his bottom lip like that…
He clears his throat and finally breaks eye contact. “Buckle up,” he says. “I’m taking you back through the game you slept through on Sunday night.”