6. OLIVIA
CHAPTER 6
OLIVIA
"So, this is the high life of WeTube fame?" I joke, taking a slider and inspecting it like it’s a rare delicacy.
"Hey, don’t knock it," Ethan says, grabbing a piece of cheese from the board. "This is the best part of the job. Free food and great company."
"Speak for yourself," Marcus mutters, swirling his glass of water. "I’m just here to make sure Jax doesn’t get us into more trouble than we’re already in."
Jax smirks, leaning back in his chair like he’s lounging at a poolside. "You wound me, Marcus," he says with a mock look of hurt. "I’m a perfect gentleman, especially when there’s a beautiful lady involved."
"Beautiful and skeptical," I shoot back, popping the slider into my mouth. "But you’re good at this, I’ll give you that."
He raises an eyebrow. "Good at what? Being charming? It’s a burden, but I manage."
"Please," Marcus interrupts, looking between us with a dry smile. "Can we keep the ego in check for at least five minutes? I’d like to get through one conversation without needing a shovel for all this nonsense."
Ethan laughs, a genuine, warm sound that makes me wish he’d direct more of that energy my way. Instead, he turns to me, and for a second, I think maybe, just maybe, he’s going to flirt a little. Instead, he says, "So, Liv, what do you think? Is this enough to make you reconsider bailing on us before we even start?"
I pause, looking around the table—Jax’s playful grin, Marcus’s more serious but not unfriendly gaze, and Ethan’s easy, confident smile that he gives so freely. I feel a flicker of something unexpected. Could this actually be fun? A disaster, sure, but maybe a fun disaster.
"I don’t know," I say, pretending to mull it over. "I mean, if I’m going to be stuck dating random guys on camera, I guess it could be worse. At least you all know how to order good food."
Jax leans in a bit closer, dropping his voice like we’re sharing a secret. "Stick with us, Liv. We might just surprise you."
I roll my eyes but can’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. "Alright, alright," I say, taking another bite of food. "But if this all blows up in our faces, I’m blaming you, Jax."
He holds up his hands in mock surrender. "I’ll take the blame if it means I get to stick around and see what happens next."
And there it is again—that feeling, like he’s flirting, but also like there’s a genuine interest there. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this kind of attention, and I have to admit, it’s nice. Still, I can’t help but sneak another look at Ethan, who’s now engrossed in discussing camera angles with Marcus. He hasn’t looked at me once like Jax does.
I swallow back the disappointment and turn back to Jax, deciding to play along. For now, it’s more fun than I’ve had in a while, and maybe it’s time to stop worrying so much about what this is or isn’t.
I turn to Ethan, pushing down my frustration and putting on a smile. “Hey, since this was a bit of a fail, maybe you could drop me home? I need to send out a few urgent emails.”
Ethan looks up from the camera bag he’s packing, his expression apologetic. “I’d love to, Liv, but is it okay if I take you back a little later? I need to return this gear first. I promised Alisha I’d have it back by five.”
Alisha. My brain snags on the name like it’s caught on a thorn. It’s stupid how quickly my mood shifts, my smile tightening at the edges. Who the hell is Alisha? A friend? A girlfriend? I hate the little stab of jealousy that pokes at me, unwelcome and totally irrational.
“Oh, sure,” I say, trying to sound breezy. “No worries.”
Jax, ever the observant one, raises an eyebrow at me. “Hey, don’t look so disappointed,” he says with a teasing grin. “I can drop you home. It’s on my way anyway.”
I hesitate, glancing back at Ethan, who’s already busy packing up the rest of the equipment. He barely seems to notice; he just gives me a quick smile and a nod before hoisting the camera bag over his shoulder.
“Thanks, Jax,” I finally say, turning back to him. I force myself to smile. It’s not like I’m going to sit here pining after Ethan when he clearly has other priorities. “I’d appreciate it.”
“Huh,” Ethan is saying. “I must have accidentally left it on live on WeTube, some people are watching.”
“Let me see that,” Marcus says, walking up to him.
“Guys, everything okay?” Jax asks.
Marcus waves him away. “Yeah, you guys go ahead.”
Ethan hesitates, glancing between the two of us, like he’s about to say something but then decides against it. "You sure, Jax? I could drop her off after I finish up?—"
Jax waves him off. "Nah, it’s fine. We’re already here, and you’ve got things to do." He looks at me with that playful gleam in his eye. "Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m more entertaining company, right?"
I smile, feeling a bit deflated but covering it with a laugh. "Well, when you put it that way... Alright, Jax. Let’s go before you change your mind."
"Wouldn’t dream of it," he says, getting up and offering me his hand. I take it, letting him help me up from the table. I glance back at Ethan one last time, searching for something—anything—in his expression that might show he cares a little more than he lets on.
But he just gives me a casual smile, the kind you’d give any friend. "I’ll catch you later, Liv. And hey, don’t forget to let me know about those emails you need to send. We can set up a time for a brainstorming session tomorrow if you’re up for it."
"Yeah," I say, my voice quieter than I intended. "Sure thing, Ethan."
As Jax and I head out together, the cool breeze hits my face
Jax opens the passenger door of his car for me with an exaggerated bow, and I can’t help but laugh at his theatrics.
"Milady," he says, grinning as I slide into the seat. "Let’s get you home safe and sound. And don’t worry, I promise I won’t talk your ear off about the channel—unless you want me to, of course."
I glance at him, grateful for the distraction. "I think I can handle it.”
The walk from the car to my apartment feels charged, like the air is buzzing around us. Jax keeps a hand on my lower back, guiding me as we head up the stairs. I can feel the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of my shirt. It’s not unwelcome—hell, it’s thrilling. The way he looks at me, the lazy confidence in his eyes, it’s like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
"Well," I say, my voice coming out a little uneven, "thanks for the ride, Jax. You didn’t have to walk me all the way up, you know."
He steps closer, crowding me against the door. "What kind of gentleman would I be if I let a beautiful woman walk herself home?" His voice is low, and there’s a rough edge to it that sends shivers racing down my spine.
I glance up at him, and damn it, I can’t help but admire the sharp line of his jaw, the dark stubble shadowing his face. He’s close. Too close. But I don’t move. I don’t want to. "Is that what you are? A gentleman?" I tease, trying to keep it light, but my voice betrays me. It’s breathy, laced with something I can’t quite hide.
Jax smirks, leaning in so his lips hover just above mine. "Not tonight, Liv," he murmurs, his eyes locked on mine. "Not when you look at me like that."
We get to my door, and I fumble with the keys, suddenly aware of how close he is. I can feel his breath on my neck, and I swallow hard, my pulse quickening. I’m trying to play it cool, but my hands are shaking, and I know he notices. He leans against the doorframe, that damn smirk playing on his lips, watching me with an intensity that makes my knees go weak.
“You okay there, Liv?” he asks, his voice low, teasing.
I finally manage to unlock the door, pushing it open an inch. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, but it comes out as more of a whisper.
Jax doesn’t move. He’s standing so close that I can feel the heat of his body against mine. The door is open, but I don’t step inside. Instead, I turn around, and it’s like everything shifts. The playful look in his eyes darkens, becomes something deeper, more primal.
“You sure about that?” he murmurs, stepping closer until there’s barely an inch of space between us.
"Jax..." I start, but whatever I am going to say dies on my lips when he grabs my waist, pulling me flush against him. His hands are big, rough in a way that makes me feel delicate, like he could break me in half if he wanted to. But the way he’s looking at me? It’s like he wants to devour me.
And then he’s kissing me. Hard. His mouth crashes down on mine with a hunger that steals the air from my lungs. I gasp against his lips, and he takes advantage, deepening the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that has me arching into him without thinking.
Holy shit, this is really happening.
His hands slide down to my hips, then lower, gripping my ass and lifting me effortlessly. I wrap my legs around his waist instinctively, feeling the solid press of his body against me. He pushes me back against the door, pinning me there, his mouth never leaving mine. It’s all teeth and tongue, rough and desperate, like he’s been dying to do this and can’t hold back any longer.
I moan into his mouth, my fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. He groans, a low, primal sound that vibrates through my whole body. "Fuck, Liv," he mutters against my lips, his voice ragged. "You taste so damn good."
I can’t form words. Hell, I can barely think. All I know is that I want him—right here, right now. His hands roam up my sides, squeezing my curves like he can’t get enough of me. I feel his fingers slip under the hem of my shirt, skimming over bare skin, and I shiver at the roughness of his touch.
"Jax," I manage to gasp, breaking the kiss for just a second. But he doesn’t let me get far. His lips trail down my neck, biting and sucking in a way that makes me whimper. I clutch at his shoulders, feeling the hard muscle flex beneath my hands as he holds me up like I weigh nothing.
"Say my name again," he growls, nipping at the sensitive spot just below my ear. "I want to hear it."
"Jax," I moan, breathless and aching. I can feel how hard he is against me, the thick press of him between my legs, and it sends a rush of heat through me that pools low in my belly.
I moan, loud and unrestrained, feeling the rough scrape of his stubble against my throat.
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this,” he growls against my skin, his voice husky, filled with a need that mirrors my own.
His hands grip my thighs, squeezing as he carries me inside without breaking the kiss. The door swings shut behind us, and I feel the world tilt as he leads us deeper into the apartment. I hold on tight, burying my hands in his hair, tugging, earning another deep, throaty groan from him that makes my toes curl.
“Olivia,” he mutters against my lips, and there’s something almost reverent in the way he says my name, like it’s the only word he knows right now.
“Jax,” I breathe back, my voice trembling, full of everything I’m feeling—desire, anticipation, the kind of need that makes my entire body ache.
He pulls back just enough to look at me, his chest heaving, eyes wild and dark. “Tell me to stop,” he says, but it sounds more like a plea than a command, like he needs me to say it but is praying I won’t.
I shake my head, cupping his face, pulling him back down to me. “Don’t you dare,” I whisper.
That’s all he needs.
Jax growls, lifting me higher, his hands splayed across my ass as he carries me deeper into the apartment. I don’t know where we’re going, and I don’t care. All I can think about is the way he feels against me, the way he’s kissing me like he can’t get enough, like he’s starving and I’m the only thing that can satisfy him.
And god, do I want to satisfy him.