16. Natalie
SIXTEEN
natalie
“Any other questions?”
I had a few choice ones.
The public hearing, at least the portion of it covering the inlet sale, was just about over. And while it was true I hadn’t had a meaningful conversation with Jaxon—no way I was calling him Jax anymore after tonight—in days, I thought we’d had an understanding.
After the dinner where I nearly lost the entire bet because my urge to say, “fuck it,” and stay at his house became nearly overwhelming, I decided it was best to stay away. By Sunday, when I hadn’t heard from him, I came up with another bogus question and texted him. That led to another text. And another. By bedtime, we’d been chatting all day, but not about the land. Favorite movie. Favorite food. Everything and anything was suddenly on the table after he fired off, “Your turn. Tell me something I don’t know.”
On Monday, he asked if I was coming over, but I reminded him I’d finished going through the paperwork and there was no need. That led to more texting, and me nearly breaking down and heading to his place to work anyway. I loved sitting on the deck, enough shade to see my laptop but still be outside, but also could admit I liked his company too.
I liked the way he looked at me.
And the way he looked in general.
I liked feeling safe in his presence, despite the fact I never really felt unsafe out of it.
It was precisely for those reasons I’d stayed in the office and avoided texting him today too. Knowing I’d see him at the meeting tonight, I’d spent extra time getting ready but not overdoing it as if I were trying too hard. And all for what? To have traitor Jaxon navigate questions about the sale and thank everyone, saying he was looking forward to “bringing a new bed and breakfast experience to the area” that he was certain would “add value to both the lakefront and local businesses.”
As if it were a done deal.
Hearing enough, I got up to leave. Since the public hearing was held in the courthouse, I’d walked from my apartment. Never mind it was pouring outside. Never mind I didn’t have an umbrella. I simply tucked my purse inside my jacket and pushed the door open. Angrily making my way down the stairs, already soaking wet, I took off down the block.
“Natalie, wait.”
I didn’t stop. Even when he called my name, louder and louder, apparently closer to me, I kept going. In fact, I picked up my pace. It wasn’t until I’d turned off Main Street toward my apartment that he caught up with me.
“Natalie,” he said, right behind me. Even still, I kept going. But now there was no way to avoid him as Jaxon was walking beside me. “I had to go through with that meeting.”
I was drenched. He was drenched. But it didn’t matter. Nothing did, except his betrayal.
“Talk to me,” he said just as a crack of thunder made the ground rumble under my feet.
“No thank you,” I said. Fumbling around in my purse for the keys, I was about to climb the stairs to my apartment when Jaxon spun me around to face him.
“Talk to me,” he repeated, this time more forcefully.
A crack of lightning filled the sky, almost, but not quite, making me jump into Jaxon’s arms. The thing scared the crap out of me.
“Can we just do this another time?” I asked. “If you haven’t noticed, it’s pouring.”
The street was dark and completely empty, with all the sane people not standing in the pouring rain.
“You’re angry—”
I cut him off. “I wonder why?”
“What was I supposed to do? Go in there and say, ‘No need for me to answer questions. I’m not purchasing the property’? You knew about this meeting since last week.”
“You made it sound so . . . final.”
I forgot about the rain. Looking into his eyes, I forgot about everything except that kiss and how badly I wanted him to do it again. A stupid kiss. Of all things to be worried about when Jaxon had all but finalized the property sale tonight.
“Nothing is final,” he said, looking like a sexy wet version of himself. I tried to imagine him in uniform, stationed somewhere, looking like this but even deadlier. Shivering, I tried to remember that I was angry. Very angry.
“Fucking hell.” He reached for me. Grabbed my neck from behind as if he was planning to kiss me.
“Oh no,” I began, but he stopped me.
“Another pass.”
That was all it took. I let him guide my head toward him as our mouths slammed together. Our second kiss was as out of control as the storm that swirled around us. Another crack of thunder seemed perfectly timed to the tangling of tongues and frantic speed at which we devoured each other.
Even still, I wanted so much more. To consume him, and let him consume me. Someone moaned as the kiss deepened. Was that me? Or him? Or both of us? Soon the kiss spiraled so far out of control that our hands were everywhere. If I could have torn off his clothes right there on the street, finally getting a peek at what I’d only been able to imagine so far, I’d have done it.
Pushing away, I held up my keys between us. His quick nod was all I needed to sprint up the stairs and let us both into my apartment. Once we were inside, a lamp turned on automatically. He looked around and then back at me.
“Nice place.”
“Thanks. Let me get some towels.” And then it occurred to me. “Actually, I have some clothes that might fit.”
Heading to the bathroom, I grabbed a towel and changed in record time. Then, grabbing the bag I’d intended to give back last week but somehow kept forgetting, I headed back out to find him looking at one of the pictures on my fireplace mantel. When I handed him a towel, Jax gave me a once-over.
“I love that look.”
“Yoga pants and a messy bun?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“Your clothes,” I said, handing the bag to him. “Bathroom’s over there.”
He took it without a word. As I watched Jax disappear into the bathroom, I wondered when I’d started thinking of him as Jax and not Jaxon, even though I refused to call him that out loud after tonight. But the more important question was...were we still on a pass? Or had that ended once the kiss was over? And why did it matter when I wanted to murder him?
I should never have pulled away.
You’d both be half undressed by now, giving the neighbors one hell of a show.
Speaking of a show, I’d dearly love to head over to that bathroom door and yank it open right about now. Instead, I relegated myself to putzing around the apartment, picking up any stray items and tidying up a bit.
“Thanks for the dry clothes.”
I spun around and groaned. Maybe I shouldn’t have suggested the sweats even though they were his. I’d forgotten the sweatpants were gray. Geez.
“They are yours.” I managed to tear my gaze from his crotch. Clearly, by Jax’s expression, I hadn’t been very subtle.
In response, Jax closed the distance between us. When he reached up, I thought he was going to pull me toward him, like before. Instead, he took a strand of my hair that had fallen and wrapped it around his finger.
“I’ve had an overwhelming desire to touch your hair since the first time we met. Is that strange?”
He must have been able to hear my heart beating. “There’s nothing normal about our situation, Jaxon.”
“Understatement.”
“I was so pissed tonight,” I admitted. It was difficult to be mad with him looking at me that way. Touching my hair so intimately, as if he had the right to do so. Something I wanted even as I fought it every step of the way.
“I had a feeling.” His hand dropped. “I want nothing more than to continue where we left off outside. But, like you said, there’s nothing normal about this situation. The old me wouldn’t have given a flying fuck about leading you on right now. The old me would take you into my arms, kiss you until you had trouble standing upright and then take you into your bedroom and explore every inch of that luscious body of yours. With my lips, my tongue—”
“Jaxon,” I stopped him. One more word and I wouldn’t ever get another wink of sleep. As it was, I lay in bed awake thinking of his lips against mine. Ran through every word he ever spoke to me.
“Sorry,” he said, though he didn’t look very apologetic. “I guess that was a pretty shitty way of saying that nothing is finalized, like it sounded tonight.” I didn’t like the change in his expression. “I’m not gonna lie to you. I still intend to purchase that land.”
It took a second for his words to sink in. When they did, I took a step back.
“You’re going back on our deal?”
“I would never back out of a bet. But I do intend to win and thought you should know that’s why I’m moving forward. Just so we’re clear.”
“So your plan is, what exactly? That I’ll fall into your arms because you’re being truthful? Or that your charm and magnetism are so strong I’ll decide the land doesn’t matter to me anymore? Because honestly...” I was getting worked up again. “Neither is going to happen.”
God, I wished he wouldn’t look at me like that.
“I’d love to think I’m that charming, but no, I don’t think that will happen.”
I put my hands on my hips. “So what’s the plan?”
In truth, I really hoped he came up with something good. Because I really, really wanted to kiss him again.
“I’ve spoken with the potential buyer and am pretty sure we can work out a deal for your rowing program to stay there for the summer.”
Honestly, I’d forgotten about that. Well, not completely forgotten but just pushed it to the back of my mind. Agreeing felt like conceding the land should be sold, and even though I was fairly certain tonight’s public hearing sealed the deal—Jax had handled every question with ease, his knowledge of the property and the laws that protected it surprisingly strong—I wasn’t ready to give in.
Sighing, I tried not to look down. Damn gray sweats.
“I’m not interested.”
Jax’s slow smile disputed my words. “No? Seems to me you’re very interested, Natalie. And the feeling is mutual. As you can see.”
Inwardly groaning, I made sure no sound escaped my lips.
“I’ve always thought kissing in the rain was overrated. Something you see in the movies but that isn’t as hot in real life,” he said.
I wanted to back away, but my feet didn’t move.
“Turns out, that’s not the case. I’ll be dreaming about that tonight, Natalie. Will you?”
Oh my God, yes.
“No.”
“Liar.”
He was so close I could smell him. Feel the heat from his body. A part of me wanted to give in so badly. To say “fine” and succumb to the inevitable. But a deal was a deal. All I had to do was hold out, not let this man charm me, and there would be no sale.
Is that fair? The environmental impact was minimal. The Trust, the public...no one else really has any major reservations about this sale. Was I being stingy because I thought of that inlet as mine?
Nonsense. What kind of environmentalist was I if I didn’t try to protect land from being developed?
“I think you should leave.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. But I wouldn’t. This thing with Jax had to stop. It was a dangerous dance that would only end with me compromising my values just for the sake of a few thrills. With a guy who would be leaving town soon anyway. I’d do well to remember that.
“That’s what you want?”
No, dammit. Not even a little bit.
“Yes. I do.”
Jax looked as if he’d argue with me, but instead, he grabbed the bag of wet clothes—his this time—and left without another word. I stared at the door as if waiting to see it open back up. But it didn’t. And wouldn’t. I knew Jax well enough to predict that with some certainty.
What wasn’t certain?
Everything else. The whole situation was confusing as hell, and I didn’t know what was up or down anymore. Thank goodness for the Sicily trip. I needed a distraction, something to clear my head a bit. I’d spend the rest of the week packing, forgetting about Jax, and then sunny Sicily would fix everything.
Thankfully, Jax was only going for a few days. How much trouble could we get in over a long weekend?