Chapter Twelve
Jax
I woke up early Friday morning, the sun barely peeking through the windows of my beach house.
My body was on autopilot, already moving toward the shower, though my thoughts immediately zeroed in on my new forever obsession: Estelle Moore.
Five days.
It had been five fucking days since I'd orchestrated that "accident" outside her apartment, five days of carefully calculated moves, five days of watching her expression shift from surprise to confusion to that carefully guarded gratitude that made me want to break through every wall she'd built around her beautiful heart.
Five days of wanting her so badly I could taste it.
The shower's pressure was perfect, unlike my patience. Today was the culmination of a week's worth of groundwork, the chess match reaching its critical phase. I'd been patient, strategic, laying the foundation brick by brick like a romantic architect .
And today, Estelle Moore was going to get a taste of my world, whether she realized it or not.
Tuesday had been the organic meal kit—premium cuts of steak, fresh vegetables, a bottle of wine tucked discreetly in the bottom like a little surprise.
I'd watched her face as I handed it over, claiming Avery wanted to share her favorite foods with Leo, which was technically true since I'd spent an hour convincing my five-year-old niece it was her idea.
The flash of suspicion in those honey eyes, quickly masked by uncertain politeness, had been worth every dollar of the five-hundred-dollar bill. I'd left before she could refuse, before she could see how much I enjoyed providing for her.
And, before she could see how ridiculously hard I was getting just from the thought of feeding her.
Wednesday had brought artisanal bread and imported cheese from a pretentious shop downtown where they acted like aged cheddar was the finest cheese in the world.
"Avery mentioned Leo likes grilled cheese," I'd said with a casual shrug, as if I wasn't calculating her every micro-expression to determine whether she liked it.
She hesitated longer that time, her slim fingers brushing mine as she took the package. The contact had sent a jolt of possession so strong through me I'd had to clench my jaw to keep from grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer.
To keep from demanding she let me fix everything wrong in her world.
Yesterday's offering had been brownies from a French bakery downtown that Sierra recommended, one with the three-month waiting list that miraculously evaporated the moment I dropped my name and a stack of hundreds on their pristine counter.
"For Leo," I'd said again, though we both knew it was bullshit wrapped in expensive packaging. The way she'd looked at me, confused, wary, but with something softer underneath, made my blood sing a choir of victory .
She was starting to expect me, to look for me in that sea of Seaside Academy privilege. It was the first step in making her need me almost as much as I needed her.
Today would be different, though. Today, I wouldn't just drop something off and disappear like some sort of benevolent sugar daddy, though I could totally take up that role if she were into that sort of thing.
Today, Avery would ask for a playdate, and those big blue eyes, so good at getting what they want, just like mine, would get exactly what was obviously her idea.
I stepped out of the shower, toweling off while the sun painted the ocean in shades that couldn't compete with Estelle's hair.
I was Jax fucking Easton. Soon-to-be successful at claiming the one woman who had the audacity to be immune to my considerable charms.
At least temporarily immune. Nobody stayed immune to me forever.
The drive to Jovie's was automatic, the Bentley beneath me as I navigated the coastal highway. My sister answered the door in pajama pants and a messy bun, coffee mug clutched in her hands, eyebrows raised in that knowing way.
"Fourth day in a row," she remarked, stepping aside to let me in. "I'm starting to think you actually like spending time with your niece."
I grinned, deploying the smile that charmed everyone. "What can I say? I'm a changed man."
"Bull," Jovie laughed, but there was warmth in it. "This is about that teacher. Her dinosaur friend’s aunt.”
I kept my expression neutral, though I wasn’t great at hiding girl issues from the only girl I grew up with. "I'm just being a good uncle."
"Uh-huh," Jovie drawled, unconvinced by my performance. "And all those packages you've been sending with Avery?"
I shrugged with practiced nonchalance. "Just being neighborly."
"Neighborly," she repeated, rolling her eyes hard enough to strain something. "Right. Well, whatever you're doing, Avery's thrilled. She thinks you're god these days."
Maybe I was. I definitely looked it.
As if summoned by the mention of her worship, my niece came barreling down the stairs, already dressed in her Seaside Academy uniform. "Jax!" she squealed, launching herself at me with complete faith that I'd catch her.
I did, swinging her up into my arms like usual. "There's my girl.”
Avery was probably the only female on the planet who loved me unconditionally, which made her both precious and useful when it came to wooing a particular teacher.
"Ready for school?"
She nodded enthusiastically, then leaned in close, dropping her voice to what she clearly thought was a whisper but definitely wasn’t.
"Did you bring something for Leo today? Ms. Estelle said the brownies were the best thing she ever tasted!"
Something warm and smugly satisfied unfurled in my chest. So Estelle had enjoyed my offerings. I knew everything I touched turned to gold, including expensive French pastries.
"Not today, pumpkin," I set her down with careful hands. "But I was thinking... maybe Leo gets lonely at home since he finished his book. Isn’t that sad? ”
The seed, planted carefully.
Avery's eyes widened like I'd just offered her the keys to Disney. “OMG! Yes! Can he come over today? Please? I want to show him my toys and your pool and?—"
"Slow down, speed racer," I laughed, ruffling her hair. "We have to ask Ms. Estelle first. Think you can do that?"
She nodded firmly, as if I'd entrusted her with state secrets instead of romantic manipulation. Which, honestly, wasn't very far off. "I'll use my super special please face. The one mommy taught me always works on Daddy."
That's my girl. Manipulation was definitely genetic .
"Perfect," I praised, crouching down to her level so we were eye to eye. "But remember, this is your idea, okay? You really, really want Leo to come play at your house. Don't mention me at all. That's our little secret."
Avery's expression turned serious, her tiny brow furrowing with concentration. "Like a spy mission?"
I grinned, tapping her nose. "Exactly like a spy mission. And what do good spies do?"
"Keep secrets!" she whispered, eyes bright with the thrill of conspiracy.
"Perfect." I straightened, shooting Jovie a wink over Avery's head. My sister just shook her head, exasperation warring on her face.
"You're absolutely incorrigible," she muttered, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. "Be careful, okay? Avery really likes this kid and his... Aunt."
The pause before 'aunt' told me everything I needed to know about what Jovie thought of my intentions.
I nodded, understanding the unspoken warning. Don't fuck this up. Don't hurt them. Don't be the selfish asshole you usually are.
"I've got it under control," I assured her, though the truth was infinitely more complicated. I'd never felt less in control in my life, not since the first time I'd stepped into a ring and realized I was born to dominate.
The difference was that this time, I needed to have self-control. For her.
The drive to Seaside Academy was filled with Avery's chatter about Leo, dinosaurs, and everything she wanted to show him when he came over.
I listened with half an ear, my mind already racing ahead to the moment I'd see Estelle again.
Would she be wearing that sweater that made her eyes look warmer? Would she have eaten breakfast, or would she be running on nothing but coffee and stubbornness again? Would she finally let her guard down enough to accept what I was offering?
Would she look at me like I was more than just another rich asshole trying to buy his way into her life?
We arrived at the academy with time to spare, the Bentley gliding to a stop in the circular drive like the automotive perfection it was.
Avery was out of her booster seat before I'd fully parked, bouncing with excitement. I followed at a more measured pace, nodding to Rick, whose son's baseball equipment I'd upgraded after our first conversation, and made my way toward the entrance.
The academy's halls were familiar territory, all tasteful luxury that screamed, “Your tuition pays for the good stuff."
I guided Avery toward Estelle’s classroom, my eyes already scanning for that familiar figure, guarded and beautiful.
And there she was.
Standing outside her classroom, her back to us as she spoke to another student. My pulse immediately kicked into overdrive like a racecar hitting the straightaway.
She wore a simple gray dress today, the fabric clinging to her slender frame in ways that made my pants tight.
Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, a few rebellious strands escaping to brush against her neck.
I was in a fucking school . This was awful.
I shifted slightly, willing my dick to fucking relax, but the longer I stared at her, the further my thoughts strayed.
"Ms. Estelle!" Avery called, breaking free from my grip to race toward her target like a guided missile of childhood enthusiasm. "Ms. Estelle, guess what?"
Estelle turned, and the smile she gave Avery was genuine, warm in a way her smiles to me never were. Yet.
"Good morning, Avery," she greeted, her voice carrying that same gentle authority that made me want to misbehave just to hear her correct me. "What's got you so excited today?"