Chapter 30
THIRTY
Yet again, Jaxon and I find ourselves riding down in the elevator together. He seems just as wonderstruck as I am. It’s not like him to let silence reign for too long, but yes—he’s been bewildered into silence.
“That was… interesting,” I say, needing to take his temperature.
“Agreed.”
“But this... living with you. She can’t seriously mean—”
My chiming phone steals my attention. It’s a message from my new assistant, Kat Lake.
Kat Lake, Monday 10:32 AM
A car will be at your house at 1:30 PM to drive you to Jaxon Wilde’s apartment. Please be packed. I will be at your place before then to pick up a key and a gate opener. If you don’t have a spare, I’ll take care of it. Thank you for this opportunity. It will be a pleasure to meet you.—KL
“Look.” I hold up my phone to show Jaxon the message. “This is really happening. It’s a nightmare.”
Gradually—like watching the sun drop behind a mountain—Jaxon’s open, curious expression twists into irritation.
“This is your fault. Not mine.”
I grunt. “I know this. I screwed up. I get it. Jeez. Do you always have to be an asshole? And please don’t make this harder than it already is.”
Like a snake striking, Jaxon’s long arm shoots out to press the stop button.
“You know what?” he says, turning to face me. He inches closer.
And closer.
Until he’s so near I can feel the heat radiating off his body. My head spins. I press myself against the wall, trying to stay upright as my heart becomes a firing range of panic and… something else.
His face inches toward mine.
I watch his tongue sweep slowly across his bottom lip, like he’s not even aware of doing it. His warm, minty breath grazes my mouth. The air between us practically shimmers with tension.
We stay like this for a few seconds—but it feels like forever.
I don’t know what I want from him.
Push him away?
No. I don’t want that.
Kiss him?
God, no. I shouldn’t want that.
The space between my thighs throbs. Reaches. Do I want that?
No.
No way.
Then slowly—his sexy mouth moves closer to my left ear.
“I won’t be home when you arrive,” he murmurs. “I have recovery today. But look around. Make yourself comfortable.”
A pause.
“And be nice to me, Zara. I’ve earned it. Don’t you think?”
Oh shit.
His nearness is driving me insane. And I know this isn’t about him personally—I don’t like Jaxon. I hate him. It’s just that... it’s been too long. He’s a walking aphrodisiac. When this is over, I need to start dating again. For real.
“Is that a yes?” he asks, lips still at my ear.
He’s not going to move until I say something. I can feel it.
“Um-hmm,” I manage.
“Good.”
Finally, I’m released from the prison of his nearness.
I stare at his back as he presses the start button. The doors slide open immediately.
And I’m still speechless as Jaxon strolls out of the elevator like he doesn’t just own the world—
He owns me too.