Now #3
“You can’t know that!”
“But I do. I have had a history of cramps in my left leg this season. I’m doing therapy for it.
And when my team analyzes the data, they will find that my behavior during the last three laps aligns with my excuse.
Plus, I told them via the comms what was going on.
You and I are the only two people who know what really happened, princess.
And I’m not telling anyone what went down.
So, unless you do, there will be no repercussions. ”
Stunned by how much he’s thought this through, I stare up at him with contained anger for a moment.
“I can’t believe you did that,” I say. “And you’ve implicated me in this. All for what? So I’d come to Barcelona? I don’t like having my hand forced, Jackson!”
“I’m not forcing you to come. You’re a big girl, Evie. You can do whatever you want.”
“Heck yeah, I can. And you know what? Now that the race is over, I’m sure there’s some vacancy in Monaco. So I’ll be getting myself another room.”
I advance toward the door, ready to leave him and his insane behavior behind. But as I pull on it, his hand slams it shut.
My eyes widen as I let out a surprised gasp. He’s right behind me and, while we aren’t touching, I’m suddenly warm all over.
“Do you want to know why I did it?” he rasps in my ear.
I shake my head, but he doesn’t seem to care.
“It was to show you how much I’ve changed, Evie.
I made mistakes back then, and the biggest one was putting my career first. I thought the faster I got there, the quicker we’d get our happy life together.
So, I neglected you while telling myself I was doing it for the greater good, that I’d make up for it later, with that lush, comfortable house I promised you all those years ago. ”
His heated breath fans right over my neck, so I barely jolt when his lips meet the skin there, expecting it.
“But all that is over, Evangeline. Today was my way of showing you I will always put you first. You come before my wins, my reputation, my career … You come first in line for everything. You are my number one priority, which you should always have been, princess.”
It’s so hard to think past the sensations he triggers in me. Almost impossible, even. Especially when his lips trace a soft line to my ear.
“I told you we weren’t getting back together,” I breathe out before swallowing hard.
“I know that. And I’m not trying to force you to stay—for Barcelona or for longer. But if you want to leave me in your past again and move on, I think you deserve the full picture, and I deserve a chance to show it to you. It’s only fair, isn’t it?”
He’s come closer, so slowly that I hadn’t even realized until now. But it’s already too late. I’m pinned to the door with my back to his front, his full lips driving me mad.
This isn’t fair. Everything would be so much easier if the air didn’t sizzle with tension every time we’re in the same room, or if my legs didn’t grow weak whenever his mouth is on me, or if I could think straight as he presses his hardening length onto my backside.
Anger slowly gives room to lust, and while it doesn’t allow much space for thinking either, my perception of what he did today shifts. Especially now that I realize how much he’s thought this through and covered his tracks, ensuring nothing bad can come of it.
He lost a race, broke his flawless performance streak these past few months, just for the possibility of spending more time with me. He risked his entire career for mere days together.
It might be the most romantic thing he’s ever done for me. By far.
And although I want to deny it, it shows just how much he’s changed since we were last together.
Twenty-three-year-old Jackson would have never lost a race for me, certainly not for a few extra days together.
And twenty-two-year-old me would never have asked for it, as focused on his success as he was.
Jax’s big hands on my hips slowly twist me around until I’m facing him. His mismatched eyes are dark, and I lose myself in their intensity.
Things have changed. I’ve noticed it already, but it’s getting harder and harder to deny.
He isn’t the boy that I left all those years ago. He’s a grown man who’s had time to figure out exactly what he wants for himself. Somehow, he’s decided that it’s me, no matter the cost or the sacrifice.
And as much as I know things can’t have changed enough for our story to work this time around, I’m only human.
And it’s so hard to remember why I should turn around and head for the hills.
Especially when he looks at me like this.
Like I’m all he wants. Like I’m all he’s ever wanted, actually.
And if I’m being honest with myself, I know exactly the feeling.
Where do we go from here?
Scared about what the answer might be, I tug him into me, forcing our lips to meet. I don’t want to figure out how this will end. Not yet. But I can’t decide if that’s cowardice or courage.
Maybe a bit of both …