Chapter 4
IVY
Sunshine filtered through my blinds as I blinked the sleep from my eyes the following morning. The memory of Saxon’s kiss replayed in my head all night, so I didn’t get much rest. I headed straight to the kitchen to start the coffee brewing before hopping in the shower.
I was halfway through my first cup when my phone buzzed.
Saxon
Good morning.
His text was simple, but my pulse still sped up when I saw it. I typed out a reply before repeatedly stabbing my finger against the delete key because it looked too eager.
While I was trying to figure out what to say, another buzz lit up the screen.
Saxon
I enjoyed our conversation last night.
A laugh slipped out before I could stop it.
I’d spent most of the drive rambling while he listened in silence, occasionally nodding or humming as though I’d said something profound instead of sharing every random thought that popped into my head.
Except for the ones about him, which was my only saving grace.
It would’ve been mortifying if I’d blurted out how tempted I was to climb into his lap.
Me
That wasn’t a conversation. I did all the talking.
He replied almost immediately.
Saxon
I like the sound of your voice.
Heat crept up my neck.
Then another message followed.
Saxon
And I enjoyed getting to know you.
That was much sweeter than I expected from the intense football player who hadn’t said much the two times I’d been around him.
Me
I’m glad.
I stared at the thread until the screen dimmed, then quickly locked my phone and told myself to calm down. It wasn’t like Saxon had confessed his undying love. It was just a thoughtful message.
The butterflies in my stomach clearly hadn’t gotten the memo, because they were doing aerial stunts while I stood there grinning into my coffee.
My smile stayed on my face for the entire day.
No matter how many clients I had or how tired my feet got, it refused to fade.
Every time I caught sight of my reflection, there it was again—this ridiculous, happy grin.
I told myself it was just because it had been a good morning.
But I kept sneaking glances at the clock, and my heart raced at every notification my phone dinged, hoping to see Saxon’s name again on the screen.
By the time I finished my last client, the salon was empty except for Lorna, who grinned at me.
“You’ve been unusually tight-lipped about Saxon driving you home,” she teased as her gaze darted over my shoulder. “But it looks like I’m going to have to wait until tomorrow to grill you about it.”
When I turned toward the front window, my breath caught. Saxon’s SUV was parked at the curb. He leaned against the hood, his hands tucked into the pockets of his thick winter coat. His head was bowed slightly, as though he had all the time in the world.
Lorna smirked. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you getting home safe.”
I shot her an exasperated look, but she was already walking toward the back. Biting my lip to keep from smiling like a giddy schoolgirl, I slipped on my coat and zipped it up, then tugged on a pair of gloves.
Stepping outside, I hugged my purse strap a little tighter as I locked the door behind me. When I turned, Saxon straightened, his quiet confidence wrapping around him like a second skin.
“You were waiting for me?”
“Figured I’d make sure you got home safe.” His tone was even as his gaze swept over me. “I’m heading back to the city anyway. Ride with me.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”
“It’ll only bother me if you don’t get in the car,” he insisted, a muscle jumping in his chiseled jaw.
“When you put it like that, how can I say no?”
I shook my head with a laugh as I walked to his SUV.
“I guess I got lucky that you were out here on Long Island again today.”
Saxon just shrugged and opened the door.
The leather seat was warm as I slid onto it, and the interior smelled like cedar and spice—a scent that I’d dragged into my lungs last night.
He waited until I buckled before shutting the door and circling the vehicle to climb into the driver’s side. When he pulled away from the curb, quiet filled the SUV. But it wasn’t uncomfortable, just heavy with awareness.
After a few blocks, I blurted, “I did all the talking last night, so now it’s your turn.”
That earned a low laugh that left goose bumps in its wake.
I stared at him. “Wow. He laughs. I wasn’t sure that was possible.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Don’t get used to it.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
He glanced sideways, his eyes gleaming. “What do you want to know about me?”
My cheeks heated under his stare. “Anything.”
He paused long enough that I wondered if he’d answer at all. “I was born in Maine. Grew up in a small town. My dad raised us after my mom left. My two younger sisters and me.”
“Really?” I twisted in my seat. “That explains why you’re so patient. Sisters’ll do that to you.”
He huffed a quiet laugh. “Or scar you for life.”
“Guess that depends on the sisters.” I grinned. “Without any of my own, I wouldn’t know.”
He shot me a sidelong look that warmed something inside me I hadn’t realized was cold. “They’re good girls. Bossier than I liked, but they kept me grounded.”
“That’s sweet.”
He shrugged, his eyes back on the road. “They’re my family.”
“Your dad must be proud,” I said softly.
His chest expanded on a deep breath. “Yeah. He is.”
There was quiet affection in his voice, and I found myself wanting to hear more. “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“No, but I still prefer listening to you talk.”
“Your voice isn’t bad either.” He laughed again, and I felt a surge of feminine satisfaction that I was the one who was able to bring out this side in him. “Which means it’s still your turn to tell me more about yourself. Like how’d you end up here?”
“Football.” Unsatisfied with his one-word answer, I cleared my throat expectantly, and he finally added, “I got drafted by Chicago and played my rookie season there before getting traded to Minnesota for a few seasons. Then the Nighthawks snapped me up a couple of years ago.”
“Where you’ve been smashing records left and right.”
That earned me an amused glance. “You follow football?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Kinda hard not to when your best friend falls for the offensive coordinator.”
That earned me another deep chuckle. “Yeah, Cole lived and breathed the game until he met Lorna.”
“He makes plenty of time for her, but football is obviously still a huge part of his life.” I laughed along with him. “If they were having a boy instead of a girl, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Cole already bought him his first pair of cleats.”
“Or at least a mini Nighthawks jersey,” Saxon conceded. “But I can’t give him too hard a time about it when I owe him thanks.”
Leaning my elbow against the console between us, I propped my chin on my palm. “For forcing me to watch football?”
“For bringing you into my world.”
There was no missing the weight beneath his words, and my heart did an embarrassing little somersault.
I looked out the window, trying to steady my breathing as city lights blurred past. “You’re impossible to resist.”
The quiet between us grew heavier as we got closer to my building. The city blurred past in streaks of light until he eased the SUV to a stop at the curb.
I twisted my fingers in my lap, searching for something to say. “Thanks for the ride. Again.”
“Anytime.”
He left the engine running as he got out to open my door. When we got to the entrance of my building, my pulse beat in my throat, wild and unsteady. I could feel him looking at me, but I didn’t dare turn my head.
“About what you said earlier,” he murmured, breaking the silence.
My brows drew together. “That you’re impossible to resist?”
“Yeah.” His gaze cut toward me, his hazel eyes filled with heat. “The only impossible thing is not kissing you again.”
My breath caught. “Oh.”
He didn’t give me the chance to be embarrassed by my lame response as he reached for me. The back of his fingers brushed my jaw, the gentle touch enough to unravel every ounce of composure I’d barely managed to cling to. Then his lips found mine, and my thoughts scattered.
The kiss started soft, but the moment I sighed against his mouth, it deepened. Saxon’s hand slid into my hair, angling my head just right. The world around us disappeared, narrowing to the taste of him.
When he finally drew back, I felt dazed, like he’d stolen all the air between us.
Saxon rested his forehead against mine for a beat. When he finally pulled back, his thumb traced a lazy line along my lower lip before he dropped his hand. “Go inside, sunshine.”
The nickname melted me all over again. “Good night, Saxon.”
“Night.”
I opened the door, and my knees were unsteady as I took one step inside. I couldn’t help glancing over my shoulder one last time. Our gazes met, and the intensity in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.
I was in way over my head with Saxon…but it didn’t make me want him any less.