Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
This woman was something else. And she deserved more than the idiot who’d run her through the emotional wringer. What a jerk.
Jaxon was infuriated on her behalf. The man had led her on, letting her think she wasn’t good enough when he was the one who’d been at fault. Who cheated on a woman like Adalyn?
Her warm, lithe body pressed to his felt like absolute perfection.
Her heels boosted her a couple extra inches, bringing her forehead right in line with his lips.
He felt huge next to most girls, awkward and ungainly.
But Adalyn was the perfect height, and he knew she’d fit him like a glove.
He wondered if he’d ever have the chance to feel her silky skin sliding against his rough, scarred flesh.
That sexy grin slayed him, and he slipped off the stool. Holding his arm out to her like the gentleman he most certainly was not, he asked, “Where are we headed?”
She curled a hand around his bicep and fell into step next to him, then misstepped and fell against him. She dissolved into a fit of giggles as she righted herself. “Oops! Sorry!”
“You good?” He slipped a hand around her waist to steady her, his fingers curving into the soft flesh of her hip.
“Never better.” She tossed him a sexy, sultry smile, and he studied her.
They’d shared a few drinks at the bar, but she’d taken her time with them, and she wasn’t slurring her words.
Deciding she was at least passably sober—as much as he was, anyway—he led her outside.
Lights winked at them overhead, and they strolled leisurely down the Strip in comfortable silence.
Once in a while, she’d point or pull him to a stop to take in some attraction.
Mostly, though, they just enjoyed being together.
He focused on the feel of her pressed against his side, the soft curve of her hip beneath his palm. He splayed his fingers, pressing ever so gently into her flesh. She tipped her chin up at him, a beautiful smile lighting her face.
He couldn’t help it any longer. He pulled her to a stop and cupped the back of her head in his hand. Holding her, he dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. Everything around them disappeared the moment they connected, bleeding into the distance.
Lifting his head, he stared into those pretty eyes. The same ones that had drawn him to her in the first place. Only, instead of sadness, they now held hunger. Lust.
He liked the feel of her next to him. He liked her quiet, composed demeanor.
He liked Adalyn—really liked her. It was a stupid, senseless thought, but one he couldn’t help nonetheless.
He could see himself with someone like her.
He could see himself with her. From what he could tell, she was smart and business savvy.
The fact that she was gorgeous was just the cherry on top.
He was tired of being alone, of having no one to come home to. Adalyn was still hurting from a betrayal she’d never seen coming—not only from the idiot she’d been engaged to but her best friend as well. He couldn’t imagine the damage that would do to a woman.
“You deserve better.”
A tiny line appeared between her eyebrows. “Okay?”
“I would never cheat on you.” He startled both of them with his statement.
Her mouth formed a perfectly round ‘O’ of surprise. “I don’t… I don’t know what that means,” she whispered.
Of course she didn’t. They’d known each other for a couple of hours, but he felt…
something when he looked at her, when he touched her.
And she’d already admitted earlier that she was attracted to him.
He only had one more tour—he needed to put in another year, then he’d be out.
Adalyn had her business—she’d have something to focus on while he was gone.
Then they could find out if this thing between them was worth pursuing.
He couldn’t believe he was even considering this. Feeling her out, he squeezed her hand. “Have you ever considered a long-distance relationship?”
Her eyes darted to his, wide with surprise. “Jaxon…”
He tugged her closer and framed her face with his hands. “I know it sounds crazy, but Addy…” The nickname slipped off his tongue like silk. “I like you a lot. You already know I’m attracted to you.”
She blinked up at him, her mouth parted slightly as she digested his words. “We haven’t spent much time together, but you just… I feel this connection with you. Do you feel it too?”
She swallowed hard, then nodded hesitantly. “I… I think so.”
He took her hands in his, heedless of the people funneling around them on the sidewalk. “I will always take care of you. I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”
“Are you… You’re serious?”
He almost cringed at the incredulity in her tone. Was that a good sign or a bad one? He pressed on. “Only if you want to. You deserve so much better than that idiot. Let me be that man,” he begged.
“But… why? Why me?” Genuine confusion filled her eyes, as if she had no idea why he was even asking. Was she really so insecure?
“I know you don’t know me—but I know me. And I know what I want, Adalyn. I want you.”
She stared up at him for a long moment, unblinking. Every muscle tensed as she opened her mouth to speak, sure she was going to shoot him down. Her mouth closed, and she gave a little nod instead. Hope and lightness filled his heart. “Is that a yes? You’ll give me a chance?”
She licked her lips, eyes never leaving his. “Yes.”
His mouth broke into a huge smile, and he moved his hands to frame her beautiful face, her expression still a bit bemused.
He crushed his mouth to hers, his tongue slipping between the seam of her lips, tasting every inch of her.
The kiss was hot and hard and insistent, and he broke away, breathing hard.
He pressed his forehead to hers, his nose brushing hers as he spoke. “I won’t let you down, Adalyn Vale. You’re mine now.”