Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Adalyn felt something soft brush across her cheek, and a masculine smell filled her nostrils.
She breathed deeply, trying to draw in as much of the scent as possible.
It was delicious—kind of watery without being overpowering.
She let it wash over her, wanting to roll around in it until it wrapped around her body and sank into every pore.
“Hey, sleeping beauty. Time to wake up,” Jaxon said, his sexy, raspy voice tickling her consciousness. Slowly, she blinked her eyes open. “Mmm… Hey,” she replied.
He smiled down at her. “There she is.”
“I—Oh!” The bright afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows caught her attention, and she bolted upright, automatically glancing toward the clock. “What time is it? Where’s Jaclyn? What—”
“Shhh.” Jaxon gently pushed her back down. “Jaclyn is taking a nap. Everything’s fine.”
“Oh, God.” She fell back to the pillows with a soft groan and scrubbed a hand over her face. “I hate that feeling. Like I’m running late because I overslept.”
Jaxon brushed a hand over her hair, the effect soothing her and calming her racing heart. “You’re fine, sweetheart. Just relax.”
She curled into him, enjoying the feel of his hand stroking lightly over her arm. With her nose tucked into the crook of his neck, she inhaled deeply. God, he smelled so good. Jaxon’s chest rose and fell with a chuckle. “Are you sniffing me?”
Even though he couldn’t see her face, she bit her lip to hide a guilty smile. “No.”
His hand slid up her arm and over her throat, cupping her chin and turning her face toward him. Her gaze collided with his, eyes dark with desire. Dipping his head, he brushed his nose over her jaw, then spoke against her lips. “It’s okay if you are.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied.
He smiled as if he knew she was full of it. “That’s too bad. Because I love the way you smell. And taste.”
His mouth covered hers, his kiss brutal and breathtaking. Her lips parted, and he took advantage, sweeping his tongue inside.
Jaxon shifted them to their sides and pulled back a bit to look at her.
His gaze unerringly took in every line of her expression, and his fingertips trailed over the apples of her cheeks, down the line of her jaw, and over her lower lip.
“I remember exactly what you look like. How you sound. That night in Vegas is burned into my memory.”
She blushed fiercely. Though she’d never admitted it out loud, it was the same for her. It had been the best night of her life. At the time, she thought it was just because she was upset over the debacle with Shawn. She thought that being with Jaxon reinforced her femininity, her desirability.
But now, feeling whatever this was growing between them, she knew it was more. Gone were her insecurities and reservations. She had wanted Jaxon like she’d never wanted anyone before. She wanted to feel that way again—cherished, loved, desired.
As if reading her mind, he spoke. “Next time, though…”
He traced one finger down her sternum, and sensation streamed through her. Jaclyn’s soft cry cut through the air, and she fell to her back with a soft groan.
Jaxon chuckled and kissed her one last time before pushing off the bed. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll make it up to you later.”