Page 126 of Hope & Harmony

The sudden sound of loud conversation close to us had us springing apart, panic flaring in Jaxon’s wide eyes. I stepped back, running a hand through my hair as I exhaled harshly, trying to compose myself. How had we both managed to get so carried away that we’d forgotten where we were? Not that I necessarily minded a PDA, and we were outside a gay bar that had seen way more action than our kisses, but Jaxon was clearly uncomfortable. The sooner we got back to his place, the better.

“Let’s go. How far is your place? Do we need to get a taxi? It might be quicker to get an Uber than wait for a black cab.”

He tugged his phone from his pocket, frowning down at the screen. His hair was falling into his eyes, and my fingers itched to brush it back. I shoved my hands into my pockets instead.

“Uber,” he said. “It’s a lot further than I thought.” Then, he glanced up at me, the nerves that had been there only moments ago melting away. Moving closer, he lowered his voice, shooting me a heated look from beneath his lashes. “Too far when all I want is to get you alone.”

I was in complete agreement. “Yeah. Uber. Now.”

CHAPTER 4

CURTIS

When we slid into the Uber, the driver greeted us, and then did a double take, grinning as he eyed Jaxon. “Mate, has anyone ever told ya you look like that singer Jay Bowman? Course, ya don’t have the right hair, but if ya did…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “My missus is a big fan. It’d make her day to have a real celebrity in here.”

Next to me, Jaxon had gone very still, and when I looked at him, I saw his jaw clench, his throat working as he swallowed hard. “Have you ever had anyone famous in here?” His voice sounded different—softer, his accent less pronounced. He ignored the driver’s question, and I had nothing to add because I had no idea who Jay whatever was.

The driver began recounting a story about the time he’d driven a daytime TV presenter to the Emirates stadium for a football match, and bit by bit, Jaxon relaxed next to me. When the driver fell silent, I leaned over to him, sliding my hand onto his thigh, just above his knee. Time to get back on track.

“Has anyone ever told you that you look like—” His body went rigid again, his wide-eyed gaze flying to mine. I lightly squeezed the tense muscle of his thigh, dipping my head to hisear. “What I was going to say was, has anyone ever told you that you look like someone I want to do bad, bad things to?”

He huffed out a soft laugh. “Does that line normally work on people?”

Pressing a kiss to the skin beneath his ear, I smiled. “Honestly? I don’t normally use lines. Is it working on you, though? That’s all I care about right now.”

His hand covered mine, sliding them both higher up his thigh. “You don’t need to use any lines with me. I’m a sure bet.”

“Good.” I kissed lower, then nipped at his jaw. He groaned low in his throat.

“This is…”

“This is what?”

“Different.”

Raising my head, I met his heavy-lidded gaze. He was so fucking gorgeous, all turned on, and I couldn’t wait to get him alone. “Different good?”

“Very, very good,” he confirmed. His lips curved upwards. “I’m about to find out just how good, I hope.”

As if on cue, the Uber slowed to a crawl, and Jaxon tore his gaze away from mine, blinking as he turned his attention to the driver. “Uh, it’s the building on the left with the black door.” I shivered at the sexy rasp in his voice. What was it about this man that made me want him so badly? Yeah, he was gorgeous, but no one had ever managed to get me this worked up so fast, had never made me feel like I needed them so badly.

When we made it inside his flat, we were on each other the second the door closed behind us. I had no idea what his flat looked like, or even where we were. My entire focus was on Jaxon, hot, hard, and hungry for me.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say it was the best night of my life.

“Morning.” I squinted against the sudden brightness as I stepped over the threshold of Jaxon’s kitchen. Remaining in the doorway, I waited. I wanted to take my cues from him, because as much as I liked this guy and wanted to see him again, it might have only been a one-night thing for him. One epic, hot night, that I knew we’d both be feeling the effects of for at least the next day or two?—

Jaxon turned around, and I gasped. Not only feeling the effects…there was visible evidence, too.

“Admiring your handiwork?” He smirked at me. “Come on in. Want a coffee? I’m running low on food supplies, but there’s a cafe close by that does awesome breakfasts.”

He didn’t want me to leave. My smile was helpless as I crossed the small kitchen to stand in front of him. I traced a fingertip over the marks I’d left on his neck. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to go all vampire on you.”

“Have you checked a mirror?” Tugging me into him, he pressed a soft kiss to my lips, and whoa. Butterflies. A whole horde of them. “We were both attacked by a rogue vampire.”

“Yeah?” I kissed him again. “At least we match, I guess.”

When we broke apart, his cheeks were flushed, and I could feel the evidence of his arousal against my thigh. I was in the same state, and with both of us only wearing boxer briefs, there was no hiding it. He pressed closer, dipping his head to my ear. “Mmm. New plan. Forget the coffee. Let’s shower, and then I’ll take you out to breakfast.”

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