Page 50 of For the Promise

I jump over the hedge, pulling Jaxon with me. I lay flat on the ground. Jaxon opens his mouth to speak but I slap a hand over his mouth. “Quiet,” I hiss.

“Blossom! Blossom!” Alan yells as he runs past.

I wait a few minutes after he passes before kneeling and peeking over the hedge. Alan’s nowhere to be seen.

“Phew. He’s gone.”

“One thing you were right about,” Jaxon says.

“What?”

He pulls a twig out of my hair. “You need to wash your hair.”

I slap his shoulder. “It’s not my fault they’re doing the wine tasting next to reception. I would have walked around if I’d known.”

He stands and pulls me to my feet. “I’m glad I discovered my wife enjoys playing dirty.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”

“Want to get in the hot tub with me?” I ask when we arrive at the chalet.

His blue eyes darken but he shakes his head. “Nah. I want to finish listening to my podcast.”

“You can listen to your podcast in the hot tub. I won’t mind.” It’d give me the chance to study his naked chest and shoulders without him realizing it.

His nose wrinkles. “I’m not much for hot tubs. I’ll go for a walk.”

My stomach sinks as he shuts the door behind him. I was looking forward to spending some time with my husband. But he couldn’t escape fast enough.

It’s a good reminder – this marriage is fake. Despite the massive diamond ring. And the beautiful flowers.

Fake, Blossom. Fake. Fake. Fake.

Jaxon hasn’t returned by the time I drag myself out of the hot tub and into the shower. I’m drying my hair in my bra and panties when I realize I didn’t bring my dress into the bathroom. I set the hairdryer down on the vanity.

“Jaxon!” When he doesn’t respond, I slowly open the door. “Jaxon!”

I peek into the bedroom. When I ascertain it’s empty, I rush to the closet where I hung up my dresses earlier. I grab the dress for tonight and whirl around.

I freeze when I realize Jaxon is standing rooted to a spot at the door. “Sorry. I … um… forgot my dress.”

His gaze rakes over me from top to toe. My body vibrates with excitement in response. It urges me to cross the space between us and jump Jaxon.

I’m tempted. Severely tempted. But this man ignored me for weeks after we kissed. I can’t risk his rejection. Certainly not now, when I know how kind and sweet he is. What a gentleman he is. His kind rejection would kill me.

“I’ll just…” I rush across the room to the bathroom. I slam the door behind me and lean against it as I inhale large gulps of air.

I bet sex with Jaxon would be intense, considering the way he gets hyper focused. I want his attention focused on me. While we’re both naked. And sweaty.

My alarm beeps to let me know we need to leave in five minutes and I shove away from the door. There’s no time to dream about sex with the hot nerd now.

“You clean up nice,” I tell Jaxon as we walk to the rehearsal dinner.

He’s wearing a suit and tie. The suit must be custom made since it fits his broad shoulders and narrow waist perfectly. The tie matches his blue eyes. He’s sexy in his nerdy t-shirts and jeans but in a suit? He’s nearly irresistible.

He tugs at the knot of the tie at his neck. “I don’t understand how Eli wears a tie every day. It’s uncomfortable.”

“I suppose you get used to it. The way women get used to high heels.”

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