Page 83 of For the Promise

“Even if you stay on the island, it doesn’t matter. We’re too different.”

“Too different?”

“You’re outgoing and don’t get scared to walk into a room full of people.”

“I’m being punished for being an extrovert?”

“Not punished. You’ll be bored of me in no time.”

“Really?” I raise an eyebrow. “No other man has poured chocolate and champagne all over me before licking it off.”

He frowns. “Most of the champagne ended up on the sheets.”

I giggle. “I thought your face was going to burst into flames with how red it was when you phoned the reception to ask for new sheets.”

“It’s not nice to tease.”

I snort. “You spent half the night teasing me.”

He smirks. “Different kind of teasing.”

My nipples perk up at the promise in his voice. “Why don’t we continue this?” I ask before I realize what words were going to come out of my mouth.

“Continue what?”

The question is out there. I might as well fight for what I want. I motion between us. “Enjoying each other.”

“Hooking up?”

I shrug. “Sure.”

He shakes his head and my stomach sinks to my toes. He’s saying no. He’s not choosing me. He doesn’t want me for more than a bit of fun on a weekend. I feel exposed and tighten the sheet around my naked body.

“I don’t want a friends with benefits situation.”

He doesn’t … Hold on. We’re speaking about two different things.

“I didn’t mean friends with benefits.”

He frowns as he reaches over me to snatch his glasses from the nightstand and put them on. “What did you mean?”

Holy smugglers. He’s going to make me say the words.

“I enjoy how much chemistry we have between us. It’s explosive and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.” His nod is the encouragement I need to continue. “But I want to explore more than our chemistry. I want to get to know you. Spend time with you outside of the bedroom.”

“As in dating and a relationship?”

“Yes,” I agree and hold my breath as he contemplates his answer.

He fiddles with his glasses and I dig my fingers into my thighs to stop myself from throwing the glasses away and climbing on top of him to convince him to pick me. To give us a chance. But sex is not the way to convince Jaxon. He needs logic and reasoning.

“I’ve had a great time this weekend. Outside of this bed. At the rehearsal dinner Friday. The wedding yesterday. Even the dinner with those assholes who thought they were better than us was fun because I was with you.”

“The dinner yesterday wasn’t horrible.”

“Until you punched the groom in the face.”

“Alan deserved it.”

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