Page 37 of The Arrogant's Redemption

I’ve never acted this ravenous with a woman. Wanting Alexis has unleashed something primal inside me, making me forget we’re in plain sight.

Only when I hear distant voices do I force myself to stop.

She’s still caught in the haze of desire and doesn’t understand when I pull back and wrap my arms around her to shield her from prying eyes.

“No,” she whimpers.

“Shhh . . . We can’t do this here. Come to my place.” I can still feel my cock pulsing against her stomach, and the caveman in me wants to take her right here, in front of everyone.

I hate this. The loss of control, this unfamiliar need. So I force her back to reality too. “We’re in public. I don’t want to expose you.”

Her eyes finally flutter open, and now—mixed in with the storm of passion—is shame. She plants her hands on my chest and pushes me away.

I let her, just enough for her to believe she’s putting space between us—when in truth, I already know Alexis won’t go far. Not until I’ve satisfied this hunger for her.

“Oh my God! I need to?—”

“If you run, you’ll draw even more attention.”

“You don’t get it. This is a small town. Everyone’s gonna talk!”

“Come with me.”

She stares at me, horrified, understanding the weight behind those words. “No. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I’m not that kind of girl, Jasper.”

“LJ,” I correct her.

“What?”

“Jasper is my middle name. No one calls me that.”

“That’s the name you gave me!” she snaps with an accusing tone, taking a step back. She has every right to be angry, and the only excuse I have is that when we first met, I didn’t expect to see her again.

Sure, but you could’ve corrected it later. Why didn’t you?

Because my last name is well-known across the country, and I liked being anonymous to Alexis—even if I hadn’t yet realized how much I wanted her until I tasted her.

“Well, now you know. My name is Lazarus Jasper. Like I said before—LJ.”

She ignores me and bends down to grab her board. “I don’t care what your name is. I’m not stupid. You thought I was beneath you. That’s why you didn’t give me your real name. Don’t worry. I still have no idea who you are.”

She turns to leave, but I follow and grab her arm. “I live in Manhattan. I’m a cardiac surgeon. And I’d like to take you to dinner tonight, Alexis.”

I can see the turmoil on her young face. I know she wants to say yes, so I’m surprised when she shakes her head. “I should’ve listened when you warned me you’d hurt me. We already started off wrong. Don’t think what happened a few minutes ago is normal for me.”

“I didn’t?—”

“Yes, you did. You invited me to your place because that’s what you’re used to doing. I wish I were braver and had said yes, because I hate the feeling of always wondering what could’ve been if I had gone with you. But here’s a really ugly truth: I’m a coward, LJ.”

She tries to pull away, but I don’t let go. With my free hand, I reach into the waterproof pocket of my shorts for my wallet. “Wait.”

She props the board upright in the sand, not quite setting it down.

I release her to open my wallet. “These are my numbers. Call me if you change your mind.”

She hesitates again but takes the card, then walks away without another word.

Ten minutes later, with my head spinning, I’m driving to Morrison’s place when the hospital calls, informing that a European government leader I operated on a few years ago has been admitted and needs surgery again. He won’t accept another doctor. Internally, I thank fate for this temporary escape.

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