Page 34 of Reputation
He smiled, watching the battle in Eavie’s eyes.His words had landed their mark, but she was fighting to accept them.He hoped she would say something in response, anything to keep her here a little longer.She took a deep breath before turning to look up at him.
Her eyes had melted into liquid pools of blue.Her height brought her to the perfect level, her lips a breath away.He could kiss her so easily, all he had to do was lean forward and their lips would meet.
Jax stared down at her, barely restraining his desire to do just that.He watched her battle the same feelings he felt pulsing through his body before plastering a sweet smile on her face.
“Have a good day,” Eavie said, glancing at his lips, “Mr.Morghan.”
He felt her breath brush across his mouth before she stepped to the side and was gone, taking the warmth of her body with her.He stood, feet rooted to the spot, watching her walk away, wishing he could follow her.He was tired of always watching her do that, even if it was an incredible view.
Chapter Fourteen
Eavie
Had she lost her fucking mind?
What had she been thinking, letting herself get that close to him—close enough to smell his soap, to feel his breath on her face?She was obviously going insane.Not two hours ago, she had resolved to stay as far away from him as she could, and here she was, letting his words mean something.
I’m sorry about the other day.
She just couldn’t help herself.On the heels of her again questioning the two versions of himself she kept seeing, the sincerity of his gaze made that gut feeling roar to life again, giving her heart hope that it was true.It didn’t help that the southern part of her body was on her heart’s side.
There isn’t a single place in this building you can hide from me.
She didn’t want to hide.
No.You cannot go down that path.
Stupid, stupid woman.Clearly, she needed to be reminded of what was at stake—and a cold shower, she decided as she stormed back to her office.
She felt Mandy’s curiosity at her abrupt change in mood as she stomped to her desk and slumped into her chair.She had to get control of herself before Sam came back from lunch.Reaching for her water bottle, she took a healthy swallow.
Okay, she told herself, no more.She would avoid him as much as possible until the heat between them died.It wouldn’t take too long if she kept her distance and focused on her work.Today was pure chance, but it wouldn’t happen again.
A few minutes later, when Sam walked back through her office, she felt calmer.
“Legal called,” she said, switching gears and into work mode.“Nic needs to speak with you about the upcoming contract negotiations.”
“Right.Can you schedule a meeting with him this week?”Sam asked, heading toward his office.“Oh.”He paused just outside the door, turning back to her.“I need you to clear my schedule for tomorrow morning.I want to be at the team’s practice.”
“Of course.”She jotted down the note on a watermelon post-it.She swallowed before she continued.“Do you need me to go with you?”she asked, mentally crossing her fingers that he would say no.
“No, that’s fine.I actually need your help to review the contracts Nic wants to discuss.His team is supposed to send them over sometime today.I would appreciate it if you could look them over when they get here.”
“No problem,” she confirmed, adding to her sticky note.
This was precisely what she needed, something to divert her thoughts and focus her attention on.If she continued like this, she would get over…whatever this thing with Jax was.
The email notification in the corner of her screen drew her eye.It came from Molly and was addressed to the entire operations team.The subject readThanksgiving Volunteer Assignments.
The Royals and the Heirs always did an afternoon or evening of volunteer work leading up to the holiday.Opening the email, she skimmed the message, one corner of her lips lifting at the vague threat about this being mandatory.
She opened the attached PDF of the assignments and searched the groups for her name.She spotted it under the Field of Dreams project on the second page.She smiled, having heard of the charity before.They gave homeless and needful youth a safe place and access to play sports, aimed at using the activities to provide them with a chance at a future.
As she scanned the remaining four names of her group, she sighed out loud at the one right above hers.
Jax Morghan.
Of course, she thought bitterly.Fate really did have a sense of humor.
