Page 84 of Reputation
He lifted his head and kissed her temple before stepping back to lean against the counter again, his ankles crossed in front of him.She glanced at him over her shoulder, scanning him up and down.
He stood in just his tight black Calvin Klein briefs, muscles rippling under the skin on his shoulders, chest and abs….all eight of them.The deep grooves that indented his stomach every few inches made her want to lick him.He looked like the hottest underwear model she had ever seen.Damn, she wanted to do nothing but run her hands all over his hard body.
He raised one eyebrow as his eyes took on a dark glint.“Are you going to the Savard’s Halloween party?”he asked.
Bending down, she pulled a pan from the cupboard and placed it on her cooktop.“I am,” she confirmed casually.“Mandy and I are going together.”
“Is that so?”
“Mmhmm,” she murmured, continuing to make breakfast, though she was keenly aware of him.“Are you going?”
“I had been thinking about it,” he said, watching her movements like a hawk.“Now, I’m definitely going.”
She chuckled.“Well, good.I look forward to seeing you there.”
Dropping the veggies in the pan, Eavie pivoted to grab the cheese to start grating but came face to face with Jax.She gasped, not expecting him to be so close.
He backed her against the island as the pepper, onion, and mushrooms began to sizzle in the pan.He lowered his head so his lips brushed hers teasingly, but instead of kissing her, he murmured, “What if I wanted you to go with me instead?”he asked, his voice low as his breath rushed across her lips.
She pulled in a deep breath before licking her lips.She wanted that too, but even though they had crossed into this physical relationship, until she knew where it was going or what either of them wanted, no one could know.
She brushed her fingers against his jaw, which was rough with a couple of days of scruff.“Jax,” she breathed, dragging one finger over his full lower lip.“You know we can’t.”She gazed into his endless gray eyes.“No one can know about us.If anyone found out, I could be fired.”
He nodded, his gaze flicking down to her lips.“I know,” he said quietly.“I know I promised to keep it a secret.It’s just harder than I thought.”
Eavie nodded her head in agreement.Her feelings for him had seemingly tripled overnight, and the prospect of only being able to be with him in private seemed impossible.“But we don’t even know what this is.”
“What do you want it to be?”Jax asked, his hands curling around her hips.
“What doyouwant it to be?”she batted the question back.
For her, her job stood in their way, her chance at the future permanent offer.That, at least, had an end date.She knew if there was a way to be with him, she would want to be.
But for him—she had a feeling he had emotional scars that he needed to work through.She had seen it when he’d spoken of his engagement.He’d tried to pretend it was all fine, but she’d seen the sadness, the doubt there.Those obstacles were more complicated to overcome.
He gazed at her, his eyes softening as he considered her question.It was a look that had her heart beating faster in a way that made her feel a little sick.
“I like you, Eavie.I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” Jax confessed quietly, but his eyes turned into solid steel before he spoke again.“But I don’t have a heart to give you.”
Hers ached in her chest at his words.It made her want to weep for him—her kind, caring man.
She smoothed the hair at his temple back with her fingers.“You know, I don’t believe that,” she said.“I’ve seen the real you, the one you keep hidden beneath the mask.I think you have more love in you than you realize.”She looked back into his eyes as she trailed her fingers to his jaw.“When I look at you, I don’t see the playboy you try to convince the world you are, and I know that you have some pain in your past that makes you believe that.But what I see when I look at you is the man who teaches Timbits hockey, the boy that helped out a teammate in need, then turned that into a charity that helps so many kids find their futures.The one who saved me when I was trapped by that drunk asshole, and the one who fumbled over his words after admitting he was watching me that first night in the bar.”
Tears stung her eyes as she thought about everything she knew about him and how it physically hurt her that he believed he didn’t have a heart.Eavie blinked them back, though, because she couldn’t let him see.If he wasn’t ready to offer that part of him to her, she couldn’t let him see how much she had already fallen for him.
“But, if this is all you can give me,” she continued, gesturing between them, “then let’s just see where it goes.Let’s keep it quiet and, for now, not think about all the can’ts or don’ts.”
He was quiet, pondering her words.She continued to look at him, a small, hopeful smile on her lips.It wouldn’t be easy, but she could accept this—for now.
Finally, he nodded.“Will you tell me what your costume is so I can at least find you?”he asked.
She tilted her head, relaxing as they shifted back to more comfortable ground.An idea began to form in her mind.They may not be able to go together, but they could still have some fun.A wicked smile rose to her lips as the idea took root.
“How about this?”She dragged one finger down the center of his chest teasingly.“Let’s play a little game.If you find me tonight, without knowing what my costume is,” she said, her voice husky and seductive, “I’ll go home with you tonight.”
His eyes darkened until storm clouds brewed in them.His chest vibrated against hers as he groaned his interest, his hand smoothing up her spine.“You promise?”he purred into her ear.
Her teasing smile widened further.“I promise,” she said, moving to press her mouth against his.
