Page 26 of Reputation
Eavie could feel Mandy watching her—watching them, but Jax’s gaze held her.Logic and desire warred within her as she gazed into his ensnaring eyes.Luckily, her brain was stronger, coming out on top tonight, screaming over the incapacitating rush of want in her melted core, that she should stay far, far away from him.
Slamming her walls back up, she finally answered, “You will not.”
Jax’s smile deepened, his gaze tracking her face as if he could see beneath, to the heat that burned within her.As he stepped back, he said, “Too bad.Orbit has some nice dark corners.”
“What happened to co-workers?”Eavie scowled, bristling at his manner once again.
“People can talk in dark corners just as well as they can…” he paused, his eyes darkening, “Do other things.”With a wink, he turned, heading back to the locker room.
Fuck me.She knew all too well the things he could do in dark corners.
His comment had all sorts of dirty thoughts flipping through her mind as her body ignited with an aching desire, desperate to pick up where they had left off.Refusing to let him see any of that, she narrowed her eyes and gave him her best unimpressed look.
When he walked away, she was granted an excellent view of his backside, which was just as impressive as the front.She could see the ripples of muscles in his back and shoulders while his ass flexed with every step.
After a moment, she caught herself and spun away, coming face to face with Mandy, who was watching her with a serious look.
“What?”Eavie asked, trying to look innocent.
“What was that?”
Eavie pursed her lips.“Nothing,” she said, crossing her arms.
Mandy blinked at her, silence settling around them for a few heartbeats.“You know you can’t get involved with him,” she said.
“Of course I know that,” Eavie answered, surprised that Mandy felt she needed to remind her.She wasn’t sure what made her think she was interested in him.
“Then tell me what that was about.Why did he call youCinderella?Do you two know each other?”
Eavie sighed, figuring she might as well tell her the truth.Well, maybe an edited version.
“Not exactly.I met him at a bar the night I signed the contract to work with the Royals.When we first started talking, I had no idea who he was,” she said, looking in the direction he had gone.“As soon as I found out, I left.And I don’t know why he calls me that.”
Liar, a voice in her head cackled.You know exactly why he calls you that.
Despite being embarrassed about getting caught ogling Jax’s body, Eavie tried to laugh it off.“And I’m only a woman.No mortal could resist looking.But I’m not interested in him.I was appreciating the scenery,” she said cheekily, hoping it would distract Mandy.
She let out a snort.“Okay, as long as you know.”She shot Eavie anI’ll pretend like I believe youlook.
Eavie was well aware about what was on the line for her.Too bad Jax made risking her career and reputation far too tempting.
Chapter Eleven
Eavie
The rest of the week flew by for Eavie.Between her boss’s busy calendar and the player’s game schedule, she spent most of her time moving from meeting to meeting.The positive side of immersing herself in the day-to-day activities of her job kept her from having too much time to think about anything other than work.The Royals had played one more home game before they traveled to New York to play the Crimson, coming away victorious at both.
Before she knew it, it was Saturday morning, and Elizabeth, a friend of hers and Joyce’s from university, was in town for a layover.Elizabeth was a flight attendant and spent her time traveling the world.Her base was currently in London, so they rarely saw her.They tried to get together whenever she had a layover in the city.
They made dinner reservations at the CanCan Club, giving Eavie the day to get through her long to-do list.
After their morning kickboxing session, she and Joyce meandered over to St.Lawrence Market for some groceries, where they also grabbed coffee and delectable breakfast sandwiches from one of the famous stalls in the packed market hall.
Grabbing a small table, they both devoured their sandwiches.The buttery biscuits left grease covering Eavie’s lips as the savory cheese, egg, and bacon flavors melted in her mouth.The fact she was starving after her workout made the sandwich taste twice as good.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Elizabeth tonight,” Joyce commented once they finished eating.“I missed seeing her the last time she was here.”
“I was thinking of booking a trip during Christmas.I’ve always wanted to see London during the holidays, and it would be fun to do some shopping.It’s too bad you landed the lead in the Nutcracker this year.I guess you won’t be able to join me,” Eavie replied with fake sorrow.
