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“I think,” she said, leaning forward so there were only inches between them.“That you wear a mask, that the only people you let see the real you are your team, the kids you coach or the ones at your charity.”

Surprised, his eyes flew to her, the lines around them appearing as he regarded her.She smiled, letting out a small, breathless laugh.

“I know, Jax.I know you coach Timbits hockey,” she said.“And Cade told me the story behind Field of Dreams.”She reached out then, running the tips of her fingers across his forehead and down the side of his face to his jaw.The rough scratch of stubble sent shivers through her.“What I don’t know is why.”Her voice had taken on a deep, husky tone, brought on by all the emotions and sensations flooding her.

Once again, looking into his captivating eyes, she felt like she could drown in the sea of them.Her heartbeat kicked up in her chest as he leaned in a fraction, mirroring her movement from a moment ago.

She didn’t expect him to answer, but she could see a million thoughts running through his mind as she gazed into the storming depths of his eyes.She gave him another soft smile, brushing her fingers one last time against his jaw before she pulled away, tossing back the rest of her drink.

He continued to study her for a moment, still leaning toward her, before he asked, “What about you?Are you currently seeing anyone?”

Slowly, she shook her head.“Nope,” she replied, making the word pop at the end.

“No one special enough to attract your attention?”he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

“Like you, I’ve been too focused on my career to put much effort into dating.Any of my relationships usually end after a few months,” she answered, shrugging one shoulder.

“Eviscerate men with your beauty and intelligence, do you?”he asked her with a teasing smile.

Laughing, she turned to look at him.It felt good to be on lighter ground with him again.“Hardly.Most of the time, I get bored after a few months, break things off.”

He hummed under his breath, the sound sending a vibration through his chest and across the distance between them.“It would certainly take a special man to hold on to a woman like you,” he said, looking directly into her eyes.

Glancing down from the intensity of his gaze, she felt a traitorous blush creeping up her neck, but couldn’t help the small smile that ghosted across her lips.

Chapter Twenty Three

Jax

She was incredible.

Just when he thought he’d figured her out, she revealed a new side to her.Tonight, he’d seen the vulnerable side, the one that seemed to hide beneath the confident, sexy woman who dominated his dreams.

When he’d seen the distress on her beautiful face earlier, protectiveness of her had flared to life.Arriving back at the hotel, Jax had found himself reluctant to go out.When the group had left, he’d decided to wander down to the casino, figuring he’d have a drink before returning to his room.

He was winding his way toward one of the tables, thinking about maybe playing a round of poker when he’d caught sight of her.She was easy to spot, even with the large crowd between them.She moved with grace but also with a natural sensuality that had him wholly fixated on her.

He thought she looked like a cold glass of champagne in that shiny dress and high heels that made her legs look a mile long.Her hair was tied up, as always, leaving her elegant neck bare, the skin teasing his need to taste it, nip the sensitive flesh at its base, find out what spots would make her moan.

Then, he’d seen the group of drunk kids, eyes fixated on her.The way they had looked at her, as if she was a thing, had made his blood boil.He didn’t like it one bit, but he’d kept his distance, watching her for any sign she needed help.Seeing her shoulders tighten, he’d taken a step toward her, but at that moment, she stepped around them and pushed into the women’s washroom.

He’d relaxed slightly when the door closed behind her, but it only lasted a second.When he looked back at the group, most were laughing, continuing in the direction they had been going—except for the blond who had spoken to her.The way he’d been looking after Eavie gave Jax a bad feeling.

So, like the obsessed stalker he was becoming, Jax had waited where he was until she reemerged.He watched her from a distance as she walked into the bar.Only when he spotted the guy follow Eavie did Jax move.No way in hell he was going to leave her alone with him.

Sitting beside her now, he was glad he had.The way the guy had her trapped in her chair had made Jax want to smash the guy’s face in, and Jax had never been prone to violence.Even after he’d stormed off, his instincts had yelled at him to follow.Only the touch of Eavie’s hand had calmed him enough to sit.And then, he couldn’t let her leave.

Fuck, he loved talking to her.There were so many sides to her.He wanted to peel each layer back one by one and find out every small thing that made her tick.It was more than just lust.He’d figured that out earlier this week.He was starting to want more, from her, from them, but the idea scared the shit out of him.

So instead, he settled for just enjoying her company, until she’d struck him with an arrow of truth so forcefully that it had nearly knocked him on his ass.

I think it’s a mask.

Yes,he’d wanted to answer, but the words caught in his throat.So, instead of giving her more, he settled for enjoying a moment with her where she wasn’t looking at him with cold, aloof eyes.She looked at him like she cared, and that was an addictive feeling.It was all he was willing to allow himself right now.

Despite wanting this moment between them to never end and knowing he could very well be pushing his luck, he couldn’t resist the temptation to extend their time alone together, even for a few minutes.

Leaning forward, he spoke into her ear.“Feel like getting out of here?”