Page 97 of Reputation
He usually got his meals at the players’ lounge, ate out, or had his food catered.If she was going to be here more—which, if he had his way, she would be—he was going to need to stock up.Jax wanted to make sure she had everything she wanted.
“Apple and honey grilled cheese,” she said with a bright smile.
His eyebrows raised, impressed.“That sounds delicious.”He kissed her cheek tenderly again as he snaked his hands under the hem of her shirt, brushing them across her stomach.“Is there enough for two?”he asked, suddenly hungry.
She purred and nodded.“I think I could make that happen.”
Fifteen minutes later, Eavie sat perched on the island, her legs dangling over the edge, chewing on the gooey grilled cheese concoction she had thrown together.Jax stood beside her, his hip leaning on the counter so he faced her while they ate.
He took a bite of the sandwich, the sweet and savory flavors exploding on his tongue.“This is amazing,” he mumbled around his bite.
A wide smile spread across her face as she chewed.“Thanks.”
“Where did you learn to cook so well?”he asked, wanting to know more about her.
“My mom,” she said, her smile turning fond.“She’s an amazing cook, and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with her.”She tilted her head as she considered her sandwich.“To me, kitchens will always mean home.”
He scanned her face as he was hit with another lightning bolt.He wanted her to think of his kitchen as home.
Reaching out, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.“Did you ever consider becoming a chef?”
Eavie laughed, shaking her head.“No,” she answered.“Cooking is something I enjoy doing.If I made it my job, it would only feel like work and not something fun and relaxing.”
He hummed under his breath, contemplating that.“What’s your favorite thing to cook?”
She shot him a considering look.“You’re full of questions tonight,” she commented.
“I find you interesting.”
She continued to look at him as she ran her tongue across her upper teeth.Finally, she turned, tucking one leg under her so she could face him.“How about this—”
Jax laughed, the sound making his chest shake.“The last time you said that, I ended up chasing you through a party,” he said.
She smiled as she bit her lower lip.“Fair.”A cheeky smile lifted the corners of her mouth.“But I think you enjoy playing my games.”When he didn’t comment, she continued, “Ask me anything you want to know, but I get to ask you one in return, and you have to answer.”
He narrowed his eyes on her, sensing this was some kind of a trap.Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t resist her charming smile and wit.
“Okay,” he said.“I’ll go first?”
When she nodded, he thought carefully about what he wanted to ask her.A question he’d pondered a few weeks ago popped to the front of his mind.It was right after they’d met when she showed up at the team meeting.He’d wondered the same thing a few days after.At first, he’d assumed it was because he’d acted like an ass, but then, something she’d said in Vegas struck him.
I’ve read your back cover, and you're not my type.
She’d tried to hide it under a teasing tone, but he’d seen the look in her eyes.Jax had recognized it because he, too, had a ghost in his past.
He cleared his throat, hoping his question didn’t send her running.“Why are you so guarded?”
She froze, her blue eyes turning into shards of glass.Jax held his breath, waiting to see what she would do.She stared him down, eyes flicking back and forth, deciding whether she wanted to answer.They had made a deal, but even so, he wouldn’t make her answer if she didn’t want to.
Finally, she sighed, eyes dropping to the rest of her sandwich.Her fingers picked at the crust as she murmured, “Because I’ve been burned before.”
She was silent again, lines around her mouth forming as she frowned sadly.Jax placed his finger under her chin, lifting her face back to him.He stepped forward, hoping having him close would bring her some comfort, wanting her to feel his support.
“What happened, baby?”he asked softly.
She drew in a breath, her chest brushing his arm where he still held her face.She sniffed once, swallowing.“In high school, I had a boyfriend—star player, well, next to my brother, on the hockey team.Everyone expected him to go pro.His name was Derek Cavanaugh.”
“Cavanaugh?”Jax asked.He knew that name.“Did he play for Austin a few years ago?”
