Page 65 of Undisputed Player
He crossed the room, his hand settling heavily on my lower back as he guided me to the table.
“Sit,” he commanded, pulling out my chair with one hand while the other went to my shoulder, then slowly slid down my arm before letting go. The touch sent crazy, unwanted fire through me.
I busied myself with gawking at the quality of everything in hiskitchen. The plates looked like actual china, and the silverware was heavy and clearly expensive.
Leo made himself comfortable at a smaller table nearby that was just as fancy, but had children-sized seats and cutlery where Avery was already seated.
“Cute table, huh?” Jax grinned, setting a plate in front of each of the kids. “Bet they’re hungry.”
Itwasa cute table. I don’t think anyone would have expected Jax to spend so much of his time and home taking care of others, especially children. I certainly didn’t.
Leo nodded enthusiastically, looking up at me and smiling, like he knew we didn’t have to worry about rationing dinner tonight. “It smells really good.”
My heart swelled. He was genuinely enjoying himself and was getting such good food.
“Wait till you taste it,” Avery cheered, hastily sipping a juice box. “Elsie makes the best food ever!”
I looked over at the woman again, watching her with what I hoped were unsuspecting eyes. She was short and kind-looking, maybe in her late sixties, with short silver hair.
“Elsie helped raise Jovie and me when we were young.”
My eyes shot to Jax, who settled beside me, his thigh pressing against mine under the table as he studied my expression.
“She was our mom of sorts. Our biological one was never in the picture. I’m sure you know of my father’s… womanly pursuits.”
Jax didn’t look sad in the slightest as he said it, instead watching Elsie with gentle eyes as his hand found mine on my lap, stroking my knuckles lightly.
I resisted the urge to pull my hand back, instead turning to face him more fully. The warm chandelier lighting only made him look more golden, more beautiful.
“His pursuits. You mean yours, too?”
I don’t know what came over me, but Jax talking about otherwomen himself made my skin prickle. My heart raced in my chest, fearing whatever his answer may be.
“Princess.”
He tipped my chin up with his finger, amusement dancing in his eyes. My stomach fluttered like an idiot.
“Mypastpursuits. All of that ended the moment I saw you.” His words sounded so sincere, but it was the contents of them that were shocking.
I couldn’t believe that he was claiming I’d tamed the notorious Easten playboy without eventrying. That was impossible.
“I don’t think so.”
It was the only thing that came out of my mouth, and I immediately slapped a hand over it. Here I was sitting athisdining table, eatinghisfood, and accusing him of something that shouldn’t have even been in my head.
He narrowed his eyes at me, his hand sliding from my knuckles on my lap to my thigh itself, over my dress.
My mouth dried—this was his response?
"You don't think so?" His voice dropped. "Want me to prove it?”
I opened my mouth to say something—anything, but I just stared at him in disbelief, aware of the grip he had on my thigh.
"How exactly would you do that?" I managed, my voice quiet.
His smile was slow, predatory. "By showing you exactly how you've ruined me for anyone else. But that would require getting you alone. "
Heat flooded my cheeks and definitely my panties. The way he looked at me, like I was something he wanted to devour, was dizzying.
