Page 51 of Undisputed Player
He studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “Alright then. I'm with you. Just don't expect me to hit you with any more cars.”
I grinned, the tension breaking. “Not even a little love tap?”
“Not even if you stock my warehouse.” He shoved me toward the door. “Now come on. I need a shower and about fifteen beers to wash away the memory of you sprawled on that dirty street.”
I chuckled, making my way through the garage. “You're just jealous because I got to spend the evening with the most beautiful woman while you were driving around in circles.”
“Trust me,” Adrian scoffed, shouldering through the door, “I can find my own women without resorting to vehicular assault.”
As we entered the house, the familiar luxury of marble floors and glass walls surrounded me. But all I felt was upset.
All I could think of was Estelle in her apartment, probably still upgrading papers, pushing herself to exhaustion for her nephew. My princess, trying to carry the world on those slim shoulders.
Soon, I promised myself. Soon she'd learn what it felt like to be taken care of, to be cherished, to be mine.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Jax
Iwoke up early Friday morning, the sun barely peeking through the windows of my beach house.
My body was on autopilot, already moving toward the shower, though my thoughts immediately zeroed in on my new forever obsession: Estelle Moore.
Five days.
It had been five fucking days since I'd orchestrated that "accident" outside her apartment, five days of carefully calculated moves, five days of watching her expression shift from surprise to confusion to that carefully guarded gratitude that made me want to break through every wall she'd built around her beautiful heart.
Fivedays of wanting her so badly I could taste it.
The shower's pressure was perfect, unlike my patience. Today was the culmination of a week's worth of groundwork, the chess match reaching its critical phase. I'd been patient, strategic, laying the foundation brick by brick like a romantic architect.
And today, Estelle Moore was going to get a taste of my world, whether she realized it or not.
Tuesday had been the organic meal kit—premium cuts of steak, fresh vegetables, a bottle of wine tucked discreetly in the bottom like a little surprise.
I'd watched her face as I handed it over, claiming Avery wanted to share her favorite foods with Leo, which was technically true since I'd spent an hour convincing my five-year-old niece it was her idea.
The flash of suspicion in those honey eyes, quickly masked by uncertain politeness, had been worth every dollar of the five-hundred-dollar bill. I'd left before she could refuse, before she could see how much I enjoyed providing for her.
And, before she could see how ridiculously hard I was getting just from the thought of feeding her.
Wednesday had brought artisanal bread and imported cheese from a pretentious shop downtown where they acted like aged cheddar was the finest cheese in the world.
"Avery mentioned Leo likes grilled cheese," I'd said with a casual shrug, as if I wasn't calculating her every micro-expression to determine whether she liked it.
She hesitated longer that time, her slim fingers brushing mine as she took the package. The contact had sent a jolt of possession so strong through me I'd had to clench my jaw to keep from grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer.
To keep from demanding she let me fix everything wrong in her world.
Yesterday's offering had been brownies from a French bakery downtown that Sierra recommended, one with the three-month waiting list that miraculously evaporated the moment I dropped my name and a stack of hundreds on their pristine counter.
"For Leo," I'd said again, though we both knew it was bullshit wrapped in expensive packaging. The way she'd looked at me, confused, wary, but with something softer underneath, made my blood sing a choir of victory.
She was starting to expect me, to look for me in that sea of Seaside Academy privilege. It was the first step in making her need me almost as much as I needed her.
Today would be different, though. Today, I wouldn't just drop something off and disappear like some sort of benevolent sugar daddy, though I could totally take up that role if she were into that sort of thing.
Today, Avery would ask for a playdate, and those big blue eyes, so good at getting what they want, just like mine, would get exactly what was obviouslyheridea.
