Page 55 of Undisputed Player
The second bell rang, and Estelle at her classroom, clearly ready to escape this conversation. "I really do need to go—oh, how's your wrist?"
Shit. The fake injury I'd completely forgotten about. "Just a bit sore," I lied smoothly, flexing it for her benefit. "Nothing that won't heal."
She nodded, already half-turned away. "I should?—"
"Estelle." She froze at the sound of her name, turning back with questions in her eyes. "I'll need your number. To coordinate the playdate."
She hesitated, and I could see her internal debate. Finally, she rattled off a series of digits that I committed to memory instantly, though I already knew them from the background check I’d ordered.
"Just to coordinate," she added quickly, as if she needed to justify giving me access to her life.
"Of course," I agreed, though we both knew it was so much more than that. "Have a good day, princess."
The flush deepened across her cheeks, and she turned away quickly, but not before I caught the confusion and unwilling interest in her eyes. She didn't understand why I was pursuing her, why someone like me would be interested in the perfection that is her.
She'd understand soon enough.
I exited the classroom and watched her greet the students, drinking in the gentle sway of her hips and the way she moved like she was trying not to take up too much space in the world. The playdate was set. The foundation was laid.
Phase one was complete.
Now it was time to show Estelle Moore exactly what it meant to be wanted by Jax Easton.
The next step was to move all of Avery’s toys into my beach house.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Estelle
The final bell rang through Seaside Academy, signaling the end of another week and the beginning of what I was certain was a horrible idea.
I gathered my things from the desk, watching as twenty perfectly groomed children rushed to collect their designer backpacks.
Leo was already waiting by the door, his latest book clutched to his chest, those green eyes following my movements as I made my final rounds through the classroom.
He was excited. More excited than I've seen him in months.
"Ready to go, buddy?" I asked, ruffling his soft hair as I joined him, trying to inject warmth into my voice despite the anxiety clawing at my ribs.
He nodded, slipping his small hand into mine. "Are we really going home with Avery?"
The word hit differently when applied to Jax Easton's world. I hesitated, the weight of my decision still sitting uncomfortably in mychest. I'd been telling myself this was a catastrophic mistake, that men like Jax didn't invite women like me to their palaces without ulterior motives.
But Leo had been so excited when I told him about the playdate, his eyes lighting up with pure, uncomplicated joy that made my throat tight with how much I wanted to protect it.
"Yes," I said finally, squeezing his hand. "But remember what we talked about. Best behavior, and we'll leave after dinner."
Leo nodded seriously, but the anticipation bubbling beneath his careful expression was like a drink ready to explode. He'd been talking about Avery's toys since she'd mentioned them to him, describing elaborate playrooms and swimming pools like they were mythical treasures.
I'd tried to temper his expectations, reminding him that we couldn't stay long and had responsibilities at home. But the truth was, I was nervous for entirely different reasons.
Jax Easton made me nervous in ways that had nothing to do with Leo's safety and everything to do with my own.
The way that man looked at me set my pulse racing. Jax's attention felt like standing naked in a spotlight, exposed and vulnerable, yet wanting more despite every instinct screaming at me to run.
We made our way through the marble halls, past emptying classrooms and the diminishing crowd of parents collecting their children in luxury vehicles. I was so lost in my thoughts, specifically, memories of large, warm hands massaging the tension from my neck, of breath ghosting across my ear, that I almost didn't notice him until he was right there.
Oh. God.
