Page 59 of Undisputed Player
Jax's eyes narrowed slightly, blue flames dancing with patient amusement, like he knew I was deflecting but chose to let it slide. "And before Leo? What did Estelle Moore do then?"
The question was innocent enough, but it probed at wounds that had never fully healed, at a past I'd buried under necessity and survival. Before Leo, there had been Giselle—reckless, beautiful Giselle who'd trusted the wrong man and paid for it with her life.
There had also been a string of dead-end jobs and cramped apartments, the constant struggle to stay afloat in a world that seemed determined to drown me, even before Leo.
"I worked," I mumbled again, staring down at the reflective marble. "Different jobs. Nothing as nice as the academy."
Jax studied me, patient but hungry, like he had all the time in the world to unravel my secrets.
"You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?" he asked, carrying that low rumble that seemed to vibrate through my bones.
I blinked. "Make what easy?"
"Getting to know you." He held my gaze. "I want to know you, Estelle. The real you, not just the careful mask you show the world."
My heart stuttered in my chest, panic and something warmer warring for control. Why would someone want to dig through defenses I'd built from necessity?
"Why?" The question came out breathless.
It seemed to amuse him, his mouth curving into a smile that probably launched a thousand fantasies. "Why not? You're interesting. You're beautiful." His gaze remained on my face. "You're more extraordinary than anyone I've ever met."
I almost laughed at that, the sound bitter. Me, extraordinary? I wasnobody—a woman from the slums trying to give her nephew a better life than she'd had. There was nothing extraordinary about scrapingby, about counting pennies, about lying awake at night wondering if love would be enough to keep us together.
"I'm really not," I deflected, looking away from the intensity of his gaze before it could strip away what was left of my composure.
"You really are," he countered, carrying absolute conviction. He took a step closer, making my heart pound. "You don't see it, do you? How extraordinary you are?"
Another step closer, and suddenly I could smell his cologne again. I backed up, my back meeting the marble counter behind me again. "Jax?—"
His smile softened, but a predatory edge remained in those blue depths, suggesting he was very aware of my body's betrayal. "I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable, princess. Just stating facts."
The endearment sent that familiar shiver down my spine, settling between my thighs. Every time he said it, I felt myself weakening, felt the walls I'd built around my heart developing dangerous cracks.
Before I could formulate a response that wouldn't reveal how he was affecting me, the patter of small feet announced the children's return. Avery came running into the kitchen like a tiny hurricane, Leo following more cautiously behind her, but his eyes were wide and bright with happiness.
"Jax!" Avery bounced on her toes, curls flying. "Can we swim? Please? I told Leo about the pool and how it has a waterfall and everything!"
Jax's attention shifted immediately, but his hand found my hip as he turned, the contact burning through the thin fabric of my dress.
"Did Mommy leave your swimsuit here?" he asked Avery, and the word 'Mommy' coming from those lips in that deep voice made me stifle laughter; it was cute.
Avery nodded enthusiastically, practically vibrating with excitement. "It's in my room!"
I studied Leo, who was looking at me with a mix of hope and uncertainty. He wanted to go swimming in a pool overlooking the ocean, with Jax Easton watching my every move.
The thought of being nearly naked in front of him, of those blue eyes taking in every flaw, every sharp angle of my body, made panic rise in my throat.
"I don't know," I began, but Leo's expression made the words die on my tongue.
"I have extra suits," Jax cut in, his eyes finding mine with laser focus. "For both of you. And towels, of course. The pool is heated, and there's a shallow end where they can stand."
His hand squeezed my hip, thumb tracing along the waistband of my dress. The touch was light, almost innocent, though I was sure it wasn’t.
"You'll look beautiful in anything, princess," he murmured, the words meant for my ears alone.
I was beginning to realize that Jax Easton was way too prepared for everything, way too good at anticipating needs I didn't even know I had. He had extra suits, just my luck.
I looked at Leo again, at the barely contained excitement in his green eyes, and felt my resolve crumbling like a sandcastle at high tide.
