Page 60 of Undisputed Player
"Please, Elle?" Leo asked, his voice small but hopeful, carrying the weight of every disappointment I'd ever had to deliver. "I've never seen a waterfall.”
And there it was—the unconscious reminder of all the things I couldn't give him, all the childhood experiences he missed out on because of our circumstances. The guilt was crushing and familiar.
How could I say no to that? How could I deny him this one perfect afternoon just because I was terrified of letting Jax see too much?
"Alright," I conceded, the word escaping like a sigh of surrender.
The smile that broke across Leo's face was like sunrise, bright and pure and worth every moment of discomfort I was about to endure. Avery squealed with delight, grabbing Leo's hand.
"Come on! I'll show you the bathroom!" she declared, already tugging him toward what I assumed was a guest bathroom or changing area.
Leo was good at dressing himself, so I wasn’t worried about that at least.
As they ran off, their laughter echoing through the vast space like music, I turned to Jax with what I hoped was a stern expression. "I don't have a swimsuit."
His gaze was knowing, dropping deliberately to my body. The once-over was thorough, appreciative, leaving me feeling exposed despite being fully clothed.
I could hardly breathe; the look he gave me was so plainlysexual.
"Like I said, I have extras. Follow me."
He placed his hand at the small of my back and steered me through his palace.
The house was a maze of luxury and taste, each room more impressive than the last. They were also a reminder of the distance between our worlds, of the impossibility of whatever this was becoming.
Finally, we reached what was clearly the master suite, and my eyes widened. The room was massive, dominated by a luxurious four-post king-sized bed. The sheets were cream-colored silk that seemed to glow in the evening light streaming through panoramic windows that offered an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean.
I tried not to stare at the bed, triednotto imagine Jax in it, golden skin against those silk sheets, muscles flexing as he moved. The thought sent a rush of heat to my cheeks that was absolutely mortifying.
This was his bedroom. His most private space. And he'd brought me here like it was the most natural thing in the world.
But he also brought other women here, too. Many other women.
I felt myself deflate, even just slightly, as if I had any right to expect some kind of exclusivity from this golden god.
"The bathroom's through there," Jax instructed, gesturing to a door on the far side of the room. “Swimsuits are in the cabinet under the sink. Help yourself to whatever fits."
I hesitated, suddenly overwhelmed by being in his bedroom, ofwearing something that had probably belonged to one of the many women who had passed through this very room. The thought made my stomach clench with a green emotion I’d rather not acknowledge.
"I can just watch from the side," I suggested, taking a step back toward the door. "I don't really need to swim."
Jax's expression softened, understanding flickering like he could see right through my deflection to the insecurity beneath.
“The suits are new, princess," he said gently, taking a step closer that made my pulse quicken. "Tags still on. My sister buys more than she can wear.”
His sister. Not other women. The relief that flooded through me was embarrassing.
He moved closer still, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "And Leo wants you in there with him."
He was right. Leo would want me there, would feel safer with me in the water beside him. Letting him swim alone, even in a shallow pool with Jax watching, made my worry spike to dangerous levels.
"Fine.” I made my way to the bathroom, probably pouting for the first time in my adult life.
The bathroom was larger than my entire bedroom at home. The shower looked like it was from a spa, with multiple heads and enough space for a small party. The bathtub was practically a small pool in its own right, sunken into the marble floor like a private oasis.
I forced myself not to gawk as I made my way to the sink, opening the cabinet to find a neatly arranged selection of swimsuits with tags still attached like he'd promised. Even his organizational system was perfect.
I sifted through them, but found only one that would fit me right on top.
