Page 62 of Undisputed Player
His hand found my chin, forcing me to meet his intense blue gaze. “You look like a fucking dream.” His thumb brushed my lower lip, and I forgot how to breathe. “You’re perfect. Don't hide from me, princess.”
His palm slid down to my knee, squeezing gently. I could feel the heat of his skin, his thumb tracing lazy circles just above my knee. The world must have turned upside down for this to be happening.
Then, a splash of water hit us both as Avery and Leo began an impromptu water fight. Jax laughed, the sound so genuine and unguarded, it transformed his perfect face into something warmer, more human than god.
He slid into the pool with fluid grace, immediately becoming the center of their universe. “This means war,” he declared, scooping up Avery, who shrieked with delight.
He tossed her into the deeper water, and Leo watched, wide-eyed, until Jax turned to him with a gentle, charming smile.
“You too, champ? Want to fly?”
Leo looked at me, seeking permission, and I nodded, unable to deny him this moment of pure childhood joy.
Jax lifted him carefully, ensuring he was comfortable before boosting him up and into the water. Leo's laughter joined Avery's in a symphony of happiness that tightened my throat. I couldn’t lift Leo like that anymore, and it felt bittersweet watching him experience what I couldn’t provide. The things a paternal presence in his life could.
I slipped into the pool after, the warm water soothing, and watched Jax play with the children, his movements gentle and playful, his attention fully focused on their joy.
After an hour of games, ‘Elsie’ returned with snacks and drinks, drawing the kids to the pool's edge. I felt bad now, seeing the woman speak so kindly to the children.
Jax's eyes found mine across the water, dark with intent.
“Come here,” he commanded softly.
I don’t know why, but I listened. I was swimming toward him and the waterfall before I even thought about it. He caught my wrist, pulling me into the dark interior behind the cascading water. Suddenly, we were alone, the sound of rushing water creating a private world.
"Finally," he breathed, backing me against the smooth stone. His hands found my waist, fingers splaying possessively against bare skin. I’ve been wanting you alone all day."
I instinctively moved to step back, but his other hand came to rest at the small of my back, trapping me in place. My heart was pounding in my ears.
“The kids.”
“They'll be fine for a few minutes.” His voice was low and intimate as he closed the distance between us. “I've been wanting to get you alone all day.”
I opened my mouth to protest again, but his thumb pressed against my lips, immediately silencing me. “No more talking.”
His body caged me in, all hard muscle and heated skin. I could feel every defined plane of his chest, every ridge of his abs. The man was built like a god, and he was looking at me like I was his religion.
“Easy,” he murmured, his breath warm against my temple. “I'm not going to hurt you, princess. I just want to feel you.”
His big hands made every nerve so sensitive, goosebumps rising along my skin as he gripped my waist. “You feel it? This thing between us?”
I couldn't deny it. Not when my body was betraying me, responding to his every touch like I'd been starved for it.
His hands roamed my back, fingers tracing my spine withmaddening slowness. The unfamiliar touch drew a breathy sound from my lips, one I’d never heard out of myself before.
"So delicate,” he murmured appreciatively. "I wonder what other sounds I can pull from you."
My face flushed. “I’m not delicate.”
“Being delicate doesn’t make you weak. I’ll still protect you.”
I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond to… that. “I don't need protecting.”
He definitely thought I needed protecting, given the way he kept taking care of meandLeo.
I opened my mouth to further my point, but he shut me upagain.
“Quiet.”
