Page 64 of Undisputed Player
"You're mine," he whispered against my skin, the words a promise and a claim. "My princess, my beautiful girl."
I tilted my neck back, allowing him more access. Everything felt so good, so overwhelming, I could hardly think.
“Jax!” Avery's voice shattered the spell. “Watch me dive!”
When Jax finally pulled back, his eyes were dark with desire, and I knew I was completely lost.
His hand lingered on my waist for definitely longer than necessary before he gave me a dark smile. “This isn’t over.”
Eventually, the sun began to dip toward the horizon, painting the sky and ocean in shades of pink and gold. The view was breathtaking, but Leo and Avery were starting to tire, their movements slowing, their laughter mixed with yawns.
“I think it's time to dry off,” I suggested, noticing the goosebumps on Leo's arms despite the heated water. “It's getting late.”
I moved over to the children, running my fingers through Leo’s hair as Avery’s face contorted into a clear pout.
“But we haven't had dinner yet!” She protested, though her eyes were heavy with fatigue.
“Dinner’s all taken care of,” Jax mused, lifting her out of the pool. He nudged Leo toward him and lifted him out as well, grabbing towels as I watched dumbly.
He tucked towels around their shoulders and then turned tome. His arm wrapped around my waist, guiding me out of the pool like I was one of the children, and I felt dizzy at the sudden care.
I was the one helping everyone, never anyone else.
“Go change, princess. I’ll be waiting in the kitchen.”
He wrapped me in a big, fluffy towel before grabbing his own, and I just stood there watching him like an idiot.
Water sluiced down his body, highlighting every muscle, every line of that incredible physique. The fading sunlight caught in his wet hair, turning it a dark gold, and I couldn't look away from this person suddenly caring for me the way I’d cared for everyone else.
“Enjoying the view?” He asked, his voice low and smug.
I flushed, wrapping the towel tighter around myself. Before I could retort, he leaned down in front of me, his lips brushing lightly against my forehead.
“Go dress, my pretty princess. His fingers trailed along my jawline. “I’ll see you in the kitchen.”
I stepped back quickly, my heart pounding in my chest. I could still feel his lips on my skin, that impossibly gentle touch.
“Okay.”
I hurried back through the house with Leo, grabbing his clothes and retreating to the master bathroom. I changed us quickly, trying not to think about how Jax had looked at me and how his lips had felt against my skin.
It was dangerous, this attraction. This care. It was even more dangerous to fall for Jax Easton.
I tried to convince myself I was still just a curiosity, a temporary diversion from the models and actresses who usually occupied his world, but I wasn’t sure if I believed it anymore after today.
I didn’t want to believe it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Estelle
We emerged from the bathroom, dressed, with my hair still damp around my shoulders, and the smell of delicious homemade food filling the mansion. Jax couldn’t possibly know how to cook, could he?
I followed the smell to the kitchen, navigating past endless rooms, until I found the older woman stirring a massive pan at the stove.
That made more sense than believing Jax was really cooking.
He stood nearby, changed into loose pants and a simple tank top that gave me a wonderful view of his broad shoulders and tattooed biceps. His hair was still dark and damp, and his eyes found me immediately.
