Page 67 of Undisputed Player
“Thank you for today,” I said softly, unbuckling my seatbelt. “Leo had a wonderful time.”
“So did Avery,” Jax replied, his voice equally soft. His hand found mine in the darkness, fingers intertwining with my own. “And so did I.”
My heart pounded and I glanced back at Leo, still sound asleep in the back seat. “I should get him inside.”
“Let me help.” Jax was already opening his door, sliding out of the car smoothly. “He's out cold.”
He opened the back door, carefully unbuckling Leo and lifting him into his arms. Leo didn't even stir, his head lolling against Jax's shoulder, completely trusting in sleep.
Everything inside of me immediately melted. He was too good at fixing every problem, at making both our lives so much easier.
I led the way to our building, aware of how shabby it must look to him again. But if he was judging, he didn't show it, his expression neutral as he followed me into the entry.
The apartment was dark and stuffy, the air conditioner having been off all day to save on electricity. I flipped on the white lights, wincing at how harsh they seemed after the soft, ambient lighting of Jax's beach house.
“His room is this way,” I guided Jax down the short hallway to Leo's bedroom. The space was small but neat, and the bed was made with his dinosaur sheets. Jax laid him down, taking his time to remove Leo’s little shoes and pulling the covers over him.
I couldn’t believe this was the same man splashed across magazine covers and celebrity gossip sites, known for breaking hearts. No one had ever cared for Leo or me like this.
“He's a great kid,” Jax whispered, his hand lingering on Leo's head. “You're doing an amazing job raising him.”
The sincere and unexpected compliment made me blink, unused to praise. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice barely audible.
We backed out of the room, and I closed the door softly behind us. In the narrow hallway, Jax seemed even larger, his presence filling the small space.
“I should get going,” he murmured, though he made no move toward the door, just watching me intently. “It's late.”
“It is,” I agreed, though it was partly a lie. I was surprised by my strange disappointment at his leaving, as if I wanted him to stay. “Thank you again for today. For everything.”
He stepped closer, backing me against the wall without even trying. His large hand came up to cup my cheek, giving me every opportunity to pull away if I wanted to.
I didn't. I couldn't. I was frozen in place, my heart pounding in my chest. His blue eyes seemed to glow as they looked down into mine, holding me captive.
“I want to see you again, Estelle,” he confessed, his voice rougher than usual. “Not just at school pickup. Not with the kids. I want to take you to dinner. Just the two of us.”
I should have reminded myself of all the reasons why this was a bad idea, of our different worlds, my responsibilities, and the inevitable heartbreak he’d cause.
But standing there, with his hand warm against my skin and his eyes so sincere, all I could think about was how long it had been since anyone had looked at me like I mattered. Like, I was someone worth pursuing.
“I don’t know,” I whispered, even as my body leaned into his touch.
“Why not?” His thumb traced my cheekbone, and I shivered.
“Because you’re you, and I’m me.”
He smiled then, thumb pressing against my bottom lip, parting it just slightly.
“You’re right. You’re perfect, and I’m completely fucked because of it.”
Heat flooded my cheeks, but as I opened my mouth to argue, his thumb slipped inside.
I froze, eyes going wide with shock. What was he doing? This was—I should?—
“Relax, princess," he murmured, his voice low and soothing as his thumb rested against my tongue. "Just feel. Don't think."
Butterflies exploded in my stomach, uncertainty flooding through me. I'd never done anything like this before, never even imagined it.
"That's it," he encouraged softly, his other hand cupping my cheek. "Close your mouth around it. Trust me."
