Page 4 of Unwrapping Spring Break

Shifting in my seat, I try to turn my focus to my students’ assignments to avoid the lingering questions I have. The corner tables are perfect for hiding. This way, I can see who is approaching me and prepare myself for the best way to end the conversation before it starts. I truly hate these events.

I circle the red 87 at the top of the paper and tap my pen on the table. Two papers down, so many more to go.

I lift my head up to stretch my neck and catch Jax slipping out the back door. What the hell?Is he leaving without me? His car is my ride home, and if he thinks he’s leaving the party before I do, he’s delirious. I shove the papers back into my bag, grab my lace wrap and clutch, and chase after him.

The door leads into the alley behind the new store. It’s dark and odorous from various dumpsters nearby. Cobblestones from the older part of town make up the surface of the space, and they always seem wet. I’m careful, watching my footing in my heels. Soon, I stand on a cement landing with stairs leading down the alley to the right. Thick metal rods make up the railing and banister, but they look rusted and grimy.

From this vantage point, I see Jax striding quickly toward the main street. He passes a server smoking a cigarette near the delivery door. She watches him go by, but when the streetlight illuminates his face, she tosses the cigarette down and follows him. The hair on my neck stands on end. This woman seems like trouble.

Nope. Not on my watch.

Careful not to slip on the cobblestones, I follow them into the darkness.

“Mr. Griffin,” the server calls out as she catches up to him. He turns, putting his face back into the shadows, but I know which expression is plastered over his features. Thinly veiled annoyed patience. He’s much too polite to show anything else.

“Yes?” His deep voice fills the alley. It strikes me even more than when we were in the car together. But, instead of distracting me, it gives me purpose.

The server, who will be fired after this, stops within Jax’s personal space. I have to hand it to her—she’s not fucking around. She knows what she wants and goes for it.

She can’t be much older than me. Jax is in his midforties, but as young as he looks, he tends to attract a lot of attention from younger women. Yet he always turns them down. Ever since his wife, Emily, unexpectedly died ten years ago, he’s shown no interest in dating or relationships.

And still, that never stops women from throwing themselves at him. I’ve heard Mother laughing about it many times. Dad uses it for business purposes—he’ll set Jax up with the daughter or wife of whichever distributor or customer he’s trying to woo. It’s a disgusting tactic, if you ask me. Undeniably, it works like a charm. The flattered female tells the client how friendly Jax is, and the deal is signed, sealed, and delivered every time.

“It’s a nice party,” she says. “Are you leaving so soon?” She tilts her head in a coy manner. “I know where there’s a private party. Something more . . . intimate?”

Wow.This lady swings for the bleachers on the first pitch. Having caught up to them, his patient face turns into a panicked one. Judging by what he’s done in the past, he’ll try to turn her down gently. But, judging by the look of this woman, what he needs is a timely rescue.

“There you are, sweetie!” I push past the server and accidentally nudge her with my hip, knocking her out of the way. I almost ruin everything by laughing at the confused look on Jax’s face. Thankfully, I manage to keep it in check as I throw my arms around his shoulders. “You just can’t seem to keep yourself out of trouble.” I shake my head. “Seems like I’m coming to your rescue for a second time tonight.” Then, to make it extremely clear to the server that she’s barking up the wrong tree, I pull Jax into a kiss.

Part of my brain screams,What are you doing?To be honest, I have no idea. I’m not sure where it came from. I never intended to kiss him. His surprise radiates through our kiss, but it’s nothing compared to my own. The same part of me operates independently without telling me what it’s planning.

Even if I accept that a part of me wants to kiss Jax, it shouldn’t mean anything. This is simply a rescue effort. The kiss should be just long enough to scare the server away. However, this is not the case.

He kisses me back.

Correction: Jax doesn’t just kiss me back. Hekissesme back. It’s a time-stopping, knee-melting, panty-dropping, passionate kiss. It’s been far too long since I’ve had a kissthisgood. His touch radiates through my body, sparking a pool of desire in my core.

A pleasant warmth floods through me from the touch of his lips. I want to sink into the kiss and never come up for air. More than that, I’m aching to explore more about this kiss. I’m not looking to escape from it.

Without warning, Jax breaks our kiss and backs up a couple of steps. He looks stunned to his bones, then a flash of alarm crosses his face.

There’s that fucking label on my forehead again. I’m his partner’s daughter.

“What?” I arch a brow at Jax as if daring him to say what he’s thinking.

He huffs in astonishment. “You know what,” he says.

“Didn’t stop you from bringing up my garters earlier.” I roll my eyes, knowing he sees it because I’m facing the streetlight. “You’re panicking.”

This time, his huff is from indignation. He presses his lips together for a moment while he frowns at me. “I do not panic.” Denial is an ugly look on anyone. “But you are . . . your father and I are . . . ”

I have no patience for anything he’s about to say. My hands plant themselves on my hips. “I will kindly remind you that I’m a grown woman, and I’ll kiss whomever I damn well please.” How dare he try to make my decisions for me?

My words ground me back to reality. I’m grateful the woman moved on. She’s not here to witness the rejection. I’ve had enough for the night, and now, I want nothing more than to go home, pour myself a big glass of wine, and grade a few more papers.

“Take me home, Jax.”

It’s not a question. I storm past him along the sidewalk, looking up and down the street for the town car we came in. Once I spot it, I take quick strides in that direction.

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