Page 61 of The Book Signing

“I thought it was fantastic. A big fuck you to Natasha. The worst is that I was even happier when I saw her reaction. The look of astonishment when I admitted I knew everything, and that I was cheating on her, too. I then told her to go fuck herself and walked out of our apartment, but not before dangling the two-carat diamond that I was prepared to give her. I can still remember how her jaw dropped at the notion that I wanted to propose.” Jaxon leans back and sighs. “Sometime afterward, I decided it would be a great idea to writeabout my new bachelor lifestyle. I just wanted to do my thing, be who I wanted to be and just…” he shrugs, leaving the unspoken words in the air.

I wait for more, but I think he’s stuck remembering his downfall, so I add, “So… the book?”

Jaxon nods and gives me a long glance, opening up about the book that I have such hatred for. For everything it stands for. For what Jaxon stood for.

“The book wasn’t meant to be such a hit with people. It was just a way to vent about my issues through having one-night stands. Then I moved onto the topic of being termed everything under the sun. Soon, I found out that there are many people out there who feel the same way I do. Or did.”

My head jerks up. “What do you mean?”

Jaxon bites down on his lips, and I sense a hint of shyness about him. He clears his throat and says, “Well, um, I think something has changed since I met you. More so since we left Queensland.”

I lean forward and cock my head to the side, pleased to hear him speak like this. “What changed?” I have a feeling I know, but I want to hear it from him.

“I haven’t slept with anyone since you,” he whispers.

I hold back a smile and nod. “And is that so bad that you have to feel uncomfortable about it?”

He guffaws and looks at me incredulously. “Greg used to make jokes about me sleeping with anything good-looking and willing. Now, all I can do is remember you. That damn peach scented, pink hair,” he mutters and rubs his temples.

A smile breaks through my resistance at the knowledge he’s been thinking about me more than he expected to.

Clearly, it was a good idea to buy that peach shampoo.

Despite his compliment, I push him more. “Do you think it will stay like this? Not sleeping around so often, or as Greg put it, with anyone willing? Which, by the way, sounds absolutely horrible, and I hope it was just a flippant comment.”

He looks at me and rolls his eyes. “No, it wasn’t like that. But if I hit it off with a woman, and she instigated it, then yeah, I slept with her. I don’t see why I can’t sleep with someone who gives me complete consent for a one night only situation.” Then he gives me a cheeky smirk and says, “I mean, didn’t you do the same?”

My smile disappears, and lips thin instead, absorbing his words and the truth behind them. “Yes, I did. I guess at the time it’s fine, but it hurtme in the end. It’s not worth the mind fucks and mixed messages. Making sure that there are always condoms involved and constant worries of falling pregnant to a man I barely know but has an amazing penis and good looks.”

Jaxon chuckles, and says, “That’s fair enough, but I meant, didn’t you do the same with me?”

I open my mouth, but no words leave me. He’s stumped me.

“And by the way, you ended up givingmemixed messages. Mind fucks after leaving so quickly. Just thought to add that.”

I raise my brow, doing my best not to smirk as I say, “Your feelings were hurt by my disappearance?”

“Dismissal is more like it.”

“Well, I don’t know what to say… except I’m sorry? Although now you know what it feels like, Jaxon. To all those women you ‘dismissed’.”

Jaxon says nothing, just looks at me with a hint of, dare I say, remorse, and nods.

There is a small silence which is beginning to irk me as we were getting somewhere until he says, “You know, I was actually there when you were talking to everyone during your book signing. I came by a little earlier as mine was starting later.Thought it would be interesting to see what you spoke about.”

“Really?” The tone of surprise is thick, but I don’t care.

He nods and says, “It was quite inspirational, and I also watched how the audience enjoyed it, captivated by you. I could see the motivation of being better and healthier. They weren’t fist pumping or giving each other smug looks like people did when I was talking about my book. Your audience, though, the way they reacted made me feel… I don’t know. Something irked me because you were talking about something positive, and me—”

He doesn’t get a chance to finish as a waiter appears and asks if we want anything else. We both shake our heads and grab our wallets, but Jaxon hands over the money before I get the chance.

“Thanks. You didn’t need to, but thanks.”

“It was… um, nice seeing you again. Having the chance to talk a little.” A slight smile appears on his face, but it disappears as my cell rings.

Seriously, right now?

“You should probably get that. I need to head off, anyway. Hopefully, you can forgive me for not really revealing myself, even though it was literally advertised outside the function room and in theprogram.” He makes a small smirk, “Although, without the miscommunication, we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the few days together. The alone time, the naughty times,” he smiles and adds, “especially that.”

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