Page 46 of Side Out

Fresh out of the shower, I head to the little closet where my slacks hang, which fit my legs and thighs like they were painted on me. I slide them on and pair them with a white button-up, but I leave the top couple of buttons undone to really accentuate the thin gold chain around my neck.

Standing in the mirror, I add texture paste to my hands and work it into my hair to give it that messy look that my clean hair would never be able to pull off on its own. I look at my contact’s case and debate for a second, but I remember Jax is always drooling when I wear my glasses.

The glasses it is.

The sadistic side of me wants to see him squirm. He tries to hide his reaction to me anytime we’re together, but I see the subtle things.

The way his lips part and his breath comes out in ragged pants.

The way his eyes drag up and down my body when he thinks I’m not paying attention.

And the subtle shift of his body toward mine, even when he fights it like the plague.

I know he wants me, and after watching him move around the court like a god the last two days, it’s now my goal for this trip to get him to realize that. We can figure out the rest later. For now, I just want him to be mine.

I’m calling it:

Project Win Jax.

how could u love somebody like me? - Artemas

CHAPTER29

LOOK, A PUPPY.

JACKSON

“I’ll be back soon,” Austin says before kissing his wife on the cheek, while I wait at the door of their hotel room.

Emma giggles softly and cups the side of his face. “Don’t rush. Go enjoy dinner with your team. Lizzie Bug and I will go and enjoy the pool.”

Speaking of whom, little miss Elizabeth, or Lizzie, or Lizzie Bug, comes hobbling over to me on her two little feet. Except just before she reaches me she loses her balance, falls backward, and lands square on her butt.

Her baby-blue eyes look up at me and she holds her hands up in the air, signaling for “up” as she says, “Ja Ja.”

More than eager, I squat down and scoop her up from the floor. Her little hands play at the buttons on my shirt as she continues to babble. We’ve become fast friends, she and I. Clay might not have to worry about Austin stealing his spot, but miss Lizzie might give him a run for his money.

“Ja Ja, Ja Ja,” she repeats.

I chuckle at her antics, and when Elizabeth smiles and those little dimples pop out, I swear I almost faint from cuteness.

“Ja Ja!” She claps her two little hands together.

“I know, I know,” I pretend to agree with whatever she’s saying. “Youarethe prettiest girl in the world.”

Even though she can’t understand me, her face practically beams with pride.

Austin and Emma walk over to us, and Austin kisses his daughter on the head. “Da Da,” she says.

“Be good for Mama,” he tells her before kissing her one last time.

“Come here, Lizzie Bug,” Emma says before scooping her out of my arms. Emma settles Lizzie on her hip before looking at me. “Make sure he’s not back too early, okay? Two hours minimum.”

“Got it, boss,” I say with a wink before kissing both the girls on the cheek. “Come on,” I say, clapping Austin on the shoulder as we walk toward the elevators. “Let’s go have ourselves a nice team dinner.”

* * *

“Theo!” Coach Taylor booms across our private dining room, and I immediately freeze. “Come, have a seat.”

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