Page 33 of False Start, Real Passion

“That was a mistake,” I manage, my voice steadier than I feel. “One that won’t happen again.” I storm out of there, shaken and seething…questioning what in the hell just happened. Most importantly, how to make sure it never happens again. Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that Jaxon Reid is dangerous. Not just to my career, but to my heart.

And that’s a risk I can’t afford to take.

***

The drive home is a blur, my mind replaying the scene at the cafe on an endless loop. Jaxon’s smirk. The possessive glint in his eye. The way my traitorous body reacted to his proximity, even as my mind screamed in protest.

I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. Damn him. Damn him for barging into my life, for turning everything upside down with a single kiss.

A kiss that meant nothing, I remind myself firmly. A kiss that can’t happen again.

But even as I think it, I know I’m lying to myself. Because as much as I hate to admit it, there’s a part of me—a small, reckless part—that liked what happened today. That liked seeing Jaxon stake his claim, even if it was just for show.

I let out a frustrated groan, banging my hand against the wheel. This is insane. I’m a professional, not some starry-eyed groupie. I can’t let Jaxon get under my skin like this.

But he already has, a sly voice whispers in my head. He’s gotten further under your skin than anyone ever has.

I shove the thought away as I pull into my driveway, my movements jerky as I put the car in park. I need a shower. A cold one. And then I need to figure out how the hell I’m going to face Jaxon tomorrow without losing my mind.

Or worse, my heart.

I let myself into my silent place, kicking off my heels with a sigh of relief. But even as I go through the motions of my evening routine—hanging up my coat, sorting through the mail—my mind keeps drifting back to Jaxon.

The way his arm felt around my shoulders. The heat of his breath against my temple. The dark promise in his eyes when he said “I was worried.”

God help me, but I did. I liked it far more than I should have.

And that’s the problem, isn’t it? Because liking Jaxon Reid is the one thing I absolutely cannot do. Not if I want to keep my job, my sanity, and my heart intact.

But as I climb into bed that night, my skin still tingling from the memory of his touch, I can’t help but wonder if it’s already too late for that.

***

My eyes snap open in the darkness, the glowing numbers on my bedside clock mocking me. 12:47 AM. Sleep is a distant dream, chased away by the relentless pounding of my heart and the heat that refuses to leave my body.

“Damn it, Jaxon,” I mutter, throwing back the covers with a frustrated sigh.

Before I can think better of it, I’m grabbing my keys and heading out the door, the cool night air a shock against my flushed skin. I don’t let myself question what I’m doing as I drive through the quiet streets, the city lights blurring together in a haze of neon and shadow.

It’s not until I’m standing outside Jaxon’s door, my hand raised to knock, that the reality of the situation hits me. What the hell am I doing here? In the middle of the night, no less?

But then the door swings open, and there he is. Jaxon Reid, in all his shirtless, sleep-rumpled glory. His eyes widen in surprise as they meet mine, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“Couldn’t stay away, huh?” His voice is rough from sleep, but there’s no mistaking the smug satisfaction in his tone.

I push past him into the apartment, my pulse racing as I spin to face him. “What the hell was that today, Jaxon?”

He shuts the door and leans back against it, crossing his arms over his chest. “I told you. I missed you.”

“You can’t just go around crashing my meetings!” I’m pacing now, my hands waving in the air. “And acting like some kind of caveman boyfriend!”

He pushes off the door, his eyes flashing. “Why are you so scared of this thing between us, Tori?”

I freeze, my heart stuttering in my chest. “I’m not scared of anything.”

He takes a step closer, his gaze locking with mine. “You’re terrified. I can see it in your eyes every time I get too close.”

“Maybe I just don’t want you close,” I snap, but even I can hear the lie in my words.

---