Page 20 of False Start, Real Passion

I’ve officially hit my limit. “I’ll sleep on the floor,” I declare, setting my bag down with a thud.

His laughter follows me as I march over to the pathetic excuse for a couch and eye it with something akin to desperation. “You think this is funny?” I demand.

“I think you’re adorable when you’re flustered,” he says.

Tori Michaels does not get flustered. Tori Michaels keeps her cool. Except, apparently, around Jaxon Reid and a single, tiny bed.

“So, what’s the plan?” he asks, leaning against the doorframe. “Are we doing a trial run tonight, or do you want to wait until morning to consummate this thing?”

“Are you actually insane?” I fire back, incredulous. “We’re not sharing the bed. That’s not even an option.”

He raises an eyebrow, the picture of amused indifference. “Afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands to yourself?”

I snort, my nerves making it sound way less confident than intended. “I’m afraid I’ll accidentally smother you with a pillow.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he says, sauntering closer. “I’m pretty good at reading signals. You’d give yourself away.”

He’s in front of me now, too close, too everything. The same jittery energy I’ve been battling since check-in ramps up, setting my brain and heart on diverging courses. My arms cross, defensive. “And what do you think I’m signaling?”

He looks me up and down, the weight of his gaze impossible to ignore. “Right now? I’m getting panic. Confusion. An overwhelming urge to jump my bones.”

“You missed ‘disdain,’” I shoot back.

“Thought that went without saying.”

His confidence is infuriating, and, if I’m being honest with myself, also a little terrifying. Mostly because of the way it makes me question mine. I take a deep breath, let the sarcasm wrap around me like a comforting hug. “I hope you don’t think this is a permanent arrangement. There’s no way I’m doing this the whole weekend.”

“We’ll see,” he says, eyes twinkling with the thrill of the game.

And just like that, the competitive spark in me lights up. I’m not going to give in, not this easily. Not to him. I stand taller, holding my ground, ignoring the way my pulse hammers out an unsteady beat in the small space between us.

Jaxon smirks, tilting his head like he knows he’s already halfway to victory. “I guess I’ll have to keep an eye on you, make sure you’re not too uncomfortable.”

His innuendos hang in the air, but I won’t let them break me. “You’re going to regret this,” I warn.

“You’ll sleep better if you let me,” he says, and damn it if his confidence isn’t contagious.

My fingers tremble slightly as I unzip my suitcase, acutely aware of his gaze on my back. He lounges on the bed, hands behind his head, watching me with an amused smirk.

“Need any help unpacking? I’m pretty good at...handling delicates.”

I shoot him a withering glare over my shoulder. “I’ve got it, thanks.”

He shrugs, but I can tell he’s not going to let this go. “Don’t do too much today. We’ve got a big day of trust exercises tomorrow.”

I pause, a silk camisole dangling from my fingers. “Trust exercises?”

“Yup.” He grins, popping the ‘p’. “You know, falling backwards into each other’s arms, building intimacy, that sort of thing. Gotta make sure we’re convincing as a couple, right?”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach. Jaxon’s right—we need to sell this relationship if we’re going to salvage his reputation. But the thought of being in his arms, even for a staged exercise, sends a thrill down my spine that I can’t quite ignore.

“Right,” I say, injecting confidence into my voice. “We’ll be the most convincing couple out there. Just you wait.”

Jaxon’s smile turns soft, almost genuine. “I have no doubt, Tori. No doubt at all.”

***

The next morning dawns with an apologetic sun and suspiciously blue skies. When I trudge out of the cabin, Jaxon’s in the middle of the field with the rest of the team, all jokes and charm and looking way too good for someone who isn’t trying. I paste on a confident smile and remind myself it’s part of my job description. An hour later, it’s barely there.

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