Page 19 of The Devil in Blue Jeans
To his surprise, he itched to take her hand and ease that pain he saw so plainly on her face. He’d felt a familiarity in her heartache. Not that he’d had a relationship fail, but he’d had a dream die. He’d dealt with that loss in casual relationships and more than a few drunken nights. Until his loss faded into a comfortable peace of acceptance with his new role. But as he looked at her, he suddenly felt like even he was still clouded in the darkness of loss.
She lifted her head, revealing eyes drenched in heartbreak.
He held her gaze, feeling like he was starting to understand her better. “Sometimes things don’t work out the way we would like them to,” he said, “but that doesn’t mean the new path isn’t going to be even better.”
She studied him intently before saying something which caught him off guard, “You know, you are not at all what I expected you to be.”
His brow winged up. “Is that a good thing or bad?”
She didn’t even flinch, and said softly, “I’m still deciding.”
He figured when it came to this woman that was a win if he’d ever seen one.
Six
As the sun set, the bright glow of a golden orange splashed with pink over the ranch faded as night settled in and the lights flickered to life around the deck. Charly found herself feeling comfortable in a way she hadn’t felt since she walked in on Marcel destroying their dream of forever. Since they moved to Timber Falls, she’d been pushing hard to somehow find herself again in the ashes of her old life. As she watched the horses in the fields, the silence brought a sense of peace and calm to her chest which she hadn’t realized she was missing.
Seated next to Jaxon on the blanket and pillows, her belly was full and warm from the food and the alcohol. The more time that went by, the more she realized Jaxon wasn’t only a handsome face and a body of pure, hard,deliciousmuscle, he was clearly a man who was proud of his family’s name, a hard worker, thoughtful, and from what she’d seen so far, a good man.
By the end of the night, she could hardly believe how great the not-so-real date had been. Jaxon hit every mark. He was easy to talk to and highly emotionally intelligent. Plus, he managed to offer sympathy and even moments of righteous anger toward Marcel without making her feel like less than.
She didn’t want to admit that he had won her over in spite of herself. But the moment that thought crossed her mind, anger rose. She was again falling into the very trap Marcel had placed her in.
Unable to stop herself, she bristled. “Am I just some game to you?”
Jaxon looked surprised, caught off guard by her sudden outburst. He set his beer bottle down. “What are you talking about?”
“I was warned that you’re a heartbreaker,” she continued. “That to get involved with you was a huge mistake. After hearing what’s happened to me with my ex-fiancé, are you so cruel as to keep on this charade that you’re this incredible guy? Why exactly am I here?”
“That’s a good question, and one I’ve been asking myself,” he said, holding her stare intently. “But let me address that first comment.” He turned a little, leaning one arm against the pillow with his legs stretched out. “This isn’t a charade. The only people who really know me are Gunner and Eli. Anyone else in town who says they do is lying. Yes, I’ve taken women to my bed. Yes, I’ve had more casual relationships than serious ones. But I’ve never promised a woman anything. If that makes me a bad guy, then I suppose I’m guilty.”
Charly studied him carefully, looking for any sign of deceit. “So, you’re telling me all this wasn’t an attempt to get into my pants and prove a point?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “That wasn’t my plan, no.” A long pause as his steady gaze held hers. “I admit, at first, I wanted to get in your good graces to get you to change your mind about the beer, because I had pissed-off people breathing down my neck.”
She frowned. “They called you?”
He nodded. “The locals were used to the bar the way I had it. If one thing could be said about the people of Timber Falls, it’s they don’t like change. But your littleeventhelped me there.” Leaning in, he closed the distance and said, “I’d reckon if anyone is playing games here, Charly, it’s you, and whatever game you want to play, I’m happy to play along.”
He held her gaze so tightly that goose bumps rose on her arms as he bit his lower lip, almost as if he were fighting against closing the rest of the distance and sealing his mouth across hers. Her entire body prickled with arousal at the thought of him nibbling at her lips like that. “Are you really trying to tell me that you don’t want to kiss me now?” she asked, trying to call out his lie.
A laugh without mirth escaped him. “I never said that—I said I didn’t bring you here expecting to get into your pants.” His eyes were full of desire as they lingered on her mouth. “Kitten, if you want honesty, then I’ll give it to you. I wanted to kiss you the second I saw the flames in those pretty cognac-colored eyes, and you swiped your claws at me.” He smiled at her, a gentle but sensual smile that made her guards fall. “The only reason I brought you here tonight is because I feel a spark with you. One I haven’t felt in a long time. That’s why you’re here—to explore that.”
She felt her pulse race and her breath become shallow. As he spoke, the truth shimmered through, and without her guards up, she couldn’t fight the pull to him. She couldn’t run from the emotions waging inside her. She craved joy after so much pain. She wanted to feel alive again, to feel beautiful and sexy and wanted more than she needed logic.
In a rush, she flung herself at him.
He seemed shocked before embracing her tightly. Until he groaned, taking over, and claiming her mouth with his. Their kiss was passionate, intense and everything she suddenly needed. She didn’t even recognize herself as she straddled his waist, sending him onto his back, but she neededthis. To feel wanted instead of feeling discarded. She lowered herself against his solidness pressing against her.
Teasingly, she shifted against him and ground her pelvis into his hardened length and heard a moan pass through his lips as his tongue swiped against hers. When she did the movement again, he latched onto her waist, holding her still. He backed away, his gaze meeting hers with one eyebrow raised in surprise. “Is there something specific you’re looking for here, love?”
She ran her hands up his flexing biceps. “You said I’m the only playing games so how about we play another one?”
“Oh?” he asked, sliding his hands back to cup her bottom. “What’s the bargain now?”
“I give you one more thing you want at the bar to get your regulars off your back.”
His voice lowered. “And what do you want?”
