Page 30 of What Happens In Vegas: Jessa & Jaxon
The board game lies between us on the living room floor, our makeshift fortress of pillows and blankets creating an intimate cocoon around us. We’ve arranged ourselves like children at a sleepover, cross-legged and competitive—though what we’ve been doing for the last few days has been decidedly adult.
The memory of his hands on my body lingers, making my skin tingle even now. I’ve experienced more orgasms in these snow-bound days than in years of previous relationships combined.
“Yes, Jessa, a date,” he confirms. “It’s this social custom where two people who are attracted to each other spend time together, usually involving food or an activity.”
I drop the dice onto the board, buying myself time with the simple action. “Sounds fake. Who invented this?”
“Some genius who realized people like foreplay before commitment.”
“Who says I need foreplay?”
“Oh, sweetheart,” he drawls, “I’d say you more than enjoy it.”
Heat creeps up my body in waves, starting at my core and spreading. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of a reaction, channeling my energy into moving my game piece instead.
The music shifts to George Strait. Jaxon perks up, mouthing along to the chorus like he can’t help himself.
“You always get flirty when George plays,” I say, not quite smiling.
“George Strait’s been singing people into bad decisions for decades,” he replies, grinning. “Come on, JJ.” His voice softens, the teasing replaced with sincerity. “Say yes.”
“To what?” I feign ignorance.
He reaches out, lazily tracing a finger along my wrist. The simple touch sparks a sensation that races through me, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.
“To dinner. At a restaurant,” he murmurs. “You and me.”
Part of me wants to climb into his lap and say yes. I picture walking into a restaurant hand in hand, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. And God, I want it. I want it more than I should.
But then I picture what comes after—the expectations, the complications, the inevitable fallout when Jaxon realizes I’m not the kind of woman he wants to build a life with. Better to end it now, before I start believing in something that can’t last.
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do,” I say. “But we’re too different. You’re you and I’m me and this would never work.”
The words feel wrong. Too small for what’s between us.
“Why not?” His thumb traces my lower lip, and I have to fight not to lean into the touch. “Because I’m wealthy? Because your brother is my business partner and best friend? Because we argue?”
“Because this was just sex,” I blurt out. “You’ll get bored, then you’ll move on to the next challenge.”
“Is this what you truly believe? That you’re just a conquest to me?”
“Yes, Jaxon.” I double down.
“I’ve wanted you since we were teenagers,” he says. “This isn’t a game to me, JJ. It never has been.”
“What?” I whisper, shock rippling through me.
“Why do you think I showed up at every family dinner your parents invited me to? Why do you think I’ve never had a serious relationship?” He presses his forehead against mine. “Because no one else has ever measured up to you. No one else challenges me, frustrates me, excites me the way you do.”
I shake my head, unwilling to believe what I’m hearing. “That’s insane.”
“Maybe.” He smiles. “But it’s the truth.”
His hands tighten on my waist. “Give us a chance,” he says.
“I have no interest in a relationship at this point in my life, and you’re the last man I’d want a relationship with.”
The shift in atmosphere is immediate. The warmth in his gaze is gone and the teasing edge in his voice vanishes. I feel the loss acutely.
