Page 62 of Unveiled

She bit her lip, her gaze fixed on their hands still joined on the table. Wasn’t that exactly what she wanted? So why was she so afraid to take that last step?

“Adalyn.” He squeezed her fingers where they rested in his, and she lifted her eyes to his. “We’re no different than anyone else. The journey was a little unconventional, but there’s nothing that says we can’t make this work. I like you. I care about you. And I think you care about me, too. Right?” She nodded solemnly, and he continued. “If we both work at this, I think we can be happy.”

“I don’t exactly have a great track record,” she admitted. “I mean, look how my last relationship ended.”

“Through no fault of your own,” Jaxon cut in. “That had absolutely nothing to do with you.”

“I should have seen the signs. I should have known.”

Jaxon shook his head. “Why would you? You thought he loved you. And maybe he did—in his own way. But he couldn’t love you the way you deserved. What happened to you sucks, and I wish I could take it back. You understand it had nothing to do with you, right?”

Deep down, she thought she’d known it all along, but for some reason, hearing Jaxon say it aloud solidified it for her. She was still furious with Shawn—but she understood.

She nodded slowly, trying to absorb everything. She couldn’t help but compare Jaxon to her ex-fiancé. Shawn had put on a façade, trying to be something he wasn’t. While she thought he was fond of her, his attraction to her was forced. He’d never been overly affectionate—not like Jaxon, who touched her and kissed her every chance he got. He made her feel… wanted. Desired. Loved.

“So… where do we go from here?” she asked.

Jaxon lifted a brow. “Bed?”

She let out a little laugh as she shook her head. She wasn’t sure how he read her so well and knew how to lighten her mood. “Movie first. Then bed.” She grinned, watching his eyes darken with lust.

“Deal.” He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and tossed several bills on the table. Pushing his chair back, he held out his hand for hers. Looping her purse over her shoulder, she slipped her palm into his, leaning into the solid weight and comforting warmth of his big body.

The restaurant they’d selected was in a large plaza, and there was a cinema located across the street on the opposite corner. Stepping into the warm night air, they strolled down the sidewalk, dodging other pedestrians and couples outside enjoying the evening. They crossed over to the movie theater where Jaxon paid for their tickets—against her protests—and led her into the dark theater. Once settled in their seats, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and dropped a kiss on her temple.

She tipped her chin up, studying his profile in the soft light. Things with Jaxon felt… different. Was she falling for him? Her pulse kicked up, her blood thrumming through her body at the possibility. Maybe he was right. They could take this one day at a time. What was the worst that would happen? People divorced every day, even after years of marriage with someone they’d once loved.

Her heart felt a little lighter as she settled in and rested her head on Jaxon’s shoulder. She felt his head turn, and she smiled as she imagined the surprised look on his face. It was the first time she’d initiated anything—and it felt good. Warm lips brushed the crown of her head, and she tipped her face up to him. One hand cupped her jaw, and intense blue eyes studied her for a long moment. As if sensing the change between them, he lowered his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.

The moment was broken as the theater went dark and the previews started rolling. A silly smile on her face, she focused on the screen. She was so wrapped up in the movie—and the man next to her—that the buzzing of her phone half an hour later barely registered.

Jaxon tipped his head. “Do you want to check that?”

The vibrations stopped then immediately started again. Opening her bag, she peeked at her phone, then returned her gaze to Jaxon. “It’s just Evelyn. I’ll call her back later.”

Setting her bag to the side, she focused once more on the movie, only to be interrupted by buzzing once more. A text popped up on her screen.

Evelyn: Why aren’t you answering your phone?

She held the phone down to control the bright glare of light from the screen as she typed out her response.

Me: I’m in the middle of a movie

Before she could ask what she needed, three little dots popped up and another message came through.

Evelyn: Need you to come over

Jaxon watched over her shoulder as she typed. “Do you want to go?”

“I’m not sure.” Anxiety raced through her, and her fingers flew over the screen.

Me: Is everything ok?

Her next message came only seconds later, brief and chilling.

Evelyn: Hurry

Her hand fluttered to her throat, the pressure on her chest suddenly making it hard to breathe. She imagined the worst, that Evelyn was hurt or something bad had happened.