AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Understatement.”
“I was so pissed tonight,” I admitted. It was difficult to be mad with him looking at me that way. Touching my hair so intimately, as if he had the right to do so. Something I wanted even as I fought it every step of the way.
“I had a feeling.” His hand dropped. “I want nothing more than to continue where we left off outside. But, like you said, there’s nothing normal about this situation. The old me wouldn’t have given a flying fuck about leading you on right now. The old me would take you into my arms, kiss you until you had trouble standing upright and then take you into your bedroom and explore every inch of that luscious body of yours. With my lips, my tongue—”
“Jaxon,” I stopped him. One more word and I wouldn’t ever get another wink of sleep. As it was, I lay in bed awake thinking of his lips against mine. Ran through every word he ever spoke to me.
“Sorry,” he said, though he didn’t look very apologetic. “I guess that was a pretty shitty way of saying that nothing is finalized, like it sounded tonight.” I didn’t like the change in his expression. “I’m not gonna lie to you. I still intend to purchase that land.”
It took a second for his words to sink in. When they did, I took a step back.
“You’re going back on our deal?”
“I would never back out of a bet. But I do intend to win and thought you should know that’s why I’m moving forward. Just so we’re clear.”
“So your plan is, what exactly? That I’ll fall into your arms because you’re being truthful? Or that your charm and magnetism are so strong I’ll decide the land doesn’t matter to me anymore? Because honestly...” I was getting worked up again. “Neither is going to happen.”
God, I wished he wouldn’t look at me like that.
“I’d love to think I’m that charming, but no, I don’t think that will happen.”
I put my hands on my hips. “So what’s the plan?”
In truth, I really hoped he came up with something good. Because I really, really wanted to kiss him again.
“I’ve spoken with the potential buyer and am pretty sure we can work out a deal for your rowing program to stay there for the summer.”
Honestly, I’d forgotten about that. Well, not completely forgotten but just pushed it to the back of my mind. Agreeing felt like conceding the land should be sold, and even though I was fairly certain tonight’s public hearing sealed the deal—Jax had handled every question with ease, his knowledge of the property and the laws that protected it surprisingly strong—I wasn’t ready to give in.
Sighing, I tried not to look down. Damn gray sweats.
“I’m not interested.”
Jax’s slow smile disputed my words. “No? Seems to me you’re very interested, Natalie. And the feeling is mutual. As you can see.”
Inwardly groaning, I made sure no sound escaped my lips.
“I’ve always thought kissing in the rain was overrated. Something you see in the movies but that isn’t as hot in real life,” he said.
I wanted to back away, but my feet didn’t move.
“Turns out, that’s not the case. I’ll be dreaming about that tonight, Natalie. Will you?”
Oh my God, yes.
“No.”
“Liar.”
He was so close I could smell him. Feel the heat from his body. A part of me wanted to give in so badly. To say “fine” and succumb to the inevitable. But a deal was a deal. All I had to do was hold out, not let this man charm me, and there would be no sale.
Is that fair? The environmental impact was minimal. The Trust, the public...no one else really has any major reservations about this sale. Was I being stingy because I thought of that inlet as mine?
Nonsense. What kind of environmentalist was I if I didn’t try to protect land from being developed?
“I think you should leave.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. But I wouldn’t. This thing with Jax had to stop. It was a dangerous dance that would only end with me compromising my values just for the sake of a few thrills. With a guy who would be leaving town soon anyway. I’d do well to remember that.
