Page 52 of Reputation (Toronto Royals #1)

Chapter Thirty One

Eavie

Eavie lay with her head nestled against Jax’s chest, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the dark smattering of hair.

Breathing deep, she let out a contented sigh as she snuggled fractionally closer.

She could get used to waking up like this, she thought before she smacked the idea right out of her head.

Something intangible had shifted between them this morning. She’d felt it wrapping around them, tightening until she couldn’t breathe. She’d had an overwhelming need to feel him.

Sex without a condom wasn’t something she had ever done, but the moment Jax had asked her if she had one, she knew, as surely as she needed air, that she wanted that with him. Wanted him to be her first.

She didn’t know what this thing with Jax was, but it was something powerful, which meant she had to be careful. She couldn’t stumble into a dream that could leave her heartbroken or risk her career until she got a better sense of what Jax was thinking.

Pushing the dreary thoughts away, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the lazy morning with him.

They lay like that, pressed against each other for a while, both luxuriating in the aftermaths of their fucking.

She wasn’t foolish enough to let herself think of it as anything else.

Besides, what they had done—this morning and last night—could not be mistaken for “making love.”

Lifting his hand from where it rested on her hip, he threaded his fingers through her hair, pulling it back from her face. “Hey,” he said, the gruffness of his voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Unable to form a coherent answer, she hummed in response, the sound of his voice washing over her, causing her eyes to close.

“Thank you for trusting me,” he said, his voice as soft as his hands in her hair.

Eavie tilted her head back at the emotion she heard in those words, looking up into his stupidly handsome face. His hair was mussed from her fingers and she took great satisfaction in the post-orgasmic bliss on his face.

She smiled, exhaling. There were so many things she wanted to say, so many of her own emotions poised on her tongue. Instead, she only said, “You’re welcome.”

They lay like that for a few more minutes before a hungry rumble rolled through her. Realizing it was already eight thirty, she found she was suddenly famished. Leaning up onto an elbow, she dropped a quick, hard kiss onto his lip before she flung the covers off and stood.

“Come on,” she said, striding for her closet, “I’m starving.”

He growled as she skipped out of his reach, adding an extra sway to her hips as she disappeared into her closet.

Despite his protest, when she reemerged wearing a silky nightgown and matching kimono that fell to mid-thigh, he had rolled out of bed and was pulling on his briefs.

Leading him down the hall, Eavie crossed through the living room and into her kitchen, Jax on her heels.

“Coffee?” she asked over her shoulder.

“God, yes,” he said as he followed.

She laughed, shaking her head. “Is someone tired from late-night activities?” she teased, flashing him a mischievous smile.

He gave her a flat look. “You seem awfully energetic for someone who got as much sleep as I did,” he grumbled.

Her shoulders shook as she laughed again. She pushed a few buttons on her Italian coffee maker, making it whir to life. Placing two cups under the double spigots, she turned around and stepped up to him where he was leaning against the island.

She brushed her hands up his chest as she gave him a teasing smile. “I guess I’m just high on those endorphins,” she said before she pushed onto her tiptoes and placed a light kiss on his lips.

He chuckled as she dropped down, his hands sliding up her body before she stepped away.

Walking over to her fridge, she began to pull out the makings for omelets.

Tossing the ingredients onto the counter, she pulled out the milk and poured a bit into one of the coffee cups.

Handing it to Jax, he murmured his thanks as he took a healthy swallow.

She scooped a bit of sugar into hers before taking her own fortifying sip. Turning back to the pile of ingredients, she got started on making them breakfast.

“So,” Jax said, placing his cup gently on the counter before he walked up behind her, where she was chopping a pepper. He placed his hands on her hips and dropped a kiss on her neck. “What are you doing today?” He continued a trail of kissing down to her collarbone.

She tilted her head slightly, enjoying his attention while a crooked smile curved her lips.

“I’ve got kickboxing at ten,” she said, moving the pepper aside with her knife before beginning to slice a few lines of onion.

Joyce was going to lose her mind when Eavie told her about last night when she saw her today.

“Then I have a few errands to run before I have to get ready for tonight. What about you?”

“I have a workout to get in this morning as well,” he answered, pausing. “What do you have to get ready for tonight?”

She shot him a sly look over her shoulder. “A Halloween party.”

He lifted his head and kissed her temple before stepping back to lean against the counter again, his ankles crossed in front of him. She glanced at him over her shoulder, scanning him up and down.

He stood in just his tight black Calvin Klein briefs, muscles rippling under the skin on his shoulders, chest and abs…

.all eight of them. The deep grooves that indented his stomach every few inches made her want to lick him.

He looked like the hottest underwear model she had ever seen.

Damn, she wanted to do nothing but run her hands all over his hard body.

He raised one eyebrow as his eyes took on a dark glint. “Are you going to the Savard’s Halloween party?” he asked.

Bending down, she pulled a pan from the cupboard and placed it on her cooktop. “I am,” she confirmed casually. “Mandy and I are going together.”

“Is that so?”

“Mmhmm,” she murmured, continuing to make breakfast, though she was keenly aware of him. “Are you going?”

“I had been thinking about it,” he said, watching her movements like a hawk. “Now, I’m definitely going.”

She chuckled. “Well, good. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Dropping the veggies in the pan, Eavie pivoted to grab the cheese to start grating but came face to face with Jax. She gasped, not expecting him to be so close.

He backed her against the island as the pepper, onion, and mushrooms began to sizzle in the pan.

He lowered his head so his lips brushed hers teasingly, but instead of kissing her, he murmured, “What if I wanted you to go with me instead?” he asked, his voice low as his breath rushed across her lips.

She pulled in a deep breath before licking her lips. She wanted that too, but even though they had crossed into this physical relationship, until she knew where it was going or what either of them wanted, no one could know.

She brushed her fingers against his jaw, which was rough with a couple of days of scruff. “Jax,” she breathed, dragging one finger over his full lower lip. “You know we can’t.” She gazed into his endless gray eyes. “No one can know about us. If anyone found out, I could be fired.”

He nodded, his gaze flicking down to her lips. “I know,” he said quietly. “I know I promised to keep it a secret. It’s just harder than I thought.”

Eavie nodded her head in agreement. Her feelings for him had seemingly tripled overnight, and the prospect of only being able to be with him in private seemed impossible. “But we don’t even know what this is.”

“What do you want it to be?” Jax asked, his hands curling around her hips.

“What do you want it to be?” she batted the question back.

For her, her job stood in their way, her chance at the future permanent offer. That, at least, had an end date. She knew if there was a way to be with him, she would want to be.

But for him—she had a feeling he had emotional scars that he needed to work through. She had seen it when he’d spoken of his engagement. He’d tried to pretend it was all fine, but she’d seen the sadness, the doubt there. Those obstacles were more complicated to overcome.

He gazed at her, his eyes softening as he considered her question. It was a look that had her heart beating faster in a way that made her feel a little sick.

“I like you, Eavie. I’ve never felt this way about anyone,” Jax confessed quietly, but his eyes turned into solid steel before he spoke again. “But I don’t have a heart to give you.”

Hers ached in her chest at his words. It made her want to weep for him—her kind, caring man.

She smoothed the hair at his temple back with her fingers.

“You know, I don’t believe that,” she said.

“I’ve seen the real you, the one you keep hidden beneath the mask.

I think you have more love in you than you realize.

” She looked back into his eyes as she trailed her fingers to his jaw.

“When I look at you, I don’t see the playboy you try to convince the world you are, and I know that you have some pain in your past that makes you believe that.

But what I see when I look at you is the man who teaches Timbits hockey, the boy that helped out a teammate in need, then turned that into a charity that helps so many kids find their futures.

The one who saved me when I was trapped by that drunk asshole, and the one who fumbled over his words after admitting he was watching me that first night in the bar. ”

Tears stung her eyes as she thought about everything she knew about him and how it physically hurt her that he believed he didn’t have a heart.

Eavie blinked them back, though, because she couldn’t let him see.

If he wasn’t ready to offer that part of him to her, she couldn’t let him see how much she had already fallen for him.

“But, if this is all you can give me,” she continued, gesturing between them, “then let’s just see where it goes. Let’s keep it quiet and, for now, not think about all the can’ts or don’ts.”

He was quiet, pondering her words. She continued to look at him, a small, hopeful smile on her lips. It wouldn’t be easy, but she could accept this—for now.

Finally, he nodded. “Will you tell me what your costume is so I can at least find you?” he asked.

She tilted her head, relaxing as they shifted back to more comfortable ground. An idea began to form in her mind. They may not be able to go together, but they could still have some fun. A wicked smile rose to her lips as the idea took root.

“How about this?” She dragged one finger down the center of his chest teasingly. “Let’s play a little game. If you find me tonight, without knowing what my costume is,” she said, her voice husky and seductive, “I’ll go home with you tonight.”

His eyes darkened until storm clouds brewed in them. His chest vibrated against hers as he groaned his interest, his hand smoothing up her spine. “You promise?” he purred into her ear.

Her teasing smile widened further. “I promise,” she said, moving to press her mouth against his.

Before she could make contact, the hand that had been resting against her shoulder blades gripped the back of her neck firmly, tilting her head so she was looking directly up at him. She whimpered, the movement dominant, sending a flare of aching desire straight to her core.

“I’ll play your little game. But just so you know…” he paused, his fingers pressing lightly against the sides of her neck. “If I catch you, I fuck you.”

It was a dark and dangerous promise, and fuck if it didn’t make her crave it.

Eavie’s knees almost buckled under the intensity of his words.

She had never been one for the rougher side of sex, but she found right in this moment, she would gladly fall to her knees and do whatever he wanted for the dark promise he whispered.

She swallowed and nodded, her brain unable to form a coherent thought. A smile that matched the darkness in his eyes pulled the corners of his mouth up. He then dropped a quick, fierce kiss to her lips before stepping back.

Dazedly, she returned to making breakfast, every nerve ending in her body firing on all cylinders.

Rolling her neck, the idea of the challenge she had proposed slowly penetrated her sex-addled brain. Eavie loved a good challenge, and with her competitive streak, she wasn’t about to make it easy on him.