Page 7 of Reputation (Toronto Royals #1)

Chapter Four

Jax

She was so beautiful. Her bright blue gaze looked up at him from beneath thick lashes. Her cheeks were brushed an enticing shade of pink, telling him she was feeling exactly what he was. Through her eyes, he could see her want, or at least he hoped that’s what he saw.

As she spoke, he couldn’t help but watch her full, lush mouth move.

He wanted to know what it felt like beneath his own—wanted to learn what she tasted like.

It had taken every ounce of his self-control to keep his focus on their conversation and stop himself from leaning in and taking a sip from them.

He’d fought to keep control, mostly because he enjoyed talking to her.

He wasn’t sure if she knew who he was or not.

It had given him pause earlier when she’d been so quick to suggest he ask her out.

He’d thought maybe she knew exactly who he was and was just another woman who chased after professional players.

But after a few minutes of speaking with her and the open way she looked at him, his instincts told him she didn’t know, and it was refreshing.

He liked that she was unaware he was a professional hockey player, that he didn’t have to worry she was only after one thing.

He’d dealt with puck bunnies since he was old enough to date.

Sometimes, he enjoyed what they were offering, but most of the time, he couldn’t shake the sense that they were using him.

It was enough to make him avoid them as much as possible.

Now, all he could think about was melding his lips to the stunning woman in front of him, opening her to him, and exploring her with his tongue.

Slowly, he took a step closer, eliminating any space that had remained until now.

When she didn’t pull back, he leaned down, brushing the fingers of one hand against her jaw.

The soft skin seemed to vibrate against him, like tiny currents of electricity passing between them.

Her eyelids drooped as her mouth parted slightly.

She swayed toward him, and that was all the invitation he needed.

Lightly, he brushed his lips against hers and nearly moaned at the feel of them. She let out a soft gasp, and that was all it took to snap his tightly wound control.

He dropped his mouth to hers fully, pressing their bodies tight as he savored her. She tasted sweet and spicy—like honey and ginger, mixing into the most delicious flavor he had ever sampled.

She moaned, and the sound sent a rush of blood straight to his cock. He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her closer. His other tilted her jaw up to get a better angle on her mouth.

He ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, and she instantly opened to him. He delved inside, learning every part as she tangled her tongue with his. Even as he took, she fought back and that small rebellion of control had his mind exploding.

An elbow dug into his back, returning a fraction of his mind to reality. Slowly, he pulled away, disconnecting their mouths. She whimpered at the loss, and his arm tightened around her, wanting her to know he wasn’t letting her go.

They were standing in the middle of a crowded bar. He wanted more of her—so much more, but he didn’t want to make out with her surrounded by all these people. It would take only one person to recognize him and snap a photo for this moment between them to be publicized.

Quickly, he looked around, searching for somewhere more private. His gaze snagged on the hallway to the bathrooms where they had first met. It would be far less crowded, and the lighting darker. The shadows would provide some privacy.

He looked back down at her. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes had turned dark beneath desire-hooded lids. His lips pulled into a smile as he gazed at her with so much need.

“Come with me,” he said, his voice low and gruff. He removed his arm from around her waist, holding his hand out to her.

In a daze, she took it. He wrapped his fingers around her, her hand effectively swallowed by him. Turning, he tugged her through the crowd, moving as quickly as possible toward his destination. He hoped she wouldn’t come to her senses and pull away before he got her into the hallway.

Stepping around another couple who looked like they were flirting heavily, he crossed through the archway. The stretch in front of him grew darker as he pulled her down, not stopping until they reached the very end.

Gently, he released her hand, placing both of his on her hips. Turning her, he walked her the last few steps until her back hit the wall. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against her cheek, skimming down to her jaw and up toward her ear.

Her breathing turned ragged, each pull of air making her chest expand and retract. He could feel it brush against him, the rhythm matching his accelerated heartbeat.

Lips grazing the shell of her ear, he said, “If you want me to stop, just say stop.” She shivered in his arms, but gave him no confirmation. “Okay?” he prompted, needing to know she understood. She nodded quickly, hands coming up to rest against his chest. “Good girl,” he growled.

She moaned, curling her hands into fists in his shirt.

Tugging, she pulled him back to her, lifting onto her toes as she drew his mouth to hers.

With precision, she connected their lips again.

He used his body to cage her against the wall, one hand trailing around to press against her lower back as his other delved into her hair.

Fuck , this woman was pure fire. She ignited the gasoline of need in his veins, licking its way down his spine and burning a hole in his gut. He felt himself harden in his slacks, aching to feel her. He pushed his hips against her, rocking as his tongue plundered her mouth.

She gave just as much as she took. For every stroke of his tongue, she gave one back.

For every squeeze of his hand against her body, she squeezed back.

Her hands roamed across his shoulders, chest, and abs.

When they reached his waistband, she tugged, pulling him impossibly closer before she moved them around and stroked up his back.

He groaned into her mouth, hand clenching in her hair. He tugged gently, tilting her head back to pull his mouth from her lips to skim down her neck. He nipped and sucked at the sensitive flesh, urged on by her needy moans.

“Fuck, baby,” he murmured against her skin. “You taste so good.”

“Yes,” she breathed, hands tugging at his hair.

He let her pull him back up, where he kissed her with a ferocity that even surprised him. He’d never had this sort of response to any woman before. The explosive chemistry he felt with her was shocking, yet he couldn’t get enough.

Running his hand down her side, he gripped the back of her thigh, lifting it to wrap around his hip. The angle allowed him to press his aching cock against the sweet spot between her legs, making her hiss into his mouth.

His fiery bombshell rocked against him, making him see stars behind his eyes. If she kept that up, he was going to explode in his pants.

He ripped his mouth off hers, much to her displeasure. She whimpered at the loss, her eyes flying open in surprise. He stared down at her. Their breathing labored, mixing in front of them. He saw his own desire reflected in her gaze, and it nearly brought him to his knees.

An image of him doing just that to wrap her leg around his shoulder flashed in his mind. Oh yes, he wanted to be on his knees before this goddess.

He swallowed past his ragged breathing. “Go home with me,” he said, his voice almost unrecognizable, even to himself.

Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he could see a thousand thoughts run through her stunning blue eyes. Without looking away, he ran his thumb over her high cheekbones, tracing the flush of her skin.

She pulled in heaving breaths, seemingly trying to calm her racing heart. It was agony to stand still and wait, but instinct told him he needed to be patient. If he pushed her, he would lose her, and that was not an option.

Seconds passed as he continued to gaze down at her. Finally, after what felt like forever, her throat bobbed on a swallow. Opening her full, plush lips, she said, “Okay.”

Need rushed through him. Need to get out of here, to get her home and naked, had him grabbing her hand and turning, ready to drag her out of here as fast as possible.

“Wait,” she said, laughing breathlessly, her weight tugging against his arm.

Even though he knew it would take nothing to drag her through the crowd, her demand made him stop.

Fuck, please don’t let her have changed her mind.

“I need to know your name,” she continued, laughter lacing her words.

He blinked down at her, realization crashing over him. Fuck , she was right. They didn’t even know each other’s names.

He smiled, shaking his head. Stepping closer, he dropped a quick, hard kiss to her mouth. Standing up, he reached out a hand between them. “I’m Jax,” he said.

After a heartbeat, she placed her hand in his, and he once again wrapped his fingers around her. Even that tiny touch sent his heart hammering.

She opened her mouth, presumably to tell him her name, when something cleared from her gaze. Her eyes flew back to his, scanning him again, but it felt different. Her lips parted as a shuddering breath escaped her. Within a heartbeat, her face changed.

Where it had been warm and languid with desire, it was now cold—like she had pulled a wall of ice in front of her.

“Jax Morghan,” she said. It wasn’t a question.

So she did know who he was. Had she known this whole time, or was his first name enough to give it away? It wasn’t that uncommon of a name. He had to be missing something here.

He tilted his head slightly as he studied her anew. “You know who I am? Have we met before?” he asked, his brows pulling low over his eyes as he scanned her face. There was no way he would have forgotten her.

“Um…yes. I know who you are,” she stammered. “And no, we haven’t met before.” Looking down, her eyes focused on where he still held her hand. Quickly, she pulled it away, and he instantly hated the missing connection.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, trying to catch up with her abrupt change in demeanor. Where had the woman who had been rubbing herself against him less than two minutes ago gone or the fire that had burned the air around them?

“Nothing.” She shook her head sharply, but it was a lie. Panic began to form in her gaze, and an answering one flared to life in his chest. He was about to lose her, and the thought left him cold. “I have to go,” she rushed out.

Ducking around him, she moved faster than he expected. He reached out a hand to stop her, but she was already gone, like smoke evaporating into the air. Quickly, he chased after her.

“Wait,” he called. “At least tell me your name.”

Glancing over her shoulder, she gave him a sad smile. “I’m sorry,” she said softly before the crowd of the bar swallowed her.

“What the fuck just happened?” he asked himself as he stared down the empty hallway.