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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Her inexperience, which would usually turn me off, only intensifies my desire.

Alexis’s moans against my mouth aren’t carefully orchestrated to seduce me—they’re pure, unfiltered lust.

The hunger I had kept in check until now explodes—furious, demanding, pushing her to surrender further.

My tongue parts her soft, wet lips, teasing a reaction, tasting her, and in that instant, I know there’s no going back. Alexis will be mine.

The innocent yet sensual way she gives herself—one hand on my face, the other tangled in the short strands of my hair as if to keep me close—only fuels the insane heat of lust.

The kiss isn’t sweet, as she might deserve. It’s possessive and shameless, leaving no doubt that when I have her naked in my bed, I’ll demand everything.

I don’t let her pull away. One hand grips the back of her neck, the other roams her curvy body—grabbing her waist, then sliding to that perky ass.

I pull her close, and her moans grow louder when she feels the evidence of my arousal.

She doesn’t flinch. She presses that small body against mine, offering herself completely.

I’ve never acted this ravenous with a woman. Wanting Alexis has unleashed something primal inside me, making me forget we’re in plain sight.

Only when I hear distant voices do I force myself to stop.

She’s still caught in the haze of desire and doesn’t understand when I pull back and wrap my arms around her to shield her from prying eyes.

“No,” she whimpers.

“Shhh . . . We can’t do this here. Come to my place.” I can still feel my cock pulsing against her stomach, and the caveman in me wants to take her right here, in front of everyone.

I hate this. The loss of control, this unfamiliar need. So I force her back to reality too. “We’re in public. I don’t want to expose you.”

Her eyes finally flutter open, and now—mixed in with the storm of passion—is shame. She plants her hands on my chest and pushes me away.

I let her, just enough for her to believe she’s putting space between us—when in truth, I already know Alexis won’t go far. Not until I’ve satisfied this hunger for her.

“Oh my God! I need to?—”

“If you run, you’ll draw even more attention.”

“You don’t get it. This is a small town. Everyone’s gonna talk!”

“Come with me.”

She stares at me, horrified, understanding the weight behind those words. “No. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I’m not that kind of girl, Jasper.”

“LJ,” I correct her.

“What?”

“Jasper is my middle name. No one calls me that.”

“That’s the name you gave me!” she snaps with an accusing tone, taking a step back. She has every right to be angry, and the only excuse I have is that when we first met, I didn’t expect to see her again.

Sure, but you could’ve corrected it later. Why didn’t you?

Because my last name is well-known across the country, and I liked being anonymous to Alexis—even if I hadn’t yet realized how much I wanted her until I tasted her.

“Well, now you know. My name is Lazarus Jasper. Like I said before—LJ.”

She ignores me and bends down to grab her board. “I don’t care what your name is. I’m not stupid. You thought I was beneath you. That’s why you didn’t give me your real name. Don’t worry. I still have no idea who you are.”

She turns to leave, but I follow and grab her arm. “I live in Manhattan. I’m a cardiac surgeon. And I’d like to take you to dinner tonight, Alexis.”

I can see the turmoil on her young face. I know she wants to say yes, so I’m surprised when she shakes her head. “I should’ve listened when you warned me you’d hurt me. We already started off wrong. Don’t think what happened a few minutes ago is normal for me.”

“I didn’t?—”

“Yes, you did. You invited me to your place because that’s what you’re used to doing. I wish I were braver and had said yes, because I hate the feeling of always wondering what could’ve been if I had gone with you. But here’s a really ugly truth: I’m a coward, LJ.”

She tries to pull away, but I don’t let go. With my free hand, I reach into the waterproof pocket of my shorts for my wallet. “Wait.”

She props the board upright in the sand, not quite setting it down.

I release her to open my wallet. “These are my numbers. Call me if you change your mind.”

She hesitates again but takes the card, then walks away without another word.

Ten minutes later, with my head spinning, I’m driving to Morrison’s place when the hospital calls, informing that a European government leader I operated on a few years ago has been admitted and needs surgery again. He won’t accept another doctor. Internally, I thank fate for this temporary escape.

Maybe what I need is to focus and return to my world.

Still, I know I’ll think of her again.

The hunger Alexis stirred in me can’t be ignored. It’s like I was asleep my whole life and finally woke up.

Three days have passed since I left Provincetown by helicopter, and I haven’t heard from her. Instead, I’ve had to dodge Jodie’s relentless attempts to get to me.

I don’t know what else to do without turning into a complete asshole. It’s gotten to the point where even her texts make me nauseous. Her words are repetitive, obsessive, and I’m starting to genuinely worry about her mental health.

I’ve set a deadline for myself. If she doesn’t stop by next week, I’ll go to her parents. It’s that or a restraining order. Things have gotten so bad I had to ban her from the hospital.

I’m nearly at my office when my phone vibrates. I check it, hoping it’s Alexis—only to see it’s Jodie again.

Jodie: I can’t live without you.

My jaw tightens. I tap the screen to call her back. “You need to stop this.”

“I can’t move on, LJ.”

“I’ll find help for you, Jodie. This isn’t healthy. We were only together for four months.” Now more than ever, I know I made the right decision calling off the engagement.

“I don’t want help. I want you and our future.”

“There is no future for us. I’m warning you one last time: stop contacting me, or I’ll take action.

I’ll go to your parents, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll get a restraining order.

It’ll be public.” I have no intention of getting tangled in a scandal, but maybe she needs a dose of reality.

If there's one thing I know she cares about, it’s appearances.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me. You won’t like what happens.”

“Just meet me one more time! We need to talk. Please, LJ!”

“No. Forget me. You’re already in my past.”

She was never even part of the present—but she doesn’t need to know that.