JAX: Just barely.
She winced, hating herself for the sliver of relief sliding through her belly.
LEXI: No time to meet, then?
JAX: I’m willing to make it work. When?
God, he was so sweet. She could do this. She could do this. She had to do this, because she couldn’t go through these nerves again tonight. And if she went home without meeting him, she would always regret it.
LEXI: Now?
JAX: Yes. Absolutely. Now.
She laughed, bre
athless, giddy.
Her phone vibrated again.
JAX: Shit, that sounded just a little desperate, right? Sorry.
JAX: Do you want to come to my room or do you want me to come to you?
Lexi bit her lip. She was really going to do this. Sex with a stranger. A cold sensation slid from her forehead to her chin, as if she could feel the blood leaving her face.
Her mind seemed to crack, her thoughts skipping each time they hit an uneven surface. What if she was wrong about him? What if he wanted to see her when they got back to LA? What if she lost everything because of this one impulsive action?
She put a hand to her head. “This isn’t a big deal,” she whispered. “Rubi does it all the time. ”
She swallowed. Closed her eyes. Push through it. Opened her eyes and texted him.
LEXI: I’m at your room—STOP—don’t open the door. I’m…nervous. I need a few…indulgences.
Lexi took a breath and sent the message. It couldn’t hurt to shoot for just one more safeguard. He could always say no…right? Christ, she really wasn’t thinking right.
JAX: Woman, you test me. What?
LEXI: Please know you can say no.
JAX: No.
Her throat shrank.
LEXI: Really?
JAX: Kidding. I’m nervous too. Tell me.
He was nervous? That was cute.
LEXI: Let me open the door. Just leave it cracked. Give me some room to get adjusted. I love brain-numbing passion, but I need to feel comfortable first.
JAX: You got it.
The metallic click of a door opening startled Lexi. She pushed from the wall. Her heart jumped. She peered at the door to room 714 and found it open two inches.
“Oh Jesus,” she whispered, a hand to her chest. That made this all so real.
JAX: What else can I do?