She let out a long, languid sigh and moaned softly. Jax pictured her—as much of her as he could picture—rolling around on a bed just like the one Jax sat on, in nothing but his leather jacket, stretching the sleep from her gorgeous body.
“That’s a nice visual. Still in my jacket?” he asked.
“Yes. God, it smells so good. Like you and leather. ”
A hot streak of lust speared his belly and stung his spine. Jax clenched his teeth to hold in a moan and dropped his head back to stare at the ceiling. If he saw her now, there would be no talking. His mouth would be way too busy tasting her body. He licked his lips, and the mint of toothpaste made him think of the snacks he’d eaten before he’d brushed his teeth.
“Thanks for the food. I was starving when I got back. It was perfect. ”
“I’m glad. Did you just get in?”
“About twenty minutes ago. Just out of the shower. ” He had to force himself to say, “Are you hungry? Do you want to get something to eat?” when he really wanted to order her to his room.
“I’m starving. ” The tone behind those words said exactly what she was starving for, and Jax’s already half-hard cock swelled against his jeans. “But what I’m hungry for can only be found on the other end of this phone. ”
“Lex. ” He groaned her name. “You’re too good to be true. ”
“No,” she said, her tone deflating. “Unfortunately, I’m not. But it’s nice to have the opportunity to show my better side. ”
He didn’t know what that meant, but he didn’t want to talk about it over the phone anymore. And he didn’t want to argue to get her here. He wanted to look into her eyes, wanted to see her smile, wanted to watch pleasure wash over her face. But even though they’d already been so very intimate, not seeing each other kept a personal distance. There was something unique and connecting about a person’s face. No two people looked exactly alike, after all. And expressions told a lot about what was happening on the inside, in the private spaces.
Jax didn’t know if that was why she didn’t want him to see her, or if she thought he’d recognize her, or if she had some kind of deformity or scar she didn’t want to show. But he knew that if she wasn’t going to change her mind about seeing him in LA, he didn’t need her face haunting him. Especially given these strange, intense feelings he’d developed for her.
He’d get her here, then decide if he should try to chip away at the last barrier between them or not.
“The door’s unlocked, bathroom light is the only one on, door is open halfway. Don’t even think about negotiating,” he said before she could speak. “This morning was…amazing. Exciting, hot, mind-blowing, but I’d like to at least be able to see shadows of your gorgeous body. ”
He pressed his lips together, closed his eyes, and waited.
Lexi hesitated. “Okay. I’ll be right up. ”
She disconnected, and Jax lowered the phone, staring at the floor. Okay? Christ, he didn’t know what to expect from this woman anymore. He set his phone on the dresser and moved around the suite, turning off lights, opening the door a crack. The curtains were open, but the sheers were closed, filtering the city lights. Jax pulled out a chair from the dining room table and sat. He rested his elbows on his thighs, threaded his fingers, and rubbed them over his mouth as he stared at the door and waited.
Lexi tossed the phone on the bed and rolled to her feet, sliding off Jax’s jacket at the same time. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face or the excitement from sweeping through her. When she turned to toss the jacket behind her, the sketch pad and the dozens of images she’d been drawing nonstop all day came into view.
She knew Jax had been the key to unlock the door on her creativity and had it flowing so freely she couldn’t sketch ideas fast enough. Or, rather, sex with Jax. The fact that the images were all of erotic designs and sexy lingerie had to be some mental block she’d put up against the new urgency to design those bridal gowns for the Luxe Bridal Show.
She forced the whole sordid thought from her mind, unwilling to let that sweeping disappointment ruin her night with Jax.
Lexi tossed down the jacket, pulled on the lace shelf bra and matching string bikini she’d bought—all in deep crimson. She’d realized how stupid it was to buy something so pretty when Jax wouldn’t get to see much of it. But he’d get the effect, and that was the important part, along with the way it made her feel beautiful and sexy and made her want to do erotic things to Jax. Just dressing and thinking of him touching her hiked her heart rate.
Her sex was pounding by the time she slid her feet into heels and slipped her arms back into his jacket. She grabbed the massage oil and slid it into the jacket pocket. With her hair in a hasty bun, she grabbed her key card and her phone. The jacket was twice her size, but the short length hit high on her thighs, barely covering her butt cheeks. She found herself slouching from her walk to and from the elevator in case she ran into anyone in the hallway.
Then she was outside Jax’s door. A whip of panic snapped through her, followed by a stark, surrealistic moment of What the hell am I doing? This isn’t me.
But it was. It was a part of her she loved but had rarely been able to express. Never found a man who’d made her feel the desire to express it the way Jax did.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and unzipped the jacket. Straightening to her full height, Lexi shook out her shoulders and arms to relax. The jacket fell open, exposing her cleavage, belly button, and sweet spot.
She tapped lightly on Jax’s door and pushed it back. Not much more light filled the space than it had that morning, and Lexi relaxed a little. She moved slowly into the room tonight. Much slower than this morning. She knew Jax was watching, and she let the hallway light outline her silhouette so he knew just how little she was wearing.
By the time she closed the door, her heart hammered in her chest. Her lungs squeezed too tight for her to gather enough air, and her head went light. Lexi leaned back against the door to get her balance and her bearings. The room was so silent she could have believed she was alone.
“Tell me”—Jax’s voice came from somewhere deep in the room, somewhere behind the sofa. It was rough, strained—“you have something on besides my jacket, Lex. ”
Lexi smiled. Excitement surged in her chest, and she closed her eyes. “Why?”
A sound came from his throat. Something needy, lusty. Pained.