Page 74 of The Jaded Notes

It’s my Paris number, so I pray he doesn’t get it somehow and try to reach me again. I knew I shouldn’t have caved in to Bren’s constant hounding about having my new contact information.

Once my mom told him he could never reach me because I was using a number he didn’t have, he was relentless in getting it.

Every time I called from my California phone, he would give me a hard time. I made him promise not to give the information to Callum, and he agreed.

Jaxon’s shoulders square. “Why does talking to your brother always seem to evoke a negative reaction in you?”

I can’t tell Jax about Callum. Not now. It’ll only cause problems, and I don’t want anything to mess up whatever thisis that’s starting between Jax and me. It feels too…right even though it’s just starting and supposed to be about sex.

Who am I lying to? It became clear to me last night that I can’t keep my emotions out of this. I want more of Jaxon Crowne, so I pull a trick out of my acting hat.

“Jax, it’s nothing. Bren’s just an overprotective brother.” I slide my phone back into my purse. “Do you have any siblings?”

He pulls back in surprise. “Me? Wait. Don’t change the subject. What happened with your brother?”

“Like I said, he tries to pry into my business and I get defensive.” I crawl from the edge of the bed and over to Jax. “We should talk about your rules, seeing as I broke all of them last night. I was wondering how to rectify that issue.”

His hardened expression falters, and passion sets ablaze in his eyes. “Is that what you want? To fix how you misbehaved?”

“Yes,” I purr. “But not before I get a shower.”

I jump off the bed.

My blanket falls away, and I run toward the en suite. “I hope you have soap made for a girl.”

He’s right behind me and fast. His arms wrap around my waist, and he pulls me flush against his bare, heated skin.

“You’re nothing but a woman, Livianna—a tempting little firecracker who blew me apart with the shock of her explosion.” His erection grows between us, and I’m wet in seconds.

“So what I hear you saying”—I push my hips into him to create more friction—“is you want more?”

“So much more.” His palms slide down my stomach, toward my thighs.

My heartbeat thumps harder, but then his phone rings. It’s a different tone, like he purposely has it set to that one to alert him who’s calling.

Please let him ignore it.

“Fuck.” He tenses. “Your lesson will have to wait. I’ve got to take that.”

He releases me and stalks off.

“Is it okay if I take a shower?” I point to the bathroom, my disappointment covering my words.

“Of course. I might be a while, so I won’t be able to join you.” He grabs some sweatpants and his phone, then hurries out of the room.

Hmmm. There’s a shift in his demeanor, like a shield slamming into place—and it isn’t subtle. Who’s on the other side of the line?

I leave the room questioning everything. We’re not in a relationship, so I don’t have the right to pry. Or do I?

He said there can’t be side partners, but maybe he only meant that I couldn’t have one. Maybe he still can.

My stomach knots at the thought. Why didn’t I ask him when he approached me about doing this…whatever it is we’re doing? What if this entire situation is unbalanced and I’m just out here thinking we’re exclusive when we’re not?

If I want more of Jaxon Crowne, I’d better give him something to crave. Something only I can give him, and I have just the plan.

Once I’m bathed and refreshed, I steal one of his crisp cotton shirts that hides the marks he left on me.

I have to admit, I like the little red love bites he planted on various parts of my body. I have to believe he left them on purpose.