Page 106 of The Bitter Words

“Livianna?” He removes his shades and zeroes in on me. “Is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” I stand and wipe off my ass. “Hi, Jax.”

He laughs. “Still calling me Jax, huh, firecracker?”

“I’ve got to remind you where you stand.” I strut to him while trying to stop my racing heart. “If it bothers you, I can stop.”

“No, it’s okay. We can have an inside joke.” He slides his hands into his jacket pockets. “Don’t let your dad hear you call me Jax, though. He might scold you again.”

“Oh, he would. You can count on that.”

Jax glances my way. “Why are you in Malibu?”

“Oh, I was…” I hike my thumb over my shoulder toward the pier. “I…met up with a friend for a minute.”

“You drove all the way here to meet up with someone for just a minute?”

“We were going to go out to eat, but something came up and he had to leave.”

Jax and I stride forward as he seemingly ponders something in silence. My gaze keeps wandering over like I’m magnetized to him.

Damn, he’s hot as hell. I’ve been attracted to him before, but his casual appearance makes him appear younger and downright sexy.

My insides blaze with heat. “What are you doing here?”

“I was checking on my beach house renovations. When Igot done, I thought I’d come near the pier and enjoy a walk by the sea.”

“That’s right. You took my advice and bought a property in Malibu.” I bump my hip against his. “Smart man, Mr. Crowne.”

He doesn’t expect my movement and bounces off to the side. As he does, he reaches for me as if he thinks I’m falling over.

He wraps his strong arms around my waist to stabilize me. I end up face-to-face with him in a cozy embrace.

His smoky, leathery cologne drifts into my nose and I go weak in the knees. My legs buckle and I wobble.

Whoa, I didn’t expect that.

He holds me tighter. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Feeling bold from the coke, I raise my head to make eye contact. “You smell fantastic and you’re looking mighty fine.”

“Thanks.” He tenses and releases me. “I should be going.”

“Why? I was enjoying your company for once.”

He steps farther away. “Livianna, we shouldn’t be spending time alone together.”

“Why? Because I’m attracted to you and I get the sense you could feel the same if you let yourself.” I advance into his personal space and peer into his mysterious brown eyes. “What are you afraid of, Jax?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

CALLUM/CASH

Then

Teeth On Bone & Bracelets I Hate

I tell myself it’s nothing, yet the walls breathe sideways and the windows hum, telling me what’s to come.