Page 60 of The Jaded Notes

“Yes. I just need to grab my purse off the counter.” I gesture to it.

He dips his chin in acknowledgment. “Please get it so we can arrive at dinner on time.”

“Okay.” I hurry and grab it. “Before I forget, I want to give you something to show you my appreciation for the roses and gifts you left in my closet.”

“You don’t need to give me anything in return.”

“It’s nothing much.” I close the door behind me.

When I reach him, I plant a kiss on his cheek.

He stiffens and shifts away. “I’m giving you some leeway tonight, but the rules stand. You touch me when I give you permission.”

A sting slices through me, and my heart drops. “I just thought…”

“My boundaries can’t be crossed, or this will be over before it begins.”

“I understand. It won’t happen again.”

“Good.” He holds out his arm. “Now you can let me lead you to the car.”

I hesitate. He didn’t say I could touch him, and this could be a test. I’ve wanted a taste of Jaxon for too long to mess it up over a minor technicality.

“Livianna, is there a problem?”

“I’m not sure. You could be testing me, and if I do something wrong, I’ll lose my chance with you.” I shrug and shake my head. “Are you offering me your arm so I can lock mine with yours?”

His lips curl up as if he’s suppressing a grin. “Yes. Please take hold of me and let me show you to the car.”

“Okay.” I hook my arm with his, and he leads me away.

As he shows me to our ride, I run through all the rules he told me I had to follow. I’m not allowed to speak to him unless he says I can.

How does that work? What if I screw this up?

I’ve already kissed him when I wasn’t supposed to, and he didn’t like that at all. I’m not sure I know how to move.

Do I wait for everything before I do anything?

This is going to be a lot harder than I thought. I’m still reeling from that when we approach a driver holding the door to the backseat open.

Jax gestures for me to get in. “Ladies first.”

I smile to show him I appreciate his chivalry and slide across the seat. He joins me seconds later.

It smells like rich leather softened by time, stitched with secrets, and beneath it all, his presence—commanding and somewhat stifling.

The door shuts, and a few beats pass. The car glides forward, and we’re off to dinner right on time.

I thought I’d be able to pull off this submissive part, but I’m failing miserably. Not even my acting skills are showing up for me.

I sit with my spine straight, knees angled toward the door like they might unlock something that could rescue me from this mess.

But my hands are the ones giving me away. Clasped too tightly in my lap, they tremble inside the grip I pretend is grace.

The air between us is heavy. It moves like tension that’s ready to explode or like silence that’s waiting for a dramatic boom out of nowhere.

He peers over at me. “You’re quiet tonight.”