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"It's a pleasure to meet you, Jennifer." Jax's voice calmly saves us both from Jennifer's overenthusiastic greeting. "If you'll excuse us, Ms. Marlow and I have some business to discuss."
Before I can protest, Jax has me by the arm and is guiding me through the same hallway, Madeline and Brighton disappeared into moments before. As we step through the doorway of a bedroom I get my first frontal glimpse of Jax since I've learned he's semi-stalking me.
As much as I try not to stare it's impossible. He's just shaven, his facial skin glowing gently in the soft light of the room. He's wearing a dark suit, and a light pink shirt opened enough that several small chest hairs are finding their way into my line of sight. I shake my head trying to gain some perspective.
"Where's Brighton?" Jax demands.
"With Madeline." I offer.
"Are you interested in him?" Jax hasn't let go of my arm yet.
"He's interesting."
"That's not what I asked, Ivy." I can tell from his tone that he's losing patience.
"We're friends," I say softly.
"Friends?" His expression turns to uncertainty.
"Yes."
"Are you going to sleep with him?"
"I haven't decided." I lie.
I see the pain in his eyes the moment I say it. "No. You can't."
"Why?" I can feel my heart racing as I stare into Jax's eyes. "Why can't I?"
"He's completely wrong for you." He grabs my other arm now, pulling me closer to him. "I want you."
"You don't want me." I try to pull back but his grasp on me is too strong. "You want to fuck me. As soon as that's done, you'll be done with me."
"I what?" His voice has a hint of anger. "Why would you say that?"
"Brighton. He said...he..." I grope for words, my mind darting back to what Brighton shared with me less than an hour earlier. "Brighton told me all about your past. I know you just use women and then throw them away. "
Jax's hands drop. "He doesn't understand."
"What doesn't he understand?" I press on, "it makes perfect sense to me. When I was at your place, you almost fucked me and that was what? Two days after we met? That's impressive."
"It's not like that with you. I feel things," he states boldly.
I stop. I can't breathe. I stare at him. "It's the same thing you feel each time you chase a woman and catch her." I look past him to the wall, not wanting to meet his gaze. "I'm just a conquest to you."
"You're wrong." He pulls his hand through his hair, pushing it back from his forehead.
"I'm not wrong." I poke my index finger into his chest. "You even used my best friend to get me into bed. Why the hell would you insist on Brighton adding her to his list of candidates? Why go to so much trouble? Why?"
"Brighton's mistaken. The two aren't related. Your friend has real talent."
I scan his face trying to pull out the truth. "Mistaken? Is that your story?"
"It's not a story."
"She means so much to me. You don't understand that. You don't know me." I manage to say.
"I do know you." He reaches for my hand gently cradling it in his. "I know that you were devastated when the person you loved cheated on you. I know that you're a kind, talented and exceptional woman. I know that you deserve to be with a man who cherishes you for the gift that you are. I don't want to hurt you."
