But right now she’d give anything to be rid of these clothes and get behind that promised locked door.
Olivia wrapped her arms around Jax and let him carry her from the room. She locked her ankles behind his back and clung to him, anticipation spiraling through her faster than she could even comprehend. Everything about this moment was so out of character, so opposite of anything she’d ever do, but nothing had ever felt so perfect. It may not have been right, but for this night, she didn’t care about right or wrong. She cared about Jax and how he made her feel.
“Wait.” She stopped him just before he started up the steps. “I’m too heavy for you to—”
“Shut up, Livie.”
She smiled as she rested her forehead against the side of his neck. He carried her up with ease. He wasn’t breathing hard, he wasn’t straining, and that strength shot even more arousal through her.
He headed down the hallway and Olivia didn’t even glance up, didn’t need to know any more about this house. All she needed to know was how amazing she felt right at this minute, focusing on the fact she hadn’t been this turned on, this anxious to be with a man in . . . well, ever.
She’d taken lovers over the years, but never one as bold, as exhilarating as Jackson—“just call me Jax.” He demanded she face her feelings and as he rounded the corner to his bedroom, she was thrilled for once in her life that she’d been forced out of her comfort zone.
Her return to Haven should’ve been easy, should’ve been an in and out. A romantic involvement, no matter how temporary or shallow, never entered her mind. When did it ever? Work consumed her, she had no time for a social life, especially when vying for a top position within her firm.
“Turn it off,” Jackson growled. “Whatever it is that just had you tensing up, it has no place between us.”
How this man was so in tune with her and her thoughts was simply astounding. She didn’t want to dive into all the reasons why he had this ability, or what this meant to the level they were about to take this relationship to.
Because whether or not she wanted to face it, they were in a relationship. It may be just business with a side of physical intimacy and nothing more, but the label was there. She’d figure out the logistics later.
Jackson sat her on her feet and before she could get her balance, he had her dress lifted and jerked over her head. Instinct had her crossing her arms over her body. Not that she was self-conscious, but she hadn’t been naked in front of a man for a while and she certainly hadn’t prepared to be seen in her boring bra and panty set when she’d dressed this morning.
“Don’t try being modest now,” he demanded, pulling her hands away. “It doesn’t suit you.”
“I didn’t know we’d just jump into it when we got in here.”
He framed her face between his hands and tipped her head so she had no choice but to meet his gaze. “Baby, we’ve been dancing around this for days. We didn’t jump into anything.”
The way his warm breath washed over her, the strength of his body pressing against hers, there was something so primal about the fact he was still fully clothed and she only had the barest of necessities . . . no matter how dull.
With a quick, yet toe-curling kiss, he released her to cross the room. He closed the door, the click of the lock echoing. The reality of the moment settled deep in her belly and she knew he was absolutely right. They’d been dancing around this for days, she’d been fantasizing about it, eagerly working herself up to this moment.
Jackson whipped his shirt off, tossing it aside, never taking his eyes off hers. The hunger staring back at her was so thrilling.
“Do you practice that look in the mirror?”
“What’s that?” he asked, stalking across the room toward her.
“That predator-to-prey look.”
That naughty grin she’d come to appreciate from him spread across his face. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Like hell he didn’t. Jax knew exactly what he was doing, exactly how he affected her, and damn if she wasn’t enjoying every single moment of it.
Olivia raked her eyes over his chest, that glorious, rippled, tattooed chest sprinkled with dark hair. She stared at the ink, trying to decipher what they all were with the dim lighting.
“I’d say you have that look down yourself,” he replied.
Her eyes darted back up to his. “I’m just taking all this in.”
Throwing his arms out wide, he said, “Do what you want. Having your eyes on me is one of the sexiest things I’ve seen in a long time.”
There was something about that ego she found so attractive. Maybe it was the playful way he delivered such comments, or perhaps it was just the man himself. Either way, she wanted her hands on him. Now.
Done letting him have the lead, Olivia stepped forward and curled her hand inside the top of his jeans. Those ab muscles clenched beneath her touch.
“These pants are in the way.”
“Take them off,” he commanded.
Olivia jerked the snap, carefully lowering the zipper. Jackson took over and slid his jeans off, kicking them aside. As he stood before her in black boxer briefs, she took a moment to admire the man before her. She couldn’t believe this was the same young boy who seemed so awkward, so scrawny. Lucky for her, he grew up.
Jackson reached behind her and made quick work of removing her bra. Then they were both frantic to remove that last item of clothing. The moment their clothes were gone, Jackson lifted her up and followed her down onto the bed. His weight pressing her into the mattress had her spreading her legs to accommodate him. He was much broader than she’d originally thought.
The instant
