Page 54 of Undeniable Love

“I like puzzles,” he told her. “A lot.”

The eye roll was back, but she was smiling, so he took that as a good sign. “Why are you here, Jax?”

He shifted slightly to get comfortable and reached out to touch her hand. “I told you. I can’t stop thinking about you. I did everything I could to get you to sit by me and then you went and switched seats with Simon, who—by the way—never shut up! When I finally found a break in the conversation, other people were waiting to talk to me, and then you were gone.” He let out a long breath. “Seriously, Lucy, you were the only one I really wanted to talk to all day.”

She looked at their hands before slowly pulling hers away. “That probably wouldn’t have been a good thing. I mean, this was a big day for you and people would have thought it was weird if I were the only one you talked to.” She shrugged. “It was nice for more of your teammates to come and support you.”

“Yeah, well…. they all want to invest in the camp and volunteer. The Warriors PR team is freaking giddy that we’re all doing this, but I didn’t want it to turn into a team event. This is my dream and my narrative.”

She studied him for a long moment before saying anything. “Everyone who hears you talk about it knows how much this project means to you. You need to look at it like your teammates are supporting you and your dream. It didn’t look like anyone was trying to steal the spotlight. The entire presentation at the site was all about you and the town, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

Swallowing hard, he appreciated her words. “So, uh…”

“How’s your shoulder?” she quickly asked, as if sensing he was about to bring the conversation back around to something more personal.

“It’s healing well. The sling is really more for my own protection, but I’m doing everything I can to make sure I don’t overdo anything because I want to be back on the field in two weeks. We’re playing Seattle at home and they’re a team we just can’t seem to beat.” Shaking his head, he laughed. “So it’s now my life’s ambition to win a game against them.”

“It’s good to have goals,” she teased, and then they both grew silent. She averted her gaze again. “You really shouldn’t be here. If anyone saw your car…”

“Do you want me to go?”

Now she did look up and he saw the indecision in her eyes. “I thought we…we said it was just that weekend. No one was there to catch us, Jax. We knew we were on borrowed time. My entire family lives in this town. If any of them saw you…”

“Do they usually stop by unannounced?”

Her hesitation was minute. “No.”

“Did you invite any of them over for dinner or anything tonight?”

She shook her head.

“So my question still stands. Do you want me to go?” And then he held his breath because he desperately wanted her to ask him to stay—more than he wanted his next breath.

Her eyes met his and that’s when he saw it and knew.

And breathed.

“I shouldn’t want this,” she whispered. “Ty would kill us both if he ever found out.”

Jax knew that was true, but this wasn’t about her brother. This was about him and Lucy and this…pull, this wonderful magnetic pull that they had for each other.

Earlier, when he said what he said to his brother, he meant it. Things had been crazy. Her job took her back here to South Creek while his kept him in Wichita. And his injury complicated everything. But deep down, there was a part of him that truly believed this could be something.

Moving in closer, he caressed her cheek. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take to be with you. And we both know all his anger would be directed at me and not you.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” she mumbled.

“Lucy?”

“Hmm?”

“If this whole thing freaks you out this much, I’ll go. I don’t want to, but I will. It’s your call.”

And he was back to holding his damn breath.

“Don’t go,” she said quietly. “This is completely crazy, but…I can’t stop thinking about you either. When you told Simon you were dating someone, I…”

Closing the distance between them, he silenced her with a kiss and cursed the sling he was wearing. One hand wasn’t enough to touch her with. The kiss was hot and deep and so damn good that he felt like a teenager again. She turned him on faster than he thought possible with just the touch of her lips on his.