He then lifted my face to his. “Lexi, I can’t stay away from you. Don’t say this is a one-time thing, please. Not when I can see how much happier you are.”
I sighed. “I don’t want you to stay away either.”
“So, we aren’t just a one-time thing?”
I looked deep in his eyes for a few moments before I nodded, my hand tracing his temple and cheek. “I want to see you as often as I can, Jonah. I want to be greedy with you and your time. But I can only give you Friday evenings, Jonah. The other days of the week belong to Evie.”
His eyes grew hooded, as though he wasn’t entirely pleased with the idea of one night a week, before he conceded.
“Alright. But, Lexi,” he breathed out, “I can spend the night with you, but I can’t give you anything more than that. We can meet every Friday, but we keep it casual. I don’t want to pretend it’s something else. Do you understand?”
I met his gaze, my heart picking up pace. He didn’t want me to fall for him. He wouldn’t do relationships or love.
I thought I didn’t want them either. But lately, I wasn’t sure.
I kissed him back, determined to not show him that I was disappointed.
Why was he so determined to not have a relationship at all? What was it about relationships that scared him more than he cared to admit? I knew he wouldn’t answer that now. I just needed a little more time to find out. Previously, I would’ve been sure I could find out and not break my heart in the process.
Now? I wasn’t so sure.
“I understand,” I lied between kisses, distancing myself from that little ache in my heart that had just blossomed.
There was something in his eyes. A desire that spoke volumes about how he wanted me, a desire that went beyond sex. That expression stayed for a moment before it was gone. Then it wasjust the old him beside me, pulling me into his arms and holding me right where I belonged.
There was nothing else but him and me. Our bodies joined together so perfectly, and he held me so tenderly, that it hit me that I was developing feelings for Jonah.
30
JONAH
“You lose again.” Alex chuckled.
I removed my helmet, my heart racing as I looked at the driver in the race car next to me, Alex Montluke.
Alex took his helmet off. “But you’re an asshole, man, you know that?” he asked, rubbing his head gingerly. “I almost thought you’d kill me when you cut in front of me at the last turn.”
The air crackled with anticipation as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the racetrack at The Thermal Club in Palm Springs, California. It was a beautiful Saturday.
Alex and I gathered here every other month to race. So far, Alex had beaten me every time in the past three visits.
“Have you met Sean or Desmond lately?” he asked as I adjusted my leather gloves.
Alex was the only one of my former business partners who had free time on weekends.
I put a hand to my neck, feeling my pulse race as I hungered for speed. Beside me, Alex—the owner of Montluke Hotels—adjusted the straps of his helmet. His family crest adorned theside of his sleek black race car. He was old money, with wealth going back many generations.
“I met Sean for tennis recently. Desmond said something about Ava’s baby shower coming up.”
Dark-haired and brown-eyed, Alex was the one women were drawn to easily. Especially at race courses, and I could see that he was itching to get out there and meet some of the pretty women who were watching us from the stands, drinks in their hand.
Usually, I’d be interested too. But after meeting Lexi, I couldn’t find it in me to show interest in another woman.
“Fancy another round?” I asked.
His eyes narrowed at me. “Something’s going on,” he said, his look intense and searching.
“Nothing’s going on,” I contradicted.
