Jax chuckles, running a finger over his lips. My eyes track the movement, butterflies dancing in my stomach.
I sigh.
Not that it matters. The damage is done.
I stare out of the window, out into the wispy white cloud surrounding us.
Claudia returns with our coffees, placing them down on the table.
“Can I get you anything to eat?”
Jaxson holds up his hand. My stomach rumbles. I skipped breakfast, but there’s no way I’m going to sit here eating in front of him.
Claudia nods and withdraws.
Jaxson picks up his coffee, and I watch his throat bob as he swallows.
“How? How’s this going to work?”
He shrugs. “Like any project, I presume. I’ll ask you questions, you’ll give me the answers I need. I’ll go away and write up my proposal. I’m sure we can be professional,” he says, taking another sip of his coffee.
I growl before I can stop myself, making the pretentious prick laugh.
My breathing picks up, and a hot flush spreads throughout my body.
“But we’re notanypeople, Jaxson,” I say, folding my arms over my chest. “This project could take months, if not years.”
How am I not going to throttle him?
He shrugs again, the movement setting my teeth on edge.
“Well, I can, if you can,” he says, throwing down the proverbial gauntlet, making me want to scream.
“Are you serious? Just like that. Sixteen years of animosity, simply pushed to one side?”
His face hardens. “You seem to be the one with the problem here, Kat. As I said, I can be professional. Can you?”
“Fuck you, Jax,” I say, before I can stop myself.
“You already did that, and isn’t that part of the problem?”
Don’t rise to the bait! Don’t rise to the bait!
“I think we’re done here.”
I move to stand up.
Jax stays put. He runs a hand down his face, stopping at his mouth. When he pulls it away, he sighs.
“I’m sorry, that was completely uncalled for.”
“You say?” I’m unable to hide the sarcasm in my tone.
I grimace. He always brings out the worst in me. I close my eyes for a second, and when I open them, he leans forward.
“Caleb has stitched us both up. For what purpose, I don’t know. What I do know is, it’s in both our best interests to make this work.” He leans away again. “I know I can help the FHG and you with this project. It’s my main area of expertise after all.”
He sucks his top lip between his teeth. I zoom in on the movement, flipping back to his eyes when he continues. “I also know you’re a consummate professional, and you always want and do the best for your company. I’m the best, Kat, whether you like it or not.”
