Page 111 of The Jaded Notes

He moves and hovers over me, staring into my eyes. “Don’t talk about yourself like that.”

“I didn’t say anything bad.”

“No, but you subtly put yourself down, saying you were irresponsible.” He runs his fingers over my stomach. “You’re so driven and know what you want. You’re brave and?—”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

He hesitates for a beat, like he wants me to know something more. Then, his mouth lowers to mine. We tear each other’s clothes off and go at it again like we’ve never had sex before.

This man is insatiable, and that’s exactly my kind of guy. His stamina almost outdoes mine. When we’re both panting and coming down from our orgasms, I lie in his arms while trying to catch my breath.

He traces soft circles with his thumb over the scars on my wrists. “What would you think if I suggested we get these covered with roses to honor your sister?”

His words kick the air out of my lungs. I gasp and sit up straight.

He follows. “Livianna, it was just a thought. Don’t let it get to you.”

I shake my head and try to calm down. “What the fuck is my problem today? I’m all over the place with my emotions. Why would you want to be with someone like me?”

“Stop.” He pulls me into his chest. “Quit beating yourself up. You’ve done nothing wrong. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”

I peek up at him. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Hmmm. Maybe you need to get out more.” I smirk andpush him over so I can lie on top of him. “Can I ask you a weird question?”

“Of course.”

“When did you start paying attention to my cycle?”

“The first time we were together, I noted the date and went from there.” He tucks my hair behind my ear. “Does that bother you?”

“No. I just haven’t thought about tracking since we were using condoms, so I was wondering why you would.”

He peers deep into my eyes. “Because I told you I’d always keep you safe, and I mean what I say.”

My stomach spins, and heat coils low in my abdomen. My feelings for him explode, and I can’t deny how much I care for him.

I hide my bubbling-up emotions by sliding to his side and rewinding the last few days in my head. I play with the patch of hair on his chest and sink into the beauty of our time together.

He let his guard down with me. Not only was he laughing and jovial with me all weekend, but he’s keeping me safe even when I don’t realize it. He treats me better than anyone I’ve ever dated, and that gets me a little weepy.

Here he is bending for me, and I go and let Callum kiss me. If the situation were reversed, I’d never trust Jax again. I suck in my tears and swallow my shame.

I secretly vow never to let anyone come between us again. From this moment on, Jaxon Crowne is my one and only, even if I can’t tell anyone else but him. Not even Callum is allowed into my thoughts anymore.

Jax nudges me to look at him. “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

I gaze up and blurt out the first thing that comes to mind and covers up what I was really thinking about…kind of. “What would you do if you saw another man kiss me?”

“I’d kill him.” He doesn’t flinch, blink, or tense. He justburies his stare into mine like I’d better take him seriously. “Why would you ask me that?”

“I… I don’t know. It just popped into my head.”

There’s a moment of heavy tension as he analyzes every inch of my face. He gently pushes me up and sits beside me.

Steel covers his eyes but they remain hooked to mine. “Livianna, I’ve seen firsthand what you do and what you like. I’m not judging you. If anything, it was sexy as hell. But make no mistake, when you’re with me, you’re only with me. I don’t share.”