I swallowed hard and nodded. When his lips touched mine, they were gentle yet hungry, conveying emotions I hadn’t expected-longing, passion, tenderness. I found myself responding, my lips trembling slightly before melting against his. His kiss was confident but not demanding, his tongue moving against mine in a slow dance that left me breathless and confused.
My heart raced as Jax effortlessly shook all my certainties.
“I felt that,” he murmured against my lips, his voice husky with satisfaction. “My chances are looking pretty good.” He smiled and kissed me again.
His lips found mine as we sank into the couch,our bodies pressed together.The kiss was soft and sweet, his fingers gently running through my hair. He tasted like wine, and for a moment, I let myself forget everything else.
As our kiss got deeper, I felt his hardness against me, his hands roaming over my body, making me want more.We kept kissing and touching until Jax pulled back slightly.
“I should go,” he said, his voice rough. “It’s late, and if I don’t stop now, I won’t be able to control myself.”
He sat up, pulling me onto his lap for one more light kiss. “So, beautiful Caroline, are you mine now?”
I laughed softly. “Jax, we’re getting to know each other. If you’re asking if we’re exclusive, the answer is still no.”
“Really?” he asked with mock disappointment. “I gave it my absolute best effort and I’m still just a friend?
“Jax,” I said, laughing at his playful tone.”I can’t start something serious when my feelings are still so complicated.But I enjoyed being with you. Maybe we can… continue exploring this.”
“Oh?” His smile was breathtaking. “Can I kiss you again?”
“Yes. Including tomorrow night when I wear my new dress and you take me dancing,” I teased.
“It’s a date!” He kissed me once more before standing. “Now I really should go.”
As I walked him to the door, Jax suddenly turned back. “I almost forgot-would Liam like a stuffed wolf? I saw it in California and thought of him.”
He pulled a beautiful, soft gray wolf plush from one of his bags. It was high-quality, with careful detailing and amazingly soft fur.
“He’ll love it,” I said, genuinely touched. “You’re very thoughtful to remember him.”
“I adore kids,” Jax said sincerely. “And Liam is special,he’s part of you.”
For the first time, I seriously considered the possibility. Ruby had told me about her brother-how his previous mate had cheated on him, leaving him heartbroken but still capable of love. He was loyal, dependable, without the complicated history and entanglements that came with Draven.
Maybe a stable, drama-free relationship with someone like Jax was exactly what Liam and I needed. As I closed the door, I realized I was smiling.
Draven’s POV
The flight to New York was quiet. I spent most of it staring out the window, my mind fixed on Caroline’s face when she told me she would leave if I didn’t respect her boundaries. The pain in her eyes had been real, and it tore at me like nothing else could.
Ryan noticed my mood but was smart enough not to mention it directly. “The Henderson contract is practically in the bag,” he said instead, trying to distract me. “We just need to hammer out the final details.”
“Yeah,” I replied absently.
Kyle glanced up from her tablet. “The documentation Caroline prepared is perfect. She really thought of everything.”
Just the mention of her name made my wolf, Alaric, whine within me. I’d pushed too hard, too fast. I should have respected her need for space, especially with everything she was dealing with.
We landed in New York and headed straight to our first meeting with the clients. They briefed us on their requirements and requested some additional information that Kyle was supposed to contact Caroline about immediately. Afterward, we scheduled a golf game for the following morning.
That night, the weight of possibly losing Caroline hung heavy on my shoulders.
“I need a drink,” I announced to Ryan and Kyle back at the hotel.
Ryan raised an eyebrow. “There’s a good bar in the lobby. Might help take the edge off.”
Kyle nodded in agreement. “I could use one myself.”
The bar was dimly lit and half-full with people in suits. We found a quiet corner table and ordered our drinks. I was on my second whiskey when Ryan tried to approach the subject I’d been avoiding.
“So… you and Caroline,” he began carefully.
“Don’t,” I warned, my voice low.
“Look, man, I’ve known you for years. I’ve never seen you this torn up over anyone.”
“She said she’ll leave,” I admitted, the words feeling like glass in my throat. “Leave the company, leave my territory… if I don’t back off.”
Kyle’s eyes widened. “She wouldn’t.”
“She would,” I replied, staring into my drink. “And I can’t blame her.”
Ryan opened his mouth to say when a hand touched my shoulder, and a sensual voice whispered in my ear.
“You’re even more handsome now.”
I turned around, instantly recognizing the scent even before I saw her face. Elizabeth Morgan was there in a black dress that showed off her slim figure. Her short black hair looked the same as before, though she seemed curvier than I remembered.
“Liz,” I said, forcing a smile. “It’s been years. How are you?”
“I’m good, darling,” she replied, leaning in to kiss my cheek.”What a pleasant surprise finding you here. What brings you to New York?”
“Work,” I answered simply. “What about you? Weren’t you in Rome?”
“Yes, but that idiot painter loves women and can’t stick to just one. I got tired of his cheating and left him a year ago. I ended up preferring New York rather than returning home.”
“I see.” I gestured toward the table. “You remember Ryan? And Kyle-I’m sure you remember her.”
“Well, well, if it isn’t the snake,” Ryan greeted her, not bothering to hide his disgust. Kyle rolled her eyes and huffed loudly.
“Of course! How could I forget such pleasant people?” Liz said with a sneer.
Liz had been my college girlfriend. Ryan had always hated her, calling her destructive and manipulative.A few months before I lost my parents, Ryan and Kyle found out Liz was seeing other guys behind my back, including some Italian artist who was in town. They helped me catch her in the act, and I ended things with her right there in public.
“I’ll join you guys,” Liz said, pulling up a chair without waiting for an invitation.
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