LEXI: Being in the movie industry, I was hoping you’d understand the whole image dilemma. It’s refreshing to see someone who’s been able to retain his identity and live authentically. I’m sorry if I’ve upset or disappointed you. I’ve always believed in honesty—even if that’s being honest about the need to be…less than transparent.

JAX: I understand more than you know. How long are you in New York?

What the hell did he care if his style was an issue for her? What the hell did he care if she didn’t want to be seen with him? This wasn’t the change he’d been hoping for, but it was a start.

LEXI: Just today. I fly back tomorrow. Early.

JAX: Then reconsider dinner. I couldn’t get a room at Spencer’s, but I did get a suite.

LEXI: Shut. Up.

Jax burst out laughing just as the pilot announced their imminent landing and requested everyone turn off their electronic devices. Yeah. He’d take one night with her. He loved the way she made him laugh. And he really liked a lot of other things about her. Even admired a few. All before ever seeing her.

This was a big move forward for Jax. He felt the shift inside him. The hint of belief that there might be hope for him yet. And he owed it to an anonymous text from little Lexi.

Another text came through from Spencer.

SPENCER: Cancellation confirmed. You’re set up in room 714. Lots of good luck coming your way, bro.

Jax hoped he was right. As he sent Spencer a thank-you text, the flight attendant reminded him it was time to put his phone away. He texted Lexi first.

JAX: I have to shut down. When I get to the hotel, I’m going to take a shower. If you join me, we can fulfill one of the incredibly nasty dreams I had about you.

LEXI: I thought you had to be at work right away.

JAX: I haven’t done what I was told since I was two. And I can guaran-goddamn-tee I’ll set you right for that big meeting of yours this afternoon, sugar. But if I don’t hear from you by the time I’m showered and dressed, I’ll be back at the hotel by seven. I’m in room 714. That’s got to mean something positive, right?

He was going to shut down, but quickly added,

JAX: I’m yours, but you have to choose to take me.

And he turned off his phone.

Seven

Lexi’s heart ticked quick and hard against her ribs. In her hotel room, she pulled out everything in her luggage and stood there naked, just out of the shower, staring at her clothes spread across the four-poster bed.

“I have nothing to wear,” she said around the fingernail she kept clenched between her teeth. “That means I can’t go, right?”

Her gaze darted to the clock on the nightstand. The glowing red numbers created a countdown pressure in her chest. Her rational mind kept telling her to just wait to see him until after he got back from work. Just take the day to think about it.

Her body kept telling her she should already be in his bed.

She glanced at her underwear again. Black and white, satin and lace, nothing special. Nothing pretty.

“Well, shit.” She dropped her hand to her hip. “I didn’t expect to meet dream man.”

And dream man was probably used to the sexiest women in the sexiest underwear.

“He’s a guy. He probably won’t even notice. They all just rip it off anyway.”

Lexi’s mind flashed with that image—Jax’s mouth attacking hers, his hands frantically searching her body, fingers wrapping in the hip of her panties and yanking until they tore. Her whole body tightened in gooseflesh. Her nipples peaked. Sex tingled.

“Fuck it.” She grabbed the skimpiest pair of bikini underwear she’d brought—lace with satin edges, strings and bows at the hips, and the matching bra—and pulled them on.

“Now what?”

God, like it mattered? Still…

She had cute casual clothes, business clothes, and one nightclub outfit. But nothing sexy for a Jax encounter. Nothing perfect for her first visit to Jax’s room. Correction—suite.

The fact that he’d gotten a suite so fast made discomfort pinch deep in her belly. He was someone. He had to be. Even Rubi’s billionaire father couldn’t get that kind of service with Spencer. But Jax wasn’t famous. People hadn’t been approaching him at the airport, asking for his autograph. Yet there was no doubt he wielded a certain amount of power. That he possessed a certain level of wealth. Everyone who stayed with Spencer did. Lexi considered herself his charity case and had been introduced to Spencer by Rubi and her father.

She’d thought Jax’s ability to get a room here would make her feel more secure. And in some ways it had. But in others, she’d grown uneasy. Power and wealth made Lexi leery. Power and wealth could turn people ugly when something—or someone—they wanted slipped out of reach.

Her stomach prickled with hundreds of cold pins and needles as her memory turned to other men in her past who’d had power and wealth and had tried to use them to control her.

While she’d always known her looks played a big part in men’s initial interest, her relationship with one successful real estate developer, Steven Connelly, had taught her it was far more complex than that. Lexi had learned that for many men, having her on their arm made a statement about them as a man—from the obvious I’m a stud to catch such a hot babe, to the far more subtle assumption of a man’s overall power in business.

She’d also realized that losing her said just as much.

Steven hadn’t been willing to accept whatever negative self-assessments he’d associated with Lexi breaking off the relationship and threatened her studio lease after she’d upgraded the space with her entire savings. He’d had the money to hire attorneys if she fought. He’d had the power to create a media frenzy if she went public.

He would have crushed her life, her dreams, all so he could wear her on his arm.

Rubi’s father had been Lexi’s ultimate savior. For all his faults—and he had many—he’d come through for Lexi at Rubi’s pleading requests. As grateful as she would always be to Rudolpho Russo for his help, Lexi never wanted to be in a position to need him again.

Her nerves kicked up. She’d felt so capable when she was flirting with Jax. So sexy. So in control. Now, she just felt inept. And incompetent. And…reckless.

Reckless. God, she needed more of that in her life. Spontaneity. Passion. Freedom. The kind she felt when Rubi gunned her Ferrari.

That thought was the impulse she’d needed to pull on the frilly short skirt from her cute set, the sexy halter from her business collection, and the sparkling four-inch heels from her club outfit.

She ran her fingers through her hair, shook it out, and glanced in the mirror. Yes, she looked like a woman ready for steamy hot sex with a stranger.

Lexi grabbed her room key and her phone and left the room before she couldn’t. Purposely keeping her mind clear and her gaze averted from the obvious interest of other guests at the way she was dressed at nine a.m. on a weekday morning, Lexi rode the elevator, praying Jax hadn’t left the hotel yet.

She found herself at the door of 714 suffering an anxiety attack. Her heart ticked way too fast. Her head floated. Her lungs struggled.

She pressed a hand to her stomach and wandered a few feet from his door, trying to drag in enough air to calm her brain. The hallway remained empty, so she leaned her back against the wall and texted him.

LEXI: Are you still in the hotel?

JAX: Just barely.

She winced, hating herself for the sliver of relief sliding through her belly.

LEXI: No time to meet, then?

JAX: I’m willing to make it work. When?

God, he was so sweet. She could do this. She could do this. She had to do this, because she couldn’t go through these nerves again tonight. And if she went home without meeting him, she would always regret it.

LEXI: Now?

JAX: Yes. Absolutely. Now.

She laughed, breathless, giddy.

Her phone vibrated again.

JAX: Shit, that sounded just a little desperate, right? Sorry.

JAX: Do you want to come to my room or do you want me to come to you?

Lexi bit her lip. She was really going to do this. Sex with a stranger. A cold sensation slid from her forehead to her chin, as if she could feel the blood leaving her face.

Her mind seemed to crack, her thoughts skipping each time they hit an uneven surface. What if she was wrong about him? What if he wanted to see her when they got back to LA? What if she lost everything because of this one impulsive action?

She put a hand to her head. “This isn’t a big deal,” she whispered. “Rubi does it all the time.”

She swallowed. Closed her eyes. Push through it. Opened her eyes and texted him.

LEXI: I’m at your room—STOP—don’t open the door. I’m…nervous. I need a few…indulgences.

Lexi took a breath and sent the message. It couldn’t hurt to shoot for just one more safeguard. He could always say no…right? Christ, she really wasn’t thinking right.

JAX: Woman, you test me. What?

LEXI: Please know you can say no.

JAX: No.

Her throat shrank.

LEXI: Really?

JAX: Kidding. I’m nervous too. Tell me.

He was nervous? That was cute.

LEXI: Let me open the door. Just leave it cracked. Give me some room to get adjusted. I love brain-numbing passion, but I need to feel comfortable first.

JAX: You got it.

The metallic click of a door opening startled Lexi. She pushed from the wall. Her heart jumped. She peered at the door to room 714 and found it open two inches.

“Oh Jesus,” she whispered, a hand to her chest. That made this all so real.

JAX: What else can I do?

LEXI: Dark. No lights, curtains closed?

A pause. Lexi held her breath.

JAX: Baby. Seriously? I’ve been dying to see you. Is this a fetish?

LEXI: Sorry, yes, I’m serious. But, no, it’s not a fetish.

He didn’t respond. Lexi closed her eyes as regret welled in the pit of her stomach. If she had more time, she might be able to get logic to overpower fear.

JAX: Sweetheart, I’m a man. I’m visual.

LEXI: I’ll let your hands and your mouth and your body see every part of me.

JAX: Jesus Christ.

She waited. Hoped.

JAX: How about leaving on the bathroom light? I don’t want to be tripping over myself. That would be embarrassing.

True. He was probably right about that. Bathroom light? How much could he see with the bathroom light?

LEXI: Bathroom light, door open two inches.

JAX: Door open halfway.

She grinned. His playfulness eased a couple of nerves.

LEXI: Three inches.

JAX: Four.

For God’s sake.

LEXI: Done.

JAX: Hold on.

Lexi glanced at the door just as the space darkened. Her stomach fluttered. Heart picked up speed.

JAX: Okay—your demands have been met. Now I need a few things.

Oh shit.

LEXI: Yes?

JAX: Clarification: You are NOT married or involved.

LEXI: Correct.

JAX: We did not know each other before talking at the airport.

LEXI: Correct.

JAX: You are not a hired killer.

She laughed out loud.

JAX: God, you’ve got a great laugh. Get your ass in here.

Her stomach twisted with excitement.