Page 125 of First in Line

“Like crazy. But I can leave and let you catch up with your ex if—”

“It’s too soon to joke about it,” I interrupt him.

“I’ll remind you I didn’t punch him back, Evie. And it took a lot of restraint.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you. I was worried you’d knock him out.”

“So, you agree I’m the superior man?”

Refusing to let him make fun of Nate behind his back like that, I answer, “You’re a pro athlete who trains twenty hours a week. He works in an office. It’s like comparing apples to oranges.”

We say nothing for a moment, staring at each other. When he speaks, his tone is gentle, patient. “I probably don’t deserve it, but can I at least get a hug?”

One day, I’ll learn how to resist this man. But today isn’t that day. Not with the way he’s looking at me, with so much tenderness and longing.

I find myself in his embrace before I can see it coming. Wrapped in his powerful arms, I don’t allow myself to dwell on my weakness. We’ve always been each other’s soft spot, and I don’t think we’ll ever grow out of it.

When I look up, his mesmerizing eyes are already on me. “You really flew all the way here because you missed me?”

“Mh-hm.”

He lowers for a kiss, but just before it happens, I whisper, “You’re so whipped.”

The smile that blooms on his face is unashamed. “I’m well aware, princess.”

This time, I allow him to kiss me. It’s only been a few days since I last saw him, but it might as well have been an entire month. I’ve missed him too. A lot. If it weren’t for work, I probably would have found a way to return to Europe and follow him around.

“When are you leaving?” I ask between kisses.

“I’m not sure yet. But just in case…”

Grabbing onto my behind with his firm hands, he lifts me into his arms with my knees on either side of his hips. When I notice that he’s taking me toward the stairs, I pull away with a laugh.

“Jackson, I need to work.”

“We’ll be quick, then you’ll go back to work while I take a nap.”

We’re already halfway up the stairs when I ask, “How quick?”

“Hm… half an hour?”

“Jax, that isnotquick! I’ll also need a nap if it lasts that long.”

“Good. We’ll nap together. We used to love doing that, remember?”

I’m about to argue when his lips return to mine. He easily navigates to my room, and I’m trapped between him and my mattress before I can muster the strength to argue.

Well, he traveled fourteen hours to spend some time with me. The least I can do is indulge him. And it’s not like I’m not also craving this.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Evangeline

Four months into it, I’m forced to recognize that our life in Belgium isn’t what I expected. I love living with Jax again, but his schedule is so ridiculously busy that it sometimes feels like we’re still long-distance.

Altron is essentially preparing him to become the next Formula One legend, and it means he spends more time away than at home. It makes sense, since they want him to catch up on the karting days he never had. Four times a week, he trains in the team’s specialized gym with a personal trainer. His whole body is under a rigorous program to prepare for the physical strain that’ll come with driving an F1 car.