going on between the two of us. Otherwise he just couldn’t understand why you’d be so adamant about keeping me on as your host.”
Jax closed the door and turned. “And, gee, I thought you came here to thank me.”
“Thank you? If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“Hey, this isn’t my fault. And as I recall, in the beginning I suggested another casino host take over.”
The fact he was making perfect sense was not helping matters. “Still, did you have to threaten my boss? He already dislikes me. Now he outright hates me.”
Jax crossed his arms, his biceps bulging. “I didn’t exactly threaten him.”
She pried her gaze from his muscles and looked into his blue eyes, which were just as disconcerting. “Are you saying you didn’t mention something along the lines of if he fired me, you’d take your business elsewhere? As well as that of your friends?”
Jax shrugged. “Someone needed to put that man in his place. He couldn’t keep treating you like that.”
“But that wasn’t your responsibility. I can take care of myself. Stop acting like one of my overprotective brothers.” She started pacing through the spacious living area. “I know how to handle men like Mr. Burns.”
“Fine. Maybe I did come on a little strong, but that man is annoying. I don’t know how you can stand working for him.” Jax strode out of the room and quickly returned with some water. “Drink this. It’ll cool you off.”
She placed her sunglasses and phone on the table in the entranceway and accepted the tall glass. After a long sip, she said, “I know I should be thanking you.”
“That’s not such a bad idea.”
She drew in a deep breath and leveled her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blown up at you.”
“Apology accepted.”
“But you don’t understand. My entire life my brothers have interfered with everything I do, never letting me stand on my own two feet. And my mother was constantly overriding my decisions. I thought that it was all behind me when I left Wyoming.”
“I remember how your brothers policed every guy who looked in your direction. Did you ever have a date in high school?”
She nodded. “Mama finally put her foot down and made them back off on the couple of boys she approved of.”
“But not the guys you had your eye on.”
She shook her head. “You know how old-fashioned my family can be, and Kurt is no better. He doesn’t understand why I had to get away to try different things and find what makes me happy.”
“I guess I hadn’t thought of it that way.” Jax placed his hand over his heart. “I promise in the future to let you fight your own battles.”
“Thank you. But you do realize once you check out, Mr. Burns will find a way to get rid of me.”
“Are you saying that I have to stay here indefinitely?” Jax smiled, causing her heart flutter.
“Yes. But in order to do that, you’ll have to start winning.”
He rubbed his jaw. “I suppose you’re right. Maybe we should go give it another try. I’m feeling lucky now.”
“Are you serious?” There was still a chance of turning things around if Jax continued to test his luck at the tables.
The light from his smile snuck between the cracks in her dark mood and lightened her spirits. She was drawn to him, but she steeled herself against the desire. There was still so much she didn’t know about him.
She’d never met anyone who could affect her so deeply. She’d come in here ready to tell him what to do with the job he’d secured for her, but instead she was walking out the door with a smile on her face, anxious to prove Mr. Burns wrong.
In the warm evening, the lights along the pathway gave off a soft glow. Jax was just behind her and she could sense his gaze on her. What was going through his mind?
Was he remembering how he’d almost kissed her in the restaurant? Drat Mr. Burns for ruining the moment. After all, it wasn’t as though they were starting something serious. It would have been a simple kiss.
“It’s a beautiful evening,” Jax said from behind her.
“Yes, it is.” But it wasn’t the darkening sky or warm breeze that held her interest.
When Jax made another comment, she couldn’t quite catch his words. Afraid she missed something important, she stopped short. He bumped into her. His hands reached and wrapped around her waist. She automatically turned in his arms.
Her gaze met his and her heart skipped a beat. “I didn’t hear you.”
“I said the sunset wasn’t nearly as beautiful as you.”
He was so close. She could smell his male scent combined with a spicy aftershave. A much better fragrance for him than the coffee.
Her good intentions evaporated as his intense gaze held hers. In his eyes, she detected mounting interest. She reveled in the fact that she could evoke such a reaction in him. She moved a little closer and heard the swift intake of his breath. He might fight it, but he was as attracted to her as she was to him.
Then she did something spontaneous. She lifted up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his just the way she had all those years ago. But this time she didn’t stop there. She was no longer young and inexperienced. And she fully intended to make an unforgettable point.
Her lips moved against his very still mouth. Surely he couldn’t be that surprised. This had started long ago and tonight she wanted to turn her fantasy into reality. So that when they each went their separate ways, she would have this memory to hang on to during those sleepless nights.
Her hands slid up over his solid chest and his muscled shoulders and wrapped around his neck. Her fingertips slid through his hair. With a moan, he tightened his hold on her, drawing her closer. His lips moved beneath hers. And like a timeless dance their mouths opened and their tongues met. Was it possible that this kiss—that Jax himself—was even better than she ever imagined in her dreams?
His kiss became frenzied with need. She met him stroke for stroke. His excitement increased her pleasure. Time slipped away. The only thing that mattered now was the man holding her.
Then as quickly as the kiss had started, it ended. Jax released her and stepped back. His breathing was as rapid as hers but his gaze lowered. He refused to look at her. What was that all about?
“That shouldn’t have happened.” He raked his fingers through his hair, scattering the short strands.
This was not the reaction she’d expected. She inwardly groaned. Why should this time be any different? He didn’t want her. The acknowledgment stung.
“You’re right.” What had she been thinking? “It was my fault. It won’t happen again.”
She went to turn away when he reached out to her. “Hey, this has nothing to do with you. You’re beautiful. Any man would be crazy to turn you down.”
“You’re making too much of it.”
When would she learn to think before acting? Every time she put herself out there, she’d been rejected, first by her ex and then by her very own mother. People couldn’t love her as is. They always wanted her to be more outgoing, more compliant, more something. There was always an area where she fell short in their eyes. She didn’t even know what Jax found lacking in her and she wasn’t about to stick around to ask.
She sucked down the bruising ache in her chest. It wasn’t as though she still carried a torch for him. The kiss had been nothing more than a passing fancy, not something serious.
Swallowing hard, she