The Rebel Returns. Michelle Douglas

      “Did he ever care about what was important to you?”

      “Not really.” She stopped, not realizing until that moment that most of their conversations had revolved around him. “When I had news, he’d quickly change the subject back to him. I guess I should have seen the warning signs earlier.”

      “It’s not your fault. You tried. He obviously didn’t. So what made you see him as the jerk that he is?”

      “We’d been dating for a little more than six months when I didn’t feel well and came back to my dorm room early from a class to find him in bed with my roommate.”

      Jax clenched his hands. “If I’d been around, he wouldn’t have gotten away with that.”

      She took comfort in hearing the protective tones in Jax’s voice. “Well, I’m glad you weren’t there.”

      Jax’s brows rose in a question.

      “He wasn’t worth you getting into trouble. Besides, I’ve lived and learned, even if it was the hard way. The important part is I won’t be making those same mistakes again.”

      “But you have to know that all men aren’t like him.” Jax’s voice grew deep. “If you were mine, I’d never look at another woman as long as I lived.”

      Her gaze met his. Her heart once again went thump-thump. “Seriously? You’d really only have eyes for me?”

      “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.” His thumb stroked her cheek, followed her jawline and rubbed over her bottom lip. His gaze never left hers.

      His touch sent her insides quivering with excitement. She was drawn to him like a butterfly to a field of poppies. Not waiting for him to make the first move, she pressed her lips to his thumb. His eyes lit up with excitement. She was enjoying this new side of herself and she didn’t want this moment to end.

      The tip of her tongue darted out, stroking the length of his finger. She immediately heard the swift intake of his breath. He wanted her. And she wanted him. There were no strings. No promises. Just the intrigue of finding out where this moment might lead.

      Jax pulled away. “I have to get the sauce... It’s getting too hot. It’s bubbling over. I don’t want it to...uh, burn.”

      He moved away and Cleo smiled to herself knowing that she’d gotten to him. This thing between them, whatever it was, was not over. Not by a long shot.

      Jax kept his attention focused on the food. “You know there are good guys in this world.”

      “I know. You’re one of them.”

      He shook his head. “I don’t mean me. I’m not right for you. But there’s someone better waiting to find you.”

      “I doubt it.” The smiled faded from her face. “Besides, the people that you’re supposed to be able to trust the most are the first ones to let you down when you really need them.”

      “We’re not talking about jerk face anymore, are we?”

      She shook her head and lowered her gaze to the floor. She couldn’t help but think of her family. They were the ones she always thought she could count on—no matter what.

      “I honestly think you should call you mother.”

      He was really pushing for a mother-daughter reunion. Buy why? Was he that anxious to get rid of her and he just couldn’t bring himself to say it?

      Dread filled her heart. She’d been down this road before. Her instinct was to leave and not look back. She could return to the casino and he could fly back to New York. But as much as she wanted that to happen, some ape man out there was looking for them. For now, they were stuck here together.