Chapter 13

Reine I was scared.

I couldn’t even explain why if you asked me.

Maybe it was the fact that I had realized that Jax was affecting me more than I had bargained for. When he had spoken to me seriously, asking me if he had made me uncomfortable at some point when I was at his place, I don’t know how to explain it, but some part of me just flipped a little switch.

I had to admit that he had not behaved like I had expected him to. Not once had he pushed, not even when he had offered me alcohol and I had said no. Sure, he had asked the second time. But it had not once been forceful or anything. Maybe I was being happy about the bare minimum, but he was one of the first people, apart from Sandra who had not made me feel like a freak of nature because I didn’t drink something as basic as alcohol.

So once again, I was standing in front of the full-length mirror staring at my outfit and hoping it was good enough. I thought back to what he had said about meeting with his PR manager and things had become a little more real to me. It didn’t matter that I could see my signature on the contract. It had not dawned on me that I was going to pretend to be engaged to one of the most influential men in the country.

I sighed and put my head on the mirror. I was so scared about my appearance. I knew it was a high-profile restaurant we were going to be lunching at. I had already researched the name he gave me. So, I needed to be dressed well. And the problem with me was that I tended to second guess things way too much. I sighed. I looked good, but I wanted a second opinion, so I took a picture of the outfit and sent it to Sandra.

I had worn makeup this time around, even though it was light. I had tied my braids up but let some fall to frame my face. The pants I was wearing were tight around my waist and hips then flared from there. Yes, I looked good. And an excited text from Sandra confirmed that.

As soon as I slipped my shoes on, I heard the doorbell ring. I took in a deep breath and walked to the living room. Paused a little then walked to the door and opened it. And there the man was. He looked good enough to eat.

A shirt, no tie, no suit, some slacks, and a pair of expensive-looking shoes. Yes, I got all that from a glance. When I noticed that he was staring at me unashamedly, I returned the favor. This man was truly a gift from the gods. I prayed that I was going to be able to get out of this encounter unscathed even though a sense of dread told me it would be impossible.

“You look good,” he said with an approving nod of his head.

I felt the heat spread. “Thank you. So do you.” I took in a deep breath then asked, “Do you want anything before we step out?”

“I’m all good. We can leave.”

“Okay,” I said in a soft voice, then I went, picked my bag up, and locked the door.

The elevator ride was silent. So much tension. So much sexual tension.

I had so many things I wanted to ask, but with the both of us in such an enclosed area, I wasn’t very sure it was a good idea. I saw his gaze land on my gloss coated lips a few times and I knew that there was only one thing he could be thinking about. I had to admit that it had crossed my mind as well. I wondered how it would feel to kiss him.

His lips were plump, not too plump though and pink. They looked so soft and with all of the whispers going on about this man, I knew that he was a great kisser. But I was avoiding any kind of situation that would lead me to get my heart broken so I guess I would never find out.

Finally, the blasted elevator ride was over. We got off and he extended his hand to me. I took it, trying to stop myself from feeling special. I was probably not even getting the full package of his romantic gestures because we were just an arrangement, a means to an end. So, it would be better for my stupid mind to stop building castles in the air.

Jax led me outside to where his car was packed. It was a different car that day and I refrained from asking. I didn’t want to come off as some overexcited village bumpkin, even though I was probably not very far off from that. I entered when he opened the door, and I inhaled unconsciously when he got in and sat next to me.

He smelled so good, I wanted to hug him.

I shook my head and turned towards him to notice that he was staring at me.

“Why do you keep staring at me?” I asked, tilting my legs.

“You’re beautiful,” he said.

I swallowed and turned my head around. This man was not going to mess with my emotions like this. Nope. I was just going to ignore me.

“Are you going to sit like that for the duration of the ride?” he asked, and I turned towards him. Our legs touched and I felt that bolt of awareness. Which I ignored.

“Yes.”

“I made you turn around,” Jax said with a knowing smile on his face.

I had to laugh and when I looked up, he was staring at me, surprised.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” I was already getting self-conscious.

The man’s gaze was so heavy. I was honestly terrified. Not of him. But of what he could make me feel. Was all of this normal? To be so aware of someone you barely knew? I was going to have to ask Sandra. Or Google. Or both.

“You’re beautiful,” he said again.

“Stop,” I said softly, refusing to meet his gaze. I felt like this was unfair.

“Okay.” His tone was just as soft as mine as if he had understood the turmoil I was feeling.

I chanced a look on at him and our eyes met. I looked away hastily and Jax laughed.

“These six months are going to be fun.”

I rolled my eyes. Then I felt the car stop. I looked at Jax, expecting him to get down and open the door like he had when we were getting in. Just as my thoughts were running, the door opened and Jax went out. Then he extended his hand to me. I took it and stepped out. I noticed that Jax was on my left, and his hand was wrapped tightly around my left hand. I found it peculiar, but I didn’t say anything. We walked in silently and we didn’t even have to wait to be shown a table. The maître d’ came out at once and took us to what I assumed was a private dining room. Perks of being rich.

I willed myself not to get used to this kind of life because it was not going to be available to me after this farce of an engagement ended.

After our orders had been taken, Jax and I were left alone. We stared at each other, then for some reason I couldn’t explain, the both of us burst into laughter. Which made all the questions to come swarming my head. Why the heck was I so comfortable with this man? What did he have that was so special that no other man had? But that question was biased. I had never given men the opportunity to get to know me at all.

I would go on one date then nitpick all of their faults in my head until I was officially turned off by them. It was not like I was so experienced either. And it was not only due to my nitpicking tendencies. Practically all the people in my age range had left Youngstown just like Sandra. And the ones who stayed back weren’t much of a catch. Not that they considered me a catch either.

But yeah. All I was trying to say was, I was going to have to be careful because this man was dangerous.

“I have something I want to give you,” he said. Then he sent his hand in his pocket and pulled out something.

My heart starting racing for a reason I couldn’t explain, and my palms were beginning to get clammy. Jax sent his hand out and I put my left hand in his a little shakily. I knew what was coming but what I had not expected was for it to come so early. I felt something cold on my finger and when he let go, I stared at it.

It was beautiful, and there was some pang of… could I call it nostalgia? Even though I had never experienced this? But all I knew was, some little part in me wanted it to be real. I looked up at him and smiled. Jax was already staring at me, of course, and we burst into laughter again.

“I wanted to choose something you would love. Do you?” His voice was soft, and I willed my heart to stay strong.

“I do. Thank you,” I said, not even conscious of what I was thanking him for.

Jax picked my left hand up and kissed it. Oh, I was definitely going to have to work to shield my heart.