Wasted Lust - JA Huss Page 0,46
have much experience.
But Jax is a player, I can see that now. He’s got me wound up tight. My head is pounding with the possibilities he comes with.
Sex being one of them. I have not had sex in over two years. And I’m not one of those girls who go for a toy at the first hint of a dry spell. After two years though, I’m considering that option.
But now Jax is here. Kissing me. Making my whole body tingle. Awakening the desire I’ve pent up for so long.
“Are you afraid of planes, Sasha?”
I look over at Jax. “What?”
“Does landing bother you?”
“No,” I say, confused. “Why?”
“You’re squeezing my hand so hard, you might be cutting off my circulation.”
“Oh.” I let out a rush of air and release my grip on his hand. “Sorry. No. I’m not afraid of landing.”
“Afraid of me?” he asks, one eyebrow up. He takes my hand back for a third time, stroking my palm softly with his fingertips.
“No,” I say again. “I’m not afraid of you. I can take you, Agent Jax.”
“You can drop the agent part now, Sasha. Just call me Jax.” And then he nods to our hands, one again intertwined. “Do you want me to let go? Am I making you uncomfortable?”
I have to take a moment to collect my thoughts. Because he is making me uncomfortable. But not in the way he suspects. I’m just not used to the heat of desire. It’s a little bit overwhelming. And being with him like this is not part of my life plan. Of course, Nick resurfacing and spinning my world so out of control that I can’t concentrate on work, which leads to me being asked to rethink grad school, wasn’t in my life plan either.
But I can’t tell him that. So I say, “I’m nervous about meeting my aunt,” instead.
And as soon as the words come out of my mouth, I realize they are not a lie. Jax has kept me occupied during the short trip, but now that we’re nearing the final destination, the worry rushes back into my forward consciousness.
The plane touches down and the engines roar as the brakes are applied. I lean forward from the momentum, but Jax wraps his arms around me and holds me in place.
I want to throw up.
Do not embarrass yourself, Sasha, that inner killer tells me. You cannot afford to let your guard down now. The game is on and you’re a player, whether you want to be or not. Keep cool, be alert, and see everything the way your father taught you as a child.
“OK,” I say out loud.
“OK?” Jax laughs. “We’re on the ground now so you’re OK?”
“Yes,” I answer quickly. Jesus Christ. He was right back at school this morning when he said I’ve lost my game. Recover, the inner voice says. “I’m always relieved when the plane is back on the earth where it belongs.” Let him think I’m afraid of the landing. What do I care? The only things I need to protect are my true fears.
When we stop, Jax guides me to stand with him, and then we thank the flight attendants as they help us with our coats. They smile broadly as we exit the plane into the darkness.
“Where are we?” I ask, the nerves taking over again. I take a step, almost trip and fall, but Jax is there to hold me up.
“Are you sure you’re OK?”
“I am,” I say as we descend the stairs without any further stumbling on my part. “But where are we?”
“Colorado. Where we started.”
“I don’t recognize this airport. Which airport? This isn’t Centennial.” I look around and realize there are no lights. No city in the distance to give me reassurance that we are somewhere safe.
“We’re in Burlington. The place we’re going is not far off.”
But there is nothing but flat farmland on all sides. And yeah, it’s winter, so there’s no corn to mark the landscape. I’ve been to Burlington airport with James. Years ago. But places don’t degenerate, they grow. “This is not Burlington airport. Where is the freeway? The hotel? There’s a dairy across the street. I don’t smell any cows. And I’m sick of the secrets, Jax. Either tell me where we are, or I walk away.”
He smiles down at me as we approach a black town car. “You’re so suspicious. Just relax.”
“Where are we?” I demand one more time. And then I plan my attack if I don’t get the answers I need. Chop to the