“I can do this. Think of it like any other job. A job with a man whose voice sets off every nerve ending in my body, but a job nonetheless,” I whisper to myself as I unpack my clothes.
A warm shower sets me up for success, ridding me of the jet lag I felt earlier. I lie down and shut my eyes, willing myself to find the patience to deal with Jax.
After my hour-long nap, I get dressed. A silk blouse and high-waisted paper bag pants are my usual outfit—simple, basic, and professional. My accessories include heels and my iPad.
I leave my room to find Jax lounging on the couch, tapping a booted foot against the coffee table as he lazily switches channels. His eyes rake over me. As if my body tracks the movement, my skin warms.
Wow. If this is the feeling I have from a simple look, I’m screwed for the season. Maybe the roommate idea wasn’t the best after all. He manages to cause a fluttering sensation in my stomach from one gaze and a simple tug of his lips.
“I’m impressed. You made it out with two minutes to spare.” He taps at his expensive watch. “Usually ladies are always running late.”
“Unlike the lovely company you’ve had before, I tend to be on time. Especially for schedules I create.”
“Well, I rushed so hopefully my hair looks okay.” He runs a finger through his curls, cropped to his skull on the sides, while looking wild on the top. My fingers itch to check if they’re as silky as they look. His defined facial bones appear etched from bronzed metal, perfectly balanced with soft, kissable lips.
“Your hair is fine, but your smile looks like a nightmare.” I fiddle with the strap of my tote bag.
His smile makes my skin feel like someone cranked up the thermostat in the room. “We’re going to have fun together. Nothing I like more than a girl who gives as much as she can take.”
“Somehow you make things sound more perverted than necessary.”
“It’s a talent.”
“A talent to make every sane woman run in the opposite direction of you.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t want the sane ones. Where’s the fun in that?”
“For someone like you, I can imagine it’s a bit of a bore to be with someone stable.”
“I don’t know. You look stable yet I bet you’re wild in bed. Kind of like the look you get in your eye as you check me out when you think I’m not looking.”
I choke on my sudden intake of breath. “What?”
“It’s okay, love. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“About as safe as fucking a one-night stand without a condom.”
Jax lets out a loud laugh. “Maybe having you around won’t be a total nightmare after all.”
Wait, what?
He picks up his buzzing phone. “The car is here.”
I walk to the hotel door. “Let’s not be late for your first conference because that’s not a good look after everything.”
“Being good is boring, and I loathe being boring.” Jax follows me into the hall.
I hide my smile behind my hair as we walk toward the elevator. “You couldn’t be boring if you tried.”
“Careful now. You’re going to make me think you’re flirting with me.” Specks of gold and green swirl around his eyes.
“Flirting with you means I have to like you first. And well, that’s a no from me, burro.”
“Liar, liar, Elena’s cheeks are on fire.” He taps his with emphasis. A pair of snake eyes stare back at me, slithering through the fake skeleton bones inked on his hand. “You’re testing my self-esteem, but your sexy Spanish talk makes up for it.”
We enter the waiting elevator. Jax keeps his eyes focused on the elevator’s buttons as I spend the short trip explaining today’s obligations and expectations. He nods his head, easing my growing nervousness about his first publicity event since his last PR disaster.
We exit the hotel and step into the back of a waiting McCoy SUV, evidence of the lavish life Jax lives as an F1 driver. The fresh scent of lemons and leather invades my nose.