Resist

He shoots me a look, surprise registering on his face. I’m surprised too, because I know it’s not my position to be questioning him. But someone has to. How can he stand living like this? It’s not normal, blocking people out, and it sure as hell isn’t healthy.

“You really are persistent with the whole trying-to-understand-me thing, aren’t you?” he mutters. “Look, if this is getting too hard for you…”

“No,” I reply quickly. I laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself, Jaxon. I pity you and your lifestyle, that’s all. You’re missing out on so much and I don’t understand why.”

“You don’t need to understand anything,” he growls, his eyes darkening. “It’s not in your job description to understand me. Or to help me. You do what I ask of you, you get paid, everyone is happy, okay?”

“You said I’m going to be helping you destroy someone. Why?” I challenge, not ready to give up just yet. This is the closest I’ve come to cracking that outer shell since I’ve been here. I need something, anything, to make me feel like there’s a point to all of this.

He laughs and closes his eyes, resting his head back on his pillow.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“If you expect me to help you, then I’ll find out now.”

His eyes fly open. A smirk appears on his lips as he stares at me with an expression I can’t read. I shift nervously, waiting for him to respond. Did I really just speak to him like that? Sometimes I can’t believe what flies out of my mouth. It’s like I have no filter. What if he does something to me like he did to his girlfriend? How long would it take for people to figure out I was missing? I shudder, disguising my discomfort by repositioning myself on the bed.

“Despite what you might believe, I’m not in the habit of destroying people unless they deserve it.” His voice cuts through each word, making me jump, his eyes holding mine. I hold my breath as he moves closer to me.

He’s opened the door and I’d be a fool not to ask—I’m here to get a story. “Did your girlfriend deserve it?”

His eyes widen. I gasp as his fingers close around my wrists. He flips me back onto the bed and straddles me, pinning me down. I cannot believe I just said that. Do I have some kind of death wish?

“What did you say?” he asks.

“I’m sorry,” I say, breathless. My heart pounds violently in my chest as I struggle unsuccessfully to free my arms. “I didn’t mean—”

“Oh, I think you did,” he says with a smirk. “You’re a nosy little one, Charlotte.”

My heart races as his fingers trace around my neck. His eyes narrow as he leans closer to me, the tension in his hands growing. I swallow hard, trying not to show my fear, but deep down inside I’m shitting myself. Irrational thoughts race through my mind, but none that make me feel in danger. I can’t explain why, but it’s like I know he won’t hurt me.

His girlfriend probably thought the same….

I block out the voice in my head and focus on my breathing, which has shallowed.

“Are you scared of me, Charlotte?” He lies on top of me now, his grip on my neck tight, but not tight enough to restrict my breathing. I wet my lips and force myself to look him in the eye.

“No. I don’t think you would hurt me.” My voice falters, and he smiles, tightening his grip ever so slightly.

“Are you sure about that?” He smirks and presses his lips against mine. My heart pounds as his lips invade me. I couldn’t fight him even if I wanted to. The more time I spend with him, the stronger my desire for him grows. Being with Jaxon is like an addiction I need to feed. Every interaction gives me a little more insight into who he is.

“Yes. I don’t think you’re capable of causing me pain, at least not the kind of pain I don’t want.” His eyes flash with annoyance, probably because he’s never had someone fight him like I am.

He releases his hold on me and stands up. Without a word, he walks over to the window and gazes out. I get up and eye the door. Do I leave? I have no idea what he’s thinking or what is coming next.

“You’ll find out everything soon enough, Charlotte. For now, try not to annoy me anymore than you already have.”

I scurry toward the door, my heart in my throat. I have no idea where my sudden confidence to confront him came from, but I was lucky it ended the way it did. What if I was wrong? I shiver, thinking about how that could’ve ended.

No. He wouldn’t hurt me. I can’t explain why I believe that, but there is something about him that makes me sure my instincts are right. Despite the front he puts up, I don’t believe he’s a bad person, and I’m determined to break down his shell. One way or another, I’ll get through to him.

I have to. My whole career rides on it.

Chapter 11

Jaxon

“Charlotte,” I say into the phone, “may I see you, please?”