The Encounter

I’m beyond caring. It’s us, only us.

“Fuck.” His voice is ragged as his body jerks into mine. “Come, baby.” His hand lets go and my body spirals out of control, convulsing. Holding on to him, I see stars and white light. Our breathing is harsh while he stays inside me.

“You okay?” He lifts his head, which was resting on my shoulder. His eyes caress my face as if this is the first time he’s really seeing me.

“Yeah.” I smile and he slowly pulls out. When I grab ahold of his arm, he steadies me. He must see that I can’t walk, so he scoops me up in his arms and carries me to the bed.

“Let me get a cloth, or do you want to take a shower?” He caresses my cheek and strokes my hair as I try to keep my eyes open.

“Rest, beautiful. I got you.” It’s the last thing I hear.

My eyes blink open as I bolt upright, bringing the sheet with me. “Fuck.” I look around for him. The room is empty, and I know he’s gone. Sunlight spills into the room. With a sigh, I take the sheet with me to look out at the glorious ocean view.

I take a deep breath and acknowledge that I need a shower, my mind replaying all that happened last night. Biting my lip, I groan at what we did.

“Jesus.” I shake my head. Whatever, I’m a grown woman who happens to like being dominated apparently, and I’m not even ashamed. Guess I needed that. I am sore, though. Maybe I’ll soak in the tub, then deal with my life. My phone rings and my stomach flips, which is absurd. It can’t be Jax. He doesn’t even know my name, much less my number.

One night.

My phone starts ringing again and I frown. Why is it on the bedside table on the side I was sleeping on?

“Jax?” I call out. Silence, well other than my phone. “God, I’m turning you off today.” I reach for it only to see FaceTime and Jax Saddington on the screen.

“Shit.” My face heats up. How did he get my number? I’m literally shaking as I swipe the bottom of the screen and his gorgeous smirk stares at me.

“Morning, beautiful.” He appears to be in a restaurant, smiling at me in a dark suit. His dimples almost make me want to touch the screen, but that would be creepy. Last night I was lonely, and I’m still slightly drunk this morning. I need to get on with my life. Namely, get a job.

“How did you get my number?”

He smiles, “It’s not hard, darlin’.” Beautiful, baby, darlin’, everything but my name. The man had his thumb in my ass, and he doesn’t know my name.

“Do you want to know my name?” I snap, taking a breath.

He nods at something someone says, then looks straight into the phone. “Only if this isn’t a one-nighter.”

My breath is gone, as though he’s knocked the air out of me. Again, he flashes me those damn dimples.

“You only tell me your name if you’re really sure.”

“Sure about what?” I croak.

“Us.”

My head spins. Everything is happening too fast. Last night, him, my shitty past…

“I need to go, beautiful. Stay as long as you want.” He’s leaving, and I didn’t tell him my name. What do I do?

This was supposed to be one night. I need to hang up, let him go. What he’s asking for is not just my name.

“Jax?” I say as I grip the phone with both hands.

“What’s your name?” he growls. Time stops and I stare at him, knowing that last night wasn’t just one night.

“Ava. My name is Ava.”