Looking up, I ask again, “So why?”
He shrugs, looking down at the ground. “It’s nice just me and you.”
Elated, but trying to keep that tucked inside, I smile before nodding. “Yeah.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, and soon, I’m drinking in his profile.
I’ve been looking at him all day; I mean, how could I ignore him? But now, with no distractions and wonderful lighting, I can really look at him. His skin is soft, but there is small scarring, probably from acne as a teenager. The scruff on his jaw is lighter brown than the hair on his head. His lashes are long and curve in such a pretty way. His lips, they are full and plump, making me jealous since mine are kind of thin. He really does have a beautiful mouth.
When he looks at me quickly, a grin pulling at his lips, I realize I said that out loud.
Fuck. Me.
“Um, thanks,” he says, chuckling. “Never been told I have a beautiful mouth.”
Biting into my lip, I close my eyes, thinking how stupid I am, but then I’m not, because he does. And oh man, I need to kiss him. I need to kiss him now, or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. My stomach is in knots at the mere thought, but I have to ignore it. I also need to ignore the fact it’s sad that I can’t even remember the last kiss I had where I really wanted to kiss someone. It had to be Seth because I don’t remember anyone before or after that, and I know that’s because I did anything and everything to forget my time with that jackass.
But with Jayden, I know I won’t ever forget.
I couldn’t if I tried.
Opening my eyes, I meet his heated gaze as my heart pounds against my ribs. I don’t even know what to do, and I beg him with my eyes to take the lead, but he doesn’t move. My body is trembling with need for him, and I just need him to do something. Something to help me out.
“Baylor,” he whispers as his eyes search mine.
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to tell you something, and I want you not to change the subject, okay?” he says, turning his body to mine.
He’s so much bigger than me. Towering over me in the most delectable way. His shoulders basically fill the doorway, and the way his eyes are trained on me, almost like he is calculating the biggest shot of his life, has me burning with desire.
Sucking in a breath, I say, “Okay.”
Reaching out, he takes my face in his hands, bringing me in close. Our bodies line up together, barely touching as his eyes bore into mine. My breathing is all over the place, my chest rising and falling against his. I can feel his heart pounding in his chest or maybe it’s mine, I don’t know. But I’m lost in his eyes, and I don’t want to ever be found.
“You, Baylor… Wait, what’s your middle name?”
I suck in a deep breath, my hands shaking at my sides as his thumb traces the spot below my bottom lip. I can’t believe I am having a hard time remembering my middle name, but thankfully it comes, and I say, “Irene. After my grandma.”
He smiles as he nods. “Such a classic, gorgeous name.”
My heart soars because I think so too. I love my name. Breathlessly, I search his eyes, and they remind me of a song I heard once, about falling for someone’s eyes but not knowing the person. I never related my life to a song, but right now, it sums up everything I’m feeling. And sweet Lord above, I’m done. Put a fork in me. I’m done.
I’m done fighting.
“You, Baylor Irene Moore, are the most gorgeous and driven and smartest woman I’ve ever set eyes on. You’re not even gone yet, and I miss you.”
Tears sting my eyes as he holds my gaze, but I won’t cry. No matter how good he is making me feel or how drunk I am, I hold in that emotion. I don’t cry over guys. I don’t cry over anyone.
“Jayden,” I whisper, and he nods as his eyes drop to my lips.
“Yeah?”
“Kiss me.”
It’s like the room catches on fire when his eyes mee
t mine. He doesn’t move, and everything inside me is shaking. I want him so damn bad. He’s like the Jack that is coursing through my veins, taking me to another world. He removes all my inhibition, and while it scares the fuck out of me, I don’t care.