Now (New Adult Erotic Romance) (The Tryst Series Book 2) Read online

  A smile tugged at the corner of his luscious lips and he arched a dark eyebrow in amusement.

  “I don’t mean the airport. Michigan. You drove to Michigan?”

  He ran a hand over the back of his neck then looked at me with squinted eyes. “I live here.”

  Shock blasted me in the face. This had been the most information I knew about him in two years and I wanted more. Needed more. He never called. Never sent an email or a text or anything to let me know he was alive. Granted what we had wasn’t anything more than a single night but still.

  “For how long?” I demanded.

  “Almost a year.”

  “A year!”

  “Almost.”

  “Does Dee and Cole know?”

  I asked Dee about Jaxon every few weeks, hoping for an update. Some sort of insight to what he’d been doing with his life. Where he’d been. She never had anything new to share. She couldn’t know. She would have told me the minute she found out.

  “Yes,” Jaxon said, and if the door wasn’t there holding me up I would’ve fallen to my ass.

  My best friend had been lying to me. We told each other everything. I knew more about her sex life than her soon-to-be husband probably did. I knew she made-out with her sister’s ex-boyfriend in high school and how she cried every time she watched Cinderella because she felt bad for the evil step sisters. It’s not their fault they were misguided she finally admitted.

  Yet the one thing I desperately wanted to know, and she had the information to, she kept from me, her best friend. What the hell was that about?

  “You getting in or what?”

  “You’re the one still standing here,” I threw back.

  With a smirk he went over to his side and I slid into the black leather passenger seat. I wondered how many girls he fucked in this seat. If he thought of me while he brought them to the brink just as I thought of him every time I’d been with a guy since our night together.

  “So what brought you to Michigan?” I asked as Jaxon got in and put the key in the ignition. The engine roared to life and he revved it a few times before pulling out of the space.

  He gave me a quick glance and then shrugged. “Cole liked it. Thought what the hell. Needed a change of scenery.”

  “Just like that?” It seemed too simple. I wasn’t exactly happy where I was, but I couldn’t just up and leave. Dee had been trying to persuade me to relocate to Michigan from the day she landed here, but I didn’t want to intrude on the new life she was starting.

  “Yup, just like that.”

  I stared at Jaxon, taking in his perfect profile and when he turned and caught my eye, I smiled and let myself be honest. “I envy you.”

  He scoffed. “Me?”

  “Yeah you. I would never have the balls to just change scenery.”

  “It’s not about balls.”

  “Then what’s it about?”

  “I don’t like being in the same place for too long.”

  “Why not?” I asked, fully aware that there was a reason for his mystery and dying to know what it was.

  His jaw tightened and his eyes darkened before he turned the volume of the radio up and let my question float away unanswered.

  ***

  We drove up to the hotel I was staying at, and Jaxon passed the entrance and turned toward the parking lot. He hadn’t said a word to me since he dismissed my question. So I really didn’t need him to act all gentlemanly.

  I pointed to the main entrance. “You can just pull up to the front. I don’t need you to walk me in.”

  He didn’t answer just laughed.

  “Fine suit yourself,” I said, but was really thinking how much more can you torture me with your closeness? It was bad enough he ignored me, but even worse was sitting in such a small space with him without reaching across to feel those taut muscles. His delicious scent was making my brain fuzzy with want, so as soon as he put the shifter in park, I jumped out.

  I went to the back of the car and waited for Jaxon. My eyes skimmed over the silver SS emblem. “What kind of car is this?”

  “A 1969 Camaro SS,” he said as he came around back and popped the trunk.

  I reached in for my bags. “It’s pretty.”

  “Not a word I’d use to describe it.” He pressed his chest against my back as he leaned into the trunk. “I got it,” he said, and curled his fingers around the strap of my carryon.

  My eyes lingered on his hand wishing those long lean fingers would wrap around me instead. I tried to ignore how good he felt against me and urged myself to step aside. “I’m more than capable.”

  “I never said you weren’t.” He lifted the duffel bag onto his shoulder and hauled the suitcase out of the trunk with the same ease as when he carried me to his bed.

  I turned on my heel and headed to the entrance. “Don’t hurt yourself,” I tossed over my shoulder, but he was already behind me keeping pace. I needed to get away from him. To get my mind to behave and stop ambushing me with mouthwatering, leg tingling memories. Most of all I needed to call my best friend and ask her why she’d been lying to me.

  One night with Jaxon didn’t constitute a relationship, heck it was just sex. Hot, wild sex. But that didn’t mean a piece of me didn’t wonder what would have happened if I never left his place in the middle of the night. I wondered so many times if we would have made a go at it. The past two years I couldn’t shake him—couldn’t shake the feeling that I made a big mistake that night. Jaxon was the kind of guy I could see myself falling for and I just wanted a second chance to see if my gut was right.

  Dee knew this and to think for over a year she’d known where he was. Known that he was settled in Michigan and probably spending Friday nights at her place. Yet she never told me.

  Then again… a year ago is when she started insisting I think about picking up and moving here. Was that her way of telling me?

  As soon as I checked in, I was getting on the phone and calling her. I approached the desk and gave all my information to the concierge. He gave me my room card, room 405, and a rundown of all the amenities. I thanked him and went to grab my bags from Jaxon, but he was already heading to the elevator.

  Oh my God he was infuriating. I stormed over to him not sure why I was getting so aggravated. “I don’t need you to walk me to my room.”

  “It’s on the way,” he said.

  “On the way to what?”

  He held up his room key and I glanced at the number 406.

  Fuck me.

  Chapter 4

  “Wait a minute,” I said, pointing my finger at his big chest. “I thought you lived in Michigan. Why do you need a hotel room?”

  He cocked the corner of his lip up and that gesture alone sent heat shooting to my core. I flicked my eyes away from his mouth. The more I looked at it the more I remembered what it was capable of.

  “Thought it was a good time to refinish my wood floors. Can’t sleep there with the fumes.”

  He was having his floors refinished. Did he own a home? I couldn’t even get a job with my degree. I’m living off of Ramen Noodle and store brand cereal in a studio apartment that can pass for an oversized closet and he bought a house. Lately I had been feeling a bit unaccomplished, but this single fact made me feel like a total loser.

  “You seem like the type who would be doing your own floors.”

  “Who said I wasn’t?”

  Of course. Why wouldn’t he finish his own floors? I’m sure he chops down trees and never needs to call a plumber or electrician. Probably can fix cars too. My mind was interrupted by thoughts of Jaxon shirtless and hanging over his beautiful car, sweat trickling down his bare back, his biceps bulging with each turn of a wrench.

  I licked my lips at the thought then remembered he’s still standing right in front of me. Oh my God I needed to get away from him and fast. He clearly didn’t want me. If he did, he wouldn’t have disappeared from my life for the past two years.

  “Thanks for your help. I got it from here,”
I said, swiping the key into the door and pushing it open.

  Jaxon went to walk the bags in and I stopped him at the door. “No, I got it from here.”

  The last thing I needed was Jaxon to walk into my hotel room after that hot and steamy vision. One step closer and I’d be throwing myself at him and I wouldn’t. I had another four days here and I didn’t want it to be awkward.

  So I thanked him and practically closed the door in his face.

  Once safely in my room and far enough away from Jaxon, I flopped on the bed and took a deep breath. I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to be near him without trying to recreate our kiss in the airport.

  I closed my eyes and could almost feel the lingering press of his lips on mine. I could still taste the mint on his breath and feel the hardness of his chest against me. I shook my head banishing the thoughts and grabbed my cell.

  Dee was supposed to pick me up at the airport, and it was so not like her to not send a warning text that she was sending Mr. One Night Stand instead. The phone rang four times before she finally answered.

  “Are you here?” she asked and it was followed by a curse and a bang.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Just trying to balance too many things. I can’t believe you’re finally in Michigan.”

  “And I can’t believe you’re getting married.”

  “I know,” she squealed and I laughed.

  “You know who else is also in Michigan?”

  Dee went quiet on the other end then blew out a rush of air into the receiver. “Surprise?”

  “You know how much I hate surprises.”

  “Which is ridiculous. Besides you’ve asked about him so many times since you guys hooked up, I thought it would be your chance to finally…I don’t know. Have closure? A second chance maybe?”

  “What have I told you about playing matchmaker?”

  “You’re not a board game. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I know you always regretted walking out on Jax and you guys would be so good together.”

  She’d never said that before. Maybe the whole getting married thing was going to her head. She thought everyone deserved to find their Mr. Right. Which was a nice thought, but after my breakup with Kyle, I stopped dreaming about finding The One. Granted I did regret leaving Jaxon that night, but a part of me believed that even if I stayed he would have left anyway.

  “He told me he moved here about a year ago,” I said.

  I was answered with silence again.

  “Why didn’t you tell me, Dee?”

  “I wanted to. I wanted to so bad, but Cole made me swear and I didn’t want to break the first promise he asked of me as his fiancée. It just seemed like bad karma.”

  “Why would Cole make you swear?”

  “Jax isn’t exactly opened about a lot of things. He plays into that whole mysterious stereotype really well. A little too well. Like if I bring up Jax and Cole in high school, Jax gets all weird and Cole changes the subject.”

  “And Cole’s never hinted as to why?”

  “I asked him once and he told me it wasn’t his story to tell. Like that line hasn’t been used a million times over. Still he wouldn’t tell me, so I figured if he can keep Jax’s secret so tightly, the least I could do is respect his wishes to not tell anyone Jax moved to Michigan.”

  “What the hell is he hiding?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. But you’re here for another four days,” Dee said and I could hear that conniving tone in her voice.

  “So?”

  “Spend time with him. Find out what it is.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Aren’t you curious? And don’t tell me you aren’t because you’re full of shit if you do.”

  “If he wanted people to know he would tell them.”

  “Maybe he hasn’t found the right person to tell.”

  I sighed loudly. “You’re not going to let this go are you?”

  Before Dee could answer there was a knock at the door and my heart stopped.

  Chapter 5

  Maybe it was housekeeping wanting to know if I needed any more towels or pillows. This place seemed pretty accommodating.

  What was the likelihood that on the other side of the door was Jaxon? There was only one way to find out.

  “Dee, hang on. Someone’s at the door.”

  I walked over to the door and took a deep breath before flinging it open. An uncontrollable screech flew from my mouth when I saw Dee standing there. I dropped my phone to the floor and tossed my arms around her. She screeched back and we started jumping up and down while we hugged.

  “You’re really here,” she said, squeezing me a little tighter.

  I pulled away and gave her shoulder a playful shove. “Why didn’t you tell me you were on your way here?”

  “I wanted to surprise you.”

  I narrowed my eyes and she swatted at me. “I don’t care if you hate surprises. I love them. And don’t tell me that wasn’t the best surprise ever.”

  A smile spread across my face, and she pulled me in for another hug. Then I remembered the surprise in the room next door.”

  “I’m still mad at you.”

  “Well get over it. I’ve missed you and we don’t have time for that. I have four days to make you fall in love with Michigan and never want to leave.”

  “So you’re really not getting married. This was all a ploy to get me here? A little elaborate don’t you think?”

  “Is everything okay? I heard screaming.” That voice was like an orgasm to my ears and could only be one person.

  “Hey Jax,” Dee said with a wave. “We’re good, just seeing my girl for the first time in forever. Don’t you think she should move to Michigan?”

  I turned my head toward her, crinkled my nose, and gave her my best evil eye. She didn’t let it deter her.

  “I’ve been telling her for months to move here. Maybe we can convince her.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” Jaxon said, scratching the back of his neck.

  “We’re still on for tonight?” Dee asked Jaxon, and I eyed her curiously.

  “Yup.”

  “On for what?”

  “We’re going out and you”—Dee waved her finger up and down my body—“need to change.”

  “For what?” I asked, looking down at my t-shirt, really wishing I put a little more effort into my outfit that morning.

  “I told you. I’m going to make you fall in love with Michigan. First stop, drinks. Second stop, dinner. See you at eight in the lobby?” Dee asked Jaxon.

  I glanced up catching his gaze, a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lip. “Eight,” he said and disappeared into his room.

  ***

  A couple of hours later, I stared at my reflection in the mirror before leaning in to put my gold leaf earrings in. My dark hair hung in curls just below my shoulders and I had dusted a little shimmer on my chest and t-zone, giving me a perfect glow.

  I thought about what Dee had said earlier about Jaxon. What she continued to say while we were getting ready. It was just like the old days. Back in our dorm room, dolling ourselves up to go out to the bars. Despite her pestering, I missed it. I missed her. Just having her in the same room as me made me feel like I was home.

  Maybe Michigan wouldn’t be so bad. Jaxon being in the same state was just an added bonus. So I decided I was going to spend time with Jaxon and see if I could find out what his secret was. If we happened to have sex then I wouldn’t complain. Who was I fooling? I was hoping for it. More than anything, I really wanted to know the guy beneath the darkness and behind the mystery.

  I adjusted my bra, making sure to have the right amount of cleavage in my coral scoop neck tank top without looking like a cheap whore. I did a little shake to make sure they weren’t going anywhere. Then I turned and checked out my ass in my black leather leggings.

  “You look hot,” Dee said, coming up behind me and pushing me from in front of the mirror. She ran a finger around the sides of her mo
uth then puckered her pink glossed lips at her reflection.

  I leaned my head on her shoulder. “You do, too.”

  She tossed her black wavy hair over her shoulder and smirked. “Of course I do,” she said and we both laughed.

  “So Cole is meeting us here?”

  “He just texted me. He’s already with Jaxon. They pregamed it. They’re in the lobby when we’re ready.”

  “I’m saving my pregaming for tomorrow night at your bachelorette party,” I said.

  “I’m beginning to think having my bachelorette party so close to my wedding was a big mistake.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get home safely with all your nails and hairs in place.”

  “You’re the best,” she said with a smile.

  “That’s what friends are for.”

  “Ready to head downstairs?”

  I held my hand up. “As long as you promise me one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “This is the last time you try to secretly hook me and Jaxon up because I’m seriously pissed, but I’m giving you a pass because it’s your wedding weekend.”

  “That’s not… I mean, I didn’t.”

  I cocked my head. “Bull.”

  “I’m just trying to help a sister out. When’s the last time you had sex?”

  It’d been awhile, but I was trying not to dwell on it. Besides that’s not what it was about. “To be honest, I’m more annoyed that you didn’t tell me he was here.”

  “I told you, Cole made me promise.”

  “I get it. But you’ve known me longer and it hurts a little that you’d keep something from me as stupid as this.”

  “It’s not like I didn’t try to tell you. Why do you think I was so adamant about you coming to Michigan? Did I or did I not tell you there were a lot of hot mysterious guys here who like Jack Daniels? I was trying to tell you without actually telling you. I should get some credit for that.”

  “You know I’m not good with reading in between the lines.”

  “Well, you need to work on that.”

  “And you need to never lie to me again.”