“The drink I made for you,” he said, staring at my hands, watching as I brought the water bottle to my lips for another sip. “I was an asshole.”
“You were mad,” I said, having forgiven him. He’d rescued me on the dance floor. That searing, passionate kiss also helped. I’d be thinking about it for the next month. “I can assure you the disgusting drink you made didn’t do this.”
“Do I need to call a doctor? Your face is flushed.”
“My heart is racing too,” I said and laughed. I was used to the symptoms, and I just hated when they took over my life. “Relax. Just sit with me.” I liked his company, though I wasn’t sure I was ready to confess that much to him yet.
“Okay,” he said and sat back on the sofa. He didn’t look the least bit relaxed. Jaxson shifted one leg over the other. Then put his foot down, rearranged his position on the sofa before putting two feet down.
I sat there, not moving, watching him literally squirm in his seat. “Do you have ants in your pants?”
“I’m glad you’re feeling up to making a joke and finding all of this funny.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said, bringing the water bottle to my lips for another swig. “I guess I’m just used to this, and while it’s not fun, I usually can sense the spiral before the downfall.”
“Does this happen a lot?” Jaxson asked. He leaned forward, his hands folded together in his lap, his eyes never left mine.
I wasn’t used to talking about my health issues with anyone other than my physician back home. I needed to find a new doctor in Breckenridge, though a neurologist who specialized in autonomic disorders would not be easy to come by.
“It happens from time to time.” I didn’t elaborate. I wasn’t sure I wanted to confide in him. Everyone I trusted always betrayed me.
“We don’t have to talk about it if it’s making you uncomfortable,” Jaxson said.
Exhaling a loud sigh, I leaned back on the couch, letting the leather sofa cradle my body as much as possible. It was far more comfortable than my sofa at home. Eventually, I’d want to get new furniture, but I had bills to pay. “Where’s Izzie?” I asked.
“She’s at home with my sister, who is in town for the week.”
“Why aren’t you home with your family?” That surprised me, though. I didn’t know that much about him. We hadn’t been on speaking terms until today.
Jaxson stretched out, his arm falling around my shoulders on the back of the couch.
I glanced at him, and he shot me a coy smile before refocusing his attention on the wall. “She’s a handful.”
“Your sister or Izzie?”
“Both.” Jaxson snorted with a laugh under his breath. “Izzie has been testing my patience like all three-year-old’s do, and my sister, Skylar, is about just as annoying as Izzie.”
I held my tongue, smiling as I stared at Jaxson. “Does she live far away?” I asked.
“She’s about a four-hour drive, which means she’s not planning on leaving tonight.”
“That’s too bad. I was hoping you’d show me your bedroom, but I guess if you have a houseguest,” I said, teasing him.
He groaned. “You’re killing me.”
“Somehow, I doubt that,” I said, shifting to face him. I rested my hand on his chest and patted his shirt reassuringly. “I think you can handle a little family time. You’re a tough guy. I mean, you do that Eagle Tactical stuff for a living.” I didn’t know all that it entailed, but it was a high-adrenaline job, something I could never do. While I had previously held a high-profile job, my responsibilities had never held the same type of risk. I’d been assigned surveillance from a computer, often behind a desk in an office somewhere around the globe. Another secret.
He grabbed my wrist, his fingers interlocking with mine. “Are you always a tease?” Jaxson asked and leaned closer. One hand held mine. The other that had snaked around the sofa was now tangled in my hair. He pulled me closer and onto his lap.
Startled, I spilled the open bottle of water all over his shirt and pants.
He shrieked from the cold, and I leaped off his body like I’d just mutilated him. My hand rested over my heart, realizing what happened. “You’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“Well, at least you don’t look like you came in your pants.”
I snickered under my breath. While I tried not to grin, it seemed an impossible task. “You could have peed yourself?”
“Right, because that is so much better.”