Ava couldn't shake the encounter with Jaxon Reed. The hours since their meeting had slipped away in a blur of paperwork and conference calls, but his presence lingered, like the fading scent of expensive cologne. She had faced down titans of industry, stared them in the eye, and won,yet something about Jaxon unnerved her, made her feel like she was teetering on the edge of something she couldn't quite define.
It wasn't just his looks, though Jaxon was undeniably attractive. There was a darkness in him, a hidden depth that called to a part of Ava she had long buried. She had spent years building walls to protect herself, but now for the first time in a long while, she felt those walls tremble. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.
As she slipped out of her office, the city had transitioned fully into night, the lights of Manhattan casting a glow that seemed to hold endless possibilities. Ava decided to walk, letting the cool evening air clear her head. The streets buzzed with life, the rhythm of the city matching the rapid beat of her heart. She needed to focus, to remind herself why she was so successful: she never let anything especially not a man distract her.
Yet, as she turned the corner onto a quieter street, her phone buzzed. She paused under the light of a streetlamp and pulled it out, frowning slightly at the unknown number. Curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the message.
Dinner tonight? Say yes. - J
The audacity of it made her smile despite herself. Jaxon Reed was nothing if not persistent. And a small, rebellious part of her a part that had been silent for too long wanted to say yes, to see where this dance with danger might lead.
But she wasn't one to give in so easily. She typed back, her fingers flying over the screen.
I don't mix business with pleasure. - A
She had barely taken a step before her phone buzzed again. The reply was instantaneous, as if he had been waiting for her answer.
Who says we can't have both? Car will be outside your office in fifteen.
Ava's breath hitched as she read the message. He was challenging her again, daring her to break her own rules. For a moment, she hesitated, caught between the safety of her routine and the thrill of the unknown. But something in her, something restless and yearning, made the decision for her.
She turned on her heel and headed back to her office, her pulse quickening with each step. By the time she reached the front of the building, a sleek black town car was already waiting, the driver standing by the door.
"Ms. Sinclair?" he asked, tipping his hat. She nodded, and he opened the door for her, the plush leather interior inviting her inside. As she settled in, the door closed with a soft click, sealing her into the dim, intimate space.
The car pulled smoothly into traffic, and Ava glanced out the window as the city whizzed by. Her thoughts spun with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. This was reckless, impulsive, and completely out of character for her. But perhaps that was exactly what she needed.
The drive was short, and when the car came to a stop, the door was opened once more. Ava stepped out, her heels clicking against the cobblestones of a secluded street. The restaurant before her was discreet, its entrance marked only by a single lantern and a small sign in elegant script. Inside, the atmosphere was warm, intimate, the lighting low and the scent of fine cuisine mingling with the subtle notes of expensive wine.
Jaxon was waiting for her at a corner table, his dark eyes gleaming as she approached. He stood, pulling out her chair with a gentlemanly grace that belied the predatory gleam in his gaze.
"You came," he said softly, a note of satisfaction in his voice.
Ava met his eyes, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline that always accompanied a high stakes deal. But this was different,this was personal, and it set her nerves alight in a way she hadn't felt in years. "You're not the only one who likes a challenge," she replied, settling into the chair.
Jaxon sat across from her, his gaze never leaving hers as a waiter appeared to pour their wine. Ava accepted the glass, taking a slow sip as she studied him. He was a contradiction ,smooth and polished on the surface, but with an edge that hinted at something darker beneath. She could feel it in the way he watched her, as if he could see right through her, peeling back the layers she had so carefully constructed.
The meal was exquisite, but the real feast was the conversation a verbal sparring match that left Ava both exhilarated and unsettled. They danced around each other, each probing for weaknesses, neither willing to give an inch. Jaxon was relentless, his questions cutting through her defenses with a precision that was as seductive as it was unnerving.
And through it all, there was the undercurrent of something more something electric, that sparked between them with every glance, every word. It was the kind of chemistry that was impossible to ignore, the kind that burned hot and fast, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake.
As the evening wore on, the tension between them grew, a palpable force that thrummed in the air, charging every word, every look. Ava found herself leaning forward, her pulse racing as Jaxon's hand brushed hers, the contact brief but searing.
"I don't usually do this," she murmured, her voice betraying the slightest tremor.
Jaxon leaned in, his eyes darkening as they locked onto hers. "Neither do I," he replied, his voice a low, seductive whisper. "But I think we both know there's nothing usual about this."
His words hung in the air between them, thick with promise and peril. Ava's breath quickened, the space between them shrinking until she could feel the heat radiating off his body. Her mind screamed at her to stop, to walk away before she lost control, but her body refused to listen, drawn to him by a force she couldn't resist.
And then, as if on cue, the music in the background shifted a slow, sultry melody that seemed to mirror the rhythm of her racing heart. Jaxon stood, holding out his hand. "Dance with me," he said, his tone making it less a request and more a command.
Ava hesitated for the briefest of moments, then placed her hand in his. He led her to a small, secluded corner of the restaurant where they were hidden from view, the world outside fading away as he pulled her close. His hands were firm on her waist, guiding her with a confidence that sent a shiver down her spine.
The music wrapped around them, a sensual embrace that matched the slow, deliberate movements of their bodies. Ava could feel every inch of him against her, the hard lines of his frame, the heat of his breath on her neck. Her hands rested on his shoulders, her fingers digging into the fabric of his suit as she fought to keep her composure.
But Jaxon wasn't making it easy. He moved with a fluid grace, his touch both gentle and possessive as he pulled her closer, until there was no space left between them. His lips brushed her ear, sending a jolt of electricity through her veins. "Tell me you're not feeling this," he whispered, his voice a velvet caress that made her knees weak.
Ava closed her eyes, the words she wanted to say dying on her lips. She was feeling it more intensely than she had ever felt anything before. But admitting it out loud would mean surrendering to something she wasn't sure she could control.
Jaxon's hand slid up her back, his fingers tracing the curve of her spine as he tilted her head back to meet his gaze. "Ava," he murmured, her name a soft command that made her heart skip a beat.
She opened her eyes, finding herself lost in the depths of his. The world around them seemed to blur, the noise fading into the background as all her senses honed in on the man holding her. There was a part of her that wanted to push him away, to retreat to the safety of the walls she had built so carefully around herself. But another part,a part that was growing stronger by the second wanted nothing more than to give in, to let go, to see where this wild, reckless path would lead.
Before she could second guess herself, Jaxon's lips found hers, the kiss starting slow and exploratory, as if he was savoring every moment. But it didn't stay that way for long. The kiss deepened, became more insistent, more urgent, as if the connection between them was a spark catching fire.
Ava's hands moved of their own accord, sliding up to tangle in his hair as she pressed herself closer to him, lost in the heat and intensity of the moment. Every rational thought, every reason she had to resist, melted away under the sheer force of the desire that roared to life within her.
The kiss was everything she had feared it would be, intoxicating, consuming, and utterly irresistible. When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing hard, their foreheads pressed together as they struggled to regain control.
"This is dangerous," Ava whispered, her voice shaky, but she made no move to pull away.
Jaxon's lips brushed against hers again, a soft, lingering kiss that promised more to come. "Only if you want it to be".
Ava's heart pounded in her chest, the line between caution and recklessness blurring with every passing second. She had always been the one in control, the one who set the rules and kept emotions at arm's length. But Jaxon had a way of slipping past her defenses, making her want things she had long denied herself. Things she wasn't sure she could handle.
"Tell me to stop," he murmured against her lips, his voice a low, seductive growl that sent shivers down her spine.
She couldn't. The words wouldn't come. Instead, she found herself leaning into him, her body betraying the rational thoughts still swirling in her mind. His hands were on her waist, firm but gentle, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. The music, the soft clink of glasses, the muted conversations around them all of it faded into the background, leaving only the two of them, locked in this moment of heady, breathless anticipation.
Ava's hands slid up his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath his tailored suit. Her fingers curled into the fabric, as if holding on to him could anchor her in the storm of emotions raging inside her. Jaxon's mouth was on hers again, this time more insistent, more demanding. His kiss was a claiming promise of all the things he could give her if she was willing to take the risk.
She was drowning in him, in the heat of his touch, the taste of his lips, the intoxicating scent of his skin. Her mind was a whirl of sensation, every nerve ending alight with the pleasure of his proximity. He kissed her like a man possessed, like he'd been waiting for this moment as long as she had. And maybe he had. Maybe they were two people who had been circling each other for longer than they knew, waiting for the right moment to collide.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard, their foreheads resting against each other's as they tried to regain control. But control felt like a distant memory, something Ava wasn't sure she could or wanted to grasp again.
Jaxon's fingers traced the line of her jaw, tilting her chin up so she was forced to meet his gaze. His eyes were dark, smoldering with an intensity that made her pulse race. "Come with me," he said, his voice rough with barely restrained desire.
Ava hesitated, the last vestiges of caution warring with the overwhelming need pulsing through her veins. This was the moment,the point of no return. She could walk away, go back to her life of control and predictability, where every move was calculated and every risk mitigated. Or she could give in to the pull she felt towards Jaxon, step into the unknown, and see where this wild, reckless path would lead.
The decision was made before she could second guess it. "Yes," she whispered, the word barely audible, but it was enough.
Jaxon's eyes flared with triumph, and before she could change her mind, he took her hand and led her out of the restaurant. The cool night air hit her like a wake up call, but the heat of Jaxon's grip on her hand kept her grounded in the moment. The city hummed around them, the streets alive with the usual late night bustle, but for Ava, the world had narrowed to the man by her side and the electric current running between them.
They walked in silence, the tension between them thick and palpable, every step taking them closer to something that felt inevitable. Ava's heart raced, a mix of fear and excitement bubbling up inside her as they approached a sleek black car idling at the curb. Jaxon opened the door for her, his gaze never leaving hers as she slid into the backseat.
The car's interior was dim, the soft leather seats cool against her skin. Jaxon slid in beside her, and the door closed with a quiet thud, sealing them into a private world where the outside ceased to exist. Ava's breath quickened as the car pulled away from the curb, the reality of what she was doing hitting her with full force. But instead of fear, she felt a thrill, a rush of adrenaline that made her feel more alive than she had in years.
Jaxon's hand found hers, his fingers intertwining with hers in a gesture that was both possessive and protective. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice low, the question laced with a vulnerability she hadn't expected.
Ava turned to look at him, seeing the man behind the mask for the first time. He was still Jaxon Reed,powerful, dangerous, and irresistible but there was something more, something raw and real that called to the part of her she kept hidden from the world. "Yes," she said again, this time with more conviction. She was sure. She was ready.
Jaxon's gaze darkened with desire, and before she could process what was happening, he was pulling her into his arms, his mouth claiming hers in a kiss that was as much a promise as it was a declaration. This was what they had been building towards from the moment they met his explosive, undeniable connection that neither of them could resist.
The car sped through the city streets, but Ava was only aware of Jaxon, of the heat of his body pressed against hers, of the way his hands roamed her back, her waist, pulling her closer, as if he couldn't get enough. She was lost in the sensation, in the way he made her feel desired, needed, and completely alive.
Jaxon's lips trailed down her neck, his breath hot against her skin as his hands began a slow, deliberate exploration of her body. Ava's head fell back, her fingers tangling in his hair as she gave herself over to the pleasure of his touch. It was everything she had imagined and more intense, consuming, and utterly intoxicating.
But as Jaxon's hand slid beneath the hem of her dress, a small voice in the back of her mind reminded her of the risk she was taking. This wasn't just a fling this was Jaxon Reed, a man with secrets as dark as the night around them, a man who could destroy her with a single word. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to care. She had spent too long playing it safe, too long denying herself the things she wanted. Tonight, she wanted him.
And she was going to have him.
The car slowed as it pulled up to a private townhouse, its exterior understated yet unmistakably luxurious. The door opened, and Jaxon was out of the car in an instant, extending his hand to help her out. Ava took it, her heart pounding as she followed him inside, the door closing behind them with a soft click that echoed in the silence.
The interior was as sleek and refined as Jaxon himself, all clean lines and dark tones, the air scented with something rich and masculine. But Ava barely had time to take in her surroundings before Jaxon was on her again, his hands sliding up her arms as he backed her against the wall.
"I've wanted you from the moment I saw you," he murmured against her lips, his voice rough with need. "And now that I have you, I'm not going to let you go."
Ava's breath caught at the intensity in his words, her body trembling with anticipation. "Then don't," she whispered, her hands fisting in his shirt as she pulled him closer.
That was all the encouragement he needed. Jaxon's mouth claimed hers in a kiss that was hot and demanding, his hands roaming her body with a possessiveness that made her blood sing. Ava arched against him, her body on fire with the need to feel him, to lose herself in him.
He lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the sleek, modern bed that dominated the room. Ava's heart raced as he laid her down, his gaze dark and intent as he slowly peeled away her dress, revealing inch by inch of her skin. The cool air against her heated flesh sent shivers down her spine, but it was nothing compared to the shiver that ran through her when Jaxon's hands and lips followed, exploring every curve, every hollow, with a reverence that made her breathless.
Ava had been with men before, but none like Jaxon. There was a raw intensity to him, a hunger that mirrored her own, a need that went beyond the physical. It was as if he wanted to possess not just her body, but her soul, to claim every part of her as his own.
And she wanted it too.
Every touch, every kiss, every whisper of his name on her lips drove her closer to the edge, until there was nothing left but the two of them, tangled in the sheets, lost in the pleasure of each other's bodies.
When they finally came together, it was like a firestorm hot, fierce, and all consuming. Ava gasped as Jaxon moved within her, his pace slow at first, as if savoring the moment, but it didn't take long for the intensity to build, for the pace to quicken until they were both lost in the rhythm of their desire.
It was overwhelming, the pleasure so intense it bordered on pain, but Ava welcomed it, needed it, craved it. She clung to Jaxon, her nails digging into his back as he drove her higher and higher, until she shattered, her release crashing over her like a tidal wave.
Jaxon wasn't far behind, his grip on her tightening as he plunged deeper, his pace quickening until he, too, found his release. The tension in his body snapped, and a deep, guttural sound escaped his lips as he buried himself in her one last time. His body trembled against hers, every muscle taut as he rode the wave of pleasure to its peak.
For a long moment, the world seemed to stand still. The only sounds in the room were their ragged breaths, mingling with the faint hum of the city outside. Ava's heart pounded in her chest, the aftermath of their passion leaving her both exhausted and exhilarated. She felt Jaxon's weight pressing her into the mattress, grounding her in the reality of what had just happened.
Slowly, he lifted his head, his dark eyes searching hers, as if trying to gauge the thoughts racing through her mind. The intensity of his gaze made her pulse quicken all over again. There was something raw and vulnerable in his expression, a stark contrast to the confident, controlled man she'd first met. It was a side of him she hadn't expected to see, and it tugged at something deep inside her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence heavy with unspoken words and lingering desire. Ava could still feel the heat of him, the way his body fit against hers as if they were made for each other. But with the passion came the dawning realization of what they had just done. She had crossed a line she'd vowed never to cross, given herself to a man who was as dangerous as he was alluring.
But as she looked into Jaxon's eyes, she didn't feel regret. No, what she felt was something much more complicated, a mixture of exhilaration, satisfaction, and a deep, simmering curiosity about the man who had just rocked her world in more ways than one.
Jaxon's hand slid up her arm, his touch gentle now, almost tender, as if he, too, was savoring the moment. "Ava," he murmured, her name a soft caress on his lips. "I meant what I said earlier, I'm not going to let you go."
Ava swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as she processed his words. This was more than just a one night stand,Jaxon was making it clear that he wanted more, that he saw something in her worth pursuing. And despite the voice of caution in the back of her mind, Ava found herself wanting to see where this could lead, even if it meant stepping further into the unknown.
"Then don't," she whispered, echoing the words she had spoken earlier, but this time with more conviction. She wasn't ready to let him go either, wasn't ready to walk away from whatever this was between them. The passion, the connection,it was too powerful, too real to simply ignore.
A slow smile spread across Jaxon's face, one that made her heart skip a beat. "You're going to make this very difficult for me, aren't you?" he teased, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness in his tone, as if he understood the gravity of what they were stepping into.
"Maybe," Ava replied, her lips curving into a smile of her own. "But I think you can handle it."
Jaxon's eyes darkened with desire, and before she could say anything more, he leaned in and kissed her, slow and deep, as if sealing the promise they had just made. When he pulled back, his expression was more serious, his gaze searching hers once again.
"This isn't going to be easy, Ava," he said quietly, his voice low and intense. "There are things about my life, about me, that you don't know yet. Things that could change everything."
Ava's heart skipped a beat, a flicker of uncertainty sparking within her. She had known from the start that Jaxon was a man with secrets, a man with a past that could come back to haunt him and by extension, her. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something there that made her want to take the risk, to push past the fear and dive headfirst into whatever lay ahead.
"Then show me," she said softly, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. "I'm not afraid of the truth, Jaxon. I'm not afraid of you."
For a moment, Jaxon just stared at her, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his gaze. Then he nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement, but one that spoke volumes.
"Alright," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "But know this, Ava I'm all in. Whatever this is between us, I'm not going to walk away from it. From you."
Ava's breath caught in her throat, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket. It was a promise, a declaration of intent that sent a thrill of anticipation through her. She knew there would be challenges ahead, that the road they were about to walk would be anything but smooth. But for the first time in a long time, she felt ready to face it, ready to embrace the unknown and see where this wild, passionate journey would take her.
With one last lingering kiss, Jaxon pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her as they settled into the bed. The city continued to buzz outside, the world moving on without them, but for Ava, time seemed to slow, the steady beat of Jaxon's heart beneath her ear a comforting reminder that she wasn't alone in this.
As sleep began to pull her under, Ava allowed herself one last thought: This was only the beginning. There were secrets yet to be uncovered, dangers yet to be faced, but she was ready for whatever came next. Because with Jaxon by her side, anything seemed possible even a love that could withstand the storm they were about to face.