Ava couldn't shake the memory of the night before. As she stepped into her sleek corner office on the 35th floor, she felt the weight of her decisions pressing down on her shoulders, but it was a weight she wore with a strange kind of exhilaration. The city lay sprawling beneath her, a chaotic sea of possibilities, and she, Ava Sinclair, was at the helm steering through the stormy waters of power, ambition, and now, desire.
She had managed to compartmentalize her life with precision until now, keeping her personal and professional worlds neatly divided. But Jaxon Reed had changed the game. He was blurring the lines, making her question her rules, her boundaries. And she had a sinking feeling that he was just getting started.
As she settled into her desk, her phone buzzed with the relentless pace of her work life, emails and notifications piling up, demanding her attention. But there was one message, standing out amidst the clutter, a new email from Jaxon.
Subject: Business & Pleasure
From: Jaxon Reed
To: Ava Sinclair
Ava,
Last night was just the beginning. I have a proposal, one that could benefit us both, in more ways than one. We'll discuss it over dinner tonight. I'll send a car for you at 7pm.
J.
P.S. I trust you won't be late. I'm a man who values punctuality.
---
Ava stared at the message, her heart pounding in her chest. He was coming at her from all angles professionally, personally, and everything in between. She had expected him to make another move, but this… this was calculated, deliberate, and oh so dangerous.
But she was drawn to it, drawn to him. Jaxon was a storm, and she found herself willingly stepping into the eye of it.
She quickly typed out a reply
Subject: RE: Business & Pleasure
From: Ava Sinclair
To: Jaxon Reed
Jaxon,
I'll be ready at 7pm. But don't expect me to mix the two without a fight.
A.
P.S. I trust you won't be late either. I'm a woman who values a challenge.
---
With a small, satisfied smile, Ava hit send. She leaned back in her chair, her mind racing through the implications of what tonight could bring. There was no denying the attraction she felt for Jaxon,an attraction that had ignited into something more last night, something she wasn't ready to let go of just yet.
But she also knew the stakes were high. Mixing business with pleasure was a risk one that could have serious repercussions. Yet, the thrill of it, the unpredictability of what might happen next, made her pulse quicken with anticipation. She was ready to meet Jaxon on his terms, but she wasn't going to make it easy for him. If this was a game, she was determined to play it well.
The day passed in a blur of meetings and negotiations, but Ava found her thoughts drifting back to Jaxon with increasing frequency. By the time 6:30pm rolled around, her usual cool composure was frayed at the edges, and a nervous energy hummed beneath her skin. She had been in control of her life for so long, but with Jaxon, it was like she was stepping into uncharted territory, exciting, yes, but also terrifying.
At precisely 7:00pm, she was stepping out of her building and into the waiting black town car. The driver nodded to her as she slid into the backseat, the door closing with a soft, definitive click. As the car moved smoothly through the city streets, Ava took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm, to maintain the upper hand.
She wasn't sure where they were going until the car pulled up in front of an exclusive, private club one she knew by reputation but had never set foot in. The driver opened the door, and Ava stepped out, smoothing her dress as she took in the opulent surroundings.
Jaxon was waiting for her at the entrance, a devilish smile playing on his lips as his eyes swept over her, taking in every detail. He was dressed impeccably, his dark suit tailored to perfection, but it was the way he looked at her as if she was the only woman in the world that made her heart skip a beat.
"You're right on time," Jaxon said, his voice a low, seductive murmur as he stepped forward, taking her hand and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
"I wouldn't dream of keeping you waiting," Ava replied, matching his tone with a confidence she didn't entirely feel.
"Good," he said, his gaze lingering on her lips for a moment before he turned to lead her inside. "Because I have a lot to show you tonight."
The club's interior was as luxurious as Ava had imagined plush velvet, dark wood, and a low, sultry lighting that made everything feel intimate, private. The kind of place where deals were made, secrets were shared, and boundaries were blurred. Jaxon led her through the winding corridors to a private room at the back, secluded and quiet, away from the prying eyes of the city's elite.
The room was small, with a single table set for two, candles flickering softly on its surface. Ava felt a thrill of anticipation as she stepped inside, the door closing behind them, sealing them off from the world outside.
"Impressive," she remarked, taking in the details. "But I'm guessing this isn't just a social visit."
Jaxon smiled, his eyes gleaming with something dark and tantalizing. "You're right," he said, guiding her to the table. "This is a negotiation, a merger, if you will. One that could be very profitable for both of us."
Ava raised an eyebrow as she took her seat, intrigued. "Go on."
Jaxon leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're a woman who knows what she wants, Ava. You go after it with everything you have, and you don't let anything stand in your way. That's something I respect ,something I'm drawn to. But I also know that you're holding back, that you're still trying to keep me at arm's length."
Ava felt her pulse quicken, but she kept her expression neutral. "And what makes you think that?"
"Because I've been watching you," Jaxon replied, his voice dropping to a low, intimate tone that sent shivers down her spine. "From the moment we met, I've been watching you. I've seen the way you control every aspect of your life, the way you keep everything and everyone at a safe distance. But I'm not like the others, Ava. I'm not going to let you push me away."
Ava's breath caught in her throat, the intensity of his words wrapping around her like a vice. He was challenging her, daring her to let him in, to break the rules she had so carefully constructed. And damn it, she wanted to. She wanted to see how far they could go, how deep they could fall.
"What are you proposing, Jaxon?" she asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.
Jaxon's smile was slow, predatory. "I'm proposing an alliance. A partnership. I want us to work together on every level. I want to see what we can create when we stop holding back, when we let go of the fear and embrace what's right in front of us."
Ava's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing through the possibilities. It was risky,dangerous even. But it was also tempting, so incredibly tempting. She had spent so long building walls, protecting herself from the pain of vulnerability. But with Jaxon, those walls seemed to crumble so easily, and she found herself wanting to step out from behind them, to see what life could be like without the constant need for control.
"What do you get out of this?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as she studied him. "What's in it for you?"
Jaxon's gaze darkened, and he leaned forward, his voice a low, seductive growl. "You. All of you. No more games, no more walls. Just you, Ava."
The air between them crackled with tension, the weight of his words settling over her like a heavy, intoxicating blanket. She had never been one to give in so easily, never been one to let anyone get too close. But Jaxon was offering something different, something more. He was offering her a chance to be seen, to be truly known, in a way that no one else ever had.
And she wanted it. God, she wanted it more than she'd ever wanted anything.
But she wasn't about to make it easy for him.
"What makes you think you can handle all of me?" she challenged, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper.
Jaxon's eyes gleamed with triumph, and in an instant, he was out of his chair, closing the distance between them. He pulled her to her feet, his hands firm on her waist as he pressed her against the wall, his body flush against hers.
"I can handle anything you throw at me," he murmured against her lips, his breath hot on her skin. "And I promise you, Ava, by the time this night is over, you'll know exactly what I'm capable of."
Before she could respond, his mouth was on hers, claiming her in a kiss that was all-consuming, leaving her breathless and wanting more. His hands roamed her body with a confidence that made her knees weak, every touch igniting a fire inside her that she didn't want to extinguish.
This was a kiss that demanded everything from her breath, her thoughts, her very soul. Ava felt herself giving in, letting Jaxon take control as his lips and hands explored her with a hunger that matched her own. Her mind screamed at her to resist, to pull back before she lost herself completely, but her body betrayed her, arching into him, craving more of the heat and intensity he offered.
Jaxon's mouth trailed down her neck, his teeth grazing her skin just enough to make her gasp. He gripped her hips firmly, pressing her harder against the wall as his knee nudged between her thighs, parting them just enough for him to settle closer. The pressure, the sheer proximity, sent a wave of heat crashing through her, her senses overwhelmed by the intoxicating combination of his scent, his touch, his voice.
"I've wanted this," Jaxon murmured against her collarbone, his voice rough with need. "I've wanted you like this from the moment I saw you, Ava. And now that I have you…" He paused, lifting his head to meet her gaze, his dark eyes blazing with intensity. "I'm not going to stop until you're mine."
The declaration sent a jolt of desire through her, and Ava's hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer as she crushed her lips to his. She was done playing games, done pretending she didn't want this as much as he did. The control she had clung to so desperately was slipping away, and for the first time in her life, she didn't care. All that mattered was this moment, this man, and the way he made her feel.
Jaxon responded in kind, his kiss deepening, his hands roaming over her body as if he couldn't get enough. He pulled her blouse free from the waistband of her skirt, his fingers skimming over the bare skin of her stomach before sliding up to cup her breast, the sensation making her moan into his mouth.
Ava's own hands were not idle; she pushed his jacket off his shoulders, her fingers quickly working on the buttons of his shirt, desperate to feel the hard muscle she knew lay beneath. When she finally succeeded, her hands slid over his chest, reveling in the heat and strength of him, the feel of his heartbeat pounding beneath her palms.
Jaxon's hands moved to the zipper of her skirt, and with one swift motion, he had it undone, the fabric pooling at her feet. He lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed her back against the wall, his mouth finding hers again in a kiss that was nothing short of incendiary.
Ava could feel the hard length of him pressed against her, even through the fabric of his pants, and the sensation sent a thrill of anticipation through her. She shifted her hips, a low, throaty moan escaping her lips as the friction between them built, the tension winding tighter with every movement.
"Jaxon," she whispered, her voice trembling with need. "I want you… now."
Jaxon growled low in his throat, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "Say it again," he demanded, his eyes locked on hers as he reached between them, his fingers deftly working to free himself from the confines of his trousers.
Ava's breath hitched, her gaze locked on his as she whispered again, "I want you… I need you."
That was all the encouragement he needed. With a swift, sure movement, Jaxon aligned himself with her, his eyes darkening as he slowly pushed into her, filling her completely. Ava's head fell back against the wall, her eyes fluttering shut as the sensation overwhelmed her, the delicious stretch and heat of him igniting a fire deep within her core.
Jaxon didn't give her time to adjust, didn't give her a moment to catch her breath. He set a demanding pace, each thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through her, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. Ava clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulders as she matched his movements, the friction between them building to a crescendo that threatened to consume her whole.
It was too much, too intense, too perfect. She could feel herself unraveling, could feel the pressure mounting inside her, winding tighter and tighter until she was sure she would shatter.
And then, with one final thrust, she did.
Ava cried out, her body tensing as the orgasm crashed over her, wave after wave of pleasure ripping through her, leaving her breathless and shaking. Jaxon followed her over the edge, his own release tearing through him with a force that left him trembling against her, his breath ragged in her ear as he held her close.
For a long moment, they stayed like that, their bodies pressed together, the remnants of their passion still pulsing between them. Ava's heart pounded in her chest, the reality of what had just happened slowly sinking in. She had never felt anything like this before,never felt so out of control, so consumed by desire. And it scared her, thrilled her, left her wanting more.
Jaxon slowly lowered her back to the ground, his hands gentle as he brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. His expression was softer now, the intensity replaced by something almost tender as he looked at her, as if he was seeing her for the first time.
"You're incredible," he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I knew you would be, but… damn, Ava. You're even more than I imagined."
Ava's heart swelled at his words, her breath catching in her throat as she met his gaze. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the raw, unguarded truth of his feelings, and it shook her to her core. She had been with men before, but none of them had ever looked at her like this,like she was the only thing that mattered, like he would move heaven and earth just to keep her by his side.
But there was also a part of her, a small, scared part, that wondered if this was real. If Jaxon's feelings for her were as genuine as they seemed, or if this was just another game ,another way for him to get what he wanted.
Before she could dwell on the thought, Jaxon's lips found hers again, a soft, lingering kiss that chased away her doubts, leaving only the warmth of his touch, the comfort of his embrace.
"I meant what I said earlier, Ava," he whispered against her lips. "This isn't over. I'm not letting you go."
Ava's heart fluttered in her chest, a mixture of fear and exhilaration coursing through her veins. She knew she was in deep with Jaxon deeper than she had ever intended to go. But as she looked into his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to pull away. There was something between them, something powerful and undeniable, and she wasn't ready to let it go. Not yet.
"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered back, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.
Jaxon's eyes darkened with desire, and he pulled her into another searing kiss, his hands sliding down to grip her waist as he pressed her against him once more. Ava's pulse quickened, the embers of their passion quickly reigniting as they lost themselves in each other again, the world outside fading into oblivion.
This was just the beginning, she could feel it in the way Jaxon held her, in the way his lips moved against hers with a hunger that matched her own. They were playing a dangerous game, one that could lead to heartbreak or something even more devastating.
But for now, all Ava could think about was the heat of Jaxon's body against hers, the taste of his kiss, and the way he made her feel like she was finally, truly alive.
As the night stretched on, the city outside continued to hum with life, unaware of the storm brewing within the walls of the private club. A storm that was only just beginning to gather strength, a storm that would change everything.