Page 93 of The Quit List
Ha. He’s a victim of his own great teaching skills, because right now, I’m reading him like a book.
I just don’t know why he’s holding back.
“Fine,” I say with a pout. I’m not above playing dirty. “Guess I’m going to have to find someone else to practice with.”
The flare of jealousy in his eyes is unmistakable. “Who?”
I tap my jeans pocket, where I have my phone. “The first hot guy on Spark who makes my heart pound.” I look at him and shrug casually. “Or maybe Aaron would be up for some no-strings kissing.”
“No.” He looks outraged at the suggestion, his fingertips digging into my hips now in a way that I hope he never lets go. “Absolutely not.”
I smile at him sweetly. “Then who?”
“Holly,” he says my name almost like a warning, and I’m beginning to think that maybe I did read this all wrong.
Maybe he’s not burning to kiss me the same way I’m burning for him. Maybe he’s trying to tell me that I’m going too far, pushing past his role as my dating coach.
Disappointment fills me as I step out of his embrace and turn to leave. Where I’m going, I have no idea, but I’m not going to stand here and simmer in humiliation.
I start to walk away, but I’ve barely taken a step before Jax lets out a long exhale…
Mutters two little words:
“Screw it.”
His hand is suddenly on my arm, and his fingers dig roughly into my bare skin as he spins me around and pulls me towards him in one, swift motion.
Then, his mouth is on mine.
His kiss is hot and forceful and so damn intense that my legs shake like they’re struggling to hold me up. Jax must sense this because his hand slides around to my lower back, pulling my body flush against his as he kisses me more deeply.
I whimper, and he nips at my bottom lip in response.
My arms circle his neck and drag him down close to me, my brain completely devoid of any thoughts except an insistent more, more, more! My hands twist into his thick dark hair, and the groan that comes from his throat is so unbelievably sexy, I feel like I might pass out.
There’s nothing gentle about the way this man kisses, and when his tongue skims my bottom lip, I can’t help but moan. Every inch of my body feels like it’s on fire and burning oh-so-good.
Jax clearly likes what he hears—what he tastes—because he makes a noise deep in his chest and his other hand slides along the side of my body and up to my face, skimming my cheekbone with the callused pads of his fingers.
I love the way he touches me confidently, skillfully, like he’s not afraid I’m going to break. Gentle and rough, all at once. He tugs on my hair, tilting my face towards his as he begins to move forward. He’s still kissing me as he walks, backing me up until I’m pressed up against a huge, broad, knotted tree trunk, and the length of his huge, broad body is against mine. My hands scrape at his back for purchase as I cling to him for dear life.
Jax breaks the kiss, looking into my eyes for one searing moment before he moves to press a line of hot, open-mouthed kisses down my neck. When his mouth moves over my pulse, I suck in a breath.
“Holly,” he hisses in my ear almost desperately, his teeth grazing my earlobe before his mouth is back on mine.
Everything stops. The forest around us stills. The world ceases to turn as I lose myself entirely in this man’s powerful, all-consuming kiss. Come alive under his purposeful, confident touch.
It’s sexy and rough and sweet and tender and explosive fireworks and toe-curlingly romantic, all at once. Forget getting him out of my system, all I want now is to do this forever. Never, ever come up for air.
Because he was right.
I have never in my twenty-nine years been kissed like this. It’s all the sparks and fireworks I’ve ever wanted and so much more—I’m already an addict. He’s still freaking kissing me and I’m already desperate for my next fix.
He’s ruining me for everyone else. And I’m happily letting him.
33
HOLLY