Chapter 4
The weekend sun on the Connecticut coast was blindingly bright, but even more blinding were the stares directed at me. I stood on the dock at St. Grove Academy's annual sailing regatta, wearing a borrowed sailing outfit, feeling like a prisoner about to be executed.
What the hell was I doing?
"Attention all participants," the judge's voice boomed through the loudspeaker, "today's race course is around the island, with a three-hour time limit. Partner selection begins now."
Charlotte stood confidently in the front row, dressed in an expensive pink sailing dress. Almost everyone expected her to be chosen. The other sailing club elites posed perfectly, waiting to be selected.
I instinctively stepped back, hoping to disappear into the crowd.
Jax stood beside that white sailboat, sea breeze tousling his dark hair. He scanned the crowd, his gaze sweeping past Charlotte's perfect smile, past other obvious choices...
Then stopped on me.
In that instant, I saw his lips curve into a dangerous smile.
"I choose Sloane as my partner."
His voice was clear and provocative, like a declaration of war against everyone.
The dock erupted in shocked murmurs.
Charlotte's face went pale instantly, nearly dropping her sun hat: "Are you insane?"
Damn it. Every stare pierced me like daggers. My heart hammered wildly, but I forced myself to walk toward him.
"I don't know how to sail," my voice sounded calmer than expected.
"That makes it more interesting." His eyes gleamed dangerously, "I enjoy... teaching."
Charlotte's shrill voice rang out behind me: "Jax, don't be stupid! This is a competition, not your personal game!"
"I'm never stupid." He didn't turn around, just extended his hand, eyes locked on mine, "I just want... the most challenging."
I stared at his outstretched hand, feeling everyone's expectant gazes.
Was this a trap, or an opportunity?
I placed my hand in his palm, instantly feeling the warmth of his touch.
"Hold tight, princess," he whispered in my ear, "this will be a ride you'll never forget."
"Ready—GO!"
The moment the starting gun fired, Jax yanked the sail, and the boat shot forward like a released beast. The sudden acceleration threw me against his chest, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Scared?" His voice was in my ear, clearly taunting.
"In your dreams." I gritted my teeth and steadied myself, but my heartbeat was completely out of control.
"Put your hands here." He stood behind me, his hands covering mine, chest pressed against my back. I could feel every breath he took, smell his scent mixed with sea salt and danger.
"Do you feel it?" His voice was low and seductive, "the power of the wind... and mine."
I struggled to control my trembling: "You're... too close."
"Am I?" He didn't back away, instead pressed closer, "this is just the beginning."
Damn it, what game was he playing?
"You're nervous." He observed my expression, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, "relax, trust me..."
"Why should I trust you?" I turned to face him, only to find our distance dangerously close, "you're just enjoying this... sense of control."
He paused, then his gaze became more focused: "Sense of control?"
"Stop pretending, Jax." My voice trembled, but not from fear, "this is just a game to you, proving you can make any woman..."
"Make any woman what?" He suddenly leaned closer, his voice turning dangerous, "say it, Sloane."
We locked eyes, the air crackling with electric tension.
"Make any woman... lose her mind." I was almost whispering.
His gaze deepened: "What about you? Have you lost your mind?"
The wind suddenly picked up, and the boat tilted violently. I lost my balance, falling toward the water—
His arm instantly wrapped around my waist, pulling me back forcefully. Our bodies pressed tightly together, his face only inches from mine.
"Are you okay?" His voice turned gentle, but his eyes still burned with something I couldn't understand.
I stared into his eyes, seeing something there that shocked me. Not a conquerer's satisfaction, but... genuine concern?
No, this couldn't be possible. This had to be another one of his tactics.
"I'm... I'm fine." I tried to push him away, but he didn't release me immediately.
"Sloane..." His voice grew softer, "I want you to know..."
"Know what?" My heart raced even faster.
"This isn't a game." His expression became terrifyingly serious, "at least not for me."
As the sun set, our boat drifted on the water, far from the other vessels. The orange-red sky was breathtakingly beautiful, but my attention was completely consumed by the man beside me.
"It's unreal how beautiful it is," I said softly, trying to ease the tension.
"Yes, unreal how beautiful."
I turned my head to find he wasn't looking at the sunset, but at me. That intense gaze made it nearly impossible to breathe.
"Jax..." My voice trembled.
"You know what?" He moved closer, "from the moment I first saw you, I knew you would completely destroy me."
"What do you mean?" My heart pounded wildly.
"You make me want to be a... better man." His voice was soft, but each word hammered against my heart, "you make me want to give up everything that disgusts you."
No, no, no, this couldn't be true.
"You just want to conquer me," I struggled to maintain rationality, "just like conquering every other woman."
Pain flashed in his eyes: "What if I said no? What if I said... you're the only one who makes me want to stop?"
"I don't believe you." My voice shook terribly.
"Then let me prove it to you." He slowly moved closer, his hand gently caressing my cheek, "let me prove what you... mean to me."
As his lips were about to touch mine, I felt unprecedented panic.
Not because of the kiss, but because I realized I... wanted to believe him.
At the crucial moment, I turned my head away.
"I can't." My voice trembled, "this is too fast..."
He stopped, his hand still by my cheek. "Is it because of my past?"
I looked at the genuine hurt in his eyes, that pain nearly suffocating me.
"I need time." I was almost pleading, "I need to know if this is... real."
He slowly pulled back, but his gaze remained locked on mine: "I'll prove it to you, Sloane. No matter how long it takes."
Why was he doing this? Why couldn't he just give up like a normal player?
"We should head back," I said softly.
He nodded and began turning the boat around. But in the silence, I heard him whisper:
"I won't give up."
