2

Margot

Jaxon raised an eyebrow, his expression both smug and curious. “Bubba.”

I inched closer as he pulled out a whiskey bottle worth more than my rent. “It’s been years now. Are you ever going to tell me why you call me that?”

He grinned, the flash of his white teeth somehow predatory beneath the scruff of his dark beard. His deep brown eyes gave me a slow once-over before locking onto mine. “Your laugh,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “It reminds me of Bubba—light, soft, and… happy. Maybe butterflies too, but ‘Bubba’ suits you better.”

My cheeks burned crimson. I dropped my gaze to the floor, letting my hair fall forward like a curtain. I needed a second to compose myself, but Jaxon wasn’t about to give me that chance. Before I could react, he lifted the whiskey bottle over his head and started to sidestep around me. Instinct kicked in, and I reached for the bottle despite knowing I’d never reach it. Jaxon, being a solid half-foot taller, smirked like the cat who caught the canary.

That smirk should’ve been my warning. The next thing I knew, his free arm looped around my waist, pulling me closer. His touch was so warm, so steady, that it caught me off guard. I stumbled, trying to find my balance, but Jaxon, already unsteady, toppled with me.

We hit the floor hard, Jaxon cushioning my fall by twisting beneath me. A loud rip split through the air, and I froze on top of him, my mouth agape as I processed what had just happened.

Jaxon tilted his head, already looking down when I quickly shoved my hand under his chin, stopping him.

“That was your dress, wasn’t it?” he asked, voice tinged with amusement.

“Yep,” I muttered, acutely aware of the breeze now tickling my exposed skin. Trying for nonchalance, I added, “Nice to see you again, Jaxon. How’s the family?”

His hand shifted to my waist, fingers brushing bare skin. His teeth grazed his bottom lip, and his voice dropped an octave. “Oh. That wasn’t naked before.”

I groaned, dropping my forehead to his chest. “Is there ever going to be a time when I don’t make an idiot of myself in front of you? Just… close your eyes while I check how bad the damage is.”

“Not happening,” he said, his smirk audible. “I’ve been waiting far too long to get a proper look at you. No way I’m missing this.”

Before I could respond, Jaxon rolled us over. I barely registered the cool wood floor beneath my back before he lifted me to my feet like I weighed nothing. For a brief moment, I was struck by the realization that I’d dated men who didn’t have half his strength.

“Hey!” I protested as he stepped back, his gaze dipping.

“Yes?” he asked, an infuriating grin spreading across his face.

I moved with him, pressing myself against his chest to stop him from seeing the state of my dress—or what was left of it. “Stop being ridiculous. You weren’t trying to sneak glances.”

Jaxon didn’t bother hiding his amusement. Taking a deliberate step back, he held me at arm’s length. His eyes roved over me, lingering on every exposed inch. My dress, or what remained of it, had turned into a poor excuse for a button-down. The slit ran from the neckline down to my thighs, leaving nothing to the imagination.

I felt the flush spread from my cheeks down to my chest as Jaxon’s gaze burned hotter, hungrier, than I’d ever seen. There was no teasing in his expression this time—just raw, unfiltered desire.

“Jaxon?” My voice wavered as I tried—and failed—to pull the fabric back together.

“Bubba,” he rasped, his eyes finally meeting mine again. “You’re not walking across the resort like this. Come to my cabin. I’ve got a robe you can borrow.”

I nodded quickly, desperate to get out of this mortifying situation. “How am I supposed to get there without flashing the entire place?”

Without a word, Jaxon pulled his shirt off and tugged it over my head. Before I could even process the sight of his bare chest, he tossed me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. He grabbed the whiskey bottle and strode out of the room.

“New low for me, Jaxon,” I muttered, staring at the floor—and his very distracting backside.

“Weird,” he replied, his tone downright smug. “This is a new high for me.” He adjusted his grip, his hand briefly squeezing the back of my thigh. “Did I ever tell you how glad I was when you broke up with my idiot little brother?”

His words sent a strange, fluttery feeling through me. “Um… no.”

“So glad.” His long strides jostled me slightly, and he tightened his grip to keep me steady. “You seeing anyone?”

“No,” I said before I could stop myself.

“Good.”

By the time he carried me into his cabin and set me down, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pass out or melt into a puddle at his feet.

The room was warm and inviting, its modern luxury completely at odds with Jaxon’s rugged presence. His duffel bag sat by the bed, the only sign he’d been there long enough to unpack.

“Take the dress off,” he said, leaning casually against a leather chair. His gaze didn’t waver as he added, “Let’s see if my shirt’s long enough to skip the pants.”

“I’ll change in the bathroom, thanks.” Clutching the shirt tighter, I darted into the only private space in the cabin and shut the door behind me. Leaning against it, I exhaled shakily.

Jaxon was sending signals—strong ones. And if I wasn’t completely misreading them, they weren’t just playful teasing anymore.

It was dangerous, thrilling even, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face what it meant.