Pass Interference (Fair Catch Series, Book Four)

by Christine Kersey

  Still smiling, she grasped his chin and turned his head so that he faced the television. “The movie’s over there.”

  He took her hand away from his chin and held it in his as he faced her again. “Maybe I like looking at it reflected in your eyes.”

  She burst out laughing. “Jax. You can’t see it in my eyes. Not from beside me.”

  “You’re right.” He released her hand, stood up, stepped in front of her, then knelt on the floor. With his hands on either side of her, he leaned close and peered into her eyes. “Huh. I still can’t see the movie.”

  Her eyes danced. “That’s because you’re blocking my view. No reflection that way.”

  “Dang it. You’re right.” He leaned even closer, leaving only a few inches between their mouths. “Well, since I’m here anyway…”

  Her eyebrows shot up and she touched his mouth with a finger. “Hold on, cowboy. I didn’t tell you that the magic has left my lips yet.”

  He kissed the finger that was touching his mouth, and when she yanked her hand away as if she’d been burned, he lazily smiled. “While I agree that those lips look like they’re sprinkled with magical pixie dust, I’ve always believe in the adage Use it or lose it.”

  “How does that apply here?”

  The movie droned on in the background, but Jax was too focused on Autumn to care. “That means if you don’t spread that magic around, you may never get it back.”

  Autumn had to give Jax credit. He was working hard for a kiss. And she wanted to kiss him. The magnetism he exuded had thoroughly wrapped around her and drawn her to him. Still, it was fun playing this game, fun making him work for it.

  “What to do,” she murmured as she gazed at him. His lips were so tantalizingly close, and the feel of his lips kissing her finger made her all the more eager to have those lips on hers. And with his hands on either side of her legs, she felt surrounded by him, overwhelmed by him. Holding back was becoming more of a challenge.

  “You know,” he said with a smirk, “it’s possible that if you use the magic now, it will multiply.”

  The corners of her mouth slowly lifted. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Told you I had lots of good ideas.”

  Smiling, Autumn placed her hands on the sides of his head, holding him still. Then she slowly, so very slowly, leaned closer until there was only a millimeter between their mouths. After a teeny, tiny pause, she brushed her lips against his before leaning back against the cushions. “Will that do?”

  The blue of his eyes was hardly visible around his pupils as he stared back. “Not even a little.” The words were practically a growl before he crushed her mouth with his.

  Soaring to stratospheric heights, Autumn wound her arms around his neck as he slid his hands behind her waist, pulling her tight against him.

  The teasing had been fun, but this was so much better. Clinging to him, Autumn let herself relax as she reveled in the strength of him. She was falling head over heels and she didn’t want to stop.

  For a moment it had crossed Jax’s mind that he might be doing something Autumn didn’t want, but her reaction to his kiss proved otherwise. Good thing, because that little butterfly kiss she’d skimmed across his mouth? That didn’t cut it. Not even close.

  It was as if she was melting right in his arms, and as they kissed, he knew he was falling for this woman and falling hard. There were so many things about her that captivated him—her sweet and fun-loving nature, the way she seemed to get him, the fact that she wasn’t impressed with who he was, that instead she liked him for him. And most importantly, he felt so at ease with her, as if he’d known her all his life. They just fit.

  His phone vibrated in his pocket. Ignoring it, he continued kissing Autumn, then he pulled away, his gaze on her. With mock concern, he said, “I hope I didn’t destroy the magic.”

  A radiant smile curved her lips. “Actually, I think you were right. It multiplied.”

  Chuckling deep within his chest, Jax nodded. “Yep. I knew it.” A moment later a wet nose pushed against his arm. Sitting back on his heels, he turned to Sasha.

  “She wants attention too,” Autumn said.

  “Is that what you want?” he asked Sasha as he stroked her head. Her tail swung in circles as she smiled in her doggy way.

  “Are you thirsty?” Autumn asked.

  He was thirsty for more of Autumn, but he moved to the couch. Sasha stayed beside him. “Yeah. Thanks.”

  Autumn stood and went to the kitchen.

  Taking advantage of her absence, Jax took out his phone to see who had texted him. It was Kelli again. Hey babe. Where are you? I thought you were coming over.

  Frowning deeply, Jax stared at his phone, and when he heard Autumn setting two bottles of water on the coffee table, he looked up. Should he tell her that Kelli was contacting him? He didn’t want to hide anything from her—after all, he wasn’t doing anything wrong. But he also didn’t want to upset her for no reason.

  Why did Jax have a guilty look on his face?

  “Who’s that?” Autumn asked, pointing to the phone in his hand.

  “Uh…”

  His hesitation made her uneasy and she sat beside him on the couch. “Go lay down, Sasha,” she said.

  Sasha did as she was told, curling up on her pet bed.

  “What’s going on, Jax?” He was hiding something, she was sure of it.

  A muscle worked in his jaw as he watched her, then he exhaled loudly and shook his head. “That woman who showed up at the restaurant the other night? Kelli?” He waved his phone in the air. “She keeps texting me.”

  Autumn didn’t know what to say. Jax had told her that he’d told Kelli he wasn’t interested. So why was she texting? What was she texting? The thought that he was stringing Autumn along sent a wave of despair cascading over her. She was falling for him. She knew that. But what if this was all a game to him.

  She shouldn’t do that. She shouldn’t jump to conclusions. She had to give him a chance to explain.

  Swallowing over her tight throat, she asked, “What did she say?”

  He scrubbed his hands in his hair, then he held his phone out to her.

  Surprised that he was being so open, Autumn hesitated a moment before taking it. Looking at him to make sure he meant for her to read his texts, she felt the weight of the phone in her hand. He nodded and her eyes went to the screen.

  The most recent text, the one he’d just received said, Hey babe. Where are you? I thought you were coming over.

  Lifting her gaze to Jax’s, Autumn couldn’t stop the jealousy that roared through her. Babe? She called him babe? How close had they become? Closer than she had become with him?

  The green-eyed monster bucked inside her, but she forced it to calm as she read the previous text, which Kelli had sent earlier that day. Hey handsome. Why don’t you come over? We’ll have a fabulous time.

  Jax hadn’t replied to that text. Comforted to know that, Autumn scrolled up to the one just before. One where Jax had replied. It was from the night they’d gone to the restaurant. The night Kelli had interrupted their dinner.

  Hi gorgeous. Let’s go out tonight. I’ll make it worth your while.

  Jax’s reply: Busy tonight.

  Autumn handed Jax his phone and sat beside him on the couch. “Guess she doesn’t take no for an answer.”

  He set his phone on the coffee table. “Guess not.”

  Needing to make sure she wasn’t being played, Autumn shifted her body so she was facing him. “Are you really…done seeing her?”

  His expression smoothed out as he took her hands in his. “Yes. I’m…” He looked down a moment before meeting her gaze. “It’s you I’m interested in, Autumn.”

  Heart singing with happiness, Autumn couldn’t stop a smile from blossoming on her mouth. “I’m interested in you too.” So interested.

  Slowly nodding as one side of his mouth tugged up, Jax cupped her face with his hand as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
/>   His phone buzzed on the coffee table.

  Both of their heads swiveled in that direction, and as Jax picked his phone up, Autumn bit her lip.

  Jax read the text then turned to Autumn with a frown. “Kelli again.”

  “Maybe you’d better answer.” Otherwise she would just keep texting.

  Jax agreed. Seriously annoyed that she kept bugging him, he read her text. Still waiting, but I’ll be here all night. Come when you can.

  He typed in a reply. Not interested. Stop texting me.

  Her reply was almost instant. You’re with that chick from the restaurant, aren’t you?

  Startled, his gaze flashed to Autumn.

  “What?” she asked.

  “She asked if I was with you.”

  Autumn’s eyebrows shot up.

  Deciding he’d had enough of Kelli, Jax turned his phone off before setting it on the coffee table.

  “You’re not going to answer?” Autumn asked.

  “Nope.”

  Autumn stiffened as her eyes widened. “Does she know who I am? Like, where I live and work?”

  Instantly, Jax knew what she was implying. “I don’t know. I never told her more than your first name when we were at the restaurant.” He paused a beat, his mind whirling. “She’s annoying, yes, but I don’t think she’s capable of…” His forehead furrowed. “Puncturing your tire and sending you those balloons.”

  At least, he didn’t think she was capable of it.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Alarmed to think that this woman could be behind her flat tire and the condolence balloons, Autumn felt her heart begin to race. “How well do you know her?”

  “We went out a few times.” He grimaced. “I didn’t think she was the type to hang on after I said I wasn’t interested, but I was wrong about that.”

  “How often does that happen? Women becoming obsessed with you?” Could that happen to her? If he dumped her, would she become obsessed? It was true that she was falling for him, but she didn’t think she was the type to not be able to let go.

  “Not often,” he said. “Most women are just looking for a one-night stand.”

  Did she want to know this? Not really. The thought of him being with anyone else sent slivers of jealousy piercing her heart. Which was ridiculous since she’d known him less than a week. “I see.”

  “Just because they’re looking for it doesn’t mean they get it.”

  “Oh.” That made her feel better. “What should I do about Kelli? Maybe…maybe I should tell the police about her?”

  Jax grimaced. “Yeah, you could…”

  “But?”

  “But, can you give me a chance to talk to her first?”

  Autumn didn’t like where this was going. “Why? I mean, I thought you were done with her.” Wait a second. Who was she to tell Jax what to do? Who to talk to? Her face heated. “Never mind. Of course you can talk to her.”

  Jax gazed at her. “What’s wrong?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re blushing.”

  Hating the way her skin betrayed her emotions, Autumn frowned. “I just…I don’t want to tell you what to do.”

  “I appreciate that, but I want your input. You’re the one these things are happening to.”

  He was so thoughtful. How could she deny him his request now? “Just…just tell me what she says. Okay?”

  He smiled. “Of course.”

  They settled in to watch the movie, and when Jax wrapped her in his arms, Autumn relaxed in the strength of his embrace.

  Jax hated the idea that someone he’d dated had done something to upset Autumn. To scare her. Was Kelli capable of that? And if it was her, would she do anything else? Concerned for Autumn, he reconsidered the idea of reporting Kelli to the police. Maybe they should report her. But would the media get a hold of that? Would they report that a woman he’d dated was now harassing another woman he was dating? He would sound like a womanizing jerk.

  It wasn’t about him. He had to remember that. Still, he would stop by Kelli’s house after he left Autumn’s place. He would get this taken care of tonight.

  When the movie was over, Jax was anxious to talk to Kelli, to straighten things out with her. But first he needed to give Autumn a proper good-bye. They walked to the door hand in hand, and when they reached the tiny entryway, he pulled her into his arms and smiled down at her. “Thank you for dinner. And for your company.”

  Her smile was radiant. “Thank you for coming over, Mr. Cordova.”

  Chuckling he said, “Anytime.”

  Her smile dimmed. “When are you going to talk to Kelli?”

  Suppressing a sigh, he said, “Tonight.”

  Now her smile disappeared completely. Wanting to reassure her, he said, “I’m not gonna stay there long and I’ll let you know what she says.”

  Her lips rose slightly. “Okay. Thank you.”

  “Of course, Angel Muffin.”

  That earned him a laugh, and after kissing her, he told her good-bye and walked out the door.

  He considered texting Kelli to let her know he was stopping by, but he decided it would be better to catch her unawares. Maybe that would put him more in control.

  Fifteen minutes later he parked in front of her house. It was before ten o’clock, so not too late. Striding to her door, he hoped he could talk to her quickly and get the heck out of there. He didn’t want to drag this out. He didn’t want to be there at all. He was only doing this for Autumn’s sake.

  He pressed the doorbell, and after several moments the door swung open.

  “You came!” Kelli said. “I knew you would.” Fully made-up and wearing a pair of skin-tight jeans and a low-cut blouse, she looked like she was ready for a night on the town. She grabbed him by the arm. “Come in, Jax.”

  “I’m not staying long.”

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “Fine, fine. But I’m not going to talk to you in my doorway.”

  Quietly sighing, Jax allowed her to drag him inside.

  “Come sit down,” she said. “Make yourself comfortable.”

  He stayed rooted to where he stood in the foyer. “No. We can talk here.”

  Anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a smile. “How have you been? You look good. As always.”

  Ignoring the question, he tried to figure out how to approach this. He wanted her to tell the truth so he had to be careful in what he said.

  When he didn’t say anything, she asked, “Why are you here, Jax? Because you don’t seem happy to see me.”

  “I came here to make some things clear, Kelli.”

  Placing a hand on her hip, she scowled. “Like what?”

  “You need to stop texting me.”

  A scoffing sound left her throat. “Why? It got you here, didn’t it?”

  He stared at her steadily. “This will be the last time I come here. I’m seeing someone else.”

  Eyes snapping with fury, she clenched her jaw. “Right. The woman at the restaurant. What was her name? Aubrey?”

  Was she playing with him, or did she really not know Autumn’s name? Deciding to play along, he nodded. “That’s right. Her name’s Aubrey.”

  Kelli frowned as she shook her head, but she didn’t show any sign that she knew Aubrey was the wrong name. “She’s all wrong for you, Jax. Can’t you see that?”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “She’s just…” Waving a hand in the air, she looked away before facing him. “She’s too uptight.”

  He wasn’t there to defend Autumn, although he wanted to. “You don’t know anything about her, so I don’t know where you came up with that. For all you know, she’s a…a florist.” He didn’t know where that had come from, but he went with it.

  Kelli laughed. “Is that what she does? I pegged her for a school teacher.”

  The more Kelli talked, the more Jax didn’t think she had a clue about Autumn, so how could she be behind the things that had happened?

  “Doesn�
��t matter,” he said. “She’s the one I’m seeing, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t contact me anymore.”

  “I don’t think you know what you want, Jax.”

  Now she was really irritating him. “Just stay away from me and…Aubrey.”

  Lips forming a pout, she stared at him, her eyes imploring.

  With a shake of his head, Jax opened the front door and strode to his car.

  On the drive home, he hoped he’d heard the last from Kelli Judd.

  “Do you think she was telling the truth?” Autumn asked. Lying on her bed, she held her phone to her ear as she talked to Jax. Despite the distraction of the woman who seemed obsessed with him, Autumn had had a wonderful evening, and she was grateful that he was calling to tell her how things had gone.

  “She really didn’t seem to know your name or anything about you, Angel Muffin.”

  Grinning at the nickname, Autumn almost asked Jax to come back over. But they both had to work the next day.

  “If it’s not her,” Autumn said as worry replaced her happiness, “then who could it be?”

  “I don’t know.” He paused. “Remember, there could be a reasonable explanation.”

  Though she would prefer that, she wasn’t so sure. “I know.”

  “Take care of yourself, Angel.”

  “You too.” She laughed. “I need to come up with a nickname for you.”

  “Stud works.”

  She laughed louder.

  “Aw, come on. Why are you laughing?”

  “Oh, Jax. You make me smile.”

  “Good. I’ll come over tomorrow night. All right?”

  “Yes.” The idea of waiting until the weekend to see him seemed ludicrous now.

  They hung up, and after getting ready for bed, Autumn climbed under the covers. A moment later Sasha jumped onto the bed and curled up nearby. Grateful for her sweet dog, Autumn drifted off, eager to see Jax the next day.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Your evening was way more interesting than mine,” Haylie said to Autumn the next morning as they prepared to open the salon.