by Kahlen Aymes
Ten stilted minutes later, Jax glanced at his elegantly sleek, black-faced Movado watch. “What the fuck is taking her so long? She never makes me wait,” he muttered quietly.
I drew in another calming breath but refrained from commenting, sure that Stella was most likely straining to hear every word.
The door at the end of one of the long hallways opened, and the tall, slender, and simply stunning form of Gloria Sussex emerged on the arm of James Sanderson. He was in his mid-sixties, but still cranking out best sellers in suspense and crime drama. I didn’t know much about him, but he did TV spots for every new release, so he was easily recognizable. I could remember his books lying around my parent’s house. He had a very long and illustrious career.
“Thank you, James. I’ll get that manuscript to you by the end of the week,” Gloria said, offering a plastic smile. She had a very polished appearance but looked more like a fashion model than a literary agent, I supposed, though I had absolutely zero knowledge of what literary agents were supposed to look like. Thin, platinum hair, and her skinny body clad in a calf-length black sweater dress. It left one shoulder bare and hugged her body. Her height emphasized by four-inch heels and her makeup impeccable; smoky eyes and lips that were siren red.
“Hello, Jim,” Jax offered in passing, rising to shake his hand.
“Good evening, Jaxon. Who is your lovely companion?”
“Addison Tomms. A new discovery for Gloria.”
“One of your students?” he guessed, correctly. The older man took my hand between both of his and patted it. “Just lovely.”
“Thank you,’ I said graciously, offering a smile.
“Do you write fiction, honey?” he asked.
I started to answer, but the other woman cut me off.
“Bye, James! We really must get on with our meeting, now. Have a nice evening! I’ll call you!” Gloria hurried him away and he was barely out the door and standing by the elevator, waiting when she disrespected him. “He’s losing his edge. I’m going to need to find a good ghost writer,” the agent confided in a lowered voice what I felt should be kept confidential. She smiled brightly at Jax, then leaned in and planted a brief kiss squarely on his mouth, her scarlet nailed hand wrapping around his lower face.
“Gloria! What the hell?” He was clearly surprised by the kiss. His eyes darted to mine to gauge my reaction. It took everything I had to remain stoic and pull my eyes from him over to Gloria. “This is the young woman I was telling you about, Addison Tomms.”
Her gaze roamed over me, clearly sizing me up. She took in my budget, but expensive-for-me suit, and then slid it sideways to Jax. “So, you’ve said.” Her hand shot out as she turned her attention back in my direction. “Nice to meet you, Addison. Jax has told me so much about you!” she gushed so sweetly I thought I’d go into insulin shock.
This was the agent extraordinaire? I sensed there was a bearcat hidden under the polished exterior, however.
I took her proffered hand in a firm handshake. “Nice to meet you. He’s mentioned you, as well.”
She laughed. “Well, don’t you believe a word of it! That way. The door at the end.” She used her hand to usher me down the hall, but then hung back to link her arm through Jax’s. “So, when can I expect your pages, Jaxon?” she purred behind me. It was all I could do not to turn around and shoot daggers at her with my eyes, but I had to remind myself that she’d been his agent for years and a certain familiarity should be expected.
“I told you, I might want to take some time off,” Jax answered flatly. “That hasn’t changed.”
“Ha-ha, Jax, you’re so funny,” Gloria said patting his arm, but glaring at him and her tone dripping with sarcasm. “You know we have a contract, hon.” By now, I was inside her very posh office and turned to watch the two of them enter.
“No, we don’t, Gloria.”
“Come on, now, Jaxon,” she laughed nervously. “You know you have a standing contract with Simon & Schuster; first rights of refusal on any new books for the next ten years.”
“Yes, but I’m not under contract to produce.”
“You should take this more seriously. They may drop you for lack of work product. There’s a clause that states need to produce at least one book a year or they have an out.”
Jax was using the back of his hand to wipe the red lipstick off of his lower lip as he scowled at Gloria. Clearly, he wasn’t amused. “Maybe, maybe not,” he retorted angrily. “What the fuck was that all about back there?”
She waved away his protest. “Don’t overreact. I missed you, that’s all! Besides, James was hitting on me and I needed a buffer. I mean, seriously,” she said haughtily; as if that should explain away her unprofessional action. I started to wonder; just what was her relationship with Jax? “I’ll put up with him smoking those god-awful cigars in my office, but that’s where I draw the line!” She laughed sharply. “Have a seat.” Gloria indicated the two white leather chairs in front of the rectangular glass and chrome table that served as her desk.
I glanced from one to the other. Jax smoothed down his tie and indicated I should take the chair to his right before he lowered his tall frame into its twin.
“So, let’s get down to it, Addison.” She scooted her chair closer and folded her red claws in front of her. “Tell me about yourself and why you want to be a writer.”
I crossed my legs and sat my clutch on my lap, then told her about my parents and growing up with my brother in upstate New York and ended with the story about my grandmother’s stories and how writing was in my blood and something I needed to do to be happy.
“Hmmm…” she said. “Jax said your book is very good. Did you bring a copy of the manuscript?”
“What happened to the standard three chapters?” Jax demanded in an irritated tone. It was the first time he’d spoken in the twenty minutes we’d been ensconced in Gloria’s office.
Her expression was astonished that he would question her. “Well, if it’s as amazing as you say, Jax, I’d like to read the entire book right away.” She looked at him pointedly. “I thought that was what you wanted and since you’re a bit behind on your own pages, I can start shopping Addison’s around if it’s up to my standard.”
“Gloria, stop with this playing around. I told you it’s good, it is. Let’s move on, shall we?” Jax snapped. “What’s going on? You’re acting weird.”
“Nothing! It’s been a long day, that’s all.” Gloria looked embarrassed by the exchange, her cheeks starting to burn as her words rushed out. She quickly changed the subject, directing her gaze back to me awkwardly. “Have you thought about a pen name, Addy? May I call you Addy?”
Somehow, I had a feeling this woman was trying to establish her place in the pecking order of Jax’s life. “Of course, and um… well, I hadn’t really thought about a pen name. My middle name is Delaney after my grandma, so what about A.D. Tomms?”
“Ooooh! Delaney would be much better. It’s a sexy name perfect for sexy books. Delaney Scott, or Delaney Chance? Doesn’t that sound yummy? Tomms makes me think of a turkey.” She acted all wide-eyed and innocent as she insulted me; as if she was trying to be my best friend, and I was too ignorant to know what she was doing.
“I think Addison’s choice will do, Gloria,” Jax growled.
Gloria smiled awkwardly; she looked pained, and I almost felt sorry for her. “Jax, please. Let me do my job.”
He looked annoyed. I’d seen him happy, sated, drunk on passion, amused, relaxed, but he was on edge, his eyes like blue steel as they set on his agent.
“If it’s okay, I’d really prefer to stay with my initials. Isn’t gender-neutral better? Won’t it sell more books if the name could be interpreted as a man’s name?” I interjected with a sweet smile. “Women love a man who writes romance. Jax is proof.” I didn’t want him to defend me. I needed Gloria to understand that I wasn’t going to hide behind him, and I needed him to know I could take care of myself.
Gloria paused and huffed
. “Hmmph! Well, yes, if you actually had the um, equipment, but since you don’t, your identity would come out eventually, and then where will you be? Why lie about who you are?”
“I’m not sure,” I stammered. I was flustered; she was twisting my words. “I didn’t say lie, I just said maybe not use my full name. I just thought it might help sales.”
“Don’t you worry, it’s my job to sell books, so if I decide to work with you, you’ll need to leave that to me. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She held out her hand. “Do you have a thumb drive with the book on it? Usually submissions take months for me to get to because I have just hundreds in my slush pile, but because my favorite client asked me for a favor, I’ll read it over the weekend. If it turns out to be everything Jax said it is, I can get you an engagement offer with the agency relatively quickly.”
I sat up straighter in the chair. Glancing at Jax, he gave me a nod before I reached into my purse and pulled out the drive and handed it over. “I hope you like it.”
She clutched it with both hands with a false giddiness. “I’m sure I will! Now all you have to do is go home and relax! While you’re waiting you might encourage our boy here to write his own book!” Gloria winked at me. “The publisher is anxious for his next bestseller! If that’s all, I really need to make a dinner engagement.”
Gloria stood dismissively, and Jax and I followed suit. He buttoned the button on his blazer.
“Thank you, Gloria. I really appreciate the opportunity and I hope you enjoy the book. It was nice to meet you.”
Jax ushered me in front of him and we started to leave the plush office. “Jax,” Gloria called. “Can I speak with you for a minute? In private?”
He paused and glanced at me. “Addison, would you mind waiting in reception?”
“No problem.”
I walked through the door and he closed it behind me, and I wanted with all my heart to linger and listen to what Gloria had to say. I shivered in dread as I walked down the hall, physically feeling his absence beside me.
My gut told me this woman was a viper all dressed up in Gucci and Prada, and I should keep my eyes wide open.
I wasn’t sure, but maybe they’d fucked in the past, and it was hard to not feel intimidated, considering the other woman’s experience and sophistication, but if Jax’s response to her was indicative of his feelings, she left him unmoved. My heart fell. Would this be what was in store for me? Still in love with him after he’d moved on? When I thought about it like that, I almost felt sorry for her, except that she came off as a condescending bitch at times. I wasn’t sure what to think. She’d made it clear she only took the meeting because Jax had requested it.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up in warning, and suddenly, I wasn’t so sure that I wanted her help after all; however, I was certain of one thing— she wanted Jax.
Stella had gone, and the lights in the front office were dimmed as I took the chair that I’d taken when we’d first arrived. I didn’t have time to wait and heard the door to Gloria’s office open abruptly.
I’d barely stood up when he appeared at my side. His face looked pinched, and slightly red.
“Are you okay?” I asked, involuntarily reaching for him, wrapping one hand around his forearm.
He nodded, sliding an arm around the back of my waist.
“Sure. Let’s go celebrate.”
“Celebrate?” I asked, perplexed as he guided me out of the offices and into the waiting elevator. “Jax, what happened?” I asked, concerned.
“Nothing. Just bitching at me about my book. Again.”
As soon as the doors closed, he pulled me firmly into his arms and his mouth latched onto mine. My hands slid up his arms and over his broad shoulders, reveling in the hard muscles beneath the fine wool. His mouth was hungry, nipping and tugging at my lips, his tongue demanding entry into the deep recesses of mine. Willingly, I opened to him, kissing him back with all I had.
“God, you taste so good,” he moaned into my mouth when we broke apart to breathe. “I’m starving for you.”
It had been about thirty-six hours since I’d lain in his arms, and moisture and heat were already pooling. “Me, too,” I said against his mouth.
“I’m going to take you to dinner, then you’re coming home with me,” he said softly, his breath mingling with mine as he nudged my nose with the tip of his. “I’m going to devour you tonight. Head to toe, Addison. My mouth will be on every inch of you.” His words thrilled me, and I could literally feel my body opening in readiness.
“Yes,” I whispered my agreement as the elevator reached the first floor, dinging. Jax pulled back, but still, our fingers clung together, and our shoulders touched as we exited the building. Whatever caused his tension, I wanted to ease it. My body was on fire, but my heart was full. I wanted to satisfy his desire and ease his heart, and I silently vowed to make it a night he’d never forget. “Maybe we can skip dinner?” I suggested.
A sexy smile slid across his face as we walked to the waiting car. “We’ll order in. I promise, you’ll be ravenous, later.”
“I’m ravenous… now.”
His fingers, threaded through mine tightened, and he raised our joined hands to kiss the top of mine, his eyes dancing with something I couldn’t quite discern. “And I’ll never deny you when you’re hungry. Never.”
16
I woke to the sound of Jax’s steady breathing, the scent of his skin, and our evening of love play lingering in the air around me. A ding from the floor near the bed where my carelessly discarded purse had landed indicated a text had just come in and I dreaded stirring and leaving the warmth of his body pressed against mine and the safety of his arm wrapped possessively around me. A secret smile curved my lips as I slid my fingers down to find purchase around his hand and pressed my arm down on top of his muscled one in a reverent squeeze. My movement only caused him to pull me tighter to his naked body as he buried his face deeper into my neck. Who would have thought the great Jaxon Michaels was a spooner? It was a warm, delicious cocoon I never wanted to be free of.
Bliss, I thought. Sheer bliss.
It was Saturday morning, and though it was getting commonplace for me to spend Friday nights at Jax’s apartment, I still was in awe that he let me into his life. My heart swelled inside my chest. He was larger than life, beautiful, brilliant and invincible, yet he let his guard down with me. I felt like the luckiest woman on earth. Lots of women adored him for his words or his sexual magnetism, but only I got to hear him whisper sexy little nothings that set me on fire. My body stirred at the delicious memory of the prior evening.
Ding.
The phone persisted again. I stretched toward the edge of the bed, straining to reach down to grab it without disturbing Jax. My fingers felt around blindly until they closed around the phone and I was able to bring it up to look at the screen.
Did you talk to Dr. Michaels, yet?
The text was from Luke. I groaned inwardly and inhaled deeply as I considered my options. I felt flattered Luke wanted me to critique his work, but I didn’t want to lessen his value in Jax’s eyes. My sexy professor was gentle with me, but when he got his teaching hat on, he could be ruthless. Professional, but demanding. I’d seen it in class a few times when one student or another had irritated him. I could only imagine how he’d interpret Luke asking one of the student’s he was assigned for help. Was Luke asking me if I’d spoken to Jax about becoming his second T.A or about my helping him with his manuscript? I decided the first was my best option and typed out my response.
Not yet. I will, I promise.
“To whom are you making promises, now?” Jax’s deep, sleepy voice roused over my shoulder and reverberated into my ear in the wake of his warm breath. “Should I be jealous?” he asked, languidly amused. He’d obviously glanced at the message over my shoulder. I felt anxious that he could have seen who it was from, yet, I didn’t want to keep anything from him, either. This situation could go either way.
&nb
sp; He moved enough for me to shift onto my back so I could look over at him. I lifted a hand, reached up, and cupped his cheek. “As if.”
His sumptuous lips curved up into a lazy smile. “It could happen.”
“How?” I pressed wryly, shifting once more until I was facing him. He took my hand and pressed his open mouth into the palm as his eyes peered into mine. He was rumpled and so sexy with his hair mussed from a night of love play, and my fingers threading through it, there was a soft scruff on his jaw that I’d come to love. It made him look dangerous and sensuous. “I mean… you’re you.”
The amusement left his expression. “Yes, and you’re you, Addison. Don’t you know how you affect me?” He used one finger to trace down my face from my cheekbone to my chin as he bent and kissed me leisurely, yet thoroughly, his hand sliding into my hair to cup my head. I opened my mouth to give him access, and his tongue played with mine, teasing it into a response. My heart and mind thrilled at his admission, even if it wasn’t one of undying love.
I ran my hand up his chest and over his broad, muscular shoulders. He was all man; demanding and sure in his ability to give pleasure.
Passion flared between us as he rolled me beneath him and settled into the cradle of my body, clearly aroused. When the phone, now laying on the bed behind me, dinged again Jax froze. His lips lifted from mine, despite my attempts to keep the kiss going. “Must be some promise,” he muttered good-naturedly.
I licked my lips and rushed back the lock of dark hair falling over his forehead as he looked down into my face. I arched up into his erection. I wasn’t sure if I was hoping to distract him or just that my body always had an insatiable hunger for his.
