by Vi Keeland
I reach into his bowl and steal one of his cherries, popping it into my mouth before he can protest. “So how is Mr. Tall, Rich, and Lickable?”
“He’s ridiculously perfect,” I answer, catching sight of Reed’s boyishly beautiful smile. He’s almost as excited as I am that Jax and I have become so close. I wish he’d meet someone too. Someone he wants to spend more than one night with, that is.
“Do you think he’ll move to New York or will you move to D.C?”
“I don’t think we’re really up to that point yet.”
“I see the way you look at him. The way he looks at you. You’re up to that point.” He shovels a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth and then a shiver runs through him.
“Brain freeze?”
He nods.
“Just because it’s only been a few weeks doesn’t mean you’re not in love.”
“Who said I was in love?”
Reed looks at me, as if to say it’s painfully obviously written on my face. “How are things in your love life?” I ask. “Delivery boy still around?”
“Who?” Guess not.
“When are you going to find someone to actually have a relationship with?”
“I have lots of relationships,” Reed says matter-of-factly.
“You know what I mean,” I warn.
“When a Jackson Knight walks into my life,” he shrugs as if the answer was so simple.
“I’m not sure there are two of them,” I say jokingly, although I’m pretty sure it might be true.
Reed drops his spoon into his quickly emptied bowl with a loud clank. “Do. Not. Even. Say. That.”
“Caden’s available if you’re interested,” I tease, bumping shoulders with him.
“Thank you for waiting until after I finished my ice cream to say that. My stomach sours just thinking about that man.” Reed stands and takes my dish, even though I still have ice cream left.
“Hey, I’m not done!” I whine.
Shoveling the last few spoonfuls into his mouth, he says, “Sure you are,” and winks as he walks our dishes to the kitchen sink.
“Fight Club?” he asks, picking up the DVDs.
“You hate fighting.”
“Not as much since I saw Jax sparring with Marco the other day.” He sighs. “Plus Brad Pitt can do no wrong.”
I smile. “Fight Club it is.”
We settle in our usual position on the couch. Him sitting up with his legs sprawled out across the coffee table and me with my head on his lap and the blanket pulled up to my nose. Advertisements for movies we’ve both already seen play on the TV.
“So what’s going on with the sale of Joe’s half of the gym?”
“It looks good. Everything seems to be going smoothly. The bank that the investors are using for their financing is the same as our bank, so it saves us some time in doing verifications, Jax said.”
“And Ape boy has been keeping away still?”
“Haven’t seen him. Although his fight with Jax is this Wednesday. I feel sick even thinking about it.”
Reed sighs loudly. At first I think it’s his response to my mention of the looming fight between Caden and Jax. But then I realize the movie has started and Brad Pitt’s face on the screen has stolen his attention away from our conversation. Reed’s eyes stay glued to the shirtless fighters for most of the movie. I, on the other hand, find it hard to concentrate on a movie about fighting, it only reminds me of what is to come in four days.
***
I showered and changed into a different sweatshirt, the new one still plucked from Jax’s pile he left at my place. Reed had just left a few minutes ago and I’d eyed the movies he’d left on the floor next to the DVD player just before the knock at the door came. Scooping them up, I unlock the top latch and swing the door open. “Forget something?”
Jax’s mouth widens into a smile. “Nice sweatshirt.”
“I didn’t expect to see you so early,” I stammer, taken aback momentarily by his appearance. And what an appearance it is. Dressed in a navy suit with a pale blue tie that brings out the color of his eyes to the point that they almost don’t look real, he looks completely edible.
“So you answer the door like that for just anybody?” One eyebrow arched, there’s a hint of what could be jealousy in his tone.
Forgetting I have no pants on, I look down to find his sweatshirt is barely covering my panties. “I thought you were Reed.”
“Not even sure I like you answering the door for Reed like that.” His eyes draw a slow sweep up and down my bare legs before he captures me by the back of the neck and kisses me senseless.
“Wow.”
His mouth curves into a wicked smile. “You going to invite me in, or do I have to feel you up right here in the doorway.”
We spend a few minutes just inside the door, with me pushed up against it. Breaking for air, I whisper, “This is a nice surprise. You’re back early. I didn’t think you’d be back till late tonight.”
Jax’s hand travels under my sweatshirt, I haven’t yet put on a bra after my shower. He groans finding my bare skin. “There was no reason to stay.” He lifts the sweatshirt, exposing my swollen nipples and takes one between his teeth. “And every reason to come back.”
My heart swells thinking I’m his reason to come back early. Pressing his body gruffly against mine, he pins me to the door with just his hips as he takes my mouth in another deep kiss. I quickly become lost in him. A loud knock quickly brings me back.
“Who is it?” I question, my legs not yet sure of themselves, I sway a tiny bit as Jax releases me from his grip.
“It’s me,” Reed says from the other side of the door. I reach for the lock and Jax puts his hand over mine stopping me.
“Go put pants on,” he says sternly.
“But, it’s just Reed.”
“I don’t care who it is. Go cover up.”
Pouting, I stomp back to the bedroom to throw on some pants and come back.
“I forgot the DVDs,” Reed says with a knowing grin on his face. He eyes Jax with delight, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s happy for me or just likes what he sees. Either way, it warms me to see the approval on his face.
“I’ll see you two Wednesday,” he waves and practically runs out the door.
“Wednesday?” I crinkle my nose not remembering any plan I had made with Reed.
“I invited him to the fight,” Jax says nonchalantly as he closes and locks the front door.
A nauseating feeling of dread consumes me. I’d managed to forget about the fight for a few hours this morning. The thought of watching Jax get hit in the ring with Caden sickens me. It’s not that I don’t have confidence that he’ll win, but the fight is essentially my fault and I know I’ll be feeling guilty with every strike.
Attempting to put the thought out of my head, I change the subject. “How was the party?”
“A joke,” Jax grumbles, raking his fingers through his hair.
“I’m sorry,” I offer, not knowing what else to say.
“Me too. He couldn’t even let her have a night without making it into a public relations event.”
Lacing my fingers with his, I raise his hand to my mouth and kiss each finger tenderly. He takes my other hand, weaves our fingers and cradles it against his chest. The intimate exchange seems to soothe him, a small but real smile creeping onto his face.
“I missed you,” I blurt out, offering the truth, even though admitting it makes me nervous.
“I missed you too.” He grins, snaking his arms around my waist and pulling me closer. “I really do like you in my sweatshirt,” he says in a throaty voice as he reaches for the hem and pulls it up over my head.
“I thought you said you liked me in it,” I tease.
“I do.” His head lowers, he buries his face in my neck and breathes in deeply. “You can wear it later.”
“Later?” I repeat mindlessly, not really asking a question.
“Much later.” He takes my mouth
in a passionate kiss, our hunger quickly igniting. “Need you now,” he growls, lifting me at the knees and carrying me to the bedroom.
Laying me down centered on the bed, my eyes hooded with lust, he hovers over me still fully dressed while I’m stripped to only my panties. I lean up and press a trail of kisses to his throat, feeling him swallow beneath my lips. My touch is gentle, but it elicits a response from him that is anything but. Groaning, he cups my head, holding me in place while he kisses me mercilessly.
“Your shirt. Please take off your shirt,” I tug desperately at the tails freeing them from his slacks, but I can’t open the buttons from my position. I need to feel him without a barrier. Now.
Nimbly undoing the buttons, Jax bares his perfect chest and presses it against me. We both groan at the sensation of skin against skin. It’s been only a few days yet my body is starved for him.
“Jesus,” he murmurs in a sexy voice thick with need as he reaches down and grasps my butt in one hand, squeezing hard, using the other to guide my legs to wrap around his waist. “You feel so good, I missed this.”
My fingers twine into his hair as he slides down my body, nuzzling between my breasts. “I missed it too. Missed you,” I say breathlessly, pouring meaning into each word.
Jax’s mouth moves to my nipple, it’s already swollen and needy. I gasp as he sucks hard, feeling the sensation shoot through every nerve of my body. The intensity of his desire pouring out consumes me…my body, my thoughts, my heart. He moves to the other breast, his hand reaching down between my legs. I arch into him as he slides lower, leaving a trail of wetness as he alternates sucking and biting.
Reaching my sensitive flesh, he purrs with raw male satisfaction finding how ready I already am for him. “So wet and eager, my Angel,” he feathers his tongue over my swollen clit. “I love how ready your pussy is for me.”
Tremors run through my limbs as the vigor of his licks increase. His tongue moves expertly, he’s gotten to know my body so well, so quickly. My hands clutch the sheets beneath me, gripping them as my orgasm quickly takes hold of me. Jax growls as I reach down and grab his hair, pushing him further into me if it’s even possible.
“Jax,” I cry out as I feel the waves begin to grip me. My fingers tug harshly at his hair. Repeating his name over and over as my body begins to tremble, he sucks down hungrily on my clit once more, pushing me over the edge. My body convulses on its own, a steady stream of moans thrumming through the air between us.
Before I can come back down from the brink of ecstasy, he licks his way back up my body. Hovering over me, he pauses, his breathing as labored as mine. His eyes roam my face, my body, the moment becoming intensely intimate. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispers. His pale blue eyes are filled with a mesmerizing mix of emotions that bring a well of happy tears to my eyes. I see truth, desire, need and something I’ve never seen from him before…vulnerability.
Kissing my lips softly, he slows down our once frenzied pace to languid and leisurely. The hunger is still in his eyes, but it’s mixed with powerful emotions that course between us.
Eyes locked, he enters me unhurriedly. His jaw clenches and body trembles as he struggles to go slow, pushing his thick, hard cock inside of me inch by inch. A moan drops from my lips when he finally fills me. Every inch of me feeling stretched and gloriously full.
Steadying as he seats himself to the hilt, he threads his fingers with mine and lifts my hands over my head, restraining me. His muscular body controlling mine makes me feel defenseless, yet heightens my arousal to a level that intensely consumes me.
He claims my mouth again and begins to move, his tongue leading mine as he glides in and out smoothly. Each stroke is tender yet powerful as my body swells, enveloping him deeper. I wrap my legs around his waist and we move in unison to a dance without music, yet we’re perfectly in time.
He tells me how beautiful I am, how incredible I feel, how my body takes him in as if we were made for each other. I feel completely and totally possessed by him, his tender words, his eyes watching me, his cock inside of me…I close my eyes as ecstasy begins to wash over me.
His grip on my hands tightens, my knuckles white as he clenches down. I gasp as his pace quickens, his hips changing from rhythmic thrusting to forceful, deep pounding. My orgasm hits me with the same intensity as his need to claim my body. Moaning, I arch my back and chant his name over and over, riding each wave of pleasure until he joins me with a hiss of my name and I feel his heat pour into me.
***
The man who less than half an hour ago planted my hands firmly against the shower wall as he commanded my body and took me from behind, now pours my coffee and pulls out a chair for me as I walk into the kitchen. He’s such a contradiction in so many ways.
“I have class today. But how about I make you dinner later?”
“We can stay at the hotel tonight. Have dinner there. You don’t have to cook.”
I smile. “I want to.” I love doing everyday things with him. It just feels so right, so normal, so comforting. He feels like coming home to me.
He studies me for a moment. “Okay. I have to do some work and then I have Marco from four to six. I’ll come by after that.”
“I hope you shower first?” I tease.
“After this morning, I think all my showers are going to be here.” He grins a cocky boyish smile. I have a feeling we’re both going to be very clean.
Chapter 24
Lily
Jax has a business meeting across town this morning, so we say goodbye outside my building and I walk to Ralley’s alone. It’s a route I’ve walked since I was ten years old by myself. It’s a good neighborhood. I’ve always felt safe. Yet again today, I can’t shake the feeling of someone watching me. It’s broad daylight, but my own paranoia has me practically power walking the short distance to the gym.
The busy morning of paperwork helps me to relax and I’m lost in my own thoughts when the bells on the front door jolt me even though I’m staring right at it. A man enters wearing a suit, he looks out of place. Handsome, I’d guess mid-fifties, but wears it well. Distinguished, one look and I know he’s wealthy.
“Can I help you?” I ask, at first sure that he’s made a wrong turn. But then he smiles and I watch as his eyes roam my body. It’s not the subtle and elusive glance of a gentleman, even though he looks like one from the outside. No. It’s the pointed ego blaring leer of a man who has little respect for a woman. The kind of vulgar ogle that makes me want to put on a sweater. Perhaps he’s in the right place after all.
“I bet you can,” he responds confidently. I’m met by stunning blue eyes that no doubt have captured the attention of droves of women over the years.
I smile politely. “Are you looking for Joe Ralley?” He’s probably here for a business meeting. I size him up quickly. Someone who makes more money in an hour than I net in a month, giving him the false sense of self-worth that often comes from having too much money. It’s a shame too, he really is handsome.
“Actually I’m looking for Caden Ralley,” he says with a practiced smile that reminds me of a Cheshire cat. I shouldn’t be surprised when he asks for Caden, this guy seems right up Caden’s alley, yet I don’t expect the name to drop from his mouth.
“He doesn’t work…” I begin to respond, but I’m interrupted by the bells on the door as it’s whipped open. Caden. My hand automatically feels for the taser we keep under the counter. “Caden, you aren’t supposed to be here,” I warn.
The visitor turns and looks at Caden, then back to me. I’ve backed up toward the gym, ready to scream if Caden takes one step toward me. Wisely, the visitor assesses my face and swiftly says, “Mr. Ralley, perhaps we should take our business elsewhere. Why don’t we go have some lunch?”
Caden glares at me for a moment and then turns his attention to his visitor. He nods and the two men disappear without another word.
Chapter 25
Jax
A serene feeling cloaks me as I make my
way through the chaotic city. Overflowing traffic bustles through the streets, taxi’s honk and weave in and out, a barrage of people shuffle all around me, eager to get to their destination. Taking it all in as I walk leisurely to my hotel after my meeting, it dawns on me I was one of them not too long ago. Running in place, conducting my life on the go, yet never really knowing where I was heading. But something’s changed.
The doors open to my suite and I stop to look around. Really look around. It’s ornate and grand, and completely unnecessary. I smile thinking of Lily’s comment the first time she saw it, “Why does one person need three bathrooms?” I’ll be damned if I know. Just like so many other things in my life, I didn’t stop to consider what I was doing. Rather, I acted as I was taught. As I was expected to act. Even the ostentatious hotel room, I could afford the best, so why would I expect anything less? Totally my father, a man I loathe to find any comparisons to, yet each time I act without thinking I find my actions resemble his.
I call guest services and tell them I’ll be checking out of the suite today and checking into a regular room. It takes me five minutes to convince them nothing is wrong, it’s just unnecessary to occupy it anymore.
I make a few business calls and catch up with Brady again on the state of Knight Investments. The office has been busy the last day, a barrage of new clients. My mother’s birthday party likely a factor. The news ran a picture of her and I dancing that I didn’t even know was snapped. Forgiveness was the title of the story. A shot captured from a private moment in time, a trait of humanity that my father undoubtedly has plans to exploit.
Packing up the few things I’ve brought before heading to the gym, I look around one last time as I wait for the elevator. How can I have thought this life was normal…what I was cut out to be?
***
My newfound peace quickly dissipates, replaced by fury and tension the minute I walk through the door at Ralley’s Gym.
“What are you doing here?” I scowl, demanding through clenched teeth.
“Is that any way to greet your father?” Dressed in a three piece custom tailored suit, his perfectly poised consummate politician smile slithers over me like a snake coiling as it waits patiently to find the best place to sink its venomous teeth.
