She did, with relish, biting and nipping and licking him everywhere. As she kissed down his stomach, she cupped his balls. At his heartfelt groan, she smiled against his skin. “I never did remind you to get these back from Mabel.”
“Stop. Talking. About. Mabel,” he gasped.
She kissed her way down and licked his cock like a lollipop.
Apples.
Amazing.
“Charlie.” The word was a dark plea that she surrendered to.
She teased him, lapping at the skin, silk over steel, playing with his balls until his groans were a continuous wave of pleasure. Liquid desire pooled between her thighs as she sucked him into her mouth, watching him as he stared down at her.
His hands finally hauled her up, despite her protestations. He spun them, looking crazed as his fingers slid over her and thrust into her channel. She moaned, hands clutching as he worked her, sweat washing her skin.
“You make me crazy,” he whispered, and caught her lips in a hot, wet kiss. As she shuddered with her first climax—completely overdue—he surged into her. He was hard and perfect, rough and smooth, hot and hitting her sweet spot over and over.
He urged her legs around his waist as he pounded into her, the friction building like a lightning storm, strands of fire sparking and sparking, until finally it all built and she was there again and again and again and again, and he was groaning her name, slamming his lips against hers, shuddering and collapsing in one big, sweaty, gorgeous heap on top of her.
16.
Charlie exhaled a deep breath and tried not to pass out. Her fingers twisted on her knee. The hustle outside of the waiting room she and Jax had been stashed in swirled around the room, flashes of applause and occasional passages of music. A TV in the corner broadcasted Lisette’s Hour for background noise.
Jax lounged next to her, cool as anything, idly flicking his thumb along the crease of his well-tailored suit.
Next to him, in her beige skirt suit with the slit, Charlie felt like a frump.
She startled when his hand covered hers. Her eyes snapped to his.
He smiled. “Stop worrying. You look gorgeous, gorgeous.”
Another breath was let out. All she could think was that she was about to become part of WFY’s propaganda machine. If she’d been told two weeks ago that she’d appear on live TV with the sexiest Genie of them all to talk about their romance, she’d have laughed herself silly.
Jax. You’re doing this for Jax.
“How’s Kate doing?” Jax shifted to let his arm fall behind her. The reassuring weight of it calmed her, and she glanced at him gratefully.
“She’s okay. Bit down, maybe, but focusing on work. You should see her sell books with the cupcakes—she’s taken to baking some herself now.”
“Same recipe?”
Charlie nodded.
“Good.” Jax kneaded her nape with gentle fingers. “No word from Ian?”
“Not that she’s told me, but I’ve barely seen her. Work has really picked up—especially since that new article and the promos Lisette’s been running.”
While Charlie was beyond thrilled that the store might climb out of the red and actually start making some profit if business continued, she was concerned about Kate’s gung-ho attitude toward sales. It wasn’t that she’d never tried before, but now it was as though that and her nursing homes and her charities were all she had to focus on.
Well, that and her delight that Charlie and Jax were now . . . seeing each other. When Charlie had snuck back home the morning after the ball, Kate had taken one look at her and screamed. Apparently that was Kate for I’m so pleased for you, now you have to tell me every detail. She supposed she’d have to get used to people’s need to know. “Seeing” a man in the spotlight meant she couldn’t hide in the dark for much longer.
A bulky man in black—Paulie—popped his head in, a headset balanced on his head. He gave Charlie a wary look as if he expected her to tuck tail and run any second. “You’re on in three.”
Jax pushed to his feet and extended his hand. “Showtime, gorgeous.”
Charlie swallowed and the nerves came rushing faster than Niagara. “You so owe me for this,” she said, smoothing down her skirt and standing. She took his hand.
They were led to the wings of the set, looking out on the packed audience in row upon row. Overhanging cameras with men riding them like broncos and million-watt lights sent a terrified crash of tingles down her body.
Jax’s hand squeezed, and she looked at him. He raised a hand to brush away a strand of hair, lingering on her cheek. The bruise had faded under the makeup job Lisette’s people had done. “Courage, gorgeous. Just imagine me in my underwear.”
Charlie blinked as Lisette began introducing them. “Aren’t I meant to imagine them in their underwear?”
“Yeah, but I look so much better.” He grinned and pulled her out to a roar of overwhelming applause. It crashed upon her like an ocean wave, and she followed Jax’s lead and waved a hand.
He tugged her to a plush yellow couch opposite not one, but two violet swivel chairs. Lisette posed in one, and Winston Morris lounged in the other, a bored glaze settled on his face.
When Jax sat, he pulled her next to him, their joined hands on his knee and his arm around the back of her shoulders.
Apples, crisp and male, surrounded her and she drew on her courage. If she ignored the blinking red dots and the men towering above her and the dozens of people watching, she’d be fine.
Lisette waited until the applause died down and clapped her hands together. She wore an apricot skirt suit, legs crossed to show a silver ankle bracelet with a star charm. “I don’t even know where to begin.” She beamed. “Last week, I was talking to Jax about your outrageous comments, Charlie, and now here you are together. I have to ask.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Do you have firsthand experience now?”
The audience laughed, some hooting.
Heat climbed her body, her palm clammy in Jax’s. “Ah,” she stuttered. Her words, where were her words?
“Are you trying to ask us if we’re together, Lisette?” Jax interrupted.
She could have kissed him.
Lisette leaned back in her chair, flicking back her golden ringlets. “Are you?”
Jax smiled, showcasing his dimple. “Absolutely.”
Gasps exploded from the audience and another round of applause practically knocked Charlie onto the floor. She cast a wary glance at them. Why were they so pleased?
Winston, silent at the side, watched as Lisette laughed. “That’s amazing. I think we all”—she included the audience in a wave of her hand—“feel like we’ve been there with you. We saw your stormy beginning and now, just look at you.” She cocked her head to the side. “Tell us, Charlie, how did it go from loathe to love?”
Love—had she said love?
Charlie ignored that, flexing her toes within the heels she’d borrowed from Kate. “Well, he kind of grows on you.” She wet her lips. “Like a bacteria.”
Jax rolled his eyes. “She’s not great at compliments,” he explained.
“So he grew on you,” Lisette persisted after the chuckles had hushed. “Was it his sexy appeal that won you over?”
The silence beating between Lisette’s questions was a sound all on its own, threatening to squash her. Charlie risked another glance at the audience and was almost blinded by the lights. “Ah, Jax is a good-looking man—I don’t need to tell anyone that.”
“No, you sure don’t.” Lisette gave an exaggerated wink to the audience.
Charlie shifted. “It was actually his kindness that won me over.” She sensed Jax looking at her.
“Like what?” Lisette leaned forward.
“He gave me suggestions for my store, he bought me presents that meant something. He was just . . . kind. And supportive. And funny.” Charlie stopped herself before she began to gush.
She’d known the night before when he’d told her about his mom that one night
with Jax was worth more than a lifetime in another man’s arms. She’d known that love was a forgone conclusion.
“And Jax? You’ve been linked to several different women over the years and never made serious plans with any of them. Could you be serious about Charlie?”
Charlie seriously considered covering her face with her hands. When she’d agreed to an interview, she hadn’t known it would be this intrusive.
Jax smiled next to her, the warmth not reaching his eyes. “I’ve known her two weeks, but I can safely say that it’s as though I’ve known her my entire life.”
Several women in the audience sighed.
Winston snorted.
“That’s so romantic.” Lisette drew attention away from her bordering-on-rude cohost. Charlie wondered whether the network had demanded a bigger platform for him or whether he’d invited himself. “Charlie, tell us: when did you know you loved him?”
Her heart stopped. “Loved him?”
“Oh, come on.” Lisette gave her a coy smile. “I was there at the charity ball. Lovebirds practically circled your heads. Everybody was sighing.”
Behind her on the glittery silver TV, photos from the ball flashed, slide-show-style, presenting her and Jax in different poses. Charlie had to admit she could see her heart in her eyes.
Heat finally made it to her cheeks. How embarrassing.
“So?”
Charlie managed an awkward laugh. “Well, I had Chinese at his place last night and he offered me the last pot sticker.”
The audience laughed with her, and she relaxed a little. Okay, she could do this. Only a few more minutes and the lottery draw would start. Attention would shift, and she and Jax could go back to his place and shut out the world.
Jax’s hand again massaged her nape under her hair, sending involuntary hot tingles down her spine.
“I’m loving you two.” Lisette hid her mouth behind her cards as she settled back in her chair, swinging it. “Aren’t they a cute couple?”
After applause died down, she glanced at her cards. “WFY has issued a statement saying ‘they couldn’t be more delighted that they’ve been a small part in helping true lovers find each other.’ Any comment?”
Jax played with little wisps of hair. “Only that I’m grateful they sent me into this gorgeous woman’s life. Charlie keeps me centered, and when you’re as much in the public eye as I am, that’s a real gift.” His hand flattened on her nape, and he surprised her by tilting his head and brushing a soft kiss over her lips. “Almost over,” he murmured just to her.
When he sat back, Lisette smiled again, a true professional. “I think I’m jealous,” she joked. “So, Charlie—”
“Can we just skip to the punch line?” Winston straightened, his impeccable navy suit a far cry from his Travolta getup at the ball. He cocked an eyebrow and smiled. It wasn’t a nice smile as his eyes roved over Charlie. “We all know what’s going on here.”
“Oh?” Lisette kept smiling, though a pissed-off gleam entered her eyes.
Winston waved a hand at Charlie and Jax. “They’re pretending. Why would Jax lower himself to tap that?” His lip curled as Jax tensed by Charlie’s side. The memory of Ian insulting her slipped in, and she slapped a hand down on his powerful thigh. Easy. Insults never bothered her like they bothered him.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Winston,” Jax bit out, a warning in eyes that glittered with heated gold flecks.
“Come on, buddy.” Winston leaned forward and Charlie caught a whiff of strong bourbon. She recoiled. “Everybody on the planet knows you could do a whole lot better.”
“What are you saying?”
“That it’s clear to anyone with eyes, she’s no match for you. She’s a mutt and you’re a pedigree.” He laughed nastily, the gleam of intoxication shining in his eyes. “And you know what they say happens if you lie down with dogs.”
Jax Michaels, face of WFY East Coast, all-around company man, public idol, sexiest man alive, and schmoozer to the press stood and slammed his fist into Winston’s smug face.
* * *
“What the hell were you thinking?”
Jax accepted Luka’s bellow without flinching. “He deserved it.”
“You punched a beloved celebrity. On live TV.” Luka pushed his hands through his hair, pacing behind his desk as Jax sat in one of the chairs. The large window behind was pitch-black, Jax having been “summoned” immediately after the ambulance had come for Winston. Apparently, Jax had broken his nose and knocked out some teeth.
A smile flirted with his lips.
Luka saw and paused. Steam looked ready to come out of his ears. “You think this is funny?”
Jax held his fingers an inch apart.
“Yeah, it’s fucking hilarious.” Luka dragged his hands down his face and laughed without humor. “One of our Genies assaulting a TV personality. The Genie. My Genie.”
“He deserved it.”
“Jax.” Luka curled his fingers as though he was about to strangle him. “I don’t care if he called her ‘fugly’ and invited her to sniff his butt, you do not punch someone on live TV.” He pushed a hand into his jeans pocket. “You do it after, where there are no cameras.”
Jax didn’t even crack a smile. “He’s lucky I only broke his nose.”
“What the hell is the matter with you?” Luka shook his head, eyes wide. Silver swirled in an indication of his confusion. “She’s just another woman.”
“No.” Jax stood. “She’s my woman. Let that be a warning to anyone who insults her.”
“For the love of . . . You’re a Genie in the public eye—the only feelings you should show are the flowers-and-hearts crap women eat up.”
“Luka.” Jax stared him straight in the eye. “I’m not going to say sorry.”
Luka stabbed a finger at him. “Oh, yes, you are. You’re going to hold a press conference tomorrow and apologize publicly and at great length for the fucking mess you’ve created.”
Luka only started to swear when he was seriously at the end of his rope. In fact, this was the most serious Jax had ever seen him.
He’d known the hammer would come down hard. He had, as Luka had said, punched a beloved TV personality on live TV. And his only regret was that he hadn’t sent a stream of magic along with his fist to barbecue the bastard.
You know what they say happens if you lie down with dogs.
His fists curled by his sides. “I’m not apologizing to that dick.”
“Jax, these orders come from the Director herself. You will apologize.”
“Or what?” Jax flung down a hand and stared in defiance at his Handler. “What are they going to do to me?”
Luka pressed his lips together. Silence beat between them. Then, “I don’t know.” He sighed and walked over to the wet bar. “Scotch?”
“Sure.”
Ice clinked as Luka poured them each a generous amount. He passed it over with a sigh. “I like you, Jax. Hell, I even like Charlie, but if you don’t toe the line here, I’m not sure how much I can help. You might get drummed out.”
“They won’t do that.” Jax swirled his drink around and took a swallow. It burned his throat. “Will they?”
Luka shrugged and leaned his hips back against his desk. “No spokesperson has ever hit a lottery host before.” His lips twitched. “Man, Jax, you really smashed him. They had to ask Lisette to stand in as host for the drawing.”
Jax’s smile was tired as he dropped back into his chair. He held up the crystal glass and watched the amber swish. It reminded him of Charlie’s eyes. “I care for her, Luka.”
“What am I, blind as well as dumb for letting you get close?” Luka swallowed some scotch and sighed. “Did you have to punch him so hard?”
Jax looked at him.
Luka groaned and ran a hand down his face. “Shit.” His lips pursed. “Well, that’s that.” He downed the rest of his scotch. “I’d better get schmoozing on your behalf. Slick on some ChapStick so my lips will be sexy-smooth when I
kiss Clare’s ass.”
“You’re disturbed.”
“And you’re welcome.” Luka nodded toward the door. “You can go.”
Jax stood and set his half-full glass down on Luka’s desk. He paused. “I’m sorry, Luc.”
“Shit.” Luka pressed his knuckles to his eyes.
“It wasn’t a choice. She grew on me.”
“Like a bacteria?”
“Oh, good. I’m glad that phrase is catching on.”
“Hey, you should see how many hits you get on Google when you type in Jax Michaels and chipolata.” Luka crossed his arms and tipped his chin. “Go on back to your woman. Enjoy the night.” The silver flecks in his hazel eyes flashed. “I imagine by morning you’ll be informed what the Partners have decided.”
* * *
Luka strode into Clare’s deep-purple office without knocking and sank onto her white couch. A glass appeared in his hand, filled halfway with scotch.
“Come on in, Luka.” Clare viewed him over half-moon spectacles that perched on the bridge of her nose. She put down the paper she’d been reviewing. “Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.”
Luka stared into the depths of his drink, ignoring her sarcasm. “He loves her, Clare.”
There was a rustle of clothing and Clare’s slim legs in a black pencil skirt walked into view. “Your point?”
“He loves her.” Luka sighed and slumped back, his hand swirling the scotch around. “He’s screwed.”
17.
Charlie was just shutting Jax’s oven door when his keys jangled in the lock. She straightened and threw down the oven gloves, halfway across the kitchen before he’d closed the door behind him.
She continued, wary as she tried to read his face. “Well?”
His lips curled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s fine. What can they do to Jax Michaels?”
Lines dug into Charlie’s forehead as she smoothed his brow. “Then why do you look so worried?”
He shrugged and brushed past her, leaving her to look after him. “It’s fine, Charlie.”
“Jax.” She bit her lip. She’d been going over it and over it in her mind, sick to her stomach. “Do you blame me?”
Her Wish--A Playboy Genie Romance Page 22
