Conflict of Interest

by A. M. Kusi

  She got up and brushed her teeth. Hunger pains clawed at her stomach, so she looked up a breakfast delivery service and placed an order before getting into the shower. By the time she was dressed and had her wet hair brushed and braided, a knock sounded at her door, signaling her delivery.

  Harper had ordered enough for three people. She pulled out a muffin and took a large bite, tasting the tartness of the blueberries mixing with the sweetness of the muffin. Her coffee was hot and just as delicious.

  She filled her belly before she bothered plugging in her phone to charge. When it turned on, she saw she had three missed calls, two voicemail messages, and five text messages from Jaxton.

  Now that she was rested and fed, she was able to reflect on the previous afternoon’s events. Jax had forced her out of his apartment because River was on his way over. Did River know? Did she care? It was no excuse for Jaxton to kick her to the curb like a one-night stand. She deserved better than that.

  She picked up her phone and read through the text messages, not bothering to listen to his voicemails. She would text him and let him know she was safe and that was it.

  Harper: I’m safe, no thanks to you.

  She left her phone charging and opened her fridge. She needed to go shopping and get some groceries.

  A knock sounded at her door and she looked out the peephole before opening it. Her body froze momentarily, and she worried about how she could protect her heart when she opened the door for him.

  She unlocked the bolt, and opened it to see Jax’s tense expression.

  “Harper.” He breathed out a sigh of relief, taking her face in his hands. She looked down at the ground as she pulled away from him and walked into her house, putting not only physical distance between them, but emotional space as well.

  He followed her inside and shut the door behind him. “Baby, I’m sorry.”

  She crossed her arms in front of her and went off. “What exactly are you sorry for, Jax? For kicking me out of your apartment after getting laid, while I was so exhausted I felt drunk? The Uber driver had to help me walk to my door. I could have been taken advantage of. Sorry for using me and throwing me out like trash? Sorry for not taking care of me when I needed you? Sorry for choosing my brother over me again?”

  He hesitated for a few silent moments, like he was struggling with what to say. His jaw was clenched tight until he finally spoke. “All of it. I didn’t mean to make you feel like that. River texted me and said we needed to talk and that he was coming over. I just panicked. I was afraid he would see you in my apartment, in my bed. I didn’t want him to find out that way. We agreed to keep us a secret for now and I just reacted. I never meant for you to feel used, or to put you in harm’s way. I regret that. I really screwed this up. I’m so sorry. Goddess, please believe me, I didn’t mean to hurt you. It makes me sick to think I put you in danger.” He stepped closer, reaching his hands out to hold her face again.

  “Jax, this is ridiculous. I just don’t see why we can’t tell him. River would keep the secret from my dad. You should just get it over with. That would make it so much easier on us,” Harper explained, still not giving in to his touch as much as it tortured her body to do so.

  “I just need time. We agreed this was the best thing for now and to wait. He’s my best friend and I know he isn’t going to be happy I’m with his sister.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “So, I’m still just a best friend’s sister to you?”

  He opened his mouth to speak and then must have thought better of it. He dropped his hands down her tense shoulders, to the curve of her waist. His face moved closer to hers. “You’re a goddess to me. Let me show you how I see you. Let me worship your body.”

  Despite her anger and the warning bells going off in her head, his words created a pool of heat in her center. This man was truly a god—he held a power over her like no man ever had, and ever would. She loved him, and she wanted to believe he felt the same about her. “Show me,” she said in a husky voice she wasn’t sure was her own.

  She saw the fire of desire in his eyes ignite from her consent. He kissed her, his lips taking their time to coax and massage any lingering anger and tension between them. This kiss was different than the others before it. There was more emotion behind his actions. Red hot flashes of heat blazed through her, a fever with only one cure. Though still sore from their welcome home escapades the day before, it was the good kind of sore, and she wanted more.

  This time was unlike the moments they had shared before. Slow and purposeful. Tender and reverent. Each movement a plea for forgiveness, a hazy cloud of lust blurring her mind until she was consumed with only experiencing each magnified sensation he elicited from her body. Nerves alive with electricity, compounded with the power he emanated all focused on her. She understood he was using his body to tell her everything his voice could not.

  When they finally collided, it was as though their souls joined together the same time their bodies did. Merging into one, they truly made love. Erotic and intense. The concept of time and space fading away until there was nothing but the two of them entwining their spirits together in a hypnotic rock of ecstasy. Flames licked her skin scorching, blistering, fueling the burn throughout her body as they made love rhythmically, their hands roaming unguided. As their eyes gazed into one another’s, unspoken love blossomed in their hearts.

  They laid together, falling asleep in a tangle of sheets on her bed.

  They woke up a couple of hours later and agreed to check out a farmer’s market for lunch. Her parents were out of the country and now River was gone, Jax said he felt comfortable hanging around locally with her and was not so worried about being seen.

  He was sure to keep the PDA to a minimum, and avoided holding her hand out in the open. She was still uneasy about his secrecy, but she knew this was what would make him happy. She had agreed to this arrangement after all, and it would just be another month or so until the promotion candidate was announced. Then they could be out in the open about their relationship. She could handle that.

  ***

  Jax surprised Harper with a night out. They took a cab ride to little Italy, to a small restaurant where they had to wait in a line that spread out the door. A waiter led them to the back alley, where a small table had been set up for the two of them decorated with string lights and candles.

  “Wow. Fancy,” she said.

  “I did a job for the owner, and he owed me a favor. This place has the best seafood and pasta around.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “The best pasta?”

  “Aside from yours.” He laughed. “I wanted to show you that you mean a lot to me, even though we can’t be as open about it yet,” he said, taking her hand in his across the white tablecloth.

  “I appreciate it,” she said.

  They enjoyed their dinner in the flickering candlelight. The food was delicious and they brought the leftovers home to enjoy later. Jax spent the night at Harper’s, and as always, they took separate cars to work the next day.

  He was extra busy with River’s workload on top of his own for the week, so he didn’t get to see Harper much during the days. She brought him mushroom coffee, and would send him text messages to check in. Sometimes they were explicit, things she imagined him doing to her in the office. Other times, it was just a simple, “looking forward to seeing you tonight.” Or asking what he wanted for dinner. He never knew what to expect from her, and that was part of the excitement.

  They eased into a flow. It was almost as though they were living together. Jax spent the night at Harper’s the first half of the week, and she spent the remaining days at his. They took advantage of the time they were together, knowing that Harper was leaving again the following week for a business trip with Natasha. They were going to make the most of the weekend, in between all the work he had to do still. River was technically supposed to be taking care of the whole company
while his father was in Japan, but now Jax had that on his plate as well.

  ***

  On Sunday, Harper left him to spend time with Isa. She was going to make Jax sausage ravioli for dinner as a surprise. Isa helped her shop for ingredients, and then making several batches so that she could freeze the extra ones for the future. Last time Harper had made him pasta, she’d admitted that she was falling in love with him in Italian. But he wasn’t ready to hear that yet.

  Harper came back to have dinner with Jax as they had done the rest of the week. She called him to have him meet her at her house because it was easier than transporting the food to his and he agreed. Six o’clock came and went. She texted thirty minutes later and got no response. Unease twisted in her belly. Was he hurt? Did he forget?

  He eventually showed up an hour late. Just after seven, the click of the lock sent a wave of relief crashing over her. She walked over to the entry way, needing to see his face and confirm all was well.

  “Hey,” he said, closing and locking the door behind him. His eyes were tired, and his clothes rumpled, but otherwise seemed alright.

  “I was worried. I thought something had happened to you,” Harper said, wrapping her arms around him breathing in the familiar scent of woodsy vanilla.

  “I just got caught up in work. Sorry.”

  She knew he had a lot on his plate that week, doubling his own workload because of River’s absence. Jax hadn’t told her what he and River had talked about, because he’d said that it should come from River—something about a bro code. He assured her it had nothing to do with the two of them.

  “Just text me next time.”

  “Okay.” He sighed.

  “I kept dinner warm in the oven. Have a seat,” she said, motioning towards the dining room. He found the glass of whiskey in front of the place setting she’d left for him, and brought the cup to his lips. She knew he’d had a stressful and busy week, and she figured this was the perfect thing he needed to wind down. He relaxed into a chair as she brought out the pan of red sauce and ravioli.

  “This looks amazing,” he said. “You made this today?”

  “Yeah, with Isa’s help. I wanted to surprise you with a good dinner before leaving on my business trip.” She smiled.

  Jax cut open one of the pockets of pasta and delectable filling. He used the fork to pick it up, swirling it in her special red sauce before placing the whole thing in his mouth. “Mmm,” he groaned in pleasure.

  Harper smiled with satisfaction. “I take it you’re pleased?”

  “My new favorite,” he said before consuming another mouthful.

  “I thought after dinner we could watch a movie before we go to bed,” she suggested.

  “I actually have to get home and get some more work done before tomorrow.”

  “Oh, so you want me to come to your house?” she asked, looking up from her dinner.

  “If you want, but I’ll be working late tonight. It’s probably best if you just stay here.”

  “Oh, okay. Yeah, I’m tired too. Took me like five hours to make all this,” she said, trying to hide her disappointment. This was temporary and his work was important—deadlines and all that. They didn’t live together; they were just dating. They didn’t have to spend every night in the same bed. Was she being too clingy?

  “We can still have some fun before I go. I’ll show you just how much you will be missed while you’re gone.” Jax smiled and winked at her.

  Harper smiled, her mind immediately set at ease as pleasure gathered in her belly. “Well, it just so happens that I’m dessert.”

  Jax’s eyes flickered. He licked his lips before getting up from the table, and pulling her over by her hand. “I’m ready for my treat now.”

  She was glad to know he desired her. She kissed him as he picked her up and wrapped her legs around him. He carried her around the other end and laid her down, spreading her out on the table so that he could enjoy his feast.

  Chapter 22

  The week was busy for both Harper and Jax, but they checked in with texts when they could. Jax had some free time on his lunch break now that he was done covering for River.

  He did something he never would have imagined doing, and looked up new fun places to explore with her. He wanted to surprise her when she got back.

  Friday night, she texted him to say she was home. She had shared a cab with Natasha so he couldn’t pick her up. He grabbed his overnight bag and went to meet her at her house. He had a fun weekend in store for them.

  Saturday morning they woke in each other’s arms before taking a nice long, hot shower together. He made her breakfast this time: bacon and eggs with freshly squeezed orange juice.

  “I didn’t know you could cook. What else do you make?”

  “I know my way around eggs of almost any kind, sandwiches, and pasta and sauce, but from a box and a can.” He laughed. “Pretty much anything that has directions with only five steps or less. I’m an ‘add egg, water, and mix’ kind of cook.”

  Harper laughed. “I see. Well, I’ll have to give you some lessons then.”

  “That sounds fun.” He wouldn’t mention how in his family, cooking was only done by the women in the family. Any man worth his salt wouldn’t be caught dead preparing food unless it was on the grill.

  “It’s a date then,” Harper said, before taking a bite of the crispy bacon.

  “Speaking of dates,” he said with a smile, “I have a surprise for you today.”

  “You do?” she asked, sounding excited.

  “Yup. How about a tour of the Taza Chocolate factory?”

  “A date all about chocolate? I’m totally in!”

  They laughed together. He knew she had a sweet tooth, and this seemed like it would be different and fun.

  Since when do I like anything different? He was used to routine and normal. Harper’s kind of different was appealing though. She could take anything and make it fun, like touring graveyards and witch museums. Chocolate was safe and delicious. Maybe they could even find some chocolate body paint and have fun trying something else new later.

  They finished their breakfast and drove to the factory. They enjoyed seeing the different demos and large vats the chocolate was stored in. He could tell Harper’s favorite part was the taste testing. They got some chocolate to take with them, and returned to the car hours later.

  “Better get the air conditioner going or the chocolate will melt,” she said.

  Jax’s phone rang and he looked at it before answering. “It’s my parents,” he said, swiping to answer. His voice sounded different, detached and formal.

  “Hello…? Uh, sure. When…? Can I get it tomorrow? Yes, sir. I have a friend with me, so I can’t stay long…Okay. See you in a few minutes. Yes, sir.” Jax ended the call and looked at Harper’s questioning eyes.

  “My dad needs me to stop in and pick up a few things. They live close by,” Jax said. Apprehension curling knots in his guts.

  “Okay,” she said as he put the car into drive.

  “Jax?”

  “Yeah?” he asked. The joy from their date at the factory only minutes ago faded into what seemed like a distant memory.

  “I know we are keeping our relationship a secret from my family, but what about your family?”

  “What?” He snapped, fear mixing with the unease that slithered over his skin, resting heavily on his chest.

  “You said you were bringing a ‘friend’ and I just wondered how I am supposed to act. I didn’t know if… how you felt about introducing me to your parents as a girlfriend,” she said hesitantly.

  “No,” he answered, more quickly and harshly than he’d meant. Harper looked out her window as he continued, “I want to get this other stuff sorted out before I officially introduce you to my parents. They will want to know how our relationship affects my job, and I don’t want them to
think I get this promotion because of you,” he explained.

  He hadn’t even realized he felt that way. Jax knew that once he got the position, his father would finally have to be proud of him and see his victory for what it was: hard-earned. If his father found out about them, he would think he’d slept his way to the top, eroding the commitment and effort Jax had put into his work. He had sacrificed so much for his career already.

  “I see.”

  Jax reached out his hand to hold hers on her lap. “It’s just for now.”

  She gazed out her window and nodded.

  They pulled into the driveway of a small blue house with white shutters. “This is where you grew up?” she asked, glancing around at the neighborhood. It was a nice area, but nothing like where her parents lived.

  “Yup,” he said, wondering if she would be embarrassed by his family. They were not poor by any standards. They were a middle-class couple living in a nice urban town, but Jax knew it was nothing like the luxury Harper grew up knowing.

  ***

  “I like it,” she said, smiling honestly.

  “I’m a little nervous,” she admitted, as they stood by the car. She reached out to hold his hand, but he stuck his in his pockets.

  “You’ve met my parents before, haven’t you?”

  “That was a long time ago at yours and River’s soccer game. Way before I was dating their son.”

  “But they don’t know that.” He smiled, seemingly trying to reassure her.