Breathe

by Abbi Glines

  Marcus didn’t sit down. He walked over to the edge of the gazebo and leaned a hip against the railing. “Amanda has email subscriptions to several teen news websites. This morning she came running into my room before I left, asking me if you were still dating Jax. I told her ‘yes,’ and she showed me the Teen Star Follower. It has photos of Jax taken last night out on the town with actress Baily Kirk.”

  My stomach quivered, but I’d been through this before with Jax, and I knew he couldn’t help the publicity photos and what the news reported.

  I forced a smile. “It’s not a big deal. He has to take those photos for publicity reasons. I’m not concerned.”

  Marcus sighed and reached into his back pocket to pull out some papers. “I printed it out.”

  I took the papers from his hands and sank down into my seat with images of Jax holding hands with a beautiful, dark-haired girl. One photo showed him leaning down and laughing at what she was saying. The other showed him with his arm around her shoulders, pointing toward something and smiling. I didn’t want to read the words, but I found myself reading it anyway. “Last night Jax Stone was seen out for the first time in weeks on the arm of Baily Kirk (The Dream Date and Winters Way). Both appeared very interested in each other. We guess the rumors that Jax has been hiding out with a new lucky lady are untrue because he seems very interested in Miss Kirk.”

  I handed the paper back to Marcus and stood up. “I’m not hungry anymore. I need to get back to work.”

  He grabbed my arm when I walked by him. “He does not deserve you.”

  I didn’t want him to see my face because tears were threatening to fall at any moment.

  “I’m not a part of his world. He has another life outside of his life here with me,” I choked out in a whisper. I pulled free and started back to the house.

  Marcus came up behind me and grabbed my hand. “Stop, Sadie.”

  I stopped, but didn’t turn around. Tears were rolling down my face, and I didn’t want to humiliate myself.

  “I know I have said this before, but you’re worth more than what he gives you. You’re beautiful, and smart, and kind, and funny, and you don’t care if your hair is messed up or if you break a nail. You’re not too busy to play chess with an old man, and you’re raising your mom and never complain.” He sighed, took my face, and turned it toward him. “Why can’t you see how special you are?”

  I kept my eyes downward.

  He wiped my tears. “I should kick his ass for making you cry.”

  I shook my head. “I chose this. It is my choice. I chose him. I can’t help what my heart feels.”

  Marcus clinched his jaw and nodded before dropping his hands and stepping back as if I’d burned him. He was such a good guy. I hated that the truth hurt him so much.

  I closed the gap he created and reached up to touch his face. “You’re special, too, and one day someone is going to steal your heart and become one lucky girl.” I dropped my hand and turned to walk away.

  “But what if she already has, but her heart is taken?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, and then turned to glare at him. “Then she isn’t the right one.”

  He walked toward me in one long stride. “But what if she is wrong?” he asked, right before his mouth came down on mine.

  I was stunned at first, and then I panicked. I couldn’t be doing this. I put both my hands against his chest and pushed him away before turning and running. I ran straight to my bike and peddled home as hard as I could.

  The phone rang. I’d just reached my road and was out of breath from peddling so fast. I pulled over, sank down against a tree, and took a deep breath. I needed to answer this. I would talk to him about the actress when he got home, but I wasn’t going to jump to conclusions while he wasn’t here to defend himself. Even if the pictures were rather incriminating.

  “Hello,” I answered

  “Where are you?” Jax voice sounded hard and strained.

  “Uh...” I realized it was two in the afternoon, and I was almost home. How could I explain this?

  “Well, I’m pulled over on the side of the road talking to you,” I said in the lightest tone I could muster.

  “Why are you not at my house?” His tone sounded a little less hard, but still very strained.

  “Well, um....” I did not want to lie, but I did not want to tell the truth either. At least not over the phone. “I’m going home early.”

  He paused for a minute, “Are you going to tell me why?”

  “Do I have to?”

  “Yes, I think you need to.”

  “I have a headache.” It wasn’t a lie.

  “Jason just called me. He witnessed something from his window about thirty minutes ago.”

  I sighed and laid my head back against the tree.

  “This is something I wanted to wait and discuss when you got home.”

  “It can’t wait. He said you were crying and he said...he said Marcus kissed you.”

  The last part sounded so hard and angry I feared for Marcus.

  “There is a lot more to it.”

  “Then tell me.”

  I knew this wouldn’t end until I told him everything. “Marcus’s sister Amanda saw pictures of you online taken last night with Baily Kirk, and you were really very friendly and touchy in them. You seemed happy. I had a hard time with the photos, and Marcus said a few things about our relationship I didn’t want to hear, and I cried a little. He stopped me and tried to console me, and I started to leave again and he just...he just kissed me.”

  Jax didn’t say anything for what seemed like a lifetime. “He’s fired, and I am on a plane coming home now.”

  “Jax, no! He, he...I think he is in love with me.”

  Jax let out a hard laugh. “I know.”

  “Well, he is just worried about me, and he was trying to convince me someone like him would be a much better match for me.”

  Jax hissed. “He’s fired now! I told you I wouldn’t fire him unless he said something against you, and he did. He tried to convince you I didn’t love you.”

  I sighed. I couldn’t stand this. It was all my fault. “I didn’t kiss him back, and I pushed him away quickly. No harm done.”

  “I know you didn’t, and I know you pushed him off. Jason saw all of it. He also saw you run like hell and fly down the driveway on your bike at a breakneck speed. He called me immediately and told me. I walked out of a photo shoot and called my pilot. I’m on my way to you now.”

  “You have explained the photos to me before. I just wasn’t prepared to see it first hand, and reading the reporters words weren’t much fun either. I tried to handle it without getting upset.”

  Jax sighed, “Every one of those photos were taken last night by her publicist. She is going to be in a new movie, and they needed the buzz. They told me what to do in all of those pictures.”

  Relief washed away the pain, but guilt still weighed on me because Marcus was going to be out of a job.

  “Thanks for explaining everything to me.”

  He chuckled this time, and it was the warm sound I loved so much. “Wait up for me. I will see you soon.”

  “I will.”

  * * *

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jax didn’t have to fire Marcus; he quit. Ms. Mary said it was for the best and for me not to worry. Marcus would be going back to college in a few weeks, and he probably needed this time off to get prepared. However, William quit, too, and it left Ms. Mary with a problem. No servers.

  “I’ve seen two applicants today, and only one is suitable. But he is going to need some help for his first time.” Ms. Mary stood over a pile of resumes in front of her.

  “I’ll do it tonight. I know how. The one suitable applicant can help me.”

  Ms. Mary cut her eyes at me and frowned. “I don’t know about that. Master Jax won’t like it much. He’s already grumbling about you working out in the sun, and he made me promise not to make you touc
h shrimp or oysters again since he found out how much you hate them.”

  I laughed. “Well, he will get over it. Besides, what else can you do?”

  Ms. Mary chewed on her bottom lip, and then nodded. “Well, I guess you’re right. You’re my only way out of this mess.”

  The door opened, and Jax walked in with a grin on his face. “Ah, just who I wanted to see.” He leaned down and kissed my nose, and then gave Ms. Mary his charming, little boy grin.

  “Do you have any sweet tea?”

  “You know I do. Just made some fresh.” She stood up to go fix his drink. “While you’re here, I wanted to go ahead and let you know that since you ran off my servers, Sadie here will be serving tonight with the new guy so she can train him.”

  Jax frowned. “No, she isn’t.”

  “Jax, I don’t see why not. Ms. Mary needs help.” I stood and put my hands on my hips, ready to wage a war.

  He grinned and slipped his arms through mine. “The family will be dining out tonight, and I will be busy. We won’t have need of servers.” He turned to Ms. Mary and smiled. “Take the night off.” He looked at me. “Will you do me the honor of going to dinner with me?”

  Ms. Mary chuckled, and I smiled. “I would love to.”

  He took my hand and led me toward the entrance to the main part of the house. “Good night, Ms. Mary,” he called over his shoulder.

  We walked to his room.

  “I had my stylist buy you clothing for the trip you didn’t get to take with me. If we want to enjoy a fan free meal, then we’re going to have to go eat somewhere were the dress code is a little more strict than most.” He opened his massive walk in closet and went inside and came out with a long, white box. “For you,” he said smiling.

  I didn’t like the idea of him buying me clothes, but the eager smile on his face made me bite my tongue and get over it. I laid it on the bed and opened it up. Inside lay a pale blue dress that appeared to be made with fabric so delicate it would break when I touched it.

  “I’m afraid I will hurt it,” I whispered and looked at him.

  He chuckled and walked over to stand behind me. His breath caressed my ear. “All you’re going to do is make it the envy of everyone around you.” He returned to his closet and came back out with a shoebox. “You’ll need these too.”

  I opened it. A pair of silver, strappy stiletto heels lay inside. “I hope I can walk in these.” My voice sounded nervous, even to me.

  He took one, slipped it on his finger, and let it dangle. “These do seem complicated, but I can just imagine them on, and the image I am getting is making me sweat. We need to get you away from me.” He took the dress and led me to a guest bedroom. “You have a bathroom at your disposal, and you will find it has all you could possibly need to get dressed for tonight.”

  “Okay,” I said, as he laid the dress on the bed and walked back to the door.

  He gave me a cocky grin. “I’ll pick you up at seven, if that’s all right.”

  I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It showed a quarter to six now. “See you then.”

  He bowed and closed the door behind him.

  I walked into the adjoining bathroom. Make up and bath gels, soaps, salts, creams and as many different body lotions, splashes, and powders filled the marble counter tops. I bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud. He’d been prepared for me to say “yes.” A piece of paper lay on top of the towels, bath cloths, sponge, loofa, and some other item I’d never seen before. I picked it up and smiled when I realized it was from Jax.

  Sadie,

  I had no idea what you would need. I took the liberty of buying everything I thought smelled good. Not any of it smells as good as you, but the sales lady assured me all women want to feel pampered in the bath. So I just bought it all. As for the makeup you don’t need any. Your natural beauty is enough to bring me to my knees, but I wanted you to be happy, so I had a sales lady give me everything a ‘gorgeous blond with incredible skin and amazing blue eyes with lashes that are long and curly without any help’ might need. She said it sounded like you didn’t need anything but she gave me a few things she believed would make you happy.

  I love you,

  Jax

  I laughed, took the note, and tucked it safely into my purse. I smelled the different fragrances and finally decided on one, and then began the task of making myself beautiful enough for the dress.

  * * * *

  Jax knocked on my door at exactly seven, and I slipped on the sexy silver heels. They fit me perfectly. He had really done his homework. I opened the door, and my heart skipped a beat. Seeing him in a black tuxedo made my knees go slightly weak.

  “You really should warn someone before you unleash yourself on them dressed like that,” I said with awe in my voice. I had never seen anyone so incredibly perfect. It was then I realized he was staring at me, well, my body, and his gaze stopped at my feet.

  “I think I am going to give my stylist a raise.”

  His eyes met mine, and he smiled, a slow sexy smile that didn’t help my weak knees.

  “You’re incredible,” he finally said, reaching for my hand and pulling me against him. His warm clean smell of soap, mouthwash, and Jax, set the blood in my veins racing.

  His lips touched my ear. “I want to hold you, kiss you, and enjoy you in this dress right here in this room all night, but I can’t.”

  I shivered.

  “Please don’t shiver. It does something to me,” he said against my ear again.

  I smiled. “Well, stop whispering in my ear and tracing patterns on my naked back, and I will stop,” I forced out through the desire clogging my throat.

  He grabbed my hand and started walking. “I have to get us around people. Now,” he said with a sense of urgency I completely understood.

  Kane stood at the door of the Bentley I’d only seen Mrs. Stone use. He nodded. “Miss White, Mr. Stone,” he said with no emotion as we stepped inside. Jax put his arm behind my back.

  “I have it on best authority you don’t like most seafood.”

  I grinned and nodded, knowing the authority was Mr. Greg.

  “So, I am limited to two choices. This area is for the tourist. The casual everyday tourist, but there are a few establishments harder to get into. Have you ever heard of ‘Le Cellier?’”

  I hadn’t, of course. I shook my head.

  “I’ve been there a few times. It’s good, but more importantly, it’s somewhere we can enjoy a meal out together and not deal with fans.”

  I let out a happy sigh and leaned back against the seat and crossed my legs. Jax cleared his throat, and I looked up at him.

  “Could you try to not flash me any leg while we’re alone. I’m having a hard time with it.” His smile was strained, and I bit back a smile.

  “Sorry,” I said softly and tucked my crossed legs back toward the seat.

  We pulled up to the establishment, and there were men waiting to open our door. Jax took my hand and walked us up to the hostess, who immediately noticed Jax.

  “Mr. Stone, we have your table ready. Right this way.”

  Jax was right. The other diners were not going to come ask for autographs, but they did notice him as we walked by. Several whispered, and their eyes followed him. We were seated at a table away from the main dining area, where there were no other people around us. Jax held my chair out for me, and I sat down, glad we weren’t going to be in the view of curious eyes.

  Jax grinned. “Do you read French, or should I order for you?”

  “The menu is in French?” I asked, surprised.

  He nodded. “Yes, and I know to stay away from oysters and shrimp. Are you okay with veal or lobster?”

  I wasn’t really sure what I was okay with. The nicest restaurant I’d ever been to had a menu in English and nothing cost more than fifteen dollars.

  “Just order whatever you think I will like.”

  He chuckled. “Okay.”

  A server appeared, and Jax ordered in Fren
ch, of course. I watched him, mesmerized by his voice and the way the foreign words flowed from his mouth with such ease.

  He stopped. “What do you want to drink?”

  I frowned and almost hated to ask. “Do they have Coke?”

  He grinned and went back to speaking in French.

  Once we were alone again, he leaned toward me and whispered, “I ordered you lobster because I know it is good here. It also tastes nothing like shrimp or oysters.”

  Before I could reply, a Coke appeared in front of me, and in front of Jax.

  He took a sip and reached out a hand toward me. I slipped my hand in his and sighed.

  “It’s hard to be near you and not be touching you in some way.”

  I knew exactly what he meant. The thought should have been a happy one, but the fact that July was half over reminded me how close I was to not being able to touch him any longer.

  “That wasn’t supposed to make you sad,” he said softly.

  I made myself smile. “It doesn’t. I was just thinking about how quickly summer will be over. How fast it has already gone.”

  His eyes showed emotion I didn’t understand. “I know,” he said and tightened his hold on my hand. He looked at the drink in front of him, and then back up at me with a sadness in his eyes. “I can’t think about it right now. Leaving you will be the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I’m just not sure how I will be able to.” He broke off and turned his gaze away from me.

  I wish I hadn’t brought up our very near future. I hated seeing the pain in his eyes. “We will figure it all out. Let’s not let it get us down now. We still have a month and a half to go.”

  He forced a smile and nodded. “You’re right”.

  Jax stood up and came around the table and held out his hand. I stared at him in his tuxedo, and my breath caught in my lungs. He really was breathtakingly beautiful.

  “Would you dance with me?”

  I slipped my hand into his and followed him into the main room, where the band played. I stepped into his arms and wished I could stay there forever. His hands rested on my lower back, and I slid my hands up his arms and rested them on his shoulders. With my extra height, thanks to my killer heels, I was much closer to his six foot two inches. He leaned down until the warmth of his breath tickled my ear and neck.