ALMOST PARADISE

by Williams, Mary J.

  “Hello, Skye.”

  “Hi.”

  Smith nodded her way before he pulled Zoe from the water, into his arms.

  “I missed my wife.”

  “Your chlorine-covered wife,” Zoe laughed as she plastered her body to Smith’s.

  “I don’t care.”

  Running his hand over her bare back, Smith whispered something in her ear. Zoe nodded, her smile widening to a grin. Eyes only for him, she took her husband’s hand and led him toward the house.

  “Quinn?”

  “Yes?”

  “Don’t wait dinner.”

  “I’ll see you at breakfast,” Quinn called out with an indulgent smile.

  “Smith Carson is even better looking in person,” Fahma sighed.

  “Looks fade. His good, kind heart gets better with age.”

  Quinn’s words, the palpable, enduring love between Zoe and Smith, struck a chord deep inside Skye. She wanted someone she could trust. Good or bad, someone she could lean on, who would lean on her.

  “The right man is hard to find,” Fahma lamented into her margarita.

  Not always, Skye thought as she joined her friends. Sometimes, he comes along at the wrong moment. Sometimes, you aren’t strong enough or smart enough to realize love is a precious gift. Once given, you should say, screw the world, and hold on for dear life.

  A valuable lesson. Too bad Skye learned it too late.

  “Mind if we join you?”

  Ryder Hart leaned down to kiss his wife. A tall man with a head of curly red hair waited by his side.

  “So much for girl’s night.” Quinn’s laugh was filled with loving indulgence.

  “Our recording session ended early, thanks to my spectacularly talented tech wizard, Jasper Hoyt.” Ryder introduced his companion. “Jasper, this is Skye Monroe and Fahma Chowdhury.”

  Jasper nodded Skye’s way, but the moment he saw Fahma, no one else existed. Wasting no time, he took the chair next to hers.

  “Are you from Los Angeles?” he asked.

  Fahma’s smile dimmed when she realized they didn’t live in the same city.

  “Seattle,” she sighed with regret.

  “I freelance out of Seattle.”

  Fahma’s expression brightened as Jasper scooted his chair a little closer.

  “Small world.”

  Delighted by the turn of events, Quinn hugged her husband.

  “I smell romance in the air,” she whispered.

  “Hope you’re right.”

  Skye followed Ryder’s gaze. Her heart skipped a beat.

  “Have enough food for one more?” Jax hugged Quinn, his eyes never leaving Skye.

  “When have you known me to send someone away with an empty stomach?” Always in the mood to play matchmaker, Quinn took her husband’s arm. “Let’s inform the cook we have three more for dinner.”

  “Something wrong with the intercom?” Ryder sent her a knowing smile.

  “No.” Quinn tugged him toward the door. “I want a proper hello kiss. In private.”

  “Why didn’t you say so?” Ryder swooped her into his arms, rushing into the house.

  Eyebrow raised, Jax sent Skye a rueful smile.

  “Not terribly subtle.”

  Needing something to do with her hands, Skye poured herself a drink. She skirted the pool, stopping near the bank of roses that bordered the far end of the lawn. In the first blush of the getting to know you stage, she doubted Fahma and Jasper noticed her absence. Jax did. He followed close behind.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at some big charity event in Australia?” Seeing his surprised expression, Skye shrugged. “Hard not to know what you’re up to. Jaxon Cross’ every move is considered newsworthy.”

  “A bit of an exaggeration.”

  “Don’t be coy. You’re a superstar.” Curious, Skye shot him a sideways glance. “Is fame everything you had hoped?”

  “I can’t complain.” Rubbing his neck, he chuckled. “I could but wouldn’t get much sympathy.”

  “Your music used to matter more than fame and fortune.”

  “Still does.”

  Skye believed him

  “I’m glad.”

  They stood without speaking, watching as the last glow of sunlight faded from the horizon. Skye had a hundred things she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

  “Skye…”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m sorry.” Jax cleared his throat. “About this morning. I was—”

  “A jerk?”

  “Asshole popped to mind, but you don’t curse. Unless something’s changed?”

  Many things had changed. Easier, Skye decided, to start with what was the same.

  “Cursing doesn’t come naturally. Given proper provocation, I can let loose a colorful word or two.”

  “What do you consider colorful?”

  Jax in teasing mode made her smile, a fact she could add to her unchanged list. Skye was tempted to keep the banter going—again, easier. But until they cleared the air, she didn’t know how to move forward.

  “You didn’t finish your apology.”

  “Mm. I am sorry.” Jax’s lips curved into a smile. “As reunions go, ours was pretty spectacular.”

  “Until something changed. What happened?” Skye demanded.

  “Funny thing about memories. They hit you at the oddest moments. In the shower, for instance.” Staring straight ahead, he shoved his hands in his back pockets. “Bad memories. Rather, one bad memory.”

  Part of Skye wanted to believe, wished with all her heart, Jax had come to his senses in the past six years. She blamed herself for not telling him the truth when she had the chance. She blamed him for believing the worst.

  They left their wound to fester. Time, she decided, to flush out the past and heal.

  “Morgan loved you like a brother. Even if you didn’t trust me, how could you believe he would betray you?”

  “Tell me what happened,” Jax growled.

  An order? Was he kidding? Skye wanted to move forward, but until he admitted his part in what happened, they were stuck right where they were.

  “Try again.” Crossing her arms, she waited.

  “Fuck,” he muttered. Slowly, he exhaled. “I need to know the truth. Please, Skye. Tell me.”

  Please really was a magic word. Especially from the mouth of a man used to getting his own way.

  “Remember how strange Morgan’s behavior had become?”

  “Yes,” Jax nodded. “I remember. Whatever the problem, he wouldn’t talk.”

  “Joplin knew more than the rest of us.”

  “Surprise, surprise.” Shaking his head, Jax sighed. “Was there anything she didn’t know?”

  “Doubtful.” Skye almost smiled, but the weight on her chest was too much. “Morgan, without telling anyone, was ready to leave. I know because I caught him sneaking out. With some manipulation and the threat of tears, he agreed to come to my room.”

  Jax listened without comment, waiting for her to finish.

  “We talked. Nothing else,” she emphasized the point. “He didn’t tell me very much. Something to do with a big family secret.”

  “At the elevator. You kissed him. Then, he thanked you. Why?”

  “Not because we had sex. Fool.” Skye punched Jax in the arm.

  “Ouch.” Surprised more than hurt, Jax rubbed the spot.

  “Such a baby.” In the home stretch, she took a deep breath. “Morgan kissed me, as a friend, and thanked me because I talked him into staying. At least until he could say a proper goodbye to you and everyone else.”

  Jax took a moment to absorb the information. Finally, he sighed, his chin hitting his chest,

  “Shit. I misinterpreted the situation.”

  “A mild understatement,” Skye snorted. “More like massively blew everything out of proportion.”

  “And tore apart the group.”


  Mistakes were made on all sides. Skye wasn’t about to let Jax shoulder all the blame.

  “We were blind. All of us.” Suddenly cold, Skye wrapped her arms around herself. “We couldn’t see that the moment we stopped communicating, was the beginning of the end for Razor’s Edge.”

  “You’re cold.”

  Skye stopped him before he could remove his jacket.

  “I’d rather have your arms around me.”

  Jax pulled her close. Resting her head on his chest, she felt him exhale in a long, ragged breath.

  “Airing the truth is hard business.”

  “But good.” Skye snuggled close. “Right?”

  “Very good.” Jax brushed a kiss across onto her forehead. “Jesus, Skye. I owe a lot of people an apology. You at the top of the list.”

  Skye inhaled, basking in the warmth of Jax’s body. He smelled like heaven and felt even better.

  “I accept, wholeheartedly. Now, it’s my turn.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

  Jax wanted to let Skye off the hook, for which she was grateful. But the slate had to be thoroughly cleaned. No holding back.

  “Sorry goes both ways.”

  “You’re right,” he nodded. “Continue. Please.”

  Jax’s self-deprecating laugh brought a smile to Skye’s lips. Seemed once he started down the path of politeness, he couldn’t stop.

  “Old dog, new tricks?”

  “Twenty-nine is not old.” Jax scoffed at the idea.

  “Thirty, next month,” Skye reminded him.

  “Hell, I am old.” His voice vibrated with mock horror. “Better make your apology now before I forget, and you’re forced to start over again.”

  Grateful for the moment of levity, Skye brought Jax’s hand to her lips. “I was selfish and cowardly and thoughtless and—”

  “Whoa. Harsh.” Jax gave her shoulders a comforting squeeze.

  “I was old enough to make my own decisions, yet I let my father run my life because—”

  “You loved him.”

  “And I was worried about Gabi.” Skye groaned at the thought of her sister. “I wanted to protect her. Instead, I helped create a spoiled brat.”

  “Want to talk about your family?” Jax asked, his tone neutral.

  “No.”

  “Thank God.” Jax smoothed back her hair. “I know where your apology is headed, Skye, and I accept.”

  “Really?”

  When Jax nodded, Skye threw her arms around his neck. She felt free for the first time in forever.

  “No more secrets?”

  Expecting a quick and unqualified yes, Skye frowned when Jax hesitated.

  “Skye. I—”

  “Dinner is served,” Quinn called out.

  Skye laid a hand on Jax’s arms.

  “Something you need to tell me?”

  “Nothing that can’t wait.” He shook his head before she could argue. “I’ll tell you later. Promise.”

  “Sorry to interrupt, but you seemed in a good place.” Quinn waited for Skye to nod and smiled. “A good hostess never eats before her guests, and I’m starving.”

  The meal was simple but wonderful. Salads of every kind, platters of deli meats, bowls of fruit, three kinds of bread. And the dessert tray was a sugar lover’s dream. They sat around a large dining table, the nearby firepit blazing as conversation flowed in a relaxed, easy manner.

  “The plane is fueled and waiting for your arrival, Jax.” Exasperated, Ryder shook his head as Quinn plucked a piece of his pineapple from his plate. “We have enough food to feed an army, and you steal from me?”

  “Yours tastes better.”

  Enjoying the Harts’ loving banter, Skye turned her attention to Jax.

  “Are you going somewhere?”

  “Hm? Oh, right,” Jax nodded. “Earlier, you asked why I wasn’t in Australia? I plan to leave in the morning.”

  Skye was disappointed, but at least she knew what he meant to tell her. Though a trip to Australia hardly qualified as a secret.

  “Will you get a chance to see your family?”

  “They’re the reason I wanted to use Ryder’s plane.” Jax peeled the paper from around a chocolate cupcake. “We can fly in, spend a few days with my folks, and get to Sydney without the fuss of commercials flights.”

  “Logical.” Skye sighed. “The— Wait. Did you say we?”

  “Come with me.”

  “To Australia?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  Jax asked the question, forgetting not everyone traveled around the world at the drop of a hat. These days, Skye lived a different kind of life.

  “I have a job. And my sister is—” Skye stopped short. Nope, she would not use her family as an excuse. Not with Jax—never again. She had plenty of other reasons right at her fingertips. “What if Wyatt Landis tries to contact me about my audition?”

  “My parents live down under, not down at the bottom of the ocean.” Jax took his phone from his pocket as a visual aid. “Remember a little thing called cellular communication?”

  “If I ask my boss for more time off, she’ll fire me.” Skye’s job paid her bills. Then again… “I have vacation time due, and the college student who works in the shop part can always use some extra hours.”

  “I won’t push. However…” Jax gave her his most charming grin. “We haven’t had a chance to really talk. I want to hear about your audition and everything you’ve been up to for the last six years.”

  Jax, all to herself, on a private plane? What was she waiting for?

  “Yes.” Skye nodded before she talked herself back to no. “I’d love to go.”

  “We’ll have a great time.” Jax kissed her, sweet, but much too short. “Ever visited a sheep ranch?”

  “Your family might not appreciate a visit from a strange woman.”

  “Not like you’re dropping in unannounced,” he reasoned.

  “True. But—”

  “They live where the closest neighbors are fifty miles away. Company is always welcome.” Jax’s lips twitched, his eyes brimming with laughter. “Does the thought of meeting my folks make you nervous?”

  “Maybe,” Skye mumbled. “A little.

  “Cyrus and Poppy Cross are the most down to earth people in the world.” He fed her a bite of cupcake. “Believe me, they’ll love you.”

  Will you? Skye longed to ask. Can you love me again? Chewing slowly, she chastised herself. Don’t go too fast, don’t push, don’t burden their newly repaired relationship with unrealistic expectations. Walk before you run.

  A trip to Australia wasn’t where most people went on a first date. So what? Nothing about their past was normal, why start now?

  “Have you considered the risks of us alone on a plane?” Skye teased, swiping another bite of his dessert.

  “Risks, no. Ways to pass the time, absolutely.” Jax waggled his eyebrows. “Your membership in the mile-high club is waiting. Just say the word.”

  Sex with Jax on a plane? Sex with Jax anywhere? Yes, please. Sign her up.

  “Pull your mind out of the gutter,” Skye chastised, doing her best to pretend her mind wasn’t right there with him. “When I said risk, I meant, if we fight—an inevitable occurrence—on a plane, how will I stomp off in a huff? The first step is a doozy.”

  “We won’t fight,” Jax assured her. “However, if we do, you can stomp off to the bedroom.”

  Thinking back to their tour with The Ryder Hart Band, Skye frowned

  “Since when does Ryder’s plane have a bedroom?”

  “Upgrade.”

  Sex with Jax in the lap of luxury. Yum.

  “Sound good?” Jax asked, finishing off the cupcake.

  “Sounds fantastic.”

  Skye couldn’t wait.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  ♫~♫~♫

  JAX LOVED HIS adopted country. He owed the United States so much on so many
levels. Fame, fortune. Good friends. A beautiful home tucked in a secluded part of California’s Napa Valley.

  Yes, America had been good to him. But his heart belonged in the land of his birth. Australia.

  Breathing in the air, Jax lifted his face to the sun. The smell was different, sweeter. The heat hotter, drier. Closing his eyes, he pictured his childhood, the feel of dirt beneath his bare feet as he ran for miles, never seeing another human being. The memories were nothing but good.

  “Beautiful,” Skye sighed as she stepped from the Land Rover.

  “Mm,” Jax agreed. “I don’t get back often enough.”

  “I expected…” With a shrug, she continued perusing the outskirts of his family’s property. “Can’t say exactly what I expected. But I didn’t think the sight of it would take my breath away.”

  Jax’s heart swelled with pride. His connection to the land was natural, ingrained by years of working beside his father, a man who was born, lived, and would die doing what he loved. The work was hard, the weather brutal, the market for sheep unpredictable. But Cyrus Cross knew who he was and knew what he believed.

  A staunch family man, Jax’s father loved his wife and his children, put them first above all else, even country and God. Committed and content, in his fifty-seven years on earth, he never doubted his chosen path. Not everyone could say the same.

  Lacing his fingers with Skye’s, Jax kissed the back of her hand.

  “Glad you came?”

  “I am.”

  “Enjoy the plane ride?”

  “Searching for compliments?” Skye chuckled.

  “Just remembering the fourth time you came for me.” Jax touched her cheek. The bloom of pink suited her. “The way you cried out my name was music to my ears.”

  Her blush deepening, Skye glanced toward the Land Rover.

  “The driver will hear you.”

  “The doors are shut, motor’s running, air conditioner’s blasting.” Nuzzling her ear, Jax wrapped his arms around her waist. “He can’t hear a thing.”

  “He can see us.”

  “Why the sudden bout of shyness?”

  Despite her protests, Skye tilted her head, giving Jax and his lips better access to her sensitive neck.

  “I’m not shy. However, graphic displays of public affection make me uncomfortable.”