ALMOST PARADISE

by Williams, Mary J.

  “First? The situation can’t be reversed—Carl isn’t my type.” Jax’s lips moved into a smile. “Second, the only opinion I care about is yours. My money isn’t going anywhere.”

  “Yes.”

  “Neither am I.” Sliding an arm around her waist, Jax placed her hand on his chest. “Unless you changed your mind?”

  “I don’t want your money.” Skye wanted to make herself, her position, clear.

  “Next time we go out, you can pay for dinner.”

  Nodding, Skye breathed deep.

  “You smell good. Like Jax.”

  Chuckling, he removed his shirt. The replacement was similar, onyx black instead of navy blue. As he fastened the buttons, a knock sounded on the door.

  “Five minutes, Mr. Cross.”

  Jax hooked his guitar strap into place.

  “Last chance to change your mind.”

  Rubbing her stomach, Skye waited for the butterflies. Nothing. Just a feeling everything was right with her world.

  “Kane wrote Savior,” she suddenly remembered. “Are we allowed to perform the song without his permission?”

  Unconcerned, Jax shrugged.

  “What will he do? Sue me?”

  Carl waited outside the dressing room door. With a nod, he walked ahead as a man Skye hadn’t met brought up the rear. She didn’t question the added security, aware of the dangers Jax faced as a high-profile celebrity. She was more concerned with his lack of concern over their current problem.

  “A court case could get messy.” Skye raised her voice over a loud, rather annoying drum solo. She felt a twinge of nostalgia as she thought of Beck, a true magician with a pair of drumsticks.

  “Don’t worry,” Jax assured her, finding a spot near the stage, away from the flow of foot traffic. “We had an agreement—signed and witnessed by Morgan. I can perform any of Kane’s songs. He can do the same with mine. If one of us decides to make a new recording, then we’re required to get written permission.”

  As the song ended and the artist enjoyed a warm round of applause, the stage crew moved quickly, substituting in Jax’s equipment. Members of his backup band took their places behind the drawn curtain.

  The master of ceremonies, an attractive man in his sixties with a full head of snow-white hair, waited for his cue. Straightening his tie, he glanced Jax’s way.

  “Ready for your intro, mate?”

  “Anytime, Larry.”

  The man smiled at Skye. Not in a weird, makes the skin crawl, kind of way, but with a friendly twinkle.

  “Should I know him?” she whispered.

  “Doubtful.” Jax rolled his shoulders as he spoke, shaking his hands, limbering his fingers. “Larry Walton’s been a fixture of Aussie television longer than I’ve been alive.”

  “Are you having a good time?” Larry asked the filled auditorium. The response was a resounding yes.

  Jax, hands resting on her hips, patiently allowed Skye to straighten his collar—again.

  “Nervous?”

  “Nope,” she quipped. “You?”

  Skye knew the question was silly. Jax thrived on stage while adrenaline and confidence pulsed through his veins,

  “Jitters never go away completely,” he answered to her surprise. “The lights hit, music starts, and I find my groove.”

  “You’re scheduled to perform three songs?”

  “My latest single followed by an oldie but goodie. Then, our duet.”

  “Our next performer needs no introduction. However, for the sake of my job, I came prepared just in case one of you has been under a rock for the past few years.” Larry paused for the expected laughter. “Hot off a sold-out world tour, the man with the current number one record in the world, welcome one of our own—Jaxon Cross.”

  Skye watched Jax swagger—no other word came to mind—across the stage. Wondering if she could match his bravado, she swallowed and found her mouth dry as the Sahara.

  Okay, perhaps she was a tad bit nervous.

  “Here.” Carl turned the cap on a square-shaped blue bottle. “Drink.”

  The water was cool and refreshing, exactly what Skye needed.

  “Thank you, Carl.”

  Jax played the first notes of Road to Nowhere. Slow, instantly intoxicating, he drew every person within listening distance into his seductive web. Closing her eyes, Skye hummed along. All music had merit. Sometimes, like now, a song had the power to touch the soul.

  Caught up in the moment, Skye forgot she wasn’t alone.

  “You’re in love with him,” Carl announced without preamble.

  Skye didn’t open her eyes, nor did she respond to what she considered an arrogant and inappropriate statement. The gall of the man! Surly, unpleasant, judgmental, he felt empowered to analyze her feelings? Big jerk.

  “Go away.”

  “You gonna tell me I’m wrong?”

  No, Carl wasn’t wrong. Almost from the first moment she laid eyes on Jax, her heart was his. Nothing had changed. The love hadn’t faded with time as she once hoped, but instead lay dormant.

  With a little care and attention, the bloom felt destined to grow brighter and stronger than ever.

  Some things had changed—for the better. Skye had matured in the past five years. Hopefully, she learned from her mistakes. She wouldn’t let anyone, family, friend, or enemy, dictate her actions. The choices she made were hers and hers alone.

  If Carl thought he could warn her off, he would be sorely disappointed.

  “Aren’t you head of security? Go protect something.”

  “Exactly what I’m doing.” Carl shrugged his powerful shoulders. “Per the boss man’s instructions.”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  Apparently unconvinced, Carl snorted.

  “You could be a freaking superhero, I have my orders.”

  Even if Skye was inclined to argue, she didn’t have time. As Jax segued into his second song, she centered her thoughts, doing her best to tune out the annoying pest in her ear.

  “I want to apologize.” Carl ignored the dirty look she sent him. “Figured you were out to use Jax.”

  “How?”

  “To revitalize your career.”

  Skye’s temper flared.

  “Of all the lame-ass—” Calm, she reminded herself. “You’re wrong.”

  “I know,” Carl nodded. “In the dressing room, the way you were together. The love was obvious—both ways. Can’t remember seeing him happy—ever. You’re good for him.”

  Carl didn’t wait for Skye to respond. Fading into the shadows, he found a less obtrusive spot where he could keep an eye on her and Jax.

  Happy went both ways, Skye thought as the music faded. She thanked the stagehand when he handed her a microphone and reminded herself—breathe.

  “For my last song, I planned to do a something off my latest album,” Jax told the crowd. “Instead, with the help of a friend, and your indulgence, I’d like to dust off an old song you might remember.”

  Turning to face the band, Jax played the first five notes of Savior, and the audience exploded. He found Skye and winked. Moving to the microphone, no one blamed him when his voice cracked on the first word.

  Whatcha doing, girl? Circling my heart? Searching for my soul?

  Skye walked onto the stage, into the spotlight, and found herself in a world she thought lost to her forever. Taking Jax’s waiting hand, she lifted her voice to join his.

  What’s your problem, boy? Afraid to let me in? Always questioning my role?

  The lyrics, always moving, held a deeper meaning now. Once young, untried, star-crossed lovers denied what they wanted most, Skye and Jax understood the ache of lost love, the hope of redemption, the joy of new beginnings.

  The air between them sizzled hotter than ever. Their shared past gave the duet a richer texture, bringing tears to the eyes of the hardest heart.

  Much too soon, the song ended, the stage went bla
ck, and the audience jumped to their feet as one. A minute passed, then two as the chants, begging for an encore began, echoed through the building.

  Sixty seconds later, the lights returned and to everyone’s shocked dismay, Jax and Skye were nowhere to be found.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  ♫~♫~♫

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE your getaway plan worked.”

  “Honestly? I was surprised how quickly everyone got out of our way as we ran toward the exit.”

  Skye laughed, her face flushed with a satisfied glow that had nothing to do with their escape and everything to do with Jax’s expert lovemaking.

  “Two-hundred and twenty pounds of Carl barreling down on them didn’t hurt.”

  Taking the quilt from the floor, Jax covered their rapidly cooling bodies. The bedroom, tucked neatly near the back of Ryder Hart’s borrowed plane, was their first stop after boarding. Still jazzed from the electrifying performance, they had just enough time before take-off to strip each other naked and screw like there was no tomorrow.

  “Since we first slept together—”

  “Seven whole days ago,” Skye interrupted, snuggling close, her head tucked beneath his chin.

  “Best week of my life.” Jax hoped for many, many more. “All I can think about is getting you naked, keeping you naked, and enjoying you naked.”

  “A lot of naked.” Skye made a happy humming noise deep in her throat. She raised the quilt and gazed down the length of his body. “Thank you for taking such good care of yourself.”

  Working out wasn’t Jax’s favorite pastime. The look of admiration in Skye’s mocha-colored gaze made every stomach crunch and bicep curl worth the effort.

  “What are you doing?” he asked as her head disappeared under the covers.

  “Enjoying the view—up close and personal.”

  Skye’s hand inched lower, down his chest, over his stomach, coming to rest inches from his currently limp dick. Jax was about to caution his tank was temporarily empty until he felt a familiar stirring.

  “Lady, you have a magic touch.”

  Slowly, Skye’s lips followed the path of her hand. Taking her time, her teeth, lips, and tongue tasted and nibbled.

  “I feel like playing.” Flipping her fall of blond hair to one side, she sent him a teasing smile. “Want to join me?”

  “Depends.” Jax took a moment, considering her proposition. As if he might say no—fat chance. “What are the rules?”

  Shaking her head, Skye’s fingers strayed to the inside of his thigh.

  “No rules,” she assured him. “Whatever feels good, goes.”

  Where Skye was concerned, the list of what didn’t feel good was non-existent.

  “Count me in,” Jax groaned. “What do you want me to do?”

  “For now, lie back, think happy thoughts, and let me take care of everything.”

  Doing as instructed, Jax gripped the headboard. Happy thoughts? No problem. He thought of Skye. Always Skye.

  ~ ~ ~

  SKYE DIDN’T KNOW what to expect when the plane landed. During the flight, she and Jax were in a world of their own, oblivious to whatever stir their unscheduled duet may have caused.

  Now, back on solid ground, they had an advantage. Everyone would assume they headed for California instead of their actual destination, Seattle. As a result, the terminal was practically deserted.

  Their luggage stowed in the trunk, Jax helped her into the backseat of the hired car. He slid in, closing the door.

  “Doesn’t hurt to arrive in the middle of the night.”

  “True.” Skye fastened her seatbelt. “Eventually, what happened in Australia will catch up to us.”

  “You act as if we went on a crime spree, a trail of bodies in our wake.” Jax raised her hand to his lips. “No law against singing a song. Not the way we sounded.”

  “Joke all you want. You know I’m right.”

  With a sigh, Jax closed his eyes, his head collapsing to rest on the back of the leather seat.

  “Relax.” He squeezed her hand. “You spoke to Fahma before the plane took off. She and my agent will put their heads together and come up with a plan. In a day or two, with our approval, they’ll release a joint statement.”

  “Sounds simple.” Absently, Skye tapped her foot. “Why don’t I trust simple?”

  “Because you’re a smart woman.”

  Even the smartest woman couldn’t fully prepare for the unknown. Two weeks ago, Skye’s only focus was on her dream part in her dream movie. No one outside a very small circle of family and friends cared what she did or who she dated.

  As much as she loved the man at her side—and she did, with all her heart—he wasn’t exactly the boy next door.

  Skye’s prior brush with celebrity was nothing compared to what she was about to face. A relationship with Jaxon Cross, international superstar, would never be lowkey. Add their complicated, gossip-worthy history, and her life was about to change forever.

  “Why aren’t you worried?”

  Jax raised one eyelid. Seeing her worried expression, he raised the other.

  “Question is, why are you?”

  “I don’t want to lose you again.” The idea brought a thumping ache to Skye’s heart. “What if—?”

  Placing a finger to her lips, Jax shook his head.

  “Want to know how to neutralize the power of gossip and innuendo?”

  “Yes,” Skye breathed. “Please.”

  “Don’t listen.” Jax chuckled when she rolled her eyes. “At times, easier said than done, but possible.”

  “If we communicate, we can survive anything.” Skye felt the weight lift from her chest. “Never let anything fester in the dark.”

  “Never let anything fester, period. Yuck.”

  Jax scrunched his handsome face into a comical mask. Skye had to laugh.

  “Ah,” he sighed. “Music to my ears.”

  “Do my fears seem ridiculous?”

  “You need to tell me everything, anything. I need to do the same.” Jax traced the curve of her cheek, his eyes as warm and blue as a cloudless summer sky. “Remember. No one can tear us apart unless we let them.”

  Skye let his words sink in. As Jax’s logic absorbed into her brain, her body relaxed, and her teasing side resurfaced.

  “They’ll say I’m after your money.”

  “We know the truth,” Jax snickered as she squeezed his thigh. “All you want is my body.”

  “I want a few other things, but your body hovers near the top of the list.”

  Feeling her phone buzz, Skye glanced at the screen. Another message from Gabi.

  “How many texts did your sister leave while we visited my parents?”

  “Six days?” Skye did the math. “Around three hundred.”

  “Jesus,” Jax scoffed.

  “To be fair, most were three words or less.”

  “She’s a big fan of the exclamation point. Fuck you, Skye! Fuck you!! Fuck!!!!!!” Jax quoted Gabi with succinct accuracy. “Seems she doesn’t have the same problem with foul language as her big sister. A little soap applied directly to her colorful mouth would help.”

  “She needed more discipline at an earlier age.” Guilt washed over her. “Dad let Gabi run wild.” Guilt washed over her. “And I—”

  “Led by example,” Jax insisted. “A damn good example, by the way. Gabi’s wild streak isn’t about you, Skye, so quit frowning over mistakes you didn’t make.”

  “My frown has nothing to do with my sister—for once.” Skye continued scrolling through her texts. “Still no word from Wyatt Landis.”

  “The fact he’s taking his time doesn’t add up to bad news.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Skye.” Jax cleared his throat. “About The End of Rainbows. You need to know—”

  “Oh, my gosh!” Skye looked up from her phone, her eyes wide. “Zoe sent me a video. Look.”

  “She and Sm
ith made a sex tape?” Jax waved his hands. “Pass. I don’t want to see two of my closest friends getting down and dirty.”

  “You’d watch.” Skye didn’t buy Jax’s innocent routine for a second. “Again, and again.”

  “Maybe,” Jax conceded hesitantly, then grinned. As he took her phone, his eyebrows rose. “Us? Did we make a sex tape when I wasn’t looking?”

  “Funny man.” Skye turned the screen so they could watch together. “According to Zoe, the video of Savior went viral. Over ten million views in less than ten hours.”

  “Hm.” Jax didn’t look pleased.

  “I know the quality isn’t the best, but I think we sound pretty good.”

  “Are you kidding? We sound fantastic. My problem isn’t the song, but the number of hits. By now, I’d expect at least twenty million.”

  “Poor baby.” Playing along, Skye tried to soothe his bruised ego. “What happened to your legions of fans?”

  “On vacation, obviously.” Jax continued to watch. “Damn, we’re hot. Now I understand why everyone thought we rutted like horny rabbits during our Razor’s Edge days.”

  “The speculation’s started again—according to Zoe.” Skye shrugged, surprised how unconcerned she was. “This time, they’re right.”

  “Thank God.” Jax slid his arm around her shoulders. “At my age, celibacy isn’t a good look.”

  “Wasn’t at any age, if I recall.” Skye wanted to kick herself. Some parts of their history should stay buried. “Forget I said anything.”

  “I didn’t cheat on you,” Jax reminded her.

  “You had every right to sleep with other women.”

  “Thank you.”

  Annoyed by Jax’s sarcasm and the derisive curl to his upper lip, Skye remembered what he had said about not letting things fester. Fine, she decided as temper overrode common sense, time to deal with an old wound she thought long healed.

  “Many, many women.”

  “You really want to talk about my past sex life?”

  “No.” Skye shuddered at the idea. “I want to discuss the way you used those women, first as disposable sex objects, second, as weapons against me.”