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“K eep an eye on that Apple Kringle,” Madeline snapped.
“Yes, Madeline,” Jessica answered.
Jessica Meyers watched Madeline Greer cross the kitchen to snap at Sally. The young apprentice ran into the pantry in tears. Jessica disliked her boss immensely. Madeline was rude, impatient, and unnecessarily harsh to her employees. But she also was an excellent pastry chef. Jessica begrudgingly admitted that she had learned a great deal about pastry cooking while working under Madeline. She just wished that Madeline was a nicer person. The timer went off and Jessica opened the oven door to look at the Kringle. She saw that the dessert was ready to be removed. She tucked her thick brunette hair more securely under her netted cap then grasped the tray with oven gloves and set it on the padded countertop. She then began scooping the Kringle onto the cooling rack.
“Jessica!” Madeline called.
“Yes, Madeline.” Jess looked up at the older woman.
“Take this order of desserts to the Cooper mansion. They are having a party and requested this order,” Madeline stated.
“Cooper?” Jessica wasn’t sure who Madeline was talking about. They had more than one customer with the Cooper last name.
“Jaxson Cooper, you idiot! Who else? Take this order to him immediately,” Madeline demanded.
Jessica looked at the cakes and pies that lined the long table. They needed to be boxed up, which would take some time. Jessica sighed.
“Alright,” Jessica replied.
“You have a problem with the task?” Madeline asked sharply.
“No. It just needs to be boxed up which will take some time,” Jessica replied.
“Hurry up!” Madeline said curtly then turned away.
Jessica stuck her tongue out at Madeline’s back. Sally giggled as she approached Jessica.
“I’ll help you,” she offered.
Jess looked at her gratefully.
“Thank you, Sally,” Jess smiled.
“Old Maddie is getting to you, huh? She had me in tears,” Sally said.
“I shouldn’t have done that. But Madeline makes me so mad at times,” Jess grumbled.
“She doesn’t seem to know how to be nice.”
“No, she doesn’t. But being able to say that I studied under her will look good on my resume. And I need the paycheck. Money is so tight right now,” Jessica replied. She thought about her rent which was two weeks past due. She had to come up with the money. It was paramount that she keep a roof over her head, as she had not only herself, but a six-year-old son to think about. Tyler couldn’t be exposed to homelessness. And then there was her mother who was hounding her for money as though she owed it to her. Why that woman couldn’t make her own way was beyond her understanding.
“I understand. I need more money too. I’m thinking about getting a better paying job,” Sally said.
“But what about your career? You want to be a pastry chef,” Jessica asked in surprise.
“I do. But I need money so badly. My career may have to wait,” Sally said sadly.
“I know what you mean,” Jess replied. That same thought had crossed her mind as well.
They finished packing up the desserts just as Madeline came back into the kitchen.
“The packing should be done, Jessica,” Madeline barked.
“We’ve finished. I’ll put it in the van,” Jessica said.
“No. I need the van. Take your car,” Madeline said.
Jessica frowned. She drove a small jeep and the trunk was not very big, so it would be a tight fit securing all of the desserts in her car. But explaining that to Madeline would be fruitless. Madeline didn’t wait for her reply anyway. She left the kitchen and Jessica heard the van start and pull off. She had no choice but to take her jeep. She and Sally carefully packed her jeep. Jessica was amazed that everything fit. She took her car key from her back jean pocket and hopped into the jeep. She waved to Sally then drove off.
*****
J ESSICA DROVE UP THE half-moon driveway of the Cooper mansion. There were plenty of mansions in Beverly Hills, California, but there was a special mystique about the Cooper place. Jessica would have normally paused and taken in its palatial beauty, but she knew that Madeline would expect her to get back to the kitchen as soon as possible. She parked her jeep in front of the two-tiered steps then hopped out. She climbed up the stairs and then rang the doorbell. A short, middle-aged woman with blonde hair answered the door. She wore a straight black dress and a white apron tied at her trim waist.
“Hi. I’m from Greer Bakery to deliver desserts,” Jess said.
“Oh yes! Right this way,” the woman said pleasantly. She led Jess to the kitchen. “The driveway forks out to the side of the house. You can drive your car to the side kitchen entrance to unload it.”
“Thank you. I will,” Jess smiled. She trotted back to her jeep and drove it around to the side entrance. Hopping out of the jeep she quickly began taking the desserts from her truck to the kitchen. She was walking to the counter with a cake when she heard a deep male voice.
“She will do,” the voice said bluntly.
Suddenly a large, firm hand grasped her arm and pulled her forward. Stunned, Jessica dropped the cake onto the countertop and turned to stare into the most brilliant green eyes she had ever seen. For an instant she was speechless from the sheer beauty of their hue.
“Let’s go,” he said.
Jessica regained her senses.
“No!” She stared at the gorgeous male specimen that was holding her arm. “Who are you and what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
He looked at Jessica sensuously and smiled dangerously.
“I’m Jaxson Cooper and I’m about to give you the best night of your life,” he grinned wryly.
Jessica caught her breath at his words. She was in over her head and knew she was in a whole lot of trouble. Her honey brown eyes seemed to be stuck to his glittering green ones until she managed to tear her eyes away from his.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she snapped. She tried to pull her arm from his grasp but his fingers only tightened in an iron grip.
“You’re coming with me. My date had the nerve to cancel and I need a substitute. You fit the bill. Or at least you will when I redress and glam you up,” he replied. “You’ll thank me for your makeover in the most pleasant of ways.” His grin was devilish.
“No! Have you lost your mind?” Jessica was astonished at his audacity.
“Of course I will make it worth your while. You won’t be disappointed,” he returned.
Suddenly his smile was gone and his brilliant green eyes bore into hers, bending her to his will. Jessica struggled to refuse him.
“No. I can’t. I’m sorry your date bailed on you. But I cannot fill in for her,” Jessica said.
“Why not?”
Jessica stared at him in disbelief. He had to know the answer to that question. There were a slew of reasons why she couldn’t just drop everything and become his arm candy.
“I don’t know you,” she said in exasperation. She yanked her arm free. Although she suspected that he’d simply released her.
“Ask anyone here. They can vouch for me. I am no serial killer or rapist. I only want you to be my date for the evening,” he said. His eyes narrowed. “And if anything more happens, it’s all good.”
“More? What more?” she asked suspiciously.
“Time will tell.”
His lopsided smile was sinfully charming. Jessica was drawn to it even though she knew it was dangerous. His kind was dangerous and she had always avoided men like him. She wasn’t socially or mentally equipped to plays his games. It was far better for her to keep her distance, yet here she was, sorely tempted to take him up on his offer. He’d said he’d make it worth her while, which meant he would pay her. And she sorely needed the money. She could ensure that she’d receive enough to pay her rent and some pressing bills. His proposition had its advantages. But what would she tell Madeline? That woman would have a cow.
Jaxson could see that Jessica was wavering.
“Do we have a deal, Jessica?” he asked.
“How do you know my name?” she asked curiously.
“It’s on the delivery slip.”
Jess looked down at the slip of paper on the counter. Her name was written across the paper in large print.
“Oh.”
“Do we have a deal?” he repeated.
She knew Madeline would not be happy.
“Madeline would have a fit,” she murmured.
“Your boss? Leave her to me. She will want you to stay when I finish talking to her,” he said confidently. “What is her name?”
Jess shook her head. She knew Madeline.
“She will be agreeable to you but will lambast me come tomorrow,” Jess said as she chewed her bottom lip.
“If she does, let me know,” he said.
Jess looked up at him. He was so tall and handsome. He had an ultra-confident aura that surrounded him like a coat of arms. She felt he could resolve any problem that presented itself. She made up her mind.
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
He nodded a single time then grasped her arm again.
“Let’s go,” he clipped.
“But I have to finish—
“Sharon will finish unloading your car. You have other things to do,” he interrupted her.
Jess looked back at the friendly woman at the kitchen island. Sharon smiled at her.
“I’ll take care of it. Run along now,” Sharon said kindly.
Jess looked at Sharon almost in despair. What had she gotten herself into?
*****
J AXSON LED JESS UP the back staircase then down several corridors, eventually stopping before a bedroom door. He pushed open the door and guided her into the room. Jess looked at her surroundings in awe. She felt as though she had entered a bedroom showroom. The walls were a soft blue and the ceiling a creamy white, while the crown molding was dark grey in color which was the perfect complement to the walls and ceiling. The king size bed had a white, tufted, arched princess headboard. And the bedding was yellow, tan, and mint green. The dresser, bureau, and desk were made of delicately carved oak. The chairs and sofas were white with blue and yellow pillows. The large windows allowed lots of natural light to flood the room.
“It’s beautiful,” Jess murmured breathlessly.
“It’s yours,” Jaxson said in a low voice. Jess looked at him questioningly. He grinned casually. “For tonight.”
“I will enjoy it while I am here. I doubt if I will ever spend time in such a lovely place again,” she commented.
“Why would you say that?” He looked at her intently.
She didn’t want to go into the personal details of her life. She had her goal of becoming a fabulous pastry chef but she also was a realist; her chances of realizing that dream were slim, especially while working under Madeline. That woman was extremely jealous and would block any opportunity that came her way.
“Life tends to throw a lot of lemons my way,” she said with a shrug.
“Then you make lemonade. Nothing should stop you from achieving your goals and living as you would want,” he said sternly.
“Easier said than done,” she countered.
He opened his mouth to respond when a maid rushed into the room. She carried a garment bag over her arm.
“I brought several gowns that you can choose from, Jaxson,” she said.
“Thank you, Mindy,” Jaxson said.
Mindy laid the garment bag on the bed then left the room. She closed the door softly behind her. The click of the door made Jess a bit apprehensive. She decided that they should settle the details of their arrangement. It would keep things on a business level.
“I would like to discuss our arrangement,” she said. She was surprised at the calmness of her voice.
He sat on the bed.
“Alright. I want you to be my date. You will act the part in every way.”
“In every way?” she queried.
“Yes. We will eat, talk, dance, and laugh together. Converse with everyone here. If anyone should ask, and they will, I met you at your bakery and we hit it off. We’ve had several dates,” he said.
“Alright. That’s simple enough,” she replied.
“And if I want to kiss you, you will gladly receive it.” He stared at her hard. “Is that understood?”
Jess hadn’t considered that there would be any intimacy between them. However, looking at his glacial expression she knew he would not back down on that stipulation. Oh, what the hell! She hadn’t been kissed in forever. It might be nice.
“Yes. But that sounds like it is going to cost you!” she said.
He seemed surprised by her demeanor then quickly recovered.
“Good. I will pay you ten-thousand dollars for your services. Is that acceptable?”
Ten-thousand dollars? It was beyond her wildest expectations!
“Yes. That is acceptable,” she answered calmly.
“Good. Now, let’s pick out a dress for you.”
She looked at him in shock.
“You’re going to select my dress?”
“Of course. You will be my date and cannot embarrass me,” he said. He unzipped the garment bag and pulled out a sparkly, silver mini sheath with spaghetti straps. He held it up against her chest and examined it critically. “Try this on. I estimated that you were a size six. Are you?”
“Yes.” Jess was amazed that he would know such a thing. “How did you know?”
“I saw you unloading your jeep from my bedroom window. It was a good guess,” he replied.
“And do you just happen to keep a wardrobe of women’s clothing on hand for these special occasions?” she asked derisively.
“Actually I do.”
Jess was shocked. She didn’t know how to respond so she said nothing.
“Hurry and change. We don’t have forever,” he urged. “The dressing room is over there inside the closet.” He pointed across the room.
Jess took the dress from him and made her way into the closet which opened up into a dressing area. She stood in wonder as she hung the dress on the hanger tab, looking at it in admiration. She really liked the dress and hoped it fit her well, as she quickly disrobed and slipped it over her head.
“Do you need any help?”
Jess gasped as she spun around to see Jaxson standing in the doorway. His expression was inscrutable. He moved toward her.
“Turn around and I will zip you.”
She did as he instructed. The feel of his fingers against her back was tantalizing and arousing. Jess didn’t think she had ever felt these feelings before. Her last boyfriend was over a year ago and he hadn’t evoked sensations as these. He had blamed her for the lack of desire in their relationship. Although Jess wasn’t very experienced, she knew it wasn’t her fault; Derek had just been a terrible lover. Jaxson completed the task and allowed his hands to slide to her shoulders. He turned her towards the full-length mirror.
“Not bad,” he murmured.
The shimmering dress fell just above her knees to show off her shapely calves. She could see his green gaze graze her legs. Jess was glad that she had spent her Sundays on her small terrace taking in the sun. The golden hue looked lovely against the silver dress. The tan covered her entire body and Jaxson’s glittering eyes covered every inch of her body. The dress fit her as though it had been made for her.
“I like it too. But I will try on the other dresses so you can compare them,” she said. She moved away from him.
“No. I like this one. Wear it,” he said gruffly. He moved to the bedroom and she followed. “I will send in some ladies to do your hair and makeup. And then be back in an hour to escort you downstairs.”
He left before Jess could utter a word. She was left alone with her erratic thoughts. One minute she thought she was crazy for going through with his proposal, and the next she was thanking her lucky stars that such an opportunity had presented itself. The money would be a godsend. She would be able to pay all of her bills and take care of Tyler. The thought of her son brought a smile to her lips. Tyler was her life. She loved him to distraction and would do any and everything to keep him safe and happy. And tonight was a prime example. This was all for Tyler, or so she told herself. She didn’t have time to mull it over because soon, the door opened and two African-American women entered the room. One carried a makeup case and the other held bags of hair tools.
“Hey, girl! I’m Latoya and this is Shamira. We’re sisters and we hear you want a makeover,” Latoya smiled.
“More like Jaxson wants me to have a makeover,” Jess grinned.
“And what that man wants, he gets,” Shamira laughed.
Jess laughed. They led her to the vanity and sat her on a curved, white stool. The sisters chattered non-stop and kept Jess in stitches. But after they were finished Jess could only stare at her reflection. She couldn’t believe she was the woman in the mirror.
“Is that me?” she asked in disbelief.
“It’s you. And you are gorgeous,” Shamira answered.
“Jaxson knew what he was doing when he ordered your makeover. You are beautiful,” Latoya smiled.
Jess lightly touched her brown locks. Latoya had styled her long locks in loose curls that fell gently on her soft shoulders. She had layered her bangs to lay in wisps across her forehead. Shamira had used a cool, toned, rosy blush just under her cheekbones along with burnish mascara, eyeliner, and gold and sea-green eyeshadow to accentuate her honey gold eyes. A splash of cinnamon lipstick completed the effect.
“I can’t believe this is me. Thank you so much. I feel like Cinderella going to the ball,” Jess sighed.
“And Prince Jax will not be able to keep his eyes –or his hands– off of you,” Shamira prophesized.
“I second that,” Latoya laughed.
“Thank you again,” Jess said as she stood to hug them, which they both returned warmly.
“It was our pleasure. It nice to glam up pretty women. You were easy to work with,” Latoya giggled.
“Yeah! Not like some of these ducklings we have to turn into swans. Lord help us!” Shamira whooped.
Jess laughed.
“Ya’ll need to stop,” Jess grinned.
“We’re only telling the truth,” Latoya vowed. “Have fun, Jess!”
They laughed their way out of the bedroom. Jess sat on the vanity stool again and stared at her reflection. What did this night hold for her? Would it be just a fun night of gaiety? Or would there be more? She recalled Jaxson’s muscular physique and his oh-so-handsome face. Somehow she was hoping for more.
Jaxson led Jess onto the terrace and swept her into his arms to rock her gently. The music was slow and romantic, and his hand moved over her back with a rhythmic tenderness. Jess sighed deeply and relaxed in his secure embrace. She was totally content in his arms. When he had come to her bedroom to escort her downstairs she had been nervous and on edge. She didn’t know the people who would soon surround her or if Jaxson would leave her to fend for herself. But her worrying was for nothing. Jaxson did not leave her side the entire evening. He complimented her constantly and proudly introduced her to his friends. Jess had learned that the party was to celebrate the success of a business deal and Jaxson did not shy away from making her known to his business associates. He made her feel like she belonged at the party and to him. And Jess surprised herself. She rather liked his possessiveness.
“You are a big hit. Everyone loves you,” he murmured in her ear. His tongue caught her soft lobe.
Jess’s body tingled at the intimacy.
“Your friends are great. I like all of them,” she responded.
“Even Eva?” he teased.
Jess frowned. Apparently Eva was a friend to Randi, the woman who’d stood up Jaxson. She had been icy, to say the least, and continued to speak of Randi as though she was Jaxson’s girlfriend. And maybe she was. Jess really didn’t know.
“Eva was a bit evil. It was obvious that she didn’t like me. She thinks I’m poaching on her friend’s territory. If she only knew of our business arrangement,” Jess said.
“Our arrangement is not Eva’s concern. And Randi is not my girlfriend. We are friends with benefits only and she knows it,” Jaxson said. “That’s why she didn’t have a problem leaving me hanging, although more notice from her would have been nice. But it all worked out. Did you reach your sitter?”
“Yes. She didn’t mind watching Tyler,” Jess replied. Jess had called Sally and told her what had happened. Sally had been over the moon with excitement and happily agreed to look after Tyler. She would have a million questions as soon as Jess returned home.
“Good. I hope she’s not expecting you home anytime soon.” Jess looked up at him in question. His green eyes glittered darkly. “Our date will not end any time soon.” He pulled her tighter to him and kissed her neck sensuously.
Jess slid her hand over the nape of his neck and fingered his thick blond hair. She wasn’t exactly sure what his words implied but she wasn’t worried about it. She suddenly felt reckless tonight and was willing to live dangerously.
“I’m in no hurry,” she whispered.
He stilled and clasped her face with both hands. He stared down at her for a long moment. Jess could not read his expression and wondered what he was thinking.
“You are so damn beautiful,” he said gruffly. He then lowered his head and captured her mouth in a scorching kiss.
Jess collapsed against him and savored the expertise of his tongue gliding over hers. Her desire rose with his every stroke and she began kissing him back. He groaned and pushed her against the stone wall. He leaned against her and she could feel his erection pressing against her hot haven. She gasped as he shifted his mouth to the nook of her neck. Jess felt herself arching her hips to fit his groin. He began to grind against her and she nearly screamed in carnal need.
“Jax!” she panted.
He looked into her warm, golden eyes.
“I want you so badly. Stay with me tonight,” he whispered.
Jess’s mind was whirling and her body was screaming for release. She wanted nothing more than to say yes.
“I can’t,” she rasped.
He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths before lifting his head. He trailed a finger down her cheek.
“And I can’t let you go,” he murmured. He kissed her again then stepped back. “Come on. I can see that my friends are about to descend on us.”
Before they could go back inside two of his best friends, Scott Langston and Shaun Stevens strolled onto the terrace. Jax had introduced them to Jess earlier in the evening and they couldn’t seem to stay away from her.
“Hey, Jax! Stop hiding this gorgeous beauty from us. I want a dance with her,” Scott laughed.
Shaun grinned broadly. He and Jax had been friends since middle school.
“And you’re taken anyway,” Shaun piped.
Jax gave Shaun a murderous look.
“Randi is not my lady,” Jax said bluntly.
“Tell that to her. I think Randi Lewis sees things a bit differently than you do,” Scott chuckled. He then grabbed Jess’s hand and pulled her inside to dance.
Jax moved to stand in the archway and watch Scott and Jess dance.
Jax and Jess said goodbye to Shaun, who was the last person to leave the party. Jax closed the front door then pulled Jess into his arms. He kissed her passionately and started backing her toward the black, wrought iron staircase. When the heel of her shoe hit the bottom step she pushed against his chest.
“Wait, Jax!”
“Why? You want this. I know you do,” he said quietly.
Jess knew he was right. She wanted to be in his arms, yet she hesitated. It wasn’t all about having only known him for a few hours, and she wasn’t prudish or ultra-conservative. She realized that she didn’t want it to be a one-night stand. She wanted this date to extend into days, weeks, maybe forever. Forever? That was crazy. She couldn’t have such expectations from a hired escort arrangement. But she did and that was a problem.
“I don’t want this to end,” she whispered.
Jax was silent for a moment. His green gaze pierced her brown eyes as though searching for an absolute answer in them. Jess wondered what his burning question was, and she would answer it honestly if only he would ask.
“It won’t. I promised it wouldn’t,” he said “Tonight will not be the end for us. It is just the beginning. Trust me, Jess.”
Jess did trust him. She’d known him for only a few short hours but she did trust him.
“I trust you, Jax,” she murmured.
He grinned then swept her into his arms and carried her up the stairs. He entered his bedroom and kicked his door shut. Setting her on her feet he looked down at her.
“You are so incredibly beautiful. It took everything in me to let you dance with another man. I didn’t want you out of my sight, let alone out of my arms,” he murmured.
She chuckled.
“You were a bit protective. But I kind of liked it.”
“That’s a good thing because I don’t see myself becoming less possessive where you’re concerned,” he returned.
She ran her hand lightly down his chest.
“You’re so self-assured and confident. I didn’t expect you to be jealous,” she teased.
He nibbled her neck.
“You’re exposing bad qualities I didn’t know I had.”
“I have a feeling I’ll find a few more,” she giggled.
He pulled her to the bed and then pushed her onto the deeply piled black and grey coverlet.
“Oof!” she exclaimed with laughter.
“Maybe. I am a man who gets whatever he wants,” he remarked.
“In business?”
“In everything.” He then came down on top of her to caress her shoulder. His hand then slipped under the thin strap of her dress and pushed it down her arm. He kissed the creamy, soft skin of her shoulder. “And right now I want you.”
Jess smiled as she slid her hand around his hips to clasp his buttocks. She squeezed and he groaned.
“I want you too,” she whispered.
He caught her mouth in a kiss that sent her spiraling to the heavens.
“Oh my god! This is so good!” she thought.
She spread her legs and he settled between them, kissing her torso and breasts boldly. She ran her hands over his back and could feel the ripples of his muscles through his shirt. It wasn’t enough. She needed to feel his skin against her own. She yanked his shirt from his pants and began unbuttoning it. He sat up and she pushed it from his toned shoulders.
He then drew his undershirt over his head as she unbuckled his belt. She unsnapped his pants when he stood up to strip off his remaining clothing. He stood before her for a moment and Jess drank in his masculine physique. His chest was broad and his belly flat. His thighs and legs were finely shaped and nicely muscled; it was obvious that he’d spent many hours in the gym. Her eyes then went to his groin and she couldn’t pull her gaze away. His cock was fully enflamed and protruded proudly at attention. Jess licked her lips in anticipation of tasting him. Desire surged through her body and her core ached for the feel of him inside her. She held her arms out to him and he quickly fell beside her. He gathered her in his arms and began to love her. Jess had never in her life felt such pleasure in a man’s arms. And when he bent his head to feed on her clitoris she nearly exploded. He feasted on her for what seemed like hours, forcing her to come in his mouth time and time again. It was when she thought that she was completely spent that he moved his penis to edge of her pulsing sex. He rubbed the tip of his cock against her swollen clitoris and Jess screamed in desperate want. Yearning flooded her aching core and she raised her hips to greedily receive him.
Jess felt that she would burst into a million pieces with his every stroke and kiss. She had never experience such thrilling sex. It consumed her entire being – body, mind, and soul. She realized that she had been starving for this, and she couldn’t have submitted to a better lover. She was dying to feel his penis inside her. But she couldn’t seem to find the voice to say so. So she lifted her hips high to invite him in.
Jax could not tease her a moment longer. He plunged into her wet canal, her muscles tightening around him as he howled in ecstasy. He began thrusting into her at a rapid clip. He couldn’t get enough of her, needing to go deeper and deeper, and she had no problem taking all that he gave. She squeezed him again and he couldn’t stop his seed from gushing into her. He roared his victory as she came once again in his arms. He collapsed on top of her and she held him tightly. It took several minutes for them to recover, when he then rolled over and pulled her to his side.
J ESS FELL ASLEEP IMMEDIATELY . He kissed her forehead but remained awake. He was lightly caressing her arm when he realized that he had not used a condom. He wondered if she was using birth control. He doubted it. He suspected that Jess had not been sexually active until tonight. Well the deed was done and he was not going to cry over it. Sex with Jess had been incredible. He realized that it had been the best he had ever had. He would not ruin it by complaining that they had not been protected. They would just deal with the consequences if they occurred. He sighed, suddenly tired. He gathered Jess more securely to his side, closed his bright green eyes and fell into a contented sleep.
Jax opened his sleep-laden eyes and saw Jess pulling her jeans over her slim hips.
“Where are you going?” Jax murmured.
“Home,” Jess whispered.
“It’s only 4:15. Come back to bed. Your home isn’t going anywhere,” he said through a yawn.
She shook her head negatively.
“I need to go home. I don’t want Tyler to wake up with me not there,” she explained.
He pushed himself up and adjusted the pillows behind his head.
“How old is Tyler?”
“He’s six,” she answered.
Jax looked at Jess speculatively. She didn’t look older than twenty-two.
“How old are you, Jess?”
“Twenty-four.”
He did the quick math.
“You were eighteen when Tyler was born, a child yourself.” Where was her help? Where was the dad? He assumed it’d been a relationship gone bad. “I assume Tyler’s dad didn’t stick around.”
“Your assumption would be correct,” she said.
“What about family? Your mom and dad? Do they help out with Tyler?”
“No.” Again she did not elaborate.
“Go back to sleep. We’ll talk later,” she said. She moved to the door.
“Wait. I’ll walk you out,” he said hurriedly. He got out of bed and pulled on his pajama bottoms. Crossing to her, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her urgently. He then lifted his head. “I wish you didn’t have to leave. I’d planned to cook breakfast for you.”
“Another time. I will hold you to it,” she smiled. Then she paused. “I’d better visit your bathroom before I leave.” She tossed her purse on the bed as she went past it.
When she’d closed the door of the bathroom, Jax dashed to his desk, yanked open a drawer and wrote out a new check to her. He pulled out the original check, crumpled it in his hand then put the new check inside. He had just replaced her purse and thrown the crumpled check in the waste paper basket when she came out to the bathroom.
She picked up her purse from the bed then moved to open the door. They entered the hallway and he held her hand as they made their way to the curved staircase. She ran her hand lightly over the black, wrought iron baluster.
“I love this staircase. It’s so majestic and powerful. Just like its owner,” she murmured.
He said nothing as he escorted her down the steps. They reached the front door and he opened it. She saw that her jeep had been parked in front of the steps.
“He thinks of everything,” she thought silently.
She looked up at his handsome face.
“I had a wonderful evening. Thank you,” she said quietly.
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. I am sincerely grateful to you, Jess... for everything,” he whispered.
She smiled and quickly left the house. Getting into her car she started it, waved goodbye, and took off. Jax watched her car until its red taillights were out of sight. He closed the door and looked at the grand staircase. He thought it elegant and graceful. Just like Jess.
J ESS ENTERED HER APARTMENT and found a sleeping Sally on the couch. She moved to gently shake her awake.
“I’m home, Sally,” she said softly.
Sally groaned then opened her blue eyes.
“Jess. What time is it?” Sally asked as she swept her wavy blonde hair back from her face.
“It‘s 4:40. I’m sorry I’m so late,” Jess said apologetically.
“You mean so early,” Sally grinned as she sat up on the couch.”
“Anything I should know regarding Tyler?” Jess asked.
“Nope! I told him you had an unexpected delivery that became an extended situation. He accepted my explanation with no questions,” Sally said.
“Oh, he’ll have questions,” Jess smiled.
“And he’ll have his mom to answer them. Now tell me about that tall drink of thirst-quenching water. Tell me everything,” Sally insisted.
Jess gave her a brief description of her evening.
“I’ll give you more details later. Right now you should go home and go back to sleep. Maddie Dragon will be on the warpath tomorrow,” Jess said.
Sally sighed and stood up.
“That she will. She won’t be happy that you didn’t come back to work. Instead you were whoopin’ it up with the most eligible bachelor in LA. She will be beyond jealous.”
Jess grimaced.
“I just can’t wait to get to work,” Jess grumbled.
Sally moved to the door.
“It’s a good thing I live one floor up. I don’t have far to go,” Sally grinned.
“Thank you, Sal. You’re a lifesaver. What would I ever do without you?” Jess sighed.
“You won’t ever have to find out.”
Sally gave her a quick hug then left the apartment. Jess smiled as she closed the door. She was so lucky to have Sally as a friend. She then moved down the hall to Tyler’s room. Opening the door she peeked into his room. He was still fast asleep.
“Good. No explanations required...yet,” she thought.
She closed the door quietly and went into her bedroom. As she tossed her purse onto a chair she remembered that she hadn’t gotten her payment from Jax. Darn! She should call him. She opened her purse to grab her phone and stopped suddenly. Inside her bag was a legal sized check. She pulled it out and gasped, seeing that it was made out for twenty-thousand dollars. That isn’t the amount they had agreed upon. My God! The things she could do with twenty grand. She had to call and thank him. She changed into her nightgown and got into bed. There was so much to think about, her mind whirling with the events of the day. Sleep overcame her as she dreamt of Jaxson Cooper.
“W HO IS THE TACKY BITCH that thought she could take my place!?”
Randi stormed into Jax’s office and slapped her white leather clutch bag onto his desk.
“I’m sorry, Jaxson. I tried to stop her,” Amanda said apologetically as she entered the office behind Randi.
“It’s alright, Mandy. I got this,” Jax said.
Amanda gladly left the office swiftly closing the door behind her. Jax reared back in his comfortable, black leather chair and regarded Randi from beneath narrowly closed eyes. He saw before him a very selfish, egoistical, conniving woman. Somehow he had dismissed these offensive qualities while dating her. Randi was supposedly all about the moment and looking for no commitments which was how he liked it. But after being with Jess last night and experiencing her gentleness, warmth, and kindness, Randi’s inferior qualities came across as abrasive. He wanted no part of them or her.
“Who I spend my time with is no concern of yours,” he drawled. He twirled a pencil between his fingers.
“Why couldn’t you have attended the party stag? It’s not unlike you to do so. There was no reason or need to have a bimbo bitch on your arm,” Randi stated hotly.
Randi’s name-calling was grating on his nerves. He would not stand for Jess to be demeaned in his presence. He snapped the pencil and threw it on the desk. Randi jumped in alarm. He leaned forward.
“You chose to leave me blowing in the wind. From that moment on we were done. Whomever accompanied me as my escort was my business—not yours,” he snapped. “We are no longer an item. It’s over.”
“Darling, my absence was unavoidable. My mother was sick and I had to attend to her,” she hurriedly explained. “You couldn’t expect me to ignore my ailing mom.”
“Your mother is having the time of her life sailing the French Riviera,” Jax said sharply. He had anticipated Randi’s excuse, Eva having given him that storyline last night to explain Randi’s defection. He googled Randi’s mom and found a picture of the woman on Count Edward Locklear’s yacht just yesterday. He opened his desk drawer and removed the 8x10 photo of Randi’s laughing mother, slapping it on the desk. “She doesn’t look sick to me. That pic was taken yesterday and posted on the internet.”
“She is ill. I spent all of last night talking on the phone to her,” Randi insisted.
“You’re a liar. We’re finished. Get out!”
Randi gasped.
“I’m not lying! And we will never be done. We are too much alike. We will never be over,” she exclaimed.
Jax stood up.
“You’re delusional, Randi. Believe me when I say that I am through with you.”
Randi’s face paled dramatically as she stared at Jax in shock.
“You can’t mean that. We are perfect together. We are a better match than peas and carrots,” she protested. “It’s that woman you were with last night. She has somehow got you confused.”
“If by confusion you mean finally seeing things clearly then I guess she has. I now see what I really want. And it is not you. Leave my office and don’t come back,” he said brusquely.
“No. You can’t do this!” she said in raised tones.
“I just did.”
“I won’t let you. We belong together. We’re going to be married!” Randi yelled.
Jax shook his head.
“We were never going to be married and you know it. You’ve been dreaming, Randi, and it’s time to wake up.”
“No. I’m not going anywhere until we’re good again,” she said stubbornly. “We can work this out.”
“Do I need to call security? Leave. Now.” He picked up the phone to dial security.
“Fine! I’ll leave. But you’ll come crawling back to me. It’s only a matter of time.” She snatched her clutch bag from the desk and stormed from the office leaving the door wide open.
Jax resumed his seat as Amanda entered the office, intent on closing the door. She paused and looked at Jax.
“That was a nasty scene. Are you alright?” she asked kindly.
Jax smiled broadly at her.
“I’ve never been better.”
Amanda chuckled then left the office closing the door once again behind her.
J ESS WAS DANCING ON the clouds as she went about her work at the bakery. Not even Madeline’s griping could mar her happy feelings. She had called Jax to thank him for his generosity but he hadn’t answered. So she’d left him a voicemail expressing her gratitude. She had used the money to not only pay her rent for the month but several months in advance. She had even given her mother money, not that she thought the woman deserved it.
“Have you had a chance to speak with Jax, Jess?” Sally asked from across the table. They were both busy icing small cakes.
It had been two days and Jess hadn’t heard from Jax. She wasn’t worried though. Not yet anyway.
“No. I’m sure he’s been really busy,” Jess answered.
Sally looked at her with a frown which Jess noticed.
“What’s wrong?” Jess asked.
“I just would have expected him to call you back by now,” Sally said. “His actions smack of love ‘em and leave ‘em,” Sally blurted.
“Jax wouldn’t do that to me,” Jess said confidently.
“How do you know? You really don’t know him.”
“Yes I do.”
“Come on, Jess! I love your optimism but Jax is a player. LA and the rest of the world know this,” Sally objected.
Jess laid aside her small offset spatula.
“It’s hard to explain,” Jess sighed. “It’s more of a feeling that I have. I know of his reputation and his womanizing ways. But it was how he treated me that night and what he said. He wasn’t lying to me when he promised that our night wouldn’t end. He meant it.”
“And you’re sure he was being sincere?” Sally was wary.
“Yes. It’s crazy but I trust him. He wasn’t lying to me.”
“I hope you are right. I really do,” Sally said.
“She is absolutely correct. I would never lie to her.”
Jess and Sally swung around in shock. They saw Jax standing in the back doorway.
“Jax!” Jess exclaimed. He held his arms wide and she ran into them. “I knew I would hear from you,” she breathed happily as she hugged him tightly.
He tightened his arms about her and kissed her deeply. She felt his cock spring to life and he groaned and lifted his head. He smiled down into her sparkling gold eyes.
“In the flesh. I wanted to come see you sooner but there were some things I needed to take care of first,” he explained. “But thank you for trusting that I would not forget about you.”
“I do trust you. More than I have trusted anyone in my life,” she said honestly.
“Can you love me just as much?” he asked. He rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. And the more I thought of you the more I knew that I had fallen in love with you.”
Jess stared at him with wide eyes. She couldn’t believe her ears.
“The moment I saw you piling desserts on my kitchen counter I knew I had to know you better,” he continued. “I made up the excuse of needing a date for the party. Yeah, Randi had stood me up but it was nothing for me to attend a party solo. I came up with the escort arrangement so that I could spend time with you. I was a bit high-handed but I wanted to ensure that you would do it. I fell in love with you while you slept in my bed. And I have no intention of allowing you to sleep anywhere else...ever. Please tell me you feel a little bit the same.”
Jess looked into his pleading eyes and could not deny that she loved him as well. It was her love for him that assured her that he had not walked away from her. That their time together was not just a one-night stand. She knew what her answer would be. There was only one answer in her heart.
“Yes, Jax. I love you too. With every fiber of my being, I love you,” she said earnestly.
He grinned and swung her around. Jess laughed delightedly.
“Can I begin to make your wedding cake?” Sally called out.
Jax set Jess on her feet and looked at Sally.
“Absolutely. That is if the lady will marry me,” he said. He looked down at a beaming Jess. “Will you marry me, babe?”
“A hundred times if I need to. Yes, I will marry you,” she smiled brilliantly.
“Wahoo! I will bake you the best cake in the world!” Sally exclaimed.
“You are truly my sweet love,” Jax murmured.
He then bent his head to show her just how much he loved her.
The End
