13. Nova
Nova
I was really doing it. I was moving in with Jax. Officially. Last night, after we’d packed way too many of my clothes into suitcases, we’d called my parents.
Dad had arranged to have his newest and latest security system installed at the townhouse while we were gone.
Mom, of course, had wanted to start talking paint colors and decoration ideas. Thankfully, Dad cut her off and told her it was late and he knew we had to catch an early flight.
When we got to the airport, we were surprised to learn that our seats have been bumped up to first class again, thanks to Kit. Sitting in the luxury chair, sipping a mimosa, I leaned back as Jax took my hand in his.
“You know, I could get used to perks like this,” I said, between sips. “Maybe I could afford to flirt a little with Kit?”
“Guys like him…” He stopped and shook his head slightly. “Something tells me he won’t take no for an answer.”
I thought about it for a few seconds and realized he was probably right. For the most part, I’d dated nice guys all of my life. Still, I’d heard horror stories from friends who hadn’t been as lucky as I was.
Then I thought back to how Sofia had just been kidnapped by an ex-coworker who had become obsessed with the idea that she was the reason for his downfall.
For the rest of the short flight, I thought about this idea that Kit could become obsessed with me. The signs were already there. The flowers, the emails, the job offers. It all lined up.
How was I supposed to do our job, gaining his attention and the attention of the board he oversaw, in hopes that he’d sign with the agency I worked for? What would happen if we did win the account? Having to deal with him for years might prove tiresome.
By the time we landed, I had a slight headache.
Maybe it was from the two mimosas and the fact that all I’d had to eat that morning was some fruit.
After gathering our bags at the baggage carousel, we spotted a man in black holding up a sign with our names on it.
We were helped into a long black limo and offered more drinks.
Instead, I suggested we stop off somewhere for some breakfast and coffee before heading to the hotel.
The driver seemed a little put off by the request, but stopped at a Starbucks so we could run in to get coffee and some egg bites, along with a lemon cake.
By the time we pulled into the hotel, I was feeling slightly better.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Jax said after we closed ourselves into our room.
“Just a slight headache,” I said, setting my smaller bag down on the bed. “I want to unpack and maybe lay down for a few minutes.”
“Sure. I can head down and get you something more to eat?” he suggested, lifting the heavier of the bags onto the bed.
“Maybe. I think it was the mimosas,” I said with a sigh.
“We should watch how much we consume on this trip. Last time, I think it was Kit’s mission to get you drunk,” he said, unzipping the bag.
For the next half hour, we filled the closets and drawers in our smaller room.
I wondered how Kit had taken the news that we wouldn’t be staying in the suite this time.
The man didn’t seem to understand how to take no for an answer.
Which is why I was determined to play it safe on this trip.
I’d debated flirting with him or at least using some small tactics I used when winning over new clients, like complimenting him.
When everything was put away, I shut the curtains, toed off my shoes, and laid on the bed while Jax ran downstairs to get us some real food. We could have ordered room service, but he needed to make a few calls and decided I needed some quiet time.
I had just closed my eyes when there was a knock at the door. Thinking that Jax had forgotten his key, I rolled off the bed and opened the door.
I was surprised at the huge bundle of white and purple flowers before me. Then Kit peeked over them and smiled at me.
“Welcome,” he said, walking past me and carrying the flowers inside.
He glanced around with an obvious look of distaste and set the flowers down next to the television.
“I tried to upgrade you to the penthouse—the concierge said that you specifically requested ‘standard luxury.’ Standard! As if you belong in a room where you can see the door from the bed.” He made a tsking sound.
“Say the word and I’ve got the suite all ready for you. ”
“I’m fine, we’re fine, really,” I added, really wishing I hadn’t had that second mimosa.
He glanced around once more, and then his gaze landed on me.
I could tell that he wasn’t really seeing me—the headache, the travel weariness in my eyes and my body.
Instead, he tilted his head as a slow smile filled his lips that reminded me of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what you have for me this trip.
I just adore it when you get that sharp, focused look—it’s captivating, honestly.
Still, it’s a crime that you’re wasting that energy trying to ‘pitch’ me on behalf of an agency.
” He took a step toward me. “Why don’t you skip the middleman? Work for me directly.”
He was less than a foot away now. He lowered his voice slightly.
“Just think about it: late-night strategy sessions, direct access to me and the board. Not to mention, traveling on my private plane, staying in penthouse suites instead of”—he motioned around—“lower rooms. We’d be unstoppable together.
And off the clock?” His hand came up and brushed down my arm.
“Well... we can figure that out as we go.”
I stopped myself from taking a step back, not wanting to draw his ire.
“While I appreciate the offer, I am under contract with Gold Standard Media for another two years,” I said easily.
Jax and I had talked about this, what to do in case Kit backed me into a corner.
After all, it wasn’t really a lie. Every employee was under contract at GSM.
However, these contracts didn’t necessarily have an expiration date.
It just stated all the things we could and couldn’t do while working for the company, legally speaking.
His smile slipped slightly. Then he waved his hand. “Details. I have enough lawyers on retainer to handle anything necessary.”
“Again, thank you, but I’m happy where I am,” I said, feeling my headache grow. When was Jax going to be back? Not soon enough.
He shrugged and then smiled again. “I guess I’ll just have to prove to you how much better off you’d be here,” he said, his hand still on my arm.
“Dinner tonight. I’ll have the details to you soon.
” He leaned closer. “I’ll have something delivered”—his eyes moved over the simple cotton button-up shirt and yoga work pants I always traveled in—“that will suit the evening.”
Without waiting for my response, he turned and walked toward the door. Just as he opened it, Jax stepped up outside holding a bag of food and some drinks.
“Oh, it looks like Jax is here to drop off some drinks and food for you. Don’t spoil your appetite for later.” He winked at me and disappeared through the door, bypassing Jax altogether.
“What in the hell?” Jax said, stepping in and shutting the door behind him.
Then his eyes landed on me and he set the food down and rushed to my side. “Are you okay?” He took hold of me as I closed my eyes and rested my forehead against his chest.
“What took you so long?” I groaned.
“I had to stop off and get you some Tylenol.” He rubbed my shoulders.
“I’d kill for some Tylenol right now.” I groaned.
He pulled away and rummaged through the bag. He opened the bottle of Tylenol and handed me two pills and the drink he’d brought along.
I swallowed and then held onto him again when he pulled me close.
“Are you okay?” he asked after a moment.
“Yes. Nothing a very long nap won’t cure,” I admitted.
Before I could respond, he lifted me up, carried me to the bed, and set me down gently. “Food?” he asked.
“Depends.” I eyed the bag.
“Burger and fries from that place you liked last time we were here.”
“Food. Then rest.”
After eating more than half the burger and all the truffle fries, I curled up next to Jax, who was sitting on the bed, working on his laptop.
I woke a few hours later, feeling much better. Refreshed. Jax was fast asleep next to me, his arm around my waist.
I wanted to stay there all night as the heat outside cooled and the lights all turned as bright as the desert sun.
I knew that the city was just now coming alive outside.
My mind returned to what Kit had said. His offer.
I was just about to roll out of bed and head to the bathroom when a knock sounded at the door.
Jax jolted awake. “I’ll get it,” he mumbled, and headed toward the door.
A man stood on the other side of the door, holding up a large black garment bag and another bouquet of flowers.
Jax took them both and shut the door.
“Looks like Kit strikes again.” He sighed and set the flowers next to the other ones. “He’s going to fill this room soon,” he warned as I walked over and took the garment bag. Hanging it up, I glanced over at Jax.
“I’m sort of afraid to open this,” I said. I’d relayed what Kit had said to me while we’d been eating our burgers earlier.
“Do it. If it’s bad, you can wear one of the many dresses you brought along. If not, at least you might get something I can appreciate.” He chuckled.
I unzipped the bag slowly.
The first thing I saw were the flowers. The black material was covered with gold, pink, green, yellow, and green floral patterns.
I removed the short dress and gasped.
“It’s an Oscar de la Renta dress,” I said, seeing the tag. The hand-printed tag read, ‘Mixed Botanical Embroidered Tulle High-Low Bustier.’
The dress was short. Not too short, but cocktail short. I held it up and looked in the mirror. The skirt flared out, bell shaped, with a scalloped tulle hem line. The neckline was low, but not too low, and there were thin almost fragile-looking straps with more floral designs.
It was… stunning.
“Well, that’s surprisingly pleasant,” Jax said from behind me. Then he looked at the tag and whistled. “He obviously wanted you to know how much he thinks of you.” He showed me the price tag.
“I should head downstairs and return it,” I said, still holding the dress up to my body.
Jax chuckled. “That’ll show him.” He shook his head. He stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Wear it tonight, but keep your eyes and your hands on me instead.”
I smiled. “That will drive him nuts. We do want him to sign with us, right?”
He sighed and kissed my neck. “Yes, but we shouldn’t have to sell you in the process.”
I hung the dress up in the closet next to my far less expensive gowns and stepped back into Jax’s arms. “I happen to know that that little boutique in downtown Denver only signed with you because”—I grabbed his butt, smiling—“the owner really enjoyed this part of you.”
“Roel is a fiend.” He chuckled. “And you are wrong.”
“Oh?” I questioned.
He smiled. “He liked every part of me.”
I laughed and kissed him.
“When are we supposed to meet him for dinner?” he asked between kisses.
I shrugged and pulled away to grab the note off the flowers. I quickly read it and groaned. “He’s having someone pick us up in an hour.”
“Plenty of time.” He reached for me, but I sidestepped him.
“No, it’s not.” Panic filled me at the thought of matching the shoes I’d brought along to the dress. Did I have any jewelry that would go with such a thing? What about makeup? What should I do with my hair?
He cupped my face and kissed me until I relaxed. “Go get ready. You know it only takes us men mere minutes compared to all you women have to deal with.”
“Later we can fight about equality of genders.” I held up a hand. “For now…” I kissed him again and then disappeared into the bathroom.
A little under an hour later, I stood in front of the mirror in the new dress and was shocked at how good I looked.
“I feel like Cinderella,” I said to Jax, who was getting ready in the bathroom.
“That dress looks nothing like her ball gown,” he called out to me.
“No, I mean, it’s as if this dress was made for me.” I glanced at my reflection from the side and saw his head poke out from the bathroom door to watch me.
“Wow,” he said softly. “Like a glove. You look…” He paused as his eyes ran over me.
“Everyone always says amazing. Come on, Mylonas, come up with something unique.”
He smiled, his eyes meeting mine in the reflection. “Delicious.” He practically growled it.
Then he stepped out from the bathroom and my mouth watered.
He hadn’t put on his jacket yet, and his white button-up shirt clung to his chest. The charcoal gray pants fit him like a glove.
His hair was still damp, and he’d brushed it back, away from his face.
He’d left the day’s stubble, making him look dangerous and sexy as hell.
“We’re quite the pair,” I said, stepping up to him.
“I’m going to wrinkle and smudge you,” he warned, but I brushed my lips across his.
“That’s why I’m bringing that.” I motioned to my clutch purse. “Backup.” I moved to kiss him again just as there was a knock at the door.
“That’ll be our ride.” He sighed. “Ready?”
I grabbed my purse as he tossed on his jacket.
“Ready.” I nodded.