Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
JAXON/JAX
Then
The Allure of Gold & The Bombs That Follow
She strikes, static in her smile, a storm on her lips, and I taste the ending before she even kisses me.
“Jax! There you are.” Livianna straightens out her gold metallic slip dress and tucks her black clutch under her arm. Her blue eyes sparkle as she struts my way. “I was afraid I’d lost you.”
My stomach flips and my pulse picks up. She’s more beautiful every time I see her.
I shake off my attraction. “You seemed upset when you left, so I came looking for you.”
“Such a gentleman.” She grins and gestures to the bar. “Would you mind if I get something to drink? I left my other one at the table.”
“Of course not.” I lead her to the line. “How are you getting served?”
“Gia’s agent gave us wristbands so it wouldn’t be a problem. Besides, the last one was given to me by the owner himself.”
“Oh, Mateo ordered for you.”
“Either he or Hunter did. It doesn’t matter who. They both have a stake in the venue, so I should be okay to get another.”
“In that case, what would you like?”
“A double vodka soda.” She bats her long lashes and places her palm on my chest. “That way I don’t have to keep coming up here.”
“Livianna! Hi. It’s been so long.” A young lady about her age waves to her. “Come over here and tell me what you’re up to.”
Livianna glances at me. “You don’t care if I say hi, do you?”
“Take your time.” I turn sideways to let her by.
She steps away and gives her friend a hug. They have a brief discussion as I wait in line.
Hunter joins me. “Do you mind if I cut in?”
“Regarding what?” I dip my head to Livianna. “Her, or getting a cocktail?”
“Both.” He laughs under his breath as his desire-filled gaze settles on her backside.
My stomach turns to a solid rock. “Don’t you think she’s too young for you?”
“She’s legal, isn’t she?”
“Yes.” I frown at how easy it was for him to see himself with her. “What happened to you and Ava?”
“She’s still around.” He addresses me. “From your tone, I gather it might be a problem if I try my hand with Livianna.”
“It’s not that, Hunter. I’m friends with her family and don’t want it to fall back on me when you break her heart.”
“What makes you think I’d do that?”
“You always say you don’t want a relationship. You’re a known playboy. It doesn’t take much for the scenario to form.” I clear my throat of my growing frustration. “And you just admitted you and Ava are still dating.”
He releases a small growl. “We’re not an item.”
“That’s why you’ve been linked to her since I’ve known you.” My sarcasm is obvious.
“Forget I said anything, Jaxon. I’ll keep my distance from Livianna.”
We inch forward and I change the subject. “Where did Mateo go?”
“To the restroom. He’ll be right back.” Just as he answers, a tall, beautiful blonde taps him on the shoulder.
He turns and his expression goes cold. “Ava. We were just talking about you. What are you doing here?”
“It’s a media circus. I thought the exposure would be optimal for me tonight and had your assistant add me to the VIP list.” She holds out her white-gloved hand as if telling him to kiss the top of it.
Given his icy reaction to her presence, I’m surprised when he does. “Of course this event is one you’d want to attend. Forgive me for not sending you an invitation myself.”
“It’s fine.” She lowers her arm. “Just get me a glass of white wine and take me to meet some of your press connections.”
She brings her attention to me. “Hi. I’m Ava Aldridge.”
“I figured.” I dip my chin in acknowledgment. “Hunter and I have been friends for a while.”
“Oh, that must mean you’ve seen me and Hunter on the cover of different magazines throughout the years.” She runs her palm down his bicep.
“No, I haven’t. Sorry, but other than business or investment magazines or publications, I don’t pay much attention to the media.”
“Ava, Jaxon isn’t in the entertainment industry.” Hunter rubs his neck. “He was invited tonight because he has an interest in one of the companies that sponsored the event.”
She flashes me an unimpressed smile. We make small talk and get to the bar where we order our refreshments.
Hunter and Ava excuse themselves and get lost in the crowd. I approach Livianna just as her friend gets swept away by a group of people.
“Would you like to find a place to sit?” I give her the double vodka soda.
“Thanks.” She takes it. “If we can find a table, that would be wonderful.”
I glance around the room. It’s bursting at the seams with people I don’t recognize. Mateo comes into view, sitting at a table with Gia.
I gesture to them. “They saved us a couple of spots.”
“Thank God. I thought we were going to have to stand for the next two hours.” She saunters toward them.
As she does, my gaze is drawn to her body. Her dress has long spaghetti straps holding it up and drapes low in the back.
She has two dimples above her hips right above her perfect round ass. She’s sinfully desirable and I couldn’t deny it if I tried.
With a need to feel her skin against mine, I place my palm on her lower back and guide her across the room. “I must say, Livianna. You designed this dress like a masterpiece.”
“Why do you say that?” She peeks over at me.
“It was clearly made for you.”
“Considering where we are, I had to create something that would stand out.”
“You succeeded beyond that.” My heart beats a little faster. “You’re absolutely beautiful. No one here can take their eyes off you.”
She blushes and tucks her long, thick, curled hair behind her ear. “Thank you, Jax.”
“For what? Telling you how it is?”
“No, for the compliment. I wasn’t sure I’d ever hear you say something like that to me after what happened on the beach when we ran into each other.”
My breath catches in my throat, remembering how close I came to kissing her that day. I adjust my collar. The only reason I stopped myself was because I realized she was high on something.
I segue. “Like I’ve said before, your brown hair color is a stunning choice. It makes you look more professional.”
“You don’t like it when I dye my hair?”
“I do, but I prefer how naturally pretty you are.”
We get to the table and I pull out a chair for her next to Gia and away from Mateo.
Livianna sits and peers up at me with a genuine twinkle in her eyes. “I like you when you’re kind.”
“Are you saying I’m not?” I sit next to her.
She shrugs. “You can be…standoffish at times.”
Gia places her hand on Livianna’s shoulder. “Where were you? I looked everywhere and couldn’t find you.”
“I had to use the restroom. Then I ran into one of my old crew members.” She points to the side where a group of people congregate. “Don’t worry about me. I won’t ditch you.”
“I know, but…” Gia rests back and drops the subject.
Livianna leans forward and addresses Mateo. “I have a question for you.”
“I’m all ears.” He gives her his full attention.
“Cindy, Jaxon’s…” Livianna peeks at me and then directs her statement to Mateo. “I don’t know what she is to him, but that doesn’t matter. What I’m getting at is she told me about your sex clubs.”
He straightens his back. “What about them?”
“Would you ever let me into one?” She moves her purse from her lap and puts it on the table. “I’m specifically talking about Elite-Sinsations. Only the best and most private would be what I’m interested in.”
He pauses for a moment. “I could get you access to one that isn’t in the States. The States have a strict twenty-one and older policy. Why? Do you want to purchase a membership?”
I tense and pray she says no. How the hell can I change the subject without looking like I’m panicking?
“I heard they’re expensive.” She tosses him a flirty stare. “Do you ever run specials on your fee?”
He lifts a shoulder to his ear. “If you aren’t ready to make that big of a financial commitment, maybe I could give you a season pass so you could try it out and see if you like it.”
Shit! This can’t go this way. What the fuck is she up to?
With my heart jumping out of my chest, I insert myself into the conversation. “Mateo, I wouldn’t offer that. It’s too risky given her age.”
She snaps her head to me. “Stop trying to be my daddy. I already have one and don’t need another.”
“That’s not what I was doing.” I take a deliberate calming breath. “It’s just… Places like those…”
Fuck me. I can’t get out of this.
All I know is Livianna can’t work her way into a membership at Elite-Sinsations. Not if I want to keep my thoughts about her on an appropriate level.
They were already straying into the danger zone. Imagining her there and me restraining her while I take a lap over her wet pussy…
Stop thinking, Jaxon!
“Here’s what I’ll do, Livianna.” Mateo takes a card out of his jacket and gives it to her. “Call my team and they’ll give you the specifics. To be honest, I’m not too involved in that side of our business. I don’t know what they’ll need to get you set up.”
“Thank you.” She takes it and slips it into her purse. “I look forward to speaking to them.”
I down my whiskey and adjust my pants to make room for my unruly erection while I take my gaze to the TV screen. This night almost took a turn for the worse. I need a minute to gather my senses.
The three of them talk as I get myself back in control. We still have another hour and a half before the clock strikes midnight.
I should find someone else to mingle with. The only problem with that idea is I don’t know anyone else here and I refuse to bring in another year alone. I’ve done that too many years in a row.
I rise to my feet. “If you’ll excuse me. I need another drink.”
They all nod as I leave the table. While I’m waiting in line, Livianna gets up with her vodka soda and her purse in hand. I can’t help but watch her disappear out of the event’s entryway.
Where is she going?
I hate to admit it, but I want to know exactly where she is tonight. I’m disgusted with myself and my forbidden desire for her.
Gia joins me at my side. “Hi, Jaxon. Do you mind if I stand with you?”