Chapter Five
Theo
A week passed without Jaxon appearing at Sweeny’s, which confirmed my suspicions that his visit had only been a ploy to get me into bed. And while my heart had said hell to the yeah at the idea, my brain had switched on and taken over with rational thought. So I’d kicked him out.
It would be wonderful to have Jaxon inside me, but to see him ignore me afterward wouldn’t be worth the risk to my heart. As inexperienced as I was, being with a man like Jaxon had the potential to ruin me for anyone else.
Better paradise unknown than paradise lost.
I poured drinks and gave them to Freddy, who, as I’d hoped, had jumped at the chance for more hours and now worked the weekends in addition to Mondays.
“Great crowd tonight,” he remarked, lifting the drink-filled tray.
I’d taken a bartending course and had expanded the menu to include some fancy cocktails.
More and more women had begun to come to Sweeny’s, not only for the half-priced drinks on Ladies’ Night but also with their boyfriends or husbands to watch the games, and they wanted more than beer or well drinks.
“Yeah. Between football, hockey, and basketball, and the New York teams in the thick of both races, people are in a good mood, which means more drinks and food.”
“Especially when they win.” Freddy grinned. “Bigger tips for us.”
I gave him a thumbs-up, and he departed.
I noticed Kane and Starr at a table of deputy sheriffs, and once again couldn’t help but wish for someone who really wanted me—not someone who thought I was desperate enough for sex that all it would take was dinner at a nice restaurant and I’d be so thankful I’d hop into bed with him.
And yet…I wasn’t certain I’d say no a second time if he asked. I wanted to know what it would be like. A sophisticated man like Jaxon Polaris would teach me about passion and lust. I didn’t expect love.
Watching Starr press a lingering kiss to Kane’s neck, I could almost feel it, but it wasn’t Starr’s mouth on my bare flesh I wished for. Sure, I was proud of myself for not falling into bed with Jaxon, but pride didn’t keep me warm in the middle of the night.
“Can’t have it both ways,” I muttered as I wiped the bar and refilled the bowl with snack mix. “You blew the one shot you had. He probably found someone else to play with.”
A roar rose from the crowd watching the hockey game, and people were high-fiving each other and clapping. Laughing, Tony approached the bar.
“These people. You’d think they know the guy personally.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Ripley Tremaine of the Blades scored a hat trick and now holds the all-time scoring lead for Blades centers. Pretty awesome, considering he’s close to forty.”
“Yeah, some of us old guys still got it,” I joked.
“Yes, we do,” a husky voice spoke at my shoulder.
Heat rushed to my face, and I drew in a deep breath and exhaled, hoping my blush had subsided when I turned around to face the speaker. Jaxon smiled at me.
“Hi, Theo.”
Even the way his mouth said my name was sexy. My heart pounded, and I stammered, “H-hi. Grey Goose on the rocks?”
“Yes, please.” His smooth voice slid over me like warm melted chocolate as he swung onto a stool.
Tonight, he was dressed in casual clothes—a hoodie, faded jeans that looked painted onto his powerful thighs, and a shearling jacket.
While corporate Jaxon was always hot, dressed-down Jaxon almost had me swallowing my tongue.
I reached for the bottle, and Tony waved me to the opposite side of the bar.
“Three Molsons. Listen, I know you’re going to say I’m wrong, but the guy is into you. Why don’t you give it a chance and see where the night takes you?”
I scooped ice into the tumbler, poured the vodka, and squirted soda for Jaxon. “Thanks. I’ll see.”
“Sure.” He made a face. “I know that means ‘Shut up, Tony,’ but you need to get out of your head and see what’s right in front of you.”
Handing him the bottles, my lips twitched. “Right now, what’s in front of me is you. Here are your beers.”
He huffed but walked away, and I took Jaxon’s drink to him, intending to leave immediately.
“Theo, wait.”
Turning, I straightened my shoulders to stifle my inner longing.
“Y-yeah?”
I hated that his nearness caused me to stammer like a nervous teenager. I waited, my stomach doing flip-flops.
“I don’t like that you assumed I was asking you to dinner only to get you into bed with me.”
Oh, God.
“Shh.” Had anyone heard what he said? A quick glance showed the others at the bar had their attention fixed on the television screen. The fire of embarrassment scorched me from the inside out. “Forget about it,” I managed to choke out.
“No. I don’t want to. Can we go somewhere for a cup of coffee after you close up? I…I’d really like to talk to you.”
From across the floor, I spotted Tony watching me, so I deliberately positioned myself to hide my face. I wouldn’t put it past him to lip-read my conversation.
“It’s kind of late for coffee.”
“Then tea, a muffin…come on. I want to explain.” He spun the glass in his hands. “We can go to the Blue Bird Diner. We won’t be alone.”
“Explain what?”
At his devastating grin, my damn stomach did one of its crazy swoops again. “A good lawyer never reveals their hand too soon.”
In spite of everything, I smiled. “You’re not going to stop bothering me until I say yes, are you?”
His blue eyes twinkled.
“All right, all right.” Hands up, I gave in and backed away. “I have to get to work. Do you want anything else?”
“Nope. I’m good as is.”
You sure are.
I hurried to the opposite side and pretended to stack glasses. Freddy passed by with a tray of plates from the kitchen.
“He ask you out?” At my stare, Freddy shrugged. “Tony told me he likes you. And you’re all red.”
I ducked my head. “It’s hot in here. And no. We’re not going out on a date. Just to the Blue Bird after I close. For coffee.”
“News flash, Theo. That’s a date.”
“And those fries are getting cold,” I pointed out. Shaking his head, he strode away.
The final hour of the evening passed by uneventfully, and my customers left happy, since the Blades blew out the Icers and the New York Hoops won their game. Jaxon nursed his drink, and by the time Sweeny’s had emptied out, he’d slipped on his jacket and was waiting by the door for me.
“My butt was getting numb sitting on that barstool for so long,” he joked when I joined him.
“Sorry, but I have to make sure everything is done right and all the switches and the ovens are off.”
“I get it. Ready to go?”
“I guess so,” I replied, keeping my gaze on the ground.
“Your enthusiasm is overwhelming me. Come on. I’m parked on the side.”
My shoulders hunched against the sharp chill of the wind, I walked slightly behind him. He stopped in front of a Range Rover and opened the door for me.
“Thanks,” I mumbled into my scarf and climbed in, sniffing the luxurious leather of the interior. My car was a fifteen-year-old Toyota that had seen its share of snow and ice.
Jaxon took a seat beside me, and there was no need for conversation as it was only a five-minute drive to the diner. Inside the Blue Bird, I saw Jet and Harte, who waved at me. Dammit. I couldn’t walk by them without stopping.
“How’s it going?” Jet called out as we approached.
“Good. What’re you doing here? I mean…” I winced at how that came out.
Jet laughed. “I picked Harte up at the train station. He came back from a scouting trip, so we decided to stop for coffee and some pie.”
Harte smiled at me before asking, “Just closed up for the night?”
“Yeah. I, uh…”
“Theo and I are having something hot to drink as well.” Smooth as always, Jaxon immediately knew what to say. “Good to see you. Kings are looking like they’ll be in the thick of it again this year.”
“They are,” Harte agreed. “Dev and Brody are out west doing the play-by-play, but they’re coming home for a GAINS fund raiser Wednesday night at their house.” He paused. “You’ve got a standing invite to come, Theo. I hope you’ll be there. You too, Jaxon.”
“I…I’m not sure. I don’t really understand sports, or know anyone who’ll be there,” I added, thinking about all the times Jet and Harte had tried to set me up at their benefits and how every one of them had failed miserably.
“You’ll know us,” Jet said kindly. “And there are plenty of people you’ve never met we can introduce you to. You’ll have a good time.”
“Thank you for the invite,” Jaxon answered. “And you can come with me, Theo. Two non-sports people should stick together.”
I didn’t miss the slight arch of Jet’s brow.
Harte gave him a thumbs-up. “That’d be great. Look forward to seeing you both.”
“I’m not—” I started, but Jaxon put his hand on the small of my back.
“We should let these guys finish their coffee and get some ourselves.”
I felt his touch through my jacket and sweater and could only nod. I mumbled some semblance of good-bye, and we were seated in a corner booth. Julie, the server, came by with a coffeepot.
“Hiya, guys. Fill you up?”
“Yes for me, but Theo, you wanted hot chocolate? Or tea?”
“T-tea is fine.”
“Sure. I’ll bring you a cup. Anything to eat?”
“I’ll take a toasted corn muffin,” Jaxon said. “Do you want anything?”
I shook my head. “I’m okay, thanks.”
Julie bounced away, and Jaxon took a sip of his black coffee.
“Wh-what did you want to talk to me about?” I asked.
“It can wait a minute. You were busy tonight. I admire you, and I’m not just saying that to be nice. It’s not easy to run a business on your own.”
As always, I found it hard to take praise. “Thanks. I upgraded stuff after I took over from my father, but I’m thankful for the steady customers. Fall and winter are busiest with all the games.”
“You have a devoted clientele, plus you’re the only game in town for at least five miles. That makes it easier. I don’t mind driving a bit, as Overlook or Harmony Rock are a little farther out for me.”
“Oh.” My eyes met his. “I didn’t know…I mean, I thought you lived here in Appleton Falls.”
“Sometimes it feels like I live in my office.” He chuckled. “But I do live here, just on the outskirts, in that condo development near the Thruway.”
“The new high-rise? It looks so out of place. I remember the community board meetings opposing its construction.”
“Yeah. I’d like a single-family home, but with my schedule I’d never have the time to take care of it. Plus, having a doorman and cameras gives me protection. Occasionally, I get threats.”
Shocked, I met his eyes. “Threats? Like, from people you put in jail?”
He nodded. “Just because they’re incarcerated doesn’t mean they can’t still cause trouble.”
I’d never imagined things like that could be real. I’d thought they only happened on television or in the movies. “Wow, I’m sorry to hear that. It must be scary.”
“It makes me angry. I’ve been told I should carry a gun.”
An involuntary shudder rolled through me. “Violence never solves problems. It only creates more.”
Julie returned with Jaxon’s muffin and my tea.
“Thanks.” Jaxon gave her a perfunctory smile. “I agree, but I can’t allow myself to become a victim.”
I dunked my teabag before taking one of the honey packets, squeezing it in, then stirring it. “I-I understand. I’m sorry you have to live like that.”
He laced his fingers together. “I’ll admit I’m not happy about it, and yet…I’m about to make a decision that will thrust me even more into the spotlight.”
“Oh. What’s that?”
I sipped my tea. It was nice sitting with him in the warm diner, with other people around us. It made me feel part of something, even if we were merely having a conversation. Despite what Freddy said, this wasn’t a date.
“I’m thinking of running for the bench. One of the Supreme Court judges is being appointed to the federal court, and I’ve been approached to put my name on the ballot to replace them.”
That wasn’t what I’d expected to hear. I was prepared to listen to a lecture on not putting myself in dangerous situations, not something private. I was happy for him because it was obviously a huge step up, but I had to wonder why he was sharing such important news with me.
“Wow, congratulations. That’s a big honor.”
“Thanks. But there’s a catch.” He drank some coffee. “My opponent is a family man. Someone who, even though he claims to support gay rights, plans to use my gay, unmarried, unattached status against me with constituents.”
“That’s not fair.”
A humorless laugh escaped him. “True, but it’s politics. Anything goes. He’s going to play up the fact that I’ve been seen partying with numerous men over the years.”
Confused even further, my brows drew together. “All that isn’t nice, but why are you telling me? No offense, but I’m nothing more than your occasional bartender.”
Red spots appeared on his cheeks, and he chewed on his lip for a moment. To see Jaxon uncertain was a first. I kind of liked it.
“I have a proposal for you.”