Chapter Twenty-One
Theo
“Do I look okay?”
Nerves popping, I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom. I still wasn’t comfortable surrounded by all these lawyers and judges, but at least Alison assured me we’d be sitting at the same table.
Jaxon walked up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist.
“Okay? You’re gorgeous.”
“Stop. You don’t have to say that.” I smoothed out a wrinkle in my shirt. “I just don’t want to look like a hick meeting all those people tonight.”
“I never say what I don’t mean. You fit in wherever you are. Don’t doubt yourself.” Jaxon met my eyes in the mirror. “You are fucking perfect, and everyone is going to be jealous of me.” He kissed my neck, and his erection pressed into my ass. “We could blow off this dinner and stay here in bed.”
How was this my world? Not long ago, I’d been bemoaning my ordinary life and lack of sex. Now I was with a man who made me tingle from head to toe, staying at a five-star beach resort, and mingling with judges.
“I think we have the next few days to accomplish that.”
“Mmm. I can’t wait. You and me, alone at last.”
“Along with ten thousand other people at the theme park,” I pointed out, laughing.
“Not in our suite. I only have eyes for you,” he sang, and I winced.
“Ouch. I finally found something you’re not great at. Don’t give up your day job to become a lounge singer.”
“Rude.” He pinched my ass and went to finish getting dressed.
I’d have been lying if I’d said I wasn’t nervous walking into the dinner.
For whatever reason, being in love with Jaxon—words I still couldn’t believe I could say—made me more self-conscious.
Would people look at me and wonder what he saw in someone with only a high school education, who owns a townie bar?
Jaxon was destined for great things in the state and maybe beyond.
He deserved a partner who’d complement him and be able to help him.
At the squeeze of his hand, I glanced at him.
“Stop overthinking. You’re exactly who I want.”
“Are you a wizard? H-how did you know what I was thinking?”
“Because I’ve spent a lot of time with you, Green Eyes. When you’re worried, you get this cute little wrinkle, right there.” He drew the tip of his finger between my brows. “Plus, you chew your lip, and you need to stop because I have plans for that mouth later.”
I slapped him lightly. “Stop that.”
He winked at me as we entered the ballroom where couples already congregated in small groups. Everyone looked beautiful, and I gazed down at my suit.
“You look hot. And, if you want, you can buy another suit and some different ties. Trust me, though. No one’s looking at what you’re wearing. They’re all staring at that sexy butt.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” I huffed, but I wasn’t really annoyed. I was enjoying myself too much. For the first time in my life, I was on the inside instead of standing with my face pressed to the window of everyone else’s life.
We joined Paul and Eddie and Judge McCourt and Alison, who were in a small group with another couple. Alison introduced us.
“Joyce and David Benson, this is District Attorney Jaxon Polaris and his boyfriend, Theo, who also happens to be one of my dear friends.” She smiled at me. “Joyce is a criminal court judge in Albany, and David owns One More Bite, a coffee shop downtown.”
“Now that’s a business where I’d eat all the profits,” Jaxon joked.
“Only if they have corn muffins,” I pointed out. “Jaxon is obsessed with them.”
“We make our own muffins as well. Plain, blueberry, and other flavors.”
“Where’s your store?” Jaxon asked. “I might have to make an inspection and do a taste test between yours and Dolly’s, Appleton Falls’ best.”
Joyce linked her arm with David’s. “We’ll send you some. That’s how we met. I’d stop in every morning for a coffee, and he’d always slip a cookie or something sweet in the bag. I started wondering if he’d ever ask me out and was debating whether I should do it myself.”
David shrugged. “She was a judge, and I was just a coffee shop guy. But she was so sweet and gorgeous, I figured I’d better shoot my shot before someone else did.
So I got up the nerve and made a special giant fortune cookie with the question, ‘Will you go out with me?’ inside.
” His eyes were tender and caressed her face.
“I couldn’t believe it when she said yes. ”
“My father worked in a factory, and my mother was a salesclerk at the mall. I’d never look down at anyone.” Her eyes twinkled. “Plus, free cookies for life? I’m no dummy.”
We all laughed, and servers stopped by with hors d’oeuvres and flutes of champagne. I couldn’t resist, and we toasted to the wonderful weekend we’d had.
“Theo owns a very successful sports bar in Appleton Falls,” Jaxon offered, and I chuckled.
“That’s because it’s the only bar in town.”
David shook his head. “Nah. You’re obviously doing something right; otherwise, you’d have competitors.”
The lights flickered, and a man in a tuxedo stood at a microphone.
“Everyone, please. It’s time to take your seats. Dinner is about to be served.”
“Great,” Jaxon said as we sat. “I’m starving. I worked up an appetite this afternoon after the final lecture.”
“Oh? I didn’t see you in the gym,” Paul remarked as he took a roll and buttered it.
“No. I prefer to exercise in my room.”
The dim lighting thankfully hid my burning face.
When he’d finished the scheduled conference activities, Jaxon had returned to the room, stripped us both naked, and sucked me off for what felt like hours before putting me on all fours and pushing his dick in me, fucking me until my legs had given out and I’d collapsed face-first in the bed.
There were two empty seats at the table, and Paul gestured to them. “Anyone know who’s supposed to be sitting there?”
I hoped it wasn’t George Winston and his wife. During the conference, anytime we were all together, I’d seen him hovering around Jaxon, often with a tall, older man.
“No idea,” Judge McCourt stated and started in on his salad. “Jaxon, I’m going to have you talk to Cindy Wolf—you know her, correct?”
“The head of the party? Yes, of course.”
“Good. She’s going to give you a schedule for the months leading up to the election. I hope you have stamina.”
“Anything we can do to help, let us know,” Joyce added.
“Count us in as well,” Paul said. “We need someone like you—young, with fresh ideas, and in touch with the community—on the bench.” As if in pain, Paul winced. “Not that we don’t also respect the great minds that came before us and—”
“Save it, Paul. I’m not offended.” Judge McCourt chuckled, and Paul’s embarrassment melted away. “After all, I’m the old guard bringing in the new. Will you excuse Jaxon and me for just a moment? There’s someone I need him to meet.”
They left, and I ate my salad, listening to the rise and fall of conversation around me. Alison inhaled sharply. “Oh, no.”
“What’s the matter?” I set my fork on the plate.
“Debra’s here. And I can tell she’s drunk.” She gestured to the entrance, where I spied Debra swaying. “I told her to skip the dinner and sleep it off, but she obviously didn’t listen to me.”
“She’s so unhappy. It’s sad.”
“It’s been like this for a long time. She and her husband drifted apart.” Alison pursed her lips and shook her head. “And now she discovered he’s had affairs with students over the years.”
Horrified, I gaped at her. “That’s terrible. But why stay? She should divorce him.”
“She loves being a professor’s wife.”
Debra walked toward us, unsteady on her feet, and I breathed a sigh of relief that she made it to her seat without falling on her face. She dropped into her chair and gulped some water as a young man stopped by to collect the empty dishes.
“Honey, can you get me a double vodka on the rocks?” Debra purred, putting her hand on his upper thigh. The server froze, uncomfortable but unsure if he could say anything. I felt bad for him.
“I’ll pass that on to your server, ma’am,” he answered before hurrying away.
“Ma’am?” she huffed. “I hate when people call me that. Makes me feel old.”
“Well, we’re no youngsters anymore, that’s for sure,” Alison joked. “I feel that every morning.”
“Speak for yourself, Allie. I bet I could get one of these hot guys in my bed if I wanted to. Like him—the man talking to Sandy. He’s gorgeous.”
With a pained expression, Alison forced a laugh. “No, Deb. You couldn’t. You’re going to meet him anyway. That’s Theo’s boyfriend, and he’s sitting here with us.”
The judge and Jaxon returned to the table, and Jaxon slid into his seat. “Miss me?” he murmured in my ear.
“Mmm,” I hummed and he squeezed my knee.
“Sandy, how are you?” Debra cooed. It shocked me that she’d flirt with her friend’s husband right in front of her, even if Alison wasn’t concerned.
Judge McCourt greeted Debra, concern in his eyes. “Nice to see you. Do you know Jaxon Polaris? He’s the DA who’ll be running for judge. Jaxon, Debra Gunther. Will Lawrence be joining us?”
About to take a sip of water, Jaxon’s hand trembled, and he set the glass on the table. His chest rose and fell at a rapid pace.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered, but Jaxon forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
Startled, Debra fixed Jaxon with hate in her eyes. “You? I can’t believe you’re here. How dare you show your face?”
Conversation died around the table, and Jaxon rose.
“I-I have to go. I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well.” He didn’t wait to see if I followed, rushing out of the ballroom like the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels.
“He has some fucking nerve being here with us,” Debra’s voice raised as she ranted.
“Hello, everyone,” Lawrence greeted us.
“You just missed one of your little friends,” Debra sneered. “I can’t believe I had to be humiliated like this.” She, too, left her seat and stormed off in the direction of the bar.
I got to my feet and addressed the table. “I’m sorry. I should see what’s wrong.”
“Of course. Please let me know if you need anything or if I can help.” Alison offered her sympathy.
“What’s going on?” Judge McCourt asked. “Someone please tell me.”
“I don’t know, but I’d better find Jaxon. Good night.”
I ran out of the room toward the elevators. Because of the dinner, it was crowded, and I had to wait a good three minutes before one came. When I finally got to our room, it was empty.
Where was he?
I searched the bathroom, then spotted a dark shape out on the balcony. Worried, I slid open the glass door. Jaxon didn’t pick up his head to acknowledge my presence. He’d taken off his suit jacket and tie, and his shirt was untucked and unbuttoned halfway down his chest.
“Jaxon? What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
He shook his head but said nothing.
“Can you talk about it with me?” Jaxon braced his hands on the railing, and fear clutched at my heart. “Please come inside with me.”
I held out my hand, but he still didn’t move. Taking slow and measured steps so as not to startle him, I moved in closer.
“What happened downstairs?” I put my arms around his waist, and a shudder ran through him. “Please tell me.”
He held me tight. “I’m afraid. Scared to death, actually.”
I hadn’t thought those words existed in Jaxon’s vocabulary. The strength and self-confidence I’d always found sexy as hell had vanished. He was vulnerable—broken and lost, and I vowed to protect him from whatever demons he was wrestling with.
“Everyone gets scared sometimes. I’m scared lots of times.” I kissed his sleek hair. “If you tell me what it is, I’ll try and help you through it.”
Haunted eyes met mine, and dried tears streaked his cheeks. “I’m going to lose you, and it’s all my fault.”
“Lose me? I love you. That’s not going to change.”
He cupped my face in his warm hands, a sad smile lifting his lips. “It might. I haven’t told you everything about my past. I thought…Jesus, I sound like a babbling fool, like one of my witnesses trying to evade the truth.”
Cold washed over me. “Is that what you’re trying to do? Lie to me?”
“I’ve been running from the truth of what I did for almost twenty years.”
What could be so terrible? Had he committed a crime? That had to be it. There could be no other reason Jaxon was so fearful. I girded myself for whatever Jaxon had to say. I was prepared to stand by his side, but I had to know the facts.
“I think you should explain what you’re talking about. Please, let’s sit and talk about it.”
Resigned, he nodded, and together we left the humidity and the sounds of the ocean and returned to the chill of our air-conditioned room. He sat on the small couch while I faced him, sitting in the club chair.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning? It has something to do with Debra Gunther?”
With trepidation, Jaxon nodded his head, then ran his hands through his hair. “In a way. But please promise to keep an open mind?”
I nodded and waited.