Chapter 28
JAX
Irest my palms against the shower wall and drop my head forward.
What the hell just happened?
My body is still pulsing from the feel of her semi-naked body pressed against mine, not to mention the memory of my hands on her skin, rubbing in the sunscreen, or her hands sliding over my back. My cheek still throbs where I was forced to bite down hard, to stop myself groaning.
I take my time showering, pulling myself back into the here and now, all I can think about is Kat, sitting stretched out on the sun lounger in next to no clothing. Her silky smooth skin, her tight ass, her endless, toned legs.
I moan, sinking my head under the spray.
When I’m done, I turn to the window. She’s still sitting with her back to me. I sigh and pull on my clothes.
“All yours,” I say through the open door.
She swings her legs onto the floor and stands up. My gaze travels up her legs to perfectly toned thighs. My eyes travel higher over her flat stomach to her pert breasts. I swallow before my eyes meet hers. She’s stopped. Her cheeks flushed, her breathing uneven.
“I won’t be long,” she says, squeezing past me.
“No rush,” I say.
She pauses, but obviously thinks better of whatever she’s going to say.
“As I said, I won’t be long.”
I continue into our bedroom. Our bedroom.
I’ve got used to the sound of her gentle breathing over the past couple of nights, how the bed dips when she turns over despite the wall of pillows between us.
Today was a turning point. Something changed between us. What that means going forward, I don’t know. But when she talked about hiring a male escort, I stopped myself from growling. A bitter taste rises in my mouth at the thought of someone, anyone touching her.
Kat reappears in record time, her hand at her ear as she clips in her diamond earrings.
“Ready?” I ask
“Absolutely. I’m starving.”
She smiles, and I return it with one of my own. She’s been smiling a lot more recently.
I move to the door and hold it open for her. She steps through.
I offer her my arm automatically. She catches my gaze, sliding her hand through mine, her touch electrifying.
We continue in silence.
Kat stops, looking down at the reef sharks that frequent the jetty at this time of night.
They twist and turn, swimming over and under one another.
An audience of guests has formed.
Kat turns and watches the sunset behind us.
“It’s so peaceful,” she says wistfully.
“It is,” I agree. “A lot more peaceful than central London or New York.”
Kat chuckles. “Anywhere is more peaceful than central London.”
She slides her arm back through mine, stepping into my side as we make our way to the outside restaurant.
The head waiter shows us to our table before taking our drink order.
“Penny for your thoughts,” I say after a while.
Kat looks up and smiles.
“I was just thinking how different it is here. The hotels in London and the other major cities are full of sightseers and business people. This is somewhere to come and relax, chill out. FHG has so many branches. Corporate and holiday, they cater to very different clientele, but can attract the same. Business guests should be encouraged to take their vacations where they can relax or partake in a sport, we need to give them options.”
Kat’s eyebrows furrow.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Do you ever stop, slow down or switch off?”
She drops back in her chair and crosses her arms over her chest.
I hold up a hand.
“It’s not a criticism, I mean… Don’t you ever simply let go and relax?”
She inclines her head.
“I’m not sure I know how to anymore,” she admits. “Do you?”
Our eyes lock, and I see sadness in their depth.
“A question with a question,” I say. “But that’s okay. And to answer your question. No, I didn’t know how to.” I lean forward. “Until recently, I was exactly like you, all about work, I never delegated, I was involved in every project, no matter how big or small.”
“What changed?”
“Dillon got sick, and it forced me to re-evaluate. I realised I was heading for burnout. I was getting less and less sleep, answering calls at all times of the day and night. Flying to the next emergency or meeting.”
Kat inclines her head. “I’m guessing there’s more.”
“I got the flu. Simple as that. It knocked me on my ass. I mean, I was completely bedridden for two weeks, and then needed another week to recover.”
Kat’s eyes raise.
I smile.
“When I finally came back, three weeks later. I realised the company hadn’t crumbled in my absence. The men and women I employ had kept the cogs turning beautifully. All my clients were happy. They even sang the praises of the teams in my absence.”
“You just stepped back?” Her tone is incredulous.
I grin. “It wasn’t quite that easy.”
Kat laughs, the sound warming me from the inside. “I can imagine.”
“But I have begun delegating. While I was working on Caleb and April’s plans for Lofton House, I handed over the reins.”
“And?”
“It still didn’t fall apart.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“Partly,” I admit. “I needed to see if it was a fluke.”
“What’s the other reason?”
“Your project is fascinating, and I want to be part of it.”
Kat’s eyes drop to the table.
“I need it to work,” she admits. “It was the last proposal I gave Dad before…”
I place a hand over hers, giving it a squeeze.
Her eyes meet mine, and she turns her hand over, squeezing back.
“What we have done over the past few days,” she sighs. “The board and our investors are going to love it. Thank you.”
A figure appears next to our table.
Kat withdraws her hand, sliding it into her lap.
“Mr Baskin,” she says.
“Ms Frazer. I just wanted to let you know that your belongings have all been moved.” He places a keycard on the table, and my heart stutters.
“Thank you.”
He smiles widely. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“No, you’ve been very kind. Please thank the team.”
“Of course.”
He turns and nods in my direction. “Mr Lockwood.”
“Mr Baskin,” I say.
When he leaves, I turn to Kat.
“You’ve moved out?”
“He called earlier, while you were in the shower,” she says. Her gaze is not quite meeting mine. “He let me know the villa is ready. That they’d move my belongings while we’re at dinner.”
“You didn’t say anything.”
“Does it matter? You’re getting your villa back.”
Something in my chest squeezes as my stomach drops.
Does it? Matter?
There I was thinking we’d made progress.
Kat straightens her knife and fork. I focus on the movement, so I don’t say something I might regret.
Kat looks up, her hand moving to her chain, twisting and sliding her pendant up and down.
She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “You should be happy. You get the bed and bathroom all to yourself. No more tripping over that damned daybed.”
My eyes lock with hers.
I shrug.
“Fine,” I say.
Kat leans back and crosses her arms over her chest.
“Is there a problem?”
Not, what the hell is your problem, Jax?
“No problem.” I force a smile. “It’s just a surprise. I didn’t think it was going to be ready quite so soon,” I say with a shrug.
Stay cool, calm. Is it a problem?
If she can’t see it, then I’m not going to point it out to her.
Something flashes through her eyes. But it’s gone before I can decipher it.
Before either of us can say anything else, our waiter appears to take our order.