Chapter 36
JAX
We bid the team goodbye and make our way onto the seaplane. The engines make it impossible to talk, not that I have much to say.
As they say, actions speak louder than words, and Kat’s actions this morning were pretty clear.
Last night was a one-off, never to be repeated.
I’m taking it she expects professionalism.
Well, Ms Frazer, I can give you that in bucket loads. Professional is my middle name. It’s what I’ve built my reputation on.
We make it to the main airport and are driven to the Frazer jet.
Claudia is waiting to greet us, her smile a welcome sight.
“Ms Kathryn, Mr Jaxson, welcome on board. It’s good to see you both. I hope you’ve enjoyed your trip. Please let me know if there is anything I can get you.”
Kat greets her and heads onboard, moving to the back of the plane.
I throw my bag onto one of the chairs near the front, dropping myself down at one of the tables.
I’m too fired up to sit and make polite conversation.
I’m not sure what to say, anyway.
What do you say to the woman who, less than twelve hours ago, was screaming your name as she came hard around your cock, while riding you bareback? To all but ignoring you, hours later.
Shit.
The memory of my cock sliding in and out of Kat uncovered, her desire coating me, glistening in the light. My cum lining the walls of her pussy, dripping out of her.
I choke back the memory to stop myself from moaning.
I drop my chin to my chest and close my eyes, willing away the growing pressure building behind my eyes.
I open them to find Kat with her nose buried in her laptop. Her pendant clasped in her hand.
I exhale quietly.
Time to begin finessing my proposal. It may be two, nearly three weeks away, but I’m sure there are other things that’ll need my attention once I return to reality. I’ve stayed off the grid since coming here, with only upper management having the ability to contact me in case of an emergency.
I check my email, and the download count is going up and up.
My gaze shifts to Kat, but she’s still in the same position.
Claudia appears.
“Can I get you anything to drink before takeoff?”
I glance up and smile.
“A beer,” I say.
She smiles in her usual manner. “Of course.”
If she thinks anything is off, she doesn’t let on, instead she moves towards Kat and asks the same question.
Kat turns her head, but her gaze skims over me. I miss what she orders, but Claudia smiles and heads back into her area.
She returns a few minutes later and places a bottle of beer and a glass next to me.
“Thank you,” I say.
She moves to Kat, placing what looks to be a fruit juice in the drinks holder.
Kat looks up and smiles.
Claudia says something before she retires.
I place the beer to my lips, taking a long drag on the bottle, returning my focus to the three hundred plus emails I’ve amassed in my absence.
“Last night—”
“Don’t you dare say it was a mistake,” I snap, closing my laptop before swivelling to face her.
Kat raises an eyebrow. “I was going to say, it was inevitable. Our sexual chemistry has always been off the scale, even before everything that happened. Add the destination, our situation, our passion for the new project.”
“Inevitable?” I repeat the word, seeing how it rolls around my mouth and off the tongue.
There’s a definite bitterness.
“We’re both passionate people, Jax. We’ve had a busy few days, yesterday with the trip, playing tourist. I just think it would be a mistake to take it any further. We both have a lot of commitments, things people need from us. I think—”
“Speak for yourself, Kat. Don’t make your excuses mine. Fine, if last night was a onetime only fuck, so be it, but own it.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do,” her eyes flash. “Why are you being like this?”
“Pissed?” I ask. “Difficult?”
I sigh.
What’s the point?
Telling her I can’t simply forget the best sex of my life makes me sound sad and desperate.
“Okay, princess, have it your way,” I say. “And before you ask. Yes, I can be professional, and no, I won’t tell the board, or your brothers how hard you came around my cock.”
“Don’t be crude.”
“Not crude, factual. As I said. I’m a professional. It’s how I’ve built up my company, made my money. You don’t need to worry, I’m not willing to jeopardise that, even for you.”
Silence descends between us.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got several hundred emails to work my way through, and I want to finish the proposal.”
There’s an indent on Kat’s lower lip where she’s bitten down on it.
Her gaze locks on mine before she drags it away, returning her attention to her laptop.
I exhale softly and reopen my computer, hoping upon hope, that there’s something in my emails that can distract me from the woman sitting only a few seats away.
I wake with a start.
“We’ll be landing soon, Mr Jaxson.”
“Thank you, Claudia,” I say, straightening up and running a hand over my face.
I scan the cabin, but Kat is nowhere in sight.
Was my snoring that bad?
The door to the bedroom opens, and Kat appears looking fresh-faced.
“All yours if you want to freshen up. It’s about thirty minutes until we land.”
I unclip my buckle and drag myself from my seat. I’m not sure how long I’ve been asleep.
I made it through a chunk of my emails before deciding I’ll head Stateside tomorrow. Play it safe, and put some distance between myself and Kat… for both our sakes.
“Thanks, I will.”
I brush my teeth and wash my face. A shower can wait.
I re-enter the cabin and return to my seat. The air pressure is changing as we begin our descent.
“Are you staying with Cal and April?”
“No, I’m going to head back to New York. There are a few issues that require my attention,” I lie.
“I thought you were taking a step back?”
“A step back, not totally disengaging. It’s still my company. I’m just choosing to get involved in the more urgent and serious matters. Not the mundane.”
She nods.
“What about you?”
“I’ll head into the office once I’ve dropped my belongings at the hotel.”
“On a Saturday evening?”
“Get ahead of the chaos. December is one of our busiest months. Parties, conferences, people away on shopping trips. Until Christmas Eve, customer turnover is thick and fast. Everything needs to run like clockwork. If not, it can easily fold like a pack of cards.”
The seatbelt sign pings on, and the pilot’s voice comes over the tannoy.
The wheels hit the ground, and we cruise towards one of the hangars.
I look out of the window and spot Mason waiting for me. Freddy, Francesca’s driver, is also there.
When we come to a halt, Claudia reappears.
I stand up, grabbing my things. I want to put as much distance between Kat and me as possible.
“Thank you, Claudia. Have a great Christmas,” I say, smiling at her.
“You’re welcome. You too.”
I move to the door and make my way down the steps. Mason steps forward, reaching out to grab my bag. I hoist it higher on my shoulder, and he shrugs.
“Thanks anyway,” I say with a smile.
“Good trip?” he asks, holding open the rear door.
“Informative,” I say.
“Thank you.” Kat’s voice echoes across the tarmac.
I turn to face her.
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”
I turn and climb into the car, not waiting for a reply. Mason closes the door. The blackout glass allows me to see but not be seen.
Kat stands at the foot of the steps, watching as Mason climbs into the driver’s seat. She’s still there when we drive off.
I drop my head back against the seat and close my eyes, shutting out the world.
Mason and I would usually talk, but today I’m all talked out.