Chapter 1 #2
My handsome, god-like man steals my attention and my fear subsides. I study him in awe as he releases himself into me.
His head presses against the seat and his eyelids squeeze shut. Every muscle in his chest flexes. Even the tendons in his neck tighten. His orgasm must be powerful because it takes a moment for him to relax and his rapid breathing to settle down.
He caresses my ass cheeks and his eyes hook with mine. “Tell me I’m not being careless with you and we have nothing to worry about.”
My throat constricts and my stomach spins, but I force a flirty smile. It’s not likely an issue, so tonight I choose silence because I want love over logic.
“Nothing, Jax. I would have stopped you if you did.”
He nods and his expression softens. “This would be less stressful if you could take birth control.”
“It’s impossible. I almost died taking the pill and I’ve had adverse reactions to everything else I’ve tried. My doctor won’t risk giving me anything that could be dangerous to my health.”
“I understand that, Livianna. I just wish you’d give the copper IUD another try.”
“My uterus has a difficult shape for insertion, and the last time she tried, I was in so much pain…” My chest empties with my excuses. “I’ll have her try again at my next appointment.”
He glances down for a brief moment. “That won’t be necessary. We’ll continue the rhythm method and use…”
“Why did you stop talking?”
“No reason.” He nudges me. “Let’s get you clean and cared for.”
“I didn’t plan this and have nothing to wipe with.”
He reaches into the front of his jacket for his pocket square, pulls it out, and hands it to me. “It’s not much, but it will tide you over until you can use the restroom.”
I take it from him and maneuver it between my legs, careful not to get any of our bodily fluids on his pants. He shifts, encouraging me to hurry. I climb off with a knot forming in my gut.
He’s usually nurturing and cuddly with me after sex. Even if he likes to boss me around, he’s always gentle afterward.
We get ourselves presentable without any words spoken between us. The air around us grows thick and heavy.
I’m confused. He’s come inside me before, not knowing if we were safe, and he didn’t act distant like he is. But maybe he still knows my cycle even though I use an app to track my periods.
I adjust my blazer, settle against the seat, and try to ignore the iron forming in my chest. His reaction is throwing me off.
I twist to face him. “Is something bothering you?”
He swallows and stares at me for a little too long. He shakes his head and sends me a warm smile.
Intertwining his fingers with mine, he caresses the tops of my knuckles. “I’m sorry. It’s not you.”
“Then what is it? You haven’t been yourself since yesterday.”
“I know. I’ve just got a lot on my mind, and that business call didn’t help.”
“You can talk to me.” I squeeze his hand. “You don’t have to keep it bottled up inside.”
“Agreed.” He leans forward, presses his lips to mine, and then pulls back. “We can discuss it later.”
“Really?” Bubbles in my stomach rise, causing me to grin. “You’re ready to share what you deal with at work?”
“I always discuss business with you. I’m your mentor.”
“That doesn’t count. That’s how we explain why we spend so much time together and why I have an office in the same building, directly across the hall from yours.”
With a subtle nod, he flashes me a look of agreement. “You’re right.”
“Does that mean you’ll talk to me tonight about the real issue?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
The car stops and the divider comes down.
David peeks over his shoulder at us. “We’ve arrived. The valet will open your door and I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.”
The back door opens. We exit the car, go inside the bistro, get seated, and I politely excuse myself to go freshen up.
I’m in a powder room alcove and almost done reapplying my lipstick when someone enters. I glance through the reflection of the mirror and my pulse skyrockets.
Zara Blackthorn, my childhood nemesis, struts in. She catches my gaze before I can pretend not to notice her.
My stomach fills with lead. This isn’t going to end well.
She snickers, flips her brown hair over her shoulder, and joins me at my side.
“If it isn’t Livianna Hemings.” She rests her hip against the counter, peering over at me. “Are you in LA to get back into acting?”
Growing two inches taller than my tiny five-foot-three stature, I slide my lipstick back into my clutch and face her. “Not that it’s any of your business, Zara, but I have no intention of going back into that convoluted industry.”
“Then why return where you no longer belong?”
“My family lives here, and if you must know, my brand is doing well. I’ve decided to open a design house here in town.” I send her a smug smile.
“Oh, that’s right. I read somewhere Jaxon Crowne was helping you with your fashion aspirations.” She releases an indignant puff of air. “What’s he getting out of it?”
Of course, she’s been keeping tabs on me. It’s her mission to destroy me.
I grit my teeth. “He’s mentoring me.”
“Why you?”
“Because I asked.”
“You’re still the same. Always using people to make yourself feel important. Call it mentorship if you want, but we both know what it is.”
“It has nothing to do with feeling important. There’s not a business out there that hasn’t received help from others.”
“Right.” She lifts an eyebrow. “The question is, what are you giving him in return?”
“He’s a family friend.” I glare, wanting to kick myself for even responding. “I’ve had enough of this boring conversation. If you’ll excuse me, I need to return to my da—meeting.”
Evilness spins in her eyes. “Jaxon Crowne’s a family friend? Hmmm.”
Dammit! She must have seen me come in with Jax.
She taps her pointy French-tipped nail against her chin. “It has a familiar ring to it, doesn’t it? After all, Cash Mayze is your brother’s best friend.”
I want to lunge and tear her hair out, but rein it in. “That was very different.”
She shrugs. “Sure it was, but just in case, be careful getting involved with family friends. It could end disastrously if you’re not.”
I seethe inside. “Zara—”
“What am I thinking? You already know that. Just look at what happened between you and Cash.” She waves me off. “Enough about that. We don’t need to bring our sordid love triangle into current events.”
“Fuck off, Zara.”
I shoulder check her as I storm away. She stumbles to the side.
“Anytime you need a history lesson, I’m here for you.” She laughs. “I’m sweet like that.”
With my blood pumping fast, I almost rip the door off the hinges as I stomp out.
That woman is the living incarnation of the devil. And worse, she’s out for my blood.
If I thought my night with Jax was going to end with a happy ending, this run-in is likely a prelude to my demise.