Chapter 8
Jaxon stared at the spreadsheet on his computer screen and didn’t see anything. It all blurred together. He blinked and shook his head. He’d been at work too long. He glanced over at the floor-to-ceiling windows of his LA office and took in the dark sky.
“Shit, where did time go?” he muttered. He ran a hand along his face and pushed back from his desk. He strolled over to the window and gazed out at the scenery below. Downtown Los Angeles was a mixture of soaring skyscrapers and rich culture. There was nothing like it. He watched the hustle and bustle below. Even though the sun had gone down, it was still busy.
Here it was, a Friday night, and he wasn’t out on the town. It’d been six weeks since he’d left Bora Bora a changed man. The Jaxon Keith of the past would be out partying, wining and dining some pretty woman with long legs and plenty of cosmetic work. He had thought that was the type of woman he desired, but he’d discovered that wasn’t the case.
He liked his women au naturel with big brown eyes, wide hips, thick lips, and perfectly melanated.
Jaxon ran a hand across his face. Since leaving the tropics, he had only seen Sofie in passing a few times. She had been avoiding him. It pained him to think that she hadn’t wanted him. He never would have thought it would be him, pining after a woman. He’d had his share of women and never revisited any of them. It had been years since he had even attempted a relationship.
To think, the one woman he had contemplated starting a relationship with hadn’t wanted anything more than the few stolen nights they’d had in secret. He had tried going back to his old ways, but each woman he’d taken out lacked something. He couldn’t help it.
Jaxon found himself comparing all of them to Sofie.
He could have stayed in Cleveland, but he knew if he had, it would have been expected of him to be around his brother and family. With Sofie and Alana being best friends, she would have been there, too. So he’d decided to hop on their private jet and head out west to their California-based office. There had been plenty of work. Primetime Sports Management was growing at record speeds.
The shrill ringing of his cellphone bit through the air. He spun on his heel, tearing his gaze from the beautiful city life and snatched his phone up.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” his older brother’s voice greeted him.
Jaxon chuckled. If only London could see him now.
“You may want to sit down for this one,” Jaxon said. He perched on the edge of his desk. Between the two of them, it had always been London who was the workaholic. Jaxon had learned so much about this business from him. Hard work led to being able to play hard, which Jaxon had always excelled in. “I’m still at the office.”
“Holy shit. Who am I speaking with?” London joked.
Jaxon joined his brother in laughter. This was an uncommon occurrence that he found himself repeating as of late. He just couldn’t keep his mind off Sofie, and to keep him occupied, he worked late and even on the weekends.
“Did you fall and hit your head or something?” London asked.
“Nope, not at all. There’s just a lot going on here,” Jaxon replied. He undid his tie and tossed it onto his desk. It was after hours, and there were no more meetings he was needed at. He opened the first couple of buttons on his shirt and folded up his shirtsleeves.
“And you know we have an exceptional team out in LA that can handle the work. You don’t have to do it all on your own,” London said, his voice becoming serious.
“Now it’s my turn. Who are you and what have you done with my twin?” Jaxon snickered.
It would seem the tables had turned. He was the one who always berated his twin for working late and on the weekends. Marriage had turned out good for his twin. He now took more time away from the job and spent it with his family.
Jaxon yearned for what London now had. Only that would mean finding someone who was worthy of giving his last name.
Sofie’s face appeared in his mind.
She was a good woman, strong, intelligent, and extremely sexy. Those nights spent between her thighs had become addictive. Their last night together, after having made love for a few hours, he’d just held her the rest of the night until the sun had risen. One last kiss, and he’d snuck out of her bungalow and made his way back to his.
“I had a wise man educate me that work will always be around,” London said.
“So what’s up? I doubt you are calling me just to see what I’m doing.” Jaxon was curious as to the nature of this call. Not that he minded. They were as close as twins could be and spoke at least once a day. Jaxon took one look around his office and agreed with London.
Work will always be around.
He moved around, gathering his laptop and a few other things. He packed them away in his leather computer bag and left his office. The hallways of Primetime LA were empty. The sounds of a vacuum echoed through the air, alerting him that the cleaning crew was present.
“You never answered my invitation.”
Jaxon pressed the button to the elevator. London had texted him a week or two ago about the birthday party he was throwing for his wife. Jaxon had yet to confirm because he knew without a doubt Sofie would be there.
“Invite?”
“You know what I’m talking about,” London snapped.
Jaxon could hear the frustration in London’s voice.
“What is your problem?” London asked. “We come back from Bora Bora, and I have barely seen you. It’s like you’re hiding out in LA. Did we do something to offend you?”
Guilt filled Jaxon. The elevator door slid open silently. He stepped in and hit the button for the private garage. The doors closed, sealing him in the small car. It wasn’t like them to go too long without seeing each other. Growing up, they’d always been together. As twins, they shared a bond that was unexplainable. Jaxon sensed the hurt and confusion through London’s voice, but he had to put some room between him and Sofie.
“Of course not. I’ve just had a lot on my mind,” he admitted. He hadn’t shared with London that the woman he had been seeing in the tropics was his wife’s best friend. He’d never really kept a secret from him before, and it was killing him. London was in a relationship and would be able to offer him advice on what to do about Sofie. Hell, what to do about getting her to give them a chance.
This was all new territory for him. Jaxon was used to women tripping over their feet to be with him. He’d never had to pursue a woman in such a manner before.
“It doesn’t have anything to do with that blonde from the island, does it?”
“No,” Jaxon automatically replied.
Bindy was a good woman who had her own issues to deal with. Jaxon was just happy he was able to lend an ear and make her smile. Their platonic relationship would always remain on the island. They had not shared contact information before leaving.
“It’s just some other shit. Nothing for you to worry about, big brother.”
“Well, come to Cleveland. We can chill and work through whatever shit is bothering you,” London suggested. Being the elder of the two, London always had to be the one to make sure he fixed whatever problems Jaxon had in life. “I got a new import of cigars that I’m dying to open but will only do it when you get here.”
London knew his weakness. There was nothing like a good cigar, a glass of fine whiskey, and watching a game or movie. Their father and grandfather had introduced the boys to fine cigars when they’d been younger. Jaxon could still remember the first time he and London had sat around a fire pit with the elder Keith men enjoying their first cigars. As Jaxon grew older and wealthier, he could afford the imported cigars of countries from around the world.
“When is the party?” Jaxon asked. He stepped out of the elevator and made his way to his expensive sports car. He slid into the vehicle, and the aroma of fine leather assaulted him. He tossed his bag onto the passenger seat and turned the car on. His call immediately switched over to the hands-free option.
“Tomorrow, and I expect you to be here with a gift for Alana,” London said.
Jaxon snorted. “Like she would want anything from me,” he joked. He had purchased his sister-in-law a gift that he knew she would love.
“You better be here.”
“I’ll be on the first flight tomorrow.”
“I’ll send the jet to pick you up.”
Jaxon grinned. If his brother was going to send their private jet to him, then the elder Keith meant business.
“Yes, sir. I’ll be there with a gift,” Jaxon promised. He would deal with the Sofie situation. If London wanted him there for his sister-in-law’s birthday party, then he would be there. They disconnected the call, and Jaxon had to admit, he felt slightly better after speaking with him.
Putting his car in gear, he navigated through the garage and out onto the street. A few of the agents had invited him out for drinks. He had at first turned them down, but now he believed he would take them up on the offer.
“ G lad you could join us.” Brad slapped him on the back.
Jaxon had arrived at the nightclub that he and some of the other agents frequented. They were regulars here and had hosted plenty of clients at the exclusive club.
Even though it wasn’t late yet, the crowd was thick. The music was thumping, and the air was electric. Jaxon turned around with his drink in his hand and leaned back against the bar. There were plenty of beautiful women, and hopeless men trying to gain their attention. The dance floor was packed with people moving to the beat.
“I figured I couldn’t let you fuckers have all the fun,” Jaxon teased.
Brad elbowed him, barking a hefty laugh. “Let me guess. You have to set an example as one of the bosses.” He snorted.
“You know it.” Jaxon laughed. He knocked back the rest of his drink, the burn of the alcohol sliding down his throat. He turned around and signaled for another one from the bartender.
She jerked her head in a nod, grabbing a bottle and strolling over to him.
“That was quick. Someone must be trying to party hard tonight.” Her dark hair was pulled back away from her pale face. Her ruby-red lips curved up into a devious smile. Her shirt was low-cut, showing off her ample bosom. She leaned over onto the counter, putting her cleavage on display.
“Work hard, then it allows one to play hard,” he replied. He turned around and pushed his empty glass toward her.
“That’s a good motto to live by.” She poured him a hefty amount before lifting the bottle. She sent him a wink and leaned farther onto the counter. “I get off in an hour. I can always come by and help you party.”
“My friends and I should still be here by then.” Jaxon grinned and tipped his glass toward her.
She glanced down at another patron trying to summon her attention. “I’ll look for you.” She spun and walked away.
Her skirt barely covered her ass, and her heels were high. He had to get Sofie out of his mind, and it wouldn’t hurt to start with a willing barmaid.
Even as he thought it, a foul taste appeared in his mouth. He took a sip of his drink and welcomed the burn of the expensive whiskey.
“Come on, boss man. Let’s go join the others.” Brad motioned for him to follow.
They arrived at the VIP section where other members of their team were gathered. The waitress was dropping off drinks for them.
“Put all of their drinks on my tab,” Jaxon announced.
Their appreciative cheers went up in the air.
Jaxon lost track of how many rounds they had drunk. The music was blaring through the speakers, women came and went from their area. The bartender, Aimee, had joined him as promised. She sat next to him, leaning against his arm.
The night was full of entertainment. A few dancers came over and stood on their tables, thrusting and gyrating their hips to the beat of the music.
A night out was what Jaxon had needed.
“Hey, boss. Smile for the camera,” Brent shouted over the music.
He held up his smartphone and snapped a picture. Aimee leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. He leaned back on the booth and spread his arms out behind him. Someone had gifted him a cigar. He held it in his left hand while bringing it up to his lips. Ashton moved on, snapping pictures of everyone else. Jaxon was feeling the effects of the alcohol.
“I love the smell of those things,” Aimee said. She leaned completely into him, resting her hand on his chest.
“Is that so?” he asked. He inhaled, turning his head away from her to blow out the smoke.
“Why don’t we get out of here?” She bit her lip, her wide eyes locked on him.
Jaxon stiffened. He couldn’t even believe he was hesitating. Here he was, having a good night out with the fellas from the office, beautiful women hanging around with them and one even offering to take him home.
This should have been a win-win situation, but he just wasn’t feeling it.
“I’d love to, but I can’t,” he found himself saying.
Her smile died, and she sat back away from him.
“Really? Like, are you married or something?” she asked.
“More like a something,” he admitted.
“Oh, well damn. We could have had some fun.” She recovered and smiled again. She reached inside her bra and pulled out a small piece of paper. She put it in his hand and enclosed his fingers around it. “Well, if that something turns out to be nothing, call me.”
She leaned in and pressed a small kiss to his cheek. She got up and waved, disappearing into the crowd. He slid the paper into his pocket and reached for the bottle of whiskey sitting next to him. He lifted it and took a swig, turning his attention to the women dancing before him.
Yeah, he was going to have to do something about this Sofie situation.