Tryst

by Marie York

  Curiosity tugged at the corner of his sleepy eyes. “Nanny? Where were your parents?”

  “Where weren’t they? Galas, art shows, dinner parties… whatever was the hottest invitation of the week.”

  Jaxon bit into a chocolate chip cookie, and I never thought I could be jealous of a piece of food, but watching his lips close around that cookie had me envious. He took another cookie and waved it at me. “I did not guess you as the trust fund baby type.”

  “Good. Because I’m not.”

  “You had a nanny, and your parents went to galas. To me, that pretty much says trust fund baby.”

  “True, but when I decided to go to the college I wanted to go to, and study what I wanted to study, they cut me off.”

  Jaxon’s eyes widened in surprise, and he picked up my milk, taking a sip. “They cut you off completely?”

  “Every penny. I wound up not being able to afford the college of my choice, and I had to take out a million student loans for a school that wasn’t even in my top five. I haven’t spoken with them since I was eighteen.”

  He held out the box of cookies to me, and, while I usually avoided sugar in the middle of the night, I took one. “Thanks.”

  Realization flashed in his eyes. “Bertha. That’s why she means so much to you. You bought her yourself. Didn’t you?”

  I nodded. “Growing up in the city, I didn’t need a car. Plus, whenever I did, I just used my parent’s car service. When they cut me off, my aunt helped me to get a job. From there I got my license, and then Bertha.”

  “Do you ever miss it? Not the money. But your family. Your home?” he asked.

  Normally, I would avoid the topic. I hated talking about the life I left behind, but this was Jaxon, and, for whatever reason, I wanted him to know.

  I shrugged. “No. Living in the dorm with Dee for four years was more of a home to me than when I lived in a penthouse with my parents for eighteen years. I always thought I’d move back to be near my aunt on Long Island though. I had it all planned out. She was the only family I had left… but she died last year. I guess I don’t really have a home.”

  Understanding flashed across Jaxon’s stunning irises. He moved toward me, and my pulse raced in anticipation of what he would do, but instead of taking me in his arms like I had hoped, he reached above me, and put the cookies back. Disappointment engulfed me as I got an eyeful of the dusting of hair on his stomach that peeked out, reminding me of the glorious package it led to.

  He leaned back, and rested his hand on my shoulder, looking deep into my eyes, deeper than any other person had ever looked, making me feel like he saw straight to my soul. “This is your home now, Lyla.”

  Warmth filled my body and rushed straight to my heart, wrapping around it and consuming me with a sense of belonging.

  He pressed his lips to my forehead, his hand making a slow torturous journey across my shoulder to my arm.

  I glanced up, our lips a whisper away. My breath hitched, and I waited for him to capture my mouth with his. His hand on my arm tightened, and with a final squeeze, he let go.

  “Goodnight, Lyla.” He disappeared down the hallway, leaving me completely alone, and falling even more in love with him.

  Chapter 26

  A group of frat boys sat at the corner booth and whistled when I approached them. I was getting used to the catcalls and inappropriate comments. I knew if I tolerated them, the tip would more than make up for the insolence they doled out.

  So, I plastered on a smile, and gave a wink to the group. “Hi, boys. What can I get you started with?”

  “I’d like a piece of you,” the guy closest to me said. His dark hair had more product in it than a hair salon.

  I didn’t let my smile waver. “Too bad for you, I’m not on the menu.”

  His friends oh’ed in amusement, and I could feel myself securing that tip. I put my pen to my order pad. “What else can I interest you in?”

  He smirked the sleaziest and cockiest of smirks. “I’m willing to pay extra for what’s not on the menu.”

  “Sorry, but it says right here.” I pointed to the fine print at the bottom of the menu. “No substitutes and no special requests. So, how about a drink?”

  The douche gave me a shit-eating grin. “I’ll take an IPA.”

  I took the rest of the table’s order, but the guy didn’t take his eyes off of me. Customers rarely made me uncomfortable, but there was just something about this jerk that rubbed me the wrong way. He almost reminded me of the trust fund assholes I grew up with, who had never heard the word no, and didn’t understand the meaning of it.

  I ignored him, and pushed my way to the bar with my order, passing it to Gary.

  “Looks like a table of assholes,” Tara said, as she placed drinks on her tray.

  “Just the one, but I can handle him.”

  Tara winked. “You put that boy in his place.” She spun around, drinks and all, weaving in and out of the crowd with natural grace.

  Gary gathered all the drinks, I put them on my tray, and made my way back to the table.

  One by one, I placed the drinks down, and when I put the douchebags down last, he grabbed my hand. “Why don’t you meet me out back?” he suggested, loud enough to get his boys to laugh.

  I tore my hand away from his and narrowed my eyes. “I’d like to think I’m a little classier than that,” I retorted and strutted away, playing the game to make the extra five bucks the friends would leave me for shooting their friend down, and giving them ammunition to dog him for the rest of the night.

  I headed to the back, and as I pushed into the kitchen, Jaxon’s hand wrapped around mine, pulling me to him. I stumbled slightly and pressed my hand to his chest to keep from nose diving into his muscular frame.

  “Is that guy giving you a problem?” Jaxon growled and anger filled his gaze.

  I patted his chest and gave him a half-hearted smile. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  His hand rested on my chin, and he urged me to look at him. Dark eyes softened as they took me in, and it was almost too much to know I was capable of bringing that tender side out of him. “You sure?” he asked, his thumb stroking gently across the underside of my chin.

  I loved the concern, but he had nothing to worry about.

  “I’m capable of handling a few rowdy drunk guys. Give me some more credit than that,” I said with a wink.

  “Just… if he gives you any more problems let me know. Okay?” He reached up and tucked a stray hair behind my ear with the rest of the strands. His hand lingered, his stare more intense than ever, but it lasted for only a second before he snapped his hand away, and went back behind the bar.

  For the next hour, I dodged the guy’s grabby hands, and continued to play along with his game. Every time I went to the table, I felt Jaxon’s eyes on me. And, every time I turned around, I met his gaze.

  I headed back to the bar. Jaxon watched me as he dried a glass, his muscles flexing with each twist of his wrist. Too busy staring at Jaxon, I didn’t notice the douchebag move. He grabbed a handful of my ass, and I gasped, totally startled by the unexpected intrusion. I spun around, about to put him in his place, when Jaxon darted in front of me.

  Jaxon grabbed the guys’ wrist, and twisted it back, pinning it to the table. The guy winced, which only made Jaxon twist harder. Jaxon’s eyes darkened and filled with an undeniable rage. “Touch her again, and next time I break it,” he snarled.

  The guys face turned a harsh shade of red as sweat beaded on his forehead. Veins bulged in his neck and his lip curled, baring clenched teeth.

  “You got that?” Jaxon demanded.

  Gary stepped out from behind the bar, and Tara ran to the kitchen. Seconds later, Declan walked out, wiping his hands on a rag.

  Jaxon’s grip grew tighter, and even though the guy was an asshole, I expected his own friends to come to his defense. That didn’t happen, and I worried Jaxon would cause permanent damage.

  “Jaxon!” I yelled, but he didn’t e
ven look at me.

  His grip tightened again, but then he threw the guy’s hand into the table. He towered over the booth as the guy cradled his hand.

  Memories of the night he knocked that guy out because of me flooded my mind. The memories weren’t the problem, though. It was the fact that Jaxon felt the need to always remind me of it, making me feel like I brought it on myself, and was incapable of taking care of the situation.

  I had been on my own since I was eighteen. Handling things, dealing with whatever life threw at me, and to think, for even a moment, he saw me as weak hurt far worse than anything that guy did tonight.

  I didn’t want to watch any more of it. I had enough. I stormed off, needing a minute to myself.

  “Are you okay?” Tara asked, holding my shoulders, and looking at me like a wounded puppy.

  “I’m fine. I just need a minute.” I forced a smile and headed to the stairs. It was the only place I could go to get away.

  I was just outside Jaxon’s office when I heard footsteps behind me. I spun to find him coming toward me with a determined stride.

  “Did he hurt you?” He reached for me, but I avoided his touch.

  “No. He didn’t. And just so you know, I’m not some damsel in distress that needs you to swoop in and rescue me. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. You didn’t even give me a chance to.”

  “That guy was knuckle deep in your ass. What was I supposed to do? Sit back, fucking watch, and wait to see if you had it under control? Fuck that.”

  “Of course not. Instead, you just storm over and practically break that guy’s wrist.”

  “He’s lucky I didn’t break his fucking face.”

  “You didn’t have to…” A big messy ball of mixed emotions clogged my throat, and my words faltered.

  He ran his hands through his hair, the veins in his arms pulsing against hit taut skin. “Are you seriously defending him right now?”

  I threw my arms in the air. “No. I’m just saying that you always jump in, and you make me feel weak. Like you think I’m incapable or something.” I turned away from him, pacing back and forth. “I don’t even know.”

  Jaxon took my hand, pulling me to him, and squeezed it. “Hey, look at me.”

  I glanced up into the beautiful darkness. His eyes were soft and kind and had a way of turning the anger inside of me into unyielding desire.

  “You are not weak. And I definitely do not think you’re incapable. You just have to understand it from my side. Seeing you in any discomfort, watching some asshole trying to take advantage of you, sets this crazy fire inside of me I can’t control. It takes over, and I can’t sit back and not do something. I don’t want anyone hurting you, or even touching you.” He dragged the tips of his fingers down the curve of my face and looked deep into my eyes. “The only person I want touching you is me.”

  I drew in a surprised breath at his confession and I finally asked what I’d been wanting to since the minute I walked into his bar. “Then, why’d you leave me?”

  The question had kept me up at night, consumed my mind during the day and nearly made it impossible to see him day in and day out without begging for answers.

  “I thought last time was different. I thought you’d stay.”

  His eyebrows turned down, confusion running rapid in his eyes. “What are you talking about? I didn’t leave. You left me.”

  “No, you did.” Was he really going to act like I didn’t wake up to an empty bed after a night of some of the best sex of my life? “I woke up in that hotel room, and you were gone. I felt like my heart was torn out of my chest. You promised, and then you broke your promise.”

  He shook his head. “No. I didn’t.”

  “Yes, you did,” I yelled, all patience gone. I was done being a pawn in whatever game he was playing. The pain in my heart that I’d carried with me since that morning was proof enough that he didn’t keep his promise to me.

  “No.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. I watched him curiously as he opened it, and then handed me a folded piece of paper.

  I took the paper and unfolded it. My breath caught in my throat, my heart came to a skidding halt against my chest as I read the words.

  Went to get coffee. You looked too peaceful to wake. As promised, I’ll be back to say goodbye. There’s just one problem. I don’t want it to be goodbye.

  Jax

  “What? No. I…” Confusion swirled in my head, and I couldn’t wrap my mind around this new revelation. “You…you never left me?”

  “Fucking Gary called, and I had to come here. I left a note, so you’d know I’d be back. But, when I got back, you were gone. I thought you did it on purpose.”

  “No, I didn’t. I wouldn’t. I thought… I never saw the note.”

  “You mean to tell me this whole time…”

  Jaxon didn’t finish his sentence, but he didn’t have to. I knew exactly what he was going to say, and I nodded.

  “Fucking Christ,” he muttered just as his hand snaked around the back of my neck, and he crushed his lips to mine. He lifted me up, walking me into his office, and placing me on his desk. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around him, and used my foot to urge him closer. My skirt rose above my thighs, and he took advantage, running his large hands up and down my legs, leaving a burning trail in its wake.

  His tongue plunged into my mouth, and I met him thrust for thrust. Desperation took over, and I reached up, unbuttoning his shirt, needing to feel his skin beneath me. His fingers dug into my ass, and a soft moan slipped from my lips. He broke the kiss, and trailed his mouth along my neck, sucking and licking, teasing me to the point of ecstasy.

  “We should stop,” I said, breathlessly. We both left so abruptly in the middle of chaos. Somebody was bound to come looking for us.

  He growled at me before ripping my underwear aside and sank two fingers into my wetness.

  “Oh my God,” I called out, and hugged him to me, biting down on his shoulder to silence my cries.

  He curled his fingers inside of me, and my teeth sank deeper into his shoulder. “Do you want me to stop now?” he asked, hot against my ear.

  I answered him with a moan.

  “Is that a yes?” He slowed his blissful ministrations and began to pull his fingers out.

  “No,” I whimpered. “Don’t stop.” I reached down and guided his fingers back into me.

  “Trust me, I’m not. I have two months to make up for,” he said, and the thought of all the things he was going to do to me sent me spiraling over the edge.

  His lips caught mine, and he muffled my cries, as he worked his skillful fingers in and out, milking every last drop of my orgasm.

  A knock sounded on the door, and Jaxon pulled his lips from mine, but before he could tell whoever it was to go away, the door flung open.

  “Oh. Wow. I’m sorry. I… I—”

  “What the fuck Gary,” Jaxon yelled, and turned to Gary, using his body to block me from his view.

  I fixed my skirt and sat up. Gary had his hand over his eyes, and went to run out, but ran right into the wall.

  “Ouch. I’m okay. I’m fine. I’m going. Sorry.” Gary disappeared out the door, and Jaxon glanced at me. He walked over to the door to close it, and it was just about shut when Gary popped back in. “Your friends are here. Cole and Dee. They wanted me to tell you. Okay, I’m leaving now.”

  Jaxon slammed the door and ran his hand through his hair. “Fucking Gary.”

  He walked toward me. “You okay?”

  I bit my lip and smiled at the sparks still shooting through my body. “More than okay.”

  “This isn’t over.” Jaxon wiggled his finger between the two of us.

  I shook my head. It wasn’t even close to being over. “You promised me months of making up, and I’m going to hold you to your word.”

  “How about we start tonight? I’ll meet you in your room after I close up.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you.”

  He
took my face in his hands and pressed his lips to my swollen ones. Slowly, he pulled away, and rested his forehead against mine. “This is going to be a long fucking night.”

  “Yes, but it’s going to be totally worth the wait.”

  He went to walk out the door and I called out to him. He turned, hand resting on the doorframe.

  “Why did you keep the note?” I asked.

  His eyes turned down before meeting mine again. “A reminder so I wouldn’t get my hopes up again.”

  “Do me a favor,” I said.

  “Anything.”

  “Throw that damn note out.”

  With a smile, he crumpled the note into a tiny ball, and tossed it in the small wastebasket next to his desk.

  Chapter 27

  The rest of my shift was a never-ending torture. My eyes kept drifting back to Jaxon. I was aware of his every move and looking at him reminded me of the hot hookup we just had in his office. My thighs still tingled. My pussy so unbelievably wet, craving more and throbbing for his skilled touch.

  His eyes met mine, and heat rushed to my cheeks and spread down my neck. I bit my lip and smiled at the memory of his finger inside me.

  My heart raced, remembering the slick caress and the greedy desperation that consumed me.

  “Would you like a napkin to wipe your drool?” Dee asked, snapping me back to reality. She and Cole showed up right after the drama, but she detected right away that something was going on.

  I swiped at my mouth and shook my head. “I’m not drooling.”

  “Lyla, please. You’ve spent more time staring at Jaxon than doing your job, or even talking to me. I’m guessing the living situation is going well?”

  “Oh… y-yeah,” I sputtered as I wiped down the bar. It was nearing closing time. I was done waiting tables, and just helping behind the bar now. In twenty minutes, the doors would lock, and I would get devoured by the hottest man alive. His work rough hands sliding all over my body and his gluttonous mouth tasting every inch of me, licking and teasing until I was screaming in ecstasy.

  It was as if he could see the dirty thoughts in my mind because his eyes darkened, and his hand tightened on the chair beside him.