by Riley Storm
Jax shrugged. “Would you have come?”
“No,” she said immediately.
As if I would come and be your assistant. What do you think I am, Jax Drakon, some sort of lower-class citizen, ready to do whatever bidding just because you’re handsome and wealthy?
It irked her to know that was what he thought of her. That he was willing to go to such lengths to offer her a job, just because he wanted to get in her pants.
Why do they always want me? Especially when tall, skinny Veronica or whatever her name is, is out there waiting in the hallway. He could have her any time he wanted, I’m sure. Yet he insists on giving me the focus instead.
What was it about her that drew in the assholes like that? If she knew, she would change it in a heartbeat for sure, but Sarah had never been able to figure it out.
“That’s why I didn’t say anything,” Jax said softly. “I thought I was doing something nice, helping you out. But it seems you don’t want that. Which is fine, but at least this way, I still get to keep you here as an employee. Likely a valuable one too, unless I miss my guess. I don’t know much about your world, but you strike me as someone who is very good at their job.”
Against her will, Sarah felt herself blush, the warmth in her cheeks a dead giveaway. She couldn’t help herself. Perhaps it was his calm, honest voice, or the fact that she often felt the same way about herself, though she tried not to acknowledge it in hopes of remaining humble. But Sarah had worked hard to get to where she was, and in a field dominated by men, that was no small feat.
“Thank you,” she said once she trusted her voice again, slowly pulling her gaze up from the floor.
Jax was still there behind his computer, the blocky features of his face relaxed into that easygoing smile he so often sported. In fact, she wasn’t sure she’d ever seen him look unhappy. The longer she looked at the lines of his face, the more she realized she didn’t want to either. His face was meant to smile, meant to look positive.
“I’m not trying to flatter you,” he said, catching her eyes and holding them. “That’s just an honest observation. Even if you don’t want to work directly for me, I know you’ll be a positive asset to us here at the Outreach Center, and that you’ll help our clients achieve their goals.”
Sarah smiled awkwardly, unsure what to say in response to such kind words. She still wasn’t going to fall for his charms, but she had to say something in response. Sitting in her chair and staring at him wasn’t an option, regardless of how easy on the eyes he was.
Just staring isn’t the way to go about it at all.
That was when Sarah realized she was staring. This entire time, her eyes had been locked on his, mesmerized by the unusual coloring of them. She wanted to know if it was natural, some sort of birth defect, or perhaps even colored contacts that gave him that vibrant copper coloring throughout the brown of his iris, but she knew broaching such a subject would be unprofessional.
Almost as unprofessional as staring. Suddenly flustered, she looked away hurriedly.
“Is everything okay?” Jax said quietly, speaking into the silence that had fallen between the pair.
“Yes,” she replied quickly. Too quickly. It was a dead giveaway she was lying.
Jax pursed his lips, and she watched him stroke his jaw, her eyes flicking to him and then away repeatedly. Then he was up and standing, walking around the edge of the desk. Sarah stood too, not wanting to give him any more of a height advantage over her than he already had.
“Did you get a reply?” she squeaked, her voice failing her.
“Are you sure everything is okay?” Jax asked, moving in front of her and sitting back onto his desk, so he was closer to her height.
“Of course,” she said nervously, shifting her feet but not moving.
What was going on with her? Why was she suddenly so shy and unable to talk to him?
It was his proximity. He was close to her, practically within her personal space bubble. Sarah was having a hard time dealing with that. There was a tension between them, a tension she knew wasn’t just felt by her.
Shit. I need to get out of here and get out soon.
“You can tell me if there’s a problem, Sarah,” he said gently, using her name.
“I know,” she said, fighting valiantly to keep a shiver from running down her spine at the way it sounded coming off his lips. It was good. Really good.
“I want you to feel welcome here at the DOC,” he said, dipping his head low so that even looking down at the ground, she could see his face. “Is there anything else I can do to make your experience better?”
All at once, Sarah was in a different office, in a different town. But it was the same question.
Her head came up, green eyes blazing with jade fire. “I appreciate the offer,” she said icily. “But I’m not interested in any extra perks that you can offer me.” Her tone made it very clear what she was implying.
Jax reared backward, his forehead wrinkling, eyebrows shooting up. “What?”
“Whatever it is you’re offering to do, I’m not interested in you as part of my welcome package,” she said sarcastically, looking him up and down, trying not to acknowledge the part of her brain that would enthusiastically welcome such a deal.
His package. No. Don’t. Stay away, eyes. Don’t you look there.
She fought mightily to keep her eyes from darting down to his crotch, instead meeting Jax’s stare with open anger.
“Is that what you think of me?” he asked darkly.
Sarah realized she was right. She didn’t like seeing his face when it wasn’t happy. Especially now when it was filled with growing anger.
“You think I’m trying to get you to sleep with me?” he asked incredulously.
A hint of something else appeared on his face, replacing the anger for a nanosecond before he covered it back up again. But Sarah had seen it.
He was hurt by her accusation.
“I think you should leave,” he said gruffly. “That’s not who I am, or what I’m about, but I’m not about to risk a lawsuit. Get out of my office.”
Sarah got up, grabbed her envelope and keycard and headed for the door.
“You’re on Floor G. You don’t need the keycard to get there. Leave it.”
She stopped, surprised at her own reaction to his words. He was revoking her access to his office, telling her bluntly that he didn’t want her to come up there again, to come see him. That she wasn’t welcome.
“Fine,” she said, dropping it on the desk and walking out, using her anger to disguise the sadness she felt at realizing she wasn’t going to see him again. Ever.
She hauled open the door and stormed out into the hallway, ignoring the pleasant smile from the receptionist.
He’s all yours, girl. I don’t want anything to do with him.
Even as she thought it, Sarah knew it was a lie.
10
“Well, well, well,” he said as two figures walked into the kitchen, one of them holding something to her chest. “I was wondering when you would show yourselves. Is that what I think it is?” he asked, nodding toward the bundle.
“It is,” Liz Drakon said, smiling broadly. “If you thought it was Melina Drakon.”
Jax shot to his feet as Liz and her mate Valla approached. “Hello, little one,” he said softly, looking down at the tiny little figure wrapped in soft cloth. “Aren’t you adorable.”
“She’s just wonderful,” Valla said, beaming from ear to ear, as proud a father as one could imagine.
“So clearly, she takes after her mother then,” Jax teased.
Liz giggled while Valla just snorted, too happy to care about the playful insult.
“You two are doing okay?” he asked, looking back and forth at the newborn’s parents.
“Feeling much better now,” Liz said. “The first week was tough.”
He nodded in understanding. Eight days ago, Liz had gone into labor, and the pair had sequestered themselves in their quarters. Doctor
s had come in for the birth itself, and departed shortly thereafter, proclaiming everything to be alright.
Since then, the rest of the House had waited anxiously for the pair to emerge. Only Francis and their nanny, a lovely older woman by the name of Margery had been allowed into the quarters to help, bringing food and aiding with the care of the newborn. Today though, it seemed, the pair were feeling up to coming out and showing off the newest addition to House Draconis.
“Do you want to hold her?” Liz asked.
Jax froze. “Are you sure?” he asked, trying not to let his excitement shine through. “You’re okay with that?”
“Just hold her,” Liz said, grinning widely as she transferred Melina to his arms.
Jax didn’t want to move. “She’s so tiny,” he said, inadvertently starting to rock from side to side as he cradled the sleeping babe. “So small…” He looked up, not bothering to contain the smile on his face.
“You’re a natural at it,” Liz said, leaning her head on Valla’s shoulder.
“Thanks. It’s…been a long time since we’ve had babies around here,” he said, fixing his attention on the chubby little cheeks and stubby fingers as they moved slowly while the baby slept, dreaming its dreams.
“So tell us,” Valla rumbled. “How is it out there? What is it like?”
“Yes,” Liz said, lighting up. “Please. What news. We’re so jealous that you get to go out.”
Jax tilted his head to the side, giving them a vague shrug as he continued to rock the infant. He knew Liz and the other women were suffering under the self-imposed containment. With the vampires so strong and close by, and the shifter houses fractured and unable to do anything to combat the rising evil, it was simply too dangerous for the humans outside of Drakon Keep. They sometimes went out with their mates during the daylight hours, but rarely.
“It’s dangerous,” he said, looking down at the baby he held, then back at Liz. “Very dangerous.”
She shivered and nodded.
“People are going missing with increasing frequency.” He had the reports on his desk to back that up.
“Thralls,” Valla hissed angrily.
“Or full vampires,” he said. “We just don’t know. But they are gathering their strength. We know that much. So don’t be jealous of me,” he said, then glanced down at Melina. “If anything, I am the one to be jealous of you.”
“What do you mean?” Liz wanted to know. “Because we’re parents? It’s not all as wonderful as right now,” she said. “There’s lots of crying. Lots.”
“Not just that,” Jax said remorsefully, continuing to bounce gently from side to side to rock Melina, keeping her fast asleep. “Even just the pair of you. I’m nearly three-and-a-half centuries old, Liz. Yet here’s Valla, barely eighty, and yet already he has his mate, while I am alone. How can I not be jealous?” he asked, trying to keep his tone even.
“Oh Jax,” Liz said, reaching out to rest a hand on his shoulder. “You will find someone. You’re too good of a person not to. The right one just hasn’t come along yet, that’s all.”
“Maybe,” he agreed. “Maybe.”
Visions of a glasses-wearing brunette with bangs flashed across his mind, green eyes practically glowing behind the rims. She was on his mind a lot, ever since she’d stormed out of his office after accusing him of trying to bribe her with a job for sex. It bothered him how things had ended between them, but he really wasn’t sure how to go about fixing it. She didn’t seem to want anything to do with him.
“Changing topics,” Valla said, reaching out to take Melina.
Jax reluctantly surrendered the little bundle of joy back to her father, watching the young dragon stare wondrously at his daughter for a long moment before finishing speaking.
“How did your first meeting go? Are Raptere with us?”
“No,” Jax said heavily. “They are not. The meeting did not go well at all.”
“What happened?” Liz wanted to know, looking concerned. “I thought they would welcome the idea of working together.”
“They didn’t want to see me,” he explained. “I showed up at the gate, and one of their lackeys tried to send me away without even listening to what I had to say.”
Valla snarled silently. “Arrogant swine,” he said. “They always have thought themselves better than all the rest of us. It doesn’t surprise me that they would do that. What did you do?”
Jax shrugged. “I got a little forceful.” He shook his head. “It was the wrong tactic. I should have known better, but I just wasn’t thinking straight.”
He didn’t mention that his brain had been distracted by Sarah, focusing too much of its attention on her, and not the task at hand. If he’d been focused, perhaps now they would be operating with some more allies in the fight against the vampires, instead of the four of them standing alone against the growing darkness.
“That’s not good,” Valla rumbled.
“Tell me about it,” he snapped, not needing the reminder about his failure.
“Aaric will not be happy,” the ice dragon continued.
Jax knew Valla wasn’t trying to put the blame at his feet, but it didn’t matter. Jax blamed himself, because he was the one supposed to forge an alliance, and instead he’d just driven a wedge further between Draconis and Raptere. They were counting on him, and he was letting them down already, letting his own personal issues get in the way.
“I guess it’s a good thing Aaric isn’t my boss,” he said, not caring for the threat implied in it either.
“I did not mean it like that,” Valla said quietly. “You know that.”
“I know,” Jax said, sighing. “I hold nothing against Aaric either. I have known him for a long time, and he is a good man, a good dragon. But it was inevitable that this would happen. He knows it. I know it.”
Valla was nodding. “He’s been awake the longest, has dealt with the threat of the vampires, fought the Nagloshiii and done his best to keep everything from falling apart.”
“He’s done a wonderful job,” Jax agreed. “But I am older than him, and he cannot command me to do anything. I don’t report to him. But trust me when I say I am just as disappointed in myself as he will be. This was my thing to do, my job. Aaric has held the burden of being the oldest for a long time, and I do not fault him for any of the decisions he has made. In fact, I feel sorry for him.”
Valla nodded, but remained silent, as did Liz.
“I won’t fail again though,” Jax vowed. “I won’t fail us all a second time.”
The others nodded, believing him at face value. And why shouldn’t they? Neither of them really knew Jax.
If they did, they’d know he was terrified of screwing it all up and dooming them all.
11
“How was work, dear?”
The questions started the instant she got in the door. Sarah had managed to put them off after the first day, but now it was Friday and she knew she wasn’t going to get off all weekend, that was for sure. She was going to have to answer them eventually.
“It was fine, Grandma,” she said with a smile, shrugging out of her jacket and shoes. “It’s nice to be back doing work again. Real work.”
“So, they have you at a desk, typing on a computer?” her grandmother asked, walking into the room with some biscuits on a plate. “Here. Eat. You need to keep your strength up after a long day of work.”
Sarah bowed her head with quiet laughter. All she did was sit at a keyboard. It didn’t use up a lot of energy or strength.
“Thank you,” she said. “And yes, I’m behind a desk.”
“Did that kind Mr. Jax person put you there?” G-Nance wanted to know as she took the plate back into the kitchen.
“Eventually,” she muttered unhappily. “First though, he wanted to make me his ‘personal assistant’.”
Grandma Mingott poked her head back around the corner. “Well, that sounds very nice of him. I bet that paid nicely, didn’t it? Did you take it?”
; “No, Grandma, I didn’t,” she said. “How degrading would that be? To work as his personal servant? Get his coffee, fetch the mail, take his dry cleaning out. That’s so not me. I’m better than that. I have to believe I’m capable of more, Grandmother.”
Sarah had expected her grandmother to support her in the cause, to understand her reasoning and agree with her, as she always had in the past. So when Nancy Mingott drew herself up straight, a stern look on her face, Sarah took notice.
“What?” she asked. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Not to me,” her grandmother said. “But I’m disappointed in you, Sarah Elaine Mingott.”
That hurt. That hurt a lot. Sarah could handle anger, people being mad at her. Or upset with her, though she preferred people to like her. One thing she could not handle, however, especially from her grandmother, was disappointment in her.
“What did I do?” she wanted to know, feeling the words hit her over and over again, like a blow to the stomach.
I’m disappointed in you.
“You’re treating Mr. Drakon as if he’s exactly like, what was his name, Chadwick, yes, you’re treating him as if he’s just another version of Chadwick.”
“They’re all the same,” she said defiantly, not liking where her grandmother was going with this.
“Really? Did Chadwick spend millions of his own dollars to build an Outreach Center in Boston? Did he pay to staff it before it had clients, injecting even more money and jobs into the local community? What about the mine on the north end of town that the Drakons have invested in and built? Or the community center they’re building in town? Did Chadwick do any of that? The Christmas parade that the Drakons paid for, much to everyone’s delight, especially the kids. Did Chadwick help out with any of that?”
Sarah turned away, no longer able to glare at her grandmother. “No,” she said unhappily.
“Don’t you turn your back on me, young lady.”
The sharp bite of her grandmother’s tongue whirled Sarah around whether she wanted it to or not. She’d never heard the elderly woman speak like that, and it shocked her to her core.
“You need to open your eyes. Not everyone who has money wants to use it to impress and overpower others,” Nancy continued. “You had one bad experience, but there are many out there who are not like that, Sarah.”