Mix'n Business With Pleasure

by Hadley Raydeen

  “Oh, Jaxon. It’s so good to see you,” his mother whimpered.

  “What’s wrong, Mom. Are you okay?” Jaxon said looking down into the same blue eyes he had inherited from her.

  His mother paused before answering, clearly cognizant her husband was in the room. “Can’t a mother be happy to see her oldest son?”

  He knew he had spoken to his mother briefly last week, but he hadn’t seen her in person in at least three weeks. She was right. It had been a while. Gregory kept such a tight reign that it was hard for them to have a conversation in private.

  “Of course you can be happy to see me, Mom. It’s good to see you, too.” Jaxon pecked her lightly on the cheek and rubbed her arm before Gregory’s voice broke up the mother and son moment.

  “Though this is all very sweet, I’m sure there is a reason you just burst into my office without so much of a call or an introduction from my secretary, Jaxon. What can I do for you?”

  His mother backed away from him slowly and turned to look at her husband. “Gregory, that is no way to speak to my son. He should be welcomed whenever he wants.”

  “Of course, Jane. However, something tells me the way he burst in here is not for a social visit. The boy clearly has something on his mind.” Gregory’s steely voice was sharp and crisp as he rose from his seat. Smoothing his expensive suit into place, he buttoned the first button and then the second before he came around the large mahogany desk. “Speak your peace, boy.”

  “Gregory.” His mom’s voice was a warning.

  “Oh come on, Jane. He has a voice. He can use it.”

  “Jaxon, did you stop in to say something or did you just come to see your dear old mom?” His mother smiled, but it didn’t quite travel to her eyes.

  “There is no way for him to know you would be in here with me today, Jane. Hell, I didn’t even know you were coming in. You know I had meetings today and yet, here you both are.” Gregory stopped just short of the mother and son. Jaxon felt his mother flinch, though he wasn’t sure if it was because of Gregory’s words or his nearness to them.

  “Back off, Gregory,” Jaxon sneered.

  His mother brushed his arm. “It’s okay, son.”

  “Yes, it’s okay, son,” Gregory said in jest.

  His mother audibly sighed. “Should I leave you two to talk about whatever it is you need to discuss?” She looked between the both of them as they both answered her. “Yes.”

  Bevin touched down at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport six hours later after an hour long layover in Baltimore. She checked her messages and sent a quick text to Russell letting him know she was on her way to the hotel and she would hit him up shortly. He told her to get checked in and suggested they meet for dinner since it was already late in the day. It would be a business dinner, of course, as one of the key investors for the project would be meeting them.

  Once she was settled into a rather lavish room, she’d showered the day’s travels away and dressed in a maxi-dress and sandals. It would have to be business attire enough since it was damn near one hundred degrees out and she wasn’t trying to die from heat exhaustion. Her phone beeped and she picked up the phone and smiled.

  Jaxon: Did you land safely, beautiful?

  Bevin: Yes. Sorry, I meant to send you a note, but I had just jumped in the shower the minute I got in the room.

  Jaxon: I wish I could have joined you.

  She laughed at his message. Bevin: You are insatiable.

  Jaxon: For you, yes I am. Have you met with Russell yet?

  She looked at her phone and read his message twice. She thought it odd he would start talking about her boss right now, but it was the reason she was down here after all

  Bevin: I’m about to join him for dinner now. Can I hit you up later?

  She waited a beat on his response but it didn’t come right away. She put the phone down and finished her makeup and hair, pulling it up and away from her neck. Her phone buzzed again and she looked down at it.

  Jaxon: Of course you can hit me up later. I’ll be thinking about you.

  She grabbed her purse and slid the phone inside. She let Jaxon know just how much she was thinking about him as well, later. Making sure she had her room key, she slipped from the room and made her way down to the main level to meet Russell.

  The hostess led her through a dimly lit room. It was a quaint cozy dining room with tables covered in white linens. Tiny tea-lights danced and cast shadows over couples and business professionals busy eating meals and sipping wine. Soft jazz music played overhead. The music made her think about Jaxon and the night they’d spent over a nice meal getting to know each other, before the night came to a crashing halt because of Susie, or whatever her name was. Sara. That was it.

  “Here you go, ma’am.” The hostess stopped short of the table where Russell, and a man she recognized, sat laughing and sipping what appeared to be scotch.

  Russell stood from his chair by way of greeting. “Oh, Bevin. You made it. Please have a seat. Let me introduce you to—”

  Bevin beat him to the punch though. “Charles?”

  Chapter 24

  “Do you know anything about this?” Jaxon looked at Gregory and gritted his teeth.

  “Anything about what, Jaxon? The fact Charles could be in Austin right now with your little fling de jour? No, I don’t know anything about that. I didn’t even know his ass was out of jail until recently, but I plan to get to the bottom of it. If anything, maybe we should ask your mother. She’s been sneaking around here up to God knows what lately. Maybe she knows why he’s been lurking about.”

  “Don’t talk about my mother or Bevin like that. And really, Gregory, you’re one to talk with all your extracurricular activities going on.” Jaxon threw his hands in the air in disgust and turned away from the desk. “I agreed to help you land the chance to finance Werries Media because you told me this was all going to be on the up and up. I promised to get you in the room with Russell and to talk business. I promised to smooth the way because, hell, your reputation precedes you and none of it’s good. But I did that for my mother because she asked me to help. Does she even know you are doing any of this?”

  “I didn’t need your damn help, Jaxon. Let’s make that perfectly clear. My business ran perfectly fine before you or your mother came into my life and it will keep on running well without you. This was some bonding experiment she wanted us to do, but, whatever.” Gregory dismissed him with a flick of his wrist. “This will all be over next week anyway.”

  “What happens next week?” Jaxon asked.

  “As I speak, some of my construction crew has come in to help your measly crew finish that little building project for Werries.”

  “What the hell—?”

  Gregory held up a hand, stopping Jaxon from speaking further. “That building will be done in two weeks when they get back from their little business venture. Knowing Russell, he will throw some type of event celebrating the new building. By that time, I will have made my moves to own Werries Media right from under his nose.”

  “How in the holy hell do you think you will do that?” Jaxon could feel his temperature rising.

  “Don’t worry about it, son. I’ve been working on deals with my own investors while you’ve been off doing God knows what with that...girl. I’ve been after you to follow in the family business and learn a thing or two about closing the deal and taking what is rightfully yours. But you want to keep mixing good business sense with foolishness. Oh well, life keeps moving on.”

  “Let’s get one thing straight, Gregory. I am not your son, and you will never be my family.” He turned on his heel to leave.

  “Wait wait wait, Jaxon.” Gregory’s tone was a bit too chipper for Jaxon’s liking. Let’s not get any foolish ideas of running off to tell Bevin what is going on so she can warn Russell. I can ruin that little fling between you and her with just a few words of how you have been working with me all along to take over that company she loves so much. And your little chan
ce meeting, outside her window, wasn’t so chance. How many times is she going to overlook that nagging feeling in her gut, about you? Tisk tisk, son. You fucked up. You got greedy and had to see her before it was time. No one told you to climb your ass up there. So stupid!”

  “You won’t say one single thing to her,” Jaxon gritted through his teeth, seeing red.

  “Hmm, won’t I?” Gregory smiled.

  Chapter 25

  Bevin waited by the turnstile at baggage claim, happy to be back home. Her phone beeped in her pocket. She had hoped to hear from Jaxon more on this trip. He’d told her he was busy making sure her office was up and ready when she returned. It had been way too long since the last time they texted. After her meeting with Russell and Charles, she’d hoped he’d want to have a bit of naughty conversation before she went to bed. But when she texted him, he’d been short, and distant. He had only talked to her briefly since then, updating her on the extensive progress they’d made on the building. He was hopeful she’d be impressed.

  She pulled the phone from her bag and frowned at the caller id. Not because of who it was, but because of who it wasn’t.

  She slid the button to the right and answered. “Hey, Bro.”

  Braedon’s deep voice boomed in her ear. “Hey, Sis. Are you off the plane? Ready to go?”

  “Waiting for my bags as we speak. Are you coming to get me?” she asked, happy to hear her big brother’s voice. It had been quite some time since they last talked. When she didn’t hear from Jaxon over the last couple of days, and she knew she couldn’t call Charles anymore for a ride, her next choice was her brother.

  “Yea, I got you. How long?” Braedon asked.

  “I see my bags now. Ten minutes?” she said, hustling around some other passengers that had spotted their bags.

  “Okay okay. I’m coming from the cell lot right now. I’ll be out front.”

  She clicked the end button on her phone and slipped it in her purse, grabbing for the two bags she’d taken with her for this two week trip.

  “Here, let me help you.” She turned and saw Charles standing next to her. Pretty in shape, for his age, he had no problem grabbing her bags and then his off the belt.

  “Oh, thank you.” She smiled at him warmly. Over the last two weeks, she’d grown quite fond of Charles. He’d talked to her about all sorts of plans for Werries and where he’d invest. It turned out the night she hopped in his car, he’d dropped off another associate he was investing in at the restaurant and he’d seen her and felt bad and asked if she needed a ride. She just assumed he was the ride she requested from her app. She hadn’t paid attention. Now that she thought about it, she never did get a confirmation for the ride she requested. It made sense now. The second time she called him, she’d called the card he gave her directly. But it was only his name and number.

  He smiled at her. “Do you need a ride again, Miss Bevin.”

  “Charles, no. My brother is right outside. I’m sorry for my drama stories you had to hear going and coming from the airport. You have been too gracious. Especially since you picked me up going back to Austin. That is too wild. Did you run for your flight after you parked?”

  “No, different airline. I dropped you off and parked. I caught my flight on time, no layover.”

  “Oh, that is why. I had an hour layover.” She shook her head.

  He smiled at her a warm, fatherly smile that she missed from her own dad after he passed. He then reached out and embraced her. And she balked at the sentiment. “Oh!”

  “I’m glad I’m getting to know you, Bevin. You are a lovely person. Jaxon is so lucky to have found you.”

  “What? Wait a minute. How do you even know him?” She’d forgotten about their exchange before she left for Austin.

  “Bev, um, let’s go, girl. Wifey is cooking dinner and you are dragging ass.” Her brother ran up to her, taking her bags.

  She hugged her brother while looking over his shoulder for Charles. But for some reason when her brother appeared, Charles did the opposite.

  Braedon, like old reliable, had her bags stored in his SUV after her extended trip, and drove her home. He pulled up, well past midnight, in front of her house, with the newly remodeled exterior. She’d forgotten she hadn’t seen the deck to completion, but she was for sure that her brother’s eagle eye hadn’t missed a second of the remodel.

  “It looks great, Bev. Jax and his guys did a great job on the deck and the exterior. He walked me around while you were away. I checked it all out for you. Solid work.” Braedon looked down at his little sister. “What’s wrong, Sis? You okay?”

  She scrunched her face and looked away from him. She could only imagine how she looked; a mix of exhaustion and frustration. She wouldn’t share that with her brother though. Avoiding the ‘I told you so’ speech about having feelings for Jaxon in the first place was the last thing she needed. She lied instead. “I’m fine, Brae. Just everything with work. It’s been a pressing two weeks. Thank you for checking in on the house while I was away, and picking me up so late. I appreciate you.”

  “That’s what I do. You don’t have to thank me. Comes with the job of a big bro.” He stuck out his chest.

  She laughed. “Yea Yea. Well, finish your job and help me take these bags up to the house. I’m dragging on fumes here.”

  He waited while she unlocked her door, sitting the bags inside her house. “Get some rest, Bev. I’ll call you tomorrow. We can do lunch or something, and catch up about your trip.”

  “Sounds good. Kiss the kids for me, please. Tell them Aunty Bev missed their faces.” She hugged him, and waited for him to climb into his truck and back out of the driveway. She clicked the door shut behind her and listened to the silence in her empty house. She hated that lonely feeling. Coming home to no one was the worst. Though she loved her brother to pieces, she had really hoped Jaxon would pick her up from the airport. She knew it was an empty wish since, technically, he wasn’t her man. He owed her nothing beyond the professional, working relationship. Even that seemed strained lately. Their conversations over the last few weeks had grown few and far between. She really didn’t know what they were lately or if there was any future for them. Heading up to take a shower and wash the trip from her body and hopefully the thoughts of him from her mind, she avoided the thought of calling Jaxon. She went to bed not bothering to call to let him know she was home.

  The next morning, she rolled over glaring at the offending alarm clock. “Shut up,” she mumbled, slamming an open palm over the button causing the annoying beeping to cease. She ran a limp hand over weary eyes and listened, for what, she wasn’t sure. Maybe for hammering and men working around her house like she had grown accustomed to the last few weeks before she had left for Austin. But the work on her house was finished. Her freshly painted house and deck was proof of that. He had finished everything; including us?

  He’d been distant lately and she wasn’t looking forward to seeing him if it would be like that between them. She’d only been gone for two weeks. But apparently that had been too long. He was bored with her already. She just knew it. The calls, the texts, the video messages had all stopped. She looked at her cell phone willing it to have a ‘good morning, beautiful’ text. Nothing. Of course. Why would there be? Pushing to her feet, she threw the cell on her bed and padded to her closet. First day back at work she would make sure she looked good, regardless of having to see him. She knew he would be touring the executive leadership team in the new offices today. The inspection on the facility was held last week. His assistant had at least kept her up to date on that after he dropped off radar. Apparently he had his men work double time to finish the building in half the time. He must really want to be done with her. But, really after the building project was done, what else would they have to talk about?

  She showered and dressed in a black power suit. The skirt hit her mid-thigh just the way she knew he liked it. She grinned while pulling a hot iron through her hair and perfecting her makeup. She missed him,
yes, but she’d be damned if she looked like a wreck because of it.

  She pulled up in front of the new site and exited her vehicle, not sure six-inch stilettos were the right choice. One of these days you’ll learn, Bev. Fuck’em heels should be left in the bedroom. The building was definitely a hell of a lot more finished than it was the last time she was here…with him.

  Yes, when he took you up against those unfinished walls and claimed your body. She closed her eyes, trying to erase the thought from her mind.

  Slamming the car door, she scolded herself the whole way to the front door. Should have called him before you got here. This is going to be so…super awkward. It would have been good just to hear his voice. Just to know you are ok with him. Always so stubborn, you should have just reached out to him! Now she would have to see him with her boss and her peers. She smoothed her clammy palms over her skirt and trudged the distance from her car to the front door.

  The large glass door opened into an expansive foyer where their receptionist would sit. Marble tile floor, stainless steel elevator doors, and a small fountain greeted her. The name of the firm displayed large behind the front desk. “Oh wow,” she whispered. “This looks wonderful.”

  “It does look good, right?”

  She turned and looked at Jaxon’s assistant. “Oh hi, Tamara. Yes, the guys did a great job in the last month. Has Jax been around? I mean is Mr. Stewart here?”

  “He is upstairs. He… has been waiting for you to come back, Ms. Thomas.”

  The silly grin that crept across her face could not be hidden. “Has he? I haven’t heard from him… in some time.”

  “He hasn’t been himself in a while. He would never admit it and please don’t tell him I spilled the beans… but he missed you. Plus he had some… family issues while you were away. But he should really tell you about that himself.”

  Bevin couldn’t help herself. She reached for the young woman, grabbing on to her hand. “Thank you for everything, Tamara. If it weren’t for your phone calls and updates, I would have been in the dark about the project the last week. He and I weren’t in constant communication and then the texts and emails were few and far between.”