by KC Michaels
“Hello beautiful.”
Kate whirled around to see an Adonis standing in front of her. She didn’t recognize him from the last few times she was there. He looked to be Latino.
“My name is Enrique. What is yours?”
He was Cuban. Definitely a Cuban accent. “I'm looking for Jaxon. Is he around?”
“Mr. Remington is in a private meeting with another beautiful lady already, but I am available. Would you like to take a seat while I get you something from the bar?”
At hearing Jaxon was occupied with another woman Kate instantly felt weak at the knees. Sitting was necessary and a drink was welcomed.“Something strong,” she finally managed to say.
God, he had found a replacement before she was even gone from his house. Well now she knew why he was avoiding her. Now she knew for certain, Jason was wrong. Jaxon wasn't afraid of his feelings for her; he was a coward.
She wouldn’t be naïve this time. That happened to her once but it wouldn’t happen a second time. This time she refused to be a victim. She would not spend the next decade of her life like she did the last decade. This time she was going to give back what she received. Since Enrique clearly had no knowledge of the relationship between her and Jaxon, he would be the perfect candidate. She wouldn't feel bad. She would pay him well and they would both get what they wanted. She would get the satisfaction of showing Jaxon she wouldn't sit around his house pining for him and Enrique would have cash in his pocket.
Elise sat in a chair opposite Jaxon in his office.
“Elise calm down. There is no need to panic about this. I'm sure he isn't doing drugs,” Jaxon assured her.
“How can you be so certain Jaxon? I mean you don't live with him. In fact, you only see him once or twice a year. You barely know anything about him.”
Elise wiped away the tears that were falling down her face. “I'm sorry Jaxon I didn’t mean for that to come out as ungrateful. You have done so much for Grayson and me. I appreciate it, but I think Grayson might need more from you than two weeks in the summer.”
“What are you saying Elise?”
“I want him to come live with you for a while. Maybe if he had his father in his life on a more permanent basis, it would be better.”
“You want Grayson to come live with me?”
“Yes—I mean if you say no I understand. The deal was two weeks a year. I haven’t said anything to him about this yet.”
Jaxon thought for a moment about what she was asking. “Are sure about this Elise?”
“Yes.”
“Then okay. Grayson can come and live with me.”
“Really?” she asked looking up at him with puffy eyes.
He agreed even though this was not the best time for his son to be around.
“I will need a couple of weeks to make the proper preparations.” Hopefully by then the situation with Kenny would be a thing of the past but he wasn’t about to give her the real reason he wanted to hold off.
“Yes, of course,” she nodded. “I know you may see this as a burden now, but he is a great kid Jaxon.”
A burden? “My son is never a burden, Elise.”
Then again how would she know that? This was the first time in years that Jaxon and Elise had actually sat down and had a real conversation about Grayson, or anything for that matter. She must have been really desperate as he doubted she would have asked him for help under any other circumstances. He’d always had the feeling that she couldn't stand the sight of him.
“So, should I call Jason in the morning to make the arrangements for his school enrolment?” she asked.
Jaxon nodded. His brother always handled things, when it came to Grayson. In fact, Jason handled almost everything in Jaxon’s personal life. “Yeah do that.”
“Well, I won't keep you. I should get going myself. I’m crashing with a friend on the other side of town.”
“I'll walk you out,” Jaxon offered.
Kate kept her eyes on the “Employees Only” door. Jaxon and the woman had to surface, eventually. Finally the door opened and she spotted them walking out together. The woman wasn’t what Kate expected. She was pretty, but in a natural way. More like the girl next door. She had dark hair that was styled in a cute pixie cut, her face was round, and she was wearing faded loose fitting jeans and a plain t-shirt. She was far from the type of women she had encountered in the past attempting to get his attention; she was rail thin and barely had a chest to speak of. From Kate’s view point, it didn’t appear she was even wearing any make up. This hurt. It hurt Kate more than if the woman had been a Barbie doll. If she had been a Barbie doll then at least Kate could have convinced herself that it was just about sex. But this woman didn't seem to be using her goods to get him into bed. This could only mean one thing—he actually liked her.
She felt sick to her stomach and wanted to hurl. She didn't want to be there any longer. She didn't want to play these games. She just wanted to crawl into a hole and lick her wounds—alone.
Enrique returned with her drink and by then she had forgotten all about him. “Sorry Enrique, I have to go.” She pulled a hefty wad of bills out of her purse and handed them to him. His eyes lit up.
“Are you sure you don’t want a dance or something?”
“No thanks—not tonight, but thanks.” Enrique offered her a dazzling smile. Likely that was the easiest hundred dollars the guy ever made.
Kate made her way out to the street where Royce was waiting for her. Although she hadn’t gotten what she originally went for, she was still glad she had gone. At least she finally knew where she stood with Jaxon. She was very quiet the whole ride home. She had to figure out what she was going to do about the weekend and how she was going to move on from Jaxon after what she had just witnessed, which likely could have been a whole lot more if she stuck around.
Back at the house Kate found Maxwell sitting at a desk looking at surveillance computers. “Hi Maxwell, I just wanted to let you know that I spoke to Jaxon and he cleared the weekend. Anyone you want to send with me is fine.”
“Okay Miss Sims, I will make the arrangements.”
“Thanks."
Kate waited at the end of the stairs with her bag packed, ready to go. “Are you sure you’ll be okay Jade? You know you are welcome to come. My parents would love to have you.”
“I know Kate, thanks for the offer but Jason will be here to keep me company. I forgot to tell you, I spoke to my boss at the paper. He said I could ease my way back in—do a local feel good story if I want to. So I think I’ll spend the week end working on that.”
“Jade, that’s wonderful. I am so proud of you. You have all my contact information if you need me.”
“Stop worrying about me. You have done more than enough.” Kate really wished Jade would stop saying that.
Kate was buckled in ready for take-off, with her security guard sitting beside her –
Royce Robson. Thirty- something and exceptionally good looking per the usual MO; military haircut, dark brown eyes, and dressed in standard issue black jeans and black t shirt. They were sitting in coach and there was barely enough leg room for Royce. Kate felt a small pang of guilt that she hadn’t chosen first class.
“Excuse me Doctor, but do you mind coming to the front of the plane. There’s a gentleman who needs you.” Kate looked up to see a young blonde flight attendant with sparkling blue eyes smiling at her; she could not have been more than twenty- one.
Kate unbuckled her seat belt. “Yes of course. Is it a medical emergency?”
“Dr. Sims,” Royce interjected, “I better check this out first.”
Kate had almost forgotten. “Fine—you have to remember to call me Kate and please be quick it could be an emergency.”
Royce nodded and unbuckled his belt. Kate waited impatiently as he made his way up the aisle toward the first class curtain. A few seconds later Kate saw him pop his head back out and give her the thumbs up.
Kate pulled open the curtain. First glance told her
something was off. There didn't appear to be anyone in distress—in need of medical attention. She turned to the flight attendant, who followed her there.
“Can you tell me which passenger?”
“Oh sorry doctor. The gentleman who would like to speak with you is in 1A.”
“Excuse me?” Speak to her?
Before the flight attendant had a chance to explain, she was distracted by another passenger. Seat 1A was at the very front of the plane and although Kate couldn’t see over the oversized seat back, she had an idea who the passenger was.
As though he had no cares in the world Jaxon sat comfortably in the large leather seat reading the newspaper.
“Hello Kate.” He hadn’t even looked away from his paper as he spoke. It was such a dick move—the arrogant bastard.
“Jaxon,” she replied icily, trying to keep her composure in front of a plane full of passengers.
“Have a seat,” he suggested motioning to the seat beside him as if him being there was not supposed to be a surprise to her. She did not comply.
“What are you doing here?”
“Taking you to your father's retirement party.”
“Royce is perfectly capable of taking care of the situation.”
“Oh yes I’m sure he is quite capable and happy to do so. Were you planning on sharing a bed with him?”
“What? That's none of your business,” she said angrily. How dare he accuse her of that.
“Well I’m making it my business.”
“What gives you the right to make anything I do with Royce, your business?”
“The fact that he’s on my payroll for one thing.”
“Well don't worry your employee is safe with me. I’ve had my fill of men for a long while, thanks to you.”
“Kate, what the hell is going on?”
“You have the nerve to ask me what's going on. I think you know everything that’s happening. I was a fool, but that’s no longer the case. I know what you’ve been up to. I saw the reason you were avoiding me at the house."
“What the hell are you talking about?” He seemed to genuinely have no idea what she was eluding to.
“Oh what's this? You don't know everything?” she remarked, sarcastically.
“Apparently I don't.”
“I was at the club Wednesday night. I went to talk to you about my father's retirement party. You know, since you have been doing all you can to avoid me all this week.”
“You came to the club? I didn't see you.”
“No, but I saw you. I was informed that you could not be disturbed, under any circumstance, because you were in an important private meeting. I saw her—your important meeting.”
Jaxon reached for her.
“Don't you dare touch me!”
“Kate, Elise is an old friend. There isn’t, nor has there ever been, anything romantic between us. I swear it.”
“Yeah—sure.” Her tone was sarcastic. She didn’t believe him.
“Trust me Kate. There is nothing romantic going on between me and Elise. Never has been and never will be.”
Kate had heard about enough of his half-assed half-truths. She began to walk away when Jaxon latched onto her hand.
“Okay, you win. Please just sit down and I will tell you,” he surrendered. “I have a son. His name is Grayson and Elise is his mother. She’s worried about him so she called and asked if we could meet.”
Kate decided to take that seat he offered her. She could feel her body begin to sway to and fro. It was just one thing after another with him.
“You have a son?”
“Yes, he's almost thirteen. He and Elise live out of state. She wants him to move in with me for a while.”
He had a son with that woman? “Wait, didn’t you just finish telling me there has never been anything between the two of you. Was it artificial insemination or immaculate conception?”
“He is not my biological son. I adopted him. Look it’s a long story. I have never had a relationship with Elise. In fact, the half hour conversation we had the other night was the longest conversation I think I have ever had with her.”
“You aren't making any sense Jaxon. You don't adopt a woman's son without knowing her. What kind of a fool do you take me for?”
“I don't see you as a fool, Kate. It's complicated. His biological father’s name was Pete. He died before Grayson was born. The most important thing in the world to him, before he died, was his unborn child.”
“So you just stepped in and adopted him?”
“Yeah I did.”
“Was this guy like your best friend?”
“No, I really didn’t know him all that well. We worked together at a strip club.”
“He was a co-worker?”
“Yeah and a junkie. He overdosed in the bathroom and I found him.”
“Jaxon, I’m so sorry. That’s terrible. She waited a beat not to sound insensitive but it didn’t make sense. “I’m sorry but let me get this straight. You found him so you felt it your responsibility to adopt his child.” She stated skeptically. “Jaxon what am I missing here?”
“Kate, I really don't want to get into this right now. It was a long time ago. I will tell you baby—just not here and now.”
Baby? He was back to calling her baby again. She felt her steely resolve soften. One word from him and she was beginning to melt. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions in regards to that woman, but I’m not sorry for being angry with you. You deliberately made an effort to avoid me this week.”
Jaxon nodded. “Yes I did and I am sorry. It won't happen again.”
“That's all you have to say to me— it won't happen again?”
“What do you want me to say, Kate?”
“I want the truth, Jaxon. I want to know why you felt it was necessary to avoid me in the first place.”
He took a moment, as if deciding what to say.
“Kate I’m emotionally fucked up and I think I am the last thing you need in your life.”
He sounded almost broken and it tugged at her heart. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was going to forgive him again. She couldn’t help herself.
“Well, finally we agree on something.” She smiled at him and in return some of the harsh lines in his face began to relax.
“So,” Jaxon said, changing the subject. “Tell me about Rita and Bill.”
“You know my parents’ names?”
“Well you know if I’m going to be the doting boyfriend I figured I should know a little back ground history on my audience.”
Kate smiled. “Oh wait—what are we going to do about Royce?” Finally remembering the guy she had left in coach. Likely suffering from leg cramps by now.
“Do your parents have a barn?”
“Jaxon that's not funny. Royce is completely innocent in all of this. He was just following orders.”
“Yeah, but the fact that you almost slept with him doesn't sit well with me.”
“I didn't almost sleep with him,” she laughed. Jaxon was smiling now too.
“Jaxon, don't tell me you’re the jealous type.”
“Let's just say, I don’t take kindly to a man laying claim to what is mine, even if it is make believe.”
“You are exaggerating.” Jaxon tilted his head to the side and smirked. “Jaxon you confuse the hell out of me, do you know that? One minute things seem good and then you spend the week trying to avoid me. Now you’re laying a claim on me like I’m your possession. I am finding all of this very hard to deal with at the moment.”
“I’m sorry Kate. I know you’re upset at what I did this week. You are right, I was avoiding you. But let me make something clear, if you think it was easy for me you were wrong. It wasn't. But I wanted it to be. I wanted to prove to myself that you don't have any type of hold over me, that you aren't special. Relationships are fairy tales that turn into nightmares. I don't want that for us Kate. I have spent my entire adult life trying to avoid them. But you—you came into my l
ife and turned it upside down. The more I try to stay away from you—the more I want you. This is crazy I don't understand it myself, but I am tired of trying to fight it. I don't want to hurt you Kate. I really don't but I know I will and that scares me as much as wanting you does. I know how this will end up. I know this is not forever—it never is. I also know it's not fair for me to ask you to be with me knowing all this. I wish I could give you what you want, but I can't make a promise I can’t keep.”
Kate sat for a moment in silence processing everything Jaxon had said. He really was even more messed up than she had first thought. She should not have allowed herself to get tangled up with him. She should get up now and walk away. She should but, when she looked at him, her heart still melted. She still wanted to be with him and the more she thought about it if there was anyone who could change a person’s mind about the fact that relationships could work it was Bill and Rita.
“Fine.”
“What do you mean fine?”
“You can pretend to be my boyfriend. But—she held up one finger—there is a condition.”
“What is it?”
“I want to know about the woman who betrayed you.”
“What makes you think—?”
“Before you say another word and tell me there was no woman—you have to know that I will not tolerate any more lies, half-truths, omissions or disappearing acts. I can’t take it any longer. Jaxon this is your last chance.”
Jaxon closed his mouth. He heard that loud and clear and instead of continuing on with what he was going to say, he said nothing further for the remainder of the flight.
***
CHAPTER 20
It was four o’clock when they finally arrived at Kate’s parents’ home.
“This is it,” Kate said to Jaxon as they pulled up in a flashy red sport model rental car Jaxon had secured them at the airport.
“This is where you grew up?” he asked with keen interest.