by Locklyn Marx
It was only a cut on the hand, a couple of stitches and she was fine. But in that instant, Jaxon realized that not only did he not want to be apart from Anna, he didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. Ever. He didn’t want her to experience one moment of pain or anger or sadness. It was such a heart wrench that it had made his head light.
“The look on your face when you saw all that blood…” Anna said now. An amused smile played on her lips as she gazed out the window, remembering.
“Anyway,” Jaxon said.
“Oh, you don’t have to be embarrassed, Jaxon,” Anna said. “A lot of people get anxious when it comes to things like that.”
“I wasn’t anxious,” Jaxon said. “I don’t get anxious.”
From the cell phone holder between them, his phone began to vibrate.
“Is it Katie?” Anna asked, her voice nervous.
Jaxon looked down at the caller ID. The screen flashed the name Donovan Cuban. Donovan Cuban was another developer, a big time real estate tycoon back in Los Angeles who was known as the Donald Trump of the west coast.
Jaxon’s finger hovered over the answer button. Why would Cuban be calling him at midnight on a Saturday night? Of course, it was only nine o’clock in Los Angeles, but still – definitely not normal business hours. And even though the two men moved in the same professional circles, they’d never done business together. Not even close.
Jaxon hesitated for another moment, then sent the call to voicemail.
“Don’t not answer on account of me,” Anna said. The streetlights were shining through the window, illuminating her face and making her hair look like a soft golden halo.
“Don’t worry,” Jaxon said. “It wasn’t on account of you.” He reached into the compartment between the seats and pulled out a piece of gum, then held one out to Anna.
She shook her head. “No thanks.”
Jaxon didn’t particularly want any gum either, but he felt like he needed to keep himself busy. Otherwise he was going to end up sliding his hand onto Anna’s leg, pushing up that cute little skirt she’d changed into, and doing God knows what to her.
“So who was calling you?” she asked. Her voice was nonchalant, but Jaxon detected a curiosity lurking beneath the surface.
Jaxon grinned. “Princess, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were jealous.”
“Oh, my God,” she said, rolling her eyes. “And of what, pray tell, would I be jealous of?”
“You think that was another woman.”
“No, I don’t.” She shook her head. “And even if it were another woman, I wouldn’t care.”
“Even though you were just about to have sex with me a few minutes ago?”
“I was not about to have sex with you!” She turned to him on the seat, her face flushed with indignation, her eyes flashing. She was jealous, and it was sexy as hell.
“If you say so.”
Anna took in a sharp breath and then opened her mouth like she was about to say something else. But then she changed her mind and turned her back to him.
When they pulled into the hospital parking lot a couple of minutes later, Jaxon guided his car into a space by the door.
“Do you know where to go?” he asked as they got out of the car.
“Labor and Delivery,” Anna said, rolling her eyes at him again. She began walking to the elevator briskly, her strides long, her head held high. She was so self-assured, so confident, so in control.
Jaxon loved that she was acting like this after the way she’d been in her bedroom a short time ago, vulnerable, breathless, letting him have his way with her.
He felt himself harden, wanting desperately to finish what he’d started. But that would be impossible now, at least for the short term.
They slid into the elevator. The hospital was quiet at this time of night, and they had the elevator car to themselves.
Anna pushed the button for the main floor, and the elevator jerked upward as it started to climb. Jaxon leaned back against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest, and let his eyes move up and down Anna’s body.
He took in her long legs, the curve of her hips under the flippy little skirt she was wearing, how cute her feet looked in her baby blue flip flops.
Ah, fuck it. He reached out and hit the stop button.
“What are you doing?” Anna asked, confused. “Why are you –?”
He grabbed her hands and pushed her up against the side of the elevator.
“Are you crazy?” Anna protested. She tried to push him away, but he held her close. “We have to get to Katie!”
“Do you know how long it takes to have a baby?” Jaxon asked gruffly. “It could be hours, days even.” He moved his mouth to her ear, inhaling the floral scent of her perfume, his tongue nipping gently at her earlobe.
“We’re in an elevator,” Anna said weakly. But she was leaning her head back, giving him access to her neck, her collarbone, her shoulders. Jaxon brushed her hair back and then kissed down her throat, not stopping until he reached the soft V of her cleavage.
As much as he’d loved teasing her in the bedroom, he decided not to waste time.
He slipped the thin strap of her tank top down over her shoulder, then slid his tongue across her skin, tracing a searing trail to the swell of her breast.
Anna moaned softly, and Jaxon looked at her, enjoying the fact that he was the source of her pleasure. He pulled the other strap of her tank top down slowly, revealing her an inch at a time, letting the fabric whisper against her skin as he slowly exposed her breasts. She wasn’t wearing a bra.
“God, Anna,” he breathed as he took her in. “You’re beautiful.”
He returned his lips to her mouth, kissing her again, sliding his fingers over her breasts, her nipples, feeling them harden under his touch. His tongue slid against hers, the heat of her mouth overpowering his body.
His cock was rock hard, and he pushed up against her. He slid his hands up to her face, stroking her cheek, his mouth never leaving hers.
He pulled back for a moment to look at her, pushed a strand of her silky golden hair back behind her ear, then slid his fingers down over her neck. He stroked her breasts, his thumbs moving back over her nipples, then slid his hands down her sides and over the curve of her hips.
They gazed at each other, the want and heat between them building into a frenzied hurricane of desire and attraction.
“Anna,” he whispered again. “God, Anna, I want you.”
She moaned softly, and he kissed her again, harder this time. He had wanted to go slow, to take his time, but he couldn’t stop himself, his body was taking over. If he didn’t have her soon, he would explode.
He slid his hands down further, over the soft contour of her waist until he reached the bottom of her skirt. He tugged the material up, his fingers stroking her legs.
Their tongues danced against each other as he moved her skirt up and Anna slid one leg up over Jaxon’s hip.
“Careful, Princess,” he growled.
She opened her mouth to talk, but he kissed her again, silencing her, letting her know who was in charge. Her skirt was pushed up to her hips now, and his fingers moved to the inside of her thighs, moving higher and higher as their kiss became more passionate.
When Jaxon finally brushed his fingertips over her panties, Anna whimpered.
“Oh my God,” she moaned.
She was wet, even through the fabric, and Jaxon moved his finger over her panties, feeling her slit. His cock was rock hard now, and in another couple of minutes, he wasn’t going to be able to stop himself. He was going to have to take her right here in the elevator.
He tugged her skirt up even more, giving him better access, then slid his finger inside her panties, moving slowly, feeling the smooth wetness of her mound.
“Jaxon,” Anna moaned. Her arms were wrapped around him, and she pulled him close, clinging to him.
He took her hand and placed it on the outside of his jeans, and she started to undo the
button, letting him know that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
But suddenly, the elevator dropped. Anna shrieked and then tightened her grip on Jaxon’s shoulders.
“Shit.” He reached out and pushed the button, but it was too late. The elevator was stopping to pick someone up on another floor. “It must have a time limit on how long it can stay stuck.”
Anna quickly pulled her shirt up and smoothed down her skirt. A second later, the elevator slowed and a young couple stepped on.
Jaxon tried to slow his breathing. He looked at Anna out of the corner of his eye.
Her cheeks were flushed, her hair tousled and sexy around her shoulders. He could still smell her perfume mixed with the scent of her arousal.
The elevator resumed its ascent and Jaxon shook his head.
He wouldn’t be able to take much more of this.
Chapter Three
When they got to Katie’s hospital room, Katie was sitting up in bed, watching an episode of the Golden Girls and holding a flimsy paper cup filled with ice chips.
“Hey!” she said when she saw Anna. Her pretty face broke into a smile.
“Hi,” Anna said, leaning down and kissing Katie on both cheeks.
“Thanks for coming.” Katie readjusted the blue and white checked blanket that was draped over her legs. “You didn’t have to, you know.”
“I know,” Anna said, “but I wanted to.” And I needed a reason to get away from your brother before I ended up doing something I’d regret.
“Jaxon,” Katie said in surprise, her eyes falling on her brother as he walked into the room.
“Hey, sis,” he said nonchalantly.
“What are you doing here?” Katie’s voice was suspicious.
“I heard you were in labor. You didn’t think I was going to miss the birth of my first nephew, did you?”
“No, that’s great, I’m glad you’re here, but how did you…I mean, I thought you were in… ” Understanding dawned on Katie’s face as she realized Jaxon and Anna must have been together.
Anna looked down at the floor and fiddled with her fingers. “Where’s Adam?”
she asked finally, in an effort to move the conversation onto safer ground.
“He went to sign some papers at the nurses’ station.” Katie narrowed her eyes, then moved her finger back and forth between Jaxon and Anna. “What’s going on here?”
“What do you mean?” Anna asked. Her face felt hot, and she reached up and smoothed her hair. She wondered how disheveled she looked after her tryst in the elevator.
“I mean, why are you two together?” She turned to Jaxon. “I thought you were sleeping in the guestroom. I thought I was being so nice, staying quiet so I wouldn’t wake you.”
“Oh, stop,” Jaxon said, rolling his eyes at his sister. He flopped down in one of the brown corduroy chairs that lined the far wall of Katie’s hospital room. “Anna and I ran into each other at the gas station. She asked me if I wanted to grab a bite, and then we got to reminiscing. We were still out when she got your text. It was nothing nefarious, so you can wipe that look off your face.”
Katie cocked her head, her frown deepening. Anna could tell she didn’t believe a word of Jaxon’s flimsy excuse, but what could Katie really say?
“How are you feeling?” Anna asked quickly, perching on the edge of Katie’s bed and trying to ignore Jaxon’s presence. She could almost feel his mouth on hers, his hands pushing her skirt up. If that elevator hadn’t moved when it did, she would have let him take her right there. Her face flushed hot, and she shifted on the bed.
“Not bad,” Katie said. She started describing how the contractions had started, how she’d only been sleeping for about an hour when they’d woken her up. Anna tried to listen, nodding politely as Katie talked, but her mind was a million miles away.
She couldn’t stop thinking about kissing Jaxon, about how it had felt when he’d been touching her in the elevator. Why had he told his sister that they’d run into each other at the gas station? Was it because he felt it was none of Katie’s business? Or was it because he didn’t think anything else was going to happen between them?
A young nurse walked into the room. She was wearing hot pink scrubs, and her dark curly hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
“Well,” she said, looking around and breaking into a smile. There was a slight gap between her top front teeth. “It looks like you have your support team all ready.”
“Yes,” Katie said. Her voice was cheerful, but Anna saw her grip the blanket in her hands and twist it tightly.
“I’m going to check you right now,” the nurse said, sensing Katie’s unease.
“Hopefully you’ll have a quick and easy labor, and get to meet your son before too long.”
Her tone was upbeat and cheerful, like having a baby was no big deal and that everything was going to go smoothly. Anna liked her immediately.
“Do your friends want to step out for a few minutes?” the nurse asked. “It won’t take long.”
“Yes, of course,” Anna said. She gave Katie’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll run down to the cafeteria. Do you want me to bring you anything?”
Katie shook her head. “I’m not allowed to have anything but these stupid ice chips.” She squeezed Anna’s hand back, and Anna saw the look in Katie’s eyes —excitement mixed with fear mixed with wonder at the fact that she was about to bring a new life into the world.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” Anna flashed one more reassuring smile, and then walked out of the room.
Almost immediately she heard footsteps behind her. Jaxon was loping down the hall, his boots making heavy noises on the linoleum. Her heart sped up.
“Wait for me,” he commanded.
“Shh!” Anna said as she arrived at the elevator bank. “There are people here having babies, you know.” She hesitated, her hand poised over the button. She didn’t trust herself to get back into an elevator with Jaxon.
“What are you waiting for, Princess?” He was behind her, so close she could feel his body heat on the back of her neck.
Excitement raced up her spine, and her arms broke out in goose bumps.
She pushed the button.
The doors dinged open, and Anna got on the elevator, doing her best to ignore the butterflies that were having a party in her stomach.
Jaxon pushed the button for the first floor, reaching across her body to do so. His arm brushed against hers, and she shivered. He stood close to her for a second, then stepped back and leaned against the side of the elevator, watching her but not moving.
The elevator began its descent, and still, Jaxon didn’t move. Anna thought she might go crazy wondering if he was going to do anything, wishing he would, hoping he wouldn’t, being disappointed when he didn’t.
When the elevator spit them out on the ground floor, he let her walk out first, and they followed the signs to the cafeteria silently. The hospital was still extremely quiet, the cafeteria nearly deserted except for a few residents scattered here and there, the doctors who were low enough on the totem pole to get stuck working the night shift.
Anna picked out a bottle of orange juice and a cookie.
“You sure that’s all you want?” Jaxon asked. “It could be a long night.”
She swallowed, wondering if he was talking about Katie, or something else. “I can always come back down later.”
Jaxon grabbed a chicken sandwich, then took a bottle of water out of the floor-to-ceiling cooler. When the cashier was done ringing them up, he had his cash out before Anna could even open her purse.
“Thanks,” she said.
“No problem.”
He led her to a table in the middle of the room. As they walked, he put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her. The touch of his fingers sent an electric buzz through her body.
He pulled her chair out for her, and Anna sat down.
Don’t fall for it.
This was typical Jaxon. He was confusing and sexy and cha
rming and completely unreliable. It was one thing to be taken in by him when you were eighteen and didn’t know any better. It was another thing altogether when you were a grown woman. She needed to keep a safe distance from him.
“So,” he said, opening his water and giving her that devastating grin of his.
“What’s been going on with you, Princess?”
“I live in London,” Anna said. Surely had had to know that? But it was probably only because Katie had told him. Anna had been keeping tabs on Jaxon for all these years, and he probably hadn’t even bothered to Google her.
As she gave him the quick rundown of what she’d been doing since college – how she got her job, where exactly in London she lived, etc., she thought about that night when they were kids, the night he’d left her waiting for him, leaving her with nothing but a broken heart.
She remembered how it had felt, standing by her front door for hours, her eyes glued to the window. When he was twenty minutes late, she’d called his house, but it just rang and rang. No one had cell phones in those days, and so she had no way to know where he was, what he was doing, why he wasn’t there. And so she’d stayed by the window, her nose pressed to the glass, waiting for Jaxon to come.
When an hour had gone by, she’d moved to the dining room. It was the most uncomfortable room in the house – her mother had insisted on buying a heavy oak dining set with chairs that forced you to sit ramrod straight — but its windows looked out onto the street.
She’d been wearing a new summer dress, one she’d bought especially for that night. It had cost her a week’s worth of pay from her summer job bagging groceries at the Shop ‘n Save, and she knew she wouldn’t be wearing it again anytime soon, since the warm weather would be over in another couple of weeks.
But she had wanted to look pretty for her last night with Jaxon, wanted to make sure he went off to college with a picture of her looking amazing burned into his mind, ensuring that those pretty blonde California girls wouldn’t tempt him away. She’d pulled at the skirt, a soft blue gauzy material, and reapplied her lipstick.