Seduction

by Calista Fox

  “But if she’s looking for me—”

  “She won’t be,” Lex assured her. “It’s late. She’s probably asleep.”

  “Okay, but . . . an unexpected visitor wasn’t really what I was getting at,” Lily said in a soft voice. “I meant the sleepover part.”

  Lex pulled her to him and she rested her head on his chest, her damp hair teasing his skin. Jax spooned her from behind. Stroked her arm.

  “What’d you think we were going to do?” Lex asked. “Send you back to your room?”

  “It is a very lovely room, by the way. And I don’t know what I expected. This is new to me. I haven’t been with a man in ages. And now I’ve been with two at the same time.”

  “When it rains it pours?” Jax quipped.

  She twisted slightly so she could look at him. “Seriously did not see the levity coming. I like it.” She kissed him. Then added, “Though you have brooding down to a science and it is damn sexy.”

  “You’re damn sexy.” He kissed the tip of her nose.

  Turning back to Lex, she said, “Please don’t fire me.”

  “Ah. There’s that worry again. Thought we’d covered this already.” He grimaced. “Lily, we seduced you. You could sue us, for Christ’s sake.”

  “Are you sure that’s how it went down?” she prompted with a quirked brow.

  Jax snickered.

  She said, “Because I know I was sending out signals. I couldn’t help it. You are both too potent by far. Alone, and infinitely more so together. I can’t imagine any woman resisting you, especially as a team.”

  “The past year hasn’t been about teaming up that way,” Lex reminded her. “We have a CD to record.”

  “And it’s going to be a chart-topper—beyond fabulous,” she insisted. “Not a dry eye in the house during your tour.”

  “We’ll see,” Lex murmured. “Now tell us why you’re so worried about putting your employment in jeopardy. And why did you sign on for only two months?”

  She was quiet a few moments. Her nails drew tiny circles on his abdomen.

  “Lily?” This from Jax. “Is everything okay with you?”

  His tone was tinged with concern and that told Lex that his friend had likely ventured down the same path mentally, wondering about Lily’s health. They wouldn’t have both gone there in their minds, he was sure, if they hadn’t experienced this once before.

  But Lily said, “I’m going on a trip. To Europe. And I’m taking my mother with me. First-class all the way. She deserves it and I’ve always dreamed of it.”

  Lex managed to not heave a sigh of relief. His muscles relaxed. He hadn’t even realized how tense he’d become.

  Jax said, “That’s very generous of you, sweetheart.”

  She spared a glance at him over the term of endearment. But didn’t comment.

  Lex asked, “Where are you both going?”

  “Well . . . it’s not so much a ‘both’ scenario in the sense you’re thinking. She’s dead.”

  And the muscles bunched again.

  Lily told them, “She died when I was thirteen. But she was born in France, lived there until she was seven, and then her family relocated to the States. She taught me French and we learned Italian together. She always wanted to go back—she’d never been to Paris. But her family couldn’t afford to return. When she married my father, they started saving for my college and a trip that she and I would make together after I graduated high school.”

  Lex felt a drop on his chest. Assumed it was water from her hair. But there was another small splash. And he knew better.

  Lily said, “She got sick. Ovarian cancer. The Angelinis paid for her surgery and she recovered. For a while. Then it was stomach cancer. They insisted again. The third time, she swore both my father and me to secrecy. She was already so deeply indebted to the Angelinis for their help that she couldn’t accept anything further from them. And didn’t want to hurt their feelings by refusing their generosity. Plus, it was a late-stage diagnosis. My father was determined to aggressively treat it, though, because the thought of her leaving him was too unbearable for him to accept. That depleted all bank accounts.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Lex said, his gut twisting.

  “Thank you, but . . . don’t be. That treatment gave her an extra six months beyond her doctors’ predictions. The absolute best six months of my life. Worth every single penny.”

  “Jesus,” Jax muttered.

  “It’s okay, really.” There was raw emotion in her voice, but she spoke in a steady tone. Well, almost. With a sniffle, she told them, “I started working when I was sixteen so that I could take my own trip. Go to all the places we’d talked about, including Paris. I plan to spend a month there. And I’m taking her ashes with me to scatter.”

  Over the top of her head, Lex and Jax exchanged a look in the flickering of flames from the fire. There was just enough light to see that Jax’s eyes had turned darker than normal. And his prominent features were hard-set.

  Lex took a deep breath. Then said, “You’ll be the toast of Paris in all those gowns.”

  Her head lifted. She stared at him through watery eyes. “I can’t keep all of those, Lex. Just the first one.”

  He brushed away a few drops from her cheek. “They’re yours, Lily.”

  “Don’t argue,” Jax interjected. “Because then I’ll have to get all broody with you again.”

  She let out a small laugh, though tears trickled down her cheeks. Peering over at Jax, she said, “Something tells me that’s going to happen regardless. It seems to be your most common state.”

  “Yeah, well . . .” He shrugged.

  Lex coaxed her to return her head to his chest. “Just let us give you the gift, Lily.”

  “You already gave me gifts this evening. Four times.”

  He chuckled. As did Jax.

  Lex said, “Just our warm-up act.”

  “Mm. Lucky me.”

  * * *

  Jax felt a curious void the next morning. He was sprawled on his back in his big bed, sans Lily’s warm skin and soft curves pressed against him.

  He cracked open an eye. Lex was still asleep, way over on the other side. The middle was empty. And that was where the void came from.

  Jax had become addicted to being curled around Lily that quickly?

  Are you really so fucking surprised?

  One mental flash of her in nothing but glittery sandals and diamonds and he had his answer.

  Or, actually, it could have been that very first kiss. Jax had been instantly lost in her. Something that had not happened with any other woman since Katarina.

  Gazing at the clock on the nightstand told Jax exactly where Lily had disappeared to—her suite to change and set up for brunch.

  He hauled himself up and went into his dressing room. Slipped on shorts and a tank top. Tied his tennis shoes and then smacked Lex on the leg as he passed by the bed.

  “We’re missing our workout.” Jax continued on, out of the suite.

  While they were pumping iron in the well-equipped fitness center in the lower-level east wing, Jax wondered how Lily would react to them after last night. Would she feel awkward about their situation? About what had happened? Would she still be stressing over losing her job because she’d slept with her bosses?

  Following racquetball and showers, he and Lex settled at the table on the terrace off the music room. And there she was. Looking more radiant than ever before.

  She gave them each a sweet smile as she served coffee and juice.

  No awkwardness whatsoever.

  Jax got a jolt low in his gut. It took all the willpower he possessed to not bend her over the table and push her skirt up.

  Instead, he told her, “You could have woken us before you snuck out.”

  “I did not sneak out,” she countered. “We had a supply delivery first thing this morning and I had to collect everything I needed for the upstairs butler’s pantry before Maxwell raided all the boxes for his own stock in the form
al living rooms and the library.”

  “Ah, very convenient,” Lex said with a crooked brow.

  She smiled again. “I swear I didn’t sneak out. You were both snoring when the sun came up. I figured you needed your beauty rest.”

  Jax mockingly scowled. “Last night we were devastatingly handsome. Today we’re ogres?”

  “Let me off the hook, Jax,” she said with a luxurious laugh that was music to his ears. “I have a job to do. And you now know why it’s so important to me. So be nice.” She pinched his arm.

  He grabbed her around the waist and she fell into his lap.

  “You’re going to make me spill!” She set the pitcher of juice on the table.

  Jax said, “Rule number one. You don’t leave either of our beds without a good-morning kiss. Or, preferably, a good-morning fuck.”

  She kissed him. Then told him, “Duly noted, sir.”

  He released her. She rounded the table to where Lex sat and kissed him.

  “Hmm, nice,” he said. “I like this rule.”

  “Now may I serve brunch?”

  “I am starving,” Lex admitted.

  “You wore us out last night, sweetheart.”

  Pink tinged her cheeks and neck. “You’re the ones who did all the work. I just enjoyed the orgasms.”

  She set out the food and Jax was tempted to ask her to join them, but the two housekeepers were on this floor somewhere and could walk into the music room at any time to dust and mop. He didn’t want to put Lily in a difficult position with her co-workers and any gossip.

  When she left with the cart, Lex went to the study to collect his notebook.

  Jax reset the digital recording system, not erasing last night’s track, which contained Lily’s erotic, stirring moans.

  He’d be saving that session for future fantasy reference.

  He tuned his violins and then crossed to the wet bar. Just as Lily passed through the double doors.

  “Let me,” she said as he reached for a bottle of Pellegrino resting in the chiller.

  Over his shoulder, he told her, “I can pour my own water, sweetheart.”

  She came up behind him and said, “Do not call me that outside of your suite.”

  “It’s past noon. Housekeeping and maintenance aren’t allowed up here.”

  “But Greta is,” she singsonged with a pointed look. “Sir.”

  “After the way we made love last night, it’s going to drive me crazy that you call me and Lex sir. So when we’re up here in the afternoons and evenings—cut it out.”

  She smirked at him.

  God, she was saucy. And he loved it.

  She took the bottle from him, did up his drink, and handed the glass over. “Please let me do my job. I happen to enjoy it. And I’m getting quite good at it.”

  “Just seems a little bizarre to have you serving us after last night.”

  “Bizarre to you. Perfectly acceptable to me. You’re paying me, after all.”

  “Well, that’s true enough.” He sipped. Then grinned at her before turning away to get his own work done.

  But her next words brought him to an abrupt halt.

  “Who is she?”

  Jax slowly faced her. “Who?” Though he instinctively knew to whom she referred.

  Sure enough, with a knowing smile that gently touched her tawny eyes, she said, “The woman you’re both writing these arrangements for.”

  Jax’s gut clenched. “What makes you think we’re writing them for a woman?”

  “Because they’re filled with passion . . . and pain. And you want them to be absolutely perfect. Flawless. Like her?”

  “You really want to ask me this?” he quietly challenged. “You’re not jealous?”

  Lily looked contrite. But she said, “Naturally. Who wouldn’t be? She moved you and Lex so much that you would go to any length to ensure the music you’re composing is worthy of her. But something tells me she’s no longer in either of your lives, so I’m jealous of a memory. Is that right?”

  Jax didn’t like speaking of Katarina. The very reason he and Lex had gone their separate ways seven years ago. It’d been excruciating to even mention her in each other’s presence.

  But he found himself saying out loud, “Katarina Karlsson. She was lead vocal in the international orchestra Lex and I played for since we were kids. She joined when we were twenty.”

  “And she was breathtaking,” Lily surmised.

  He leaned in close. “You’re breathtaking.”

  “I’m not fishing for compliments here, Jax.”

  “I’m stating a fact here, Lily.”

  They stared at each other for several drawn-out seconds.

  Then Jax sipped before telling her, “Katarina was extremely beautiful, yes. In a very delicate, almost ethereal way. Like she was more spirit than flesh and blood.” He let out a frustrated groan. “It’s difficult to describe her. She was just . . . lovely. And that is not a word I use. Just when it comes to her. There was a softness to her. A gentle beauty. It was somewhat mystical. Elfish, maybe. She was an old soul who emitted this enticing light. Whereas you radiate blatant sensuality—especially when you’re in complete disarray. Or coming so hard you scream our names.”

  “I’m not trying to get you to make comparisons,” she reiterated.

  “I can’t help but make comparisons. Katarina was the only woman Lex and I ever shared. There was no one else we wanted to have that sort of relationship with—until you came along.”

  She paused again. Just staring. Collecting her thoughts? Wondering what it was about her that had grabbed them both by the balls and wouldn’t let go?

  He had no idea which.

  But he did anticipate her next question. And waited for it. Even though it was going to torment him further.

  Eventually, she asked, “What happened with the three of you? In the end?”

  He set the water tumbler on the bar and reached for the decanter of scotch. “Don’t even comment on serving me, Lily.” His voice took on a razor-sharp edge. He knew she wouldn’t defy him this time. He took a big gulp, then he said, “We were all together for a year. Lex and I were in love with Katarina. Make no mistake, it was very powerful. Powerful enough that we’re here now putting together a CD in her honor.”

  Lily gave a slight nod to indicate she’d deduced as much.

  Jax said, “She died, Lily. Suddenly. Ripped right from our hands. One day she was alive and in our arms. The next night she was lifeless in a hospital bed in Austria. Car accident. She’d been out with a friend, who lost control of the vehicle on a patch of ice. The friend died instantly. Katarina about five hours later.”

  “Oh,” Lily said on a long breath. “Jax.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry for your loss as well. Deeply sorry.” He refreshed his drink and started to walk away again.

  “Jax.” There was undeniable agony in her voice. It nearly shredded him.

  Turning back to her once more, he asked, “Yes?”

  But she clearly didn’t know what else to say to him. There were questions and emotions in her entrancing eyes, though.

  So Jax said, “Don’t think of her, Lily.”

  “How can I not? When you and Lex are playing music inspired by her?”

  This made his brow furrow. There was a little spark at the back of his brain, but he wasn’t willing to acknowledge it. So he repeated, “Don’t think of her, Lily. She’s not here. You’re here.”

  She opened her mouth to speak. No words came out.

  But he could easily guess the one she was holding back.

  Temporarily.

  One more thing he wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge, even though he was a man who rarely swept anything under the rug.

  Still . . . in this instance, it was necessary.

  Jax turned and left the room.

  Chapter Ten

  While Lex and Jax traveled into the city for a business meeting with their manager, Lily went
down to the beach. There was a craggy peninsula that she carefully navigated in her tennis shoes and jeans, not her heels and uniform.

  Bayfront was a gorgeous community and she loved the crashing waves and the sound of the seagulls and the smell of the fresh air. She hoped it would all clear her mind.

  What had happened the previous evening with Lex and Jax could very easily be classified as the sexiest, most intimate night of her life. And she’d be lying to herself if she said it’d just been about lust—that it hadn’t meant anything more. Because it had meant more. To her. A hell of a lot more.

  And she suspected both men felt the same. She could see it in the way they’d looked at her this morning.

  Prior to that, yes, they’d eyed her with obvious sexual interest. But what had started in the music room last night hadn’t just been about sex. Everything about the evening had been emotionally charged. An encounter she had no doubt would stay with all three of them. Forever.

  As she sat on a rock at the water’s edge, she stared out at the whitecapped ocean and contemplated whether it was smart to continue on this journey.

  The job. The affair. The actual relationship she was building with Lex and Jax.

  Maybe it was safer and saner to just walk away from it all now. Before she got in any deeper with them. And vice versa.

  They’d already been devastated once. And Lily wasn’t looking to stick around when she’d made plans that were so vitally important to her. This trip had been her entire focus since she’d started at the Cliff House. Before that, even.

  She might be able to get her position back at the restaurant, if they had room on the schedule for her. Granted, it’d put Europe on hold for at least another year, since she wouldn’t be making the kind of money the butler position offered. And replenishing her savings would all be predicated on nothing else going awry, no more emergencies. And if she could find another apartment she could actually afford.

  There was also the option of selling the gowns.

  But no . . . she could never do that. They were a gift from Lex and Jax. And that made them much too special to part with. Even if the only place she’d ever be able to wear them was her own living room.

  Lily’s thoughts continued to wander. Against her better judgment, she thought of Katarina. There’d been pain in Jax’s eyes when he’d spoken of her. But toward the end of their conversation, there’d been a flicker of light as well. She was curious to know what that was all about.