***

Jax holds open the front door to Ralley’s Gym, and I hold my breath as I walk through. Joe Ralley is at the front desk and my eyes immediately begin scanning the gym before I even acknowledge his existence.

“He’s not here.”

I turn to face Joe and he repeats himself. “Caden. He’s not here. Told him I had a business meeting and didn’t want any trouble. He’s at the 52nd street location, working the front desk. Brought the front desk person from there over here so you can help out with the banker if we need. They’re doing a financing audit. She’ll probably need reports. You know me and that stupid computer don’t get along.”

I exhale noticeably loud, feeling relieved. “Thank you.” I walk around and stand on my tiptoes, kissing Joe on the cheek. I’m truly going to miss this man when he retires, for more reasons than just help in running the business.

Joe nods and leans down to me. “You’re my girl. I’m sorry things with Caden went as far as they did. Should have seen that coming. The kid’s wound too tight.” He turns his attention to Jax. “Jackson, why don’t you and I go over a few terms of the financing my lawyer asked me to clarify.” Joe steps from behind the desk and motions in the direction of his office.

Jax nods. “Give me one minute and I’ll join you.”

Waiting until Joe is out of earshot, Jax takes my hand as I settle in at the front desk. “You okay?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll just be in the back office.”

“I know.”

He gives me a sweet kiss on the lips and takes a few steps away before turning back. “Gertrude,” he says over his shoulder with a smirk on his face.

“Gertrude?”

“My 10AM date.” He winks.

At precisely ten, Gertrude Waters, managing auditor at City Bank, arrives to meet with Mr. Ralley and Mr. Knight. Happily, I walk the silver haired woman back to the meeting.

***

The auditor stays for hours and pores over reports. It’s nerve-wracking, I really want everything to work out for Joe. Our business is great, membership is at an all time high, though she did seem a little concerned over our tightening cash flow. But Jax was able to alleviate her concern. She left with a pile of data, seemingly pleased with her initial review. Granted the constant smile may have more to do with Jax’s presence, and the way he leans over her shoulder to help her figure out things on the reports she’s reading, than the actual numbers on the page. He’s clueless the effect he has on her, but I saw her blush a few times as he joked with her. If she wasn’t almost sixty, I might even be a little jealous at their playful banter.

By late afternoon, with the auditor gone and my bookkeeping work all caught up, I find myself finally relaxed enough to sketch. Taking out my pad, I glance over in the gym where Jax is sparring with Marco. Low hanging exercise shorts, a sweat soaked simple white t-shirt clinging to his chiseled chest, he looks so different than the businessman in the three thousand dollar suit, but every bit as delicious. I smile thinking how lucky I am to have Jackson, the Ivy League refined tycoon pull out my chair and open my door. And Jax, the gritty, dirty talking fighter that commands my body. God, I had no idea such a man existed, he shatters stereotypes. It’s as if someone told me to fantasize about sexy men, and then they rolled them all into one perfect prototype. I sigh watching him. I never even knew I was capable of swooning, but that’s what the man does to me.

Sensing my staring, I’m caught ogling him when he turns. He arches an eyebrow suggestively and I wave him off as if he’s wrong for thinking I was checking him out. But we both know the truth.

My last project of the semester nearly done, I begin packing up my supplies as Joe comes to the front desk seeing Jax approach.

“Caden’s set up a time and ref, late next week,” Joe says pensively.

“Excellent. Can’t wait,” Jax responds.

Joe shakes his head and looks at me, attempting to provide an explanation, “Boys will be boys. Lucky for us, it doesn’t change.” He slaps a hand on Jax’s back. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t be brokering a deal that will take me long into retirement, would we?”

“No, we certainly wouldn’t want anyone to stop fighting before the paperwork was signed.” Jax extends his hand to Joe and the two share a smile.

“Lily. Caden’s my nephew and I love him. But Jax is a good man, and I know you never showed Caden any disrespect. And I’ll make sure he does the same for you. Now you two get on out of here, I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll make sure he isn’t back here until the fight.”

***

Jax insisted we stay at his hotel suite tonight so we could go out to dinner. After almost two weeks hiding out to avoid the media, it feels odd to get ready to go out in public on a date just the two of us. The paparazzi hasn’t completely disappeared yet, they still follow us and yell rude questions, but it seems to bother Jax less.

I stand silently at the doorway to the bedroom, leaning my head lazily against the wall, watching Jax’s reflection in the mirror in the walk-in closet as he gets ready. He slips on a pair of grey slacks that hang perfectly from his slim waist. Covering up his finely chiseled chest with a crisp white shirt, a small smile forms at the corner of his mouth as he fastens the buttons at his wrists. I wonder what he’s thinking that puts the smile on his face. Too curious to keep quiet, I walk to the closet and take over buttoning the front of his dress shirt.

“What were you just thinking about?” I look up at him through my long thick mascara coated lashes as I button.

“I’m not sure you want to know.”

I stop buttoning. “Well that might be true. But now I have to know.”

Jax motions to the chest high dresser island in the middle of the closet. “I was thinking I want to bend you over that, and watch your face in that mirror while I take you from behind.” He lifts his chin, gesturing to the mirror.

His eyes stay fastened on me. I work to keep my face unreadable, but I resume buttoning. Taking my time, I don’t respond until I reach the top button. “Maybe I should keep these on, looks like they keep us lined up much better.” I pull back a bit and look down, enough so he can catch a glimpse of the five inch heels he hadn’t noticed I’d walked in wearing. They’re silver with thin straps that wrap up my ankles.

A dirty grin washes over his face. “Those are definitely staying on.”