Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1) (15 page)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Just when Jax thought things were finally falling to place, he received a call from hell itself, a.k.a. his ex. He could swear Fiona had some kind of bug planted in his penthouse. It wasn’t too far-fetched considering what she had done previously.

“You’re sleeping with her!” she screamed.

Jax had to keep the phone an arm’s length away to avoid shattering his eardrum. “Fiona, you have to stop yelling. I can’t understand what you’re saying,” he lied, but it worked. Fiona took a deep breath and blew into the phone. “Now, what are you talking about?”

“TMZ has photos of you coming from the airport early this morning and heading straight to your whore’s apartment. You said you weren’t fucking her, Jax! You told me it wasn’t true and now they have pictures? Don’t even try and deny it. I’m looking right at your face!”

Jax tugged at his hair. It felt greasy at his fingertips. He could use a shower, preferably with Cade. “Fi, you know as well as I do how accurate those reports are.”

Fiona continued, “Turn on your fucking computer or your TV and start watching. It’s you. They have a clear shot. And they have tons of it with you going into her apartment and not coming out for hours. You’re even wearing the same clothes! What the hell, Jax? Imagine what this will do to Harley.”

That did it. Her mention of Harley and how it would affect his daughter was a kick in the teeth. “Do not bring Harley up, Fi. Don’t push it.”

“You’re thinking with your dick, Jax—”

He had it. He ended the call abruptly. Let Fiona fume. He could deal with her tantrum later. If she was telling the truth about the tabloid reports, then there were people he needed to call to deal with it. His first call was to Bruno. His agent picked up at the first ring.

He sounded exhausted. “Jax, I was about to call you.”

“Fiona got to me first. Is it true?” By the tone of his agent’s voice, it wasn’t good news. Fiona could very well be telling the truth.

“Didn’t you see them at the airport? They followed you from LAX right to Vancouver. Those are easy enough to handle, but with you coming out of Cade’s apartment, helping her with her bags?”

“Shit,” Jax muttered under his breath. “They have Cade too, I assume.”

“Yeah, ’fraid so.”

“She’s not going to like that,” he said the words more for himself than for his agent on the other end of the line. “Do some damage control. I’ll have to talk to Cade about this.” Jax rubbed his forehead with his hand, frustrated how the day was going.

Not only was Cade seemingly pissed off at him for proposing—granted, he could see why she hesitated—now they had to handle paparazzi too.

“Are we confirming or denying?”

“Ah, man. I’ll have to ask Cade. If it were all up to me, I would tell them we are together, but Cade is a bit…”

“Yeah, of course. She’s new to this.” Bruno sighed. “Let me see what I can do from here, and call me back when you’ve had the talk. Good luck, my friend.”

Yeah, he needed all the luck he could get with Cade. “Thanks.”

Jax contemplated his next steps. The longer he delayed it, the worse it could get. His phone rang again, and he turned it off when Fiona’s number showed up. With heavy feet, Jax dragged himself out of his bedroom and stood in front of the guest bedroom. He could hear Harley’s animated voice, followed by Juliette’s chatter. Why couldn’t his life be easy for once?

He lifted his hand, poised to knock when the door opened, and Harley and Juliette stood in front of him.

“Hey, Dad, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Har commented.

Jax ran his hand over his face and hair again. He must look a fright. It wasn’t going to be easy talking to Cade. “I need to talk to Cade.”

“She’s in the shower,” Juliette told him, dragging him into the bedroom, and pushing him in front of the ensuite bathroom. “I’m sure she won’t mind if you join her.” Juliette winked at him, and right behind her, Harley quietly giggled.

Cade would probably drop kick him if he dared to try, but oh was it ever a huge temptation. “I’ll wait until she’s done,” he told the girls, who were already out of the room, and the door closed behind them.

Jax stared at the bathroom door. He could hear movements behind it. The shower wasn’t running. Was she done or was she just getting in? He tried not to think of Cade naked in the room, under the hot shower. He tried not to visualize her lathering up her flawless, toned body. He was stuck thinking about those sensual sights.

Then the door opened. Cade gasped, clutching the bath towel tighter. “Jax!” She looked around and noticed that no one else was in the room with them. “Where are Harley and Juliette?”

“They left.” His eyes focused on one drop of water falling from the side of her cheek down to her neck, pooling slightly over her collarbone. He’d give anything to suck on that skin at that moment. Jax took a cleansing breath and inhaled Cade’s glorious smell. He pinned her under his gaze.

“Jax,” she said again. There was a slight warning tone in her voice, but he could see the smile playing on the corners of her lips. Her lips. Cade’s lips. He ached to taste them once more. To taste her, all of her.

Jax stepped forward, circling one arm around Cade’s waist and grabbing at the top of the towel with the other hand. He leaned forward, ghosting his lips over the damp skin on the curve of her neck. Cade pulled on her towel, but not as hard as he thought she would. He followed the line of water droplets along her neck and shoulder. Cade leaned her head back, giving him more access to the column of her throat. She sucked in a breath in a hiss when Jax continued down her sternum, pushing the bundled towel down. It puddled around her feet, leaving Cade fully exposed and all his.

Jax kept moving towards her, and Cade continued to walk back until her behind hit the cold marble tiles on the wall. He reached for her hands and lifted them over her head, trapping her wrists with one circle of a hand. And his other hand travelled down to massage her breasts, down to her waist and way past her navel. He found her wet, and not just from the shower.

“Jax.” It was an exhale, rather than a whisper. It didn’t matter that his name was all she could say at the moment. He wanted her to scream it.

He released her arms and they wrapped around his neck as Jax swallowed Cade’s mewl with a kiss. He reached behind her head and cradled her in his hand, tangling his fingers through her wet hair, while his other hand formed circles over her sensitive spot. He was ready. She was ready. They were both heated from not only the steam in the room, but from their own desires.

Jax pulled his shirt off, and secretly enjoyed the whimper from Cade when he took his hand away from her. Cade watched him the entire time. She helped with the button of his jeans, hurried and impatient with her movements. His pants dropped in a thump on the floor, together with his boxers. He gazed right into her eyes, and swore that he could live in them forever.

Cade pulled him closer, grabbing his bottom with one splayed hand, then she nipped at his bottom lip, releasing it for a second, then slamming her lips with his again. It wasn’t graceful. It wasn’t soft. Their teeth clashed against each other; their tongues danced.

Jax lifted her right leg and propped it over his hip. Before he entered her, he asked, “Say my name again, Cadence.”

Her pupils dilated as she whispered, “Jackson.” It was followed by a loud gasp as he pushed in without warning.

In the heated moment, Jax didn’t care about his ex, the paparazzi, or whatever else was outside the bathroom. With every inhale and every exhale, all that mattered was Cade, her happiness, her satisfaction, her pleasure. Her moans grew louder, as did his. His movements quickened. He pumped harder, and she gripped him tighter until he lost all of his senses and gave in. He gave her everything, offered her his all.

They collapsed down on the floor, over his clothes and her towel, trying to steady their breathing.

Jax knew he couldn’t lose Cade, not now, not ever. But he needed to be honest with her.

“We need to talk, Cade.”

***

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about it right away.”

Cade stomped from the bathroom all the way to the lone dresser in the bedroom and took out clothes. She huffed as she got dressed. She tried to ignore Jax as he walked toward her, naked. Boy, did she try, but failed.

“Can you please get dressed so we can talk about it properly?” she pleaded, pulling her jeans over her thighs.

Jax walked back into the bathroom and picked up his clothes, but he didn’t put them on. Instead, he turned on the shower, then threw his clothes into the laundry bin.

“What are you doing?” Cade asked, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Taking a shower,” Jax replied, looking relaxed as he threw her a wicked smile. “Want to join me?”

Cade threw her hands in the air. “I already had a shower. Jax, you said we needed to talk about this.”

“Yes, I did, but not when you’re angry. Come into the shower and I’ll help you relax.” Again, he quirked a corner of his mouth, and cocked his head to one side. When she didn’t move or respond, he stepped into the stall.

Cade fumed. “Jax, c’mon. This is serious.” She walked back into the bathroom, and faced the shower stall. She gulped at the sight before her. Jax in the shower, slicked with hot water, lathering soap all over his toned abs, and thighs, and…

Next thing she knew, Jax pulled her in, getting her soaked with her clothes on under the spray. Before she could scream or protest, he planted a kiss on her lips. Right after, he chuckled.

“See, isn’t this much better?”

Cade’s shoulders sagged. There was no winning with him. If she wanted to have this talk, it would be in the shower. She removed her clothes again and left it piled in the corner of the stall.

Jax looked at her, really looked, from head to toe and back up again, and didn’t bother hiding his affected parts, either. He pushed her hair off her face and gave her a soft, chaste kiss. “I want to be with you, Cade. Do you want to be with me?”

Cade closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her thoughts. When she opened them again, she answered, “Yes, I do, but I don’t want to get married. Not yet.”

“You made that very clear. I understand, but one day, I hope you will.”

“I want to have fun. I want to get to know you more. I want to spend time with you and Harley, but there are clear issues here.” She waved her hand between them.

“There are no issues. I’ll make the calls, but I want your decision. I would also like you to know that I will fight for us every step of the way. The press will come right at us. They will be knocking on our doors every time. I’ll try and stave them off, but you need to be strong. You will hear things. You will see things that no person should witness. This is part of my life as a celebrity. I want you to be aware of that.” Jax reached for her and embraced her under the warm water.

“You paint such a delightful picture.”

“It is what it is, baby.” He reached behind her and turned off the water. “We don’t have to confirm any reports, but it doesn’t mean they’ll stop hounding us.”

“What about Harley?”

“Believe it or not, babe, Harley’s been through this circus before. Her mother wasn’t exactly shy. She could probably give you pointers.” Jax chuckled as he accepted the towel Cade handed him.

With towels wrapped around their bodies, they stood in front of each other. “I will be leaving tonight for San Diego. If you can, I want you and Harley to stay here.”

“I have my apartment to clear,” Cade protested.

“I’ll have Tina make the necessary calls. Is there anything else you want there?”

Cade shook her head. “No. I don’t have a lot of personal stuff there. I have all my clothes here.”

Jax kissed the top of her head. “Okay. Then you stay here and consider that taken care of. I’ll give Bruno a call and I’ll see how much he’s done so far.” With an urge from his hand, Cade tilted her chin and watched him through her lashes. “Now can I tell you how happy I am?”

Her lips spread into a smile, as wide as the one he sported.

In Jax’s arms, everything seemed fine, calm, quiet, even though she had zero doubts that right outside, havoc was waiting for her to surface.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Whoever said dating was easy was a complete fool, Cade mused as their car stopped in an alleyway. Exhausted from the late flight, she carefully pushed open the door and stretched her aching legs. Cade inhaled the scent of the city that never sleeps. She bent over and reached a hand to wrap Harley in her arms. It wasn’t good for the child to travel in the shroud of darkness. Cade felt the guilt in her gut. If she didn’t agree to continue a relationship with Jax, Harley wouldn’t have to leave Vancouver and arrive in New York City this late at night, or early that morning.

Did she and Jax make the right decision?

They were met at the metallic door by Zee, who seemed just as beat as Cade looked. He’d had to fly back and forth with Jax to Vancouver every second night, only to fly again the next afternoon to the next venue in Jax’s itinerary. Jax was a stubborn man, Cade had found out the hard way. Instead of waiting several days until Harley’s doctor gave them approval to travel, Jax had insisted on coming back to “his girls” whenever he could.

There were times when Jax had come home smelling like he’d doused himself with women’s perfume. The first time this happened, Cade had refused to touch him, much less sleep in his bed.

“I’m sorry, babe, the VIPs came at me like hungry tigers,” he’d reasoned.

In reply, Cade had pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose. “You mean your groupies?”

Jax had thrown her a pleading look, cocking his head to one side with a pout meant to afford him pity. “C’mon, baby, I missed you.” He’d stretched out his arms for an embrace, one that he hadn’t received until he’d showered.

Would it always be like that dating a rock god? Cade could only wonder. She and Jax had an intense connection which was hard to ignore.

She had been stuck inside the penthouse with Harley until they had to drive to the airport. Cade had felt like a prisoner, unable to breathe the fresh air unless she stepped out into the large balcony or risked running into photographers outside the building. Under Bruno’s advisement, Cade and Jax had chosen not to comment on the photos or gossips about them.

“They will eventually get tired, and move on,” Bruno told them.

But the paparazzi hadn’t left them alone. The small bush fire had spread to the entire forest when Fiona came into the picture, slandering Cade for seducing Jax and influencing Harley’s decisions. Fiona claimed that she worried about how the whole thing would affect her daughter. Cade was grateful Fiona hadn’t thought of paying her and Harley a visit in Vancouver, although she had a sneaking suspicion that Jax had threatened Fiona if she tried anything of the sort.

“How was the flight?” Zee asked as they walked through the commercial kitchen of the five-star hotel they were staying in.

“Long. Where is he?” She fully expected Jax to greet them at the door, even at the airport.

Zee cleared his throat before replying. “He had a meeting after rehearsal.”

“A meeting? It’s what? Three in the morning?”

They passed by clean, stainless steel worktops, and one chef too busy to take notice of them. Through the kitchen doors, Cade followed Zee through stark hallways until they reached a service elevator where hotel security personnel waited.

It didn’t escape Cade that Zee didn’t reply to her previous question. Not one to leave anything unanswered, Cade asked again, “Who was he meeting?”

The elevator doors opened and they all stepped in. Harley was dead to the world. Cade adjusted her arms around the little girl. She benched weights heavier than Harley, but not having proper sleep made Cade weak.

Zee threw her a cautionary glance, and then looked at the hotel staff. She understood. Being involved with a celebrity meant she was constantly watched, and people often eavesdropped.

How magnanimous. It wasn’t what she signed up for but deep down there was no denying that she had fallen in love with Jax. The only question was would they survive the constant scrutiny? The doors opened when they reached their floor. Inside the hotel was quiet and tranquility. Outside was chaotic, even at that time, but Cade loved that about big cities. Could that have been a sign that she craved the chaos her relationship with Jax had caused?

Zee stopped in front of a wooden door with a brass plate and knocked on it once, waited two seconds, then knocked again. Cade surveyed the room, still no sign of Jax. Was he still at this suspicious meeting? Zee showed her where Harley’s bedroom was. She laid the girl on the bed, taking off the red boots Harley had on before pressing a kiss on the girl’s forehead. Then she turned to Zee.

Anger and anxiety built in her as soon as her hands were empty. Had Harley been keeping her composed the entire time? Harley had that effect on Cade. She was a calming incense personified.

Zee nodded his head towards the other bedroom door, then left Cade standing in the hallway. Cade stepped towards the bedroom and knocked before entering.

“Jax?”

His silhouette in front of the large windows made her heart leap. He leaned a hand on the window frame, as he looked out onto the lit buildings. As he turned to her, he buckled over and released a sharp exhale.

Cade ran to him, holding his arms to guide him to the bed. He was clearly hurt.

“What happened?” She reached over the side table to turn on the lamp. When she could see him better, she gasped. “Jax, your face!” He had a cut on his swollen lip, and a large goose egg on his forehead, which was turning as purple as an eggplant.

“I ran into something,” Jax said, wincing as he spoke.

“You’re not that stupid…unless you were drunk?” Cade leaned forward and sniffed his neck.

“Oh don’t do that, babe, that’s turning me on and I’m afraid my performance will be subpar tonight.” He tried to smile, and grimaced instead when he stretched his lips.

Cade poked and prodded the rest of his head and face. She couldn’t stop the loud beating of her heart. She couldn’t help but chew on the inside of her mouth. Jax was evading, which meant whatever happened was more than bad.

“Lift your arms,” she ordered as she pulled the hem of his shirt over his abs. Jax hesitated, but obeyed. He took shallow breaths when he moved. And when Cade was able to take off his shirt, she was concerned why Jax was not in a hospital. “Has a doctor seen you?”

“Yes,” Jax rasped. He wiped the tear that rolled over her cheek.

Cade traced the edges of bruises on Jax’s ribs and chest, and some on his arms and shoulders. “Who did this to you?”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore. I’ve gone through an x-ray and CAT scan. No fractures. No internal bleeding. Just some nasty bruises and maybe some hurt pride.” He chuckled, hoping Cade would find his statement funny, but instead, she cried harder. “Baby, please don’t cry. I’m okay. I promise.”

“Why won’t you tell me what happened? And where was Zee? What good is he if he could let this happen to you?”

Jax cupped her face in his hands and tilted her chin up. He kissed the edge of her bottom lip and inhaled her scent. “It’s nothing you should worry about. It’s all taken care of now. The important thing is that you and Harley are here with me.” He pressed his lips harder on hers. “And you should know, the entire time it was happening, all I could think of was that I’ve never been able to tell you that I love you.”