Aftershock. Sylvia Day

      “Right. That’s what he said.” She blew out her breath. “Care to tell me why?”

      “We’ve been...seeing each other.”

      Deanna laughed softly. “An enigmatic millionaire with more secrets than dollars? I know the type.”

      I pinched the bridge of my nose, knowing it’d be better for my sanity if I walked away. Also knowing I wouldn’t. “I just want to get a better handle on him. I need to know if I’m wasting my time even thinking about trying to make things work.”

      “Probably,” she said bluntly. “What are you looking for? I’m not a private investigator, and there are a lot of books out there about the Rutledge family and its various members. Things like ex-girlfriends you can find with a Google search.”

      “No, that’s not what I’m interested in. Maybe you can’t help me. Maybe I’m looking for something only he can give up.” I sighed. “I don’t understand why he’ll do anything for his family when he doesn’t always seem like them. He certainly spends a lot of time warning me away from them. I thought he was hiding me like a bad habit, but now I feel like he’s...protecting me from them.”

      “If he cares about you that may well be what he’s doing. You gotta figure the Rutledges are like tiger sharks—they swim in the same womb but cannibalize each other until only the strongest comes out alive.”

      I froze, remembering what he’d said to me the night before. You’re swimming with sharks and acting like you’re on vacation.

      “Okay,” I said carefully, thinking of Jax’s father. “Who’s the strongest shark in that family, then? Parker Rutledge?”

      “Without a doubt.”

      Jax said his parents had started out as a love match and ended up miserable.... “What do you know about Jax’s mom?”

      “Leslie Rutledge? Talk about an enigma. Almost never seen in public the last five years before she died, and she avoided the spotlight even before that.”

      “Jax won’t talk about her.”

      “I can poke around, see what turns up, but it’ll take some time. Whenever you turn over a Rutledge stone, security teams come crawling out.”

      I sighed. I’d been seriously delusional dreaming of a “normal” life with Jax. “I’d appreciate anything you find. And I’ll pay for your time, of course.”

      “Sure thing.”

      Sitting up, I rolled my shoulders back. I was going to ask Jax outright about his family, but having a Plan B didn’t hurt. Especially considering how things had gone for us so far. “Thanks, Deanna.”

      “Hey, take care, okay? Guys like Jax can really fuck you up if you’re not careful.”

      “Yeah, I know. Thanks. You take care, too.”

      We hung up and I set my smartphone down on the desk. I was back to running through my email when my cell pinged for an incoming text. Looking at the screen, I saw it was from Jax. My feet tapped a little dance on the carpet before I realized what I was doing.

      I know you’re thinking about me.

      I stared at his message and snorted. “Whatever.”

      Obviously, you’re thinking about me, I typed back.

      I dreamt about u 2.

      That made me smile. Dreaming about Jax was one of my wayward mind’s favorite pastimes. Hope it was a nightmare about me blowing a major business deal for u.

      A minute later: It was a wet dream about u blowing me.

      I laughed. He’d changed tactics from our earlier conversation, switching from playing hardball to just playing. Jax knew when a particular strategy wasn’t working.

      I started typing a reply, but he beat me to it. My phone started ringing. I answered and he spoke before I could even say hello.

      “You sucked me so good, baby,” he crooned. “I couldn’t breathe, it felt so good. Your hot little mouth tugging at the head of my dick, your tongue swirling around me, your tight fist jacking me off. I came so hard for you. And you swallowed it all, Gia baby. Every drop.”

      For a moment, I couldn’t think of what to say, my mind filled with images of me doing just what he said. I loved going down on Jax. Loved the way he felt...how he tasted and smelled. More than that, I loved the way he lost himself with me, shameless in his pleasure. In those moments, I felt the intimacy with him that I craved so much.

      “You’ve always loved sucking my cock,” he said silkily. “And God knows I’d spend every minute in your mouth if I could.”

      I found my voice. “Selfish bastard.”

      “When it comes to you, yeah.” He sighed. “I’m lying in bed, naked and hard, wondering why the fuck you’re not here yet.”

      “Don’t you have something to do?”

      “You.”

      I heard the sound of his email pinging in the background and laughed. “Liar. You’re working.”

      We used to play phone sex games with each other, often leading to both of us getting off simultaneously. There was nothing in the world like hearing him say my name when he was coming.

      “Guilty,” he confessed, unabashed. “Trying to keep my mind off you and failing miserably.”

      “Probably because what you’re working on is the deal that screwed me over.”

      “You promised me a round of angry sex.” He hummed softly, with obvious relish. “I’m waiting for it, baby.”

      “Not sure you want your dick anywhere near my teeth while I’m feeling this way about you.”

      Jax laughed and my toes curled. He had the best laugh, deep and full-bodied. “Even threats of bodily harm can’t kill this hard-on I’ve got for you. Come over, Gia.”

      “Can’t. I’ve got a meeting in a bit.” I stood and walked to the window, feeling restless. Pushing the sheer curtains aside, I looked down at the city of Atlanta. Where was Jax? It was a question I’d been asking myself every day over the past two years. He hadn’t had to ask where I was, though, since he’d had me followed. “Besides, didn’t you say we needed to talk? I doubt you’ll do much of that when I get there.”

      He was silent a minute, then, “You’ve got a great family. I’ve always known where I stood with them, good or bad. They don’t bullshit and they don’t waste time on petty crap. They’re good people.”

      “Thank you,” I murmured, taking that to heart. I was proud of my family, proud to be a Rossi.

      “My family isn’t like that, Gia. Don’t be fooled by Parker’s charm. He only gives the time of day to people who are useful.”

      “Jax, I don’t have anything.”

      “You have me,” he said grimly.

      “Are you saying your dad would use me against you?”

      “Maybe. Or he’d just use you, period. It could be anything, babe. Just trust me, there’s an angle.”

      I absorbed that for a moment, trying to wrap my head around a father and son who didn’t trust each other. “Is he the reason you stayed away the past couple of years?”

      Is he the reason you’re determined to leave me again?

      “I stayed away because it’s the best thing for you.”

      I hated that non-answer. “Yet here you are. Give me a good reason why I should see you, Jax.”

      “Because you want to.”

      “I suggest you come up with something better than that.”