Breathe (Sea Breeze #1)(44)
I sighed. I couldn’t stand this. It was all my fault. “I didn’t kiss him back, and I pushed him away quickly. No harm done.”
“I know you didn’t, and I know you pushed him off. Jason saw all of it. He also saw you run like hell and fly down the driveway on your bike at a breakneck speed. He called me immediately and told me. I walked out of a photo shoot and called my pilot. I’m on my way to you now.”
“You have explained the photos to me before. I just wasn’t prepared to see it first hand, and reading the reporters words weren’t much fun either. I tried to handle it without getting upset.”
Jax sighed, “Every one of those photos were taken last night by her publicist. She is going to be in a new movie, and they needed the buzz. They told me what to do in all of those pictures.”
Relief washed away the pain, but guilt still weighed on me because Marcus was going to be out of a job.
“Thanks for explaining everything to me.”
He chuckled this time, and it was the warm sound I loved so much. “Wait up for me. I will see you soon.”
“I will.”
* * *
Chapter Thirteen
Jax didn’t have to fire Marcus; he quit. Ms. Mary said it was for the best and for me not to worry. Marcus would be going back to college in a few weeks, and he probably needed this time off to get prepared. However, William quit, too, and it left Ms. Mary with a problem. No servers.
“I’ve seen two applicants today, and only one is suitable. But he is going to need some help for his first time.” Ms. Mary stood over a pile of resumes in front of her.
“I’ll do it tonight. I know how. The one suitable applicant can help me.”
Ms. Mary cut her eyes at me and frowned. “I don’t know about that. Master Jax won’t like it much. He’s already grumbling about you working out in the sun, and he made me promise not to make you touch shrimp or oysters again since he found out how much you hate them.”
I laughed. “Well, he will get over it. Besides, what else can you do?”
Ms. Mary chewed on her bottom lip, and then nodded. “Well, I guess you’re right. You’re my only way out of this mess.”
The door opened, and Jax walked in with a grin on his face. “Ah, just who I wanted to see.” He leaned down and kissed my nose, and then gave Ms. Mary his charming, little boy grin.
“Do you have any sweet tea?”
“You know I do. Just made some fresh.” She stood up to go fix his drink. “While you’re here, I wanted to go ahead and let you know that since you ran off my servers, Sadie here will be serving tonight with the new guy so she can train him.”
Jax frowned. “No, she isn’t.”
“Jax, I don’t see why not. Ms. Mary needs help.” I stood and put my hands on my hips, ready to wage a war.
He grinned and slipped his arms through mine. “The family will be dining out tonight, and I will be busy. We won’t have need of servers.” He turned to Ms. Mary and smiled. “Take the night off.” He looked at me. “Will you do me the honor of going to dinner with me?”
Ms. Mary chuckled, and I smiled. “I would love to.”
He took my hand and led me toward the entrance to the main part of the house. “Good night, Ms. Mary,” he called over his shoulder.
We walked to his room.
“I had my stylist buy you clothing for the trip you didn’t get to take with me. If we want to enjoy a fan free meal, then we’re going to have to go eat somewhere were the dress code is a little more strict than most.” He opened his massive walk in closet and went inside and came out with a long, white box. “For you,” he said smiling.
I didn’t like the idea of him buying me clothes, but the eager smile on his face made me bite my tongue and get over it. I laid it on the bed and opened it up. Inside lay a pale blue dress that appeared to be made with fabric so delicate it would break when I touched it.
“I’m afraid I will hurt it,” I whispered and looked at him.
He chuckled and walked over to stand behind me. His breath caressed my ear. “All you’re going to do is make it the envy of everyone around you.” He returned to his closet and came back out with a shoebox. “You’ll need these too.”
I opened it. A pair of silver, strappy stiletto heels lay inside. “I hope I can walk in these.” My voice sounded nervous, even to me.
He took one, slipped it on his finger, and let it dangle. “These do seem complicated, but I can just imagine them on, and the image I am getting is making me sweat. We need to get you away from me.” He took the dress and led me to a guest bedroom. “You have a bathroom at your disposal, and you will find it has all you could possibly need to get dressed for tonight.”
“Okay,” I said, as he laid the dress on the bed and walked back to the door.
He gave me a cocky grin. “I’ll pick you up at seven, if that’s all right.”
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It showed a quarter to six now. “See you then.”
He bowed and closed the door behind him.
I walked into the adjoining bathroom. Make up and bath gels, soaps, salts, creams and as many different body lotions, splashes, and powders filled the marble counter tops. I bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud. He’d been prepared for me to say “yes.” A piece of paper lay on top of the towels, bath cloths, sponge, loofa, and some other item I’d never seen before. I picked it up and smiled when I realized it was from Jax.