Page 80 of Then Came Love
Jax put his hand on Jordan’s back. “Enjoy yourself, and I’ll come find you when I’m done.” He gave her a quick kiss.
Mia sighed. “You are one lucky lady. You get to smooch Jax and you’re meeting the hottest PI around for dinner.”
“You know Reggie Steele?” Jordan asked.
“Yes. I’ve known that tall, dark stud for quite a few years,” Mia said.
As she and Jordan headed for the elevator, Jax heard Mia say, “I’d like to know Reggie a whole lot better, so feel free to give him a smack on his very fine ass and tell him it’s from me.”
Jax chuckled and headed out to hail a cab.
Half an hour later he strode into the offices of RZS Wealth Management. A pretty blonde wearing a black pencil skirt and a low-cut white blouse came out to greet him. “Mr. Newmen?”
“Yes, but it’s pronounced Newman.”
“I’ll be sure to remember that for next time.” She smiled flirtatiously. “I’m Anna, Mr. Karns’s assistant. I’ll take you to his office.”
He followed her to an office with the door slightly ajar. She knocked twice, then opened it just enough for Jax to get a good look at the guy he’d already checked out online. Todd Karns was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was fairly good-looking, with brown hair and eyes that were a little too close together and were currently trailing appreciatively down Anna’s body.
Scumbag.
“Mr. Karns, Mr. Newman is here to see you.”
“Thank you, Anna.” Todd rose to his feet, revealing a mediocre suit as he came toward Jax with his hand extended. “Mr. Newman, Todd Karns. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Jax ignored his proffered hand and strode past him, eyeing the framed pictures of Jordan behind his desk, which told Jax he hadn’t been man enough to announce their split. “She is stunning.”
“Yes, my fiancée is quite beautiful.”
“Hm. She didn’t mention you were into fantasies.” Jax casually unbuttoned his suit jacket.
“Excuse me?”
“Perhaps I should clarify my name.”
Todd arched a brow. “Jordan S. Newman?”
“No. That would be Jordan’s new man. Jax Braden, and it is not a pleasure to meet you.”
“What the…? The fucking dress designer?”
“World-renowned wedding gown designer, thank you. I believe this is yours.” Jax put Jordan’s engagement ring on the desk. “It wasn’t nearly worthy of her magnificence, but then again, neither were you. I suggest you take down those pictures or you’re going to be awfully embarrassed when the world finds out she’s mine.”
Todd’s eyes narrowed. He was breathing so hard, he looked like a two-year-old ready to throw a tantrum. “You can have her and all of her fucking issues.”
“There’s that arrogance she mentioned. I didn’t think anything could make you uglier, but damn. There it is. You might want to watch your mouth when talking about Jordan, unless you want to see your entire life crumbling down around you in a very public way.”
Todd scoffed. “Good luck trying to get off with that cold fish.”
Jax rolled his shoulders back, closing the distance between them, eyes trained on the asshole before him as he spoke low and controlled. “I heard about how bad you were in bed. That must suck. I don’t know how Jordan suffered through it. In the future, you might consider giving your partner as much attention as you do your ego.” He smirked. “Then again, without the basic equipment, there’s not much you can do. And the truth is, it wouldn’t matter if you knew what to do in bed, because there are men worthy of being husbands, and then there’s you.” Jax headed for the door and turned back to say, “Enjoy your loose morals, because I sure as hell am enjoying my girl.”
“JAX, YOU SHOULD see their fall line. It’s exquisite, and they let me pick out a few outfits, which they’re sending over to our hotel. I couldn’t believe it. But when I tried to say no thank you, Josh insisted.” Jordan was talking a mile a minute on the cab ride to see Reggie, but she was too excited to slow down. “He’s so nice, and Riley told me all about how she had a crush on Josh when they were younger and how nervous she was when she went to work for him. Can you imagine that? She’s loved him her whole life. That’s what fairy tales are made of. And Mia? Ohmygosh, she’s a trip. That girl speeds around like she’s on roller skates, and you can tell how much everyone respects her. The whole thing—the place, the people—was beyond wonderful, but none of it compares to you for making it all possible. It was invigorating being around all of that activity and seeing the world I used to think I wanted. I made the right choice staying in Maryland, because this might be too much for me. How can I ever thank you for this, and for talking to Jilly about my designs?”
“Your happiness is all the thanks I need.” He leaned in for a kiss. “How are you feeling about meeting with Reggie?”
“I’m more nervous than a mouse in a snake pit, but I’m not letting myself think about it until we’re at the restaurant.” Although it had hovered over her all day like a rain cloud waiting to break open.
“That gives you about five minutes.”
Oh boy.“I’ll take it. How did your meeting go?”
“As well as I expected it to. Your ring has been returned.”
Her stomach knotted. “You went to see Todd? I thought you’d mail it. How did it go?”
“I’m not sure he was thrilled, but it’s done.”
“What does that mean? You didn’t fight, did you?”
“I think you know me better than that. If I were Nick, I’d have punched the smug look off his face, but I prefer to handle things with a little more couth. The right words can go a long way. He knows you’re done with him, and that’s all that matters.”
