he was working hard for it when many in his situation would be content to sit back and have it handed to them.
“I’m taking Val to the broom closet you stuck me in,” he said. “Showing her my deplorable working conditions, and calculating how much we’ll get out of your ass when we sue.”
Levi laughed out loud. “Sic that lawyer on me, J. I look like I’m shaking? You ain’t leaving that closet anytime soon.”
I watched their exchange in amused silence. Mom and I had an odd relationship but we didn’t come close to these two. I kept waiting for Jaxson to admit Levi was his fun, kooky uncle, not his dad. Then I remembered a raging Levi dragging Jaxson out by the ear and the dad instincts showed themselves.
Levi turned a charming smile on me. “Glad to see you, Val. You two have fun with the rest of your day.”
“We will.” I stepped toward him, arms out, and was swiftly intercepted by Jaxson.
“That’s enough hugging.” He wrapped my arms around him instead and led me out. “Papa VZ, look after my future empire. I’ll catch you later.”
In the elevator, I snuggled into his side. “Does your broom closet at least have a lock?”
“Oh ho,” he crowed. “Just what are you thinking?”
I snuck my hand under his shirt, stroking just above the band of his jeans. “You know what I’m thinking.”
“Shit. You can meet Bianca later.”
The elevator dinged and Jaxson was out and running before the doors were all the way open. Holding back my laugh, I ran after him, passing the glinting wall of records for Jaxson’s private space.
Years ago, he brought me here on our first date and I took the first true step in letting someone into my heart. I would have had sex with him that night. Given myself to him completely. I loved that all this time, after drama, danger, living together, and falling even deeper for him than I knew possible, we were finishing what we started that night.
Jaxson and I rounded a corner and skidded to a stop.
A red-haired beauty stood in front of the only door in the tight corner. Nose wrinkling, she planted her hands on her hips.
“There you are,” she snapped. “You were supposed to go over my new lyrics and tell me what you thought.”
Jaxson drew me behind him. A protective gesture that I wondered if he registered.
“Yes, Serena, and I said I’d let you know tomorrow.”
Serena.
I peeked over Jaxson’s shoulder. Well, I wanted to meet her. Didn’t know it would be this soon.
She scoffed. “How long does it take to read five pieces of paper? I’m sick of waiting, J. I revised the bridge and changed the chorus of Epik. I want those songs on the album.”
“The revisions were great,” he said. “But we’ll get into it tomorrow ’cause I’m not really here. I just came by to introduce my girl to the people I work with.” Jaxson put his arm around my waist and stepped to the side. Emerald eyes honed in on me. “Serena, this is Val. Val, this is Serena.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
The ticked-off expression vanished so quickly I might have imagined it. Serena lit up. “Oh my gosh. You’re Val? Hi!” She bypassed my hand and went in for the full hug. Her hair and a cloud of Chanel perfume smacked me in the face.
“You’re even prettier than J described,” she said.
“Thank you.”
“I can’t believe he waited this long to bring you around,” she said, dropping her arms. “We were starting to think he made you up.”
I smiled. “I’m very real.”
Serena placed her hand on Jaxson’s arm. “J, have you brought her to meet Bianca yet? Oh, Bianca’s the head of the department,” she explained to me.
“I know who she is. We’re on our way to meet her.” I gave Jaxson a little tug and he fell out of her reach. “Good seeing you, Serena.”
We turned back the way we came, our closet/office romp on hold.
“Ooh, I’ll come with you.”
Jaxson bumped into me with the force of the sudden addition on his arm.
“My band’s in the studio,” she said. Serena grinned at me across his chest. “You can meet the other members while I try to get this mysterious boyfriend of yours to tell me what’s going on in his head.” She playfully knocked on his forehead. “I know you liked Epik. We stayed up all night thinking up that song together.”
My hold on him constricted.
“I’m off the clock.” He slipped his