I nod. “I’m grateful for Aunt Bett and Uncle George, they gave me the best life they could and it was full of love. I don’t really remember a great deal about my parents.”

“So no siblings then?”

I shake my head. “No, they never got around to having another, but Aunt Bett and Uncle George have a son, Jed. He’s been my best friend since I was younger. He has a friend called Mitch, who I adore also. Those two have gotten me through a lot.”

Jax meets my eyes and his have something I haven’t seen in them before—compassion. “They matter to you, that’s good.”

“Mitch is slightly infatuated with me,” I blurt without thinking. “But he knows we’re just friends. I adore him.”

Jax tenses. “He wants you?”

“Well, there was this night a few years ago where things nearly got, ah, out of control. I guess it’s kind of like you and Tori.”

He studies my face. “You care about him?”

“No, well, he’s my best friend but it’s never been more than that. It could have been, but like you, we both care about Jed too much.”

“Red, Jed, think we were made to meet each other, kitten. Our stories are scarily alike.”

I smile. “Yeah, we’ll pretend that’s not creepy.”

He gives me a gorgeous half smile. When he’s like this—he’s beautiful. “Listen, about last night…”

“Jax,” I whisper. “Please don’t. You and I both know that shouldn’t have happened. I need … I just need to do my job, now more than ever. I can’t afford to be distracted.”

He studies my face. “I get that.”

“Then please let me move on and do that.”

“I’m hearing you, baby,” he murmurs, standing.

My heart flutters to a stop and my lips part as I watch him walk to his bedroom.

He called me baby.

That isn’t supposed to feel amazing.

*   *   *

“Yes, Kyle.” I sigh into the phone as Jax and I travel to the casino. “It’s fine.”

“Nak asked me to check on you, Delaney. I’m doing that.”

“And I said everything is fine, we’ve had no problems since yesterday.”

“Do you need backup tonight? It’s a big event, easy target.”

I grind my teeth. “I think I’ve proven that I can do my job, Kyle. Let me do that, yeah?”

“Fine, but you need to call if it gets too much. You need to make sure you check…”

“Later Kyle,” I say, hanging up on him.

“That man needs a good, swift kick to the nuts,” Jax mutters.

I laugh softly. “You’re right about that, handsome.”

He looks out the window, he seems nervous. I don’t blame him, he’s here, risking his life again in public, so soon after the last encounter. I don’t push speaking as we drive, and when we arrive at the casino, I instruct the driver to pull around to the secure entrance that Nak called in. I get out first, my long red gown flowing around my feet as I straighten, fingering the gun in my purse.

It’s quiet, so I usher for Jax to get out. He climbs out, looking amazing in his suit, and we both enter the casino. I do all my usual scans as we head to the huge ballroom that’s been booked for the occasion. It’s a big charity/fundraising event in the theme of eighties’ gangsta. As we step inside, people are dressed in suits, the girls with big hair and tight dresses. There are card and slot tables lined up, and the entire theme has been set perfectly.

I walk Jax over to the group of men he points out to me. He introduces me as his guest for the night and I’m okay with that. I hold my purse close as I glance around the room, listening only vaguely as Jax talks to his colleagues. They get to talking about his newest hotel, being built in Los Angeles and I zone out, just keeping my eyes on people.

We should be fairly safe in here, considering it’s protected by security, but still, I can’t be too careful. Someone could have gotten in without my notice, and could be acting as one of the guests. I can’t risk that, so I stay close to Jax and smile when I need to, and answer questions when required. I’m the perfect guest.

The night goes on, and Jax starts easing up, laughing and making conversation where needed. Dinner is served and the auctions begin. I sit and watch with a smile as they make money for some well-known charities with Jax’s hotel chains being a big contributor. He goes up and makes a speech and I stick close, keeping my eyes on the people surrounding him.

It seems they’re all fine.

When dinner is over, the dancing begins. Couples start heading out onto the dance floor, and I smile as they move, staring longingly at each other. I’m busy staring when an arm curls around my waist and I jerk, turning to see Jax walking us towards the dance floor. I push my heels in and protest, “I don’t think so, handsome.”

“Come on, kitten, you’ll love it.”

“No, thank you. I look like a headless chicken dancing.”

He chuckles, low and sexy. “Then you should definitely come and give me some entertainment for the evening.”

“Eat a giant penis, Jaxson Shields.”

His chuckle turns into a laugh. “Fuck, you’re cute when you’re sassy.”

“I’m not dancing. The entire dance floor does not want to see my superhero underwear when I go ass over head.”

He leads me further on. “You wear superhero underwear?”

“Of course I do, don’t you?”

He snorts.

“Iron Man is very real in my world.”

“God,” he mutters. “You could have at least had the Hulk on your panties.”

“He’s green, nobody wants a green man near their junk.”

He grins and swings me around until I’m forced to put my hands up to rest on him. He starts swaying us, his hands on my hips, mine resting on his shoulders. His eyes lock with mine and suddenly all the humor is gone. I’m taken back to his kitchen last night and my heart starts pounding.

Stop thinking about it, Delaney. For God’s sake, stop thinking about it. I look away, glancing at the couples around us, trying to look at anything but him. He pulls me closer with a little tug of my hips and I gasp as my body presses against his, his muscled flesh molding around mine and making me feel alive. I look into his eyes again and he’s gone from playful, to lusty.

Oh God.

I should push back.

I can’t.

He sways us, our bodies moving to the music. I try, God do I try, to ignore the thickness pressing against my pelvis, but it’s nearly impossible. His eyes are heated and he leans down close, so our foreheads are touching. No, God dammit, no. I can’t allow this. I go to pull back, but his hands tighten on my hips.

“Don’t,” he whispers. “Let me have this.”

“You know this is dangerous,” I whisper. “Dammit, Jax.”

He turns his head to the side, pressing his cheek to mine and he says nothing more. Our bodies are pressed together, our cheeks warm against the other’s, and it feels amazing. I let my eyes flutter closed, and I let my body move with his, relaxing my hips so we sway together. My breathing becomes ragged and I want to kiss him, more than anything in this world I want his lips on mine. But I don’t.