Page 81 of Count On Me

EDIE

Jaxson whisks me through the foyer and I bask in the elegance that is this party. The chandeliers hang from the ceilings like beautiful fireworks dropping from the sky. The walls are covered in long decadent pieces of black silk and the floor is a mixture of black and white squares. The elegance and wealth they represent are the epitome of what this party embodies. And I feel mildly out of place.

The only thing grounding me is Jaxson’s hand, warm and comforting on my lower back. Supporting me without making a big deal out of it. Like he knows I need his strength right now. I’m surrounded by millionaire athletes and the high society of the sporting world. And while I’m nervous and feeling a bit overwhelmed, I’m also incredibly happy. This is how the last party was supposed to go. Jaxson bringing me into his life, not just as Eddie, his bestie, but Edie, his girlfriend. I just hope this one ends in a different way. Preferably with me and Jaxson in the same bed, wearing nothing but matching happy, sated expressions. And maybe the masks.

As I tuck myself into Jaxson’s arms, fitting just right against him, I sigh. We sway to the sound of the music, perfectly in sync with each other.

“You okay, baby?” his whispered words glide across my ear, warm and soothing.

I nod my head against his chest. “I’m perfect, thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t speak to you.” I don’t bring my head up to look at him. The guilt consuming me that I pushed him away, blamed him for things that were out of his control.

“It’s okay, Edie. We’re starting from scratch, remember?”

I nod again and bite my lip wanting to tell him I want more of this. More of us. That I want forever and eternity with him. But instead I remain silent.

As if he can hear my inner monologue he says, “You can tell me anything Edie. Don’t hold back. If there’s something you want, ask. You promised me.” He kisses the top of my head and I sigh again. This time blowing out my doubts and guilt and letting my desire take over.

“I want you, Jaxson. I want us. I want all of it. More nights like this. More being held in your arms. More kisses. Just more.”

He stops us from dancing and steps back from me slightly, tipping my chin up so I’m looking into those ocean eyes of his, and smiles. “I’m glad you finally asked. Your wish is my command.” He dips his head and brushes his mouth over mine so softly I barely feel it, but it leaves me breathless and I grip his lapels to keep myself steady. “Time to go, baby.”

I nod again, still trying to control the desire surging through my body at just a touch of his lips. We don’t bother to say our goodbyes to anyone. Not even Lockheart, who appears to be desperately trying to get away from Marcus. As we stride past, I distinctly hear him say, “I was an idiot and won’t make that mistake twice.”

I don’t get too long to ponder what he means by that as I’m pulled through the side exit and placed into a waiting car. How they know when and where we’re leaving from is beyond me, but I suppose money can buy you anything. I scoot as close to Jaxson as the seatbelts will let us and grab his hand.

Settling into the quiet of the car after the chaos of the party, I quickly realise we’re heading in the direction of my flat. It’s not what I expected, and we could be going anywhere, but considering what I’m hoping will happen next, my curiosity gets the better of me. “Are we going to mine?” He nods at me and rubs his thumb over my knuckles. “But I thought we’d go back to your place.” I can't hide the confusion and desperation from my voice. I don’t want to go home. I want him to take me to his and make love to me. I don’t want to do that with Angie down the hall.

“I don’t have a place, Edie. I’m still crashing at Lockheart’s.” The sadness that takes over his voice is a sharp contrast to the words whispered in my ear at the ball. And I don’t like it.

“But your apartment?”

“Sold. I couldn’t go back there. Not after…” He looks out the window as emotion streaks through his voice.

All this time, I shut him away and blamed him for everything, and he was eaten up with guilt and self hatred too. So much so he sold his home and has been staying with a friend for all that time.

“You’re homeless.” The words are out before I can stop them and I bite on my lip to prevent any more ridiculousness from falling from my mouth. He is a millionaire after all.

He chuckles lightly and brings his hand to cup my cheek. “I was. But now that you’ve come back to me, I’m not. You’re my home, Edie.”

“Jaxson.” I whisper his name as my heart thuds in time with it, his name embedded in every beat. “Will you stay at mine?” I ask as we pull up outside my flat.

“Not tonight, baby. I need one more day before I make you mine completely. A little more time before you’ll never be apart from me again. How does that sound?”

My body is burning with desire, but I smile and tell him, “It sounds like everything I’ve ever wanted. One more day?”

“One more day.” He leans over to brush his lips over mine, firmly but quickly. I need more, but I’ll wait. What’s one more day when I’ve waited a lifetime already?

As we pull up to my building, he quickly opens the door for me and asks the driver to wait for him. His arm is wrapped around my shoulder and I snuggle into him, my head resting on his chest as he walks me to my door. I don’t want him to leave me, but I know he has to. When he follows me inside, I want nothing more than for him to strip this dress off me and hold me as I fall asleep in his arms.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

He shakes his head. “Eddie, I want to, but I can’t. Not tonight. But I’ll stay with you until you’re asleep if you want.” I sigh and nod. It’s definitely better than nothing.

He follows me into my bedroom and stands back in the shadows cast by the small bedside lamp. As I start to reach up to my hair, he steps forward. “Let me,” he murmurs in my ear as he slides his fingers into my hair and removes the small clasps holding my curls up. With each pin he pulls out, a lock of hair falls down and his breath catches in his throat. He holds his breath as the last one falls on to my porcelain white skin.

As his fingers sweep through my hair and he massages the base of my neck a little, a sigh escapes my lips and I lean into his hands. He lowers them further and unties the laces of my dress.Once it’s loose enough for me to slip off, he places a gentle kiss on my shoulder and watches as the dress falls around my feet.

I’m breathless as he stares at my naked back, his fingers dancing on my bare skin. Stepping back a little, I push my arse, still clad in black lace panties, into him slightly.

---