Page 40 of Mr. Arrogant

Jaxon slid into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and backed out of her driveway.

“Um, hello? Where are we going?” Her voice ended on a shriek. She giggled at the desperate tone in her voice. She tried not to fidget. She didn’t do well with surprises.

“Calm down. You are going to love it.” He grinned at her. He reached out and turned on the radio. Old-school rock blasted from the speakers. He sent her a wink. “Sit back and relax.”

She playfully scowled at him but did as she was told. The supple leather seats of his expensive car held her captive. The aroma of the leather and Jaxon’s cologne wafted around her. She bit her lip and leaned back, watching him maneuver the streets. Once he was on the freeway, her curiosity was piqued.

“How was your day at work?” he asked.

“Ugh, I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just say they were not grateful that I even picked up the eight hours. They wanted me to stay longer.” She shook her head and wanted to block the day from her mind.

“Okay, I see we need to change the subject,” he murmured. Jaxon’s warm hand settled on her bare knee. He gave it a squeeze. “You won’t have to think about them at all for the next few days.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” she muttered. Cleveland General Hospital would be the farthest from her mind. Sofie’s hand settled on top of Jaxon’s. She took it and entwined their fingers together. She had a hunky man giving her all of his attention, that was all she needed. “What have you been doing all day?”

“Lots of meetings. Since I’m not in LA, I had to call in to the meetings virtually to discuss some of the options that our agents needed to be able to offer a few new clients they are pursuing. Then some of my personal clients’ contracts are up for renegotiating.”

“Sounds like you had a busy day, but yet here you are, picking me up earlier than you said. Are you sure you can take off work now?” Her other hand came to rest on top of his. She would have understood if he would have needed to reschedule their meeting.

“Well, that’s the thing about being your own boss. You can work when you want, how long you want, from wherever you want to,” he replied smoothly.

“I’m certainly jealous.” She laughed. Yes, this was making her think of Alana’s offer even more. No grueling twelve-hour shifts on her feet having to pull, push, and argue with patients. No getting yelled at by physicians or family members. Working for a consulting firm was looking quite good.

“I heard Alana was trying to recruit you.” Jaxon gave her hand a squeeze.

“I’m seriously thinking about it after the week I’ve had. I used to have so much fun being a nurse, but lately, all of the joy is gone. I don’t look forward to going into the hospital anymore,” she admitted. A sigh slipped from her. She turned away from him and studied the scenery as it flew by. She took notice of where they were, and she was still confused on where they were going.

“I’m sure whatever decision you make will be best for you.”

That was something she needed to hear. She hadn’t spoken with anyone else about her unhappiness at work besides Alana. She hadn’t even discussed possibly leaving bedside nursing with her parents yet. Her parents had worked so hard to help her get through nursing school, she’d hate for them to think she’d be throwing away all of her hard work. Even though she wouldstill be relying on her nursing degree and her experience if she accepted Alana’s proposition.

“How did you get in the business with your brother?” she asked.

“I was his first client.” Jaxon chuckled.

“Really?”

“Yeah, right out of college I got drafted into the professional league. I went first round, and London was able to negotiate one hell of a deal for me. At that time he acted as my manager and agent. My third year I busted my damn knee, and there went my professional ball-playing career.”

“Oh no.” Sofie was listening to Jaxon’s story. He shared with her the amount of surgeries he’d had and that his knee had never recovered. After a year of surgeries and rehab, he’d finally decided to hang up his glove.

“But it’s okay. I had always known I would be joining London at Primetime, just didn’t think it was going to be so soon. As my mother says, everything happens for a reason.”

“Your mother is a smart woman.”

“That she is, and look at us now. I was able to use my insight of being an athlete to connect with clients, and it helped that I used to play. Many players appreciate someone who has once been in their shoes. Especially the rookies. I can help make sure they are not going to get shitty contracts and deals.”

He shared with her stories of some of his clients, good and bad. Sofie listened and watched how animated he was when discussing his job. He loved it. There was no doubt about it.

Jaxon guided the car off the freeway, and it was then she noticed where they were going. She sat up higher and released his hand. She gasped, seeing they were at the airport.

“Jaxon! Where are you taking me?” She turned back to him, waiting for him to answer. The airport. She hadn’t even packed a bag. He drove past the parking garages and through the mainpart of the airport. They entered the private jet field, and it was then she saw the familiar Primetime Sports Management jet sitting waiting.

He parked the car near the hanger and killed the engine. He tossed her a wink and slipped from the car. She sat stunned that they were really about to hop and jet and fly off somewhere.

Jaxon opened her door and held out his hand.

“You are something else,” she murmured. Her smaller hand was engulfed by his larger one. He pulled her out of the car and shut the door behind her. “You’re just going to leave your car here?”

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