Page 34 of What Happens In Vegas: Jessa & Jaxon
Antonio, who’s been silently taking in the scene, snorts from across the room where he’s examining a bronze sculpture with manufactured interest. “Amor? You?”
Unlike Kamal and me in our suits, Antonio’s dressed in designer jeans and an unbuttoned blazer over a graphic tee.
“It’s not that shocking,” I counter, though Antonio’s skeptical expression suggests otherwise.
“Jaxon, meu amigo, this is like hearing a shark say he’s gone vegan.” Antonio crosses to the bar cart, pouring himself a drink.
Kamal’s lips twist. “You and Jessa can’t have a conversation without biting each other’s heads off.”
“JJ’s stubborn as hell and believes she isn’t relationship material,” I say. “But I can’t stop loving her and frankly, I don’t want to.”
Antonio moves between us. “From what you’ve told us, it seems Jessa doesn’t feel the same way.”
“She does, but she’s holding herself back. Some asshole spooked her.” My jaw tightens. “I’m giving her time before I convince her we’re meant to be.”
Kamal laughs incredulously. “This ain’t one of your business deals where you strong-arm folks into giving you what you want.”
“Listen to the man who actually grew up with her,” Antonio adds, perching on Kamal’s desk. “Your steamroller approach might work in boardrooms, but Jessa’s immune to your intimidation tactics.”
“I grew up with her too,” I remind them, my patience thinning. “And I’m not afraid of a challenge.”
“This isn’t a challenge. It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” Antonio warns. “Jessa’s—”
“My wife,” I interrupt.
“You realize she’s going to kill you, right? Actually kill you,” Kamal says, replacing his cue beside the shield. “And I might help her hide the body.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“You’re completely loco. Certifiably insane, meu irmão.”
“Speaking of things that happened in Vegas,” I say, leveling my gaze at Antonio, “were you going to tell us about Jasmine being in your suite in Vegas?”
Antonio’s smooth confidence falters. “What?”
“Saw her leaving you room when I came looking for you.”
Kamal’s head snaps to Antonio. “You and Jasmine?”
“That’s—” Antonio waves dismissively. “Completely irrelevant.”
“Says who?”
“Nice try changing the subject, Jaxon, but we’re not done discussing you and Jessa.” Antonio’s expression shifts, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Because I have a way for you to get Jessa to admit her feelings.”
I narrow my eyes, instinctively wary. Antonio’s ideas always mean trouble.
Kamal groans, rubbing his temples. “Oh, hell. This is gonna be some bullshit.”
Antonio ignores him. “You want to know how Jessa really feels about you?”
“Obviously.”
“Then you need to make her see what she’s missing.”
Antonio’s brilliance in business often translates to drama in personal matters. Exactly what I don’t need with JJ.
“The last time I agreed to one of your schemes, I ended up banned from the Venetian with a Sicilian family convinced I’d promised to import their special olive oil,” I remind him.
