Page 84 of Against the Rules (Harts of Passion 1)

The dinner was in full swing. Jax's table was full, but I'd been surprised when I saw who filled the chairs: my parents, Jade, Angela, and Maggie and Derek. I missed that his mom wasn't here, but she was still on vacation. However, his friend Noah was there, looking extraordinarily handsome. I hugged him and thanked him for the mountain house recommendation. He appeared just as interested to meet me. After chatting for a bit, I saw Noah look at Jax and give him a huge smile and a nod. I’m pretty sure I just passed some kind of test. I didn’t mind. I liked that Jax had a friend who looked out for him.

Adam had purchased his tickets separately, and he and Faith were seated at another table, likely full of politicians. Faith looked beautiful, but Adam appeared to be ignoring her as he chatted up the men around him.

"I can't believe you invited the rest of my family!" I squealed as I hugged him tightly. "You're a brave man."

He shrugged away a look of embarrassment. "They're important to you. You're important to me. Besides, I wanted them to see in person how good you are at your job. You've done an amazing job."

As if cued, an older gentleman stopped beside us. "Are you Grace?"

At my nod, he pushed up his glasses. "Well, young lady, I have to admit I wasn't exactly looking forward to coming tonight. I figured it would be another stuffy affair with overpriced tickets for uninspiring food and conversation. Imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw my CFO, a man easily mistaken for Ebenezer Scrooge, shelling out his money hand over fist until he beat the clock on that silly little game where you have to put all the shapes into the right place before the boards jumps and spills the pieces out."

I laughed. "I'm glad he's enjoying it. I haven't been able to beat it myself. It's an old game called 'Perfection.'"

He laughed. "Of course, it is! He can't stand to be anything but perfect. Very competitive, he is. And having some young teenager be able to beat him did not go over well. He'll spend any amount to beat someone's score." He took a sip of his drink. "This is by far the best dinner I've been to in a very long time. You've managed to pull off the impossible and get all these stuck-up rich people to have fun, which means they'll open up their wallets wider. Well done, my dear. I hope you have business cards to pass out because I hear people talking. I'd expect a lot of phone calls in the upcoming weeks, including from my company."

Nearly speechless, I managed to thank him and press a card into his hand. Jax's hand on my waist squeezed. "Told you so, sweetheart. I'm so incredibly proud of you. Everything's perfect."

Everything was going smoothly. The catering and wait staff was keeping everyone's glasses filled and the hors d'oeuvres buffet had to be frequently replenished. The silent auction tables were crowded, and to my delight, the few games we had scattered around were all occupied. Jade and I had decided we wanted to remind everyone why they were here—for the local children. I wasn't sure if so many stuffed shirts and sparkling dresses would enjoy things like fishing for prizes or balloon popping, but I guessed when the prizes were right, the competitive side kicked in no matter the age. And Jade has woven her magic with the prizes. She'd gotten some amazing donations such as expensive bottles of wine, cigars, movie tickets, discounts to high-end boutiques, and more. And her silent auction donations were even more amazing with trips, tours, spa days, flying lessons, and hard to get restaurant reservations. It turned out even the wealthy enjoy winning things.

Several more people stopped to compliment how much fun they were having. Finally, Jax guided me back to our table so we could enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. There wasn't much for me to do at this point until it was time for the speeches, so I chatted with my family and friends, enjoying Jax's arm around the back of my chair the entire time.

I leaned toward Jax, who's gaze smoldered back at me. "If you'll excuse me, I need to use the ladies room."

He started to rise. "I'll escort you."

I rested my hand on his arm. "You stay. I'll be fine."

"I'll go with her. You know us ladies, we travel in packs," Jade piped up.

I felt Jax's heated gaze on me all the way across the ballroom.

"So, things are going well I take it?" Jade gently nudged me with her elbow.

"Very well," I answered, grinning.

We were taking care of business when I heard the door to the ladies' room open. "Did you see her?" a husky feminine voice spoke.

"I did. She's pretty."

"If you like the girl next door look, maybe. She looks a little too innocent. Jaxson will never stay with her. He has needs a little milk and cookie girl like her won't satisfy.” My heart rose in my throat as it became obvious who they were talking about.

The other voice laughed. "I heard her dad's a pastor. I bet she only knows the missionary style."

I rolled my eyes. Like I hadn't heard that before.

The first voice joined in the amusement. "That's assuming she even puts out. She's probably waiting for her wedding night, which we both know will never happen with him. Of course, that means it will only be faster before Jax comes back to me. He's probably enjoying the chase, and once he gets what he wants, he'll drop her and go back to looking for someone who really knows how to satisfy a man."

I smirked, remembering back to last night. He'd been more than satisfied.

"You mean you, of course."

An evening bag snapped shut. "Of course. He only broke up with me because I mentioned going to a wedding with him. It spooked him. I don't care if we get married or not, as long as he takes care of me, and I don't just mean in the bedroom. Although he could be as poor as Lazarus, and I'd still play with him. On the side, of course."

"I wonder if he's got any single friends in his circle," the second voice mused. "I could use a rich boy toy."

The first voice laughed. "Once I get Jax back, you—"

I'd had enough. I couldn't believe they were talking about Jax this way, as if he were

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