“Come on. You can tell me. I’ll keep it a secret from Emma,” Chase pressed Jaxson for the third time since they’d left Emma in the kitchen. He could tell the secret had to be something really big because Jaxson kept looking at his watch every two minutes, trying to make time go by faster.
Pop. The hard swat across his ass totally shocked Chase, coming out of nowhere. Everyone in the pre-opening office turned to look at him and Jaxson, curiosity on their faces.
“Ouch. What the hell was that for?” he asked, self-consciously reaching back to soothe the sudden discomfort.
“You know damn well what that was for. Ask me one more time to tell you the secret without Emma being here and we’ll need to find a more private location and my belt will be coming off. Got it?” Jaxson turned to pin him with his most dominant stare.
It felt like every drop of blood below his waist had just rushed to his cock in the space of three seconds. Christ did he get turned on when Jaxson went all Dom on him. He was tempted to ask for the secret one more time, just so he could feel the heat of the wide leather kiss his bare ass. It had been far too long since they’d shared the intimacy of real discipline in their trio. Until that moment, Chase hadn’t put together just how much he yearned for it.
Jaxson read him like a book, leaning in close to talk softly. “I know you need it, don’t you, baby? I’ve been neglecting that ass of yours, haven’t I? Well, I won’t tell you the secret, but I can promise you that you’ll go to bed with a warm bottom tonight if you’d like.”
Chase swayed on his feet, leaning into the desk they were standing near to help steady himself and to also hide his raging hard-on that had to be visible through his tight jeans. He choked out his reply. “You know I won’t ask for it, but if you feel that’s what I need, then I’ll submit.”
“Damn straight you will.”
Chase loved the possessive growl that told him that his Dom was as on edge as he was. It was in that exact moment that Maxine returned to the room with a petite blonde woman dressed in an outfit that looked straight off the runway. While most of the people working on opening the clubs were in jeans and T-shirts, or other informal work gear, the newcomer stood out conspicuously, and not just for her clothing choice.
The closer Chase looked her over the more he knew they’d been wasting their time waiting for the interview. Hell, the woman barely looked old enough to drive, let alone run their multi-million dollar business. The spiked heels were the only thing responsible for her topping five foot. Hell, she looked to be about twelve years old with her blonde hair pulled up into a messy, yet somehow elegant up-do. The severity of her black leather skirt was offset by the flirty softness of her powder-blue off-shoulder blouse. The huge Prada tote bag looked heavy enough to tip the wisp of a woman over.
Chase was leaning closer to Jax to ask if they could leave now when his lover moved forward, making his way around the desk to reach out and shake the young woman’s hand. Chase followed, hoping they could wrap this up quickly since she was clearly not a Maxine caliber candidate.
“Thanks for coming in today, Ms. Taylor.” Jaxson welcomed her just as Lola turned to notice their newest visitor.
Chase had just reached to shake the candidate’s hand when Lola arrived next to them.
“Nice of you to join us five minutes late. I hope your tardiness isn’t representative of your work performance,” Lola drawled her sour accusation.
Chase was surprised that the small hand in his gripped back firmly before releasing him to turn and smile sweetly at Lola, her bubbly voice matching her look. “Hello again, Ms. Garcia. I can assure you that, like, I am never ever late. It seems that some unknown person added my name to the ‘do not enter’ list at the gate and, well, it took a couple of minutes for the boys down there to sort things out with Maxine here.”
Chase had grown up in Southern California and he would bet his life that the spitfire of a woman in front of him had grown up in the valley. He knew it was a generalization, but if her accent didn’t give her away, the glob of bubble gum she currently chewed was a dead giveaway.
Lola didn’t back down. “Oh, I see that she’s Maxine already. Isn’t that a bit presumptuous of you to be on a first name basis?”
Madison Taylor smiled sweetly as she made Lola wait while she blew a tiny bubble with her gum. “I usually like to follow directions. Ms. Torres asked me to call her Maxine and so I will.” The petite woman didn’t back down one bit as she pressed, “Shall we get started? I’m anxious to hear more about the opening.”
Before they could even sit, Jaxson asked the question Chase was thinking. “Before we get started, I’d like to make sure we aren’t wasting each other’s time. I don’t know how to ask this gently so…”
Ms. Taylor cut him off, throwing up her hand like a stop sign. “I know. I look young, but I can assure you I’m considerably older. Like, this position is the perfect fit for me and I’m not ditching you today until I convince you gentlemen that’s the truth.”
Once again, Lola interrupted. “I’d be trying to impress me if I were you, young lady. I am the one who makes the employment decisions around here.”
Maxine scoffed. “Not so fast, Lola. Jaxson asked me to take charge of filling this position and you know it.”
All three women turned to pin Jaxson with expectant glares. Chase would have wilted, but his Dom held up admirably under the pressure.
“Ladies, I’ve put Maxine in charge of finding the right candidate for the demanding manager position. She assures me you are that person, Ms. Taylor, but I’ll be making my own decision on that subject this afternoon.”
Lola stomped her foot like a spoiled child whose mother had just taken her favorite toy away, crossing her arms over her chest in a huff. Chase had already had enough of her dramatics. It was time for them to fire her. He’d be talking to Jaxson about it later.
“I’m sure you have more important things to work on this afternoon, Lola. You’re excused,” Jaxson said with an authority that dared her to argue back.
Chase relaxed when she spun on her heel and stomped back towards her desk.
Maxine took charge. “Let’s head on into the dining room where we’ll have a bit more privacy, shall we?”
The men fell in behind the women, following them as they weaved through the mansion. Chase was in the perfect position to hear the women’s conversation.
“Did you bring your portfolio?” Maxine asked.
“You bet.” Madison had barely answered when she ground to a halt to exclaim, “O.M.G. Is that a genuine Granville Redmond?” She had stopped to admire an impressionist piece that the previous owners had left behind on the large expanse of wall in the dining room. The men had liked the piece, so they kept it.
Maxine looked at Jaxson for help.
“I’m not sure. We hadn’t got around to having an appraiser come in yet. I’m pretty sure there are several other pieces by the same artist throughout the club.”
Madison leaned in to take a closer look before answering, “I’d love to take a peek if you don’t mind.”
“That’s fine, but may I ask how you know so much about the artist?”
She reached into her Prada bag and came out with a sheet of paper. “It’s all on my resume. I graduated with honors from USC with a degree in art and design.”
“Not cinematic art?” Chase asked. That was the major many of his southern California friends had chosen as they chased roles in nearby Hollywood.”
“Oh hell no! I did a few commercials when I was a kid. That was enough to tell me there was no way I wanted to compete in that rat race my whole life.”
Chase chuckled at her candor, wondering what Khloe would think of the spitfire.
Jaxson brought them back to the topic at hand. “Well, let’s see how the interview goes. If we hire you, you’ll be able to explore the artwork to your heart’s content. Shall we?” He waved his arm towards the grand table that could seat up to twenty.
Only after the foursome were seated at one end of the table did Maxine continue the interview. “It’s no secret that I’ve already made up my mind. The reason I had you come back today is that we need to convince the owners that you are the right lady for the job. Why don’t we start by showing them your portfolio,” Maxine prompted.
Chase leaned back, crossing his left leg over his right, ankle on his thigh. He watched as Madison reached down into her Prada bag, expecting her to come out with an iPad or a sleek portfolio. Instead, she pulled out a three-inch thick, huge book that looked to be bursting at the seams with papers and edges of photos sticking out of what seemed like a scrapbook.
Madison heaved the weighty book up to the table, letting it land heavy against the wood. On the cover was a handwritten Madison’s Portfolio with colorful swirls of design hand drawn around the title to decorate the book. Chase grinned, remembering his sister’s high school scrapbook that had been decorated in a similar fashion.
He glanced at Jaxson who seemed to be having trouble keeping a straight face. His Dom opened his mouth as if he were about to put a stop to the interview when Maxine asked her first question. “Why don’t you start by telling Mr. Davidson and Mr. Cartwright about your last job?”
“Sure thing. For the last few years I’ve been running events and meetings for a varied portfolio of customers.” She paused and Chase was underwhelmed until she added. “I’ve loved my job, I really have, but I’ll be honest, the traveling has gotten to be a bit much. I’m stoked to be able to stay in one place again for a little bit.”
Having traveled the world themselves for their job, Chase and Jaxson could understand the need to grow roots, but just because she wanted to work in one place didn’t make her qualified for the job. Jax finally asked the million-dollar question. “That’s understandable, but I’m afraid we need someone who can run a multi-million dollar business. Someone who can book big name celebrities as entertainers and run intricate multi-day events for hundreds of people. We need someone who is both business and people savvy and who can also manage a staff of several dozen employees. I’m sorry, but you just…”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence. Ms. Taylor had opened her book and started flipping through the early pages of her scrapbook. “Like I said, I did a few commercials when I was a kid. That was because my dad is Burt Taylor. You might recognize his name. He’s kinda a bigwig over at Universal. Through my father, I have hundreds of powerful and influential contacts in the business. Actors, directors, musicians… exactly the clientele you are hoping will gravitate to Runway’s unique offerings.”
Okay. She had his attention.
She barged ahead, flipping through her book until she opened it again on a page labeled ‘Master’s Tournament.’
“This is one of the first big events I ran. I specialized in golfing events at first. As you described, several day affairs that included coordinating rooms, food and beverage, and heavy scheduling, not to mention entertainment, gifts, transportation, and staffing.”
She flipped through several pages of pictures showing famous golfers and celebrities to land on a page with handwritten numbers. “You’ll see my budget was three million on this particular project.”
Flipping a few pages deeper in her book, she stopped at a page labeled ‘Sundance.’
“This project was one of my more challenging. For two years I was the project manager in charge of transportation and the press relations for the ten-day film festival in January. This last year was especially a killer because they cut my budget by a quarter, but the attendance was up by thirty percent. It was a real bullshit move on their part and I told them so.”
Jaxson chuckled next to him at her candor. “I just bet you did. That certainly is an impressive event, but what do you know about running a dance club?”
“Management is management, right?”
“That depends. If I called one of your previous bosses, how would they describe your work habits, Ms. Taylor?”
“Call me Madison, and that depends on who you call, I guess. If you call Martin Porter, he’ll tell you I’m a spoiled brat because I refused to work in the hundred-degree Palm Beach desert sun without an air-conditioned RV. He was a cheap bastard who tried to save a buck and make the event team work in the heat for three days straight. I had two employees rushed to the hospital that weekend with heat stroke. I told him to shove it up his ass the next year when he called me to come back.”
Again, Chase sensed Jaxson fighting to hold a straight face as the young wisp of a woman surprised them all with her spunk and honesty.
“But if you call Mrs. Rutherford up in San Francisco, you’ll hear how she begged me to work for her full time at her exclusive bed and breakfast and spa in Carmel.”
“Why did you turn down her offer?”
“Well for starters, the space was much too small to hold any events larger than fifty guests. More importantly, I had just started dating a hot drummer from a band down in San Diego and I didn’t want to be that far away from him.”
“And how did that relationship turn out?” Chase asked.
“Not surprising, he was a cheating bastard like most guys I’ve met who are into music. That’s why I’ve made a new rule to only date guys outside of the arts.” She blew a huge bubble with her gum, letting it pop as she moved a bit deeper into her portfolio.
“Here, this is the one I wanted to show you the most. I know you two earned your creds on the runway. I’m not sure, but I think you were at this event a couple of years ago in New York City. It was the charity event held at the Met that Bruce Springsteen headlined.”
“Hey, I do remember that event,” Chase added. “Isn’t that the party where the Chinese gymnasts and trapeze artists were part of the entertainment?”
“Yep. That was my idea.” She flipped through several pages of pictures, finally stopping on a group shot of people looking up at the ceiling. “There! Isn’t this you?”
The men leaned in to take a closer look, almost bumping heads. Jaxson confirmed, “Yes, that was us. That burgundy dress right there is Emma. Christ she looked hot that night.”
Chase agreed, “I remember.” He left off how much fun they’d had in the limo on the way back to their town house that night. It had been a memorable ride to be sure.
Jaxson cleared his throat, trying to get refocused on the interview. “So I’m confused. It’s clear you have a lot of experience and connections. Tell me again why you want to settle down and work for us here at Runway? You have to have been making bank with all of these high-profile jobs.”
Madison smiled as she chewed her gum harder. “I don’t want to freak you out or anything, and I sure as hell don’t want to work for free, but I don’t need to work for money. I have enough.”
“Excuse me?” Jaxson asked incredulously. The men were rich, but never once did they want to take on any projects that wouldn’t increase their bottom line.
“Let me explain. I recently lost my grandpa. He left me his house and an extensive portfolio. My own mom has been battling breast cancer on and off for a few years now and I just don’t want to be away from home as much anymore. My house is only a few blocks from here. The club will only be open four days a week. I’ll get to use all of my talents, but still be able to spend time with friends and family.”
“Why not just retire? If you don’t need the…”
“Stop! I love working. I’m good at it. I’ll be damned if I’ll stay home and turn into the air headed blonde California girl that everyone assumes I am when they meet me.” She pinned them with an accusatory glare, but wisely stopped short of calling them out verbally.
The men shifted uncomfortably in their chairs having been caught red-handed jumping to the conclusions they were being accused of.
Madison smiled. “It’s okay. I get it. I’ve had to scratch myself to the top over and over because of the way I look. I’m not afraid to do it again with you guys. Now, what else can I tell you that will convince you that I’m the best person for this job?”
A pregnant pause fell on the room as all eyes fell to Jaxson. It was clear the decision was now his. She’d convinced Chase.
“So exactly how much is it going to cost me to lock you into the position? And more importantly, how can I lock you in for at least a year?”
“Well, now, that’s my kind of question!” She laughed as she slammed her scrapbook closed and pulled an iPad out of her bag next. Chase glanced at Maxine who had her own iPad in front of her. He guessed the women had more in common than he’d noticed on the surface.
Madison moved her chair around closer to the men and laid the tablet on the table where they could see it. “You’ll see I took the liberty of making up a proposal for you. I assume you’ve had to sink a major investment into both the property and renovations to get things ready for opening. Because of my unique situation, I’d like to propose a rather low base salary, but I’d like a cut of gross revenue. That way you only pay me if I’m making bank for you.”
“That sounds generous of you, but I’ll have to pass on gross revenue. Now, if you make it a cut of net profit, we might have a deal,” Jaxson negotiated.
“Interesting. That puts a lot more pressure on me. Risky.”
“True, but profit is all we really care about. We need to see a return on our investment or we won’t be in business for long. As a businesswoman, I’m sure you understand,” he added.
“Yes, indeed I do. But there are many things that I’ll need to be able to control in order to sign up for that deal. After all, if you refuse to give me the budget to accomplish what I need to, I won’t be able to effect change. I mean, what if you make boneheaded decisions that I don’t agree with?”
The tiny woman was fearless, facing off with the dominant man that intimidated many, including Chase at times. Jaxson crossed his arms over his chest, holding her stare until she parroted his stance. The two remained in a silent stare down. Chase glanced at Maxine who was grinning from ear to ear.
Unbelievably, Jaxson caved first. “I see why Maxine likes you so much. Are you sure you two aren’t related?” Jaxson deadpanned before finally smiling. The other two people seated at the table sighed as the tension seeped out of the room. “Here is my counter proposal. We’ll start you with a full six-figure annual salary we had planned to pay our manager. You’ll agree to stay a minimum of six months after which we’ll sit down and renegotiate. By then you’ll know that you can trust me to do the right thing by the business, and I’ll know for sure that you’re the right person for the job long term. If so, we can talk profit sharing. Deal?”
Madison hesitated, chewing her gum extra hard as she appeared to weigh her options before thrusting out her tiny hand with meticulously painted and pointed long fingernails. “You have yourself a deal, Mr. Davidson.”
The two shook hands to seal the deal before Jaxson spoke again. “I hope you can start right away. Maxine has been doing a fabulous job, but I’ve promised her husband that I won’t keep her out here away from her family for too long after the club is open.”
“I just need tomorrow off, but then I’ll be all yours.”
Jaxson turned to Maxine and asked, “I assume you’ve covered all of the NDA and security topics with her, including the more private purchasing we’ll want her oversight in, correct?”
“Of course.” Maxine sounded insulted that he’d even asked. “She even consented to a background check which Miguel finished already. Obviously, she wouldn’t have been selected as the front runner if we’d found any problems.”
“Excellent.” Jaxson pushed to his feet, bringing the interview to an abrupt end.
“It was nice meeting you Ms. Taylor… Madison. I look forward to working with you as we turn Runway West into the premier club on this coast.”
The pint-sized woman stood to shake Jaxson’s hand once more. She was over a foot shorter than him, even with her high heels. “You won’t regret hiring me. I promise you that. I’m so stoked to get started.”
“That’s good. We have some long weeks ahead of us until we get everything running smoothly. I hope you’re up for that.”
“You bet I am.”
“Excellent.” Jaxson then turned to Maxine to add, “Chase and I need to head out. We’re going to pick up Emma and then we’ll be out of pocket until mid-day tomorrow. Text me with emergencies only, okay?”
“You got it. I need to track Ted down and get the restroom situation straightened out. That’s the last major obstacle that could mess us up, but with five days left until the grand opening, we should get across the finish line just in the nick of time.”
Jaxson paused and then surprised them all. “I already talked to Avery and she’s on board with a slight change in plans.”
“Oh no, I don’t like changes this close to the finish line,” Maxine grumbled.
“Then you’re going to hate this.” Jaxson glanced nervously at Chase and then back at Maxine and Madison. “I’ve booked a small private party for some good friends for the day before the grand opening so we are down to four days, not five.”
The women both started to argue with Jaxson about it being impossible, but he cut them off.
“Stop. It’s too late. I’m committed to this plan. It will be for less than fifty guests. Avery is onboard for the food and beverage. The grounds are close to ready. Security and music are ready. I know it is a bit of a hassle but look at this as a practice opening with an intimate group.”
Chase hadn’t a clue who Jaxson had made the promise to, but whoever it was had snuck in under the radar. Madison surprised them all by supporting the idea.
“I like it. As long as the guests understand they will be our guinea pigs, it should be fine.”
“Yep, don’t worry about that. You ladies just work towards a Wednesday mid-afternoon party around the pool and then a sit-down dinner for around fifty in the ballroom. It should wrap up early enough to get things reset for the next day’s fashion show during the day and concert in the evening. I’ll share more details tomorrow after we get back.”
Jaxson stopped long enough to take his Ray-Ban sunglasses out and put them on, making him look like the celebrity he was. “Now, Chase and I are running late. Later.”
Chase took his cue from Jaxson who nodded towards the back of the house. The men walked silently side by side through the great room, avoiding the still half-full kitchen and exited through the sliding doors onto the back deck of the mansion. The afternoon sun beat down on the men as they made their way down to the lawn to skirt around the pool towards their house.
They were almost there when Chase finally spoke. “So who the hell did you promise a party to for next week? That seems pretty risky scheduling something earlier rather than later with the deadlines we’re under.”
Jaxson avoided answering the question until they were in the shade of the back patio. He stopped just before opening the sliding glass door and turned to Chase to answer. “You’ll find out soon enough and then you’ll understand. Right now we need to wake up Emma and head to the car.”
“But…”
Jaxson cut him off, placing his fingers over Chase’s lips. He couldn’t resist sucking the quieting fingers into his mouth in a filthy emulation of sucking on other body parts.
An almost feral groan came from deep in his Dom’s throat. “Shit, the things you do to me. We don’t have time for that right now.”
Chase bit down just hard enough to nip the fingers as Jaxson retracted them, causing them both to break out into an easy laughter. Chase’s heart swelled with the love he felt for the man he hoped to spend the rest of his life with. He wasn’t sure which version of Jaxson he loved more. The ultra-bossy, take charge, alpha dominant or this mischievous, easygoing lover. When Jaxson swatted his ass playfully as they entered the air-conditioned house, Chase decided it was this light-hearted version he loved more, if only because it was reserved for only Emma and him. They had to share dominant Jaxson with the world.
The men stopped just inside the door when he noticed Emma asleep on the couch. She’d curled up around a throw pillow.
“She looks so peaceful. I hate to wake her,” Chase bemoaned.
Jaxson peeked at his watch before answering. “We’re already thirty minutes later than I’d planned. We can’t delay, so we’ll have to wake her.” He moved towards Emma, but Chase reached to hold him back.
“Let me go start the car in the garage. Maybe you could carry her out and she could sleep a bit longer.”
“Yeah, okay, we can try that. I’ll follow in a few minutes.”
Chase jogged to the kitchen, grabbing the keys to his new SUV from the counter and dashing out to start the car just in time for Jaxson to carry a sleeping Emma out. He helped his lovers get settled in the back seat before taking the driver’s seat and putting on his own sunglasses.
“Thanks for joining us, Mr. Davidson. My name is Chase and I’ll be your driver today. What address, please?” Chase tipped his imaginary hat at the rear-view mirror.
“Smartass. Just head towards the 405 and then go south.”
They were a few blocks away when Chase prodded him again. “When are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“So you’ve said. Don’t you think I might need to know since I’m driving?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. I’m not going to tell you without Emma.”
Chase detected a nervous vibe rolling off his Dom, which was so unusual that it put him on edge. With each mile they put behind them, Chase’s anticipation grew until he wanted to scream to wake up Emma in the hopes Jaxson would finally spill his big secret.
“Okay, take the next exit and head west.”
“You do realize we are eventually going to hit the ocean, right?” Chase sassed.
“Just drive towards the marina, will ya?”
A spark of excitement helped Chase speed up. They’d talked about renting a boat to go out on the ocean for a day but had agreed that they were just too busy with the club openings to fit that into their schedule for a few months. If Jaxson had rented them a boat, he had really messed up though since it was already late in the day.
“Emma, baby. It’s time to wake up. We’re almost there.”
Chase looked into the rearview mirror to watch Jaxson trying to rouse their girl who stretched and yawned as she tried to get her bearings.
“Turn into the next driveway and stop at the guard shack,” Jaxson instructed.
Chase went along with the game of follow directions they were playing. Once he was stopped at the entrance, he rolled his window down, unsure what he was going to say to the uniformed guard who approached the SUV’s window.
To his surprise, the guy welcomed him by name. “Mr. Cartwright, we’ve been expecting you.” The guard stuck his head into the window to glance into the back seat before adding. “Mr. Davidson. Ms. Fischer. Welcome to the marina. You can meet your party in the slip next to the California Yacht Club. Just take this main street around as it curves to the left and follow the signs. You can’t miss it. I’ll phone ahead so they know you’re coming.”
Chase didn’t have a damn clue who ‘they’ were that the guard was talking about, but he followed directions, pointing the SUV in what he hoped was the right direction. Several blocks in he saw the sign he was looking for and turned, weaving through crowded parking lots and narrowing streets until he came to a dead-end at the club.
“Go ahead and park in the lot behind the yacht club,” Jaxson instructed.
Chase played along, his curiosity piqued.
It was Emma’s turn to question Jaxson. “Why are we here?”
Only after the car was locked up did Jax reach to grab Chase with one hand and Emma with the other. “You’ll see in just a few minutes. Let’s go.”
The trio made a wide swath that filled the sidewalk leading towards the water. In the distance Chase saw slip after slip filled with boats. Some were motorboats, others sailboats and at the end of the pier were several opulent yachts. They passed boat after boat, narrowing down the selection for their final destination until the only boat left was the biggest yacht they’d seen. He was about to turn and ask Jaxson what was up when Connor Lambert, their lawyer, stuck his head out of the interior cabin to make his way to the back of the ship where it was docked.
“There you are! I was beginning to think you were ditching me,” their lawyer observed.
“Naw, we had to finish up an interview before we could head out.”
“Suit yourself. I’m glad my flight doesn’t leave until tomorrow though.”
Connor reached out to help steady Emma as she climbed aboard, followed by Jaxson, and Chase brought up the rear. He was distracted trying to think about why Jax had kept it a secret that they would be seeing their lawyer and why the hell the meeting was on a boat instead of dry land.
Once they were all onboard, Connor invited them inside. “Come on in. I’ll show you around.”
Chase couldn’t help but comment. “I know you lawyers bill a pretty penny per hour, but we are seriously paying too much if this is your yacht.”
Their lawyer chuckled. “I wish. But it’s nice to have friends in high places. I think I’m going to bring Gabriella out next visit and we can take a trip out to Catalina Island.”
After they crossed the back deck, the trio triggered an auto sliding glass door that opened into the opulent main cabin. Unlike most boats he had been on before, the interior was high enough for even the tall men to stand upright without fear of bumping their heads on the crystal chandelier style lamp in the center of the spacious cabin.
Once his eyes adjusted to the closed space after the bright sunlight, Chase glanced around to find an older couple standing at attention on the far side of the room near what looked like a fully stocked bar.
Connor waved the couple closer to the new arrivals.
“I’d like to introduce you guys to Captain Thomas Burrows and his wife, Camille. The Burrows are going to be your hosts and will be taking very good care of you on your journey today.”
Chase didn’t know what the hell was going on, but Jaxson stepped forward to shake the captain’s hand while nodding at the middle-aged woman next to him.
“Captain. Mrs. Burrows. Thanks for agreeing to sail with us today at such short notice. I assume Mr. Lambert has brought you up to speed on why you are here?”
The older man nodded. “Of course. We’re honored to play a small role in such an exciting event.”
Chase couldn’t hold his tongue. “It’s nice someone knows what the hell is going on around here since I haven’t a clue.”
Jaxson didn’t turn to look at Chase as he scolded him. “You’ll know when I want you to know and not a minute before. Got it?”
Chase could feel the blood rushing to his face, embarrassed at the admonishment. His “Yes, sir,” was reflexive.
Jaxson continued his conversation with the older couple. “And the paperwork? All signed?”
Mrs. Burrows answered, a twinge of indignation in her voice. “All signed, but we have worked for Judge McDonald for years. I resent the implication that we would…”
“Camille that will be enough.” Her husband reached for her arm, squeezing as he pulled his wife closer as he addressed Jaxson. “I’m sorry, sir. My wife takes her role rather seriously. What she means to say is that it’s our honor to be trusted with such an important event and we will ensure not only your privacy, but the confidentiality that you deserve.”
“Thank you, Captain. We do appreciate it.” Jaxson acknowledged before adding. “We just need to wrap up a bit of paperwork before Mr. Lambert will be disembarking and then we can head out.”
“Very good, sir. We’ll go up to the bridge. Just ring the bell when you’re ready for us to shove off.”
“Will do, and thanks.” Jaxson nodded and watched them go towards the front of the boat through a narrow hallway and a door at the far end before turning toward Chase and Emma.
Chase wasn’t prepared for the uncertainty on Jaxson’s face as he stumbled for his next words. “So… I…” Jaxson paused, taking a deep breath before plunging forward. “Connor has some paperwork I need you both to sign.”
Emma sounded as confused next to him as Chase felt. “Paperwork? Now? Why would we have to come out here for this? Connor could have just met us at the club if it’s club business.”
Connor looked like he was about to speak, but Jaxson held his hand up to quiet him.
“It isn’t club business.” Jaxson took a nervous breath before adding, “It’s personal.”
Chase parroted his words. “Personal in what way?”
“You’ll find out soon. But for now…” Jaxson glanced back and forth between Emma and him before asking a strange question. “Do you two trust me?”
Emma’s “What?” sounded incredulous.
Chase couldn’t hold in his chuckle. “Seriously? I think that’s the stupidest question you’ve ever asked us.”
“Don’t get cheeky. This is serious.”
The men were in a stare down. Chase didn’t have a clue what the hell was going on, but whatever it was, it had Jaxson on edge. It truly pissed him off that Jaxson had the nerve to ask him such a stupid question, let alone stand in front of him looking like he was worried Emma and Chase could possibly say no.
It was Emma who bridged the awkward standoff between her men by walking between them, reaching up to stroke Jaxson’s chiseled jaw gently until he looked down into her eyes. “I trust you with my life. With the life of our children.” She glanced over her shoulder at Chase to prompt him. “Just like Chase does.”
His lovers both pegged him with an expectant glare until Chase stepped forward to close around Emma’s back to touch Jaxson’s other cheek. “There is no one on this earth I trust more than you and Emma,” he added.
He could feel Jaxson’s jaw relax under his fingers, as if he hadn’t known for sure how his lovers would answer the ridiculous question.
Chase foolishly thought they were past the silly conversation when Jaxson gave his next instruction to his submissives. “Then both of you sit down at the table. You’re going to sign a package of legal paperwork that Connor has for you.”
Emma prodded. “What kind of paperwork?”
“That’s the rub. I’ll tell you, but when we are out at sea.”
Chase was starting to understand how serious things were getting. “You want us to sign legal paperwork without even knowing what we are signing?”
He had hoped he had misunderstood so Jaxson’s firm, “Yes,” surprised him.
Connor spoke up from behind him, “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this, Jax.”
“Tough shit. I have a plan.”
“But…”
Jaxson broke their eye contact to throw a glare at their lawyer. “I get it. I’ll have them phone you after we talk about it. You’ll be able to abort if you aren’t satisfied they are onboard with the plan, but I’ll be damned if we’re going to do this like a business transaction.”
“Isn’t that exactly what it is?” Lambert asked.
“Fuck you. You know it’s a thousand times more important than that,” Jaxson argued.
Connor relented. “Of course. You’re right.”
Jaxson turned back to them and asked the question again. “So, do you trust me?” The question didn’t seem quite as silly this time knowing that his lover expected them to sign legal paperwork without even knowing what they were signing.
He felt Emma place her hand into his and squeeze. He looked down at her to see tears in her beautiful lavender eyes.
She was waiting for him to answer for them both. One glance back at Jaxson’s vulnerable face and the answer was absurdly easy.
“I’ll sign anything you need me to,” Chase responded.
Jaxson rushed forward to pull them both into his arms for a tight hug. Chase could feel the tension rolling off his Dom. He pulled out of the embrace, suddenly anxious to get the details taken care of so Connor could leave them. Only once they were out at sea would he get the answers to the plethora of questions running through his head.
