Saxon Read online

  “You know, Saxon came in here before he left.”

  I turn to Reid. “What for?”

  “He wanted to make sure that we would keep an eye on you,” he replies, sounding amused. “And that we didn’t let any men near you.”

  That sounds like him.

  “He’s fucking obsessed with you Tee, I could see it in his eyes. And you’re insane—so I think you should grab onto whatever man you can.”

  I slap his arm. “You jerk.”

  Reid laughs.

  Summer is a lucky woman.

  “I think I’m the lucky one,” Reid replies.

  “Fuck did I say that out loud,” I mutter, eyes widening.

  “You did.”

  I glance at Reid. “You know what would make me feel better?”

  “I’m not revenge fucking you.”

  “You asshole!”

  He laughs. He never used to laugh—before he met Summer.

  “What do you want Tee?” he finally asks.

  “Well,” I start, twiddling my thumbs. “I’ve always wanted to spar with the infamous badass MMA fighter, Reid Knox.”

  He studies me quietly for a moment. “Tomorrow morning, six am. You know where my gym is?”

  I nod. “Yeah, I do. Who doesn’t? I call it the babe gym.”

  He shakes his head. “Get your ass home and call your man. Put him out of his misery.”

  I scowl into my drink. “You’re just taking his side because he has a dick.”

  “No that’s not why at all. I just think you should just hear him out.”

  “Fine,” I sulk.

  “Fine.”

  I stand up and throw some money on the table. “Hey Reid.”

  He stands too and glances over at me. “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for making me feel better.”

  He shrugs his broad shoulders, looking around his empty bar. “I didn’t have anything else to do.”

  I smile and get my ass home.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Saxon

  I slide into the front seat of the taxi and give them Tee’s address. Feeling anxious to see her, I thrum my fingers on my thigh, wanting—no needing—to talk with her. When she turned her phone off yesterday morning, I caught the next available flight back home.

  I’d had enough and needed to be with her in person, to see her with my own eyes, and make sure she believes me when I say I didn’t and wouldn’t touch another woman.

  I use my key to get into her apartment, but she’s not home. It’s a Saturday morning, so she could be anywhere right now. I call her phone but it rings out, so I make myself comfortable, figuring that she has to come home sooner or later.

  An hour later, she does.

  I jump up from her bed where I was laying down and walk to the entrance. She has her back to me as she locks the front door.

  “Tee-”

  She screams, turns around and kicks me.

  Right in the balls.

  I drop.

  “Holy mother of crap Saxon!” she yells. “How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me?”

  I cup my family jewels, grimacing in silent agony.

  “Are you okay?” she asks, kneeling in front of me. “What are you doing here?”

  I take in a few shallow breaths. “You wouldn’t talk to me.”

  “I was pissed off and hurt. I just wanted a little time to sort out my thoughts.”

  “You can’t sort anything out when you don’t know the truth,” I tell her, wanting to wrap her in my arms but not wanting to get my ass kicked again. I look over her sport bra and tight black pants. “Were you at the gym?”

  She nods. “Yeah, I learnt some mixed martial arts moves.”

  Great.

  I stand up and hold my hand out to her. “Can you just listen to me before you say anything else?”

  “Fine but let me have a quick shower first,” she says, walking by me and into the bathroom. I sigh and reclaim my spot on her bed, waiting for her to come out. Five minutes later she does, dressed in a tight white t-shirt and baggy ripped jeans. She sits down on the edge of the bed and waits patiently.

  “I never touched that woman,” I start, then go on to tell her the entire story.

  She’s silent for a few moments.

  “You should have just told me about the picture,” she finally says, sighing heavily.

  “I know,” I say. “But I’d never cheat on you Tee, I want you to believe that. I’m not looking to downgrade.”

  She smirks at that.

  “Okay, I believe you. I won’t lie—the picture hurt and had me questioning a few things, but I do believe you.”

  My breath rushes out of me, relief taking over my body. “Thank fuck for that.”

  “Do you have to go back now?” she asks, looking vulnerable for a moment.

  “Tomorrow yeah,” I whisper. “I wish you could come with me.”

  She lifts her top up, and she isn’t wearing a bra underneath. How the hell did I not notice that?

  “Let’s not waste any time then, shall we?” she purrs, crooking her finger.

  I grin and pull off my t-shirt.

  Her mouth drops. Oh right. I’d almost forgotten. I look down to my chest, where Tenielle is tattooed over my heart.

  “When did you get that?” she asks, surprise written all over her stunning face.

  “Just after you left. The day after in fact,” I tell her. I step closer to her, step by step closing the distance. Palming her ass, I pull her to me and give her a kiss that she will remember.

  It’s possessive.

  It’s hungry.

  It’s branding.

  And it’s a promise.

  A promise that I will always love her, and that no matter what—she will always be mine.

  Always.

  *****

  I see her glancing at my fingers curiously, her brows furrowed.

  “Your tattoos?” she murmurs.

  I covered up Lexi’s initials that were on my knuckles. I should have done it sooner, but I couldn’t decide what to put there.

  “They didn’t mean anything to me, I should have gotten them covered up a long time ago,” I tell her in all honestly.

  “I like the skull,” she says, kissing the knuckle.

  “I knew you would,” I tell her, running my fingers through her soft, olive smelling hair.

  “I kind of like you too,” she says in a sleepy voice.

  I smile into her hair. “I’m thankful for that babe.”

  “You love me,” she whispers. “Like, a lot.”

  My body shakes with laughter. “You got that, did you? Good.”

  “I think you’re just addicted to my pussy,” she replies in a smug tone.

  “You have a dirty mouth.”

  And I love it.

  “I know. You love it,” she says. I roll over on top of her and slide my thigh between her legs.

  “I have to leave tomorrow,” I whisper.

  “I know,” she replies softly, her eyes scanning over my face. “At least I get to have you for the night. I don’t want to sleep because I can always sleep when you leave.”

  “I can sleep on the plane,” I tell her.

  Fuck sleep.

  I’d rather have those extra hours spent with her.

  “I think we should order some food in because I don’t feel like venturing out tonight,” she says.

  I nod. “Sounds perfect. Chinese?”

  “Sounds good to me,” she replies.

  “I know you like the Tom Yum soup.”

  She orders it every time.

  “I do,” she purrs. “But first how about you Tom Yum my soup.”

  I can’t stop chuckling. “You did not just say that.”

  “I believe I did,” she replies, unashamed. “I want you. Inside me. Hard. Now.”

  Who am I to deny my woman?

  “You’re demanding, you know that?” I say in a deep, husky tone.

  “You have a pretty
cock, do you know that?” she replies. “Saxon Senior is a fucking champion.”

  Laughter ensues.

  From me at least.

  “Fuck I love you,” I say, cupping her face with my palm. “No, really. You’re just something else.”

  “Less talking more sex,” she replies but can’t hide the gentle look that enters her eyes.

  “We’ll have sex when I’m good and ready,” I tell her in a mock stern voice.

  “Is that right? Hmmm.”

  She slips down under the sheets and strokes me, taking matters into her own hands.

  Literally.

  “Ahhh, fuck,” I grit out when her sweet, wet mouth envelopes me.

  I forget the world around me.

  All I see and feel is her.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Tenielle

  The next day, he leaves.

  I throw myself into work, taking on as many cases as I can and working overtime. We video chat every chance we can get, but it still sucks. Tonight I’m going out to dinner with Layla for some girl talk. It sucks not having Lexi here, either, or Ryder. I’ve not only lost Saxon, but everyone in my inner circle.

  I’m kind of a loner.

  Taryn knocks on my door making my day even worse. “Come in.”

  When I see her walk in with the hugest bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen, my mood vastly improves. She sets them down on my table and walks out without a word. Must still be upset about that red slushy I accidentally spilt on her crisp white shirt yesterday.

  Ooops.

  I pull out the card first.

  Tee,

  No man ever missed a woman as much as I miss you.

  Thinking of you always.

  Saxon.

  P.S. I know you said you don’t like flowers because they die—that’s why a new bouquet will be sent to you every few days.

  I love that even from overseas he still puts in the effort to let me know how special I am to him and that he’s thinking of me. I stand up and smell the orchids, taking a photo of them to send to Saxon with a thank you.

  The rest of the day passes uneventfully and soon I’m off to meet Layla. I consider going home to change, but I think my black tailored pants and tight white shirt will make do for dinner.

  “Hey sis,” she says in welcome, standing up from the table she was sitting at to give me a hug.

  “Hey,” I tell her. “How have you been?”

  We sit down and order drinks before she replies. “Wonderful. Kovu is a part of the family, we all love him so much. Thank you for getting him for me. It was the best gift ever.”

  I smirk. “Even Chase?”

  “Yeah although he won’t admit it,” she replies, lips quirking. “How’s work?”

  “Same old. Working on a really tough case right now and I’ve been stressing out,” I admit, pulling a black band off my wrist to tie up my hair in a messy bun.

  “You usually handle pressure well,” she says, tilting her head to the side.

  I nod at that. “I know, and I am handling it, it’s just a little harder.”

  “You miss Saxon.”

  It’s a statement, not a question.

  “Yeah I do,” I grumble. “I’ve become one of those women.”

  “Absolutely nothing wrong with loving someone,” she replies in a casual tone. “It’s one of the greatest gifts, in fact.”

  I give her a pointed look.

  She shrugs. “It’s the truth.”

  “I haven’t even been out in so long,” I say. “I’ve been sitting on my ass watching every season of Pit bulls and Parolees and Say Yes to the Dress.”

  She giggles. “Hey, both great shows.”

  “Aren’t they?” I reply on a grin. “Who knew people spent that much money on wedding dresses?”

  Layla laughs. “Mine was pretty expensive.”

  I wave my hand in the air dismissively. “Chase wouldn’t have had it any other way, knowing him.”

  She bobs her head. “He wanted me to have my huge dream wedding.”

  He would. He loves the crap out of my sister.

  “Mum’s been asking about you,” she continues. “She doesn’t understand why you don’t visit her much.”

  I blink a few times. “Seriously? I love her but she is always nagging me about something.”

  Layla shrugs. “She wouldn’t be Mum if she wasn’t nagging.”

  “If I ever open my mouth to say something and Mum comes out… please slap me.”

  “Noted. You know you can come to my place anytime. I’d love to spend more time with you.”

  Honestly, I think Chase would chase me out with a pitch fork if I took too much of Layla’s time. I giggle at that. “Why don’t you come and visit me at my apartment?”

  She smiles. “Sounds good. How about Saturday?”

  “I’m teaching self-defense. Unless you want to attend the class?” I say.

  She purses her lips in thought. “That sounds good actually. Can never be too careful these days.”

  “Wonderful. Now let’s order something I’m starving,” I say, grabbing the menu and checking it over.

  Layla does the same.

  “Too many choices,” I mutter.

  “Want to get two things and half them?” she asks.

  “Hell yes I do,” I reply.

  We both glance at each other over our menus and grin.

  I love my sister.

  *****

  A magazine is slammed down on my desk.

  Taryn.

  What now?

  “You really need to get a life, you know that?” I say as I stick my fork into the salad I was eating and leave it there, then wait for her to leave the room before I open it. Turning to page six, I see the picture. That Eliza bitch in bed with Saxon, the title proclaiming her proof as his mistress.

  Who wants to be known as a mistress? I don’t even know what to say.

  In the photo, Saxon is asleep.

  She’s next to him, lifting the camera up to take her own photo.

  I smirk, because here’s the thing.

  Saxon doesn’t have my name on him, which means this is an old photo. How old I don’t know, but I trust that Saxon wasn’t with her when he was with me. This bitch is pulling out all the stops, but it isn’t going to work. Saxon is mine, and I’m his. No whore is going to get between that.

  Like clockwork, my phone rings.

  “The awkward moment when you slept with that woman and couldn’t remember,” I say dryly into the phone.

  He exhales deeply. “I’m so fucking sorry. I’ve only done two one-night stands before, and I guess she was one of them. What the fuck was I thinking? How did you know it was old?”

  “Let’s just say that tattoo of yours saved your life,” I say, sighing. “Can’t your public relations people shut this bitch up? This stuff is getting really old.”

  “They’re working on it. I’m sorry this happened. Again.”

  He sounds it.

  I shrug my shoulders, even though I know he can’t see. “Shit happens, I’ll deal. We weren’t together back then so I can’t exactly hold anything against you.”

  “Fucked up part is I told the bitch to leave afterwards, but I guess she came back in my room and took the photo,” he grits out. “I need you right now, Tee. I need to see you, to make sure that I still have you.”

  I roll my eyes at his possessiveness.

  “Don’t roll your eyes at me, it makes me want to kiss that sass right out of you,” he says.

  I glance around my office. “The fuck?”

  He laughs through the line. “I know you babe.”

  I smile widely. “I have to get back to work, but call me tonight okay?”

  “Okay, I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  He remains on the line.

  “Saxon are you going to hang up?” I ask.

  “No you hang up first,” he says, laughing.

  I hang up.

  Then I start laughi
ng.

  Chapter Thirty

  Saxon

  Twisting the ring in my eyebrow back and forth, I wait impatiently for the taxi driver to take me straight to Tenielle’s house.

  The tour is over, and I’m finally back home.

  Right where I want to be.

  I left a day earlier than the rest of the band, so here I am, trying to get back to my woman as fast as I can. If only this taxi driver would hurry up, maybe drive a little faster.

  I wouldn’t be opposed to some speeding right now.

  As soon as the taxi stops I’m paying the driver, grabbing my suitcase and guitar, and running up to her door. Pulling out my key, I open the door and rush through the house.

  It’s empty.

  I look at my watch which tells me it’s seven pm. Where the hell is she?

  I think of calling her, but I wanted to surprise her so I restrain myself. Instead, I climb into her warm bed and close my eyes.

  What feels like ten hours later but is actually only about two, I hear the door unlock. I walk out in plain sight where she will be able to see me and stay far enough away that I won’t get kicked in the nuts again.

  Her eyes widen in surprise when she sees me standing there. She’s wearing workout clothes, her hair in a bun, and her face is free of any trace of makeup. She looks beautiful. “Saxon?”

  “Hi,” I say, then get down on one knee. “I love you, so fucking much. And I don’t want to live another day without you being completely mine. Will you marry me?”

  Her mouth drops open as I pull out the ring from my jeans pocket. I bought it in New York. When I saw it I knew it was the ring for her. For some reason it just suits her. She steps closer and looks down at the ring, and then down at her left hand. “I’d love to marry you.”

  I wait for a but… but one doesn’t come.

  “Is that a yes?” I ask her, standing up and putting my hand out—a silent offer for hers.

  “Fuck yeah it’s a yes!” she replies, giving me her hand so I can slide the ring on it.

  It fits perfectly.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispers. “I love it.”

  “Good,” I tell her. “Now kiss me, I’ve waited months for your lips.”

  She jumps into my arms and kisses me, wrapping her legs tight around my waist.

  “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” she says against my lips. “No idea.”