Seduction Calista Fox

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Acknowledgments

Seductionisthesecondnovellainmyfive-bookBayfrontBillionairesseries,whichisa
spinoffofthelargerprint-and-digitalseries,TheBillionaires.Ihadaninklingofavisionfor
thisstorysometimeago,buthadn’tcomeupwiththerightplatformforit.However,when
presentedwiththeopportunitytowritethesesupplementalbillionaireménageromancesfor
Swerve,thisstorygelledinstantly.Hauntingmusic,damagedsouls,andsubtleseductionare
thebackdropforthisstory,andIhopeyouenjoyit!

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ChapterOne

Whattodowhenthedoorisonlypartiallyopen?

LilianaHartstaredatthemassivedoubledoorsofthemusicroomonthesecondfloorof

themansionJacksonSterling,hernewemployer,hadrecentlypurchasedinthehillsidecove
ofBayfront,California.

Hisüber-efficientestatemanager,GretaHamlin,hadtoldLilytoneverdisturbMr.

Sterling.OrthemusicianhewascreatingcompositionswithforahighlyanticipatedCD,
LexingtonAlexander.

Lilyhadbeeninstructedthatifthedoorswereclosed,sheshouldleavetheafternoontea

serviceonthetabletotherightoftheentryway.Iftheywereopen,itwasacceptableforher
toproceedandsetthetea.

Butgoddamnit,Gretahadn’tsaidawordaboutwhattodowhenonedoorwasclosedand

theotherwascrackedopen.

Lily’steethground.Itwasherfirstofficialdayasalady-butlerforbothSterlingand

Alexander.Twointernationallyacclaimedclassicalmusicians,whoapparentlyhadmore
moneythanGod.NotthatLilywasunaccustomedtobeingsurroundedbytherichand
affluent.Themajorityofthepaternalsideofherfamilywerebutlers.Lilywasthefirstfemale
Harttodonthetailsandwhitegloves,thoughsheworeashortblackskirtinlieuofsharply
creasedpants.

Regardless,shewasimpeccablydressed—Gretaandadesignatedtailorhadensuredit.Her

whiteshirtwascrispwithanabundanceofstarch,andsheworeablacksilktietuckedbehind
thelineofshinysilverbuttonsonhersnug-fittingjacket,thecutawaymaterialmiraculously
movingwithhersoitwasn’tcumbersome.Lowleatherheelsandtightsalsoallinblack
completedtheensemble.Herdarkhairwaspulledbackinatidybunatthenapeofherneck
andshe’dmethodicallyappliedhermakeup,withthecomplementofcrimsonlipstickanda
smokyaccenttohertawnyeyes.

Herappearancewasonlyonecriticalpartofthepositionshenowfilled.Gretahadspent

thelastweekintensivelytrainingLilyoneverynuanceofservingthetwomenwhooccupied
thistopfloorofthemansion.BothhadbeeninManhattanonbusinesswhileLilyhadgone
throughthedailyroutineswithGreta.Nowthey’dreturnedandhereshewas,standingatthe
endofthemile-long,pale-gray-and-alabastermarblecorridor,staringatherfirstconundrum.

ShewastemptedtosetasidethefancysilvertraysheheldinherhandsandphoneGreta

toaskfordirections.Butadrawn-out,beautifullywroughtchordonaviolinkeptherrooted
whereshestood,attheendofoneofthemanyexpensivePersianrugs.

ThatwouldbeJacksonSterlingplaying.Hewastheviolinist.
LexingtonAlexanderwastheconcertpianist.
Thechordeasedgracefullyintoanother.Equallydrawnout.Andanother.
Themusicribbonedthroughherbelly,twiningupward,stealingherbreath.Therewasa

chillingvibratobehindthenotes.Mysteriousandevocative,yet...painful.

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Captivated,Lilylistenedintentlyasthesoftnoteshintedatafragileloveaffairthatcould

beshatteredatanymoment.Shecouldeasilyenvisionnakedbodiesentwined,heartsand
soulsconsumedbythesensualmusic.Buttheeuphoriawasonlymeanttobetemporary.
Thiswasthetypeofcompositionreservedfortragicendingsandheartbreak.Lossand
devastation.

Thehallwayfilledwithemotion,wrappedaroundeachintimatechord.Lilyhadalways

beendeeplymovedbyhauntingmusic.Thatwaswhyshewasanavidfanoftheoperaand
hadconsideredherselffortunatethatherinauguralforayintotheworldofbutlershadbeen
withSterlingandAlexander.

Herskintingledandagentleshivercascadeddownherspine.
Butbeforethebrilliantcrescendooftormentcame...therewassilence.
Aheartbeatlater,thepartiallyopeneddoorslammedshut.
“Oh!”
Lilyjumpedattheunexpectedgesture.Thesuddenvolatile,resonantsoundridingthe

heelsofsuchastirringpiece.

Thehandlesofthetraysheheldslippedfromherglovedfingersandtheafternoontea

servicecrashedtothemarblefloor,thecrystalvaseholdingasingleredroseexplodinginto
tinyshards,thesilverpotspillingitscontents,thedelicatechinacupsandsaucerssplintering.

Therewashertragicending.
Shit!
Shewhippedoffherglovestokeepthempristineandstuffedtheminherpocket.Then

shecrouchedonbendedknees,reachedfortheelegantteapot,andsetituprightonthetray.
Shedrapedthetwolinennapkinsoverthepuddleonthefloor.

“Don’ttouchtheglass.”
Lilystartedagain,takenbysurprise.Thewarmtimbreofamalevoicecamefrombehind

her.Shehadn’theardanyoneapproach,sodistractedwasshebytheviolinistandthe
seductivewebhe’dwoven.

“Iwasactuallyabouttograbtherose,”shemanagedtosay,herownvoiceabitbreathy.
Shelaidthefreshbloomonthetrayaswellbutdidn’tlifttheheavy,ornatecreation.

Instead,shestood,smoothedahandoverherskirt,thenturnedtofaceLexingtonAlexander,
bossnumbertwo.

Theairrushedfromherlungsinonequickstream.Lilyhadtofightthegapingofher

mouth.

Jesus.
HewasevensexierinpersonthanhewasinphotosontheInternet.
Tallerthanshe’denvisioned,toweringoverherbyagoodsixinches.Hehadbroad

shouldersandrock-hardbicepsthatstrainedagainsttheshortsleevesofhislight-bluepolo
shirt,whichwentwonderfullywithhisglowingceruleaneyes.

Hehadsandy-brownhair,atadonthelongside.Anengagingsmilethatrevealedperfectly

straightwhiteteethsetagainstaninsanelyhandsome,tannedface.

Holyhell.
Hewasgorgeous.
Heralreadyracingpulseskyrocketedatthesightofhim.
Not.Good.
Rememberingthatherreasonsforbeinginthemansionwerestrictlyprofessional,she

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thrustahandtowardhimandsaidinadistressinglyawestrucktone,“LilianaHart,sir.At
yourservice.”

Hispalmslidacrosshers.
Damnitalltohell,she’dtakenherglovesoff.Soshefelttheheatofhisskinandthe

strengthinhislong,taperedfingers.Anditsentajoltthroughher.

“Pleasuretomeetyou,Liliana,”hesaid,hissmilestillvibrantandwelcoming.
“Lilyisfine.”Shestillcouldn’tbreatheproperly.
Perhapsitwastheresidualmesmericeffectsofthemusicthatmadeherhearthammerin

herchestandherpulseechoinherears.

Yeah.Youkeeptryingtoconvinceyourselfofthat.
Becauseit’dbeseriouslydisastrousifshewasinstantlyhotforoneofthemenwhosigned

herpaycheck.

LexingtonAlexandertoldher,“HaveGretasendHenryuptocleantheglassandpolishthe

floor.”

“Ofcourse.”Lilynodded.
Henrywastheonlyonefromthemaintenancecrewallowedinthisrestrictedarea,unless

absolutelynecessary.Andthehousekeeperspermittedinthewingwerealltofinishtheir
workpriortonoon,whenSterlingandAlexanderreturnedfromtheirmorningritualof
weightlifting,followedbyracquetball,showers,andbrunch.They’dmissedallofthattoday,
however,sincethey’dflownintoSanFranciscofromNewYork—andLilyhadn’tneededto
catertothemduringmealsyet.Sothiswasherfirstmeetingwitheitherofthem.

Andnotanimpressiveoneatthatonherend.
Shesaid,“Iapologizeforthemessandthenoise.Ihaven’tdroppedatraysinceIwas

sixteen.ButMr.Sterling’smusicwasriveting...andthenheslammedthedoor.Caughtme
offguard.”

“Anunderstandablereaction.AndIapologizeforbothofusstartlingyou.Ididn’twant

youtocutyourselfonthatvase.AsforJax...Well.He’sbeeninabadmoodforsevenyears.
Don’ttakeitpersonally.”

Lilycouldn’ttellifhewasjoking.Hisdemeanorwascausal,unassuming.Heappearedto

beverygood-natured.Laid-backeven.Surprisingconsideringhowintenselyheplayedthe
piano.She’dstudieduponbothmenandhadfoundherselfinexplicablyluredintothe
compositionsshe’drandomlydownloaded—though,admittedly,shehadn’tbeennearlyas
movedasseveralminutesagowiththatentrancingviolin.

Thatsortofrawemotionhadnotbeencapturedinthemusicshe’dlistenedtopriorto

comingtotheestate.Therewasapoignantsenseofyearningbehindthisparticular
arrangementthathaddrawnherin.Andleftherlongingformore.Butnosoundcamefrom
themusicroomnow.

Pullingherselftogether,Lilygatheredupthetrayandsaid,“I’llreturnshortlywithfresh

teaandleaveitonthetable.”

“Don’tbother.We’lltakeapassthisafternoon.JaxandIareheadedintothecity.We

won’tbebacktotheestateuntiloneortwo,sowewon’tbeinneedofyourservicesthis
evening.”

“CocktailsanddinnerbeforetheoperaandthenaVIPpartyafterward,”sherecited.“Greta

informedmeoftheevents.Yourtuxedos,overcoats,andscarvesweredeliveredfromthe
cleanersthismorningandI’vehungtheminyourdressingrooms.Shinedyourshoes.If

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there’sanythingelseyouneed,pleasedon’thesitatetoringme.Evenwhenyoureturn.I’m
availabletoyoubothtwenty-fourseven.”

Thatwasahugecommitment,butnotuncommonforalive-inbutler.Andforwhatthey

werepayingher...Christ.Shewouldn’tsleepfortheentiretwo-monthassignmentifthat
wasrequiredofher.

Herfatherhadinstilledasenseofdutyinherfromayoungage,butthedollarsignswere

alsoflashinginhereyes.Lilyhadagrandplanforthemoneyshe’dmakebeforespringrolled
around,andshewouldn’tletanythingderailherfullyplotted-outadventure.

Makingitimperativeshedoatop-notchjobhere—andnotlustafterherboss.Orbosses.

BecauseifJacksonSterlingwasasstrikinginreallifeasLexingtonAlexander...

Oh,goodLord.
Shebitbackamoan.
Didn’thelpmattersthatAlexander’spenetratingbluegazeslidoverherabittooslowly,a

bittoosuggestively.Asparkbetweenherlegswastheabsolutelastsensationsheneededto
feel.Butshedid—anditrockedhertothecore.

Shebarelycontainedagasp.
Hesaid,“We’rehappytohaveyouonboard,Lily.”Therewasaplayfulglintinhiseyesas

headded,“Don’tletJaxrattleyou,allright?Heslamsalotofdoors.You’llgetusedtoit.”

Alexanderturnedonhisheelsandsaunteredofftowardhissuiteattheoppositeendof

thehallway.

Lilystaredafterhim,thinkingshemighthavegotteninoverherheadwiththisjob.
Becauseeventhoughoneemployerhadaffectedherdeeplywithoutsomuchasshowing

hisfaceandtheotherhadalreadydisappearedbehindhisbedroomdoor,shecontinuedto
experiencetheaftershocksofSterling’stauntingmusicandAlexander’stantalizinggaze.

Allbadandwrong.
Shetriedtoshakeoffthescintillatingsensationsasshebypassedthesweepinggrand

staircaseandinsteadtookthediscreetlytucked-awayserviceelevatordirectlytothekitchen.

Thesecondsheenteredtheenormousroomwithitscomfortinghustleandbustle,Greta

descendeduponher.NodoubtanxiouslyawaitingLily’sreturnfromsettingthetea.How
disappointedtheolderwomanwasgoingtobe.

GretatookonelookatthetravestythatwasLily’strayandexclaimed,“Whatthebloody

hellhappened!”

“Littleaccident.”Lilyskirtedtheslender,stylishlycoiffedsalt-and-pepper-hairedwoman

andputthetrayonasidebar.

Betweenclenchedteeth,GretasaidinherthickBritishaccent,“Youtoldmeyoudon’t

have‘accidents.’YouwereaserveratthefamedCliffHouseinSanFranciscofornineyears.
OneofthereasonsIrecommendedyouforhire.”

“Everyonehasaccidents,Greta.Minearejusttypicallyoutofmycustomers’view—you

know,likeslicingmyfingeropenonthefoilofaMerlotbottleI’muncorkinginthecellarto
decantorknockingoverabowlofclamchowderwhileexpeditinganorder.Idon’ttendto
justlosemyconcentrationanddropatray,because,because...fuck.”Shemumbledthelast
word.

Greta’sbrowcrooked.
Lilyhadalreadydiscernedthatbehindtheveryuptightappearance,GretaHamlinhada

keenandfeistywit.Itjumpedoutfromtimetotime,thoughsheclearlyworkedhardtokeep

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itunderwraps.

Thusfar,Lilyhadn’tseenorheardherslipinfrontoftheotherstaff,theverystoic,

singularlyfocusedlegionofchefs,servants,housekeepers,andlandscapers.Butforwhatever
reason,Gretahadapparentlytakenalikingtothenewest,youngestadditiontothecrew,and
onoccasionsheletherinnatesarcasmbreakthrough.

Lilyhadadoredherfromthesecondthey’dmet.
Gretawasn’texactlyamaternalpresence.Thoughsheheldthepotential.
SinceLily’smomhaddiedtwelveyearsago,whenLilywasjustthirteenyearsold,she’d

certainlymissedoutonthatsortofrelationshipatacrucialjunctureofherlife:puberty.

Eh,gads.
Suchawretchedtimeasitwas.Amplifiedbythelossofhermother.
Pushingallthataside,shesaidtoGreta,“IneedHenrytotakecareofthemessupstairs.

ThenI’mgoingtodoeverythinginmypowertonotbeabumblingfoolthenexttimeI’m
withMr.Alexander.OrMr.Sterling.It’sthemusic,”shevehementlycontended.“MyGod.It’s
notjustsoulstirring.It’ssoulgripping.AndIonlyheardacoupleminutesofit.”

Gretasighed.“Andtheybelievethey’recreatingrubbish.”Hergauntfeaturesturnedeven

moresevere.“I’veworkedforLexforsevenyears,sincehelefttheorchestrahe’dtouredwith
andmovedtoNewYorkCity.Iwasafantobeginwith,buteveryyearthathaspassed,I’ve
felthe’sproducedevenmoreexquisitemusic.Nowhe’scollaboratingwithJax,anditshould
bespectacular.Butforsomereason,Lexinsiststhecompositionsaren’tflowingthewaythey
oughtto—yetneitherhenorJaxcanpinpointthemissingingredient.”

“Iwouldn’thavebeenableto,either.Butthenagain,I’mnoexpert.Thoughwhatever

soundthey’restrivingfor...Ifit’smoreheartwrenchingthanwhatIjustheard,they’re
goingtoblowtheworldaway.”

“That’stheintent.”
“ImighthavetostartinvestinginKleenexonthestockmarket,”sheonlyhalfjoked.
“Don’trushouttodosojustyet.Therearesome...complications.”Herperidot-colored

eyescloudedbriefly.Thenshewavedadismissivehandintheair.“NothingIcandivulge.
They’restruggling,Lily.Doyourbesttosticktothefringes.Beavailableforthem,butdon’t
makeyourpresenceoverwhelming.Doyouunderstand?”

Lilynodded,dulynotingGreta’sominoussentimentaboutthetwomentheybothserved.

“Blend.Igetit.Mydadisexcellentatit.Hediscreetlylingers.Theretoanticipateandexecute
anyneedorsilentlyawaitarequest,butnotdistractinginanyway.IpromiseIwon’t
interferewiththeirwork.I’mjustheretomaketheirliveseasier.”

“They’llappreciatethat.So,too,willtheirfanswhenJaxandLexfinallyhittheirstride

together.”

Lilystaredatthehousemanagerafewmoments,thensaid,“You’recompletelyenraptby

themusic,too,aren’tyou?”

“Howcanonenotbe?”sheinsisted.“It’spreciselythereasonIfoughttoothandnailto

landthispositionwithLexinitially.AndI’mquitethrilledJaxtookhisrecommendationto
putmeinchargeofthehouseholdwhenJaxclosedonthisestate.”

“Iwantedmyjobforthatreason,too,”Lilytoldher.“Well...thatandthefactthatIneed

themoney.”

Gretagaveaknowingsmile.“There’salwaysthat,darling.Nowlet’ssetuptheteaservice

again.”

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“They’renotinterested,sincethey’releavingfortheevening.WhichmeansI’llbe

twiddlingmythumbsbeforeIturndowntheirbedslateron.WhatcanIdoforyou?”

“Sinceyouasked...”Greta’slookturnedappreciative.“WehaveagrandNewYear’sEve

soireetoprepareforand—”

“Ah,you’reinluck!”Lilysaid,excitedtohavesomethingtooccupyhertime.“Iusedto

prepforthechefsattherestaurantbeforeorinbetweenmyshiftsasawaitress.Please,put
metowork.AlittleadultADDmakesanentirefreeeveningalivinghell.Iwilldowhatever
youwantmetodo.”

“WordsIlovehearinginthiskitchen,”Gretaquipped.Again,ararething,Lilyhad

learned,exceptwhenshewasaround.WhichendearedGretatoherevenmore.

TheestatemanagerfoundLilyanapronwhileshedivestedherselfofherjacket,undidher

Frenchcuffs,androlledthesleevesuptoherelbows.Sheditchedthetieandslippedafew
buttonsthroughtheholesatherthroat.Thenshedoveintoslicing,dicing,andanythingelse
requiredofher.

Wheneleveno’clockrolledaround,Lilywasexhausted,butatleastshefeltasthough

she’dbeenproductiveandhadperhaps,inanindirectway,redeemedherselffromthe
massivefauxpasearlierintheafternoon.

Shediscardedtheapron,grabbedherjacketfromthebackofachair,andtrudgedupthe

stairstoturndownthebeds,yankingthebandfromherhairalongthewayandlettingthe
thickstrandstumblearoundhershouldersandalongherback.Itfeltgoodtoundothe
constrictinghairstyleGretahadadvisedhertowear.

Lilyreachedthetopfloorandwalkedtheridiculouslylonghallway.Luckily,herfeetdidn’t

ache,becauseshewasusedtoendlesshoursonthem.Nottomention,therushshe’dgotten
helpingoutinthebusy,hectickitchenkepttheenergypumpingthroughherveins.

SheenteredJackson’ssuitefirst.Jax,asLexingtoncalledhim.OrLex,asGretacalled

him.

Thenicknameshelpedtohumanizetheicons.
Well,Lex’smegawatt,playboygrindidthatquitenicely,too.
Asshethoughtofhim,whatLexhadsaidaboutJaxearlierpoppedintoherhead:He’s

beeninabadmoodforsevenyears.Don’ttakeitpersonally.

ThroughLily’sresearchwhenherfatherhadtoldherofthisjobopening,she’dlearned

thatLexandJaxhadgrownuptogetherinawealthyhouseholdinParisaschildprodigies.
Theirinstructorlaterbecametheirconductorwhenthey’dturnednineandhadbeeninvited
intotheinternationalorchestrathey’dtouredwithfornumerousyears.Thelargeensemble
wassopopularthatitwasfeaturedonPBSandHBO,andhadproducedanextensivecatalog
ofchart-toppingCDs,DVDs,anddigitalrecordings.

Yetshe’dalsoreadthatLexandJaxhadn’tcollaboratedwitheachothersincetheywere

twenty-one.

Sevenyearsago.
Interesting.
Sowhathadhappenedtomakebothmenabruptlyleavetheorchestraandgotheir

separateways...andyetJaxremainedsofullofangstandtormentafterallthistime?

Hastobeawoman.
Andperhapsthatwaswhytheywerepresumablystrugglingtoworktogether.
Intrigued,Lily’simaginationchurnedwithallsortsofromanticideations,particularlythe

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potentialofalovetriangle.Shetookthatthoughtastepfurtherandwonderedifthetwomen
hadsharedawoman—onewho’dultimatelyhadtochoosebetweenthem.

Theshatteredloveaffairshe’dconceptualizedwhilelisteningtoJax’smusicreturnedto

her.There’dbeenunmistakablepassionandpaininhisexecutionofeachnote.

Ahellofalotofpassion.
Ahellofalotofpain.
Alittletremorranthroughherashercuriositymounted.
Andagainstherbetterjudgment—thoughshesimplycouldn’thelpherself—sinfully

deliciousscenariosbegantoplayinLily’smind...

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ChapterTwo

Jaxsteppedoutoftheoversizedhexagon-shapedshowersetagainstonewall,featuringfloor-
to-ceilingcolumnsandpristineglasspanesbetweenthem.Hereachedforatowelandslung
itlowaroundhiships.Thenhegrabbedanotherandrubbedthestrandsofhisblack-as-night
hair.

Theoperahadhelpedtotaketheedgeoffhisearliervolatilemood.He’deasilylost

himselfinthemusicandthedramaofLaBohème...andafewglassesofCristal.Butthe
after-partyhadbeenahugebustfromthemomentheandLexhadenteredtheupscalevenue,
theBayviewrestaurantinSanFrancisco’sFinancialDistrict.

There’dbeenplentyofoperafanaticstheretogushoverthecast,butalsoequalnumbers

ofclassicalmusicfanswhowerethrough-the-roofecstaticthatJaxandLexwereworking
togetheronanewCD.Allwellandgood,exceptwhenthey’dbeenpressedtogivethecrowda
sampleoftheirlatestcreations.

Jaxhadhadavalidexcusefornotperforming—noviolinonhand.Butthere’dbeena

grandpianointhecorneroftherestaurant,overlookingthebay,andnocleanbreakforLex.

He’ddeflected,regardless.Inhisusualamiable,charismaticway.Declaringthe

compositionsweretop-secret,heighteningthemysteryandanticipation,andclaimingtheir
musicwouldberevealedtothisspecialaudienceonlywhenabsolutelyperfected.They
deservedthatmuchfromtheduo,he’dadded.

AndthenJaxandLexhadgottenthehellout.Justtwentyminutesafterthey’darrived.
Undernormalcircumstances,theywouldhavestruckupthebandandinvitedtheopera

leadstojoinin.Buttheseweren’tnormalcircumstances.AndwhileheandLexwereplaying
exceptionallywellontheirown,theywerehavingabitchofatimefindingtherightgroove
witheachother.Theoldgroovethathadoncecomesonaturallytothem.

Thisdisturbedthemgreatly.JaxknewLexhadbeguntodoubttheyshouldfollowthrough

withthiscurrentprojectasmuchasJaxhad.

Theproblemwas,theygenuinelywantedtoreunitemusically.
Butaghostremainedwedgedbetweenthem.
Katarina.
Instantlyrelegatingthoughtsofherandthepasttothefarrecessesofhismind,Jaxleft

thestatelybathroomandenteredtheevenmorecavernousmastersuiteheoccupied.

Thoughhedrewupshortwhenpresentedwithanassthatsparkedallsortsofdark,

lasciviousthoughts.

Inaheartbeat.
Despiteitnotbeingabacksidehewasfamiliarwith,Jaxquicklydeducedthatthewoman

leaningoverhismattress,plumpingthemoundofpillows,wasnoneotherthanhisnew
butler.Afemalebutler.

AndJesusChrist,whatafantasticwaytomeether.
Hedidn’tsayanythingforafewsecondswhileshefinishedherwork.Herjacketlayalong

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thebenchattheendofthebedhe’dhadcustom-madeforhissix-foot-four-inchheight.The
sleevesofherdressshirtwererolledup.Herhairwaslooseabouthershoulders.Herlegs
werelongandtoned.

Andagain...herass.
Perfectlyround.Tight.Tempting.
Thehemofhershortskirtrodehighassheswiftlysmoothedthebeddingshe’dturned

down.Sohigh,hecouldseethegapbetweenherthighsandtheslightesthintofhercheeks
peekingout.

Jaxswallowedagroanoflust.
He’dhadhisreservationsabouthiringawomantofillthisposition.ButGretahadfavored

herabovetheothercandidates,andLextrustedGretaexplicitly—soJaxdidaswellinthis
case.Plus,LilianaHartpossessedexcellentcredentials.Itwasn’tjusthertenureattheCliff
House—shealsocamefromalineofbutlers.Soofcourseshe’dunderstandallthe
parametersofthejob.Confidentialityandfive-star,24/7beck-and-callservice.

She’dbeenasolidchoiceonpaper.
YetJaxhadn’tseenherinpersonuntilnow.Lexhadmentionedherbrieflyontheway

intothecity.Buthadn’telaboratedbyanymeans.

NowJaxwasstuckwiththesightofherassburnedonhisbrain.
Anasshecouldimaginegrabbing.Biting.Fucking.
Damnit.
Thiswasdefinitelynotacomplicationheneeded.Hecarriedenoughweightonhis

shouldersatpresent.

Todistracthimselffromhiserrantthoughts,heclearedhisthroat.Alsohopingtoalert

hertohispresencewithoutscaringthehelloutofher.AccordingtoLex,Jaxhadalreadydone
that.

Nosuchluckinnotfreakingheroutagain,though.
Shegasped.Stilled.
Hesuspectedhereyesbulged.
Slowly,shestraightenedandturned.
Yes,indeed.Widetawnyiriseswithastunnedexpressionflashinginthem.
And...sonofabitch...
Jax’spulsehittheredzone.
Shewaseasilythemostbeautifulwomanhe’deverlaideyeson.IncludingKatarina.

Whichwassayingahellofalot.

Thiswomanwasn’tafragile,meticulouslypolished,angelicvisionlikeKatarina.
Thiswomanwascurvyinalltherightplaces,withwildlysexyhairandafacethat

belongedonmagazinecovers.

Herchestroseandfellquickly,herfullbreastspushingagainstthetightmaterialofher

shirt,lookingasthoughshejustmightpopabutton.Hewouldn’tmind.

Shewrungherhandsatherstomach.Caughtthenervousgestureandimmediately

claspedthembehindherback.

“Mr.Sterling.Iwasn’texpectingyoubacksoearly,”shesaidonaheavybreath,hervoice

lowandsultry.Eroticallystirring.“Mr.Alexandermentionedyouwouldbothbeoutwellafter
midnight.I’msosorryfortheintrusion.”

Jax’sbrowquirked.“You’reapologizingfordoingyourjob?”helightlyjested,despitethe

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suddenthrobbingofhiscockthatwaswhollydistracting.

“Thisisabehind-the-scenestask,”sheexplained,atingeofpinkstainingherotherwise

perfectporcelaincomplexion.

Becausehe’dcaughtherbentoverhisbedinacompromisingposition?Orbecausehewas

halfnaked?

Shesaid,“You’resupposedtothinkofmysticalelvesleavingchocolatesonyourpillow.”
Hechuckled.Again,surprisingconsideringhowhotandbotheredhewas.
Herskinremainedflushedassheclearlydidallshecouldtokeephergazeonhisface,not

hisbarechestandthetricklingofwaterfromhisshoulders,overhispecs,anddownhisabs.
Hefeltthedropsonhisskinacutelynowthatthisverystimulatingscenarioheightenedhis
senses.

Jaxsaid,“I’lltrytopretendyouweren’there.Thoughthatmightprovedifficult.”Hewas

muchlessconscientiousthanherabouttemperinghisphysicalresponsetowhatwas
unexpectedlystandingbeforehim.Hisgazemovedoverherfromheadtotoe.

Herhairwasaglossymassofplumpravencurls.Herfittedshirtwasopenedattheneck,

revealingaprominentcollarboneandmorecreamywhiteskin.Hershapelyhipsflared
enticingly,femininely,thenledintothosegorgeouslegsheenvisionednakedandentangled
withhisamidrumpledsheets.

Waytoundressthehelp,asshole.
Hisgazelifted.Onlytolockwithliquidgoldirisesrimmedwithfieryblood-orange.Her

eyeswerestillwide.Anddamnhypnotic—evenforamansuchasJacksonSterling.Aman
who’dmadelovetowomenwiththegreenestofgreenandthebluestofblueeyes.

LilianaHart’swereunique.Seductive.Riveting...
Everythingaboutthewomanwasriveting,disheveledthoughshewas.Itmadehereven

moredeeplysensual.Sexyashell.

Apparentlynotinghe’dmadeaverythoroughvisualinspectionofher,sheabruptly

realizedshewasincompletedisarrayandsaid,“I’mawreck.Iapologizeforthataswell.Iwas
inthekitchenhelpingtoprepfortheparty,sinceyouandMr.Alexanderweren’tinneedof
me.IshouldhavedressedbeforeIcameupstairs.”Shereleasedthehandsbehindherback
andreachedforafatcurl.“Shit.”Thewhisperedwordseemedtohaveescapedher
involuntarily.Shesuckedinasharpbreath.“Sorry.”

Jaxwasbothamusedandturnedonatthesametime.Anintriguingcombination.An

electrifyingone.

Sheboldlycrossedtowherehestoodandextendedherhandtohim.“LilianaHart.Please,

callmeLily.AndIassureyou,Mr.Sterling,IknowexactlywhatI’mdoing.I’mjustmaking
horrificfirstimpressionstoday.”

Jax’sgazenarrowedonher.“That’syouropinion.You’veputinalongdayandeven

assisteddownstairswhenit’snotyourresponsibility.WhenLexandIaren’thereandyour
dutiesarecomplete,yourtimeisyourown,Lily.”

Lily.
Hernamehadrolledjustabittoosensuouslyoffhistongue.Turningherstunned

expressionintoaninnatelyheatedonethatmadehiscocktwitchmoreenthusiastically.

Hervoicewasamerewispofairasshepolitelysaid,“Thankyou.”
Herhanddroppedbecausehehadn’tacceptedit.Jaxcouldn’texplainwhy.Exceptthatshe

hadsilky-lookingskinandlong,manicuredfingers,whichwouldnodoubtfeelsensational

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coilinghisthickshaft.Pumpingslowly.

Heinstinctivelyknewthat,withthiswoman,thesimpletouchofahandshakewould

incitetheneedformuchmore.

Shesaid,“Iappreciateyourstance.It’sjustthat...it’sabighouse.AndI’mnotgoodwith

toomuchfreetime.Iliketostaybusy.”

“Suityourself.Butknowit’snotnecessary.”
“AndpleasebelievemewhenIsayyouwon’tfindmelikethisinthefuture.”Sheswepta

handinfrontofher,indicatingherunkemptappearance.Again,whichhefoundsodamn
sexy.

“You’refinerightnow.Don’tworryaboutit.Though...”Heleanedinandwhiskedhis

thumboverhercheek.“Littleflourorsomething.”

Damnit.Hecouldn’tkeephimselffromtouchingher.Andherskinwasassilkyashe’d

suspected.Aslowburnspreadthroughhisgroin,uptohisgut.

“Phyllodoughforthepastries,”shesaidonahitchedbreath.
“Right.Well.”Hecontinuedtogazeather.Heshouldhavetakenastepaway,sohewasn’t

searedbythenearnessofher.Butitwasn’tinhisnaturetobackdown.

She,however,seemedtoknowwhennottoplaywithfire.
“Pleaseexcuseme.IhaveMr.Alexander’ssuitetotendto.ThenI’llserveyoubothinthe

musicroom,ifyouwish.”

“Wecoulduseacocktail,”hetoldher.Jaxwasinneedoftakingtheedgeoffagain.For

completelydifferentreasonsthistime,thankstoLilyHart.

Asshegatheredhercoat,headded,“Don’tbothergettingallbuttonedupthislateinthe

evening.You’reokayasis,giventhecircumstances.”

“ThenI’llseeyoushortly.”Thosetawnyeyesofhersslipped.Shestoleafull-onpeekat

him.Rightdowntowherethetowelcoveredhiscock.

Thecordsofherlong,gracefulneckpulledtautassheinhaledasliverofair.Nowitwas

desirethatflaredinhereyes.Completelyunmistakable—andscorchinghot.

Jaxgloatedinwardly.
Thelady-butlertryingsoindustriouslytobetheparagonofprofessionalismwasmost

definitelynotimmunetohim.

Andlikelynonetoohappyaboutit.Shetorehergazeaway,whirledaround,andmarched

off.

Ah...anunanticipatedturnofevents.
Anexcitingoneatthat.
Though,quitepossibly,alsoadangerousone.
Jax’sjawset.
WerehestillinEuropeandLexinNewYork,hewouldn’thesitatetostakeaclaimonLily

Hartforanightortwo.Butsomethingaboutherstrikingfaceandthosehypnoticeyesgave
himthenigglingsuspicionthathe’dwanttointroducehertoLex.Thathadn’thappenedsince
theirtouringdays.Andcouldprove—hadprovedlongago—devastating.

Tothemboth.
ThewomenJaxhadmadelovetoonhisown,afterleavingtheorchestra,hadnotturned

hisbloodtomagmathewayLilyimmediatelydid.Orcausedaninfernowithinhimatthe
sightofadelectableass.ThankGodfortheoverlappingofthethicktowelthatconcealedthe
startofwhatpromisedtobeamammothhard-onifhegaveintothelustsuddenlyblazing

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throughhisveins.

Withashakeofhishead,totrytoridhimselfoftheimageofLilybentoverhisbed—and

inhismind,shewasn’twearingtheskirtorthestockings—hetossedoffthetoweland
dressedinapairoflooseblackdrawstringpantsandatanktopthatconformedtohisrigid
muscles.

Hewastenseagain.
BecausehavingLilyinthehousewithbothhimselfandLexcouldbeathree-waycollision

ofepicproportions—inaspectacularway...oracatastrophicone.

***

Lexwaslisteningtotheplaybackoflastweek’ssessionwithJax.Themusicroomwas
elegantlyappointedwithplushwhitesofasandchairs,glasscoffeeandendtables,andornate
arearugs.Hisgleamingalabastergrandpianowascenteredinthemiddle,underan
enormouschandelieronalowsettingthathungfromthegildeddomedceiling.Thetallglass-
and-wood-trimmedwindowsanddoorswerecoveredwithwhitesheersthatblewgentlyin
thebreezecomingoffthebay.

Jax’smansionwassituatedonahillwiththecovebelow.Thecrashingofwavesechoedin

thequiet,semicircularcommunityofBayfront,driftinguptothesecondfloor.Thesmall
coastaltownwaslocatedsouthofSanFranciscoandborderedthewinecountryofRiver
Cross,withtheBlissMountainSkiResortfartherinthebackdrop.

Aplaygroundfortheultra-rich,Bayfrontwaspopulatedwithmillionairesandbillionaires.

Thedevelopmenthadbeenbuiltoverthepastcoupleofdecades.DubbedtheHamptonsof
theWestCoast,itwasparticularlydesirablegivenhowcloseitwastothecity,aswellasto
thesophisticatedlyrusticinlandgetawayofRiverCross,whereLexandJaxhadheldtheir
firstreunioninsevenyears.

They’dbeenatthelocalfavoriterestaurantandwinebar,Bristol’s—ownedbyfamous

restaurateurChristianDavilaandcelebritychefRorySt.James,twoofthemanyexclusive
guestsattendingtheNewYear’sEvebashLexandJaxwerehosting—whenJaxhadproposed
theyteamupfortheCD.Lexhadbeencompletelytakenaback.Hadn’tevenseenthe
suggestioncoming.

He’dthoughtJaxhadjustwantedacasualget-togetherafteralltheseyears,nowthatJax

wasbackintheStatesandhadpurchasedthemansion.Lexhadbeenanticipatingafriendly
catch-up.Notanewbusinessventurethathadcatapultedthembothintothepastandripped
theBand-Aidoffalltheoldwounds.

Butthemorethey’dtalked,themoreLexhadcometorealizethattheypossessedthe

exactsamevisionforthenewproject.Abrilliantideathatrosefromtheashesofdisaster.
AndLexhadn’tbeenabletoresistworkingwithhisbestfriendagain.

Troublewas,thoseoldwoundswerestandingintheirway.Whilethemusictheywere

creatingwasincrediblygood,bothmenwantedittobeexceptional.

No...
Extraordinary.
Notjustfortheirownpersonalsatisfactionorwhatwasexpectedofthemfromthe

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industryandbecausetheirfansdeservedtheirabsolutebesteffort.

BecauseitwasatributetoKatarina.
Whichmadeeverynotecritical.
TheroomwasequippedwithhiddendigitalrecordingsystemsandLexhadsoftwareon

hisSurfaceProforcomposingeachtune,buthistruepreferencewashandwritingthesheet
music.Itfeltmoreauthenticandpersonaltohim.Moreintimate.AndthatwaswhatthisCD
wasallabout.

Sothatmeantalotofscribblinganderasingandgruntinginfrustrationashetriedtofix

whatailedthearrangementhewascurrentlyworkingon.

Jaxstormingintotheroominagitatedstridesandheadingstraightforthewetbardidn’t

helpmatters.

HepouredhimselfabrandyandthenturnedtoLex.“Youdidn’ttellmeourbutlerwas

stunning.Yousaidbeautiful.”Hesipped,clenchedhisjaw,thenadded,“Notfucking
breathtaking,forChrist’ssake.”

Lexgrinned.“So,youmetLily.”
“MetisnotexactlythewordI’duse.Instantlylustedafterismuchmoreappropriate.

Jesus.She’s...ah,fuck.”Hedownedabiggulp.Stalkedovertothewallofdoorsand
windows.Staredoutatthebaybelow.

Lexsaid,“IthoughtI’dleaveittoyoutogetthefulleffectofher.Iwasshockedbyher

beauty,too.Pleasantlyso.I’mthinkingoftellingGretatohaveLily’sthingsmovedtooneof
thesuitesinthiswing,withus.Sinceherprimaryresponsibilityisthisfloor.”

Spinningaround,Jaxsaid,“IwasthinkingoftellingGretatofireher.”
LexdroppedhisfancysilverMontblancpencilonthepapersrestingontheledgeofhis

piano,wherehesat.Hestaredathislongtimefriend,hearingthetroubledtone.

Jaxlookeddeeplydisturbed.Andhighlyaroused.Lexrecognizedthesigns.He’dseen

thoseemotionsetchedacrossJax’sfaceoftenenoughwhenthey’dbeenwithKatarina,either
darkeningorlightinghisotherwisepewter-coloredeyes,dependingonthesituation.

“Thisisunexpected,yes,”Lexconceded.“Butshe’shere,Jax.AndGretacarefullyvetted

alltheapplicants.LilianaHartwasashoo-ingivenherfamilyhistory.Gretasaidshowingher
theropeswasapieceofcakebecauseLilycaughtonsoquickly.Youreallywanttosendher
away?”

Jaxsippedsomemorebeforesaying,“Wait’llshecomesinhereinafewminutes.Shewas

workinginthekitchentohelpoutandkilltimewhileweweregone.Sheisanabsolutehot
mess,completewithsmudgesonherface.Andit’sdamnprovocative.Aperfectlyfucking
beautiful,breathtakingdisaster.”

Ah,thatword.
Disaster.
Jaxhaduseditonpurpose.
Goingbacktohisarrangement,Lexsimplysaid,“She’snotKatarina.Don’tdoomherfrom

thestart.”

ButevenashetriedtoplacateJax,Lexfeltdreadskulkaroundthefringes.They’dboth

beenthrownforonehellofalooptheeveningKatarinaKarlssonhadjoinedtheorchestrain
Stockholm,notlongafterthey’dcelebratedtheirtwentiethbirthdays.Thedelicateblond-
hairedSwedishsingerhadmesmerizedthemwithherice-blueeyes,softsmile,andpure,
crystallinevoicethatseepedintoone’ssoulandstayedthereforever.

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They’dfallenforheralmostimmediately.Hard.
Andhadriddentherollercoasterofalifetimeemotionallyandphysicallywithher.
Jaxsaid,“SinceKatarina,neitherofushasmetawomanwewantedtointroducetoeach

other—awomanwewantedtoshare.SharingLilywasoneofthefirstthingstopopintomy
headwhenIsawherwithherassintheairalongsidemybed.”

Lex’shandstilled.HeglancedupatJax.“Yeah.Thoughtcrossedmymindaswell.”
“Soit’ssettled.Gretacutsheraseverancecheckinthemorning.”
“Let’snotbetoohastyhere,”Lexinsisted.“Giveherashotatdoingherjob.”
“Doingherjobisn’ttheproblem,Lex.”Heswoopedinsothathecouldlowerhisvoice.

“Wantingtofuckheruponfirstsightistheproblem.”

Onceagain,Lexsetasidehispencil.
“Youdidn’thavethesamereaction?”Jaxchallenged.
“Impossiblenotto.She’ssensational.AndI’mdamnsureshedoesn’tevenknowit.From

whatIgleaned,strivingtobetheperfectbutleristheonlythingthatreallyregisters.”

“Iwouldn’tsayit’stheonlything.Iwashalfnakedwhenshewasinmyroom.Itdidn’tgo

unnoticed.”

Lexgrinned,despitetheintensityoftheconversation.“Notsayingshedidn’tlikewhatshe

sawwhenshemetme.”Hewinked.

Jaxdrainedhisbrandy.Thensaid,“Acomplicationsuchasthisisthelastthingweneed.

We’reondeadline,orhaveyouforgotten?”

“Ihaven’tforgotten.Butmaybe,”Lexventured,“alittleinspirationisexactlywhatwe

need.Amuse,ifyouwill.”

Theystaredateachother.
Lexcouldn’tdenythathe’dfelttherareknee-jerkresponsewhenLilyhadturnedtoface

himinthehallway.Hereyeswerethemostamazingcolor—andcompletelyspellbinding.She
hadanartisticallycraftedface,astunningfigure,sculptedlegs...andsheoozedanalluring
sensualitythathadgrippedhimfromtheget-go.Especiallywhenshe’dbeensobreathlessat
thesightofhim.

Admittedly,thevisualofherhadbeenstuckinhisbrainsinceshe’ddroppedtheteatray

inthecorridor.

He’dbeenseriousabouthisreasonfornotelaboratingonherwheninthelimowithJax

ontheirwayintoSanFran.He’dwantedJax’sreactiontohertobepredicatedsolelyon
instinct.NotswayedbyanythingLexhadtosay.

OfcourseJaxwasrightthattheyhadneitherthetimenortheluxurytodabbleinan

affair.Butthatdidn’tmeanLilycouldn’tprovidepreciselywhathe’dthoughtofearlier—
creativeinspiration.

Lex’smindwasalreadybuzzingwiththoughtsonthiswhensheenteredtheroom.
Thefirstthingoutofhermouthwas,“I’msosorry—”
“Stopapologizing,”Jaxcutin.“IalreadytoldLexyouwereworkingdownstairs.Your

appearanceisfine,Lily.Now,ifyou’dkindlypourmeanothercocktail...”

Hedidn’texactlysmileather,butLexcaughttheglintofappreciationinJax’seyes.For

herservices,sure.Butmoreaccurately,forherconsiderableassets.

Anddamn,Jaxhadbeenright.Allthatshinyonyxhairinfat,loosecurls,andher

sparklingeyes,crimsonlips,and—again—thatsuddenbreathlessnessmadeLex’sgroin
tighten.

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Hecouldn’ttakehiseyesfromherasshecrossedtothebutler’spantryatthefarendof

theroom.Sherolleddownhersleeves,regardlessofwhatJaxhadsaid,buttonedthecuffs,
andthendonnedwhitegloves.ShepouredtwofingersofbrandyinaBaccaratsnifter,setit
onaroundsilvertray,anddelivereditefficientlytoJax.

Herhandsdidn’tevenshake.
ThensheturnedtoLex.“MayIpouryouascotch?”Hisdrinkofchoice.
Hegaveaslightnod.“Thankyou.Thenyoucanretirefortheevening.We’llbeatthis

throughthenight.”

Andinspirationversusdistractionwasaveryfineline.
Shereturnedtothewetbar.
TheybegantoplayasLilyserved.Lexfounditevenmoreenticingthatsheresponded

visiblytotheirmusic—andtothem.

HeslidaglanceJax’sway.Theothermanraisedabrow.
Lexsnickeredunderhisbreath.
Okay,lustingafterLilywasn’tentirelysensible.
ButLexalreadyknewitwas...inevitable.

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ChapterThree

Lilypushedthecartoutoftheserviceelevatoratpreciselyteno’clockthenextmorning.She
continuedalongthehall,notdirectlydownthemiddle,sothewheelsmovedsmoothlyover
themarbleratherthanroughlyovertherugs.

Shewashavinghugereservationsaboutthisgig.Allwrappedaroundtheeroticthoughts

ofLexandJaxthatshecouldn’tbanishfromhermind.

GoodLord.Lexwaswildlycharismaticwithhisgorgeoussmileandevenmoregorgeous

visageandbulgingbiceps.

AndJax...yes,intimidatingashell.Butwhenhe’dbeenstandingbeforeherinnothing

butatowel...

Shetampeddownamoanasthevisionofhimflashedinheroveractivebrain.Tall,

commanding,andseriously,seriouslyhot.Chiseledtoperfection,asshesuspectedLexwas
underhispoloshirtanddresspants.

Lyingawakeinherroomthepreviousevening,she’dfounditimpossiblenottofantasize

aboutthetwoofthem.She’dliketosayitwasbecauseshehadn’thadanactualboyfriendin
forever—hadn’thadsexinjustaslong.Butthetruthwasthatnomanhadturnedherinside
outsoquickly,sovehemently.Nottomentionnotwomen.

YetLexandJaxhadsparkedherlibido.AndLilyhadn’tmissedthesparkintheireyes.
Though...thatspelledtroubleinalotofways.
EspeciallysinceherinitialfantasyhadstartedwithJaxdrippingwet.Hehadn’tleftmuch

totheimaginationwhenhe’dsurprisedherinhisbedroom.She’dcaughtaglimpseofhis
erectionbeginningtotenthistowel.

Inherreverie,she’denvisionedskimmingherfingernailsoverthehardswellsofhispecs,

lightlyscrapinghissmall,beadednipples,andcontinuingdownward,thepadsofherfingers
flatteningagainsttheridgesofhisabstoabsorbeveryquiverofhisfleshandflexingofhis
musclesbeneathhertouch.

Thenshelickedafewdropsofwaterfromhiswarmskinbeforeshestrippedawaythe

materialathiswaist,sinkingtoherkneesinfrontofhimandtakinghiminhermouth.
Feelingtheweightofhimonhertongueashisshaftglidedalong,herteethgentlygrazing
velvet-coveredsteel,justenoughtomakehishipsjerkandhisbreathcomeinheavierpulls.

Asshepalmedhisballsandgentlyrolledthem,shesuckeddeep,untilhegrowledlowand

primal.

ThenLexhadsteppedfromtheshadowsofhermind.Nakedandhard.Andshecouldn’t

resisthim.HadreleasedJaxandrepeatedtheprocesswithLex.Switchingbetweenmenevery
fewminutesuntilshe’dfelttheirreleasesbuild.She’dgottenJaxofffirst.ThenLex.

Allthewhile,inreality,Lilyhadbeensnuggledbetweenhersheets,herfingerssweeping

backandforthoverherslickfolds,thencirclingherclitasthepressuremounted.

ThinkingofthepowerfulduoofJacksonSterlingandLexingtonAlexandercoming

becauseofherministrationswaswhathadsentherovertheedge.Andit’dbeenonehellof

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anorgasm.

Nowshepassedthroughtheopendoorsofthemusicroom,fightingtheflushcreepingup

hernecktoherjawandcheeksoverhernaughtythoughtsaboutherbosses.

Sheskirtedthegrandpianoandthefourviolinsrestingonstandsalongthewallof

windowsandstoppedjustshyoftheterrace.

ItwasabeautifulCaliforniaday.Bright-bluesky,wavesrollingontotheshorebelow,a

balmybreeze.Thetwoobjectsofherwickeddesiresatatthelargeglass-toppedtablealong
thecurvedrailing.Lexwasscribblingmadlyinanotepad.JaxwasreadingtheSanFrancisco
Chronicle.

Lilyexpertlysetouttheirfirst-coursebrunchselections.Servedorangejuiceandcoffee.

Thenstoodofftothesidewhiletheyate,awaitinganyrequeststheymighthave.

Theairwasabitdifferentbetweenthemthismorning.Lastnight,there’dbeenpalpable

tensionanddisconcertion.Nowtherewasquietharmony.Suggestingtheywereveryattuned
witheachotherphysically.Kneweachotheronalevelshecouldn’tquitefathom.Best
friends.Brothers.More?

Theydidn’tneedtospeak.Wentaboutbrunchinnatelyknowingwhentopassthesaltand

pepper,notdisturbingtheother,eachlostinhisownthoughts.

Buttherewassomethingelsethatshecouldn’tfullydecipher.Itwasasthoughtheywere

connectedviscerally.Anditfascinatedher.

Lilydidn’tinterruptthemassherefreshedtheirbeverages.Whiskedawayemptyplates.

Resetthenapkinsandflatwareforthenextcourse.Shecoulddoallofthiswithhereyes
closedandonehandtiedbehindherback,shesurmised.Hadthatmuchexperience.But
whilehermovementswereblissfullygracefulandherdutieseasilyexecuted,therewasan
electriccurrentrunningthroughherveinsthathadhernerveendingssnappingandsizzling.

Lilyhadneverbeenattractedtotwomenatthesametime—andsointensely.Shehoped

likehelltheycouldn’ttell.Hopedtheydidn’tevennoticeher,soengrossedweretheyintheir
ownactivities.Becausethatwasthesafeandsaneroadtotravel.

Nottheonethatconverselytoldhershewantedthemtonoticehereverysingletimeshe

walkedintoaroom.

Thewaythey’dbothlookedatherupontheirindividualmeetings,andthenwhenshe’d

pouredcocktailsforthem,hadherthinkingtheattractionwasn’tjustone-sided.Butthree-
sided.

Thoughafterherruminationshadrunwildlastnightandshe’dalsocontemplatedifLex

andJaxactuallywereaccustomedtolovetriangles—stillconsideringthatfalloutfromyears
ago—shehadtoadmititreallywasn’twisetospeculateaboutanyofthis.Certainlynotto
fantasizeaboutitwhenherpaycheckhunginthebalance.

Sodialdownthelust,girlfriend.
Lilyneededthisincometosupplementthesavingsshe’dalmostdepletedwithabroken-

downcar,ahugespikeinrentthelasttimeherleasehadbeenrenewed,andadental
emergencyherinsurancehadn’tcovered.

Tosayshewasabitdesperatefinanciallywasputtingitmildly.Notthatshecouldn’thave

weatheredthestormwhilestillworkingattheCliffHouse.She’dmadeadecentsalary,and
tipshadbeenverygood.ButLilyhadbeenscrimpingforyearsasshe’dplannedanepictrip-
of-a-lifetimetoEurope,andshedidn’twanttomissoutonit.ParticularlythemonthinParis
she’ddreamedofsinceshewasakid.Theonlygiftshe’dgivenherself,buttherewasmoreto

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itthanthat.

Soshehadtokeepthisnewemploymentarrangementinperspective.
Unfortunately,Lexwasdisinclinedtoletherquietlyblendintothebackground.
Hesaid,“Gretatellsusyou’reoriginallyfromRiverCross,Lily.”
“Yes,that’sright.MyfatherworksfortheAngeliniestate.”
TheAngeliniswereconsideredroyaltyintheelitewinecountrycommunity,alongwith

another,theCatalanos.Thetwofamilieswereembroiledinafeudtorivalthatofthe
MontaguesandCapuletsoveramassivepieceofpropertytheyjointlyownedbutcould
neithersellnordevelop.

Lily’sfatherhadalwayscontendeditwasawastetoletsuchprimerealestatesit,

undeveloped,becauseofanargument.Butbothheadsofhouseholdwerestubbornandstuck
totheirguns.

Jax,stillperusingthepaper,said,“That’salongdriveuptotheCliffHouse.”
“Littleoveranhouronceyoureachthecoastalhighway.Ionlyworkedtheweekendsuntil

Iturnedeighteen,andthenImovedintothecitytomakeitaneasiercommuteandsothatI
couldsignonfull-time.”

“YoumusthavegonetoschoolwithRogenAngeliniandVinD’AngeloinRiverCross,”Lex

guessed.

“TheyandJewelCatalanoarethreeyearsolderthanme,soIdidn’tseetheminschool

afterthesixthgrade,butcertainlyattheirestates.ScarletDrake,aswell,whosegrandmother
is—”

“L.C.Seymour,”Jaxcasuallyinterjected.“Thebestsellingmysterywriter.”
“Alotofhernovelshavebeenturnedintomovies,”Lilyadded.
“DoyoualsoknowChristianDavila?”Jaxasked.
“Sure.HeownsBristol’s.TheAngelinishostedmygraduationpartythere,andheand

RorySt.Jamesmadeanappearance.ChefSt.JamesflewinapastrycheffromParistomake
mycakeandotherdesserts,onbehalfoftheAngelinis.”

It’dbeenanincredibleeveningandshe’dbeforeverindebtedtoRogen’sfamilyfor

treatingherssowell.Lilyknewthepartywasmostlyashowofrespecttoherfatherforhis
yearsofloyaltyanddiscretion;she’dbeengratefulfortheirgenerositynonetheless.

“Well,then,”Lexmusedasheclosedthecoverofhisnotebook.“TheNewYear’sEveparty

JaxandIarethrowingwillbelikeareunionforyou,becausealloftheaforementioned
peoplehaveRSVP’d.WiththeexceptionofAnthony,Sophia,andJewelCatalano,whoare
apparentlyringingintheNewYearinVienna.”

Aconvenientoutforthem,Lilymentallycontended.BecausetheCatalanoswouldn’tbe

caughtdeadatthesamepartyastheAngelinis.Thewoundsranthatdeep.

Lilysaid,“This’llbeatreatforme.Ihaven’tbeenhomeinawhile,soIneverseeanyone—

andRogenandVinhavebeenworkingintheItalianheadquartersupuntilrecently,Iheard.”

“Justreturnedacoupleofmonthsago,”Lexsaid.“That’swhenJaxandImetthemforthe

firsttime.AttheBayfrontYachtClub.Theyweresailingthatday.”

“Afavoritepastimeforthemboth.”LilysmiledbrightlyattheprospectofseeingRogen

andVin,who’dbeengoodfriendstoherwhileshewasgrowingup.AswellasScarletand
Scarlet’sbestie,BayliStyles.

Lilyhadlosttouchwitheveryonewhenshe’dmovedtothecity.Mostlybecauseshe’d

chosentorentanapartmentintheOuterRichmondDistrict,closetothewaterandtheCliff

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House.Jewel,Scarlet,andBaylihadlivedinSanFranciscoduringtheircollegedays,but
mightaswellhavebeenamillionmilesawayinNorthBeach,soLilyhadrarelyseenthem.

Shewaslookingforwardtosomequickcatch-upswhilesheservedthemallattheparty.

Naturally,shefeltafamiliartingeofinferiorityaboutbeingthehiredhelpamongher
glamorousandjet-settingacquaintances,butitwasnosecrettoanyoneinRiverCrossthat
shecamefromhumblebeginningsandwouldstaythere.Lilyhadalwaysbeenahardworker,
andnoonehadeverdiscountedthat.Soshecouldletitrolloffherbackthatshe’dbethegirl
handingouttheglassesofexpensivechampagne,nottheonedrinkingthem.

LexandJaxpolishedofftheirplates,andLilyclearedthetableagain.Shelefttheterrace

withthecart.Inthekitchen,sheassuredGretaeverythinghadgonebeautifullywiththe
brunchservice,andthehousemanagerwaspleased.

Overthenextcoupleofdays,Lilyfellmorecomfortablyintostepwithhertasks,not

disruptingherbossesastheyimmersedthemselvesintheirproject.Andshesensedthetwo
menwerefindingamoreproductivecreativechannel.

Sureenough,onNewYear’sEvemorning,GretainformedLily,“Evidently,thingsare

heatingupwiththenewcompositions,soI’mmovingyoutoasuiteupstairs.Youwillhaveto
beavailabletoLexandJaxatalltimes.”

Itcameasawarning,thoughLilywasalreadywellawareherdutiesweren’tlimitedtothe

hoursofeighttofive.

“I’mfullypreparedforthat,”sheinsisted.“Wasexpectingit,actually.Myfamilylivedin

ancillaryhousingforservantsontheAngeliniestate,andmyfatherspentthemajorityofhis
timeinthemansion.I’mcompletelyamenabletothecommitmentinvolved.”Anditwasjust
twomonthsoutofherlife.Withonehellofabigpayoff—ifshedidn’tfuckitupbyvisibly
droolingoverheremployers.

Gretafurthertoldher,“I’vesentinformationfortonight’sfestivitiestoyourin-roomiPad.

SpecificallyregardingtheVIPswhowillsurroundLexandJax.Iknowit’satighttimeline,
butyou’llneedtoputfacestonamesandknowtheirpreferredcocktails—thoughalwaysask
ifthere’ssomethingelsethey’dlike.”

“Gotit.I’veworkedalotofprivatepartiesontheside,plusIknowanumberoftheguests

attending.Andthememoryrocks.”Shetappedafingertipagainsthertemple.

“Good.Now,there’sonemorething.Yourattirefortheeveninghasalreadybeenselected

byLexandJaxandI’vehadeverythingdeliveredtoyoursuite.Theensemblecomeswith
accessories.Extremelyexpensiveaccessories.Infact,twoguardsfromCartierwillbekeeping
tabsonthecrowd—andyou.”

Withasoftlaugh,Lilysaid,“SoIdon’tabscondwiththejewels?”
“Tomakesurenothinghappenstothejewels.”
“Ican’timagineanyoneontheguestlistwouldbackmeintoadarkcornerandsteal

whateveritisI’mgoingtobewearing.”

“Securityisalwaysofutmostimportance.”
“Asareappearances,”Lilysaid,givingaquicknod.“Iftheywantthehiredhelpglammed

tothemax,sobeit.”

“Precisely.”
Anotherthoughtoccurredtoher.“WillMr.AlexanderandMr.Sterlingbeplayingthis

evening?Fortheirfriends?”

“No,”Gretatoldher.“They’readamantaboutit.Lily,theonlytwopeopleallowedintheir

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wingwhilethey’reworkingareyouandme.Doesn’tthattellyouallyouneedtoknow?
They’renotreadyforabigreveal.Orevenasmallone.”

“ButthemusicIheareverynightissobeautiful,itnearlymakesmecry.”
“It’snotforyoutojudge.Understand?”
“Right.Creativegeniuseswilldecidewhenthey’vereachedtheirpinnacle.Buttheyshould

atleastbeawarethey’veleftspellboundfansintheirwake.”

Gretagrinned.“Youcantellthemthat.”
“Butitwon’tswaythemtoplaypubliclybeforethey’rereadytohitthestudio?”
“NotthatI’mawareof.NowIhaveotherbusiness.Callmeifyouneedanythingduring

theparty.I’llmostlybehereinthekitchenormyoffice,butI’llalsokeepaneyeonthingson
thepatioandeventlawnasmuchasIcan.”

“IpromiseIcanhandlethis.Pleasedon’tworry.”
Lilyreturnedtothesecondfloortounpackherbelongingsinhernewsuite.Anopulent

andspaciousoneatthat.Notservants’quartersbyanystretchoftheimagination.Thiswasa
lavishlyappointedguestroom.AndLilylovedeverysquarefootofit,includingtheoversized
tubshecouldpracticallydiveinto.She’dmakeexcellentuseofiteverychanceshegot.

Whenshewasallsettledin,sheapproachedtheCaliforniakingbedandthegarmentbag

lyingontopofit,alongwithasmallerboxandatotewith

PR ADA

stampedacrossit.First,she

unzippedthegarmentbag,peeledbacktheflaps,andgaspedatthespectacularblacksatin
straplessdressinside.Shecarefullyreleasedtheclaspsonthehanger,walkedovertothe
cornerwiththefull-lengthmirror,andheldthedressagainstherbody.

Ithadadeepsplitinthebodiceatherbreastsandashorthem.Verysleekand

sophisticated,ifnotabitrisqué.Amischievousrippleranthroughher.Shewouldn’tbe
opposedtoleavingtwojawsonthefloorthisevening—Jax’sandLex’s.

Next,shepeeredinsidethetoteandfoundheelstomatchatareasonablethreeinches.
ThenhergazelandedontheCartierbox.
Oh,boy.
Lilydidn’twearmuchjewelryasarule.Justapairofprincess-cutearrings.Cubiczirconia

alltheway.There’dneverbeenmuchpointtobracelets,becausetheycouldgetcaughton
somethingwhenshewaswaitingtables.Plus,giventhenumberoftimesshewashedher
handsduringherworkshifts,itwouldbeinconvenienttoremoverings.

Evenwhenshehungoutwithfriends,shekepttotheminimalisticstyle.
Sheknew,though,thatwhateverwasinsidethisblackvelvetboxwiththeelegantgold

scriptwouldbedazzling.

Shesteeledherselfforit.Openedthelid.
“Oh,Jesus!”sheblurted.Thenoutrightgapedasherheartpounded.
Thenecklacewasalldiamonds.Roundstonesthatwouldcircleherneckandrestather

collarboneandtheindentationatthebaseofherthroat.Therewasalsoamatchingbracelet.

Lilycontinuedtogawk,completelytakenaback,despitehavingexpectedsomething

extravaganttogowiththedress.AndbecauseJaxandLexseemedtoenjoytheabsolutebest
ofthebest.Nomatterthecost.

Lilyhadnodelusionsthissetcamewithaheftypricetagregardlessofitbeingjusta

loaner.Therehadtobeahugeinsurancepolicyonthegems,evenwithsecuritytoensure
theydidn’tdisappear.

Herfingertipslightlyskatedoverthediamonds.Theysparkledbrilliantly.Hadtobeworth

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amint.

Andshewasgoingtobewearingthem?
Athrillshotdownherspine.
Cinderellatotheextreme.
Sheforcedherselftoshutthelidorshe’dneverstopgazing,positivelystunned,atthe

mostastoundingjewelryshe’deverseeninreallife.

Donotgetcaughtupinthefairytale.
Herjobwastoimpresstheevening’sVIPs.Thatwaswhatthedecadencewasallabout.
Thoughanotherthoughtpercolatedinthebackofherbrain.LexandJaxknewshe’d

grownupwithhighsocietyinRiverCrossandshewouldnowbeservingthem,asherfather
alwayshad.Werethetwomenconcernedaboutthepersonasheprojectedthiseveningonly
fortheirbenefit—orwasitalsoforhers?SothatLilycouldbesomewhatonparwithher
billionairefriends,atleastforoneevening?

Itwasaninterestingnotiontoponderandonethattouchedherheart.
Herbosseswereconstantlyengrossedintheirworkandyet...theyseemedtobeacutely

awareofLilyonlevelsthatwentbeyondemployer–employee.

Andthatenticedher.
Butshestillhadherownworktofocuson.Sosheplacedtheboxinthesafeinher

dressingroomuntiltheparty,asinstructedbyGreta.ThenLilycollectedtheiPadandheaded
intothemusicroom,whereshecheckedthestockinthebutler’spantryandplacedanorder
withthehousemanagerviathechecklistonhertablet.

UnfortunatelyforLily,shecouldn’tkeepthefantasiesofhergettingoffbothLexandJax

fromcontinuallyrevisitingher...

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ChapterFour

Ah,NewYear’sEve.

AnentireyearhadrolledbyandLexhadgrownaccustomedtolivinginBayfront.Enjoyed

thecoastaltownanditsresidents.Infact,hewasconsideringputtinghisParkAvenue
apartmentonthemarket.OnceheandJaxnaileddownthesecompositions,they’dspenda
fewmonthsinNewYorkwhilerecordingtheCDandperformingatvariousvenues,suchas
CarnegieHall.ThenheandJaxwouldbeoffonaninternationaltour.Sotherewasn’tmuch
pointinkeepingtheexpensivepadinManhattan.

Hell,afterthetour,LexjustmightreturntoBayfrontinsteadoftheEastCoast.Jaxhad

alreadytoldhimtostayinthemansionaslongashewanted.Giventhevastspacethatonly
Jaxandhishousestaffwouldbeoccupying,itmadesense.AndGretawouldstillbehere.

Lily,however,wouldbelonggone.Hefrownedatthethought.She’dbeenattheestate

justshyofaweek,andalreadyLexandJaxwereaccustomedtohavingheraround.Thrivedin
hercompanyandwereinfinitelymoreproductivebecauseofherexuberanceandvitality.

Somuchso,Lexhadbeenhearingsomedifferentmelodiesinhishead.Otherpiecesfora

CDseparatefromtheoneheandJaxcurrentlyworkedon.Buthecouldn’tdelvetoodeepinto
thatatthemoment.HisconcentrationneededtoremainonhiscollaborationwithJax.

Admittedly,itwasabitchallenging—aswellasrefreshing—tonowbethinkingacoupleof

stepsaheadofthisprojectsothathecouldlookforwardtothefuture.He’dbeenstagnantof
late.Butthenabeautifulwomanwithavivacioussmilehadsuperchargedhim.

LexgrinnedashethoughtofLilywhilepeelingoffhisworkouttankandshorts.He’d

datedplentyofgorgeousladiesinhistime,yetthisonepiquedhisinterestmoreintensely.
Notjustinaphysicalsense—thoughnaturallytherewasthat.Inspades.Buthewasalso
curiousaboutwhoshewas,whathergoalswere,howshemanagedtobeprofessionaland
personableatthesametime.

Hecrankedonthedoublemassagingshowerheadsandsteppedunderthehotsprayashe

wonderedifLilyhadpickeduponthefactthatheandJaxwereturnedonbyher.Hewas
dyingtoknowhowshe’drespondifsheknewtheypossessedaknackforpleasuringone
womanatthesametime.

WorkingintandemtomakeLilycomewouldbeonehellofaneroticadventure.Andashe

latheredup,Lexfounditeasierthaneverbeforetoconjureaménagescenario...thisone
starringLilyHart,nakedandstandingbetweenhimandJax,alsostrippedbare.Lexbehind
her,palmingherbreastsandsqueezingroughlyasthesexualtensionandyearningsarced
amongthethreeofthem.Histhumbswhiskingoverhernipples,pebblingthemtight.Making
hermoan.AndJaxatherfront,rubbingherclitasLexpumpedintoherpussy.

HissudsyhandglidedoverhiscockashethoughtofhimandJaxtakingturnswithher

whileshewhimperedandbeggedformore.Adrenalinecoursedthroughhimandhefistedhis
shaft,strokingheartilyasheenvisionedherlusciousbodyquakingwhiletheypushedherto
theedge.Jaxtellinghimtofuckherharder,Lilypleadingforit,andLex’scockdrivingdeep

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untilshescreamedhisnameandhercreamcoatedhim.

“Fuck,”hegroundoutwhilehefantasizedaboutwhatitwouldfeelliketocomeinside

her,fillingherwithhishotseed—asheexplodedinreality.

Anddecideditwastimetotakeaction.

***

Lilyfilledtheicebucketandnestledbottlesofstillandsparklingwaterinachiller,adding
twistsoflemonandlimeontheside.Sheputoutfruitandimportedmeatsandcheesesfrom
theminifridge,alongwithcrackersandnuts.Snacksforthemenintheeventtheartistic
processcausedthemtostress-eat.

Theytalkedquietlyatthepianoaboutadagio,cadence,sonataform,andsoon.TermsLily

wasonlyvaguelyfamiliarwithfromflutelessonsyearsago.Tryasshemight,she’dnever
demonstratedsufficienttalenttocontinueonaftertwohighschoolbandseasons.Though
thathaddonenothingtodiminishherloveofmusic.

Muchtoherfluteinstructor’sdelight,Lilyhadtradedinherinstrumentforbasketballs

andvolleyballs.Hadbeenatomboyuntilshe’dturnedtwenty-one.Thatwaswhenherbody
hadmorphedfromganglytoshapely.Fouryearslater,shestillwasn’tquitesurewhattodo
aboutthegrowthspurtthatwasn’tjustinherheight.She’dpracticallyturnedintoawoman
overnight—andhadnotbeentheleastbitpreparedforit.Norhadshehadhermothertotalk
withaboutthesurprisingchanges.

Lilyhadprettymuchkeptitallunderwrapswithherwaitressuniformandthefactthat

shehadaclosetfulofjeansandT-shirts,notshortskirtsandtighttops.

Buttheideaofgettingalldolleduptonight—despiteitbeingforherjob—excitedher.
Andsheknewexactlywhy.
ShewantedJaxandLextoseeherdressedtotheninesandcompetentlyservingtheir

guests.Personalvindicationforherclumsyanddisheveledentranceintotheirworld.

Lilyleftthemalonetoattendtoherotherduties,tidyinguptheirrooms,tryinglikehell

nottothinkofJaxinnothingbutatowelwhenshesetoutfreshonesforhim.Nosuchluck
there.

Completingonetaskandlaunchingintoanotherwashugelyhelpfulinsettingherbackon

trackuntilitwastimetogetreadyfortheparty.

AsLilystyledherhairinasleekcurtainofblack,glossystrandsoveronebareshoulder,

herexcitementescalatedassheinchedclosertowearingthatstunningdressandallthose
diamonds.

Sheslippedoutofherrobeandcarefullysteppedintotheblackgarment.Whenshe

eventuallytorehergazefromthesparklyreflectionofthenecklaceandbraceletinthemirror,
shelefthersuiteandwentdownstairs.She’dmemorizedthepeopleshe’dbeattendingto
beyondthosesheknewpersonally—nottoodifficultsincetheyweremostlyallrecognizable
A-listersfromthebillionaires’triangleofBayfront,RiverCross,andBlissMountain.

Theotherguests,notableintheirownrespectsincludingnumerouscelebritiesand

politicians,wouldbetakencareofbythemainhousebutlerandhisstaff.MaxwellBarton
wasbasicallyGreta’srighthandandworkedthelower-levelwingsofthemansion.He’dyetto

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demonstrateanysortofappreciationfororcamaraderiewithLily.Sheunderstood.Helikely
feltshewassteppingonhistoesbecausehewaschargedwithtendingtothevastmajorityof
themansion.Buthecouldn’tmaintainthatpositionandalsoserveJax’sandLex’sneeds
upstairs.

Lilyhadtriedtobuildanamiablerapportwiththebutler,buthadn’tyetmeltedhisicy

veneer.

Loadingupatraywithcocktails,Lilyworkedthepatio,startingwithculinarygod

ChristianDavilaandcelebritychefRorySt.James,whoendearinglysworetheyremembered
herandthepartytheAngelinishadhostedforher.Beingafoodiewho’dbeeninthe
restaurantbusinesssinceshewassixteen,shefounditnearlyimpossiblenottobestarstruck
assheservedthefamousduo.Didn’thelpmattersthattheywerebothdevilishlyhandsome
andradiatedpower.Luckily,LilyhadknowninadvancetheywereontheVIPlistsoshe
didn’ttripoverhertonguewhentheyspoketoher.Toomuch.

MovingontoRogenAngelini,whosefamilyownedtheAngeliniDistillerythathad

providedthepremiumlineofcognacsforthisevening’saffair,shewascarefulnottospillany
drinksonhertrayorhimashekissedheronthecheekingreeting.Rogenwasruggedly
handsomewithblondhairandvibrantblueeyes—andaflirtatiousgrin.Withhimwashis
bestfriend,VinD’Angelo,chiefgeneralcounselofAngelini,Inc.Tall,dark,andhandsome.
Theybothexudedvirility.AndVinwasaboutasbroodyasJax.Vinkissedheraswell,and
thenhisgazeslidoverherandhewhistledappreciatively.

Lilyhadhertrayperfectlybalancedonthepalmofonehandandplayfullyswattedathim

withtheother.

“It’sstilljustme,”sheassuredhim.“Sostopogling.You’llregretitwhenyou’resober.”
“Idoubtit.”Hewinked.
ScarletDrake,anindependentinsurancefraudinvestigator,swoopedinandooh’dand

ahh’dovernotonlyLily’smoregrown-upappearance,butalsothedressandthejewels.

Fightingtheblush,Lilysaid,“LexingtonAlexanderandJacksonSterlingareabit

eccentric,ifyouhaven’tnoticedfromthisover-the-topextravaganzaandtheVIPlist.”

“Andyoulookdrop-deadgorgeous,”Scarletcooed.
“Asdoyou,”Lilysaidtotheknockoutredhead.Thensheasked,“How’sBaylidoing?”
“PreparingforamovetotheBigApple.She’sfinallygoingtogivemodelingafull-fledged

try.”

“I’msohappyforher.She’llbeahugehit.”
“Yououghttoconsidergoingwithher,Lily.Seriously.Thetwoofyoushouldbeplastered

alloverbillboardsinTimesSquare.”

“That’sverysweetofyou.ButI’mheadingofftoEuropeassoonasthisassignmentends.

Italy,theUK,andthepiècederésistance,AprilinParis.”

Scarlet’sprettyfacelitup.“Getout!That’sincredible,Lily!”
“Iambeyondecstatic,believeme.ThoughmaybeIcansnagBaylibeforesheleavesand

wecanhitsomeofhertop-secretshoppingvenueswhereshepicksupallthosefabulous
outfitsforasong.”

“Youhaveplentyoftime.”
“Andmoreroundstomake.HaveaglassofCristal.Enjoythescenery.”Shegaveher

friendanencouraginglook.“SuchasSethLofton,whojustrevivedBlissMountainSkiResort
torivalAspen,andNoahDonovan,who’sbuildingaboutiquehoteldownthecoastthatwill

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puteveryRitz-Carltontoshame.”

OvertherimofherBaccaratflute,Scarleteyedbothmen.Thensheconspiratorially

murmured,“I’dgladlysnatchupeitheroneofthemwereitnotfortherumorthatthey’re
gettingcozywithSylviaCarter.Noahhiredhertomanagethespainhishotel.”

Lily’sbrowsquirked.“They’reboth...withthesamewoman?”
“Rumorhasit,”Scarletrepeatedandwaggedherownbrows.“Butyoudidn’thearitfrom

me.”

“Naturally.It’snotexactlyyourstyletogossip.”
“Sometimes,Ican’thelpmyself.”
Lilylaughed.“Well,findsomefunhere,anyway—thereareplentyofeligiblebachelors

afoot.”

Indeedtherewere,andwiththeterracecrawlingwithsexybillionairesitwasawonder

Lilycouldthinkstraight.Thoughinactuality,hergazekeptwanderingtoLexandJax.The
twomenwhogotherjuicesflowing.

Shecontinuedwithafreshroundofchampagneservice.Thepatiowasspectacularly

decoratedwithplushgarlandswrappedingoldentwinklelights.Decorativelanternsof
varyingsizesandheightsrestedinthecrooksofwrought-ironholdersdottingthelawns.
Candlesburnedineverycornerandonthehigh-toppedtables.

Itwasaperfectnightforentertainingoutdoors.WarmerthanusualforNewYear’sEve,

andwiththesoftestsweepofwindfromthebay.Thefoghadburnedoffseveralhoursago
andthestarssparkledvividlyoverhead,alongwiththesilverycrescent-shapedmoonhanging
inthemidnight-bluesky.

Afantasticbackdropforsuchalivelyandelegantevening.
DuringwhichLilyfelttwoveryintentgazesonher.ShewouldhaveconsideredthatLex

andJaxweremerelykeepinganeyeonhertoensureshewashandlingherresponsibilities
appropriately.Butno.Therewassomethingevocativeaboutthewaytheyglancedherway
justasshewasstealingglancesatthem.

Itturnedherbloodmolten,causingarushofheattoflowthroughher.
Afterdeliveringdrinkstotheirguests,shebroughtJaxanotherbrandy.Heliftedtheglass

fromhertray.

“Youlookravishing,”hetoldher,hisdarkeyesrovingherbody.
Theystoodalongthedelicatelyscrolledrailingonafarendoftheterrace.Jaxhadjust

disconnectedaphonecallandwastakinginthefestivitiesfromtheoutskirts,whileLexwas
thoroughlyimmersedinthecrowd.

“Thankyou,”Lilysaid,herstomachfluttering.“Areyouenjoyingtheparty?”
She’dseenhimswarmedbypeopleearlier.Andtherewasnoshortageofbeautifulwomen

hangingonhiseveryword.Untilhe’dslippedaway.

“It’sagreatturnout,”hesaid.“ButIhadsomebusinesswithmymanagertodiscuss.”He

raisedhisotherhand,indicatinghisphone.

“OnNewYear’sEve?”
Jaxchuckled,alow,sensuoussoundthatcaressedhersoulthewayhismusicdid.
“Yes.Therearealotofdetailstofirmupforthestudiorecordingandtheinternational

tour.”Heseemedtodeliberatethisorthatforafewmoments,thencausticallyadded,“Lex
andIwerehopingbytonightwewouldhavereachedajuncturewherewecouldgivethese
people—closefriends,critics,fans—atasteofwhatwehaveplannedforthenewCD.

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Unfortunately,we’renowherenearthat.”

Herheadtiltedtothesideassheregardedhimthoughtfully.“Yourmusicisstirring.Filled

withemotion.FromwhatI’veheardsofar,evenmorecompellingthanyoursandMr.
Alexander’spastcompositions.Ifyoudon’tmindmesaying.”

Lilyhadtorememberherplace.NotgetsocaughtupinJax’ssmolderingpewtergaze.
Soshecoveredhertracksbytellinghim,“Ofcourse,you’reobviouslybothperfectionists.

AndI’mhonoredtobeprivytothedevelopmentofthenewarrangements.”

Jaxsipped,thensaid,“Youimmediatelygetdrawnin.Icanseeitonyourfaceandinyour

eyes.Andyouloseyourbreath.”

“Yes.”Therewasnodenyingitortryingtohideit.Heclearlysawher.
“Thatreactionisexactlywhatwewant,”headmitted.“Yetwe’restillfallingshort.”
“Ijustcan’timaginehow—”Lily’smouthsnappedshut.Whothehellwasshetoshareher

opiniononthismatterwithhim?JacksonSterling.Sheshookherhead.“Myapologies.”

Jax’sgazenarrowedonher.“Lily.You’remybutler,yes,butthatdoesn’tmeanIdon’t

valueyouropinion.Ifyouhavesomethingtosay,I’mnotgoingtodiscountit.ItoldyouI’ve
noticedhowthemusicmovesyou.Thatyou...”Heletoutalowgroan.“Regardlessofbeing
myemployee,Ididn’tmissthewayyoulookedatmeinmybedroom,either.Andyoudidn’t
missthewayIlookedatyou.”

Atremorrodethefierysensationinherveins.ThankGodtherewerenodrinksonher

tray,becauseshewassuddenlynowherenearassteadyasshe’dbeenwithherchildhood
friendsRogenandVin.Sheclaspedtheedgesofthesmoothmetalandheldthetrayflat
againstherwaistwithbothhands,hopingJaxhadn’tseentheslightquiverofherfingers.
Uncharacteristicofher.Butthiswasriskyterritory.

Thoughsheveryearnestlysaid,“Iconsidermyselfextremelyfortunatetohavelandedthis

job.Notjustbecausethemusicissodarkly,richlyhaunting.ButbecauseIneedit.”

Jaxgaveherahalfnod.“Pointtaken.”
“I’monlyherefortwomonths.”Shewasn’tsurewhyshe’dbroughtthatup.Towarnhim

thatherpresencewasn’tpermanent?Or...toencouragehimthatifhehadanyintentionof
makingamoveonher,it’dbetterbesoonerratherthanlater?

Oh,youjusthadtogothere,didn’tyou?
Shereallycouldkickherself.Flirtingwithherboss?Seriously?
She’dbeenmuchmoresensibletheothernight,makingahastyretreataftershe’dgotten

asolidglimpseathisnakedtorso.Ridiculouslybroadshoulders.Well-definedpectoralledge.
Cutabs.Itreallywasn’tfairtoawoman’ssensesforamantobethatmagnificentlybuilt.She
hadnodoubtLexwoulddoubletheviewingpleasure.

Andthatwashermentalcuetomovealongbeforesheissuedarealinvitation.
“Ifyou’llexcuseme,”shesaid,allbreathyagain.“Ihaveotherstoserve.”
“AndIneedtorejointheparty.”
Theybothremainedwheretheywere.Staringateachotherforendlessseconds.
UntilLilysomehowfoundthegoodgracetobreaktheeyecontactandturnaway.
Shecollectedascotchandrocksfromthebartender,who’dbeenhittingonherallnight,

despiteheractuallydemonstratingtheutmostprofessionalismwithhimandtheotherstaff.
Theguests.ItwasLexandJaxthatmadeherinsidesblazeandthemostinappropriate
thoughtsandwordsspringtomind.

ShedeliveredthecocktailtoLex,whowasjustasdashinginhisdesignertuxasJaxwas—

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andwasengulfedbyfemaleadmirers.

Despitehisgroupies,Lexgrinnedather.“Sensationaldress.”
“I’mgladyoulikeit.”
Hetookherinfromheadtotoe.Andthesexualtensionratchetedupnumerousdegrees.
Tryingtobecautiousandconsciousofwhatitwasshemightbesilentlyputtingintoplay,

sheleftLexwithhisfansandcontinuedmakingtherounds.

Midnightapproached,withtheceremoniouscountdownandaphenomenaldisplayof

elaboratefireworksoverthebay.Therewerewellwishesandkissesdelivered.

Lilystoodofftotheside,doingherdamnedestnottosuccumbtoenvyshouldLexorJax

getcaughtupinthecelebrationwiththewomenwhoflockedtothemindroves.

Worse,shehadtodoeverythinginherpowertokeepfromfantasizingaboutthem

whiskingherintotheirarmsandkissinghersenseless.Eitherofthem...bothofthem.

Thepartydidn’truntoolate,withthelastoftheguestsdepartingjustafteronea.m.Lily

preppedthemen’ssuitesandthenenteredthemusicroomwhiletheychangedintocasual
attireintheirdressingrooms,sincethey’dinformedhertheyintendedtoworkthisevening.
ShepouredPellegrinowhentheyjoinedher,droppedinlimetwists,andhandedthemeacha
cut-crystaltumbler.She’dalreadysetouttheglasscoasters,oneontheledgeofLex’spiano
andtheotheronanendtablenexttotheconglomerationofJax’sviolins.

Sheremainedunobtrusive,trulyappreciativethattheypermittedhertostayawhileas

theypracticed,thendebatedthisorthat,thenpracticedsomemore.Thestoppingandstarting
didn’tfazeher.Shewasthoroughlyengrossedthewholetime,evenwhenreplenishingtheir
sparklingwater.

Aboutanhourin,Lexsaid,“Lily,taketherestofthenightoff.Yourfeetmustbekilling

you.”

“I’vebeenonthemthroughplentyofdoubleshifts.I’mfine.”
“Takeitasanorder,”Jaxaddedwithapointedlook.
Clearlythebossyoneoftheduo.
“Verywell.”Shecarefullyremovedthediamonds,placedthemonthelinennapkinlining

oneofhertrays,andputitonthegrandpiano.“I’msureyou’dprefertokeeptheseinyour
ownsafeovernight.I’llbringtheboxbyfirstthinginthemorning.”

“Didyouenjoywearingthem?”Lexasked,aroguishglimmerlightinghiseyes.
“Verymuch.IwasabitworriedI’dbreakaclasporsomething,butotherwisefeltrather

princess-like.Thedressislovelyaswell.I’llhaveitreturnedtomytailor,assumingthat’s
whereitcamefrom.”

Lexgaveanod.
“I’llleaveyoubothtoyourwork,then.”Sheheadedtowardtheentryway.
Beforeshepassedthroughit,though,Lextoldher,“Keepthedressandtheshoes,Lily.”
Sheshothimalookoverherbareshoulder.
“They’reperfectonyou,”hesaid.
Herheartconstrictedathiskindness—andgenerosity.
But...
“Ireallycouldn’t,”shecontended.
“Consideritabonusforagreatperformancethisevening.”
“They’rebothPradaandmuchtooexpens—”
“Keepthedressandtheshoes,Lily,”Jaxinsistedinhisdeep,sensualtone.“Youwere

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flawlesstonight.Youearnedthem.”

Lilywasalmosttoospeechlesstoevensay,“Thankyou.”Itcameoutlowandshakyas

emotionswelledinherthroat.

Shelovedthedress.Couldn’twaittowearitinParis,becausesheownednothingthat

couldevercompare—nothingtrulyworthyofaspecialnightoutinlaVilleLumière.

Neithermanhadanyideatheyweremakingherdreamscometrueinsomanyways.

Causingtearstopricklethebacksofhereyes.

StillrevelinginherCinderellamoment,shegavethembothawarmsmile.Thenleftthem

sotheycouldcontinueplaying.

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ChapterFive

Jaxwokearoundsixinthemorningwithahot,pulsatingerectionandthevisionofLily
crawlingalloverhimblazingthroughhisbrain.

He’dbeendreamingabouther.Dreamingofherlyingontopofhim,hertonguesweeping

overhismuscles,herteethtenderlybitinghisnipples,herwetpussyrubbingagainsthis
abdomen,coatinghisskin.Lexwasbehindher,carefullyfuckingthatenticingassJaxhad
beenfantasizingaboutnonstopsinceshe’dcometothemansion.Lilywasmoaningandher
manicurednailswerediggingintoJax’sshoulders,drivinghimwild.

Hishandswereonherhips,notguidingherinanywaybecausewhatLexdidtoher

rockedherbodyagainsthis.HerwarmbreathteasedJax’sskin,gettinghimharder.

“Ihavetofeelyou,too,”shetoldJax.“Insideme.Now.”
Hegroaned.Doublepenetrationwastheultimateinpleasureasfarashewasconcerned.

Forallinvolved.

“Jax,”sheurgedinaraspyvoice.“Youwanttofuckme,don’tyou?”
“Yes,”heallbutgrowled.HiscockheadnudgedheropeningasLexcontinuedtopump

slowlyintoher.

Hersharppantsofairfilledthequietroom.Herbreastsnestledbelowhispecs,hertight

nipplesrubbingalonghissinew.

ShegazedintoJax’seyesandsaid,“Iwantyou.Somuch.IwantyouandLextomakeme

come.”

Hepressedin.Shecriedout.
“Fuck,”hemurmuredasheatrushedthroughhim.Hecouldn’tholdbackandthrustfully

intoher,makingherscreamastheclimaxtorethroughher.

AndheandLexwerenotfarbehind...
AsJaxlaystaringupattheceiling,heregrettednotsendingherawaywhenhe’dfirst

thoughtofit.

Becausenow,heabsolutelyhadtohaveher.

Afeweveningslater,Lilyenteredthemusicroomwearingasexyredsatingownthathad
beentailoredforher.Halter-style,tightaroundthebreastsandwaist,thenwithagradual
flareatthehipsthatledintoaflowingpoolaroundherfeet.Sheworethediamondsagain.
BecauseJaxhadarrangedtokeepthemonloanawhilelonger.

Lex’sideaofhavingtheirbeautifulbutleralsoserveaninspirationalpurpose—theirmuse,

ashe’dindicated—wasnotanotionJaxhadgonealongwithinitially.Buthecouldn’tdeny
thatthepassionhe’doncefeltforKatarinawasreignitedwithLily.Andsuddenlyinfusedinto
hismusic.Sincetheparty,hismindwasclearerwhenitcametothecompositions.Hehada
moreacutesenseofwhatitwasheandLexweretryingtoaccomplish.Andhowtoachieveit.

Itwasn’tjusthisgrointhatwasonfire—so,too,washiscreativity.

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Lilycrossedtothewetbar,givinghimaprettysmilealongtheway.
Shereallywastoostunningforwords.
Jaxhadhisviolininhand,buthiseyesremainedonLily.Hewasn’treferringtosheet

musicatthemoment.JustplayingbeforeLex—whowaspresentlyshowering—joinedin.His
friendwasgoingtobeonhiskneeswhenhesawLilythisevening.Herhairwaspulledupon
thesides,withthelong,gleamingstrandscascadingdownherbackinsoftcurls.Afew
tendrilswereleftathertemples.She’ddonehereyemakeupwiththesmokyaccentshe
seemedtoprefer;itsetoffhertawnyirises.Crimsonlipstickonceagainenhancedher
featuresandservedasaprovocativecomplementtoherporcelainskin.

Shesetasnifterofbrandyonthecoasterbyhisviolins.Asshestraightened,hergazeslid

overhim.Notasboldlyashewouldhaveliked.Apparently,shewasalittleoffkilterwiththis
newdynamic—theextravagantattirethey’drequestedshewearthisevening,astheyhadwith
theparty.Buttherewasnomistakingtheheatinhereyes.

Jaxwasinhisusuallate-nightpracticingmodewithblackdrawstringpantsandtanktop.

Lily’sgazelingeredonhisabs,pressingagainstthetightmaterial,beforeslowlyrisingto
meethis.

Hedidn’tsayaword.Justabsorbedthenearnessofher,thesensualityexudingfromher,

thedeepbreathsthathadherchestexpandingandhernipplespuckeringbeneaththethin,
smoothsatin.

Hiscocktwitched.Itshouldbeawonderthathecouldconcentrateonherandthemusic

atthesametime.Butitcamequitenaturallyandhefoundhisdesireforherpermeatedhis
sensesandguidedhismovements,leadinghimintoaslow,seductiverhythmashedrewthe
bowoverthestrings.Andkepthisgazeonher.

Asthoughentranced,Lilysankintoanarmlesschair,alltheshimmeringredmaterial

strikingagainsttheplushwhitefurniture.

TonightJaxwasn’tplayingacompositionfortheCD.Hewasplayingforher.
Anditflowedeffortlessly.
SomethingthathadnothappenedfromthetimeheandLexhadagreedtocollaborate

untilshe’dcometotheestate.Thiswasn’tpainstaking.Oragonizing.Itwaseasy.Dramatic,
yes,becausethatwaswhathismusicwasallabout.Butitwasjustsodamnintuitivetoplay
forthiscaptivatedaudienceofone,whostirredhissoul.

Still,JaxdidnoticewhenLexquietlyenteredandsatathispiano—theywerethat

instinctivelyconnectedtoeachother.Hejoinedin.AsimplecomplementtoJax’sstronger,
poignantnotes.

Whentheyendedthepiece,Jaxwashighlyaroused.
AndLilywasmotionless,gazingupathim,hereyesmisty.
Yes,therewasdefinitelysomethingtothismuseideaofLex’s.
Longdrawn-outsecondsstretchedbetweenthem.ThenLilyseemedtocatchherself.She

inhaleddeeply,asthoughtogetheremotionsincheck.

ShepushedoutofthechairandwentdirectlytothewetbartopourLexascotch.
JaxdraggedhisgazefromherandglancedoveratLex.Wholookedprettydamnenrapt

himself.Completelytakenbyher.AsJaxwas.

WhileLilyservedthescotch,Lexsaid,“Wehaveapropositionforyou.”
“Oh?”Herbrowcrooked.
Lextoldher,“We’dliketohavemoredressesorderedforyou,ifyouenjoywearingthem.”

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“Ido,”sheenthusiasticallyassuredhim.Thoughaheartbeatlater,hertonedroppedan

octaveandshemorehesitantlysaid,“ButI’mnotsurewhyyouhadthisonesentoverearlier,
sinceyou’renotentertainingcompanythisevening.It’sjustthethreeofus.”

“LexandIbothagreethatweneedsomethingtohelpusbreakthroughthemusicalblock

we’vebeenexperiencing,”Jaxtoldher.“Webothfeltasurgeofmotivationwhenyouarrived.
Notjustbecauseofyournaturalresponsetothecompositions—apparentlyweneededthat
sortofreactionfromanimpartialpartywetrusted.Butalso...there’ssomethingvery
mysteriousaboutyou,Lily,thatmakesusbothfeelyoucanhelpusthroughthebarriersthat
havekeptusfromelevatingtheseparticulararrangementstothenextlevel.”

Sheglancedbrieflyatthecrimsonsatincoveringher.“Sothegownisn’tjustfor

eccentricity?”

Lexchuckled.“No.”
Shefrowned.Moreofasexypout,actually,thattemptedJaxandmadehimburntotaste

herlips.Nottomentionotherpartsofher.

Shesaid,“I’mnotsureIfullyunderstandwhatyou’regettingat.”
“Youseemtobethemusewe’vebothbeenlacking,”Jaxexplained.“Foryears,tobe

perfectlyhonest.”

Shecontemplatedthisamomentbeforeasking,“Bywearingdesignerdressesandthe

jewelsthatcamewithsecurityguardstheothernight?”

Jaxgrinned.“Thestoreinsistedweincreasetheinsurancepolicyfortheextendedloan

periodandwewerehappytodoso.Notnecessary,butifitkeepsthemfromleavingtheirown
peopleheretwenty-fourseven...”

Lily’sgazelingeredonhimafewsecondsmore,thenshiftedtoLex.“I’mstillnotcertain

whatyou’reaskingofme.Performallmynormaldutiesasbutler,justatnight,I’mtoserve
youalldeckedout?”

“Yes.”
“Well,”Jaxinterjected.“We’dberemiss,Lily,ifwedidn’ttellyouthatbothLexandIare

attractedtoyou.Deeplyattracted.Andyoushouldbeawareofthatbeforeweproceed.”

“Proceed?”shecautiouslyinquired,thoughhereyessuddenlylitup.Asthoughthiswas

newsshe’dbeenhopingtoreceive.Still,therewasnomissingthatsheinstantlyweighed
everythingheandLexhaddivulgedthusfar.

Lexgentlytoldher,“You’revisuallystimulating,Lily.Inyouruniform,yes.Butall

glamorouslikethis...you’rebreathtaking.Andthatstimulationiswhat’sprovidinga
renewedvigorforus.Inspiration,ifyouwill.”

“OfcourseI’mhappytohelpyouboth,inanywayIcan,”shesaidinaslightlyperplexed

tone.“Ifit’smeinfancygownsthatsparksyourcreativity—”

“Inanarousingway.”Jaxcutrighttothechase.
Lilygasped.Andthefireinhereyesoverpoweredtheuncertainty,spikingthetestosterone

coursingthroughJax’sveins.

Tryingtomaintainaneventone,notlethisownexcitementskewthisdelicatematter,he

carefullyadmitted,“Youneedtoknowallofthisupfront.”

NeitherhenorLexsaidanythingfurther.Letherprocesstheirrequestandtheveryclear

revelationoftheirmutualinterestinher.

Jaxsuspecteditwasthebestwaytoacclimatehertothesituation—tothenotionthathe

andLexbothdesiredher.

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Athree-wayfascinationcouldbeanextremelytrickyscenario,ifallpartiesweren’tfully

ontheup-and-up.Onthesamepage.

Eventually,Lexoffered,“Technically,you’reontheclockintheevenings.Sothatpresents

amoraldilemmatoconsider.Butmostly,we’dlikeyoutosit.Listen.Absorbthemusic.”

“Whywouldthatpresentamoraldilemma?”
LexstoodandclosedthegapbetweenhimandLily.Hetookoneofherslenderhandsin

hisandearnestlysaid,“BecauseIdon’tthinkJaxandIaretheonlyonesaroused.”

Hermouthworkedasthoughshewereatalossforwords.ButJaxdidn’tbelievethatwas

trulythecase—she’dflirtedwithhimattheparty,asamatteroffact.Itwaslikelythem
openlydiscussingthissubjectthatthrewherforaloop.

Jaxsaid,“Letusadmirethesightofyou,Lily.Thesmellofthatintoxicatingperfume.The

effectofyourresponsivenesstoourmusic.”

“But...what...?Imean...Idon’tmindbeingyourmuse.I’mflattered,ofcourse.Yet

thisjobisreallyimportanttome.Ineedit,asItoldyoualready.Sowhathappensifthe
inspirationsuddenlyfliesoutthewindow?”

Therewasahintofpanicinhervoice.
“You’renotgoingtoloseyourjob,Lily,”Lexassuredher.“There’ssomegrayareahere,

obviously.Alittlebendingofemployer–employeerules.Butforonething,nolineshavebeen
crossed,otherthanformeandJaxtolayourcardsonthetable.Totellyouwhatitiswewant
fromyou.”

“Justto...admireme?”
“Atthemoment,yes,”Jaxsaid.Anddidn’tmissthehitchinherbreath.Thequiveringat

thecornersofhermouththatjustmightrevealasmileifshe’dletherguarddownabitmore.

Yetshewasclearlyconcernedaboutherpositioninthemansion.Itwasn’tatrisk,and

they’ddowhatevertheyhadtoinordertoconvinceherofthat.Butitwouldn’tbeasecret
thatneithermanintendedtotemperhisdesireforherifshetrulywasassexuallychargedby
themastheywerebyher.

JaxandLexhadn’tactuallydiscussedbetweenthemselvesaménagescenariowithLily.

Justthemuseone.Butgiventheirpastpropensityforthreesomes,thepossibilitycertainly
existed.IfitwassomethingLilywasamenableto.

Jaxfeltthey’dplantedtheseed.Notgoneoverboardwithanything,giventhatthiswasall

newandshereallyjustneededtoleteverythingthey’dsaidsimmerinthebackofherhead.

Lex’strainofthoughtevidentlyranthesametrack,becauseheledLilybacktothe

armlesschairshe’doccupiedpreviously.Shesat,stilllookingalittleconfounded.

Lexsqueezedherhandandsaid,“Thisinnowayputsyourjobinjeopardy,Lily.Justrelax

andletussoakinthebeautyofyou.Theeffervescencethatexudesfromyou.”

Herforeheadcrinkledassheinquired,“Effervescence?”
“Yes.Youradiateacertainenergythat’sveryexcitingand...alluring.Justmakeyourself

comfortableandletJaxandmeplaysomemore.”

Shenodded.“Ifyoureallythinkthishelps.”
Jaxgrinned.“We’vealreadycometothatconclusion.”

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ChapterSix

Lilydressedinheruniformeverymorning,hairinatightbun,andthenservedJaxandLex
brunchattheirlocationofchoice,eitherononeofthemanypatiosorontheterraceoffthe
musicroom.Shewentaboutherdutieswhiletheyworkedonthesheetmusic.Thenshe
changed,letherhairdown,andslippedintoaneveninggownfortheirlate-nightpractice
sessions.

Shedidexactlyastheyrequested,attendingtothemwhenneeded,butalsosittingquietly,

gettinglostinthecompositionsandtheircreativeprocess.

Occasionallythetwomenwentoutfordinneranddrinkswithfriends,butshecouldsee

witheachpassingdaythattheyweredeterminedtoimproveuponwhatthey’dalreadybuilt.
AndLilyadmiredandrespectedtheirdedicationandcommitmenttoperfectingeach
arrangement.

Itwasn’tjustthatshewaslustingafterbothmen—whichwasincrediblydifficultto

containwhenshewasstilltryingtobeprofessional—shealsogenuinelyadoredLexandJax.
Likedthemmoreandmoreasshegottoknowthembetter.Shewasprivytotheir
confidentialdiscussionsandshefoundtheirinternationaltravelsenthralling,theirviews
worldlyandintelligent,andtheirphilanthropiceffortsgenerous.

Whichonlyservedtointensifyherdesireforthemtotheboilingpoint.
Thoughbothgaveherlingeringglancesandneitherabstainedfromsuggestivecomments,

eveninfrontofeachother,neitherLexnorJaxhadmadeaphysicalmoveonher.

Untiloneafternoon,towardtheendofherfirstmonthattheestate.
LilywashangingLex’sdrycleaninginhisdressingroomandreturninghispolishedshoes

totheshelvesaboveoneofthemanyracks.Or,atleast,tryingto.Shereallycouldn’treach
thatfarevenontiptoe,butalltheotherspaceswerespokenfor.

“Here,letme,”hesaidfrombehindher,catchingherbysurprise.Andmakingherpulse

jump.

Hetooktheshoesfromherraisedhandandsetthemwheretheybelonged.Indoingso,

hisbodybrushedhers,hischestpressinglightlytoherback,hispelvistoherbutt.Setting
everynerveendingablaze.

“HaveGretagetyouastepladder,”Lextoldherinhiscasual,sexytone.
“Goodidea.”
Heloweredhisarm,restinghishandatthedipofherwaist.Heleanedcloseanddrewina

longbreath.“Yousmellsodamngood.”

Liquidfirerushedthroughherveins.
Lilyturnedtofacehim.“You’refinallytouchingme.”
“Yes.”Hisgorgeousblueeyesshimmeredwarmly.“Andyoudon’tmind.”Itwasn’tevena

question.

“No.”Otherwiseshewouldhaveconvenientlysidesteppedhim.Andbeingagentleman,he

wouldhavelether.

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Jax,however...Shesensedthatwithhismoreaggressivenature,he’dcajoleherinto

owninguptowhatshe’dsaidtohimontheterracethenightoftheparty—aboutherlimited
engagementatthemansionandtheinvitationthatpresented.

Lexwasmoreofthecoaxingkind.Andshefoundthatequallystimulating.Soshegave

himasoftsmile.

Hisgazedroppedtohermouth.Hisexpressionmorphedintoamorecontemplativeone.
“Youhadvalidpointsthatnightwediscussedyoubeingourmuseandhowwefeelabout

you.Doesitturnyouonthatwebothwantyou,Lily?”

Sheswallowedhard.She’dpracticallybeenonpinsandneedlessinceshe’darrivedatthe

estate.Followingtheeveningwhenthey’dexpressedtheirinterestinher...she’dallbut
waitedwithbatedbreathforone—orboth—ofthemtocornerherlikethis.

Yes,she’dneededtoprocess.They’dobviouslygraspedthat.ButChrist.Thefantasieshad

runrampantnightafternight.AndbeinginasuitebetweenLex’sandJax’s—though
additionalsuitesseparatedthemoneithersideofhers—hadherbrimmingwithexcitement.
Shewasinsuchcloseproximitytothemonafloorthatofferedimmenseprivacy.It’dtaken
allthewillpowershepossessednottoleaveherbedandclimbintooneoftheirs.

ButnowherewasLex,pushingtheenvelope.
SoLilybrazenlyconfessed,“Itdoesturnmeon.EvenmorethanwhenImetyou

individually.Whichiscertainlysayingsomething.”

“Good.”Hislipswhiskedoverhersinafeatherykissthatinstantlytightenedhernipples

andignitedherinsides.Hemurmured,“Becausetakingitslowwithyouhasbeenmuchmore
difficultthanwe’danticipated.”

“Idon’tjustjumpintothings,”shetoldhim.
“Wefiguredasmuch.”
Lily’sbreathingwasshallow,herheartracing.
Lexseemedtocarefullycatalogeveryreactionshehadtohim—everyreactionheincited.
Hisgrinwasabitcockynowthatshewasallbutswooningunderhiselectricgaze,feeling

alittlelight-headedatthenearnessofhim.Athismouth,stillsoclosetohersthatallshehad
todowasleaninforanotherkissandfalleasilyunderhisspellofseduction.

Andheknewthatwasexactlywhatshewasthinking.
Henippedplayfullyatthecornerofhermouth,makinghertoescurl.
“You’reteasingme,”shewhispered,herpussythrobbingatthewayhetoyedwithherand

theblatantneedburninginhiseyes.Toclaimhermouth?Toclaimher?

Lilydidn’tactuallythinkhe’dtakeherrighthereandnow,inhisdressingroominthe

middleoftheday.

Butwhatanamazingfantasytoweave!Lexbeingsocaptivatedbyherthathecouldn’t

standanothersecondoftheflirtationwithoutgivingin.

She’dsuspectedJaxwouldbetheonetogetcaughtupinthemomentandhavehisway

withherifshegavehimtherightsignal.Lex,however,seemedtoenjoythelittlecat-and-
mousethrillofthechase.Eitherapproachwouldworkwithherwhenitcametothesetwo
men.Thethoughtofhowvariedeachwouldbeintemptingher,drawingherin,excitedher
evenmore.

Shehadafeelingeverythingabouttheirforeplayandeventualconqueringofher—ifthat

waswhattheywerebothintenton—wouldprovidethesortofdoublewhammythatwould
leaveherlimpandboneless.

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Andthoroughlysatisfied.
PromptingLilytosay,“Ilikethepropositionyoumade.WhatyouandJaxwantfromme.”

Shepulledinalongstreamofair,lookingforalittleboostofcourage,andthenshedaringly
toldLex,“I’mmorethanintriguedbythewayyoutwolookatme.Notjustwhenyou’re
takinginthesightofmeinadifferentdressorwatchingmebendovertograbsomething
fromthebutler’spantry.”Shecrookedabrowathim,wonderingifhe’ddenyit.

Ofcourse,hedidn’t.Modern-dayscoundrelthathewas,Lex’ssexygrinreturned.
Sheshouldbeforewarnedbyallthezingsricochetingthroughherbody.Yetshewasn’t

abletofocusonanyredflagsthistime.EspeciallythewayLexwascurrentlydevouringher
withhishungrygaze.

Thenhisheadbenttohersagainandtheirlipstangledinthesweetest,mostsensuous

tonguelesskissesthatinstantlyensnaredher.Untilherarmsweretwiningaroundhisneck
andshewasclingingtohim,lostinthescentofhisdeliciousheat,thefeelofhishard
musclesmeldingtohersoftcurvesandhishandsslidingaroundtoherbackside,onepalm
restingathertailboneandtheothercuppinganasscheek.

Boltsoflightningexplodedinhercore.
“Lex,”shemurmuredagainsthismouth.“Areyoufeelingallofthis?”
Hishandonherbuttsqueezedandhepressedhermorefirmlyagainsthisgroin.“You

havenoticedhowhardIamforyou,right?”

Asoftmoanfellfromherlips.
Lexadded,“We’rehotforeachother.AndLily”—hisgrinturneddownrightscandalous—“I

reallyneedtomakeyoucome.”

Herbreathstuckinherthroat.Shegazedupathim,eyeswide,herheartthumping

mightily.

AndeveryfiberofherbeingscreamedOh,hellyes!
AssinfullyasLexgazeddownather,Lily’ssensiblereservationsfadedintooblivion.
Herfingersplowedthroughhisthick,light-brownhair,andshepulledhisheadtohers

andsaid,“Kissme,Lex,”ameresecondbeforehismouthsealedtohers,theirlipsparted,and
theirtonguesbegananeroticdancethatsentherpulsesoaringandhadherclittingling.

Lexwasamasteroftheslowburn.Hishandonherasscoaxedhertorubagainsthis

erection.Theotherwedgedbetweenthemandhepalmedherbreast,massagingwithahintof
urgency.AsthoughheighteningherarousalwasascriticalagoalascompletinghisCD.Like
hereallyandtrulymeantwhathe’dsaidaboutneedingtomakehercome.

Butshealsofelttheunderlyingagitationcoursingthroughhimatthebarrieroftheir

clothing.Hers,specifically,sinceshewasallbundledupinacoat,shirt,andtie.SoLily
poppedthebuttonsonherjacket.Lextookoverfromthereathersilentconsent.Heexpertly
loosenedhertie.Unfastenedhershirt.Slippedhishandbehindthematerialandcuppedher
breastagain.Caressingabitmoreemphatically.

Lilywantedtotughispolooffandfeeleveryrigidmusclebeneathherfingertips.ButLex

seemedtobeascaughtupintheheatandthelustasshewasandhishandshiftedfromher
breast,grazingdowntoherthighandthendisappearingunderthehemofherskirt.His
fingersglidedbeyondthebandofhertightsandpantiesandwhiskedoverherslickfolds.

Herhipsjerkedasexhilarationshotthroughher.Shetorehermouthfromhis.“Jesus,

Lex.”

Herubbedthedewyfleshwhilestaringdeepintohereyes.Sothatallthatregisteredin

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hermindwashisintimatetouch,theintensityofhisneedtopleasureher,andtheamazing
sensationofhishandsonherbody.

Herfingerswerestillthreadedinhishair.Theotherhandgrippedhisbulgingbiceps.He

wentbacktothetonguelesskissesthatdroveherwild—andallowedhertobreatheashe
continuedstrokingher.Relativelyspeaking,sincehesoexpertlycommandedherpassion.

Heeasedafingerintoherpussyandshegasped.Awickedthrilltrilleddownherspine.
“Fuck,”hewhisperedagainstherlips.“Lily,youaredamntight.”
Hepumpedinalittlefartherandhernailsdugintohismusclesassheheldonfordear

life.

Lexworkedinasecondfinger.Plungeddeeper,withdetermination.
“Oh,God,”shemoaned.“Thatfeelssogood.”
Hepickedupthepace,andtheheelofhishandrubbedherclitwhilehisfingersstroked

enticingly.

“Lex,”shemumbled,hermindcloudingwithapassion-inducedhaze.Ithadbeenforever

andadaysinceshe’dexperiencedthissortofbliss.IntensifiedbyLex’sheaddippingandhis
mouthskimmingalongherthroat,histeethnipping.

Herheadfellbackashepumpedsteadilyandthepressurebuiltwithinher,thesensations

multiplying.

“Comeforme,”hequietlydemanded,hiswarmbreathteasingherskin.
Lilywassodamnclose.Butitwassuchafantasticfeelingtobecrushedagainsthishunky

body,hisfingersmoreaggressivelystrokingherinnerwalls,thatshejustwantedtoholdon
tothemomentawhilelonger.

ButLexwasmurmuringsexywords,hislipsbrushingagainstherthroat,andshewas

quicklyracingtowardareleaseshedesperatelyneeded.Andhadn’tfullyknownituntilshe’d
metLexingtonAlexanderandJacksonSterling.

Lexsaid,“Ilovethesebreathylittlenoisesyoumake.Jesus,Iamsofuckinghardforyou.”
Thatwasasmuchasshecouldtake.Everythingblazinginsidehererupted.
“Lex!”shecriedoutastheclimaxconsumedher.“Oh,God!”
Sheclutchedathimwithherfingersaroundhisstrandsofhairandcurledintohisupper

arm.Herpussyclenchedandreleased,drawingouteveryounceofherorgasmasshesavored
everysecondofLexpleasuringher.

“Lily...damnit.You’reevenmorebeautifulwhenyou’relostinpassion.”
Hestareddownatherforendlessmomentsasshetriedtopullinslowerbreaths.
Thenhescowled.
Lily’sheartsank.
“What?”sheaskedwithatingeofparanoia.ThehintofOh,myGod,didIjustmakea

horrificmistakebylettinghiminmypanties?

“I’mgoingtobelate.”Hewithdrewfromherandtookastepback.“Fuck.”Hejerkedthe

hemofhispolofromthewaistofhisblackdresspantsandwhippeditoff.

Lily’sheartchangeddirectionandleaptintoherthroat.
She’dbeenrightaboutLexallalong.HetrulywasasperfectlysculptedasJax.Wide

shoulders,solidchest,rippedabs,long,taperedobliques.Allthattannedskinandrigid
musclesmadehermouthinstantlywater.

Hisheadloweredoncemoreandhesaidinhislow,rumblingvoice,“Youkeeplookingat

melikeyouwanttolickmefromheadtotoe,Lily,andI’mnotgoingtomakeittotheJunior

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Leaguecocktailreceptionattheyachtclub.NotthatI’dmind,exceptthatthey’rehonoring
meandJaxforthemillion-dollardonationwerecentlypledgedtohelpthehomelessinsome
ofthenearbyinlandcommunities.”

“Thenletmehelpyou.”
Shetidiedherselfup,thenselectedasky-bluedressshirtsheknewwouldaccentuatehis

eyes.Asheslippedintoit,shechoseplatinumcufflinkswithhisinitialsmonogrammedon
thecubesandsetthemonthewaist-highmarble-toppeddresser.Ashebuttonedupand
stuffedthetailsintohispants,shepickedoutasilktieandadifferentbeltthantheonehe
waswearing.

Handingoverthelatter,shesaid,“Thesilverbucklestandsoutmoreandwillgonicely

withthecufflinks.”

Heworkedonebeltoffandreplaceditwiththeotherwhileshewoundthetiearoundhis

neck.Hereachedforthecufflinksandworkedthemintoplaceasshedeftlyknottedhistie.
Hisstrongarmswerearoundheratherwaistandshewaspracticallypressedagainstevery
inchofhimagain.

Everyrock-hardinchofhim.Includingtheerectionthattauntedher.
Lilycouldbarelybreathe.Somehow,shemanagedtoshiftawaywhentheywerebothdone

andretrievethesuitjacketthatsheknewwentwithhispants.Shesteppedaroundhimand
assistedhimintothegarmentfrombehind.

Lexsaid,“I’musedtowomenundressingme,notGQ’ingmeup.”
Ascintillatingshiverchaseddownherspineastheimageofhimshirtlessflittedinher

mind.

“Giventhecircumstances,you’llhavetosettleforthis,”shesaid,hearingtheregretinher

voice.

Heglancedatheroverhisshoulder.“Notcomplainingthatit’syouinmydressingroom.

Butgiventhatitisyouinmydressingroom...I’dpreferitifyouweretryingtogetme
naked.”

Heatflashedthroughher.“Behave,”shesaid,abittoobreathlessforhimnottonotice.
Hiscockygrinreturned.“Idon’tthinkthat’swhatyouwantatall,Lily.”
Shesweptherhandsoverhisshouldersanddownhisarmstostraightenthejacketand

alleviateanywrinkles.Thenmovedaroundtothefrontofhimagainandslippedthebuttons
throughtheirholes,willingherpulsetoleveloutandherfingerstokeepfromtrembling.

Christ,herentirebodywasabouttoturnintoaquiveringmess,shewantedhiminsideher

thatbadly.

Whensheliftedhergazetomeethis,theseductiveexpressiononhisfacetoldherhewas

alltooawareofhowheaffectedher.

Buthehadsomewheretobe...
“You’regoingtobelate,remember?”sheaskedinatonethatwassultryeventoherown

ears.

“It’dbeworthit.”
“It’stheJuniorLeague.Youdon’tsnubthem—especiallywhenthey’retryingtohelpthe

homeless.”

Hegroaned.“Right.Youjust...distractme.Beyondallbelief.”Hisgazedroppedtoher

mouthoncemore,thenheseemedtorealizethatifheleanedinforevenabriefkiss,they’d
begoingatithotandheavywithinseconds,tohellwiththecocktailreception.

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“Go,”sheurged.Becauseshewasthisclosetocavingherself.
Hisjawworkedforamoment,thenhesaid,“TellJaxtomeetmedownstairsinfive

minutes.”

“Ofcourse.”Sheheadedtothedoor,buthecalledoutbeforesheleft.
“Lily.”
Shespunbackaroundtofacehim.“Yes?”
“Thosearethesweetest,softestlipsI’veevertasted.”Hegrinned.
Butterfliesriotedinherstomach.Butshefoundthestrengthtosay,“Changeyourshoes.

You’vescuffedtheonesyou’rewearing.”

Thensheturnedonherheelsagainandrushedout.
Therejustmighthavebeensomeextraswaytoherhips...
ShehurrieddownthehalltoJax’ssuite.Drewupshortattheopeneddouble-door

entranceandknockedononepanelassheannouncedherpresence.

Jaxstuckhisheadaroundthecornerofthebathroom.“Christ,Lily,youdon’thaveto

knock.Justcomein.”

Shehesitated,recallingthelasttimehe’dcomearoundthatverycornerinnothingbuta

towel.AndafterhercloseencounterwithLexinhisdressingroom,shewasfeelingalittle
lowonwillpowerandtheabilitytokeepherhandstoherself.

Asthoughsensingthis,Jaxsteppedintothehugearchwayandsaid,“Fullyclothed.Bring

memyjacketwhileIfinishup,please.”

AsliverofdisappointmentovernothavingcaughtJaxinanystageofundressmadeher

poutslightly,butthensheremindedherselfitwasagoodthinghewasalreadyinhissuit
pantsandcrispwhiteshirt.

Shecrossedthesuite,gatheringuphisjacketfromtherackoutsidethedoortohis

dressingroom,andenteredthebathroom.

Jaxwasatthevanityrunninghisfingersthroughhisthickblackhair,givingitaroguishly

disheveledlookthatkeptherclittinglingandherpussypulsating.Aninsistentlyerraticbeat
thatdemandedtobesated.

Butgoddamn!Whathorribletimingonalltheirparts!
Catchingherreflectioninthemirror,Jaxsaid,“IsupposeIhaveyoutothankforthenew

bottleofHugoBoss?”

“YouwerenearlyoutsoIhaditsentoverfromoneofthetownsquareboutiques.”Itwas

herfavoritemanufacturedsmellthesedays.WhileLexforwentcologneinfavorofallthat
sexymaleheatheradiated,JaxpreferredthemorerefinedscentofHugoBoss.Shecould
closehereyesandinhalebotharomasandprobablyorgasmfromthatalone.

Butthoughtssuchasthatdidn’thelpherplightany.
Shesaid,“Mr.Alexanderwouldlikeyoutomeethimdownstairsinfiveminutes.Fourat

thispoint,actually.”

SheassistedJaxintohisjacketasshehadLex.
Jaxstraightenedhistieandturnedtoher,flashinghisdevilishgrin.“Perfect,right?”
Herstomachfluttered.“Almost.”Shewenttotheoversized,raisedsink,flippedonthetall,

twenty-four-karat-gold-platedfaucet,andcollectedafewdropsofwateronherfingertip.

ReturningtoJax,shedabbedattheveryminusculecreaseinhiscollar,whichlikelyno

onebutherwouldnotice,becausethatwaswhatshewaspaidfor.Shetuggedgentlyonthe
materialandsaid,“Notenoughstarch.I’llspeaktoyourcleanerabouttheappropriateblend

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tokeepthisfromhappeningagain.Thiswilldrybeforeyou’reevendownstairs.”Shestepped
backtotakehiminwithaprofessionaleye.Noddedandtoldhim,“Nowyou’reperfect.”

Lilysmiledupathim.
Jaxsaid,“It’sreallytoobadIhavesomeplacetobe.”
“Lexfeltthesameway,”shedaringlysaid.Forbetterorforworse.
“I’llbethedid.Yousizingusupwithacriticaleyebecauseit’syourjobdoesn’tkeepus

fromwonderingwhat’sreallygoingthroughyourmind.”

“Youalreadyascertainedthat—andtoldmesoattheparty.”
“Mm,true.WhichmeansI’dbettergetthehelloutofhereoryou’regoingtoendup

nakedandinmybedintwoseconds.”

Excitementburstbetweenherlegs,stealingherbreath.Makingitdamndifficulttosay,

“Don’tgetmeintroublefornotgettingyououtthedoorintime.”

Hispewtereyessmoldered.“That’snotatallwhatyouwanttosaytome,isit?”
“Notatall.ButI’msayingitanyway.”
Heletoutalowgroanoffrustration.Thenleanedincloseandmurmured,“Youarea

temptationhardertoresistwitheverypassingmoment.”

Andoh,Godhowshewantedtofeelhishandsonherbodynow!
Despitetheexhilarationhummingthroughherveins,shecrookedabrowandsaid,“Tick-

tock.”Unfortunately,thistimeshewasn’ttalkingabouthimmakingamoveonher.

“I’mgoing,”hegrumbled.Andshookhisheadashedisappearedthroughthearchway.
Lilyinhaleddeeply,tryingtogetallherraginghormonesundercontrol.Thestellar

orgasmLexhaddeliveredshouldhavehelpedtoquellherdesire,atleastatinybit.Butno...
shewasmorelitupthaneverbefore.Hotterforbothmen.Andstartingtofeeladesperate
needthathadherinnerthighsflamingandherstomachflipping.

Focus!
Shestraightenedupthebathroomandwentaboutherotheractivities,gratefulfora

reprievefromthesexualinnuendosandtensionbouncingoffthewallsofthiswingofthe
mansion.Thoughshewasstillwoundinsanelytight.

Somethinghadtogive...

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ChapterSeven

EverytimeLilypassedthroughtheentrywayofthemusicroom,Jaxthoughtshecouldn’tbe
morebeautiful.Buteverynight,sheprovedhimwrong.

Themusicwascomingalongfluidly,mostlydrivenbyLily’sreactiontoit.JaxandLexfelt

muchmoreoptimisticabouttheoutcomeoftheCD.AndhadLilytothankforit.

Thiseveningtheyintendedtoplayanewarrangementforher.Onethathadfullycome

togetherintheweehours,whenthey’dsentherofftobedandwerealone.

ThecompositionfeaturedJax’sviolin.Thenotesheldamysterious,eeriequalitytothem.

Ahintofwanting,butalsothefearoflosing.Emotionshe’donceseeninKatarina’seyes,
whenshe’dfirstmetJaxandLex.ThelookthathadbeeninLily’seyesfromthatfirsttime
they’dstumbledacrosseachotherinhisbedroom.

Shehadthoughtsandmaybeevensecretsthatshehadnotbeeninclinedtodivulgesince

she’dcometothemansion.BothJaxandLexhaddroppedafewquestions.She’ddeflected,
turningtoherworkasameansofescapinganysortofpersonalinquiry.Jaxwasn’twholly
surewhatthatwasallabout,especiallygiventhenuancesoftheirarrangement,the
sensualityandintimacyoftheireveningstogether.Hesurmised,however,thatbecausethis
wasatemporaryassignmentforher,shedidn’twanttobecometooemotionallyinvested.

Buthecouldseethatshealreadywas.
Shestrolledintotheroomwearingafull-length,sparklingsilvergown.Straplesswitha

structuredbodicethatplumpedthetopsofherbreastsoverthematerialandrevealeda
teasingglimpseoftheinnerswellsatthedipinthemiddle.Thedressclungtohercurvesand
thenpooledslightlyatheranklesinashorttrain.Thejewelswereaperfectcomplement.
Alongwiththelooselyknottedhairatthenapeofherneck,afewsilkystrandsleftsoftly
curledathertemples.

Inlieuofhercrimsonlipstick,sheworeneutrallipglossthatoffsetherdarkeyemakeup.

SheheadedtothewetbarandJaxtoldher,whilestillplaying,“OpentheCristalinthe
refrigerator,please.”

“Ofcourse,”shesaidinhertantalizingvoice.
Whileshepoppedthecorkonthebubbly,JaxandLexpouredtheirheartsandsoulsinto

theirmusic.

ShesetoutaglassonJax’stable.AddedoneonLex’spiano.
Asshereturnedthetraytoherstation,Jaxsaid,“Aglassforyouaswell,Lily.”
Shelookedathimoverhershoulder.“I’mstillontheclock.”
“Doyoudothatjustsohe’llcommandyou?”Lexplayfullyinterjectedwithacrooked

brow.

Shesmiledbeguilingly.“Perhaps.”
“Fine,”Jaxsaid,drawingthebowslowlyacrossthestringsandpressingonthe

fingerboardswithhislefthand.“Havesomechampagne,Lily.”

“Well,putlikethat...”Shedidasinstructed.

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JaxandLexcontinuedon.Shesipped.Gaveherselfover,asusual,tothemusic.
Thisparticulararrangementhadthedarkesttoneofalltheircompositions.Amore

compellingtheme.Andafewminuteslater,thereweretearsfloodingLily’stawnyeyes.
Crestingtherimsandspillingover.

Thefatdropstumbleddownhercheeks.Herbreathswereshallow,herlipspartiallyopen,

herhighlytemptingmouthquiveringatthecorners.

WhileheandLexcontinuedtoplay,shesuddenlyrealizedshewascrying.Stoodand

crossedtothelongtabletotherightoftheentrywayandreachedforatissue.Thesightofher
wasagrippingone,movinghimasmuchasthecompositionhadmovedher.

“Wait,”hesaidtoher.Jaxreturnedhisviolintoitsstand.Lexdidn’tstop.
Jaxjoinedher.Thebacksofhisfingerssweptoveronecheek.Shegazedupathim,myriad

emotionsinhereyes.Histhumbwhiskedawaytearsfromtheothercheek.

Thingsstirredandshiftedinsidehim.Hischesttightened.Hisgrointhrobbed.Everything

aboutLilyarousedJaxandtouchedhimonalevelhe’dlongsinceforgottenabout.

Sheswalloweddownalumpofemotion.Quietlysaid,“Youarebothsobrokeninside.”
“Yes.”
Hisimmediateandveryhonestresponsefilledhereyesagain.
“Hey,”hequietlysaid.“Don’tcry.”
Butafewmoretearsfell.
Hergaze,though,didnotfalter.
“IknowyouhaveincrediblyhighstandardsforthisCD,”shesaid.“YetIdon’tthinkyou

trulyunderstandhowgrippingitis.Youwantmorefromit,becauseyou’reexpressing
somethingmeaningfulfromdeepdown.MaybesomethingyouandLexhavesuppressedfora
longtime.Igetthat.But...”Finally,sheglancedaroundhimandlookedatLex.“I’mnota
dramaticpersonbynature.Ilovemusic,butI’mnotusedtoitspeakingtomethis
powerfully.Iswear,youarenotgoingtodisappointyourfans.Ifoundyourindividualwork
captivating.Yetthis...it’sastonishing.Itmakesmyhearthurtasmuchasitstirsaverydark
passion.”

HergazeslidtoJaxagain.Hishandscuppedherface.
Shesaid,“Takeitfromawomanwhoknowshowtokeepallthingsemotionalatbay...

youbothbreakthroughthosebarriers.”

Jax’sheaddippedandheclaimedhermouth.
Hecouldn’thelpit.Couldn’tletanothermomentpasswithouttastingherlips.
He’dneverlackedself-control.Untilnow.Withher.
Herlipsparted.Histonguepushedinside,twistingandtanglingwithhers.
Amoanlodgedinherthroat.Hisinsidessizzled.
Hekissedherferventlyassheclutchedhisbiceps,shiversracingthroughherthathefelt

straighttothecoreofhisbeing.

Whenheeventually,veryreluctantly,pulledaway,shestaredupathimwithwideeyes

thatwerestillabitwatery.

“Thisiswhatweweretalkingabouttheothernight,”Jaxexplained.“Thepartthatgoes

beyondmusicalinspirationto...arousing.Thissortofheadycombinationisn’tsomething
eitherofushasexperiencedinquiteawhile,Lily.”

“It’sstillsurreal,”sheconfessed.
“Let’ssimplifyit.Tellmeyouwantme,”hequietlydemanded.

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Herneckpulledtautagainasherbreathcaught—thewayithadwhenshe’dstolena

glanceathisbarechestthatveryfirstnight.

HergazeslidtoLexoncemore.Jax’sbackwastohim,buthehadnodoubtthathis

friend’sattentionwasonthetwoofthem,despitethefactthathewasstillplaying.

IttookseveralsuspendedsecondsforhertawnyeyestoreturntoJax.
Hesaid,“Tellmeyouwantus.”
Sheletoutasmallgasp.
“Yesorno,Lily,”heurged.
“Yes.”Hereyeswidenedfurther.“Oh,God.Ijustsaidthatoutloud.”
Jaxgrinned,thoughitwasastrainedone,giventhecoilingofhisgutandthestrainofhis

cockagainsthisboxerbriefs.“Youdid.”

Hishandsdroppedfromherface.Hecircledaroundbehindher.Hislipsgrazedherbare

shoulder,alonghernape.Anothertremorranthroughher.

Hisfingersclaspedthezipperofherdressatthemiddleofherbackandhewhisperedin

herear,“MayI?”

“Please.”
Itwasasweetsurrenderasmuchasitwasaninsistentplea.
Jaxslidthetinysilverpiecedownitstrack.Thenslippedhishandsbehindthematerial,

aroundtothefront.Hiscockthickenedunbearablyashepalmedherbarebreasts.Squeezeda
bitroughly,makinghergaspagain.

Hegentlyshovedthedressdownandshesteppedoutofit.Jaxlaidthegarmentoverthe

backofachair.Thenhelpedheroutofherthong.

ShestoodfacinghimandLex,nakedsaveforthediamondsandsparklysandals.
Lexletoutalongbreath.“Jesus.”
Herlipspressedtogether.Asthoughshewasstillsurprisedtheybothfoundherso

desirable.Jaxcouldn’tfathomit.

Granted,herhumilitywasoneofthemostappealingthingsabouther.Perhapsbecause

bothJaxandLexhadbeenbroughtdownapegwiththeirstruggleoverthenew
compositions.Anditdidn’thurttohavearealitycheckfromtimetotime,he’drecently
learned.

HetookLilybythehandandledhertothewallofwindows.Theykepttheheatoninthe

eveningsotheycouldopenthedoorsandletinthefresh,lightlysea-scentedair.Thesheers
billowedandcollapsed,slowly,languidly.ThewavesaddedasubtlebackdroptoLex’s
hauntingmusic.

JaxgesturedforLilytositonthesettee.Sheeasedbackagainsttheplumppillowsinthe

corner.Headmiredeveryinchofherashepeeledhistankoffandtosseditaside.Thenhe
kneltbeforeherandspreadherthighswide.Onefootrestedonthefloor,butheliftedher
otherlegsothatherfootwasonthecushion.Hedidn’tgiveadamnifherhighheelpierced
thesofa.Shewasfantastic.Andhewasmesmerized.

Hislipsskimmedoverherbelly,uptoherbreasts.Histonguecurledaroundhernipple,

thenflickeredoverit,elicitingawhimperfromher.Thenhesuckleddeepandshemoaned,
lowandthroaty.Anothersoul-stirringsound.Jaxcontinuedupwardtohercollarbone,then
herneck.Henippedsoftly.Herfingerssankintohishair,twininginthestrands.Heraised
hisheadandkissedher.Deeply.Passionately.Untiltheywerebothbreathless.

Thenhemurmuredagainstherlips,“NomoreMr.SterlingorMr.Alexanderwhenthe

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threeofusarealonelikethis.Lily,”hesoftlyimplored,“Iwantyoutosayournameswhile
we’remakingyoucome.”

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ChapterEight

Lilywouldhavebeeninshockthatthiswasevenhappening—thatshewasactuallyfinally
nakedwithJaxbetweenherthighs,promisingherwickedpleasureswhileLexwatched—but
they’dgivenfairwarning.She’dnotrunforthehills.AndwhenJaxkissedheragain...every
fierysensationheincitedoverrodeallotherthoughts,allpreviousconcerns.

Hewasanamazingkisser.Intense.Passionate.Hot.
Scorchinghot.
Hisrippedabsrubbedagainstherbaremoundasshewrithedbeneathhimandhe

deepenedthekiss,drivingherhalfoutofhermind.Makingherwanttoscratchandclawat
him.Getevenclosertohim,thoughtheywerecompletelymeldedtogether,herbreasts
pressedbelowhishardpecs.

Hekissedherlikehe’dbeendyingtodothissincethemomenthe’dlaideyesonher.Like

thethoughtofithadconsumedhismindasmuchashiscompositionsdid.Eroticdesires
wereunmistakablyconveyed.Aswereearnestemotions.Shefeltitalltothedepthsofher
soul.

Whentheyeventuallycameupforair,Lilywasdazed.Anddesperatelywantinghim.
Jax’slipsglidedalongherthroatasshetriedtocatchafullbreath.
Impossible.
Herheartthundered.Herpulseraged.
Histonguesweptoverherskin,thenlowertothetopofherbreast,whichhecuppedwith

onehand.Thenhismouthwasonher,suckingdeeplyonherpebblednipple.Untilitwas
insanelyhardandshewaswhimperingagainfromsheerecstasy.

“Jax,”sherasped.“Oh,God.”Shesquirmedabit,usinghisabstostrokeherslickfolds.
“You’rewetforme,”hewhisperedagainsthersensitiveflesh.
HergazeslippedtoLex,whowasn’tmissingasecondoftheshow.“Forbothofyou,”she

boldlysaid.Perhapsbecausethey’dbeensoforthcomingwithher,shechosetobeequally
honest.

“Perfect,”Jaxsaid.Thenhismouthskimmedfartherdownwardasheadjustedhis

positionbetweenherlegs.Heflattenedhispalmsagainstherinnerthighs,keepingher
spreadwideforhim.Histonguewhiskedoverherpussylips.Joltingher.

“Jax!”Herfingerstightenedaroundstrandsofhishair.Herotherhandpressedtothe

cushion,curlingaroundtheedgetoholdhersteady.

Helickedslowly,withahintofpressure.Itwasthemostintimatethingshe’dever

experienced—anditfeltfabulous.Hislipstuggedgentlyonherfolds,anentirelydifferent
sensationthattauntedandteased.

Thenhegotserious.
Hetonguedherclitwithbreath-stealingskill,suckleddeep,thentonguedheragain.

Sendingherrighttotheprecipiceofwhatwassuretobeanexplosiveorgasm.

“That’sincredible,Jax.”

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Herspinearched.Herheadfellbackonthepillows.Shestaredupatthemassive

chandelierinthecenteroftheroomandthedomedceilingaboveit.Triedtolatchonto
anythingthatmightslowtheimminentreleaserushinginonher.Shewantedmoreofwhat
Jaxwasdoingtoher.Lickingandsucklingmasterfully.

Thetipofhistonguerimmedheropeningandthendelvedin.Sendingashockwave

throughher.

“Yes!Oh,God,yes.”Thepleasurewasexquisite.
Ashistonguestrokedherpussy,thepadofhisthumbmassagedherclitinaquick,

forcefulrhythm.

HergazereturnedtoLex.Hisceruleaneyesburnedwithadarkerhungerthanshe’dseen

fromhimbefore.Moreelectrifyingthanever.

“Comeforus,Lily,”Lexsaid.
Allofthesensationsinstantlyboiledtothesurface—anderupted.
“Jax!”
Shecamehard,withJax’smouthpressedtoherandLex’sgazestillblazing.
Liquidheatconsumedher.So,too,didaverybeautiful,etherealsenseasLex’sfingers

continuedtocaressthekeys.Asensualarrangementthatmadeherskintingleasmuchas
Jax’sministrations,andthefactthathewasnowleavingfeatherykissesonherinnerthigh,
mixedwithtendernips,teasingandtauntingheronceagain.

“Howmanytimesareyouplanningtomakemecome?”sheaskedhim.
Jax’sheadlifted.Hegrinneddevilishly.Arousingherfurther.
“Asmanytimesasyouwant.”
Shegnawedherbottomlipamoment.Thenasked,“WithLex’shelp?”
Jaxglancedoverhisshoulder.“Youreallyshouldtasteher.”
GoodLord.
Lily’seyelidsbrieflydriftedshut.Thismightbemoredecadencethanonewomancould

take.

ShewaswearingCartier.SippingCristal.Orgasmingwithoneman’sheadbetweenher

legsandtheotherobserving...nowabouttoparticipate?

Lexstood.Jaxkissedheroncemore,thendidthesame.Hereachedforoneofhisviolins

—Lilyhadnowdiscernedthedifferenceinsoundeachoneoffered—andpickedupwhereLex
hadleftoff.

Andviceversa.
Lexslowlyunbuttonedhisdressshirt,pulledthehemfromhispants,andpileditontop

ofJax’sdiscardedtank.

Lily’spulseracedbecausehewasasmagnificentasJax.
Oneseriouslyhotandhunkymanwashardtocomeby.Buttwo...?
Hesettledonthelong,plumpcushion,hisfingersglidingslowlyupherbentleg,from

ankletocalf.Thenaroundtothebacksideofherknee.

Herbreathcaught.Histouchdidn’ttickle...itsizzled.
“Ihadnoideathatwasanerogenouszoneforme,”shemanagedtosay.
Hiseyessparkled.“I’mhappytoseekthemallout.”
Hekissedher.Hissexytonguelesskisses.Playfulandflirtatious,leavingherimmediately

cravingmore.Sothatwhenhepulledawayslightly,sheleanedforward.Chasingafterhim.

Lexgrinned.Hishandshiftedfromherlegtoherface,histhumbstrokingherjaw,his

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fingerswarmonhercheek.Staringdeepintohereyes,hesaid,“Youhavenoideahow
excitingitistowatchyoucome.”Hekissedheragaininhisflirtyway.Thenmurmured,“And
damnit.Iamsofuckinghardforyou,Lily.Always.”

Butterfliesriotedinherstomachandinherheart.“Ijustwanttocrawlalloveryou.Both

ofyou.”

“Noargumentsfromus,”Lexsaid.Hekissedheragain.Gentlybitherbottomlip.
HewasasmuchofateaseasJax.Butthelatterhadfullydeliveredonhissexypromises.

Shedidn’tdoubtforasecondLexwould,too.

Lilyranherhandoverhisflexedbicepsandsaid,“Keepkissingme.”
“Oh,Iintendto.”Hisbrowwagged.Thoughhemovedslightlysothathewasonthefloor

beforeher.Hisheaddippedandhistonguebrushedherfolds.

Lilysighed.
Oh,God,yes.Thisagain.
She’dbeblissedoutinnotimeflat.
Lex’stechniquewassimilartohiskisses.NotdarkandcommandinglikeJax,butsweet

andsensual.Thecontrastwashighlystimulating.Sheimaginedtheirlovemakingwouldbe
equallyvaried.Andthatthoughtturnedheronevenmore.

ThetipofLex’stonguecircledherclit.Thenflittedagainstit.
“Lex,”shewhispered.Herteethclampeddownonherlowerlip.
Hekeptupthelanguorousrhythm.Makingherwriggleonthesettee.Makingherrelease

herlipaslowmoansescapedherandblendedwithJax’sexpressivemusic.

HerfingersgrippedLex’sshoulder,hernailsdippingin.Herhipsrose,demandingmore.

Lexdeniedher,though,toyingwithher.Untilshewascompletelycrazed.

“Lex,”shequietlybegged.“Makemecome.”
Hemovedbacktothecushionalongsideher.Hekissedher—thistimedeeply.Twofingers

rubbedtheswollenknotofnervesbetweenherlegs.Sendingwavesofexhilarationthrough
her.KnowingJaxwaswatchingthemaddedmorethrillsthanshecouldprocess.

Lexslippedafingerintoherpussy.Broketheirkiss.
“Ilovehowtightyouare.”
Heeasedinasecondfinger.Plungeddeeper.
Shepulledinasharpbreath.
“That’sthespot,right?”
Shegroundherselfagainsthishand.“Youalreadyknowtheanswertothat.Youknow

exactlywhatthatdoestoawoman.”

“I’monlyconcernedaboutthiswoman.”
Ashisfingersstrokedher,theheelofhishandrubbedherclitwithenoughpressureto

turnherbreathingintosharppantsofair.Hisheaddippedandhedrewherpuckerednipple
intohismouth.Hewasleaningoversothatshefeltsurroundedbyhispowerfulmusclesand
hissearingheat.Sheinhaledhisearthyscent.Allofthestimulantsinfiltratedhersensesand
pushedherrighttotheedgeagain.

Histongueflickeredoverhernippleashepickedupthepace,strokingherfaster,deeper.
“Lex...”Herfingerstwinedinhishair,keepinghismouthtoherbreast.Herheadrested

onthepillowsoncemoreandsheclosedhereyes.“Oh,myGod.Sogood.”

Hesuckedhardonherbeadednipple,histeethlightlyscraping.
Andshelostitcompletely.

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“God—Lex!”Theclimaxburnedthroughheraslittlegoldenorbsburstbehindherclosed

lids.Herbodyvibratedfromthesensations.Herchestheaved.

Sherodethefierywaveoforgasm,clingingtoeverylastvestigeofit.
ThenhereyesflutteredopenandshefoundLexgazingatherasthoughhe’dneverseen

anythinglikeher.Ittuggedatherheartstringsasmuchasitratchetedherlust.

“Ineedtofeelyouinsideme,”sheurged.ThenhergazeflittedtoJax,whowasequally

enthralled,hisjawclenched,hiseyesnearlyblackandfixatedonher.“You,too.But...”She
closedhereyesbrieflyagain.Theysnappedopenandsheasked,“Howdoesthatwork,
exactly?”

Jaxsetasidehisviolin.“We’llshowyou.”
Excitementshotdownherspine.
SheunraveledherfingersfromLex’shair.Hetookherhandandhelpedherup.Then

thankfullysweptherintohisarmsbecauseshewasbonelessfromheadtotoeafterthetwo
sensationalorgasms.

“Thatwasveryromanticofyou,”shetoldhim.
Hegaveherhissexy,playboygrin.“You’restilltrembling.Ifiguredyouwerealittleshaky

onyourlegs.”

“Morethanalittle.”
Herfingerscoiledaroundthesideofhisneck.Herotherarm,theonewiththestunning

bracelet,dangledoverhisshoulder.Jaxtookherhand,kissingthebackofit.Thenheledthe
wayoutofthemusicroomandtohissuite.

Onceinsidethedimlylitroom—theonlyilluminationcomingfromalowfireinthe

hearth—heslippedhersandalsoffbeforeLexsetheronthebedshe’dturneddownearlier.
Hereachedforhisbelt.

Lilywentuponherkneesonthemattressandsaid,“Letme.”
Herfingersweren’tentirelycooperative,butshemanagedtoreleasethesilverbuckleand

thebuttononhisdresspants.Sheslidthezipperdownthetrack,aprovocativesoundinthe
quietroom.Hetoedoffhisshoes,shovedhispantsandboxerbriefsoverhiships,andswiftly
divestedhimselfofallhisclothing.Thenstraightened.

“Oh!”Lily’spulsejumped.Hewasfullyerectandseriouslyimpressive.
Ashekissedher,herfingerswoundaroundhisbaseandshepumpedslowly.Hedeepened

thekiss,hishandsclaspingherbiceps,holdingherinplace.

Untilhetorehismouthawayasalow,sexygroanfellfromhislips.
Lilybitbackatriumphantsmile.TurnedherattentiontoJax,whoworehisdrawstring

pants.Noshoesorsocks.Shescootedtowardhim,stillonherknees,andpulledthestringat
hiswaist.Whenhewasnaked,shewasjustascaptivatedbyhimasshe’dbeenbyLex.She
bentherheadanddraggedhertonguealonghisshaft.Hisfingerstangledinherhairasher
mouthclosedoverhistipandshesuckeddeep.Likeshe’ddoneincountlessfantasiesheand
Lexhadstarredin.

“Shit,”heallbutgrowled.“Lily.”
Shereleasedhimandglancedup.Thistimenotholdingbackthesmile.
“Youarebothdevastatinglyhandsome.Nottomention...perfect.”
“Flattery’snotnecessary,”Jaxtoldher.“You’redefinitelygettinglaid.”
“Nicetoseeyouhaveasenseofhumor.”
“I’mplentywitty.Now...inthemiddleofthebed.”

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“Andbossy.”Shedidhisbidding,though.
LexclimbedinbehindherwhileJaxwentaroundtotheothersideandstretchedoutnext

tohersothattheyfacedeachother.Anticipationandtheoverwhelmingdesiretotouchthem
grippedherfiercely.

HerfingersglidedoveroneofJax’sbroadshouldersanddownhischest.Hismuscles

bunched.Itastonishedherthatshehadsuchaprofoundeffectonthesetwomen.They
clearlydidn’tlackforfemalecompanionship.Hadlikelypleaseddozensofwomen.Andshe
wasnowoneofthem.

Howfortunateforher.
AsherhandflattenedagainstJax’sabs,sheearnestlysaid,“I’veneverwantedanyoneas

muchasIwantbothofyou.Itseemsselfish,butIcan’thelpit.”

Lexsnuggledclosertoher,hischestpressingtoherback,hisbodyconformingtohers.

Hisfingersskimmedoverherhipandupperthighashislipswhiskedalongthesideofher
throat.

Jaxtoldher,“Don’tfeelguiltyaboutwantingusboth.Wecanhandleit.”
Shehadamillionquestionstoask,allwrappedaroundthatonesentiment.ButJaxinched

closertoher,andherarmwoundaroundhisneckashekissedher.Heliftedherlegand
slungitoverhiswaist.Hiserectionrubbedagainstherslickfolds;thenthetipteasedherclit.

Behindher,Lex’smouthbrushedalonghershoulder,sendingashiverofdelightthrough

her.Hisfingersgrazedhercleft,backandforth,beforetwopenetratedherpussy.

Oh,myGod!Thisisreallyhappening!
ItwasawondershecouldevenformcoherentthoughtswithJaxkissingherinhishot,

demandingway,hiscockstillmassagingthatultra-sensitivespotbetweenherlegs,andLex’s
fingersinsideher,strokingaggressively.Alltheheatandmusclesenvelopingher.GoodLord.
Shewasgoingtoincineratefromthefirethey’dsoquicklyandeasilysparked.

Jaxeventuallybrokethekiss.Shewasdamnclosetocomingagain.
Hisheaddippedandhetonguedhernipple,makingitunbelievablyhard.Shelovedit.
Lex’sfingerswithdrewfromherandasecondlater,sheheardtherippingoffoil.Andthen

theheadofhiscocknudgedheropening.

Hewhisperedinherear,“Areyoureadyforme,Lily?”
“YouknowhowwetIam.”
“We’regoingtomakeyouevenwetter,”hevowed.
Shemoaned.God,shewasdesperateforhim.Bothofthem.
“Lex,”shepleaded.“Don’ttease.”
Heeasedinsideher.Slowly.So,soslowly.
Fillingher.Stretchingher.Sendinghersoaring.
Thenhepusheddeep.
“Oh!”Hersmallcryshatteredthesilence.Thetremorsreturned.
“Careful,”Jaxmurmuredagainstherbreast.Shewasn’tsureifhewasspeakingtoLexor

her.Likelybothofthem,becauseshewasshakingviolentlywithLex’sthickcockburied
insideherandJax’serectionstillmassagingherclit.Histongueflittingoveronenipple,then
theother.

Lexmovedinaleisurelyrhythm,obviouslyheedingthewarning.HernailsdugintoJax’s

shoulder.Shecouldbarelybreathe,thesensationshertwoloversevokedweresointense...
andthiswasonlythebeginning.

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Jaxkissedher,thenrolledawaytograbacondomfromthenightstand.Whenhewas

sheathed,hedrapedherlegoncemoreandthepadsofhisfingersrubbedherclitashefell
intosyncwithLex’sincreasingtempo.

Lexpalmedherbreasts.Squeezedwithenoughpressuretonotonlyspikeherpulsebut

relayhismountingexcitement.

“Damn,Lily,”hesaid.“Youfeelsofuckinggood.Sotight.Sowet.”
“Andabouttocome,”shetoldthem.
“Wait.”Hepulledoutofher.“Jax,youneedtofeelher.”
Oh,God!
“Yes,Jax,”sheinsisted.“Please.Now.”
Hemercilesslythrustintoher.Lilycriedoutagain.
Hepumpedheartilyashestaredintohereyes.Lilycouldn’tspeak.Justtriedtokeepit

togetherafewsecondsmore.Itwasalltoospectaculartoletgoofsosoon.

Herwhimpersweresharpandstaccato.Lacedwithpureeuphoriaandrawneed.
Lex’sfingerrimmedheranus,andthatkickedherdesiretoanotherlevel.“Haveyouever

feltthis?”

“No,”shewhispered.
“Justtellmewhenyou’reready.”
“Oh,God.Iamsoready.Tooready.Ihavetocome.”
Jaxwasdrivingintoher,hittingjusttherightspot.Andlookingasthoughitwassheer

torturetonotcomeinsideherthisverymoment.Butheremainedincontrol.ToldLex,
“Now.”

Lex’sfingerdippedintothatforbiddenspot.Thesearingmixedwiththeinsanepleasure

Jaxbroughther.AndeverythinginsideofLilycollidedanderupted.Shescreamedasthemost
powerfulorgasmyetovertookher.Roaredthroughher.Consumedher...

Shegaspedforair.Jaxstilled,hisjawtight,hiseyesblazing.
Sheclenchedandreleasedhiscockwithherinnermusclesasherclimaxreverberated

deepwithinher.

Lilycouldseequiteclearlywhatitwasdoingtohim.
“Fuck,”hegrowled.Andthenhethrustagain,buryinghimselftothehilt.Hiscock

pulsatedashisbodyconvulsed.“Lily.Oh,goddamn.Lily!”hecalledashecameinsideher.

Shefeltmoreripplesofpleasure.Hernailsdraggedalonghisskinasherfingerscurled

intoafist.Sheheldontotheremnantsoforgasmandtheaftershocksaslongasshecould.

Jax’sgazeneverwavered.Evenashegraduallywithdrewfromher.Lex’shandshifted

awayfromherbacksideandhegrippedherwaistashiscockslippedintoher.Lilymoanedat
thegloriousfeelingandthethoughtofanotherthrillridecomingherway.

Lexmovedwithhisslow,sensualpace,anditstirredmoreemotionsinLily.Enhancedby

thewayJaxwatchedthem.Butevidently,Jaxwasn’tcapableofnotparticipating.Hebroke
theeyecontact,hisheaddipped,andhistongueflutteredoverhernipplewhilehealso
rubbedherclit.

“Oh,God,”shebreathed.Itwasallsomuchtoregisterinhermind.Impossibletodissect

andseparateout.Theycreatedaseaofsensationsthatwereerotic,passionate,compelling.
Andshewasdrowning.

“Jesus,”Lexsaidinastrainedvoice.“You’regoingtocomeagain.”
“Yes.”

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“ThankGod,”hemuttered.“Becauseyoufeeltoofuckingincredibletoholdbackany

longer.”

Hisstrokeswerelongandsteady.Measured.
Justright.
“Lex,”shesaid.“Oh,myGod.Lex!”
Shegavein,milkinghiscockasherbodyquaked.
“Yes,”Lexgroundout.“Likethat,Lily.Justlikethat.Oh,fuck,yes!”
Shefelthiscockthrobandhisbodyjerkashecame,pushingintoherasfarashecould.

Prolongingherownrelease.

“Christ,Lex,”shemurmured.“Jax.Oh,God...”
Theresimplyweren’twordsforthemostamazingorgasmsshe’deverexperienced.
Becauseofthem.
Becauseofbothofthem.

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ChapterNine

Lexhadnoideahowlongthetriostayedtwistedupwithoneanother.Itseemedtotakea
smalleternityfortheirbreathingtoreturntonormal.Hecouldn’tremembereverlosinghis
breathsofullyorneedingsomanyendlessminutestorecover.

FromthemomentLilyhadsteppedoutofherdressinthemusicroom,he’dbeenharder

thaneverbefore.Andentranced—heldhostage—byLily’sbeauty.Hercreamyskin.Herfull
breasts.Allofherwomanlycurves.

Sheblewhismind.Plainandsimple.
Butthenagain,therereallywasn’tanythingplainandsimpleaboutthisscenario.Even

thoughhe’dadvocatedforit,eveninstigateditwithhismuseconcept,aménageaffairwas
alwaysriskybusiness.Particularlywhentheemotionsanddesireswerethisampedup,this
extraordinary.

LexhadneverconsideredsharinganotherwomanwithJax.Notafterhowthoroughly

wreckedthey’dbeenafterKatarina.Andhehadn’tmetonesinceherthathe’dwantedto
sharewithhisfriend.

HeandJaxhadaspecialbond.Theyalwayshad.Itwaspureinstinctthattheyknewhow

toworktogethertosatisfyawoman,overandover.Somethingthatwassomehowinnateto
themboth.Neithercouldexplainit;norhadtheyreallytried.They’djustacceptedit.For
betterorforworse,apparently.Giventheirpasthistory.

Andbecauseofthatpasthistory,they’dtreadedlightlywithLilyfromtheverybeginning.

It’dbeenimpossibletonotseduceher,though.Theywouldhaveactedupontheintense,
unwaveringlustquickerifitweren’tforallthecomplexitiesandintricatenuancesunfolding
inthemansion.Theirmusic.Theirdeadline.AndsomethingelsethatweighedheavyonLex’s
mind.

LilyonlywantedatemporarypositionwithhimandJax.Andshe’dneededthelofty

paycheckthey’doffered.

Wassheill?
Lexmentallyshookhishead.Thatwasoneveinhecouldnotfollow.
Absolutelyfuckingnot.
HeeasedoutofLilyandslippedfromthebed.Jaxtookherbythehandandthenliftedher

intohisarms.ShecozieduptohimasshehadwithLexearlier.Windingherarmsaroundhis
neckandnuzzlingthecrookathisshoulder.

Jaxcarriedherintothebathroom,whereLexturnedontherainshowerhead.Without

sayingaword,theystrippedofftheircondomsandsoapedupLily,whocleanedoffallher
makeupwithawashcloth.Fresh-faced,shewasasstunningaswhenshedidupherdramatic
darkeyesandworehercrimsonlipstick.

Maybeevenmoreso,allnaturalandflawlessandjustsofuckingbeautiful.
Lexfeltapeculiaryearninglowinhisgut.Onehehadn’texperiencedinsoverylong.
Aftertheyalltowel-dried,Jaxtookherbackintothesuiteandtheysettledinbed,with

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Lexjoiningthem.

Lilylaybetweenthem.Sheasked,“Isthiswise?Idoworkforyou,remember?”
Jaxsaid,“NoonewouldcomeuphereatnightexceptforGreta.Andshe’sgotnocauseto

popintomysuite.”

“Butifshe’slookingforme—”
“Shewon’tbe,”Lexassuredher.“It’slate.She’sprobablyasleep.”
“Okay,but...anunexpectedvisitorwasn’treallywhatIwasgettingat,”Lilysaidinasoft

voice.“Imeantthesleepoverpart.”

Lexpulledhertohimandsherestedherheadonhischest,herdamphairteasinghisskin.

Jaxspoonedherfrombehind.Strokedherarm.

“What’dyouthinkweweregoingtodo?”Lexasked.“Sendyoubacktoyourroom?”
“Itisaverylovelyroom,bytheway.AndIdon’tknowwhatIexpected.Thisisnewtome.

Ihaven’tbeenwithamaninages.AndnowI’vebeenwithtwoatthesametime.”

“Whenitrainsitpours?”Jaxquipped.
Shetwistedslightlysoshecouldlookathim.“Seriouslydidnotseethelevitycoming.I

likeit.”Shekissedhim.Thenadded,“Thoughyouhavebroodingdowntoascienceanditis
damnsexy.”

“You’redamnsexy.”Hekissedthetipofhernose.
TurningbacktoLex,shesaid,“Pleasedon’tfireme.”
“Ah.There’sthatworryagain.Thoughtwe’dcoveredthisalready.”Hegrimaced.“Lily,we

seducedyou.Youcouldsueus,forChrist’ssake.”

“Areyousurethat’showitwentdown?”shepromptedwithaquirkedbrow.
Jaxsnickered.
Shesaid,“BecauseIknowIwassendingoutsignals.Icouldn’thelpit.Youarebothtoo

potentbyfar.Alone,andinfinitelymoresotogether.Ican’timagineanywomanresisting
you,especiallyasateam.”

“Thepastyearhasn’tbeenaboutteamingupthatway,”Lexremindedher.“WehaveaCD

torecord.”

“Andit’sgoingtobeachart-topper—beyondfabulous,”sheinsisted.“Notadryeyeinthe

houseduringyourtour.”

“We’llsee,”Lexmurmured.“Nowtelluswhyyou’resoworriedaboutputtingyour

employmentinjeopardy.Andwhydidyousignonforonlytwomonths?”

Shewasquietafewmoments.Hernailsdrewtinycirclesonhisabdomen.
“Lily?”ThisfromJax.“Iseverythingokaywithyou?”
HistonewastingedwithconcernandthattoldLexthathisfriendhadlikelyventured

downthesamepathmentally,wonderingaboutLily’shealth.Theywouldn’thavebothgone
thereintheirminds,hewassure,iftheyhadn’texperiencedthisoncebefore.

ButLilysaid,“I’mgoingonatrip.ToEurope.AndI’mtakingmymotherwithme.First-

classalltheway.ShedeservesitandI’vealwaysdreamedofit.”

Lexmanagedtonotheaveasighofrelief.Hismusclesrelaxed.Hehadn’tevenrealized

howtensehe’dbecome.

Jaxsaid,“That’sverygenerousofyou,sweetheart.”
Shesparedaglanceathimoverthetermofendearment.Butdidn’tcomment.
Lexasked,“Whereareyoubothgoing?”
“Well...it’snotsomucha‘both’scenariointhesenseyou’rethinking.She’sdead.”

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Andthemusclesbunchedagain.
Lilytoldthem,“ShediedwhenIwasthirteen.ButshewasborninFrance,livedthere

untilshewasseven,andthenherfamilyrelocatedtotheStates.ShetaughtmeFrenchand
welearnedItaliantogether.Shealwayswantedtogoback—she’dneverbeentoParis.Buther
familycouldn’taffordtoreturn.Whenshemarriedmyfather,theystartedsavingformy
collegeandatripthatsheandIwouldmaketogetherafterIgraduatedhighschool.”

Lexfeltadroponhischest.Assumeditwaswaterfromherhair.Buttherewasanother

smallsplash.Andheknewbetter.

Lilysaid,“Shegotsick.Ovariancancer.TheAngelinispaidforhersurgeryandshe

recovered.Forawhile.Thenitwasstomachcancer.Theyinsistedagain.Thethirdtime,she
sworebothmyfatherandmetosecrecy.ShewasalreadysodeeplyindebtedtotheAngelinis
fortheirhelpthatshecouldn’tacceptanythingfurtherfromthem.Anddidn’twanttohurt
theirfeelingsbyrefusingtheirgenerosity.Plus,itwasalate-stagediagnosis.Myfatherwas
determinedtoaggressivelytreatit,though,becausethethoughtofherleavinghimwastoo
unbearableforhimtoaccept.Thatdepletedallbankaccounts.”

“I’msosorry,”Lexsaid,hisguttwisting.
“Thankyou,but...don’tbe.Thattreatmentgaveheranextrasixmonthsbeyondher

doctors’predictions.Theabsolutebestsixmonthsofmylife.Wortheverysinglepenny.”

“Jesus,”Jaxmuttered.
“It’sokay,really.”Therewasrawemotioninhervoice,butshespokeinasteadytone.

Well,almost.Withasniffle,shetoldthem,“IstartedworkingwhenIwassixteensothatI
couldtakemyowntrip.Gotoalltheplaceswe’dtalkedabout,includingParis.Iplantospend
amonththere.AndI’mtakingherasheswithmetoscatter.”

Overthetopofherhead,LexandJaxexchangedalookintheflickeringofflamesfrom

thefire.TherewasjustenoughlighttoseethatJax’seyeshadturneddarkerthannormal.
Andhisprominentfeatureswerehard-set.

Lextookadeepbreath.Thensaid,“You’llbethetoastofParisinallthosegowns.”
Herheadlifted.Shestaredathimthroughwateryeyes.“Ican’tkeepallofthose,Lex.Just

thefirstone.”

Hebrushedawayafewdropsfromhercheek.“They’reyours,Lily.”
“Don’targue,”Jaxinterjected.“BecausethenI’llhavetogetallbroodywithyouagain.”
Sheletoutasmalllaugh,thoughtearstrickleddownhercheeks.PeeringoveratJax,she

said,“Somethingtellsmethat’sgoingtohappenregardless.Itseemstobeyourmost
commonstate.”

“Yeah,well...”Heshrugged.
Lexcoaxedhertoreturnherheadtohischest.“Justletusgiveyouthegift,Lily.”
“Youalreadygavemegiftsthisevening.Fourtimes.”
Hechuckled.AsdidJax.
Lexsaid,“Justourwarm-upact.”
“Mm.Luckyme.”

***

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Jaxfeltacuriousvoidthenextmorning.Hewassprawledonhisbackinhisbigbed,sans
Lily’swarmskinandsoftcurvespressedagainsthim.

Hecrackedopenaneye.Lexwasstillasleep,wayoverontheotherside.Themiddlewas

empty.Andthatwaswherethevoidcamefrom.

JaxhadbecomeaddictedtobeingcurledaroundLilythatquickly?
Areyoureallysofuckingsurprised?
Onementalflashofherinnothingbutglitterysandalsanddiamondsandhehadhis

answer.

Or,actually,itcouldhavebeenthatveryfirstkiss.Jaxhadbeeninstantlylostinher.

SomethingthathadnothappenedwithanyotherwomansinceKatarina.

GazingattheclockonthenightstandtoldJaxexactlywhereLilyhaddisappearedto—her

suitetochangeandsetupforbrunch.

Hehauledhimselfupandwentintohisdressingroom.Slippedonshortsandatanktop.

TiedhistennisshoesandthensmackedLexonthelegashepassedbythebed.

“We’remissingourworkout.”Jaxcontinuedon,outofthesuite.
Whiletheywerepumpingironinthewell-equippedfitnesscenterinthelower-leveleast

wing,JaxwonderedhowLilywouldreacttothemafterlastnight.Wouldshefeelawkward
abouttheirsituation?Aboutwhathadhappened?Wouldshestillbestressingoverlosingher
jobbecauseshe’dsleptwithherbosses?

Followingracquetballandshowers,heandLexsettledatthetableontheterraceoffthe

musicroom.Andthereshewas.Lookingmoreradiantthaneverbefore.

Shegavethemeachasweetsmileassheservedcoffeeandjuice.
Noawkwardnesswhatsoever.
Jaxgotajoltlowinhisgut.Ittookallthewillpowerhepossessedtonotbendheroverthe

tableandpushherskirtup.

Instead,hetoldher,“Youcouldhavewokenusbeforeyousnuckout.”
“Ididnotsneakout,”shecountered.“Wehadasupplydeliveryfirstthingthismorning

andIhadtocollecteverythingIneededfortheupstairsbutler’spantrybeforeMaxwellraided
alltheboxesforhisownstockintheformallivingroomsandthelibrary.”

“Ah,veryconvenient,”Lexsaidwithacrookedbrow.
Shesmiledagain.“IswearIdidn’tsneakout.Youwerebothsnoringwhenthesuncame

up.Ifiguredyouneededyourbeautyrest.”

Jaxmockinglyscowled.“Lastnightweweredevastatinglyhandsome.Todaywe’reogres?”
“Letmeoffthehook,Jax,”shesaidwithaluxuriouslaughthatwasmusictohisears.“I

haveajobtodo.Andyounowknowwhyit’ssoimportanttome.Sobenice.”Shepinchedhis
arm.

Hegrabbedheraroundthewaistandshefellintohislap.
“You’regoingtomakemespill!”Shesetthepitcherofjuiceonthetable.
Jaxsaid,“Rulenumberone.Youdon’tleaveeitherofourbedswithoutagood-morning

kiss.Or,preferably,agood-morningfuck.”

Shekissedhim.Thentoldhim,“Dulynoted,sir.”
Hereleasedher.SheroundedthetabletowhereLexsatandkissedhim.
“Hmm,nice,”hesaid.“Ilikethisrule.”
“NowmayIservebrunch?”
“Iamstarving,”Lexadmitted.

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“Youworeusoutlastnight,sweetheart.”
Pinktingedhercheeksandneck.“You’retheoneswhodidallthework.Ijustenjoyedthe

orgasms.”

ShesetoutthefoodandJaxwastemptedtoaskhertojointhem,butthetwo

housekeeperswereonthisfloorsomewhereandcouldwalkintothemusicroomatanytime
todustandmop.Hedidn’twanttoputLilyinadifficultpositionwithherco-workersandany
gossip.

Whensheleftwiththecart,Lexwenttothestudytocollecthisnotebook.
Jaxresetthedigitalrecordingsystem,noterasinglastnight’strack,whichcontainedLily’s

erotic,stirringmoans.

He’dbesavingthatsessionforfuturefantasyreference.
Hetunedhisviolinsandthencrossedtothewetbar.JustasLilypassedthroughthe

doubledoors.

“Letme,”shesaidashereachedforabottleofPellegrinorestinginthechiller.
Overhisshoulder,hetoldher,“Icanpourmyownwater,sweetheart.”
Shecameupbehindhimandsaid,“Donotcallmethatoutsideofyoursuite.”
“It’spastnoon.Housekeepingandmaintenancearen’talloweduphere.”
“ButGretais,”shesingsongedwithapointedlook.“Sir.”
“Afterthewaywemadelovelastnight,it’sgoingtodrivemecrazythatyoucallmeand

Lexsir.Sowhenwe’reuphereintheafternoonsandevenings—cutitout.”

Shesmirkedathim.
God,shewassaucy.Andhelovedit.
Shetookthebottlefromhim,diduphisdrink,andhandedtheglassover.“Pleaseletme

domyjob.Ihappentoenjoyit.AndI’mgettingquitegoodatit.”

“Justseemsalittlebizarretohaveyouservingusafterlastnight.”
“Bizarretoyou.Perfectlyacceptabletome.You’repayingme,afterall.”
“Well,that’strueenough.”Hesipped.Thengrinnedatherbeforeturningawaytogethis

ownworkdone.

Buthernextwordsbroughthimtoanabrupthalt.
“Whoisshe?”
Jaxslowlyfacedher.“Who?”Thoughheinstinctivelyknewtowhomshereferred.
Sureenough,withaknowingsmilethatgentlytouchedhertawnyeyes,shesaid,“The

womanyou’rebothwritingthesearrangementsfor.”

Jax’sgutclenched.“Whatmakesyouthinkwe’rewritingthemforawoman?”
“Becausethey’refilledwithpassion...andpain.Andyouwantthemtobeabsolutely

perfect.Flawless.Likeher?”

“Youreallywanttoaskmethis?”hequietlychallenged.“You’renotjealous?”
Lilylookedcontrite.Butshesaid,“Naturally.Whowouldn’tbe?ShemovedyouandLex

somuchthatyouwouldgotoanylengthtoensurethemusicyou’recomposingisworthyof
her.Butsomethingtellsmeshe’snolongerineitherofyourlives,soI’mjealousofa
memory.Isthatright?”

Jaxdidn’tlikespeakingofKatarina.TheveryreasonheandLexhadgonetheirseparate

wayssevenyearsago.It’dbeenexcruciatingtoevenmentionherineachother’spresence.

Buthefoundhimselfsayingoutloud,“KatarinaKarlsson.Shewasleadvocalinthe

internationalorchestraLexandIplayedforsincewewerekids.Shejoinedwhenwewere

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twenty.”

“Andshewasbreathtaking,”Lilysurmised.
Heleanedinclose.“You’rebreathtaking.”
“I’mnotfishingforcomplimentshere,Jax.”
“I’mstatingafacthere,Lily.”
Theystaredateachotherforseveraldrawn-outseconds.
ThenJaxsippedbeforetellingher,“Katarinawasextremelybeautiful,yes.Inavery

delicate,almostetherealway.Likeshewasmorespiritthanfleshandblood.”Heletouta
frustratedgroan.“It’sdifficulttodescribeher.Shewasjust...lovely.AndthatisnotawordI
use.Justwhenitcomestoher.Therewasasoftnesstoher.Agentlebeauty.Itwassomewhat
mystical.Elfish,maybe.Shewasanoldsoulwhoemittedthisenticinglight.Whereasyou
radiateblatantsensuality—especiallywhenyou’reincompletedisarray.Orcomingsohard
youscreamournames.”

“I’mnottryingtogetyoutomakecomparisons,”shereiterated.
“Ican’thelpbutmakecomparisons.KatarinawastheonlywomanLexandIevershared.

Therewasnooneelsewewantedtohavethatsortofrelationshipwith—untilyoucame
along.”

Shepausedagain.Juststaring.Collectingherthoughts?Wonderingwhatitwasabouther

thathadgrabbedthembothbytheballsandwouldn’tletgo?

Hehadnoideawhich.
Buthedidanticipatehernextquestion.Andwaitedforit.Eventhoughitwasgoingto

tormenthimfurther.

Eventually,sheasked,“Whathappenedwiththethreeofyou?Intheend?”
Hesetthewatertumbleronthebarandreachedforthedecanterofscotch.“Don’teven

commentonservingme,Lily.”Hisvoicetookonarazor-sharpedge.Heknewshewouldn’t
defyhimthistime.Hetookabiggulp,thenhesaid,“Wewerealltogetherforayear.Lexand
IwereinlovewithKatarina.Makenomistake,itwasverypowerful.Powerfulenoughthat
we’reherenowputtingtogetheraCDinherhonor.”

Lilygaveaslightnodtoindicateshe’ddeducedasmuch.
Jaxsaid,“Shedied,Lily.Suddenly.Rippedrightfromourhands.Onedayshewasalive

andinourarms.ThenextnightshewaslifelessinahospitalbedinAustria.Caraccident.
She’dbeenoutwithafriend,wholostcontrolofthevehicleonapatchofice.Thefrienddied
instantly.Katarinaaboutfivehourslater.”

“Oh,”Lilysaidonalongbreath.“Jax.”Tearssprangtohereyes.“I’msosorry.”
“Thankyou.I’msorryforyourlossaswell.Deeplysorry.”Herefreshedhisdrinkand

startedtowalkawayagain.

“Jax.”Therewasundeniableagonyinhervoice.Itnearlyshreddedhim.
Turningbacktoheroncemore,heasked,“Yes?”
Butsheclearlydidn’tknowwhatelsetosaytohim.Therewerequestionsandemotionsin

herentrancingeyes,though.

SoJaxsaid,“Don’tthinkofher,Lily.”
“HowcanInot?WhenyouandLexareplayingmusicinspiredbyher?”
Thismadehisbrowfurrow.Therewasalittlesparkatthebackofhisbrain,buthewasn’t

willingtoacknowledgeit.Soherepeated,“Don’tthinkofher,Lily.She’snothere.You’re
here.”

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Sheopenedhermouthtospeak.Nowordscameout.
Buthecouldeasilyguesstheoneshewasholdingback.
Temporarily.
Onemorethinghewasn’tquitereadytoacknowledge,eventhoughhewasamanwho

rarelysweptanythingundertherug.

Still...inthisinstance,itwasnecessary.
Jaxturnedandlefttheroom.

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ChapterTen

WhileLexandJaxtraveledintothecityforabusinessmeetingwiththeirmanager,Lilywent
downtothebeach.Therewasacraggypeninsulathatshecarefullynavigatedinhertennis
shoesandjeans,notherheelsanduniform.

Bayfrontwasagorgeouscommunityandshelovedthecrashingwavesandthesoundof

theseagullsandthesmellofthefreshair.Shehopeditwouldallclearhermind.

WhathadhappenedthepreviouseveningwithLexandJaxcouldveryeasilybeclassified

asthesexiest,mostintimatenightofherlife.Andshe’dbelyingtoherselfifshesaidit’djust
beenaboutlust—thatithadn’tmeantanythingmore.Becauseithadmeantmore.Toher.A
hellofalotmore.

Andshesuspectedbothmenfeltthesame.Shecouldseeitinthewaythey’dlookedather

thismorning.

Priortothat,yes,they’deyedherwithobvioussexualinterest.Butwhathadstartedinthe

musicroomlastnighthadn’tjustbeenaboutsex.Everythingabouttheeveninghadbeen
emotionallycharged.Anencountershehadnodoubtwouldstaywithallthreeofthem.
Forever.

Asshesatonarockatthewater’sedge,shestaredoutatthewhitecappedoceanand

contemplatedwhetheritwassmarttocontinueonthisjourney.

Thejob.Theaffair.TheactualrelationshipshewasbuildingwithLexandJax.
Maybeitwassaferandsanertojustwalkawayfromitallnow.Beforeshegotinany

deeperwiththem.Andviceversa.

They’dalreadybeendevastatedonce.AndLilywasn’tlookingtostickaroundwhenshe’d

madeplansthatweresovitallyimportanttoher.Thistriphadbeenherentirefocussince
she’dstartedattheCliffHouse.Beforethat,even.

Shemightbeabletogetherpositionbackattherestaurant,iftheyhadroomonthe

scheduleforher.Granted,it’dputEuropeonholdforatleastanotheryear,sinceshe
wouldn’tbemakingthekindofmoneythebutlerpositionoffered.Andreplenishingher
savingswouldallbepredicatedonnothingelsegoingawry,nomoreemergencies.Andifshe
couldfindanotherapartmentshecouldactuallyafford.

Therewasalsotheoptionofsellingthegowns.
Butno...shecouldneverdothat.TheywereagiftfromLexandJax.Andthatmade

themmuchtoospecialtopartwith.Eveniftheonlyplaceshe’deverbeabletowearthem
washerownlivingroom.

Lily’sthoughtscontinuedtowander.Againstherbetterjudgment,shethoughtof

Katarina.There’dbeenpaininJax’seyeswhenhe’dspokenofher.Buttowardtheendof
theirconversation,there’dbeenaflickeroflightaswell.Shewascurioustoknowwhatthat
wasallabout.

Admittedly,thesituationwasacomplexonetodissectandreconcile.Ontheonehand,

Katarinawasinthepast.Butontheotherhand—thatwasn’tnecessarilytrue,becausethey

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werestillsocaughtupinthememoryofhersevenyearslaterthattheywerewritingsongs
forher.Orabouther.Lilywasn’treallysurewhich.

Allsheknewwasthattheymusthavebeenverydeeplyinlove.Becauselosingherhad

shatteredthemboth.Thatwasintentlyreflectedintheirmusic,asshe’dconcludedthefirst
timeshe’dstoodoutsidethemusicroom,listeningtoJax’schillingnotes.

So,backtotheproblemathand.Oncemore,sheconsideredtheideaofleaving.Itseemed

likethewisestchoice.

Alsothehardest.
Asshethoughtthisthrough,shecouldn’thelpbutbelievelastnightwasreallythetipof

theiceberg.Forthemall.It’dbeenaphenomenalexperienceinhermind.Andwhileitwasn’t
auniquescenarioforthetwomen,thefactthattheyhadn’tbeenwiththesamewomansince
KatarinasuggestedtherewassomethingaboutLilythatresonatedwiththemboth.That
attractedthemboth.Thatdrewthembothin.Sothattheywereabletoputasidetheirpast
painandexploreanewménage.

LexandJaxknewwhattheyweredoing.Shewascertainofit.Lastnighthadflowed

seamlesslyforthem.Noenvy,nopossessiveness,nocompetition.Asthoughtheirsole
purposewasherpleasure...andwhatthey’dderivefromgivingit.

Butshewasn’tanexpertonthreesomes.Hadneverevendelvedintothenotionuntil

she’darrivedatthemansionandthingshadstartedtounfold.Nowshewascaughtupinthe
meaningofit,theimplications—or,rather,theramifications.

Therewasaverygoodpossibilitythatthesetwomenwouldneverletgoofthepast.Letgo

ofKatarina.AndwhatLilyprovidedfortheminthebedroomwasaphysicalsubstituteforthe
womanthey’dloved.Stillloved?

Shit.Shedidn’tknow.Worse,themorningafterwashardlythetimetoposeallthese

philosophicalquestionslacedwiththeveryinsecure,Whereisthisheaded?

Okay.Therewasherrealitycheck.
Shewasgettingwayaheadofherself.It’dbeenonenight.Itwasn’tasthoughshe’dfallen

inlove.Right?

Hopefully.
No,no.Notlove.
Just...extremeappreciationfortheirtalent,sexysmiles,andhotbods.
Yes.Thatwasmoreaccurate.
Right?
Hopefully.
Withadejectedsighbecauseshereallywasn’tsolvingherowndilemma,shestoodand

didwhatshe’doriginallycometodotoday.Sheextractedasmallvialfromherfrontpocket
andremovedthelid.Lilysprinkledthetinyportionofhermother’sashesinthewater.

“EnjoyBayfront,Mom.”
Thenshereturnedtothemansion.

***

Itwasn’tpossibletoturnofforevenscalebackthedesireamongLily,Lex,andJax,despite

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herreservations.

Theywantedher.Shewantedthem.
Andwhenitcametothetwomen,sheapparentlyhadzerowillpower.
Sheforcedherselftoconcentrateonherdutiesduringtheday.Butthenights...?
Encoreperformancesoftheirfirsttimetogether.
Sometimesthey’dsleepinJax’sroom.SometimesLex’s.Neverhers,andshesurmised

thatthiswasanalphathing.Theywantedherintheirbeds.

IfGretasuspectedanything,shewasn’tlettingon.Theotherstaffmembersweren’t

aroundthethreeofthemenoughtopickuponanysexualvibes.Lilyconsideredthatallgood
andsafe.

Butshestillhadonelingeringquestionrootedinhermind.
Wasshefallinginlove?
Deeplust?Withoutdoubt.
Deeplike?Absolutely.Itwasunavoidablewiththesetwo.
Butlove?
Itwouldn’tbeasurprise.
Yetsheforgedonwithherplansforthetrip.Withhermostrecentpaycheck,shecould

affordnicehotels,ratherthanthelower-budgetones.Shebookedherfirst-classseatona
flight.Andfeltalittlethrilloverit,notjustbecauseofthepremiumseating—butalsobecause
it’dbeherfirsttimeonanairplane.

SheperusedtheInternetwhenLexandJaxwereoutofthemansionandfoundatravel

groupthatarrangedtoursinthecitiessheintendedtovisit.Soshewouldn’thavetobe
makingtheroundsallonherown.

PlanningforPariswastheabsolutemostfun.TherewasadinnercruisedowntheSeine

thatshewasinterestedin.Anighttourofthepalaces,theEiffelTower,theLouvre—allthe
lightsofParis.AndthentherewasMoulinRouge.Lilyandhermotherhadwatchedthe
moviewithNicoleKidmanandEwanMcGregorandhaddecidedit’dbeahighpoint.Sothat
wasdefinitelyayes.

Heritinerarywassolidlymappedoutweekslater.Andshewasexcited.
ShewasalsoexcitedaboutLex’sandJax’shandsandmouthsonhereverynightwhen

theyweren’toffonbusiness.Currently,theywereinNewYork,nailingdownstudiotimeand
bookingmusicalvenues.TheywerealreadyscheduledforCarnegieHall.Thatwasbasically
mindbogglingtoLily.

ShewassleepingwithtwomenwhohadplayedCarnegieHallinthepastandwouldbe

doingitagainwhenthenewCDreleased.

AsLilythoughtofthis,sherealizedshe’dcometoacceptthattheirtimetogetherwas

short-lived.

Perhapsfatehadbroughtthemtogether.Fornumerousreasons.Maybeforalittlehealing

onLex’sandJax’spart.Andforher...aneye-opener.BecauseLilyhadbeenlivingherlife
withherheaddownandhernosetothegrindstone.Nodistractionswhatsoever.

Butthisdistraction?
Priceless.
Though,inevitably...temporary.

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***

LexwasinthemusicroomthenightafterheandJaxreturnedfromNewYork.They’dhada
fantasticpracticesessionattheirrecordingstudioofchoicetoensureitwas,indeed,the
perfectfacilityforthem.Allgoodthere.Thenthey’dwrappeduptourdatesandvenues.
Everythingwasfallingintoplace.

Theonlydownsidewasthattimewasnotontheirside.
Asitrelatedtofinishingthecompositions,yes.Becausetheywerenowaheadofschedule.
AsitrelatedtoLily...?
She’dbeleavingthemansionsoon.SpendingthespringinEurope.They’dbeofftoNew

York,thenplayingallovertheworld.

HeandJaxhadn’treallydiscussedthisyet.ButLexsensedhisfriendstruggledasmuch

withthenightstheyspentawayfromherasLexdid.

Hewasn’tsurewhatthatmeant.
Or...maybeheactuallydidknow.Deepdown...
Joininghim,Jaxasked,“Where’sLily?”
“Gretaneededtoborrowher.”
“Notallevening,Ihope.Wejustgotback.”
Lexgrinnedathisfriend’seagerness.“Notallevening.Afewminutes.”
“Good.”Hewenttohisviolinstotunethem.
Lexrevisitedhisearlierruminationsandsaid,“Ineedtotalktoyouaboutsomething.”
“Shoot.”
Lexstood,wentforascotch,thentoldJax,“Hasitoccurredtoyouthatwe’rewriting

musicintributetoKatarina,butit’sLilywho’sbeenprovidingtheinspiration?”

Jax’sjawtightened.
Lexpontificatedfurther.“Iwatchyouwatchher,whenyouplay.Iwatchher,too.And

that’swhenwehavetheultimateharmony.”

Apparently,Jaxneededastiffdrinkfortheconversationaswell.Lexdidn’tpresshim.Let

himpourabrandyandtakeafewsips.

Jaxappearedsomewhatagitatedwiththesubjectmatter.Orperhapsitwastheanswerhe

deliveredthatriledhim.

Jaxsaid,“Yes,ithasoccurredtome.Morethanthat,though...”Heletoutalowgroan.
Lex’sbrowcrooked.“I’mlistening.”
Jaxtookadeepgulp,thensaid,“There’sabiggerpicturehere.Amuchbroaderone.We

shouldfacethefactthatwe’recomposingmusicforonewomanwhilefallinginlovewith
another.”

HespearedLexwithalook.Onethatdaredhimtodenyit.
Lexcouldn’t.Thoughheposedaverydelicatequestion.“SowhatisthisCDreallyabout?”
Jaxdidn’tevenhesitate.“Callitreleasingtheghost.”
Lexsethiscocktailaside.“Jax,we’retalkingabout—”
“Iknowwhatwe’retalkingabout,”heallbutgrowled.“Awomanwhohashauntedusfor

sevenyears.Awomanwhohasprettymuchmadeitimpossibleforustomoveon
romantically.Evenseparatelyfromeachother.Sure,we’vebothscrewedaroundoverthe

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years.Butitwasjustscrewingaround,Lex.Right?”

Shovingahandthroughhishair,Lexsaid,“Yes.Ibecameextremelygoodatone-night

standsbecauseIdidn’twantanysortofcommitment.”

“Well.”Jaxgavehimanothersteelystare.“WhatwehavewithLilyhasgonebeyonda

one-nightstand.WhatwehavewithLilyis—”

“Jax,she’sleaving,”hestressed.“DoIlikeit?No.Butit’safact.Andwecan’tstopher.

Notwhenit’ssoimportanttoher.Notwhenit’sbeenapartofherlifeplansinceshewasa
kid.Notwhenitinvolvesscatteringhermother’sashes.Forfuck’ssake—whounderstands
thatbetterthantwomenpayingtributetothewomantheyonceloved?”

Lexwastemptedtoreachforhisscotchtohelpbringhisbloodpressuredownanotchor

two.Butitmightimpairhisgoodsensetothepointthathechangedhisstanceandconvinced
JaxtheyoughttotalkLilyintostaying.

Thetwomenstaredateachother.Neitheroneseemedtoknowwhatdirectiontotake

withthisunexpectedattraction.No...thisunexpectedrelationship.

ThoughLexfoundhimselfsaying,“Wehavetoconsiderthat—”
“Goodevening,youtwo.”
Lilysweptintotheroom,capturingtheirundividedattentionwithherbeautyandthe

sapphiregownshewore.Anotherglimmeringcreation.OneJaxhadpickedout.

ShegreetedLexwithasweetkiss.
Hesaid,“Youlooksensational.Asightforsoreeyes.”
“Thankyou.Ilovethenewdress.Youshouldn’thave,though.”
“ItwasJax’sdoing.Hisfavoritecolor.”
Shesteppedforwardandkissedhimaswell.“Ididn’trealize.Sothankyou.”Turningback

toLex,sheasked,“Andwhat’syourfavoritecolor?”

“Onyou?Nude.”
Withasoftlaugh,shesaid,“Youareincorrigible.”ThensheaskedJax,“Whatwereyouso

intentlydiscussingwhenIwalkedin?”

“You.”Hestareddownather,unwaveringly.“AndKatarina.”
“Jax,”Lexwarned.Theyreallyneededtohashthisoutfurtherbeforebringinganythingup

toLily.

Especiallysinceherexpressionturnedwary.
Shesaid,“ItoldyouIdidn’twantyoumakingcomparisons.”
“AndIindicatedit’simpossiblenotto,”Jaxcountered.
GlancingoveratLex,sheinquired,“What,exactly,wasthecontext?”
“Whydon’tweopenabottleofchampagne?”hesuggested.“Haveaseat.Takeafewdeep

breaths.”

“Excellentidea,”shesaid,thoughshewasclearlypensive.
Sheretrievedabottlefromthecooler,servedit,andthenjoinedtheminanalcoveof

sofas,sittinginachairadjacenttothecouchtheyoccupied.

Jaxgottheballrolling.“Wewerediscussingthefactthatwewerewritingmusicfor

Katarina,butitneverfullycametogetheruntilyouarrived.”

“Oh.”Shevisiblyrelaxed.Sipped.“That’sahugecompliment.Or...”Herbareshoulders

tensedagain.“You’reupsetaboutit?”

“Notupset,”Lexassuredher.“It’smorelike...acrossroads.Ofsorts.”
Herheadtiltedtotheside.“I’mnotsureIunderstand.”

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“Lily,”Jaxsaid.“Youinthedressesandthediamonds—hell,everythingaboutyou—has

inspiredus.Motivatedus.HelpedtopullthisCDtogether.”

“Forwhichwearedeeplyappreciative,”Lexadded.
“You’reveryspecial,Lily,”Jaxtoldher.“Andyou’vereturnedsomethingspecialtous.”
Shestoodandbegantopace.“Look,I’llbehonest.Technically,I’vebeenlivingin

Katarina’sshadowsinceIcamehere.Butyouneveractuallytreatedmelikethat.And...I
toldyouIhadn’tbeenwithanyoneinareallylongtime.It’sallbecauseIamdeathlyafraidof
attachment.IlostthemostimportantpersonintheworldtomewhenIwasatareallypivotal
pointinmylife.”

“Makessense,”Lexsaid.
“That’snottheonlyreasonI’vebeensoclosedoffsincethen,”shecontended.“Ihave

family.It’sjustthatthey’rethetypeofpeoplewhoarecommittedtotheirresponsibilities.So
ifI’dsuddenlybecomethisoverlyneedylittlegirlaftermymotherdied,itwouldhavebeen
disastrousforallconcerned.Itwasmucheasiertojustshutdownemotionallyanddomy
ownthing.AndthenitjustsortofbecamewhoIwas.”

“Butwithus—”
“Totallydifferent,”shesaid,cuttingLexoff.“Iseethat.ThoughIcan’tfullyexplainit,

excepttosayIknewyouwerebothstruggling.Isenseditfromthebeginning.Iknewyou
bothhadapastpain—itlivesandbreathesinyourmusic,whichspoketomefromthevery
firstnoteIheard.Reachedstraighttothedepthsofmysoul.Somaybethishasallbecomea
caseofkindredspiritscomingtogetherforagoodcause.Toworkthroughourissues.”

Jaxgottohisfeet.Hesteppedtowardherandclaspedherupperarms.“It’smorethan

that,sweetheart.”

Sheseemedtomeltalittle.Lexleanedforwardinhisseat.
Jaxsaid,“You—”Heshookhishead.Clearedhisthroat.AndLexsawhimcompletely

changedirection,heknewhisfriendthatwell.“Youreallysavedus,Lily.ThisCDisasmuch
anhomagetoyouasitistoKatarina.”

“Jax.”She’dturnedbreathyagain—anddamnit,thatmadeLex’scockspringtolife.

“Thankyou.Ican’teven...”Shesighed.Thenjustrepeated,“Thankyou.”

Hekissedher.
Lexdidn’tintervene.
WhenJaxpulledaway,hetoldher,“Weneededamuse.Andyouneededaplacetolandin

ordertogetyourfeetbeneathyou.It’sbeenawin–winallthewayaround,right?”

“Yes.”Sheswallowedhard.Thensmiled...thoughhereyesshimmeredwithunshed

tears.“Exactly.That’sall.”

Lex’sheartconstricted;conversely,reliefwashedoverhim.Jaxhadjustdonewhathe

couldnot.He’dfreedher.Expressedtheirappreciationandaffectionwithouttakingittothe
nextlevel—tothelevelitwasreallyat—byrevealingtheirtruefeelingsforher.

SothatLilywouldbeabletoleavethishouseandfulfillherdreams.

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ChapterEleven

LilyandGretaweresippingwineatBristol’sinRiverCross,notfarfromBayfront.They’dhad
acoupleofhourstoslipaway,andLilyhadsuggestedthevenue.Sheneededsome
perspective.AndGretawasdamngoodatprovidingit.

Shesaid,“Istillhaveafewdaysleftinmyemploymentcontract,butI’mwonderingif

you’llreleaseme,sinceyou’vealreadyfoundapermanentreplacement.”

Greta’sheadsnappedback.“Lily.Ithoughtyoulikedthemansion.
“Ido.OfcourseIdo.Butwhat’sthepointofstickingaround?I’lllosesomepay,yetI’ll

surviveconsideringthesalaryLexandJaxgaveme.”

“ButIhavetotrainthenewpersonanditwouldbeinfinitelyhelpfultostillhaveyou

aroundwhenIdo.”

“Greta.Comeon.He’sbeenabutlerforovertwentyyears.I’msureheknowswhathe’s

doing.”

Theolderwomanscowled.“That’snotthepoint,andyouknowit.”
“Yes.But...thetruthis,I’veservedmypurpose.IdidmyjobandIalsogaveLexandJax

whattheywanted.Orneeded.Thewholemusething.Andinturn,Ilearnedquiteabitabout
myself.Wasinspiredaswell,infact.Bythem.”

“Lily,Iwasratherhopingyoumightchangeyourmindaboutleavingaltogether.”
Thistookheraback.“Whatonearthwouldmakeyouthinkthat?You’vemovedforward

withselectingsomeonetofilltheposition.”

“Asaprecautionarymeasure,yes.Buthehasotherprospects.Itwouldn’tbeaproblemto

cuthimloose.He’lllandanotherjobtomorrow.”

Lilygnawedherlip.“Greta...I’mgoingtoEuropebecauseit’ssomethingI’vealwaysfelt

Ineedtodo.SomethingIfeelcompelledtodo.I’mveryexcitedaboutit.”

“Fine,”shesaid,claspingherhandsonthetableinfrontofher.“You’regoing.Butnotfor

anotherweek.Sowhythesuddenexitfromtheestate?”

“It’sjust...notaverycomfortablescenarioanymore.”
SinceLexandJaxhadreturnedfromNewYorkandJaxhadbasicallythankedherfor

servicesrendered—inallcapacities—she’dfeltawkwardintheirpresence.Therewerethings
shewantedtosaytothem,abouthowamazingtheentireexperiencehadbeen,abouthow
muchsheadoredthem.Butevenifshesaidthoseparticularthings,she’dstillbetakingthe
easywayout.

Theentireexperiencehadn’tjustbeenamazing.It’dbeenextraordinary.Aonce-in-a-

lifetimeaffair.

Andshedidn’tjustadorethem.Shewas,indeed,inlove.
Withbothofthem.
She’drealizeditwhenthey’dcomebackfromNewYork.Whenshe’djoinedtheminthe

musicroomandthey’dlookedatherlike...like...

Like,ThankGodwe’refinallyhome.Withher.

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Butshe’dcompletelymisreadthem.AndJaxhadsetherstraight.She’dfulfilleda

personalneed.Andaprofessionalduty.Nowitwastimeforthemtoallmoveon.

Exactlyaswasplannedfromtheget-go.
AndthoughLilywascrushed,shecouldn’tletontoGreta.OrtoLexandJax.
Shehadn’tgonetoeitheroftheirsuitesthatnight.She’dclaimedthechampagnehad

givenheraheadache.

Whatshereallyhadwasheartache.She’dfeltitthen.Shefeltitnow.
SoEuropebeckonedoncemore.
Shesaid,“I’vejustcompletelymadeupmymind.Ihavetogo.”

***

Jaxwasinashittymood.HetriedtohideitasGretatoldhimandLexthatLilyhadresigned
early.Shewasstillinhersuite,packing.Butshe’ddefinitelyquit.

Atfirst,Jaxthoughtitwasforthebest.Sothatshe’dfollowthroughonherplans.
Thenhe’dthoughtitwasallwrong.Therewasanotheranswerentirely.
Problemwas,he’dbeentheonetogivehertheperfectout.He’dregretteditwhenhe’d

doneit.Heregretteditnow.AndLexwasn’ttoopleased,either,thoughhe’dalsoagreedit
wastherightthingtodo.

Alsoincrediblyhard.Becauseinthelongrun,losingLilywastheabsolutelastthingthey

wanted.

ButallJaxhadbeenabletothinkaboutthatnightwashowselfishit’dbetoaskherto

stay.

Whatwouldstayingentail,anyway,onceheandLexwereinNewYork,recording,and

thenontour?Theyweregoingtoaskhertowaitaroundfromthem?Forayearortwo?

No.Thatwouldbeunfair.
SolethergotoEurope.
Butthathadn’tsatrightwithhim,either.Sparkingtheneednowtotakethebullbythe

horns.

HetoldLex,“Weknowexactlywhatshewants.Sowhythehellaren’twegivingittoher?

She’sgivenusexactlywhatweneeded.It’sourturntorepaythefavor.”

“Youclearlyhavesomethinginmind.”
“ShewantsParis.We’llgiveherParis.ShewantsallofEurope.We’llgiveherallof

Europe.”

“Jax—”
“Justtrustme.”
“YouknowIdo.”
TheyleftthestudyandJaxrappedhisknucklesonthedoortoLily’ssuite.Shepulledit

openandimmediatelysaid,“There’snopointinmestayingtherestoftheweek,soplease
don’ttryto—”

Jaxhauledherupagainsthimandkissedher.Withalltheachingandlongingstoredup

sinceheandLexhadleftforthattriptoNewYork—withouther.

Shereturnedhiskisswithequalfervor.GivingJaxpreciselytheanswerheneeded.

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Whenhereleasedher,shelookedabitdazed.
Hesaid,“Tellusyoudon’treallywanttoleaveus.”
“Jax.”Shewasbreathless.“Youcan’tjustcommandmetodo...what?Lookafteran

emptyfloor?Anemptymusicroomoncethetwoofyouleavehere?”

“I’mtalkingabouttherelationship,Lily.Tellusyoudon’twantittoend.”
“Butithastoend,”sheinsisted.Atearsprangtohereye.“Youwantedinspiration.Yougot

it.AndIgot...reallyprettydresses.”Thetearspilledover.Followedbyseveralmore.

Jax’sheartwrenched.
Besidehim,Lexsaid,“IthinkIknowwhatJaxisgettingat.”Andhewasfullyonboard

withtheunspokenplan.“Lily,gotoParis.”Hetookherhandsinhis.“Butwithus.”

Hereyespopped.“What?”
“Twoweeks,”Jaxsaid.“Iknowit’snotthefullmonthyouwanted,butwedohavetwo

weeksbecausewefinishedthecompositionsaheadofourdeadline.Andthen—”

“Andthen,”Lexintuitivelyadded,“wehavetheinternationaltour.Joinus.I’mone

hundredpercentcertainyourmotherwilllovetheitinerary.”

“Lex!”
Hereleasedher,andhishandsframedherface.“Italy,Lily,isjustoneofthedestinations.

Gowithus.”

“Ican’teven—”
“Lily,”Lexcontinued.“Iloveyou.”
Shegasped.
Jaxchuckled.“Beatmetothepunch.But...ditto.”
Shestaredatthemboththroughwateryeyes.“Iwasjustyourmuse.”
“No,”Jaxassuredher.“Youhavebeensomuchmorethanthatfromthemomentwemet

you.It’sjusttakenthethreeofusconfrontingthepast—theghosts—andmovingoninorder
toreachthispoint.Lily...sweetheart.Wewantyou.Whatdoyouwant?”

Shesmiledshakilythroughhertears.Andsaid,“That’saneasyone.Bothofyou.Ilove

youboth.”Shesniffled.“Jax.Lex.TakemetoParis...”

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ReadonforanexcerptfromConfession,thenextstoryinCalista

Fox’sseries!

AvailablefromSt.Martin’sPressinFebruary2017

“Yes,”shemoaned.“God.Icanfeelyouboth,sothickandhotinsideme.It’sso

incredible.”

Morgan’shipsbuckedupward.Devon’sforward.Andthesensationsstartedtomeshsoall

thatregisteredinhermindwasbeingfilledbybothmen,whoweretotallyinsyncwitheach
other,workingherrapidly,heatedly,fervently.

“Oh,God,”shemurmuredagain.HerforeheadpressedtoMorgan’sshoulder.Hereyes

closed.Shehomedinonthewaytheyfuckedher,thewaytheypushedherup,up,up.

Theirbreathingwasaslaboredashers.Thesoundofbothmenpumpingintohermixed

withtheirgroansandhermoans.

Falloncouldn’tprocessthefull-blowneroticismoftheintimateactallatonce.Justgave

herselfovertoitandletherbodyrespond.Letthedesireflashthroughherandtheemotions
ribbonaroundherstomachandwindtheirwayuptoherheart.

Thiswaseverythingshe’deverwanted.Everythingshe’dfantasizedabout.
Andso,somuchmore.
Itwasintenseandrawandbeautiful.
AndFallonwashopelesslylostinbothmen.
Andherloveanddesireforthem.
“Christ,”Devongroundout.“Youaresensational,sweetheart.”
Morgan’slipsgrazedhertempleashewhispered,“Betterthananythingwe’veever

experienced.”

Theirwordselevatedhertothathighestpinnacleasmuchaseverythingtheydidtoher.

AndFalloncouldn’tholdonasecondlonger.

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AbouttheAuthor

CalistaFoxisaformerPRprofessional,nowwritingfast-paced,steamybookstosetyour
pulseracing!HerdebutSt.Martin’sPresstrilogyopenswithBurnedDeepandconcludeswith
anewbookfour,starringthetrilogy’ssecondaryhero!ShehaswonmanyReviewer’sand
Reader’sChoiceAwards,aswellasBestBookAwardsandothercompetitionswith
publicationasfirstprize.CalistaisaPastPresident/AdvisorofthePhoenixchapterofthe
RomanceWritersofAmericanationalorganization.Visitherat:

www.calistafox.com

.

Youcansignupforemailupdates

here

.

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AlsobyCalistaFox

BurnedDeep

FlashBurned

BurnedHearts

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ThankyouforbuyingthisSwerveebook.

Toreceivespecialoffers,bonuscontent,andinfoonnewreleasesandothergreatreads,sign

upforournewsletters.

Orvisitusonlineat

us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

Foremailupdatesontheauthor,click

here.

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TableofContents

TitlePage

CopyrightNotice

Acknowledgments

ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

ChapterThree

ChapterFour

ChapterFive

ChapterSix

ChapterSeven

ChapterEight

ChapterNine

ChapterTen

ChapterEleven

Excerpt:CONFESSION

AbouttheAuthor

AlsobyCalistaFox

CopyrightPage

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Thisisaworkoffiction.Allofthecharacters,organizations,andeventsportrayedinthisnovelareeitherproductsofthe

author’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.

S EDUC T ION .

Copyright©2017byCalistaFox.

ExcerptfromConfessioncopyright©2017byCalistaFox.

Allrightsreserved.Forinformation,addressSt.Martin’sPress,175FifthAvenue,NewY ork,N.Y .10010.

www.stmartins.com

Coverphotographs:Man©VGstockstudio/Shutterstock.com

Authorphoto©CalistaFox

eISBN9781250129093(ebook)

FirsteBookEdition:January2017

OureBooksmaybepurchasedinbulkforpromotional,educational,orbusinessuse.PleasecontacttheMacmillanCorporate

andPremiumSalesDepartmentat1-800-221-7945,ext.5442,orbye-mailat

MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com

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