Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1)(26)

 

"What was she wearing?" Annoyed by what Luke had said, Jax directed the question to Marco and JP.

 

"Whatever she was wearing earlier. You know how women are … well, other women. Cade said she didn't bring anything different … whoa!" Marco straightened, and brushed his hair back with a hand when Cade reappeared.

 

Cade's eyes widened as all the men in the room went quiet. All focus went to her. Jax fisted his hands at his sides, then he lifted one to pull at the neckline of his shirt. His temperature shot up to a dangerous level. Cade affected him that much. Instead of the usual plain suit and white shirt, she had on a pair of jeans, tight enough to appear painted over her skin that highlighted her curves, a plain white top, and an unzipped leather jacket. What made her appear even more appealing was her hair. Instead of being contained in a bun or a ponytail, she'd let it down. The style was completed with studded black boots.

 

Beth popped in behind her with Harley. "So what do you guys think? Hot, huh?" Before marrying JP, Beth had been an aesthetician and a makeup artist. She'd also seen herself as a fashion guru.

 

Cade stood, looking stiff and nervous, when Beth wrapped an arm around her waist and squeezed. Marco and Luke pushed off their seats, clambering to get to her first. Cade stepped back, and raised her hands.

 

"All right, we're all here. Let's go." Jax shrugged into his jacket, ignoring his annoyance at his friends. He couldn't very well kiss Cade in front of everyone, could he? Claim her to be his? He might as well drum his fist over his chest like an ape. Cade wouldn't appreciate that much.

 

He gave Harley a quick hug. "Don't give Tina a hard time. Watch a bit of a show, read, then bedtime. I'll check on you when I get back."

 

"Yes, got it." Harley surprised him by pulling Jax into a tighter hug, then she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Before he could say a thing, Harley did the same thing to Cade, telling her, "Have fun!"

 

Jax and Cade looked at each other and smiled. The woman had a clear influence on his daughter, and it seemed to be helping him out. Zee was in one corner of the room. To anyone else, he seemed like the usual statue of a bodyguard, but Jax could tell his stance had changed. What actions was he going to take? Jax hoped the big guy would reconsider, if not for him, then for Harley.  

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

The stretch limo stopped in front of the club. A tick had developed on Jax's right cheek. Cade was sitting between Beth and Luke, and Luke used every chance he could get to touch Cade. He wanted to rip the man's hands off, but he knew Luke. Once they went into Club 88, other women would distract him.

 

Not him, though, not Jax. He only had his eyes on Cade. Before the night ended, he hoped to have more than his eyes on her. He pushed his hair back as he looked out the darkened windows.

 

"Look at that line," Beth said. "Ready to have fun, Cade?"

 

"Will we even get in?" Cade asked and everyone in the limo except Jax laughed. "What's so funny?" Cade didn't blush or shy away. There was a challenge in her voice.

 

Luke hung an arm over her shoulder and squeezed her to his side. "Babe, you're with rock stars. We don't do lines."

 

"Oh, right," Cade said quietly. She followed them out of the limo.

 

Jax stayed behind with Zee. Before the door slammed closed, Jax heard Cade say, "Hey, what about Jax?"

 

The limo went down the road and turned a corner, stopping in a narrow alley. A door along one side of the bricked building was propped open. Before Jax stepped out, Zee said, "Reconsider."

 

Jax looked at him and leaned back against the seat. Frustrated, he ran his hands over his hair and face. "Zee, you're putting me in an awkward position." Jax propped his elbows over his knees, angling his torso forward. "Haven't you at least noticed Harley with her, and with me now? It's Cade. She's making a big difference in Harley's life, in our lives."

 

Zee shook his head. "Sorry, Jax. Mac won't like your intentions. I don't like it. One of our people will get hurt."

 

"I have no intentions of hurting her."

 

"Maybe not you. Maybe not now, but later. There are eyes and ears around you, Jax. Cameras zoom. One photo surfaces and it will blow up. Cade is not ready for that."

 

Jax snapped, "I won't let that happen! Zee, I'm … shit … This sounds stupid coming from me. I like her, a lot. I think of her often, every second of every damned day. It's all in here." Jax thumped a fist over his chest. "And Harley loves her. She's great with my daughter. Don't take her away."