Harley (West Coast Rock Star #1)(4)

 

It was a welcome distraction from his darkening eyes. Warmth exploded in her belly, sending tingles down the tips of her toes and fingers, highly concentrated in the fingers that touched the man. Feeling the burn his skin was creating, she pulled her hand away a little too fast. Who was this man? With a single searing touch made her feel … what was it she was feeling? It was so alien to her.

 

"Cade is fine, Mr. Clark," she said, looking past his shoulders, catching an evil glare from Ms. Joyce.

 

"As long as you call me Jax. I see you've met Tina Joyce, my PA." He waved a hand toward the seething woman. Cade wasn't brave enough to trust that she wouldn't make a fool of herself if she opened her mouth. Jax smiled before turning toward Zee. "Zee, my friend, it's been a while."

 

There was an easy camaraderie between the two men as they shook hands. She had never seen her co-worker so at ease, even during the few company social events they'd had.

 

"Nice place you got here," Zee's voice boomed. Cade took the chance to look around more, trying to ignore the death daggers from Ms. Joyce.

 

"Yeah. Just moved in this weekend. It was time to stay put, build roots and all, at least until the next big thing Bruno comes up with." Jax moved around the sofa and lounged on it as he explained.

 

Cade followed every single one of his movements. She wanted nothing more than to cuddle next to Jax. She bit her lip to distract herself from thoughts of how warm and safe she would feel cocooned in his arms. Maybe there was still time to pull out of the assignment. The look, the confidence, the smile, everything that was Jackson Clark was synonymous with trouble.

 

"I have Harley permanently now. I guess that's where you come in, Cade."

 

That brought her out of her thoughts. She stood beside Zee, in front of a relaxed Jax, and a hovering PA.

 

"Are you sure about this, Jax? She's a girl. How experienced is she, anyway? Don't you think Harley would be better off with someone like Mr. Arnold?" Tina's whiny voice annoyed Cade. How dare the woman question her abilities? Anger bubbled up in her throat. All her life she had to prove herself worthy of people's trust and praise.

 

Before she could form a retort, Zee's voice punctured the air. "She was personally hand-picked by Mac for Harley." What was this? Zee was defending her? Or he might have been defending Mac's decision. "As he picked me to work with you, Jax." It was a fact. Most assignments were posted on the board and agents either took them or enlisted. When Mac felt the client warranted a special type of handling, he would pick the right person. Nobody questioned his decisions as far as Cade knew.  

 

"All right then. That settles it." Jax's eyes stayed on Cade the whole time. "Tina, call Harley down so she can meet her new protector."

 

Cade's eyes lifted to see Tina Joyce roll her eyes, swipe on the tablet she held, and barked an order to it. "Harley, come down. Your father wants you."

 

It didn't take a second for a girl to pop her head out and walk down the stairs. Cade wasn't sure what she had expected, but the careful, prim, and quiet steps of a petite girl, dressed in preppy chic-most likely a designer outfit-with pig tails wasn't it. This was the daughter of seemingly bad boy Jax Clark? The girl hesitated on the final step. Cade guessed that she had been listening the whole time. Cade made eye contact with the girl and that gave her courage to move forward. Harley stopped beside the sofa where Jax was seated.

 

"Hello, Father." Such a formal greeting in such a sweet little voice. A small smile tickled Cade's lips.

 

Something didn't add up. The file said Harley was eight but she couldn't have been more than six by the looks of her. Jax shifted forward, reached for his daughter's hand, and wrapped his small finger around hers.

 

"You're sticking with that, huh?" The girl nodded. "Well, if you must. Harley, meet Zee and Cade. Zee is the gentle giant here." Harley released her father's finger to shake hands with the big guy. It was comical to see their difference but Harley proudly lifted her chin up when she greeted Zee. "And Miss Cadence Williams, she goes by Cade. Isn't that just wicked?"

 

Cade wrapped her hands around the girl's. Harley had a firm handshake. Staid and formal. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you." Cade's smile brightened her face. The girl was nothing but sweetness.

 

"Pleasure to meet you as well, Harley."

 

"You must forgive my darling daughter. She is an old soul. She definitely makes me look badass in front of others while she's all neat and formal." There was humor in Jax's voice. "Cade will be watching over you when we're out, Harley. What she says goes."