"They're what? Juliette isn't with Zee, are you tripping?" Cade laughed. What ridiculous nonsense. She couldn't think of a more mismatched pair. Juliette was exuberant and lively, and Zee was a robot of some sort.
Jax peered at her through his lashes, working on the laces of his other shoe. "Ah, yeah, babe, they are. Juliette didn't tell you?"
It struck Cade that Jax was serious, but how could that be? No, Juliette had never mentioned she was with Zee. She had never mentioned being with anyone other than a sweet, loving softie. She couldn't have meant Zee, did she?
A cellphone bleeped. Jax pulled his out of his back pocket, and then jumped to standing. "He's here. Are we taking all of your bags now or do you want to come back for the rest later?"
"I'm not taking anything."
"Babe, you can't stay here." Jax waved his hands around. "It's not habitable."
"Well I'm not taking my stuff to your place."
"Why not?"
"Are you crazy?" It wasn't the best retort, but it was all she could come up with.
It was Jax's turn to cross his arms over his chest. "Call me crazy one more time and I'll give you a spanking." The corner of his lips turned up, and a smile danced in his eyes.
Cade shook her head. "I'm not moving my stuff to your-"
"Cade," Jax cleared the distance between them in two wide steps and scooped her up into his arms. "There's enough space in the penthouse for all of us. Harley would love for you to be there. I would love for you to be there. And besides, I'll be travelling with the band for a few months, it would be easier if you stayed at home with Harley."
When he put it that way, it was hard to argue. "Fine, but this doesn't mean I'm moving in. I'll find a more suitable apartment when you return. I'll need a new address anyway to find a new job."
"A new job?"
"Yes, Jax. I need a job. I can't stay in this country without work."
"You don't need work. I'll take care of you."
"No, you won't." She jabbed a finger on his chest.
Jax caught it and lifted her hand to his lips. "Yes, I will, whether you want me to or not."
"That's not going to happen, Jax. I'll watch over Harley. I might even talk to Mac about taking me back for a while until I find something else. I'm here on a work visa and I need to work so I can stay. You aren't paying me if we're going to keep sleeping together. Or don't sleep with me and make me your employee."
"I don't want you to be my employee, Cade. I want you to be mine."
There was pure honesty in his eyes. She relaxed in his arms and leaned her head on his chest. "Jax, I don't know what to say." She was aware of how it could look in other people's eyes. She cared not what the tabloid would say about her, but she didn't want Jax and especially Harley implicated. She could take a guess what the paparazzi would make of it if it surfaced.
They stood there for several quiet beats. Jax kissed her hair, and then leaned down to kiss her lips. She was dizzy once he released her.
"There is another way you can stay here with us. I have dual citizenship, as you probably know."
"Yeah, and?"
"Marry me, Cade."
Chapter Twenty-Three
"This doesn't mean anything." Cade repeated the words like it was a mantra while she unpacked her bags.
Jax had insisted she bring all of her belongings to his penthouse but Cade refused. To avoid having their first argument as a … what the hell were they? No, putting a label on it wouldn't help her at all. It wouldn't help the situation. Neither did his suggestion.
"Marry me, Cade," he had said. Not asked. Said! Told!
She'd responded by pushing him off and calling him ridiculous, calling the whole idea preposterous and beyond insane. If Jax's phone hadn't rang to remind Jax Zee was waiting, they would have gotten into a full-blown argument.
Jax had helped drag a couple of her bags to the car, where Zee had stood by that morning, seemingly wary of the surroundings. Cade had waited to see which side Jax would sit in so she could stay away from him. A little distance would do them good. When they reached the apartment, she refused help from either of the men and brought her bags into the elevator by herself.
"You're talking to yourself again, Cade," Juliette spoke, snapping her friend out of whatever state she was in.