"Don't move." He kisses me lightly on the forehead before disappearing out of the room again.
I listen intently, hoping to get a clue as to where he's gone. Part of me is fearful that he's heading for the door, his conquest completed. I hear water running before I hear his heavy footsteps coming back in my direction.
He pushes a glass of water towards me. "Drink this."
I take the glass. The sudden realization that he looked through my cupboards to find it brings a small smile to my lips.
"Ivy. Drink." He motions towards my mouth with his hand. "You've barely had anything to drink today. I don't want you getting dehydrated."
I raise the glass to my lips. The cold water a welcome reprieve from the thirst I'd been ignoring. I finish the entire glass before handing it back to him.
"Thank you," I say as he moves to kneel in front of me.
He smiles before running the fingertips of his right hand across my forehead, pushing back the hair that had fallen into my eyes.
I relish in his touch, still wanting to express how wonderful it had felt to come under his direction. I clear my throat, readying myself to speak.
"I have to go." Jax cups my left cheek with his palm. "I have a meeting I can't miss."
"At Veray?"
"No." He leans in to kiss me tenderly before standing and reaching for his suit jacket. "Another business interest." I watch as he pulls his phone from the jacket's inner pocket.
I nod, realizing that I know so little about him, yet we just shared one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
"I left the envelope on the table. Don't open it without my permission."
I raise my left eyebrow. "Or?" I teasingly ask.
"Or I'll be thoroughly disappointed in you." He doesn't look up from his phone. His eyes scanning the screen, his thumb scrolling through messages I assume.
"I won't then." I stand and adjust the robe, readying myself to walk him to the door.
He takes my hint and motions for me to lead the way. I do in silence, feeling slightly abandoned after what just happened.
"Leonard will pick you up for dinner at eight o'clock." He rests his hand on the doorknob. "Wear the red dress hanging in the middle of your closet and bring the envelope."
I glance over to the table at the envelope still sitting exactly where he dropped it.
"And, beautiful..." he reaches forward to brush my lips with his. "Don't under any circumstances speak to Mark or Liz."
"I don't want to talk to either of them today."
"Good." With that he opens the door, slips through and quietly closes it behind him.
I lean against the door listening to the elevator's bell signalling Jax's brisk departure.
Chapter 15
"I knew you'd look gorgeous in that dress." Jax greets me as he opens the door of the sedan.
"You have impeccable taste in clothing, Mr. Walker," I tease as I reach for his hand before stepping out of the car.
"And women," he quips before giving me a quick kiss.
The remark bites. I'm not foolish enough to believe that I'm the first woman Jax has swept off her feet, and that has me wondering how many have come before me.
"Let's go up." His fingers interweave with mine as we silently walk up the stairs to his apartment.
I place my purse and the plain white envelope down on the coffee table before I turn to him. "How did your meeting go?"
"Fine," he says brusquely. "I'll get us some wine."
I settle onto the couch my eyes scanning the room, noticing all of the jewelry boxes have been removed from their spot on the table. I don't see them anywhere.
He reappears carrying two half-filled wine glasses. "For you." He hands one to me before sitting beside me. He crosses his long legs as he skims his hand across the black material removing a stray piece of lint. His black trousers, coupled with the black dress shirt he's chosen offers a muted look I haven't seen him in before.
I take a long sip. "It's delicious."
He smiles before speaking. "How was your day?"
"It was fine." I enjoy another swallow.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing exciting. I rested, sketched some new designs ideas, and tidied." I place the wine glass down before turning to face him. "What did you do?"
He ignores the question as he leisurely takes a sip. "Did you talk with Mark or Liz today?"
I sigh out of sheer frustration. "No. I didn't."
"Are you going to?"
"I should at some point, no?" I retort.
"No, you shouldn't, Ivy." He once again brings the wine glass to his lips, his gaze falling from my face to the glass.
"I should. I need to."
"Why?" He places the glass down next to mine before turning his body to face me.