“But Greta is,” she singsonged with a pointed look. “Sir.”
“After the way we made love last night, it’s going to drive me crazy that you call me and Lex sir. So when we’re up here in the afternoons and evenings—cut it out.”
She smirked at him.
God, she was saucy. And he loved it.
She took the bottle from him, did up his drink, and handed the glass over. “Please let me do my job. I happen to enjoy it. And I’m getting quite good at it.”
“Just seems a little bizarre to have you serving us after last night.”
“Bizarre to you. Perfectly acceptable to me. You’re paying me, after all.”
“Well, that’s true enough.” He sipped. Then grinned at her before turning away to get his own work done.
But her next words brought him to an abrupt halt.
“Who is she?”
Jax slowly faced her. “Who?” Though he instinctively knew to whom she referred.
Sure enough, with a knowing smile that gently touched her tawny eyes, she said, “The woman you’re both writing these arrangements for.”
Jax’s gut clenched. “What makes you think we’re writing them for a woman?”
“Because they’re filled with passion . . . and pain. And you want them to be absolutely perfect. Flawless. Like her?”
“You really want to ask me this?” he quietly challenged. “You’re not jealous?”
Lily looked contrite. But she said, “Naturally. Who wouldn’t be? She moved you and Lex so much that you would go to any length to ensure the music you’re composing is worthy of her. But something tells me she’s no longer in either of your lives, so I’m jealous of a memory. Is that right?”
Jax didn’t like speaking of Katarina. The very reason he and Lex had gone their separate ways seven years ago. It’d been excruciating to even mention her in each other’s presence.
But he found himself saying out loud, “Katarina Karlsson. She was lead vocal in the international orchestra Lex and I played for since we were kids. She joined when we were twenty.”
“And she was breathtaking,” Lily surmised.
He leaned in close. “You’re breathtaking.”
“I’m not fishing for compliments here, Jax.”
“I’m stating a fact here, Lily.”
They stared at each other for several drawn-out seconds.
Then Jax sipped before telling her, “Katarina was extremely beautiful, yes. In a very delicate, almost ethereal way. Like she was more spirit than flesh and blood.” He let out a frustrated groan. “It’s difficult to describe her. She was just . . . lovely. And that is not a word I use. Just when it comes to her. There was a softness to her. A gentle beauty. It was somewhat mystical. Elfish, maybe. She was an old soul who emitted this enticing light. Whereas you radiate blatant sensuality—especially when you’re in complete disarray. Or coming so hard you scream our names.”
“I’m not trying to get you to make comparisons,” she reiterated.
“I can’t help but make comparisons. Katarina was the only woman Lex and I ever shared. There was no one else we wanted to have that sort of relationship with—until you came along.”
She paused again. Just staring. Collecting her thoughts? Wondering what it was about her that had grabbed them both by the balls and wouldn’t let go?
He had no idea which.
But he did anticipate her next question. And waited for it. Even though it was going to torment him further.
Eventually, she asked, “What happened with the three of you? In the end?”