McKenzie Cousins Box Set 4

"That might be the case, but she wants a husband with the McKenzie surname, and now, because I'm a nice guy, I'm taking her for drinks."

"Something is up with your brother, so take her to Kenza and check in on him."

I frown. “Ryan? He seemed okay at New Year. He was talking about investing in condoms with the baby boom going on in the family.”

Alexander rolls his eyes. “That doesn’t surprise me.” Moving from the chair to behind his desk, he says, “I have work to do, as I’m sure you do.”

“I need a shower first.” I grin. “Michael in?”

Shaking his head, Alexander chuckles. "You have roughly thirty minutes before he is."

I head to his office after grabbing a clean set of clothes.

18

Poppy

Walking into my hotel room, I let my coat and scarf fall to the bed as I walk in a dream toward the chair in the window. Sitting, I kick my shoes off and settle more comfortably into the chair while I look out over Lexington.

I rub at my forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Stress and worry. When I'd made up my mind to come and find Jaxon, I hadn't realized it would be so difficult. Firstly, I'd gone to Boston and heard through a friend that he'd traveled home. So here I was, however, still so far.

The woman at the McKenzie building hadn't been amicable, and I sensed she wanted me gone. If it hadn't been for the security guard standing to the side of her, then I don't think she'd have called me a cab. Although he didn't say a word to me, he'd been courteous and refused the five-dollar tip I’d tried to shove into his hand.

Tears slowly trickle down my face as sadness overwhelms me. I rub my tummy absentmindedly, wondering what to do next. I do have one more place to look for him before I give in and go to his home address. That's the last resort.

In Boston, Jaxon had been everywhere. I hadn’t been able to turn around without seeing his eyes on me.

I missed him.

I knew I would when I walked out of his apartment early that morning.

As a visiting Professor, I knew the rules, and no matter how difficult Jaxon had made it for me, I didn't break them. Not even that last night. My contract had come to an end. I'd been free to be with whom I wanted, without rules getting in the way. I took what I wanted. What I knew Jaxon wanted—then I'd left. Crept out like what we'd shared had been a one-night stand. My heart had been involved and still is.

Four months I've stayed away, but I can't anymore. I want to see Jaxon again. Talk to him. See him smile. See the way his eyes light up when he looks at me. I want him to know how I fell in love with him before the night we spent together. Of course, I won't be admitting any of that to him. I have a more pressing need. One that I'm not sure how he will feel or even want to know.

Slowly wiping at my cheeks with my fingers, I turn my head slightly and sigh when my brother places his hand on my shoulder. He squeezes and takes the chair opposite. I've been living with him since I left Boston. He's my best friend and the only person I trust, which is why he's traveled to Lexington with me.

I’m grateful to him, but I wish he'd stayed home instead of coming on this trip. Although I'm nervous, it's something I felt I had to do alone. If only David had listened. It's exhausting having him in my ear all the time. He isn't a big fan of Jaxon and won't listen to anything I have to say that's positive. He's twisted the whole thing around so that it sounds like Jaxon is the only one to blame for my heartache when I know it isn't. We were both there that night. Consenting adults. I'd craved his touch, knowing that I was leaving Boston the following day. I could have told him. Instead, I'd taken what I wanted and left him not knowing how I truly felt about him.

Now I’m not sure if I’ll ever know how he truly feels about me.

“Did you see him?” David asks, his fingers steepled together in front of his face.

"No." Sighing heavily, I admit, "He's away from the office for two weeks. The receptionist wasn't pleased about it either."

“Hmm.”

“What?”

“I’m thinking?”

“Think aloud. You know how much it annoys me when you do that ‘hmm’ thing.”

“The doctor told you to stay relaxed.”

"I was there. I heard every word the doctor said. I also heard you when you tried to interfere.”

His brows shoot up. He had no idea I'd heard him whispering to my doctor, who put my brother straight.