Wild Zone (Rough Riders Hockey 4)

“Stan, you look like a cat that just emptied the canary’s cage.”

He laughed, head thrown back, eyes closed. The sound bounced off the mansion’s stone walls and drew every gaze on the small patio. Stan stepped back, turned her in an underarm twirl, then swept her right back into his arms.

“What is so funny?” she asked, grinning up at him, wishing he had been her father. Or wishing she’d had a father half as wonderful. Or had a father at all.

“Nothing, nothing. I admit, I had hoped Jessie would catch Jax’s eye, then Connor swept her off her feet and, well, there’s no accounting for who you fall in love with, is there?”

That comment knocked her on her ass. The song ended, and Stan released her, but Lexi held fast to his hand.

“Wait…what…? You can’t just say that and walk away.”

Stan cupped the back of her neck and pulled her close for a kiss on her forehead. He whispered, “Try not to let this place run your life, Lexi.”

She pulled back and found his blue gaze filled with affection and…wisdom. “What are you trying to tell me?”

“I’m telling you what I’ve told every one of my kids—as long as you rule LA and LA does not rule you, you’ll find success.”

Claudia stepped up to them, then wrapped an arm around her husband’s waist and Lexi’s shoulders. “Don’t try to make me jealous, you two.”

Lexi stepped back, and Stan pulled his wife into his arms but kept his gaze on Lexi. “He said his plane came in late, but promised me he’d show.”

Then he pulled his wife into a spin, a dip, and kissed her. Applause erupted around them. Someone’s hand slid over Lexi’s arm. She startled, glancing up into Emilio’s rich brown eyes.

“I got a break. If you’re not going to have dinner with me, at least let me have one dance.”

Lexi did her best to be mentally present for the dance with Emilio, but a new fear had taken root. Jax would be here. In the midst of her biggest, wealthiest client pool. And now, her apprehension over being associated with a bad-boy type dimmed, as her other bigger fear took shape—the confirmation of Jax’s power in these circles. He was far more capable of taking her business under than Steven had ever been, and in a far more subtle way. A few targeted comments and the word would spread. Rumors would grow.

Even as she tried to tell herself Jax would never try to trap her that way, never manipulate her that way, her damn flight reflex had Lexi searching for excuses to escape. But she’d never left a reception before her bride. Never. And she certainly wouldn’t desert her largest client of the year thus far over an irrational fear.

The song ended, and Emilio switched topics from his security detail for the mayor to Lexi. “I’d like to get you away from all this. Be able to talk to you when you’re not so distracted.”

He kept an arm around her waist well after they’d cleared the dance area. She didn’t mind the touch when they were dancing, but now, it made her skin tight with discomfort.

“I’ve got to check on my bride,” she said, smiling up at him. “Thanks for the dance.”

Emilio reluctantly released her with a grin and a soft, “Someday you’re going to say yes.”

Lexi paused in a quiet area of the gardens and shook out her arms. Suddenly, pins and needles stabbed her neck and spine. Her heart beat a little wildly. She couldn’t think straight. Her mind, always so open with the big-picture view at an event, narrowed to pinpoint focus, and she couldn’t widen it past Jax. Past seeing Jax at an event like this. Past what he might do when he saw her. Past how he could try to control her if he chose.

She was sweating. So nervous she was shaking.

Lexi walked to the edge of the balcony that looked out over Beverly Hills. Lights sparkled in the distance. She pressed her palms to the concrete banister and breathed long and slow. Tried to assure herself he wasn’t that kind of man. That he’d promised he wouldn’t hurt her.

In her clutch, her phone vibrated. She swallowed, unzipped the bag, and pulled out her phone.

JAX: You look mouthwatering. I hope you don’t have a gun in that little purse. I have a feeling if you did, you might use it on me.

Lexi stared at the message. She couldn’t even lift her head to search for him but slid her eyes closed and swallowed a ball of nerves rising in her throat.

She felt him come up next to her. Smelled him—that mix of subtle spice and leather. Unbearably sexy.

“No one’s around.” His voice touched her ear like a caress, low and rough and familiar. Delicious. “It’s safe to talk to me.”

“Don’t.” She shook her head. “I love being with you. Don’t make it sound like I…”

She couldn’t say the words.

“Like you’re embarrassed to be seen with me? Baby, it’s not a new situation for me.”