Layers: Book One (8 page)

“No, you’re not.”

“You’re right, I’m not.”

“Jules why are all your misadventures about sex or some kind of bodily function or dysfunction?”

She contemplates for a minute. “I don’t know. Maybe because I like sex and think about it…a lot!”

“Who doesn’t…a lot?!” I snicker.

Jules stretches out and rolls to her side. “Tell me what Jaxson said about this meeting tomorrow.”


“He said the partners met
again
and decided to postpone formal charges.”

“That’s great, but for how long?”

“Ninety days.”

“Aren’t they generous—shitwads. Just out of curiosity, have you met any of the partners?”

“No, but I did get this weird anonymous e-mail from one of them saying they were sorry for my predicament.”

“Pre-
dic
-a-ment. I like that word.” She purrs.

“Of course you do. It has a
dic
in it.”

Jules grins and raises her brows. “Yes, it does.”

I shake my head because no appropriate words come to mind.

“Did he say anything else?”

”He said they finalized their contract.”

“Contract? What the hell is that about?”

“I don’t know he didn’t get into it. He also advised me to reconsider consulting an attorney.”

“The very same advice I dished out, girlfriend.”

“I am consulting an attorney and I’m bringing one.”

“Yeah, a divorce attorney.”


 “If I don’t like this contract or if they decide to file formal charges, then I’ll have no choice. I’ll have to seek help. I’m hoping that we can solve the situation privately.”

“I hope so too.”

“What are you going to do about Jaxson? I mean this situation has put a crimp in your plan to stay away from him.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t even have the excuse of being on his company payroll anymore. He’s been so supportive throughout this whole mess. If it wasn’t for his belief in my innocence I’d be in London right now.”

“How are you going to keep this from Gram?”

“Lie my ass off. What else can I do?”

“Something you’re very good at.”

“Ouch. That hurt.”

“The truth hurts girlfriend.”

“Yes it does girlfriend.”

“I don’t know how you do it.”

“Do what? Lie?”

“No. Stay away from Jaxson Ryan. That is one fine specimen of a man. I couldn’t resist him.”

“It’s not easy. Especially after what happened in Dublin. But I can’t get involved with someone like him. I’m supposed to keep out of the spotlight. Live under the radar. I don’t think it’s possible with someone like Jaxson.”

“I agree. It’s a shame really. I think that Jaxson Ryan is the
one
.”

“The one?”

“Yeah. That once-in-a-lifetime connection—the one you would do anything for. Even marry.”

“We definitely have chemistry. But the
one?
I’m not sure about that.”

“Well, I can tell you that Jaxson Ryan thinks you’re his one; the way he looks at you. If a man looked at me like that…”

“Like what?”

“Like, he can’t breathe without you.”

“Wow that’s…”

“Hot.”

“I was going to say heavy. But yeah, it’s pretty hot.”

“Speaking of hot. Do you remember his pictures in GQ last year?”

“I don’t recall. I just read the article.”


“Yeah right, and I’m the Virgin Mary. That spread. Oh. My. God. I literally licked the picture of him lifting himself out of the pool. I keep the issue in my desk and I often…well, you know. Let’s just say the pages are well worn.”


“Yuck, TMI.”

Jules spreads out on the mattress and closes her eyes. “I can picture it. She raises a hand. “Dear Lord I can see it.”

I‘m not sure what she can see. Can she see Jaxson or the second coming?

“The water,” she moans, “dripping from those dark, wavy, locks.” She motions her hand as if she is running it through his hair.

Oh my hell!

“Then trickling down to those lickably perfect lips.” She gives her lips a thorough licking.

I sit up on my elbows and look around the store.

“Oh, God, yes.” She pants. “Pooling into that lightly shadowed cleft.” She takes a deep breath then stokes the back of her hand down her cheek—stopping at her chin.

“Then so slowly, slowly, funneling onto those rock hard pecs.” She runs her hand down her neck, stopping at the shoulders giving them a mini massage.

Then she eases her hand lower. “Oh my…then flowing to those—I pray to God, not Photoshopped abs.”

Down her hand goes and goes.

I hold my breath. I don’t know why. I just do.

“Dear Lord,” she moan-groans. To be those drops.” Her hand skims over her hipbone. “Of water.” She pants as her hand travels from her hip to her stomach.

I can’t seem to take my eyes off her hand. I let out my breath.

She releases a moan from deep in her throat as her hand glides down to her sex.

I come out of my trance and grab her hand.

Her eyes pop open.

“For hell, Jules! You need to take that shit home.”

“Sorry… got a little carried away. You know being on a mattress and all that.”

“Can we help you ladies?” Jules and I sit up.

There are three young salesmen standing at the end of the mattress, lustfully staring at Jules.

“You can join us.” Jules purrs and pats the space between us. “This is a king size.” She raises her brows. “There’s plenty of room for all of us.”

All three of them look like they’re seriously considering her offer.

I cough and clear my throat. “She’s just kidding.”

“No, I’m not.” She pouts.

“Yes, you are!” I say with my best mother voice.

I address the young man with the name Drew written just above an assistant manager tag. “Drew,” I say and he turns his body but his eyes are still fixed on Jules. I clear my throat
again.
“Hello—Assistant Manager Drew.”

He turns his head and finally graces me with eye contact.

“Drew, I think this is the mattress.” I pat it. “That I want.”


“Okay.” He answers as his eyes float back to Jules.

“Can you check stock and available delivery times for today?”

“Yeah…okay…sure I’ll check on that…be right back.” Drew sighs then leaves with great reluctance.

I return my attention to the other raging hormonal teenagers.

Jules winks, at them, then slowly slides down onto her elbows giving the young men an exceptional view of her tatas. “Are you college boys?” she purrs.

A lanky cute blond answers her. “No…we’re in high school... but seniors.” He adds.

Like that makes it any better, or even legal.

“Really?” she says with a tilt of her chin. “You sure look like college boys.” She pouts.

They grin and flush like idiots.

“What high school do you attend?”

“Jules.” I spout and shake my head.

She giggles.

“Jeff, Rick—get over here!” We hear a man shout.

They look up. “Crap.” The blond says. “Sorry, ladies, that’s the boss, we need to help other customers. But…could we get your numbers? They pull out their cell phones.

Jules grins—I shake my head. “Sorry” I say.

They give Jules a pleading look. She pouts. “Sorry, mom won’t let me.”

“Oh…okay. If you change your minds you know where to find us.” He winks, and they leave to help other customers.

“Jules,” I say and shake my head. “You need to get some. A legal some.

The next day, Jules and I walk into the office of Jaxson Chase Ryan, CEO of Ryan Acquisitions. Yeah, I know that you already get who he is but I just like saying it.

Jaxson shakes my hand, then pulls me into him. I breathe him in. I’m not sure that it’s humanly possible to smell so good. Maybe he’s a Martian. I run my nose along his suit-clad shoulder. Why you ask? Because I can’t get enough of his scent; it does strange things to me. So when I run my nose along his suit his scent rubs off and lingers under my nose. It’s like taking a piece of him with me. If I were sleeping with him I’d smell his pillow and roll in his sheets. I’m not, so I make do. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do.

“Alexia, thanks for coming” he says, drawing me out of my olfactory trance.

I nod.

He releases me then shakes Jules’ hand. “Jules, good to see you again.”

She takes his hand while giving him a once over.

He gives her a tight smile then releases her hand. He then steps aside.

“Alexia, Jules, this is Nick Cain.”


“Hello,” I say and give a firm handshake to a man that looks like Malibu Ken in Armani.

“Alexia, it’s a pleasure. Jaxson talks about you all the time,” he says with a warm smile.

“All the time huh?”


“Yes, every chance he gets. It does get rather tedious and boring,” he says with a wink. Nick turns to Jules and takes her hand. “Wonderful to see you again, Julianne.”

She grins like an idiot. “I see you still have the shirt on your back Mr. Cain.”

“Yes, no thanks to you.” He smirks.

“I heard you left the DA’s office.”

“Yes, I’m doing some consulting work.”

“So, you two know each other?” I ask even though it’s obvious.

“Yes” Jules replies with a snort. “I represented his wife in their divorce. What? Two years ago?” she asks with a tilt of the chin.

“Yes, two years.”

Jaxson directs Jules and me to a leather sofa. We sit and they take the two opposing leather chairs.

“So it’s a small world after all,” I say trying to be humorous but Nick and Jules ignore me.

“When Jaxson said that Alexia’s friend Jules Cunningham will be accompanying her I was so pleasantly surprised. I knew there could only be one Julianne Cunningham.”

“Thank God for that.” Jaxson says under his breath.

I bite my lip but Nick and Jules remain oblivious.

“Are you still practicing family law?” Nick asks with concern.

“Oh my goodness yes, still representing the better halves.”

I look over at Jules, wondering if a hypnotist ran in, put me in a trance then replaced her with June Cleaver.

“I’m not here as an attorney, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m here as a friend.” Jules leans forward trying to get closer to Nick. “Are you consulting for Ryan Acquisitions?”


“No, I’m here as a partner and a friend.”

I catch Nick’s eye. I think I might have just met my anonymous e-mailing partner.

“Jaxson and I met at Princeton. We’re fraternity brothers.”

“Really?” Jules exclaims like Nick just gave her the answer to world hunger.

I roll my eyes. Jaxson starts to play with his hands.

“Lex and I met while I was living in London.”

Nick scoots closer. “You really look great, Julianne.”


“So do you, Nick. It’s been way too…”

Jaxson clears his throat. “Nick, I have a tight schedule this morning. If we could proceed I would appreciate it.”

Jules turns to me and whispers loudly in my ear. “Someone needs a booty call.”

I give her an elbow.

Jaxson gives her
The Brow
.

We all cringe.

“As I said before, I’m here as the representative for the partners.” He looks at me. “Alexia, as you know, the partners have met several times over the last few weeks to review this unfortunate
predicament
.”

Yes, Nick is Mr. Partner Anonymous.

“I really like that word, pre-
dic
-a-ment.” Jules raises her brows. “Don’t you Nick?” She purrs.

Nick chuckles. “Yes, It’s one of my favorites now.”

Jaxson clears his throat again and taps his watch.

Jules smirks. “Booty call,” she whispers again loudly.

Jaxson looks like he’s going to gives us
The Brow
.

I shake my head and silently plead mercy.

He gives me a
what the
look.

Nick smiles again, then continues. “At these meetings we reviewed the embezzlement report and debated for hours on solutions we could all live with. I know that Jaxson informed you that they agreed to suspend charges for ninety days.”