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Within minutes, security had escorted the group out of the club along with the offending cell phone, and Jaxson retook his seat.
“Sorry about that, but I just couldn’t let that pass. It was the second time she’s been caught sneaking in electronics. Everybody thinks they are above the rules around here.”
Lukus didn’t miss Tiffany’s gaze going to the floor, clearly happy he’d talked her out of bringing her own phone or perhaps it would be them getting thrown out by the scary owner.
Unlike Tiff, Lukus felt admiration growing for their host. He’d always felt accomplished to have not one, but two profitable businesses by the time he turned thirty. He wasn’t sure, but he wouldn’t be surprised if Jaxson was even younger than him and that meant he deserved serious props for building not one but two wildly successful clubs.
“I have to hand it to you,” Lukus finally said, trying to fill the awkward silence. “The suite you put us in is amazing. It has me totally rethinking the suites at The Pit.”
Jaxson took a drag of his cocktail while waving at a woman across the room to get her to notice before returning his attention to his guests.
“I’d love to hear more about your club. We’re doing well with clubs on both coasts, but I’ve wondered what the market is like in the Midwest.”
Lukus didn’t get a chance to answer because the woman who’d been standing in the kitchen in the chef’s uniform had joined them.
“Welcome back, Jax. I heard you guys flew in yesterday. I thought you might stay in Colorado longer.”
“Yeah, well Cash had to get back into town for some gig and since we were flying on his private jet, we sort of needed to catch a ride or book commercial.”
“Oh no! Not commercial! The horror of it!” the chef teased, clearly taking her life in her own hands by teasing her boss.
“Very funny,” Jaxson groused. Looking at Lukus, he thumbed towards the chuckling chef, “This annoying woman is our very talented chef, Avery. She is constantly forgetting that I’m her boss and could end her employment at any time.”
To Lukus the threat sounded legit, so when the dark-haired beauty burst out laughing, he was offended on behalf of his host.
“I’ve missed you too, boss. You know you’d miss me if I wasn’t here to give you shit.”
Finally cracking a small smile, Jax answered, “I wouldn’t mind giving it a shot.” Changing the subject, Jaxson asked Lukus, “What would you like for dinner? She may act like the sister I’ve never had, or wanted, but Avery does have skills. She also makes a mean Gibson, but we have a full bar so order any drink you’d like.”
Unsure what was on their menu, Lukus looked at Tiffany who merely shrugged. He suspected the testosterone levels of Jaxson and Lukus combined had her wisely choosing to play the role of submissive versus sassy Tiff.
Lukus answered Avery with a quick, “Why don’t you surprise us with the food. Tiff would like a house white wine and I’ll take a Jack and Coke.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be back,” the chef promised, turning to scoot along.
The men spent the next ten minutes talking business and with each minute that passed, Lukus felt more of a kindred spirit with the hard-ass guy sitting cross from them. It was clear he was as hard-core of a dominant as Lukus and he found himself wishing he could find someone exactly like Jaxson to take over the nightly shows at The Pit.
He had no more than had that thought when a woman carrying a screaming toddler came in through the patio door entrance. Tiffany and he exchanged a confused look as they watched the tired looking woman try to wrangle the wriggling child into submission.
Sure that their host would never put up with having a kid in the club, Lukus turned to see how Jaxson would handle the disruption, not surprised in the least when the owner pushed to his feet, going to meet the woman and child.
That was when things got super weird. The hard-ass dominant held his hands out and took the screaming boy into his arms, hugging him close and whispering something soft against the child’s ear. Whatever it was, it worked almost immediately to calm the adorable blond toddler who promptly threw his thumb into his mouth and laid his head on Jaxson’s shoulder.
Even more surprising was when the trio returned to the table, the dark-haired woman sinking into the seat next to Jaxson with a tired whoosh.
“Hi, there,” she exclaimed while waving frantically at Avery across the room for something. Returning her attention to the table, she added, “I’m Emma. I’m so sorry I’m late. Jax tells me you guys are newlyweds. That’s so exciting. When exactly did you get married?”
Tiffany clearly hadn’t been prepared to chat with Jaxson, but she came to life when Emma joined them. “On New Year’s Eve. We decided it was the perfect way to spend the holiday with our friends and family.”
“Oh, I love that idea. I bet you had a ton of fun, and just think.” Emma paused, giving Jaxson a bit of side-eye before adding, “I betyourhusband won’t ever forget your wedding anniversary date with it being on a holiday and all.”
Jaxson groused, “I didnotforget our anniversary. I was just super busy… and… I got a bit confused on the date.” Lukus watched in amazement as the hard-ass Dom finally broke into a grin, adding, “You’re never going to let me live it down, are you? We’re going to be celebrating our fiftieth anniversary and you’ll still be talking about the one time I was one day late with my gift.” Turning to Lukus and Tiffany, he added. “If you haven’t figured it out, this is my wife, Emma, and our son, Andrew, who missed his nap today.”
The change in Jaxson since his wife and child had arrived was remarkable. It took a second, but it finally dawned on Lukus that he was seeing his own future in front of him. Tiffany had already worked her magic to mellow him more than he ever thought possible. As he glanced at his beaming wife, he knew she’d figured it out too. Lukus loved watching his friends James and now Derek having kids, but he still wasn’t quite sure how that was going to work for him and Tiff. How the hell does a man like him fit a baby into his life?
Looking across the table as Jaxson Cartwright-Davidson comforted his whining toddler, he got a tiny hint of the possibility.
Avery had just delivered several large platters filled with a variety of appetizers and finger foods when the sound of yet another baby crying filled the air. Emma quickly grabbed a potato skin, taking a bite as if someone might come and take the food away from her, just as a vaguely familiar looking blond man came around the corner. This time it was an adorable dark-haired little girl on the newcomer’s hip. She was hugging a raggedy looking stuffed animal as she continued whimpering for no apparent reason.
