Aftershock

“Don’t you have something to do?”

“You.”

I heard the sound of his email pinging in the background and laughed. “Liar. You’re working.”

We used to play phone sex games with each other, often leading to both of us getting off simultaneously. There was nothing in the world like hearing him say my name when he was coming.

“Guilty,” he confessed, unabashed. “Trying to keep my mind off you and failing miserably.”

“Probably because what you’re working on is the deal that screwed me over.”

“You promised me a round of angry sex.” He hummed softly, with obvious relish. “I’m waiting for it, baby.”

“Not sure you want your dick anywhere near my teeth while I’m feeling this way about you.”

Jax laughed and my toes curled. He had the best laugh, deep and full-bodied. “Even threats of bodily harm can’t kill this hard-on I’ve got for you. Come over, Gia.”

“Can’t. I’ve got a meeting in a bit.” I stood and walked to the window, feeling restless. Pushing the sheer curtains aside, I looked down at the city of Atlanta. Where was Jax? It was a question I’d been asking myself every day over the past two years. He hadn’t had to ask where I was, though, since he’d had me followed. “Besides, didn’t you say we needed to talk? I doubt you’ll do much of that when I get there.”

He was silent a minute, then, “You’ve got a great family. I’ve always known where I stood with them, good or bad. They don’t bullshit and they don’t waste time on petty crap. They’re good people.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, taking that to heart. I was proud of my family, proud to be a Rossi.

“My family isn’t like that, Gia. Don’t be fooled by Parker’s charm. He only gives the time of day to people who are useful.”

“Jax, I don’t have anything.”

“You have me,” he said grimly.

“Are you saying your dad would use me against you?”

“Maybe. Or he’d just use you, period. It could be anything, babe. Just trust me, there’s an angle.”

I absorbed that for a moment, trying to wrap my head around a father and son who didn’t trust each other. “Is he the reason you stayed away the past couple of years?”

Is he the reason you’re determined to leave me again?

“I stayed away because it’s the best thing for you.”

I hated that non-answer. “Yet here you are. Give me a good reason why I should see you, Jax.”

“Because you want to.”

“I suggest you come up with something better than that.”

He exhaled in a rush. “Because I want you to. Because I need to spend time with you. You make me feel...human. Being with you makes me feel like I’m not a complete piece of shit.”

I closed my eyes, my hand lifting to my chest to rub the ache in my heart. I wanted to know why he always put himself down, why he thought he wasn’t good enough for me. I knew I was going to make a go of it just to try to get those answers. Still, I was honest and told him, “Being with you makes me feel lonely. It reminds me that I want to find someone to be steady in my life. Someone I can depend on.”

“I wish I was that guy,” he said quietly.

“Yeah. Me, too.”

2

I INTERRUPTED MY sister-in-law the instant she answered the phone. “Traitor!”

Denise paused in the middle of reciting the name of her beauty salon, then said, “So he called you, eh?”

“He’s here!” I sat on the edge of my bed with a groan.

“He’s in Atlanta? Are you serious?” Denise whistled. I heard a squeak in the background and could picture her sitting on the hot-pink stool behind the front counter of her shop. “He’s got it bad for you.”

“I can’t believe you ratted me out like that. Don’t you think if I’d wanted him to know where I was, I would’ve told him?”

“Come on. I’ve never seen you look at a guy the way you look at him. You can’t blame me for wanting you to be happy.”

“He deserves to stew a bit, Denise. He deserves to miss me and wonder what I’m doing.”

“Ah, I feel you. Sorry.”

I kicked out my legs, my gaze dropping to my pedicure. “No, you’re not.”

“I’m a little sorry,” she amended. “So, are you two going to kiss and make up?”

“It’s not like that.”

“So tell me what it’s like.”

“Boy meets girl, boy ditches girl, boy pops up again two years later, boy screws girl and then almost screws her big business deal, boy wants to screw girl again—maybe both ways—but this time, boy says up front that he’ll be ditching girl again at some point.”

“Hmm.” Her chewing gum bubble popped loudly. “If I hadn’t seen the way boy looks at girl, I might tell you to kick him to the curb.”

“Probably the smart thing to do. So what’s your alternative?”

“Screw him senseless. Rock his world. Show him what he’ll be missing. Make it hurt when he decides it’s time to walk away so he won’t go through with it.”

If only it were that easy. “I think that’s an asinine plan.”

“Maybe.” She laughed, and I smiled reluctantly. “But that’s a fine piece of prime male ass, Gianna. There are worse things a girl can do than spend a few hours in bed with a hot guy who’s in love with her.”

She was saying what I’d wanted to hear—some excuse to go forward instead of cutting my losses and running. “You’re an enabler, Denise!”

“Whatev. If Jackson’s bad for you, think about how good sex is. It’s great for the complexion, good exercise, an awesome mood booster—”

I rolled my eyes. “Hanging up now.”

“Love you!” she said quickly.