Cadence (Ruby Riot Book 1) (20 page)

“More of the same?” Jax sits and wraps his arms around me, pulling me into him. I rest my head on his shoulder and he kisses my hair. “You shouldn’t have reactivated your account. I'm going to have to confiscate your bloody phone!”

I glance at the offending item. “I'm not switching it back on now.”

“Good.”

“I don't understand why they do this,” I whisper. “The press, I expected but the fans... How can they say they're your fans if they want to do this to somebody you care about? People are threatening to find me and cut me.”

Jax's grip on me tightens. “You'll be okay. We'll be okay.”

“I'm scared,” I admit and fight the tears I refuse to cry. “It's all right for you! You could go out in public if you want! Nobody's sending you threats.”

“Come here.” Jax lies back against the mound of pillows; I rest my head on his chest and focus on the steady thrum of his heartbeat. As he strokes my hair, my anxiety subsides.

“Sorry I was so stupid,” I say. “I really didn't think this through.”

“I took part in posting the photo. Not your fault.”

I sigh. “I really didn't think you were famous enough for the world to freak out.”

“Hey!” Jax rolls me over and props himself up with his arms either side of my head. He settles himself between my legs, grinning down at me. “I told you I was a rock star, you were the one who told me I was too full of myself!”

“I guess the world loves you more than I thought.”

“Yeah, like the people who won the VIP backstage tour tonight. Really weird. They hardly said two words to me, that's how blinded by my awesomeness they were.”

I groan and poke him in the chest. “What were they like?”

“A thirteen year old who spent the whole time silent and bright pink, and her mother who kept checking her watch. To be honest, I think they’re here to see Blue Phoenix and enjoy the free trip to Berlin.”

“Aww, poor Jax.”

“Suits me, means I get to spend time with my favourite girl.”

‘Hey!” I push him off me and roll over, pinning him down instead. “Favourite girl? Only girl!”

“Only girl.” He pulls my hair from my face, lifting his head to kiss me. This is why I'm putting myself through this this. The effect this man has on me is unlike anybody before, kissing Jax triggers a slow burn inside from the moment his lips touch mine. I constantly crave his touch, and the passion he returns matches mine, every time. We could lose ourselves in each other for a whole day, and I’d still want more. Jax shifts and I wriggle against him. He groans and pushes himself against me.

I sit back on his hips and smooth my hands across his chest. Jax looks up at me with darkened eyes and slides his hand up my leg. “You're fucking amazing,” he says. “Seriously, you turn me on like that.” He snaps his fingers.

“I guess I'm the awesome one.” I slowly unbutton his woven black shirt. The jade pendant hangs against his ridge of muscle at the top of his chest and I twist the leather around my finger. “Jade. Health, wealth, and happiness.”

“Well, it worked for me.”

“Hmm. Maybe not the health part if you don’t watch yourself.”

“Why?”

“The drinking, Jax.”

He ignores me and reaches behind his head to unfasten the necklace. “Here.” The stone dangles from the leather towards his face as he holds the pendant out to me.

“Why are you giving me that?”

“Jade protects against negative energy too. You could do with some protection from shit.”

I take the necklace from him. “You’re strange. I’d never expect you to believe in this stuff.”

“Sometimes I do. This is special, because since I started wearing the pendant good things have happened in my life.” He runs his hands along my sides, settling them on my ass. “And I’m giving it to you because you’re special. Who knows, the jade might help keep the bad away.”

The small green stone is warm from being against his skin and I swing the pendant around. “I think it would need to be bigger to make a decent weapon.”

We share a smile as my heart opens that little bit further to him. Does Jax see the romance in his gesture?

“Well, the necklace is yours.”

Hesitantly, I fasten the necklace. “Oh, wow! I feel better already! This is amazing!”

“Snarky!”

“Thank you, Jax.” I lean forward and kiss him. “I love that you shared this with me.”

I unbutton the rest of his shirt and drag my fingernails along his skin, across his tattooed abs. The blue star tattoos are half-covered by his jeans, and I slide my fingers inside the waistband. Jax sucks in air with a hiss as I roll my hips against him. He's not the only one who’s turned on with just a touch or kiss.

I meet Jax’s eyes in challenge, and pull my t-shirt over my head. Jax raises a brow and holds the curve of my waist, pulling me down to him; our skin on skin the most natural feeling in the world. Sliding a hand up my back to my hair, Jax pulls my head down and kisses me again, harder; but I pull away and sit back up. As I unclasp my bra and throw it next to my t-shirt, he watches with a proprietary look in his darkened eyes.

“Are you seducing me, Tegan Hughes?”

“You never need any persuasion, Jaxon Lewis.”

Grinning, he smooths his hands upwards, rough fingertips against my skin; but before he reaches my breasts, I seize his arms, pinning them back on the bed as I lean in to kiss him.

“I caught myself a rock star,” I whisper and nip his ear.

His hot breath strokes my cheek and he doesn't struggle against my hands. I know full well he could tip me over and hold me down while he did delicious things to me, but I think Jax knows who he's dealing with.

This has to be equal, and that means he needs to know I won't be constrained - by him or his life.

Chapter Twenty-Six

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

TEGAN

The banging in my dreams grows louder and I groan. I'm spooned with Jax in the bed, his arms curled tightly around my naked body.

“Bloody hell!” I mutter and pull a pillow over my head.

The sound muffles beneath the thick material, but Jax pulls the pillow away and covers my face in kisses. “Somebody wants you, they've been knocking for five minutes.”

“What time is it?” I squint at him and he leans over to reach his phone next to the bedside table. Unable to resist, I place my lips on his back, on the winged heart tattoo similar to his band logo.

“Eleven.”

“Wow.” I sit and pull the sheet above my naked breasts. “Late.”

“Late night.” Jax's eyes shine as he loosens the sheet from my hands. “Or early morning, however you want to look at it.” He runs a finger around my nipples until they peak before replacing his finger with his lips. I'm about to lie back down and enjoy whatever he has planned when the door bangs again.

“I have to answer that,” I tell him and reluctantly wriggle away.

I grab my thin silk robe and tie it around myself as I leave Jax and walk to the door. Tiptoeing, I look through the peephole.

Big brother. Great.

I glance back at the bedroom, relieved I have a suite with a separate bedroom. “Hang on!” I yell, tighten my belt, and answer the door.

“Why the fuck aren't you answering your phone?” Bryn snarls and pushes past me.

“Good morning. Aren't you just a big bundle of happiness today?” I reply, closing the door and turning.

“Have you seen what's out there about you?” he demands. “Missed the latest threats? I can't contact you and I'm fucking worried!”

I touch his bare arm. “Bryn, I'm fine. I have my phone off because I'm sick of seeing the crap too. I've been in here all night and I'm fine.”

Bryn takes in my appearance and I self-consciously smooth my hair. He narrows his eyes momentarily and mumbles something to himself. “Is he still here?”

“Jax? Yes.” I prepare to stop Bryn charging into my bedroom and confronting him; but since the night in Paris, his acceptance of the situation has improved. Or it had. “And don't you dare say anything.”

He crosses his arms. “At least you're not on your own, I suppose.”

“Jax cares. He's looking out for me too.”

A humph is my response and a glimmer of Bryn's reasoning behind his dislike of Jax shines through. This isn't only his lack of acceptance that I'm growing up, but he's not happy somebody is taking his place.

“So, I'm fine.”

Bryn crosses to the plush blue sofa and sinks into the cushions. From his vantage point he has a view of the bedroom door, and I edge backwards to close it as he stares at the carpet.

“This shit is crazy,” he mutters.

I head over and curl up next to him. “You don't need to tell me that.”

“Seriously, this is bullshit. When Phoenix hit the world, we had a shitload of press attention, but nothing like this!”

“Eight years ago, the landscape was different.” Bryn looks confused. “Social media.”

“Yeah, but even Dylan and Sky didn't have to face this last year. Or I don't think they did.” He rubs his face. “Maybe they did, I didn't pay much attention.”

“Yay for me, I choose the rock star with the most vicious fan base.”

“How can you be so blasé?” he snaps.

“I'm not! I hate this too!”

A movement behind me catches Bryn's attention and I look over. Jax stands in the bedroom doorway, barefoot and shirtless. He pushes a hand through his mussed hair and smiles at us.

Does the guy have a death wish?

“Hey, Bryn.”

Bryn's face darkens and I swear he's holding his breath.

“Jax!” I mouth at him.

“Anybody want breakfast?” he asks.

I'm unsure who's the most speechless as we watch Jax head into the next room. My heart thumps and I tense, ready for Bryn's comment. Or worse.

I place a hand on Bryn’s leg, warning him to stay. “Don't say anything. I need you on my side here.”

“It's fucking hard for me to see the man I've seen with a different girl each night, now coming out of my sister's bedroom!” He pushes my hand away and stands.

I swallow against his words and the image of that Jax, the one I'm counting on him leaving behind. I stand to face him. “My choice, Bryn.”

The tension rolling from him scares me, and I step in front of Bryn as he stares at the direction Jax went. “Every time I see his hands on you, I want to smack him. Hard.”

“What for? I understand you're looking out for me, but Jax hasn't done anything wrong!”

“I warned him to stay away, he should've respected that,” he growls.

“Sit down, Bryn.” I push him onto the sofa and stand between him and the doorway again. Bryn sits and scowls. “I'm twenty years old. I am big enough to make my own decisions, and you are not making them for me. If you don't like this between me and Jax, tough. My life, my fuck-up if things go wrong.” Bryn opens his mouth to speak. “I won't let him mess me around. First hint he is, and this is over. So back off!”

Bryn's silent shock amuses me. “Man, you're feistier than usual at the moment.”

“Look at what I'm facing around me! The last thing I need is more conflict. Draw a line. Move on. You're wasting energy interfering in my life.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve tried telling myself I'll keep out of this and only step in if I needed to, but it's hard! You're my baby sister.”

I grit my teeth against raising my voice. “Look at me, Bryn. I'm not a kid.”

He shakes his curls from his face. “I told you before, that’s the problem! You’re still my kid sister. I don't want you to get hurt.”

I sit next to Bryn and take his hand. “I'm lucky to have you as a big brother, but please back off. This situation is becoming too much now - me and you are going to fall out if you don’t stop.”

For a moment, he says nothing and stares at the floor. “Fine! But if he puts one foot out of line –”

“I'm damn sure he won't step out of line around you.”

Bryn’s focus remains on the carpet. “One thing...”

“What now?”

He stands again and tucks his hands beneath his arms, before fixing me with concerned eyes. “You are being careful, yeah?”

I cringe. “Bryn! Please, don't...”

“Yeah. Right.” The awkward hangs between us. Surely, he's not going to give me a talk on contraception. “Fine. Jax. I need to talk to him before I go.”

My heart rate picks up as Bryn heads in Jax’s direction.

When low voices rather than raised ones come from the next room, I hesitate. I
will
go in there if I hear Bryn raise his voice. He reappears a few minutes later with an impassive look.

“Switch your phone back on, Tegan. Please.”

“Okay.”

“And don't go out on your own.”

I nod and kiss his cheek. “I'm fine. This reaction to me will blow over soon. Maybe you could find something scandalous to do? Take the heat off me.”

Bryn's eyes darken for a moment and he shakes his head. “You chose the front man, I'm just a drummer.”

“But you're Bryn Hughes,” I say with a smile. “My awesome rock star brother.”

With another indistinguishable grunt, he heads out of the room.

Will that be the end of this conflict? Somehow, I doubt it. Did Bryn swallow my lie about being fine and thinking the outside scrutiny will blow over?

Jax reappears with the menu. “Awesome, they do full English breakfast. I'm bloody starving after last night!”

I blink at how nonchalant he is. “What did Bryn say?”

He shrugs. “Same old. I have nothing to worry about because I'm going to take care of you.”

“I'm not a puppy. I don't need taking care of.”

Jax sets down the menu and strokes my hair from my face. “You're a fierce chick, Tegan, but you're like me underneath.”

“And what are you?”

“Out of my depth.”