Mr. Right Now: Vol. 3: Drinks On Us Tonight (9 page)

“Cole, I swear if you stand me up tonight I’ll chop your balls into bite-size pieces for Dobermans to devour.”

Jax slams her phone down to the counter and begins to pace. It’s like an awful replay of their first date. He sent clothes, she dressed up, and he showed up hours late. The only problem here is her fucking sister. She will slice Cole limb from limb.

Jax dials his number again, ready to scream another threat into his voicemail when he answers.

“Cole Ann Sterling.”

“Ann?”

“Well, that’s what you get for never telling me your middle name and standing my ass up for the second time.”

“Breathe and count to ten.”

“Fuck you. Fuck you and the white horse you rode in on and that god damn finishing school all the Sterlings attended.”

“Now count to five.”

“Cole Sterling, fuck you. I hate you and will never talk to you for standing me up.”

“I’m seconds away from seeing you in that dress.”

Jax hears the syllables spewing from his mouth but doesn’t process a word. “Fuck you, I always ask for one more. Well, my new motto is no more, fucker.”

Jax slams her phone to the counter, seeing red, and opens the door ready to stomp her way to the bus station just looking for a fight. She gets no further than five steps down her hall when Cole fills her vision.

“I had to get gas and then traffic, but I knew you’d never believe me.”

She flies into his arms, praising him up and down and then finding his lips.

“I still hate you for making me wait and freak out.”

“Clearly.” Cole squeezes her ass through the thin material of her dress.

“We have ten minutes to be on time, or Carolyn will report back to our parents about how trashy I’ve become.”

“Your chariot awaits, Doc.”

Cole loops her hand in his and they begin to walk. It’s not until they’re almost outside that she notices his dapper suit and sweet-smelling manly cologne.

“Thank you, Cole Sterling, and I hope this can last just one more time between us.”

He cups her cheek and places a light kiss on her lips. “I’ll always be your one more time man.”

Jax smiles, damn well knowing that’s as close to ‘I love you’ or ‘let’s date’ as she’ll get.

She relaxes back in the seat of his comfortable car as he maneuvers through the traffic with ease. The couple doesn’t exchange a word as he places his hand on her thigh. He inches closer and closer to her panty line, and she relishes his touch. She’s learned how to curb her appetite for him when in crowds or in an awkward situation such as this, but even Jax knows she’ll be ready to attack him the moment they find a slice of privacy.

“Jacquelyn,” Carolyn purrs. And Jax realizes she mentally blocked everything from leaving the car to entering the restaurant. She clutches Cole’s arm and peers up at him, reassuring herself this wasn’t just a nightmare. But his steady presence, scent, and familiar voice encourage her to push on.

“Carolyn.” Jax eyes her sister up and down, and she realizes for the first time in her life that she is dressed fancier down to every single last detail. “I go by Jax.”

“Oh, nonsense, you just came up with that nickname to drive Mom and Dad nuts.”

“It’s her name, and if you’d like us to stay, that’s what you’ll call her.”

Cole’s demanding voice captivates both women and leaves no room for question.

“Do you have a table?” he asks.

“Um, yeah over there.” Carolyn points to a small booth in the corner.

“I’d prefer to dine on the patio, if you ladies don’t mind.” Cole clutches the small of Jax’s back.

Carolyn throws her hand on her hip. “Oh, see, this is L.A. There’s no way you’ll be getting one of those tables.”

“Excuse me, Doc.” Cole places a gentle kiss on her forehead and then walks toward the entrance of the restaurant. The women watch him talk to the host for a few seconds. Cole pulls a business card from his pocket, and Jax knows Cole got his way.

Jax smiles at him as he leisurely strolls back to the women. “We’ll be seated on the patio in about ten minutes. I ordered you a glass of your favorite wine. Carolyn, I have no idea what you drink.”

Jax bites down on her tongue to suppress the giggles trying to escape. The look on her sister’s face is priceless.

“Who are you?” she finally snarls.

“Sorry, Carolyn, this is my date, Cole Sterling.”

She watches as her sister turns three shades paler. “One of the Sterling brothers.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.” Cole holds his hand out.

“How did you get mixed up with them?”

Cole keeps his hand in place, and Jax steps up between Cole and Carolyn, taking his hand and lacing her fingers with his.

“I needed a favor, he needed a favor. I got dinner out of it, and then we decided we like fucking each other.” Jax’s other fist clutches tightly. “And I needed to bring someone here tonight who I actually like to stomach a fucking dinner with you because I don’t want Mom and Dad called.”

“God, you’ll never change. You’ve never appreciated what you have in life.”

“No, I’ve never been appreciated for what I am.” Jax takes a step, still holding Cole’s hand. “Where’s your better half? At least he’s reasonable to be around.”

Carolyn walks away, not answering Jax’s question. Cole turns her to face him. “Man, she’s a cunt, and I don’t use that word freely.”

“Yeah, real fun, huh?”

“This place has better steak than the restaurant where we had our first date, so there’s a silver lining.”

“I’m with you, that’s the silver lining.” Jax reaches forward and places a quick kiss on his lips.

His hands grip her hips and pull her to him. Jax’s chest presses up against his. “Jax, I have no idea what you’ve done to me. Just one more dinner, one more drink, and I’m not sure what I’d do if they ever stopped.”

“Player, are you trying to tell me that you like me?”

“No, Doc, I think I’m trying to tell you that I’m falling in love with you.”

Jax covers Cole’s lips, trying to take the sting from his confession. She’d never admit it to him, but she fell in love with him a while ago. But she knows how much it took for him to admit it.

She pulls away slightly. “I have a naughty nurse outfit that may help you fall harder, and then all sorts of Band-Aids to help heal your boo-boo.”

The clicking of Carolyn’s heels distracts Jax from her conversation, and deep down she knows it’s a good idea because they tend to only go one way.

“Our table on the patio is ready.”

The three are seated and endure a miserable silence.

“Jacqueline, look at the menu so you’ll be ready to order, please.”

“I’ll be ordering for Jax, so don’t you worry, Carol.”

Jax sends a stream of water spraying from her mouth at the mention of Carol. She tries to hide her laughter, but soon finds it impossible.

“What’s so funny?”

Jax looks up to see her brother-in-law. He’s the only person in the circle of her family she can stand, and he’s still a pompous ass.

“Hi.” She places her hand on Cole’s shoulder and goes in for the kill. “This is my boyfriend, Cole, and Cole, this is Dalton, Carolyn’s husband.

Jax waits several minutes for the two men to shake hands, but it never happens. Dalton places a polite kiss on his wife’s forehead before taking his seat. And if the silence was deafening before, it’s now grueling. What the fuck, Jax thinks to herself. She brought Cole along to avoid this and make it a less painful experience.

Jax leans over and whispers into his ear. “Is something wrong?”

She notices he’s staring straight at Dalton.

This has to be a cruel fucking joke Satan is playing on him. No fucking way is he sitting across from a man he’s fucked after he just told Jax he’s falling in love with her. No fucking way.

There’s no other way to shake it. Dalton, the man he’s been with, watched fuck other women, and whose mouth he blew his wad in sits across from him. He hears the question Jax asks him, but doesn’t know how to respond, or even how to form a word right now. The server joins the table on his other side, and he’s forced to focus. He lets Dalton and Carolyn order first, and then he orders for him and Jax.

“I still can’t believe you let a man order for you. I swear, Jacqueline, you were adopted.”

“No shit, I could never be related to a cruel bitch like you.” Jax places her hand on top of Cole’s, lacing their fingers together. “So, Dalton, how’s work?”

Cole stares at their intertwined hands. He hears Dalton talking, but doesn’t process a word. The tone in his voice causes pictures and memories to flash in his brain.

“How long have the two of you been married?” he blurts out, interrupting all conversation.

“Fifteen years.” Dalton relaxes back in his chair with a smug smile covering his face.

“Excuse me, Doc. I need to make a call.”

Cole shoots from the table, not waiting on a response from Jax, and storms into the bathroom. His palms fly down to the dark marble countertop and he drops his head. He’s sinking, and sinking rapidly. “Motherfucker,” he growls.

“So, fucking the little sister now?”

He looks up in the mirror to see Dalton standing behind him, his hands leisurely tucked in his pockets.

“I think that’s the position I wanted you in last time, but you decided to leave me on my knees.”

Cole remains frozen, unable to turn to face him.

“Look, we can still fool around and that might be enough to keep my mouth shut and not tell my little sis-in-law about us.”

“Dalton, don’t you dare hurt her.”

“Or what, I won’t get to swallow your cum again? I mean, really, I have men on their knees for me all the time. I actually thought we had something special, Cole.”

Done with threats and refusing to be bullied by a rich prick, Cole finally stands up straight and turns to face Dalton. The combination of disbelief and rage isn’t a good mix.

“You’re fucking trash, Dalton, showing up to parties as a married man and fucking anything that walks. I bet your in-laws wouldn’t approve.”

“Let me have you just one more night and all this will be our little secret.” Dalton steps in closer to Cole. “My way, all my way, for just one night.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Cole balls his fists, trying to keep them at bay. “One night to fuck me gets the one piece you could never land.”

“So, that’s a yes, Cole?”

“Your first mistake was thinking you can control a Sterling man, and your second mistake is I don’t lie.”

“Have it your way. I can’t wait to see little Jackie crumble.”

Cole grabs Dalton by the collar and shoves him against the wall. Spit hits Dalton in the face. “Fucking lay a finger on her, and you’ll die. Tell her about us, and you’ll die. Got it?”

Cole drops him to the ground and holds back the desire to kick him over and over.

“I’ll tell Jax about us.”

Cole fights like hell to calm his nerves before heading back to the table and runs every excuse through his head of how to get out of dinner, but then remembers Jax invited him for a reason. He’ll be here for her, put his mask on, and have the last dinner together with her.

“Hey, player.”

The word rolling off her tongue makes him cringe. He notices Dalton not too far behind him and feels the need to lay claim to Jax. And it’s an odd urge because it’s not Jax who Dalton’s fighting for.

Cole cradles her cheeks, leaning down and placing a long and very heated kiss on her lips. He spots Jax rubbing her thighs together and knows he has her heated up. It’s beyond greedy and he knows it.

“So, Cole, what exactly is it that you do for a living?” Dalton asks.

Carolyn beats him to the punch. “He’s a Sterling opening the Made To Sin nightclub. You know, the one all the men have been talking about.”

Cole bites his tongue and only nods while trying to enjoy his salad.

“How did you two meet?” Dalton asks again.

Cole throws his fork onto his plate. “Are you writing a fucking book?”

“It’s okay, Cole, Dalton is just curious.” Jax places a hand on his thigh and gives him a gentle squeeze. “We met at the hospital.”

“When?”

“A while back.”

It’s as if Jax’s answer stabs Dalton straight in the heart, and he shuts up for the rest of dinner. The only conversation made is between the two couples. Cole does his best to avoid the dickhead sitting across from him. Why does something feel so amazing when it happens, but is the same sin to haunt you forever?

“I’ll get the tab.” Cole hands his piece of plastic to the server.

He stands up and backs from the table. “I need to make a call and get the car. Meet you in the front.”

Cole places another kiss on Jax’s lips as he walks away. He’d give anything to be able to rewind the past and make all sorts of re-dos, none of them being her. Again, he lies about the business call, but needs some fresh air to get his head on straight. He made her one promise, and that was to never lie to her, and he won’t break a promise. It’s an obnoxious habit he’s never broken, and he doesn’t intend to do it now.

“Ready?”

Cole turns to see Jax standing behind him.

“I am.”

They walk hand in hand to the car and drive in silence back to her place. Cole’s hand is planted in his favorite place. He puts the car in park.

“Jax, will you always promise me one more drink?”

“If the drinks are on you!”

“They’ll always be on me.”

“I just have to get to them before Birdy.” Jax climbs over into Cole’s lap.

“I have to tell you something.” He cups her cheek and memorizes the shine to her eyes.

“Kiss me first.”

Cole leans in and kisses Jax as if his life depends on it.

“Are you crying?” she asks when he pulls away.

Cole doesn’t respond, and instead kisses her harder with desperation. Her hands fumble between them, and in moments he hears his zipper and then feels her fingers wrapped around him. Cole throws his head back and grunts with each stroke her delicate hand takes.

In the next moment he feels her core rubbing against him, and he knows in his gut he should tell her to stop.
Should
being the key word. But in his true greedy bastard way, he keeps his lips shut and enjoys each movement as Jax flexes her hips on his hard cock.

“Slow down, Jax.”

He does everything to hold on as long as he can, trying like hell to relish each sensation. Cole lets his tears fall freely, knowing he just tainted the most beautiful piece of his life permanently. When Jax begins to moan and writhe on him, it’s his undoing and he falls over the edge with her. It’s when their releases mix he realizes he didn’t even think of pulling the condom from his back pocket.

“Why are you crying, Cole?”

It takes him several moments to respond, and when he gains his composure he memorizes every single line and crease to her face before he speaks.

“Doc.”

“Player.”

“Jax.”

“Cole.”

“You’ve always promised me one more.”

Jax forces Cole to look up at her. “What is wrong?”

“I know Dalton.”

She only tilts her head in wonder.

“I’ve fucked him.”

He feels each word slice at the deepest part of his soul.

“It was before you.”

He watches as all color drains from her face.

“He came to the penthouse. It was my thing. More than one, and it didn’t matter two or four bodies, female or male. I had sex with Dalton. I’ve watched him with other women, we’ve been in another woman at the same time.”

He stares back at the most educated woman he’s been with, the one who stole his heart with her pure and simple ways. Jax couldn’t care less who in the fuck he was or how much money he had…she was just in it for the drinks and one more on him.

Cole truly believed in his heart that someday would come for them, when all the stars lined up perfectly, and they’d ride off into the happily ever after in the sunset, but now he knows it will never happen.

“After the first time we were together and you got called in, Dalton came into the bathroom while I was showering and caught me by surprise. I let him suck me off. I tried to avoid you and warn you off, but you wouldn’t let me.”

Now the tears assault Jax’s face. He watches, unable to comprehend the pain he just inflicted upon her.

“Thank you, Cole Sterling.”

“Jax.”

She moves so quickly from his lap he can’t grasp her, and deep down he knows he doesn’t have the right. He can only watch as Jax adjusts her clothing and digs for her keys in her purse.

“Doc, please.”

A palm stings Cole’s cheek, and he watches a piece of Jax die from his own selfishness, and his own pain haunts him.

“Listen, player, I gave you a fucking chance and believed in all the good in the world. The miracles I see happen daily in the hospital and the little voices who believe in me. But it was because of you that I fell to a deeper level of understanding and trust.”

He watches as Jax opens the passenger door.

“Doc.”

Her long, dark hair flips in his direction, as does her hardened expression.

“I’ll be just fine, Cole, but you’ll never know a love like mine. That’s right, I loved you.”

The door slams and he doesn’t have a leg to stand on, so he watches her walk away. Cole can only believe the West Coast curse came to take down each Sterling Brother.