The setting sun warmed my skin as I sent off my latest edit rounds. I leaned back in my chair and looked up through the skylight of my office. I couldn’t help but smile at how much the office reflected me—a me I couldn’t see, but Jaxxon had. A flurry tickled my belly just thinking about him. If only I were unstained.

But I wasn’t. He could never sleep with me. I couldn’t risk him being with me if the nightmares came and therein lay the eventual fate of what was turning out to be the happiest time in my life—a gradual progression couldn’t happen.

After yesterday morning’s life-altering sex, from which I was still wonderfully sore, he’d fallen asleep holding me. I’d lain in his arms until sleep threatened, and then I’d snuck into the living room to sleep on the couch with Chris and Kyle, just in case.

With the ringtone off, the soft rattle of my phone vibrated against the wood, grabbing my attention. Thankful for the distraction, I checked the screen. Annie.

Don’t you dare bail on me tonight! I have no kids!!

If Annie came tonight, she might get to meet Jaxxon, as long as he didn’t mind coming over while she was here. I’d run it by him.

Of course. You might, and that’s a big MIGHT, get to meet Jaxx tonight.

The reply was instant.

The Redwood! Bonus! ;)

If she called him the Redwood, I was gonna die.

You CANNOT call him that anymore, lol. That goes to the grave!

Before she had a chance to respond, my phone rang. What? This required an actual conversation? Thinking it was Annie, I instantly lit up when I saw the word “Superman” across the screen instead.

“Hey, you.”

His typical greeting made me smile so big my cheeks hurt. “I was just thinking about you.” I flipped through Bridgette’s manuscript in front of me.

“Were you? What were you thinkin’, sugar? And be graphic.”

I covered the phone for a second, stifling my laugh. “Pull your head out. I just finished Bridgette’s manuscript.”

A quick intake of breath came through the receiver. “So, what’s the call?”

Skimming my hand over the cover, I crossed my fingers. “Jaxx . . . Do me a favor. Don’t tell Bridgette I read it. I doubt she knows who I am, I’m one of many, but if she’s a serious writer looking to get picked up, she probably knows my house and on a long shot, might know who I am. Can we keep this between us?”

“Of course. But shit, baby, was it that bad?”

His concern was endearing. “Not at all. And a little faith in your sister would be good.”

“Oh, I got all the faith in the world in Bridge, but we’re talking about her writing porn for women. So, yeah . . . no, babe.”

Excuse me . . . “Porn. For. Women . . . You and that mouth, Jaxxon! I swear—you do realize romance is the top selling genre in the publishing world—”

A roar of laughter cut off my tirade.

“Easy, Sparky. I’m giving you shit.”

“Ass. You’re an ass,” I leaned back in my chair trying not to laugh with him.

“Wait, before we get to Bridge, what about my mouth? Let’s stay there for a second.”

“Jaxxon, focus. Your sister has talent. If I wasn’t launching this line, I’d tell her to indie publish, but since we are and Leigh gave me full control, our house will be the place to traditionally publish in this genre if that’s her goal. The respect Soaring Hawk Publishing commands in our industry is a nice jump start for a new author.”

There was dead silence for a moment.

“You’re serious? No bullshit, Valentina. You’re not saying this because she’s my sister?”

Now that was questioning my talent.

“Jaxxon . . . I do realize you’re male and know nothing about my industry, except for the gross misconception my authors write ‘porn for women’ but I take my job serious. I’m damn good at what I do, and I’m not being boastful. My authors are a reflection on me. I only make offers to the best. I’m known for it in my world. So if I’m telling you Bridgette has talent, you can bet your ass it’s the damn truth.”

Call me on my work ethic . . .

“I don’t doubt you, but I also know how kind hearted you are—”

“Not when it comes to my business. I’m fucking ruthless—sister or not.”

Hearty laughter exploded through the phone. “Okay, okay. Covering bases, baby. And I’ve seen you in action. If you say she’s got it then okay. Between us. You got a plan?”

“I do. Once the line is off the ground, I want her to query my house if it’s one she’d like to write for. It would come to me, given the genre, so I’d edit for her . . . unless something else comes up—”

“Like editor-in-chief comes up?”

“Yes. Then I’d give her to Cynthia whom I trust. But let me get it off the ground first.”

“You got it, sugar. I won’t say anything to Bridge, but I gotta say, I’m hard as a fuckin’ rock listening to you go all professional on my ass. What are you wearing right now?”

I held the phone away from me and looked at it. “What—hard—damn it Jaxx, are you even listening to me?”

“I always listen to you, baby.” His tone changed immediately.

I smiled as my stomach fluttered. “Okay, so why did you call?”

“What, so now I need a reason?” he teased.

“No, but—”

A husky chuckle came through the receiver and traveled straight between my legs. “You never learn . . . Teasing, baby. I wanted to see if you still want me to come over and work on the office tonight. Annie’s coming over, right? I can do it tomorrow, if you two want to hang out.”

He was either too thoughtful or trying to get out of meeting Annie. I hoped this wasn’t too soon, but I really wanted him to meet at least someone important in my life. “Well, aren’t you considerate? If I haven’t told you how amazing you are, remind me.”

“Count on it. Just sayin’, I can come tomorrow night, if that’s better for you.”

Here it goes . . . “Ah, if you’re not too tired, I’d still like you to come by? I’ll make dinner. I want you to meet Annie, if you’re okay with it. Unless it’s too soon, I’d completely underst—”

His laughter cut me off. “You’re rambling, Sparky. I’m good . . . I’ll meet whoever you want me to. I’m sanding tonight. Might get loud.”

Typical Jaxxon. Nothing fazed the man. “It won’t be too loud. Thank you for being so thoughtful, but if you’re genuinely okay with it, yes, please come by.”

“Time, baby.”

“Whenever you get here is fine, but don’t eat. I’ll feed you.”

The sexy rumble he made when I said something that amused him turned that little tingle in my lower extremities into a full-on ache.

“You’ll feed me . . . Then fuck yeah, I got something in mind.”

“Stop.” Nice. While I’d never had phone sex, I was willing to bet the man could make me come by simply talking to me. “Vulgar. You’ll love Annie. See you tonight.”

He laughed. “Miss you.”

“Miss you too.”

I hung up and put my hands over my face, groaning into my palms. I was already screwed. So much for keeping my distance.