Chapter Fourteen
The next morning, Carmella was ready by 7 o'clock in the morning. Their housekeeper Kathy had helped her with the luggage and she waited for Jaxon. He arrived five minutes late. Bobby came to load her luggage onto the car.
Jaxon opened his door for her and she climbed into the car. Bobby loaded all her stuff and they sped away to the airport. His jet was waiting for them and he led her onto it. It was a five hour flight and she had bought a few fashion magazines, all latest issues to read.
After the take off, they were served a delicious breakfast. "Are you feeling sad to leave your family behind or excited to explore a new city?" Asked Jaxon.
"Excited to explore a new city," she said with a small smile.
"Good. So have you started your online classes?" He asked curiously.
"Yes sir. My term-end exams are three months away," she informed him and he looked concerned.
"Can you manage the two together all on your own?" He asked.
"Yes sir," she answered.
"Give me the dates. I'll release you two hours earlier till your exams are over. Okay?" He asked and she nodded
"Thank you, sir, " she said. They sat back as the air hostess cleared their breakfast. Carmella flicked through the magazines since Jaxon didn't have any work for her. He busily typed on his laptop with utmost concentration and she didn't disturb him.
"Oh my God," she gasped seeing a page in the magazine she was holding. The first article was on Jaxon with a poster of him along with her. She read the headline,
Finally we see the elusive Jaxon Craddock with his lady love
"What is it Carmella?" He asked curiously.
Carmella showed him the article along with the poster. "See what they've printed! I don't believe this," she said in panic.
Jaxon saw the poster and read the article while Carmella worriedly checked the other magazines. Sure enough, all the fashion magazines had an article on her and Jaxon. Jaxon did a happy dance in his head. To the world he and Carmella were together just like he wanted them to be. Should he use this piece of news to his benefit? Yes, he should soon think of something. She showed him all the articles, her face full of worry.
"I'm sorry sir. Please don't fire me. I didn't do anything, " she said as a tear slipped from her eyes. Jaxon looked up at her innocent face and his heart ached to pull her into his arms.
He got up and sat beside her. His fingers touched her chin and compelled her to look up at him. "I won't do any such thing. Please don't cry Carmella, " he said, his finger brushing the tears away.
"I I didn't mean to malign your name, Jaxon. I swear," she said brokenly.
"I know you didn't," he said, too overwhelmed that she had called him by his name without being aware of it herself. He pulled her onto his lap and she hid her face into his neck, her hands going to his chest as she clung to him.
"I won't fire you at all. These things keep happening. They simmer down with time," he comforted her. He closed his eyes as he felt her soft body against his hard one. She felt so good. He was dying for a kiss but was this the right moment to kiss her? He was lost in his own thoughts. He didn't want to scare her away and out of his life. He wanted to take it slow with her. He didn't want an air hostess around when he kissed her so he closed his eyes and just let the feeling of her in his arms seep through.
She calmed down considerably and then became aware of their position. "I think you should put me down sir. She's watching us," Carmella whispered. Jaxon sighed and reluctantly placed her on her seat. He got up and went back to his seat and back to his laptop. Carmella sat down with the magazines and secretly admired the pictures of them together. She had to admit that they looked good together. She dozed off watching the photographs.
A soft caress on her cheek woke her up. Her eyes widened at Jaxon's face close to her own as he ran his finger along her cheek. When did he shift to the seat beside hers? He retracted his hand seeing her awake. "We'll reach in five minutes. Fix your seat belt Carmella, " he said softly.
She sat up and fixed her seatbelt. Did he watch her while she slept? It was so embarrassing! They landed in five minutes. There was a car waiting for them and they loaded their luggage onto it.
"This is Joe, he's been with me for the last eight years," said Jaxon, introducing his chauffeur.
"Hello Joe, " she said with a smile. In twenty minutes they reached a luxurious condominium, The Nest, located in a posh neighbourhood of New York. Joe parked the car in the underground parking area and helped unload her luggage. Jaxon led her to the elevator and they reached the fifth floor apartment where Carmella would be staying. He punched in the security code and the door unlocked. He informed her what the code was for future use. Carmella walked into the apartment and looked around at the upscale decor. It was comfortable and clean and just the way she liked it.
"Do you like it?" He asked her eagerly.
"Yes, I love it, thank you for letting me stay here. I'll pay you the rent, sir," she offered not wanting to take advantage of his offer.
"I'll take it in kind, then," he said with a grin and she rolled her eyes at his implication. The main door opened and Joe brought in her luggage. He left and Jaxon locked the door much to her apprehension.
"Shall I order lunch for us?" He asked her and she nodded. So he was staying till lunch? While he ordered lunch, Carmella explored the two bedrooms. She chose the master bedroom with an attached balcony overlooking a small manicured garden area of the complex. She took her luggage to her bedroom and Jaxon helped her after disconnecting the call.
"This was my bedroom too when I used to stay here," he informed her, opening the windows.
"Why did you shift?" She asked curiously.
"I saw a house and fell in love with it. I had to buy it. So I shifted into it," he said with pride, sitting on her bed.
"Oh then it must be very special, " she said, checking out the en-suite.
"Yes it is. I'm a very passionate and a very determined person too. If I fall in love with something, I don't rest till it's mine," he said with utmost seriousness. Carmella froze and turned to look at him. He stared into her eyes and she had the feeling that he was implying something else.
She looked away, not knowing how to answer to that. Jaxon observed her like a hawk. Carmella couldn't take in the intimate atmosphere of the bedroom anymore. The tension in the air was making her giddy, nervous and excited. "I'll check out the kitchen," she said, glad to escape his hot gaze following her around.
However, he followed her to the kitchen too, leaning against the door and watching her. Why couldn't he just go home and let her arrange her closet and change?
"Tomorrow morning, Joe will pick you up at 8 o'clock in the morning and drive you to the office. Be ready, " he told her, watching her check out the coffee maker. The pantry was full and the refrigerator was stocked too. He might have had everything cleaned and stocked for her.
"Yes sir, I'll be ready," she assured him. She opened the cabinets to search for coffee powder since she would need it first thing in the morning. The doorbell rang and Jaxon went to get it. It was the delivery man with their lunch.
Carmella found the coffee on the top shelf and had to climb onto something to get it. She found a small two step ladder at the side and climbed onto it. Who places coffee so high up? She was about to reach it when Jaxon strode into the kitchen. He placed the food on the kitchen counter and yelled at her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Carmella was too surprised by his sudden appearance and her grip loosened and she felt herself falling down. She closed her eyes in fright. Thankfully Jaxon rushed forward and caught her in his arms, bridal style. Carmella opened her eyes when she didn't get hurt and was lost in his hazel orbs as he stared at her with desire.
He put her down slowly, his gaze transfixed upon her face and parted pink lips. When he didn't release her, she looked up into his eyes. They were dilated and she could feel the carnal desire coursing through his body melting her to the core. He slowly released her but she couldn't look away from his hypnotic stare. His arms went around her waist and he pulled her back flush against him.
"Carmella, can you feel me burning for you?" He asked, his voice husky with want.
