Free At Your Mercy (VIP The Pink Collection, #1) by Rhyme Devereux Page B

again after all this time." Not to mention
how dangerously sexy you are with those addictive blue eyes I could
get lost in.
    "Well, it's a surprise for me, as well. Of
all the women I could have had as my first Companion."
    Excuse me? "I'm sorry. Do I not fit
the description of the kind of woman you wanted?" My voice cracks a
little. Normally I couldn’t care less what my clients think of
me.
    He reaches for my hand. I pull back out of
his grasp. "Ivy, you are more than what I expected. You are
perfect."
    "I don't know about perfect." Now I feel bad
for getting all defensive. "Jax, will our background interfere with
our business relationship? I mean, us reuniting like this is
wonderful. Surreal in a way."
    He smiles, showing his beautiful white teeth
and those plump lips that I could lick and suck on forever.
    Chill, Ivy.
    "Just because you happen to be a stunning
redhead who was my first unofficial girlfriend when we were kids
will not affect your job duties." He arches his eyebrows. "Unless
you want it to."
    Wow. Okay. Looking away from him, I
get out my iPad, preparing to write down my upcoming events with
him. "Okay, Mr. Sterling. What's first on your list of my Companion
duties?"
    "To begin with, call me Jax or Jaxson. Using
my surname is not required, Ms. Montgomery." He smiles.
    "Agreed."
    "Good. Now, if I could have the pleasure of
your company to attend a cocktail party tomorrow evening. My
presence is only needed for social niceties. A way to expand my
network of business relationships. Be ready by seven thirty."
    "This cocktail party sounds quite dismal." My
insides are bubbling with excitement, betraying my words.
    Head tilted back, he lets out a deep belly
laugh. "Honestly, I wish we had reconnected earlier in our adult
life. You are absolutely refreshing. Ivy, being with me will never
be boring. You will come to realize that I'm capable of making
anything quite stimulating."
    My breasts feel tight all of a sudden. "I will hold you to that," I say, smiling.
    ***
    I love the West Coast. The spring evenings
are around sixty degrees. We just arrived at the Oceanfront
Sterling Resort. During our ride over here, it was hard not to
stare at Jax. He is absolutely mouth-watering. His gray Prada suit fits him in the best way and complements his blue
eyes that seem to lure you into him like a magnet. Even with
clothing on, you can see that he has toned biceps, ripped abs, and
a tight ass to hold on to. Mmm …
    The cocktail party is being held outdoors in
a Spanish-Mediterranean-style theme. The dining area is on a
rooftop terrace. As we walk in, I'm surprised by the beauty of the
grounds. Spanish-style columns and pillars along with downlights
and accent lighting add a soft glow to the area. Most of the
walkways and paths are made of irregularly cut bluestone pieces
bordered with red bricks. In the center of the courtyard, there's
an intimate area with a stone fire pit where you can lounge on
earth-tone sofa sectionals.
    "This hotel is exquisite. You are brilliant
when it comes to designing your hotels, Mr. Ster-Jax."
    His crooked smile tells me he is trying hard
not to laugh at my slip-up.
    "Maybe one day we can visit my resort in the
islands." Staring down at me, he takes his manicured index finger
and gently lifts my chin. Those gorgeous eyes of his own my full
attention. "Ivy, have I told you enough times tonight how beautiful
you look?"
    Not at all . Jax needs to stop his
flirting. And I need to shut off my emotions.
    Jax steps back to examine me, as if he's
trying to memorize every inch of my five-foot six-inch figure.
    I flutter my eyes. "There are no limits to
how many compliments you can give a woman." It took me forever to
choose the right clothes to wear tonight. My chocolate, chiffon,
layered, spaghetti-strap dress with flecks of gold on it might have
been too edgy for this occasion. But I love the way it complements
my natural red hair. Sensual. Sophisticated.
    As we walk side by side with our arms linked,
we