The dark gaze of his eyes caught my attention as he leaned against the door frame. His feet were bare and his hair a bit of a mess. He was incredibly beautiful, something to truly behold. I must have stared a bit longer than was comfortable.

He let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his hair before nodding toward the door. “Um, yeah. I’m gonna go out here and...”

“Show me what you wanted to show me first.” I walked toward him as his eyes moved down the length of me. He might not be on the same scale as me, but he was a man nevertheless. My dress was one of my designs, the front a princess cut that allowed the top of my breasts to be seen. It was dainty and beautiful.

“Is this one of your designs?” He brushed his fingers down my shoulder as I stopped in the hall.

The softness of his touch caused me to shiver. “Yes. One of the first I did.”

“It’s gorgeous. Very feminine.”

“Thank you.” I glanced back down the hall. “How long has the baby been asleep?”

“About an hour. He should be moving around soon.” Jax moved past me, his shoulder brushing by mine. He stopped at the room across the hall from Tyson’s. “Come here. I’ve been busy today.”

I walked toward him, trying hard to banish the thoughts in my head. There was something so real about him, so down to earth and yet it was probably a scam. Most wealthy people weren’t interested in common people or ordinary places. I was a means to an end and I needed to remember that. He had to have help raising his nephew. That was my place in his world.

He opened the door and glanced back as a boyish smile raised his lips. “I love the idea of you working hard to start your own business. My father has a rags-to-riches story, not that you do, but his is inspiring. Anytime I can help out a fellow entrepreneur... well...”

I walked into the room and stopped short, which caused him to bump into me. He slid his hands over my arms to keep from plowing me down. His closeness set my blood on fire.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled and nudged me forward. “Well... do you like it? I had it put together for you this morning.”

The room was lined with various types of materials, several sewing machines that far exceeded anything I had brought with me, and a row of naked mannequins. I let out a soft yelp and moved toward the embroidery machine.

“Oh my God, Jax. This is like a dream come true.” I turned and shook my head. “Why? How? Shit. When?”

He grinned, looking pretty pleased with himself. “This morning, silly. I figured if you were willing to uproot your whole life to help me give Tyson a chance at a better one, then you needed your own space for your sewing.” He shrugged and I walked toward him, hugging him tightly before I realized what I was doing. It was a habit I had with Brian.

I jerked back as my eyes went wide. “I’m sorry. I just... I just... wow.”

Turning to scan the room again, I swallowed the hot ball of emotion that lodged itself in my throat. Even if he were simply my boss, no one had ever done anything so kind for me.

“Good. I’m glad you like it. We’ll put your stuff in here too. Feel free to make these two rooms anything you want them to be. I’ve ordered you a Visa card, but it will take a few days to come in.”

“A Visa?” I glanced back at him as my heart ached in my chest. I was going to fall head over heels in love. I could see it as clear as the man standing before me. His kindness and attentiveness to my needs melted me on the spot.

“Yes. I figured it would just be easier. It will be linked to an allowance of sorts that you can use for food, travel, supplies and such for Tyson and yourself.” He turned and smiled. “Speaking of.”

Moving out of the room, I half jogged as the sound of baby cries filled the space around us. “I’ll grab him.”

I had to work to catch my breath, not from the short jog, but from the overwhelming emotion at being given so much in such a short period of time. I’d fought hard my whole life for every small thing that I got. This was overwhelming.

I moved into the room and picked up Tyson, pulling him to my chest and kissing his little head. “Hi, sweet boy. Did you have a good nap? Time to change you and get you something to eat?”

Laying him down on the elaborate changing table, I glanced around and took in the plethora of supplies that lay about. There wasn’t much that Jax hadn’t bought for his nephew. Everything necessary to take care of the baby was at my fingertips.

I glanced down and rubbed my fingers over Tyson’s belly as he cooed at me. “That’s better? Handsome little thing.”

Picking him up, I turned as a tear rolled down my cheek. I needed a minute. I was overwhelmed.

Jax tilted his head as he watched me, his brow pulling tight. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying, Kendra?”

“I’m a girl. We cry a lot.” I smiled and lifted my hand to my face, wiping at the next round of tears.

“I’ll remember that.” He smiled and moved back from the door. “I want to take you and Tyson to dinner tonight. Are you free?”

I chuckled and nodded. “I’ll have to ask my boss.”

He stretched, his actions dragging his white t-shirt up over the swell of his abs. “I checked for you. He said to have a great time.”

5 - Jax

Kendra tried to insist that she needed to ride in the backseat of the Rolls Royce with Tyson, but I wouldn’t have any of it. He was playing with a toy and truth be told, I wanted her with me. I reached up and turned the radio down a little before calling Valenia on my car phone.

“Valenia. How might we assist you?”

“This is Jax Wilder. I need a table for two adults and a child.”

“Of course, Mr. Wilder. We have our rooftop spot available for you as always or we can bring you inside. It’s supposed to be in the mid-seventies this evening. Which would you prefer?”

I glanced toward Kendra and lifted my eyebrows.

She mouthed ‘outside’ and I nodded, a smile lifting my lips. She was beautiful and intriguing. The dress she made and wore fit her like a glove. But where someone else might look a little revealing in it, she looked like a princess.

“The lady says outdoors will work.”

“Excellent choice. We’ll see you when?”

“Thirty minutes.”

“Good, sir. See you soon.”

I hung up and tugged at my seatbelt, my level of comfort diminishing at the driving need inside of me to offer Kendra something else. I had worked my ass off getting the sewing room together, though I’d never tell her that. Letting her think I had hired a crew of men, which is what I should have done, left me slightly aloof and disconnected. Some part of me wished like hell I had a bracelet or necklace to give her.

Why? Am I trying to impress her with my wealth? Well... she doesn’t have a clue who I really am. Maybe I should tell her.

“I’ve never been to Valenia. What type of food is it?” The tone of her voice was timid.

“It’s not Thai.” I glanced toward her and laughed at the expression on her pretty face. “I had to.”

“I set myself up for that one.” She brushed her hands down her dress, molding the soft white cotton against her thighs as if teasing me.

She wasn’t a tease from what I could tell, but some part of me wished she were. To see her blossom and work for my attention, my affections would be a sight to behold.

Maybe soon.

I pulled up to the restaurant and smiled at her as the valet moved to open our doors. “It’s an Italian grille. One of my favorite places and the view on the rooftop is spectacular.”

“Sounds great.” She unbuckled as the valet offered her a hand. “I’ll get Tyson.”

“No. I got him.” I moved to the back door and smiled at her as she leaned in from her side on the back. She must not have heard me. The position she leaned into allowed me to see down the front of her dress. I groaned softly as I averted my eyes.