Rayne and Nathan returned to his apartment—one floor down from Jaxon's. Nathan had messaged Jaxon who was on his way back to them.

"Sweetheart, do you want a drink or something to eat... or perhaps you want me to get Dr De-Luca on the phone? We can arrange an appointment for you?" Unsettling emotions churned his guts. His mind flashed to the knife on the floor.  What if he hadn't found her in time? He took a deep breath, recognising for the first time his efforts alone may not be enough to comfort and help her.

Rayne stood looking out onto the New York skyline, her arms wrapped around herself, rubbing them in a soothing way. "No, thank you, Nathan. I'm fine, honestly. You don't have to worry." She hated that her innate weakness had brought pain to the one person she would truly trust above all else.

Nathan's phone vibrated in his pocket as he reached in and retrieved it. It was Suzanne. Walking through to the kitchen, he accepted the call. "Suzanne."

"I'm really sorry, Nathan. I know you said not to bother you. —Oh, how is Rayne?"

"She's okay, thank you." He inhaled a relieved breath "You were saying?"

"Oh yes, sorry. I spoke with your father and I'm sorry to say he burst a blood vessel when I asked could he action the Jacob Rawlings meeting and I haven't been able to contact Rawlings to rearrange. I can only assume he will land here shortly for his intended meeting."

Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose. He would have little choice but to return to the office and facilitate the meeting. He also recalled he had promised Jacob they would dine out to discuss the future merger of their companies.  In hindsight, he should have spoken to his father himself to explain, but time had run away from him. "It's fine Suzanne, I will head back soon. If Jacob arrives before me, please keep him entertained."

"Consider him thoroughly amused." She chuckled. "And give my love to Rayne."

"I will and thank you, Suzanne."

"Nate!... Rayne?" Jaxon burst into the apartment, his heavy footsteps a clear sign of his panic.

Nathan walked from the kitchen to find Jaxon stood only a few steps behind Rayne. She hadn't turned to acknowledge him. The wall of frost thickened between them, as her small hands gripped her arms forcefully.

A lump formed in Jaxon's throat. "—Rayne." His voice low but weighty. Desperate was he to touch her, hold her.  But there she stood, seemingly unreachable, yet within touching distance.

His heart beat to a thunderous drum. "Rayne... please."  He understood she may not want him near her. She may not want him at all.

Rayne's spine stiffened, but the ache in his voice squeezed her heart. She wanted nothing more than to turn and let him wrap his muscular arms around her. "Do you have any love for her Jaxon?"

What?  "No, Rayne. All thoughts of Nicole disappeared the moment I met you." That was his truth. Something within had come to life the day his eyes had fallen upon Rayne Winters. 

"Rayne, believe me when I tell you, I would never cheat or hurt you."

She finally turned around, unshed tears shimmering in her eyes. The sharp sting of pain stabbed his gut. He had done that, caused her pain. He took a small step towards her to test the ground.

"You hurt me, Jaxon... it hurt me to see her in your apartment." Half-naked!  "Why didn't you tell me she was coming today?"

Her words hit him like a punch to the stomach. He squeezed his eyes shut before opening. "I was stupid to think Nicole could behave like a rational mature adult.  Even more stupid to let her inside the apartment. But honestly, I never thought she would do something like—" He stopped as Rayne's hands covered her face, her shoulders heaved.

"Rayne." He didn't wait a second longer, desperate to hold her. 

She didn't fight as his warmth encased her, letting her head rest on his chest, listening to the thumping of his heart. 

"I'm so sorry you got hurt. I never wanted to hurt you."  Clasping tighter. "I want you Rayne... you." He dotted six small kisses on the top of her head, squeezing her till she almost wheezed. "Forgive my idiocy. Please, I can't lose you."

Accepting his affection, the tension eased allowing her body to relax against him. "I'll do anything to make this right, just tell me how or what you want me to do."

Rayne raised her head to look at him. "I believe you, Jaxon."

Those three works were music to his ears.  "Believe this." Running his thumb across her cheek to swipe a stray tear. "I'll never let you down again."

Rayne nodded as Jaxon softly placed a kiss on her lips. Salt from her tears only reinforced how much hurt he caused. 

Easing back, he studied her face. Her grey eyes lightened from the pain they held moments again, but a frown now settled in its place. 

"What happened to your eye?" She brought up her hand and gently touched the swelling. 

He winced. "Nate happened...before he allowed me to explain." Slanting his eyes on Nathan, who stood with his arms crossed watching them, shrugged.

"It looks sore."

"It's nothing. And trust me—if I ever thought Nate had hurt you, I would probably do a lot worse."

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief; certain they would get past this. He made a note to speak to his attorney on the way back to the office. Ensure that women was served papers as soon as possible.  There was no way she would get near any of them.

Fuck!  Time was not a friend. He had to leave.

Clearing his throat. Rayne looked over. "Sweetheart, I hate to do this, but I must return to the office. I cannot cancel this meeting that was planned months ago."

She looked up towards Jaxon, smiling before stepping from his embrace and walking towards Nathan. "I'll be okay. You don't have to worry about me."

Nathan hugged her, almost as tightly as earlier.  "I'll be back as soon as I can, but I'm not sure if I will make it back at a reasonable time to have our chat. Jacob will no doubt have us talking business well into the night."

"I understand, I'm tired anyway. Perhaps tomorrow would be better when I have a clear head."

He ran his hand down her cheek. "Why don't you take a bath and try to relax sweetheart?"

Every muscle in Rayne's body ached.  He was right—as always; he knew what was best for her before she often realised. "A hot bath sounds nice."

Kissing her softly. "Go, but if you need me. Call Suzanne right away and she will fetch me. Yes?"

"Yes." Shifting to her tiptoes, she stole a quick kiss. "Thank you, for everything."  Spinning on heel to head off to run her bath. 

He watched her breeze away. Allowing a moment, his gaze cut to Jaxon. "You'll make sure she's okay—stay with her?"

"Yes. I won't let her down again."

Nathan ran his hand across his chin. He didn't want to leave.

Jaxon sensed his brother's hesitation. "Something on your mind?"

"Walk me out."

Jaxon followed his Nathan to the elevator. "You don't have to come further." He pressed the button. "Watch her, Jax.  Don't leave her alone for any longer than a few minutes. Understand?"

The apprehension in Nathan's tone unsettled him. "What are you not  telling me, Nate?"

"When I found her. She was—"

"What?"

"About to hurt herself." He shook his head. "Fucking frightened the life out of me."

Je-sus christ. "Fuck!" He cast a glance over his shoulder.

"Don't fuck up again Jax, because I can promise you more than a blackeye."

"I won't hurt her again.  You know how I feel about her."

"Yes, I do. But Rayne needs to know how you feel. If she doesn't feel it, then we won't move past this."

The elevator arrived and Nathan stepped inside. "I really hate leaving her. I wanted to talk to her—tell her everything."

"I'll make sure she's okay Nate."

"I know, I know. But your fuck up wasn't the only thing she had to deal with today."

"What?"

The doors almost closed. "I don't have time to explain."

Jaxon returned to the apartment and now stood at the door to the bathroom.  Beyond the door he could hear running water. Lifting his hand, he hesitated, then knocked.

"You can come in."  Bubbles surrounded Rayne as she reached for the faucet to stop the water.

Remaining in the doorway, he bit back a grin. She looked adorable. "Sure you have enough bubbles there?"

A shy smile slipped across her lips. "You can never have enough, it's written in law."

He shrugged, grinning.  What now?  He had checked she was okay. Should he now leave? "Do you need me to get you anything?"

Swiping some bubbles, she blew them into the air. "No, thank you, Jaxon. I have everything I need."

Okay...she didn't need him. "Well, I'll wait outside. Just holler— if you need anything." He'd decided he would do just that, wait right outside the door, so he could at least hear her. Grabbing the door handle...

"Wait!"

His eyebrows raised, waiting.

"Please, stay. I want you to stay."

Relief eased the tension in his shoulders. Shutting the door, he walked to the edge of the large bath and sat. A bubble floated past him, "You lost one." He popped it. "You look warm, comfy."

It was a huge bath, Rayne had to keep her knees slightly up to ensure she didn't slip down under the water. "I don't suppose you would you like to join me? I'm pretty sure it's big enough for two."

Would he ever!  A slow smile spread across his face. Swiftly he discarded his t-shirt, pushing down his joggers, kicking them free until he now stood naked.

Rayne's eyes travelled over his fine physic, resting on his impressive semi erect cock, riding up his thigh.

"If you keep looking at him, he won't stay that way for long." Jaxon's lip curled as the familiar surge of blood flooded his dick. "Move forward, a little."

Rayne sat up and pushed forward as Jaxon climbed in behind her.

"Oooh, hot."  He chuckled from behind.

"Do you want me to add some cold water... if it's too hot?" She reached for the faucet, but he rested his hand on hers.

"No, Rayne—it's perfect, this is perfect."   Sliding his legs either side of her slight frame he ran his hand around her waist, pulling her to lie against his vast expanse of chest.  She fitted perfectly in between his thighs as his hardness poked her lower back. "Thank you," he whispered against her damp shoulder, gently placing a kiss.

Rayne relaxed. This felt right. 

They sat for some time, quietly lost in their thoughts with Jaxon running his hand up and down her arm, kissing her crown intermittently, enjoying their closeness. 

Following a deep intake of breath, she wondered what he was thinking. About to ask, he spoke.

"I thought I'd lost you today."

The memory of the day shuttered across her chest. "Me too." Wanting it gone and forgotten. Replaced by new, better memories, she shifted and turned before he could object to straddle his thick thighs. 

Jaxon smiled as his hand trailed down her cheek, tracing her delicate jawline, down her smooth neck.  "You are beautiful."

Their eyes locked.

Running his hand along the back of her neck, he pulled her towards him, their mouths meeting as she sighed into his touch.  His tongue pressed between her lips, wasting no further time, he teased her closer and ravaged her mouth.  Her sweet moans making his cock twitch, greedy for attention. 

Deepening the kiss, the tension between them rose with every duel of their tongues and the heat of their bodies pressed against each other.  He released a moan of his own as he eased back, sucking her lips in a slow release as Rayne shivered against him. 

Still close, noses touching, his hot breath teased her swollen lips.  "I don't think I knew what love was until you.  And I want to experience everything that life throws at me...with you."

He paused.  "You have me, for as long as you want me. And just so you know—this is it for me. You're the start and the end of everything else." He would not let another second pass without her knowing. "I love you, Rayne."

She pulled back and stilled. This was the first time he'd said those words. She remembered the moment Nathan had declared his love for her, barely two weeks after dating. The same wash of emotions hit her head on. Shock, euphoria mixed with a swell of love for him. His eyes held hers, his vulnerability made her stomach flutter.

"You love me, Jaxon?"

He smiled a slow, full smile. "I've recognised love is accepting you don't want to live without that person who makes everything right.  And I don't want to live without you, little one."

She snagged her bottom lip and held it there. He loved her... her. "I love you too, Jaxon."

The breath left his lungs in a whoosh. He believed one hundred percent that she loved him. Separate from Nathan—him. 

"I love you both so much. It aches when I'm not with one of you."

Jaxon's eyes fell closed.  He didn't feel second best, or any less loved than his brother.  Opening, he pulled her towards him and kissed her hard and deep.

He needed to be closer, inside her, the relationship to be sealed by a physical connection. "I know this might be too soon and it's fine if you don't want to—"

She looked at him, her eyes open and honest. "What?"

"I want to make love to you, little one."

She loved his nickname for her... little one. Reveling in the warm sensation it sent through her tummy and lower.  So lost in her feelings, she forgot to reply.

The silence spoke to his inner doubt. She had said she loved him. But had he lost her trust? Was it too soon? "It's okay if you don't—"

With a kiss, she silenced him.  "Make love to me, Jaxon Knight.  Right here. Right now."

He had planned on lifting her from the bath and carrying her straight to bed.  But this would work just as well.

Rayne reached down between them and took his hard length in her hands. 

Jaxon groaned as her small hand stroked his cock, forcing his hips to tilt, growing harder with each stroke.  Fuck, it felt good to have those delicate fingers wrapped around him, even better to be inside her though.

His hands moulded around her breasts pushing them together he sucked on one nipple then the other, tugging gently between his lips as she arched slightly, moaning. "Harder, please. I need."

"What do you need, tell me Rayne?"

"To feel it, I need to feel it, Jaxon!"

Happy to comply he twisted one nipple harder whilst biting down on the other to hear her gasp. "Yes, oh god yes," she cried out, her head falling back. The slice of pain removing all thoughts, before flourishing into pleasure. Her engorged clit throbbed, an orgasm within reach without being touched.

Adding more pressure, he released and licked away the sting.

Another gasp as he leaned up, capturing her mouth, and she happily welcomed his eager kiss as he slid his tongue inside, making love to hers. The urgency and the need to have him took over as she stroked his cock faster, her pussy clenching with its own need.

Separating, breathing heavily.  Her eyes were closed, cheeks flushed. "Look at me, little one. I want to see your eyes when I slide my cock inside you. I need you to know it's me who's fucking you, coming deep inside you." He wanted—no, needed that connection.

Jaxon's pupils swallowed the brown of his eyes as Rayne licked across her bottom lip, freeing her hand from his cock she reached for his shoulders as his hands glided over her hot skin, under her ass to lift. 

Rayne gasped as she felt his cock tease her opening. "Please, Jaxon." 

Inch by inch, he eased himself inside.  Tight, so incredibly tight, lowering her till her ass rested on his thighs.

They both sighed and stilled.  

"You feel so goddamn good Rayne, made for me." The steam rising off the water and the heat from Rayne erupted a line of sweat on his forehead. Fuck, he wouldn't last long. "I'm not hurting you?"

"No, I feel full, good."

"Good." His fingers dug into her thighs, pulling her closer, rubbing her clit against his pubic bone.

"Yessss." The stimulation to her clit brought on the rise of her pending orgasm. Slowly she rose, before coming back down, squeezing him with her inner walls as his impressive cock pushed against those nerves she'd only recently discovered.

Jaxon lifted her again and pulled her down harder this time as he pushed up, deeper as she let out a scream, her first orgasm hitting hard, to the point she could only hear her heartbeat and Jaxon's grunts as he continually lifted and thrust into her.

She looked incredible, wild, free and his. "You're fucking beautiful." Rayne arched backward, her tits bouncing on each thrust.

"Fuck Rayne." He clenched his teeth as water sloshed over the sides, but neither cared as he increased his tempo, wanting her to come again with him wedged deep.

The next thrust upwards she opened her mouth and released another cry, gripping his shoulders, her tummy corkscrewing.

"Yes, fuck, that's it, yes... come for me." His gravelly voice sent shivers down her spine as he didn't slow, each thrust, she rode out her orgasm.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." He threw his own head back, his cock swelled releasing ream after ream of come. Gasping for air, his cock still emptying deep inside her as a shudder passed through him. Fuck!

Shifting one hand, it teased up her spine as his lips sank into the crook of her neck.  "I love you so fucking much, little one."

Lifting her head, she rested against his, there breaths interweaving.  As his cock softened, they would need to move—but Jaxon gripped her tightly. "Please let's just stay here a little while longer, I just want to be here like this with you.

She smiled, not wanting to deny him anything. All thoughts of what had happened replaced by this memory... this moment.   One that only belonged to them. "We can stay as long as you wish—but I need to turn, I may have lost feelings in my legs." She giggled, maneuvering to rest once again against his chest.  His heart beating to the same tune as hers.

They sat there in silence, the surrounding water chilling. 

Rayne lifted her hand. It was crinkly; she pulled a face.  "I'm afraid if we don't get out soon, I may have shriveled beyond repair."

Jaxon pulled her hand towards him, kissing each finger. "Nothing takes away your beauty, Rayne. You're perfect."

"But will you still love me when the rest of me looks like this." She wiggled her fingers in the air.

He laughed. "I'm pretty sure I'll love you when I'm buried six feet under. I'm yours in this life and the next, little one."

"For eternity?"

"Eternity it is."

Her smile was wide, his words warming her against the cooling water.

"But c'mon let's get you out before you get cold."

Rising, stepping free from the bath, he reached for a towel and offered his hand to Rayne, who stepped out to be wrapped like a bug in a rug. "Adorable." He kissed her button nose.

"Do you want me to get you something to eat, drink?" He noted she still looked a little washed out from the days stress.

"I'm tired. I think I would like to rest awhile."

"Let's get you in bed then." His eyebrows waggled.

Settling in bed, she snuggled up against him as he spooned from behind.

Rayne missed Nathan, wishing he too was lying with them. As her thoughts stayed with Nathan, the earlier events of the day came to the forefront.  Unable to bite back the question. "Jaxon?"

"Hmmm," yawning, quite sleepy himself.

"Do you know Josephine Dubois?"

Jaxon's eyes popped open.  She knew Josephine.  "Yes, I know Josephine."

His reply unearthed another question. "Did you and Nate..." She bit her lip. "Share her?"

"No, never Josephine." What else did she know?  "How do you know Josephine?"

"She was in Nathan's office today—before I came here."

He pulled her closer. "She and Nathan are business partners, nothing more Rayne.  You have no reason to worry about Josephine."  He kissed the back of her head, inhaling her sweet scent.

"We were supposed to talk about her tonight, he was going to tell me something."

Good, he would rather this came from his brother.  "In the morning, I'm sure he will answer all your questions."

Rayne too yawned.  "I love you, Jaxon," she whispered, not even sure if he'd heard as she slipped into sleep.

He smiled. "I love you more, little one," he whispered in reply.

Wrapped within each other, they slept.