The Irresistible Bundle (91 page)

"Why in the hell would you do that" Leticia demanded. That was the opposite of what any sane person would do.

"Because I'd rather be there to see for myself than Carina do it behind our backs" Marco admitted. He scrunched his face trying to better explain himself. "If Carina had sex with Jaxon and looked at him with the same love and affection, or more intense, than when she does with us..." He swallowed loudly. It wasn't an easy decision but he and Valentino would've done it. "We would've let her go. We love her enough to want what's best for her. An open relationship is more than just having sex with other people. There's still complete trust and open communication between us. Carina and Jaxon could be butt-ass naked in a room, visibly aroused but I still trust that she wouldn't do anything without our consent."

"I don't know if I could handle that" Leticia distraughtly whispered. She wasn't wired like Valentino, Carina, and Marco. She wasn't okay with entrusting her lover with anyone.

"I've said it before Leti, not everyone's made for an open relationship. You aren't, and I honestly don't think Jaxon is either. He would never willingly share you. But you have to decide what you want from Jaxon and if Carina's presence is a threat to your budding relationship."

"So what you're saying is I need to put my big-girl panties on and suck it up" Leticia challenged. Marco hadn't really given her any solutions. He'd just shed some light from his perspective.

"Are you two going to remain anti-social all night?" Valentino approached Leticia and Marco. They'd been in an intense conversation for the last few minutes but he couldn't proceed without Marco.

"Sorry boss man" Leticia teased. She knew Valentino didn't want her calling him that but it was hilarious to watch the sexy man pout.

"Is Carina performing tonight?" Marco quietly asked Valentino. They hadn't discussed anything.

"I don't think so" Valentino replied. "But maybe you can convince her to sing something with you."

"I'd like that" Marco answered. He and Carina didn't sing together often but when they did he felt like he could move mountains. It was the next best thing to having sex with her.

"Go make the announcements and I'll see if the girls plan on performing anything." Valentino instructed. The staff had waited all year to come up with numbers to impress the girls with. They were well-known throughout the city and all the nightclubs thanks to their performances at
Scandalous
.

Valentino approached the booth knowing all eyes were on him. It didn't matter that Marco was making the announcements and welcoming everyone. "Who's performing tonight?" He asked the million dollar question. He could tell by the gleam in the girls' eyes that they wanted to do something.

"I'm not" Carina quietly stated. The tablet deflated with her words. "It doesn't mean you girls can't. I just don't want tonight to be the first time I try to belt something out or shake my ass and end up looking like a spaz out there."

Desirae rolled her eyes trying to lighten up the mood. "Ariel or Beatriz could sing in your place." She offered.

Sati nodded. "We can recycle one of our performances." The others eagerly agreed.

"I'd like to do a number with Marco" Jaxon stated as Marco approached the table, surprising everyone.

Carina smiled brightly. "I'd love to see you two do something together!"

"I brought your guitar" Nicholas stated. The girls squealed in delight at seeing him.

"Then let's set the bar high and start off the night right" Marco bit his lip already knowing what he wanted to perform. He suspected Jaxon knew the song since he sang one of their songs the last time he'd been at the staff party.

Jaxon and Marco walked to the DJ booth. "I want to do another One Direction song" Marco confessed.

Jaxon laughed. "You guys gave me shit for singing one of their songs last time."

"I know" Marco sighed. "But technically the little boy band didn't write the song so this is my justification."

Jaxon smiled and nodded. He was pretty sure he knew what Marco wanted to sing as he listened to Marco inform the DJ that they were doing an acoustic number. They grabbed two stools and set it in the middle of the dance floor. The DJ waited for the crowd to stop cheering before he made the announcement.

"Okay ladies and gents! Marco and Jaxon will be performing
Little Things
by One Direction."

The girls jumped from the table screaming with delight. Marco shook his head blowing them a kiss. Jaxon strummed the guitar instantly quieting everyone. He sang the first verse and Marco joined him at the chorus. They sang about all the little things they loved about the girl they loved. Marco sang in a raspy voice about squeezing into jeans and being perfect for him. Women swooned as they alternated verses. By the end of the song people were on their feet screaming for an encore.

"That went well" Marco chuckled. He never envisioned teaming up with Jaxon to sing a song he'd dedicate to Carina.

"Yeah it did" Jaxon agreed. "Thanks for doing that with me. Good song choice" he added.

"Phenomenal job guys" Carina gushed. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach the entire time they sang. It was a whole different world listening to both Jaxon and Marco sing a duet together rather than solos.

Ariel, Sati, and Beatriz headed to the DJ booth looking to perform a number while people stepped onto the dance floor moving to the beat of the music. Carina looked around at the familiar, and new, faces around the club. She didn't feel a tinge of unease or panic like she feared she would. She was surrounded by people she loved and trusted. Memories of the last staff party flitted through her mind. It was the first night she'd gone home with Valentino and Marco and talked about the possibility of having a three-way relationship. Although not exactly a year to the date, that night had changed everything.

"Carina" Leticia softly called her name. She looked lost in thought but Leticia wanted to ask before everyone came back to the table. Marco and Valentino were making their rounds as the owners. The other girls were mingling. It was only Carina, Desirae, and Brody manning the table.

Carina blinked hard. She wasn't sure how long Leticia had been calling her name. "Yeah" she replied. She was dying to know what Leticia and Marco talked about but didn't ask. Leticia had looked upset throughout the conversation.

"I wanted to see if you'd do a number with me. Something different but nothing that requires you to belt stuff out or do any kind of dancing." She hesitantly stated.

"What did you have in mind?" Desirae inquired. Carina had already said she wasn't going to perform for the night and she intended to block anyone's attempts at trying to persuade them otherwise.

"
Stereo Hearts
by Gym Class Heroes" She replied. Carina sang all sorts of different songs so Leticia hoped she would be into it. "Do you know the song?"

"Love that song" Desirae fist pumped. "I'll do it with you. I don't have a set of pipes like hot stuff here but I'd love to perform it too."

"I'll do it if it's the three of us" Carina quietly replied. "I can't do the Adam Levine parts but I can sing the bridge and maybe do a verse."

"That'd be awesome" Leticia gushed. She wanted the guys to listen to the words of the song and hear what she was trying to say to Jaxon. "I'll do those parts."

"I wanna rap" Desirae announced making Carina and Leticia laugh. "I'll split a verse with you" Desirae hopped in her seat excited with the song choice. She never wanted to do any of the ballads Carina and the others did but this song was just her style.

The girls stood up and walked over to the booth while the DJ cleared off the dance floor. Ariel, Sati, and Beatriz performed a number while the DJ prepared Leticia's song. Desirae grabbed a stool for Carina while they finalized who was doing what. The girls waited by the booth and watched their friends dance and sing to the crowd.

Chapter Forty-Nine

"I thought she wasn't performing tonight" a concerned Diego asked the guys. He watched Carina, Desirae, and Leticia wait by the DJ booth for their turn.

"That's what she said" Jaxon confirmed. He was really glad to see her out there. It was just one more step closer to getting 100% better. Every smile from Carina, every laugh, soothed his tattered soul. He honestly thought he'd died the night he saw her beaten and unconscious.

"I wonder what they'll do" Griffin mused. "Usually anything goes when Carina and Desirae are involved."

"I doubt it this time around" Valentino softly informed the guys. "Andrea did you want to join them?"

Andrea shook her head. "They've all got mics, so it looks like no dancing. I'll sit this one out."

Ariel, Sati, and Beatriz sauntered over to the table after their performance. They grabbed their drinks and sat back eager to see what the other girls would do. Carina was the only one sitting while Leticia faced their table and looked directly at Jaxon. Desirae wandered around their "stage" area and winked at everyone who made eye contact with her. The DJ announced their song which caused several people to cheer. Andrea's brows rose surprised with the song selection. She wondered how the trio was going to pull it off.

Leticia spoke before the music started. "We're dedicating this song to the men we love." Cheers erupted around the club as the first beat rang out and Leticia immediately jumped into the verse. Desirae performed next rapping about having a few cracks. Leticia sang the chorus by herself with Carina joining in at the next verse. Desirae alternated verses and sang the next chorus with Leticia and they interacted with the audience while Carina remained seated on the stool. She almost looked out of place with her sultry dress and lacy heels but she didn't let it faze her. Carina sang the bridge with Desirae and Leticia echoing the last words of each line. The trio ended the song by singing the chorus all together. They curtsied to a chorus of cheers and applause before meandering back to their booth.

"Good job ladies" Diego greeted the trio. He tried to make eye contact with Desirae to let her see how awed he was by her performance but she looked everywhere but at him. Her avoidance flayed him from the inside out. Diego knew the little progress they'd made over the last few months digressed after Carina's attack. It had deeply affected them both, but now that Carina was better Diego wasn't going to start all over with Desirae. He'd give her a little more time... but not much.

Diego waited until the girls were seated before he tried to engage Carina in conversation. He hoped bringing up an old high school friend would bring back that sparkle in her eye. As often as she smiled, Carina still wasn't her vibrant self. He knew it would take time but damn that bastard to hell for taking even one single ray of her sunshine.

"Why does your brother look like we're candy and he's got a sweet tooth or something" Leticia squeaked. Diego had a gleam in his eye and she wasn't accustomed to him appearing so excited about something.

"Valentino, can I bring a friend to the New Year's event?" Diego asked. That was the best way to mention his visitor. "It's an old friend from high school."

"Who's coming from back home?" Carina inquired. She wasn't aware of anyone from high school attending any of the nearby universities. It was her second year on campus and Diego was the only one from back home.

"One of my former basketball teammates" Diego informed her. "You remember Rafe, right muñeca?"

Carina choked on her drink while Desirae and Andrea looked at Carina with wide eyes. "Tantric teacher Rafe" Desirae squeaked. Andrea fanned herself with her hands while Desirae howled with laughter.

"Fuck me" Carina muttered. She hadn't seen Rafe in years. Why the hell was he showing up now? Especially after she'd casually mentioned him to the girls?! Carina pushed against the rising panic. She wasn't ashamed of her past and she had nothing but wonderful memories of Rafe. They'd parted ways on good terms.

Griffin smirked at Diego. The girls' wicked gleams spoke volumes. Carina looked like she'd swallowed a rock while her friends cackled with delight. Apparently Carina knew Rafe, and it might be a little more than just as her older brother's friend.

"Firecracker why'd you call that man a... what did you say
tantric teacher
?" Marco asked Desirae. Diego's clueless expression amused them. Carina lived up to her troublemaker status.

"No reason" Desirae replied in a sing-song voice. She wasn't fooling anyone. Leticia's laughter and Andrea's reactions were a dead giveaway that they knew more than they were letting on.

"You were off limits to my friends" Diego growled with frustration. Was nothing fucking sacred? All these years Diego thought his friends respected that one rule. He only had one fucking rule.

"I didn't date your friends Diego" Carina confirmed. Most were in college by the time she entered high school anyways. "Rafe was the only one I broke that rule for."

"How come I'm only learning about this now?" He challenged.

"Cause you would've castrated him if you knew the things he was doing to your sister" Griffin snickered. It was interesting to see the turn of events. Carina really didn't go after Diego's friends. Griffin had been friends with Diego since their freshman year in college and he never dreamt of violating his friendship to go after Carina. No chick was worth that.

"The question you should be asking Diego" Valentino interjected. He wasn't sure how he felt about one of Diego's old friends showing up if their primary motivation was Carina and not catching up with an old friend. "Why is this Rafe character calling now? Does he know you're going somewhere else for your graduate degree? Does he know Carina's here with you?"

"Did he ask about Carina?" Marco interjected.

The group watched the men pepper Diego with questions. Diego appeared flustered with each new question thrown at him. Why the hell was he getting the third degree about a friend of his? Marco and Valentino were usually laid back about this sort of thing.

Jaxon blanched with understanding. Valentino and Marco weren't usually so possessive but everything had changed since Pete. "Do you think he saw the pictures?" Jaxon quietly asked.

The table froze as his words sunk in. They all stared at each other as the brutal realization hit them. Leticia looked at Carina with pity while Diego fumed with righteous anger. The remnants of Pete's malignance had no boundaries. Carina looked everywhere but at the eyes boring holes into her. She couldn't take much more of this conversation.

"We'll know when he comes to pay us a visit" Griffin shrugged. He remembered the few times Rafe came to visit their sophomore year. He was a good guy and really fun to be around.

"Fuck no we won't" Marco barked. "If he's only here to test the waters with Carina then you can tell him to fuck off Diego. Those were some amazing photos..."

"Marco it’s okay" Carina cupped his cheeks and waited until he made eye contact with her. "I've known Rafe a long time and even if he did see those pictures it wouldn't be the primary reason he'd visit. Don't punish Diego for something Pete caused. I don't want to doubt every person I talk to because of the things posted on the internet."

"You've already been hurt enough" Marco's gruff voice made the table feel like they were intruding on a private conversation. Everyone looked away from the couple but they couldn't avoid listening in.

"And I love that you worry about those things" She kissed Marco's cheek. "But what I love more is that you and Valentino take such good care of me." Carina didn't blink as the anguish and remorse flashed across his face. It wasn't a secret that Diego, Valentino, Marco, and Jaxon all bared the burden of guilt. It didn't matter that Pete was at fault; the guys were still trying to come to terms with the fact that no matter what they thought and did things wouldn't have turned out differently.

Jaxon watched the intimate exchange between Carina and Marco. He felt like a voyeur intruding on their moment but he couldn't tear his gaze away. Carina and Marco emanated love, compassion, and commitment. Marco and Valentino had what Jaxon wanted. They had a true loving relationship.

A small warm hand squeezed Jaxon's forearm. He looked down at Leticia's hand resting on his arm. His breath quickened and his chest tightened. For all the longing he did, Jaxon knew he had something wonderful with Leticia. He was just scared shitless of fucking it up. For the first time in his life he wasn't sure if sex would enhance or ruin something he desperately wanted and he wasn't quite ready to find out. He looked into Leticia's bright eyes. They reflected warmth and patience. Jaxon wasn't sure how he'd gotten so lucky. She was a rare gem. She had sex appeal, sassiness, intelligence, and yet he sensed Leticia's insecurity around Carina and his friendship.

Jaxon looked at Leticia. She'd bared herself to him on that dance floor and dedicated a song to him. Regardless of the genre of music, her unwavering eye contact through the performance was enough for him to know she meant every word she sang. He got the message loud and clear. Leticia was giving herself and it was up to him to accept her and move forward. Jaxon slid out of the booth and headed to the DJ. He hadn't planned on performing anything else but he really did want Leticia to know how much he cherished her and wanted to be with her.

Jaxon had started the summer out on a mission to recapture something he'd lost. Instead he'd ended at a crossroads. Carina wanted something more with Jaxon but not in the manner he'd originally thought. Leticia had come into his life and made him realize things he refused to see. As much as Jaxon loved to chase Carina, even when she was caught he never really had her. Leticia didn't run. She didn't hesitate. But the thrill was still there. The excitement and countless possibilities of their relationship kept Jaxon on his toes. He didn't know if Leticia was forever but she was irrevocably
his
.

"What'cha performing this time?" The DJ asked.

Jaxon looked over to the table as he replied. "
Bless the Broken Road...
Rascal Flatt's version"

"Done" the DJ stated.

Jaxon grabbed a microphone and walked to the designated area. Most of the staff members were performing dance numbers or group songs trying to impress the girls and their bosses. Jaxon didn't care if the party goers wanted to hear this song or not. He just wanted Leticia to not only hear it, but also feel it.

He began the song by looking all around the club. He wanted to engage everyone but there were parts reserved only for Leticia. Jaxon sang about being lost, broken hearts, and God blessing the broken road. He locked eyes with Leticia as he sang about being led straight to her.

Jaxon didn't hear the audience's applause. His entire focus was on the beautiful woman a few feet away from him shedding tears. He passed off the microphone to someone, or maybe he tossed it on the floor; he wasn't sure which. His feet guided him to their booth while his eyes remained fixated on Leticia. He wrapped her in his arms and held her tightly voicing with his body language all the things he couldn't say. Leticia was
it
. She was the game changer, the missing puzzle piece...

"Only you" Jaxon whispered in her ear. Leticia clung to him but didn't say a word. She was too emotional and slightly unhinged. She hadn't been able to control her tears as they spilled out of her eyes but she could remain silent and regain her composure. Jaxon wasn't professing his undying love. He wasn't making outrageous claims. He just sang what was in his heart and let her know what he wanted. Leticia wasn't under any false impressions. Jaxon cared about her and wanted to be with her but it wasn't love at first sight. It wasn't even a relationship based on sex since they hadn't gone past second base. This was slow and true.

"Thank you" Leticia whispered. She hated needing the reassurance whenever Carina was around but it was hard to see them together acting like the best of friends and knowing they shared an incredible sexual history.

"Let's have dessert and call it a night" Marco announced to everyone. Servers stepped into action under Valentino's command. Groans erupted at the announcement while others took advantage of last call at the bar.

Marco watched Jaxon greet several people as he made his way to the restrooms. Women blocked his path and flirted with him until he flagrantly informed them he wasn't interested. Marco watched with amusement as a flustered Jaxon dodged certain women and politely smiled at others. He'd been an entirely different Jaxon Wright from the year before. Marco waited until Jaxon took a seat and Leticia was away from their table.

Jaxon felt unnerved by Marco's intense stare. "What?"

"It's different now for you, isn't it?" Marco stated more than asked. "The one-night stands don't have the same effect for you anymore, do they?"

Jaxon sighed in defeat. This night felt exhausting as he bobbed and weaved to avoid women he'd fucked. Had Marco gone through the same thing? Was that why he was so fucking intuitive?

Marco pressed on. "Have you slept with anyone since the scene with Carina? You and Leticia maybe"

Jaxon shook his head. He was incredibly proud and puzzled by his abstinence. Some days Jaxon thought his dick was malfunctioning but all he had to do was envision a certain raven-haired beauty naked and that was all it took to remind him that he was fine. "The offers are still there but no one does it for me..." Jaxon pinched the bridge of his nose. It was too frustrating to try and articulate what he was feeling. It also didn't help that Marco was the one trying to have the conversation with him. He had a vested interest in both of the women in Jaxon's life.