3. Jaxon

Jaxon Sterling watchedas Colton drove away, the rear lights of his polished ebony Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire disappearing into the night. Rather than returning to his residence, Jaxon conceived an alternate plan. He ignited the engine of his identical vehicle, in a vibrant red hue, and maneuvered it just around the block, positioning it opposite the café they had visited before.

Nights in the city were always bustling with activity—people laughing, music blaring, drinks flowing—but none of that chaos could distract him now. Leaning against the side of his car, Jaxon"s eyes were drawn to the figure, an angel, inside the café, one who had managed to captivate both Sterling twins.

Delcy. Her name felt like a prayer on his lips, one he wanted to whisper over and over.

He watched her move with delicate grace as she wiped down tables, the mundane task somehow mesmerizing when performed by her slender hands. Jaxon could almost smell that sweet scent from here, the one that had risen unbidden, one that had ignited a fervent heat within him, just as she had in Colton. However, unlike Colton, who endeavored to suppress it, Jaxon welcomed the sensation. He savored it, allowing it to engulf him. Her scent haunted him now, making his body thrum with a longing desire.

She halted to remove the mask from her face, and Jaxon"s breath hitched. She was even more beautiful than he had remembered, with delicate features and full lips. Her allure intensified when her lips formed the faintest of grins.

He watched, transfixed, while she released her lengthy ebony tresses from the confines of the ponytail, allowing the glossy locks to tumble down her back. Jaxon had to grip the car just to steady himself. He felt like his knees might give out, overwhelmed by her scent, still lingering in his mind.

He could almost taste those sweet pheromones on his tongue again, thanks to the coffee. It took all his willpower not to go over there, to get closer to her. But he stayed put, watching from a distance as she finished closing up shop.

He saw her pop a small pill into her mouth. A suppressant. Which meant his instincts were right—she was also affected by his and Colton"s presence. Jaxon"s inner alpha howled with triumph at that confirmation.

At last, she emerged, bidding a coworker farewell before making her way to her clunker of a vehicle. Jaxon"s fingers itched to grab his keys. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to follow her, but he managed to rein in the urge, letting her car carry her away into the night.

With a sigh, he turned and headed for the nearest bar for a few drinks first, to clear his head. He bellied up to the counter and ordered a whiskey, sipping it slowly, trying to tamp down the heat that Delcy had sparked within him.

A slender brunette caught his eye, her hair a tumble of dark waves so like Delcy"s. Needing to chase those fantasies away, Jaxon bought her a drink. They danced, her body undulating against his, but it wasn"t enough. With a charming grin, he led her back to his car, determined to slake this thirst Delcy had awakened within him. If only for tonight.

* * *

The morning lightfiltered through the sheer curtains of the luxurious hotel room, casting a warm glow over the soft, opulent fabrics and rich wood furnishings. Jaxon stirred awake in the king-sized bed, the sheets tangled around him, his body heavy with the remnants of last night"s indulgence. As consciousness took hold, a dull throb settled at the base of his skull, a telltale sign of a hangover. He could feel the residue of last night"s excesses sloshing around in his stomach.

Shit!

He groaned and rolled onto his side to see a woman beside him, her features a blur against the white of the sheets.

He remembered then—the bar, the drinks, the way she had moved against him on the dance floor. A feeble attempt to douse the fire Delcy had ignited within him. But as he lay there, staring at the ceiling of the luxurious room, he knew it hadn"t worked. His mind wandered back to Delcy, to the way her scent had made him feel. It was more than just attraction; it was an all-consuming need that this stranger beside him could never fulfill.

Just the thought of Delcy made his pulse race, and he could almost taste her sweet pheromones on his tongue again. Jaxon couldn"t shake the feeling that last night had been a mistake, that this woman was nothing but a substitute for what he really wanted.

He disentangled himself from the sleeping woman, and with a soft groan, slipped out of bed and padded toward the bathroom for a quick shower, determined to wash away the traces of last night"s sins, though the hot water did little to remove his regrets or soothe his pounding head.

Dressed again in last night"s clothes, Jaxon exited the bathroom to find his companion still asleep. He scribbled a note thanking her for her company along with enough cash to cover any incidentals and placed it on the nightstand. With one last glance at her peaceful form, he quietly left the room. Stepping out into the crisp morning air, Jaxon made his way back to his penthouse.

"Good morning, Mr. Sterling," Johnson greeted him as he entered. The butler"s impeccable posture and measured tone offered a sense of normalcy after an evening that had been anything but.

"Morning," Jaxon replied with a nod, not slowing down as he strode through the grand foyer.

Mrs. Hughes, the housekeeper, appeared from around a corner, concern evident in her eyes. "Would you like breakfast prepared, Mr. Sterling?"

"No need," Jaxon said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I"ll be joining Colton."

She gave him an understanding smile and retreated back into the depths of the penthouse.

As he strode to his master suite, Jaxon caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His normally pristine appearance was marred by dark circles under his eyes and disheveled hair. He winced at the sight, feeling like a shadow of his usual self.

He quickly dressed in workout gear, and in the kitchen, he grabbed a bottle of water and headed out the door. As he stepped into the elevator, his mind drifted toward Delcy again, remembering her scent, her delicate movement, and the way her dark hair cascaded down her back, and he cursed under his breath. He needed to stop thinking about her. It only brought forward unwanted desires, and he didn"t need that right now.

The gym was already buzzing with activity when Jaxon entered. He scanned the room and found Colton at one end, pounding away on the treadmill with a grim determination that bordered on obsession. Jaxon knew better than to interrupt his brother when he was like this; Colton needed to work off whatever demons were plaguing him. So instead, Jaxon took a moment to stretch before joining him on the treadmill.

"Morning," he greeted as he approached.

Colton grunted in acknowledgment. Jaxon resisted asking about last night, about Delcy at the coffee shop, and though curiosity gnawed at him—he knew Colton was equally affected by her omega pheromones. Instead, he climbed onto a treadmill and began running at a steady pace.

As they ran side by side, Jaxon couldn"t help but admire his brother"s physique. They were both fit and muscular, but there was a raw power in Colton"s movements that Jaxon couldn"t match. Their muscles rippled beneath their skin, catching the attention of everyone in the gym. Jaxon could feel the heat of their gazes, but he ignored them, focusing on the rhythmic pounding of his feet upon the treadmill.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he increased the speed, his muscles working in harmony with each stride. He glanced at Colton who seemed lost in thought even as he kept pace.

Afterward, they moved to the weight section, where Jaxon pushed himself to the limit, lifting heavy weights and working his muscles until they burned. The exertion helped to clear his head, but the thoughts of Delcy lingered, refusing to be banished. Finally, they were both spent, and Jaxon collapsed onto a bench, gulping down water to quench his thirst. Colton joined him, a towel draped around his neck.

At Colton"s penthouse, Hawkins greeted them at the door with an air of professionalism that never wavered despite their sweaty states.

"Breakfast is ready in the dining room," he informed them promptly.

"Thanks," Colton said as they made their way to eat.

They settled into comfortable chairs around Colton"s dining table that overlooked the cityscape. Mrs. Danvers served them an elaborate spread—eggs cooked just right, crisp bacon alongside French toast, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee.

Jaxon dug in with gusto, ravenous after last night"s indulgences and this morning"s workout. Colton ate more slowly, his appetite less voracious than Jaxon"s but no less appreciative of the meal before them.

Colton caught his eye across the table; for a moment there was silence—a silent understanding passing between them about unspoken desires and complicated emotions tied to an omega who was upending their world without even trying.

Jaxon cleared his throat and said, "I"m done. Thanks for the breakfast, Mrs. Danvers," as he pushed back the chair.

"No worries, Mr. Sterling," the housekeeper replied, a grin on her face.

As he headed for the door, he said to Colton, "See you at the office."

Jaxon returned to the solitude of his penthouse, the quiet space a stark contrast to the hum of the gym. He could still feel the pleasant ache of his muscles from the morning"s exertions.

In the bathroom, the water cascaded over him, sluicing away the last remnants of physical strain. He closed his eyes, trying to center himself. But Delcy invaded his thoughts once more. Her sweet scent, her delicate features, the way she moved with ethereal grace. He shook his head, forcing the thoughts away.

He turned off the shower and stepped out. With a towel wrapped around his waist, he stepped in front of the full-length mirror. His reflection showed a man renewed, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead. With meticulous care, he dressed in one of his power suits—a sharp navy number that accentuated his broad shoulders and lean frame.

He inspected himself in the mirror, straightening his tie with precise movements. The man staring back was stunning—Jaxon knew this without arrogance; it was simply a fact, like knowing the sky was blue or that water was wet. Powerful. Confident. Dominant. This was the image he wanted to project today.

Once satisfied with his appearance, he grabbed his briefcase and headed for work. As he slid behind the wheel of his car, his thoughts involuntarily drifted to Delcy.

The coffee shop where she worked wasn"t far out of his way, and before he knew it, Jaxon found himself pulling up outside the establishment. His heart thumped erratically as he peered through the windows, searching for that familiar figure that had haunted his dreams.

But Delcy wasn"t there.

A frown creased Jaxon"s brow as he fought off disappointment. He had no reason to see her—no excuse—and yet the desire to catch just a glimpse of her was overwhelming.

With a heavy sigh, he pulled away from the curb and continued on to Sterling Enterprises. As COO, there were deals to broker and meetings to lead—distractions aplenty from unwelcome obsessions.

The office was a hive of activity when Jaxon arrived. His assistant, Mike, greeted him with a stack of reports and a rundown of the day"s schedule.

"You"ve got back-to-back meetings until lunch," Mike said, adjusting his glasses.

"Let"s get started, then," Jaxon said with determined cheerfulness despite feeling anything but.

He walked through the corridors with Mike at his side. Heads turned as they passed; whispers followed them like shadows. The women in their sleek office attire appraised Jaxon with eyes full of admiration, some bold enough to offer him coy smiles which he returned with effortless charm.

When Colton joined them for a meeting later that morning, it caused quite a stir among their staff—two Sterling alphas in one room was more than most could handle. While Jaxon drew smiles and hopeful glances from their female staff members, Colton"s presence elicited a different kind of attention—fear mingled with desire.

As they wrapped up another successful negotiation, Jaxon leaned back in his chair and regarded Colton.

"Lunch?" he asked casually once everyone else had left the room.

Colton shook his head without looking up from his papers. "Busy."

Emma appeared then with lunch for Colton, a gesture that didn"t go unnoticed by Jaxon. Before Colton could dismiss her too, she had set down a gourmet meal on his desk and retreated with practiced efficiency.

Jaxon rose from his seat and made for the elevator alone. The pull toward Delcy"s coffee shop was too strong to resist. Maybe she"d be there now. Perhaps she"d been running late earlier.

Fifteen minutes later, Jaxon entered the coffee shop, the little bell above the door announcing his arrival with a cheerful jingle. He was used to the way heads turned when he walked into a room, the admiring and envious looks that followed him. But today he barely noticed them, his focus singular as he scanned the shop for any sign of Delcy.

Her scent—that sweet, intoxicating omega scent—lingered in the air, teasing him. His inner alpha stirred, responding to it even as his rational mind rebelled. She wasn"t here. But the evidence of her remained, haunting him.

Jaxon moved up to the counter, his gaze sweeping over the chalkboard menu without really seeing it. "Just a black coffee. To go."

He didn"t plan on staying. Without Delcy here, there was nothing to hold his interest. Just her lingering scent, embedded in the worn floorboards and faded wallpaper, reminding him of her presence. His fingers gripped the counter edge as he fought the urge to demand her schedule, to find out when she"d be back. It was irrational, and the intensity of his need alarmed him.

"Of course, sir, coming right up." The barista bustled around behind the counter, brewing the coffee with quick, efficient motions.

Jaxon tapped his fingers on the counter, torn between impatience and disappointment. His instincts urged him to stay, to wait for her, while logic reminded him he had no claim over this woman. No right to her time.

Yet the thought of leaving without seeing her felt unbearable.

"Here you are." The barista slid a steaming paper cup across the counter along with a cardboard sleeve.

Jaxon dropped a twenty in the tip jar and grabbed the coffee without a word. He couldn"t bring himself to leave, his feet refusing to carry him out the door. With a sigh, he took a seat at a corner table where he had a view of the entrance.

Just for a few minutes, he told himself. To enjoy the coffee, and definitely not because he hoped Delcy might walk through that door at any moment. No, he simply wanted to savor this delicious brew.

But as the minutes stretched on, his gaze kept darting toward the entrance, his senses hyper-alert for the chime of that damn bell. He alternated between checking his watch and scanning the sidewalk just beyond those smudged glass windows.

Impatience gnawing at Jaxon"s composure, he rapped his fingers on the table, the rhythm echoing the restless beat of his heart. What was it about this woman that consumed his thoughts so completely? That compelled him to linger in a place well beneath his standing, straining for just a glimpse?

With a muttered curse, Jaxon shoved up from the table. The coffee sloshed over his hand, but he barely felt it. Delcy wasn"t coming. He was a fool sitting here, hoping for something that wouldn"t happen.

A server girl rushed over upon seeing the spill, her eyes wide. "Oh, I"m so sorry, sir! Here, let me clean that up for you."

She quickly grabbed a rag and began sopping up the spilled coffee from the table and floor. Jaxon watched her work, annoyance flickering through him. He wanted to be left alone with his brooding thoughts, not fussed over like some clumsy child.

"It"s fine," he said, even as she continued mopping up the mess.

"Are you burned, sir?" the girl asked, glancing at his reddened hand still dripping with coffee. "I can get you some ice."

Jaxon flexed his fingers, testing the sting. "It"s nothing," he said dismissively. A minor scald was the least of his concerns right now.

The server finished wiping down the table and floor before turning back to him. "Let me get you another coffee, on the house. It"s the least I can do."

Jaxon considered refusing, but he found himself nodding instead. "Black." If he was staying, he might as well have a drink.

"Coming right up!" The server scurried off behind the counter again.

With a heavy sigh, Jaxon sank back into the chair. The entrance remained stubbornly empty of the one person he hoped to see. Around him, the coffee shop buzzed with chatter and movement from other patrons, but he paid them no mind, lost in his thoughts.

Delcy. The memory of her scent, her smile—it consumed him. He thought of the nameless woman with him last night, realizing now she"d only been a poor substitute for the one he truly wanted.

The server returned promptly with a fresh cup of coffee. "Here you are, sir. I double-checked the lid this time." She smiled sheepishly as she slid it across the counter.

Jaxon picked it up without comment, but her kindness softened him a fraction. "Thank you," he said sincerely, meeting her gaze.

She looked surprised but pleased. With a shy duck of her head, she returned to work, leaving Jaxon alone once more.

He sipped the coffee, finding its flavor bore no resemblance to Delcy"s brew from the previous evening. Done, he blew out a breath and rose from the table. As much as it galled him to leave without seeing Delcy, he couldn"t sit here all day pining after a woman who didn"t even know he existed.

Gazing around one final time, Jaxon pivoted and moved toward the exit. Right as he was on the verge of grasping the knob, the bell overhead rang cheerily, and the doorway swung open ahead of him.

There before him stood Delcy, the sunlight casting a halo around her. Jaxon"s breath hitched in his throat. She halted yet didn"t raise her eyes to meet his; instead, her gaze remained fixed obstinately on his chest.

Jaxon"s throat went dry. He stood frozen, unable to look away. Her scent enveloped him, sweeter than any perfume. It whispered of fertility and femininity, igniting a possessive need deep within his core.

Mine,his inner alpha growled. The intensity of that primal claim shocked Jaxon back to his senses. Delcy wasn"t his... no matter how fiercely his body might yearn for her.

"Excuse me," she said softly, gliding by him.

Jaxon was tempted to turn and seize her, drawing her into an embrace. He even felt an urge to throw her over his shoulder and carry her off to his place where he could then...

Fuck! He had to get a grip on himself.

Clenching his jaw, he wrenched his gaze away and pushed through the door. The bell jangled violently above him as he stalked outside, shoulders rigid. He needed to get out of there before he did something reckless in the grip of this overpowering desire.

Jaxon slid behind the wheel of his car, his hands gripping the leather steering wheel tightly as he fought to control his hammering heart. Seeing Delcy again had nearly shattered his restraint. Even now, he could imagine the taste of her skin, the soft give of her body beneath his.

With a muttered curse, he reversed out of the parking spot and peeled away from the curb. But no matter how fast he drove, he couldn"t outrun the truth—he was becoming obsessed with Delcy, again. And that terrified him.

And yet he just couldn"t help himself. Before he knew it, he had turned the car around and was heading back to the coffee shop.

As he walked through the entrance, the server girl looked up in surprise. "Did you forget something, sir?"

Jaxon hesitated, caught off guard by her question. "I… neglected to pick up an extra coffee to take away," he said, grasping for an excuse. "It"s for my sibling. We stopped by yesterday evening, and the coffee was outstanding then."

The girl smiled brightly. "Oh, Delcy must have been the one who brewed the coffee yesterday. She was on duty last evening. Nearly everyone adores the coffee she brews. She has a real knack for it. No worries, Delcy"s on shift at the moment. I"ll fetch her for you."

Jaxon tensed at the mention of her name. His eyes tracked the server girl as she headed to the back, returning a moment later with Delcy in tow.

Seeing her up close made Jaxon"s breath catch. Despite half of her face being covered with a mask, it did little to diminish her beauty or soften the intoxicating effect of her scent. He drank in every detail hungrily—the graceful slope of her neck, the wayward strands of hair escaping her ponytail, her slim wrists peeking out from rolled-up sleeves.

Delcy kept her gaze lowered as she stepped behind the counter, avoiding direct eye contact. Jaxon"s hands curled into fists, fighting the urge to reach out and tip her chin up. To stare into those eyes until she acknowledged him.

"What can I get for you?" Delcy asked softly, still not meeting his gaze.

Jaxon had to clear his throat before speaking. "Two coffees. Black. To go."

Delcy nodded and turned to prepare the order. Jaxon watched her every movement, mesmerized by her graceful efficiency. His inner alpha purred contentedly at her nearness.

All too soon, she was sliding two steaming cups across the counter to him. "Here you go," she said.

"Thank you." Jaxon tried to infuse meaning into those simple words. Tried to convey how just being close to her filled him with impossible joy.

If Delcy understood, she gave no indication. With a slight bow of her head, she slipped away to resume her duties.

Jaxon gathered up the coffees reluctantly. Part of him yearned to stay, to bask in her presence a little longer. But the rational part of his mind knew he couldn"t linger. With a final look, he turned and left the shop.

Back at Sterling Enterprises, Jaxon felt buoyed by an inexplicable lightness. The encounter with Delcy filled him with optimism and energy. He strode into Colton"s office and set one of the coffees on his desk.

"Thought you could use this," he said breezily.

Colton"s nostrils flared as he caught a trace of Delcy"s scent. His jaw tightened, but he remained silent as Jaxon sauntered back out, whistling happily.

Jaxon settled in at his own desk, unable to keep a faint smile from his lips. Seeing Delcy, even for those brief moments, had been worth any excuse. He could still conjure every detail—the cadence of her voice, the grace of her movements. Each small thing added to the growing mosaic of who she was.

And Jaxon found himself longing to uncover more, so much more.

He lifted the cup to his lips and sampled the coffee, detecting Delcy"s distinct sweet scent. He let out a low moan and muttered a quiet, "Fuck," as he felt himself ascending to the heavens.

Mike entered, clutching his tablet, prepped for the afternoon workload. "You snag your coffee from Brewed Dreams as well?" he asked.

Jaxon eyed the emblem, a sophisticated script spelling out Brewed Dreams, on the side of the coffee cup.

"They craft a superb blend," he said.

"Indeed," Mike said. "The rest of the crew is fond of it and frequently orders in. The looming deadline calls for a caffeine boost." He laughed.

Jaxon marveled, "They offer delivery?" His grin widened appreciatively.