He wanted details here and now, not wanting to give Harrod a chance to back out. He didn't trust a guy who'd abruptly turn around like this—though in reality there'd been nothing abrupt about his gradual acceptance—not in the business world.
He relied on facts and figures. Something he'd prove to Harrod and his cronies come Monday.
Harrod fished inside his top pocket and pulled a business card out of his wallet. "Here. Call my PA and she'll set up a meeting."
"Thanks, shall do." Jax held out his hand and this time, unlike at his wedding reception, Harrod shook it without hesitating.
When the CEO moved away, Jax stared at the card, flipping it over between his fingertips.
He'd done it. Found an in.
The irony? The only reason he'd married Ruby, to use the long-standing class attached to the Seaborn name and gain business entry into the inner sanctum, had worked. But his motivation for helping her out with this auction had been way beyond business.
He'd done it because he cared about her, because he hated to see her self-doubt. He had nothing but admiration for the way she tackled a difficult situation—a designer taking on thefinancial management of a flailing company—and he wanted her to succeed.
He knew what it was like, being doubted by everyone, and that had happened with Ruby. No one gave her credit beyond the jewellery she created. Now they would, and he'd been glad to be a part of that.
Gaining entry into Harrod's inner circle? A bonus.
He entered Harrod’s number into his phone before slipping the card into his wallet. No way would he let Harrod back out of this now.
As he slid his wallet back into his jacket pocket, he caught sight of Ruby heading his way, and something shifted in his chest, proving he'd moved past simply caring for her.
He met her halfway, catching her as she flung herself into his arms. He spun her around and around, only registering the applause of people surrounding them when he released her.
"Go, you two, I'll handle this lot." Otto placed a hand in their backs and gave them a shove.
Jax nodded and Ruby shot Otto a grateful smile as she waved to the crowd with one hand and slipped her other into his. They made it outside the doorway before he kissed her, trying to convey one tenth of what he felt for this amazing woman.
When their hunger for each other eased, she smiled against his mouth.
"We did good."
He pulled away, holding her within the circle of his arms. "You're the talented genius they wanted a piece of."
Her radiant smile made him want to kiss her again and never stop. "And you're the one who made it happen."
"We make a good team."
The instant the words left his mouth, he wondered if she'd read more into them, and how he felt about that.
Still stoked over his acceptance into Harrod's old boys' club and the chance to make his dreams come true for Maroney Mine, he didn't want to make any rash promises, especially if he couldn't keep them.
He needed to sort through his mishmash feelings first, needed to acknowledgewhathe felt in order to process it before telling Ruby.
"We sure do." She cupped his cheek, her eyes glowing with tenderness, and right then he knew this marriage had somehow evolved into more than a business deal.
"Harrod invited me to schedule a meeting on Monday," he blurted, needing to establish some emotional distance before he blabbed every uncertainty ricocheting through his brain.
Some of her warmth faded as she lowered her hand. "That's great. Congratulations."
"Yeah, looks like we've both had a win tonight."
"Go us."
She did a cute happy dance, running on the spot while sweeping her arms in a circle, but he had feeling she may not be too happy.
"Welcome to the club." She slugged him on the arm, something off about her false chipper.
