“You didn’t expect me,” he murmurs.
I shake. “Exactly.”
He smiles softly, dangerously.
“Good.”
Then his mouth finds mine again, this time deeper, longer, his other hand sliding around my waist, pulling me flush to his body.
I gasp.
He groans quietly.
And then,
A knock.
We freeze.
“Cole?” Evan’s voice says through the door. “You in there?”
My entire soul leaves my body.
Jaxon’s jaw tightens. He steps back, but not far, his hand stays at my waist.
“Come in,” Jaxon says coolly.
I nearly DIE.
Evan opens the door.
Sees us.
Sees how close we are. Sees Jaxon’s hand at my waist. Sees my flushed face.
His expression cracks.
“Oh,” he says sharply. “I didn’t realize..."
“You never do,” Jaxon says.
His voice is calm. Too calm. A warning wrapped in silk.
Evan looks at me, betrayal flickering in his eyes.
“Ruby,” he says quietly, “can we talk later?”
My lungs implode.
Jaxon’s thumb presses lightly at my waist, a silent message:No.
I swallow hard.
“I’m… busy,” I manage.
Evan nods once, tight. Then leaves.
Silence.
