“Well, thank you all for coming!I can't thank everyone enough for being here, especially with the rain and all.And thank you to my love.”Her eyes shifted to Chase, and she ran a hand through his hair.“We overcame all obstacles and found love.I can't wait for forever with you, and I know you can't wait to have forever with your one and only.”
Her giggle threatened to have me tense, but Jaxon's voice whispered in my ear, “Ignore her, trouble.Focus on me.”
Nodding, I breathed through it and continued the façade, running my hands up and down his thighs.
She launched into a speech about love and forever and how excited she was for the wedding.
I heard none of it.
All I could feel was Jaxon.
The warmth of him.The gentle brush of his lips against my neck and shoulder.God, why does something so wrong feel so… so damn good?
His free arm covered mine, resting on my thigh before moving with slow, teasing strides on the inside of my thigh.My eyes fluttered as I tried to keep a poker face.An impossible task when his hand worked its way higher and higher…
“Jaxon.”
I meant to say his name as a warning, and I hated how breathy it sounded.
“Problem, trouble?”
The taunting tone in his voice told me he knew exactly what he was doing and the effect it was having on my body.I shifted on his lap, freezing at the low sound of the groan that escaped his lips.
“Easy, trouble.Wouldn't want to start something right here in this room.”His arm tightened around my waist.“Though I'm not opposed to fucking you in front of your ex.Maybe then I'll show him that you're mine.”
I blinked away the haze of lust and dug my nails into his thighs.
“Knock it off.”
He chuckled and leaned back in the chair.“Yes, ma'am.”
Lori droned on before clapping like a five-year-old child.“Eek, I'm so excited to see all the gifts!Honey, can we…”
Chase nodded then gave a wave to a man standing by the door.Three hotel staff rolled in carts stacked high with gifts—pristine boxes gleaming under the lounge lights.The room buzzed with renewed excitement, and Lori squealed when they came to a stop in front of her and Chase.
“Alright!Let’s see whose gift is first,” she chirped.
She sat straighter, leaning over to pick up the first present.Chase sat beside her, smiling for the crowd, but his eyes kept drifting over here.Kept landing right where Jaxon and I sat.
“Prince Charming almost looks like that monkey fromPowerpuff Girls.”
I barely moved my lips.“No, he does not.See, he's smiling.”
“He's pretending,” he said softly.“That’s the look of a man ready to fail at taking over the world.”
I huffed, trying to hold in the laughter.
Jaxon leaned closer.“Should I wave?Maybe he'll stop.”
I giggled before I could stop myself and immediately regretted it.The sound carried through the room, and a few heads turned our way.Lori paused mid-reach for the next gift, momentarily distracted.
I clamped my lips together and slapped Jaxon’s thigh in warning.
“Ow,” he whispered, grinning against my skin.“Was that a giggle?Did I just get a giggle out of you?”
“Shut up,” I hissed, cheeks warm.
His shoulders shook silently with laughter.
