Page 27

We both got ready in silence, then headed toward the Alpha Claw Omega house that was in town, but it wasn’t a long walk. The second we were in the nice fall air, Jaxon snagged my hand, our fingers interlacing quite naturally. He asked, “This okay?”

“Of course,” I forced out.

I didn’t understand why the touch of his skin felt so different now. It was like scales had been removed from my eyes, and now I was seeing all these little things in a different light. How was I going to recover from this? Could I even? He felt too perfect. It had to be because this was my first time, not because it was Jaxon, not because I could feel myself slipping deeper into this burning, all-consuming feeling that didn’t have a name but was growing like a weed under sunlight.

Hand-in-hand, we walked to town. It was just starting to get dark, and the air held just a tinge of fall, not nearly enough to make me shiver or wish I’d worn a different outfit. I was quite pleased with my skinny jeans and purple crop top. It helped that Jaxon had just gaped at my toned stomach for a full minute, his face an electric blue. I unfortunately liked that way too much.

When we got to the house, two frat guys I didn’t know were collecting “donations” for booze, so I handed over some cash, then high-fived Caleb, the frat leader, who was at the door greeting people. We weren’t late, by any means, but the music was already loud and drinks were flowing. A strong smell of weed filled the air. Laughter, loud voices, cheering from the beer pong table, and shouting from the people going down the stairs on sleds mixed with the music. I grinned, already feeling the urge to sway with the music.

Jaxon, on the other hand, squeezed my hand and moved half behind me. This was very much not his scene. Turning toward him, I said, “We should look for Aaron.”

“What?” he shouted, and I barely heard him. A sasquatch came careening down the stairs on a metal sled and crashed into the wall. People laughed and clapped.

Letting go of his hand, I pulled Jaxon down so I could say into his pointed ear, “We should look for Aaron.”

“Later,” was all he said in return, linking his hand with mine once more.

Not able to say anything else that he could hear, I tugged him toward the people dancing. He pulled against my hold, but I didn’t relent. Yes, I knew he didn’t dance, but I wanted to and wanted to do it with him. Besides, it was a good place to pretend we were dating and all that.

Pushing into a semi-free space, I hooked my hands behind his neck. Jaxon's lips were a flat line, and his brows were furrowed. I rubbed the nape of his neck, trying to calm him, but he didn’t relax in the slightest. Going on my toes to shorten the distance, I said, “Dance with me.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.” I placed his hands on my hips and rocked against him.

He swallowed. I slid my leg between his and moved to the beat, and Jaxon… tried. He was graceful when he moved, something you wouldn’t think for someone of his size, though ogres were used to their bulk, so it made sense. Right now, though, he was far too tense to move in any way except robotically. Still, he tried. And it didn’t matter that he wasn’t good at it. I was smiling from ear to ear, my dick was half-hard, and my heart was racing.

I didn’t care where Aaron was. I didn’t care what anyone thought. I didn’t care about the plan. Right now, all I wanted to do was dance with Jaxon. The music slowed just slightly, enough for me to justify wrapping my arms as far as I could around him and resting my cheek on his chest. Jaxon pulled me closer and pressed a firm kiss on the top of my head. The tender movement made something inside of me crack and solidify at the same time.

“You came,” someone shouted as they slapped our backs.

I barely had a chance to breathe before I was whipped behind Jaxon. I blinked, and I wasn’t the only one. All the couples beside us were gaping. Jaxon wasn’t really one to stick out or make a fuss. But he certainly was now. The only one who wasn’t fazed was Aaron. He was shaking his head and grinning.

Instead of saying anything about the whole protective-sweep-thing that made me want to swoon like some Regency heroine, I simply grabbed Jaxon’s hand and pulled him away from the dance. Aaron was right behind us. We moved to the kegs, and someone handed us cups filled with beer before I could refuse mine. Thankfully, Jaxon took it from me and basically punched it into Aaron’s chest.

“Chris is sober,” Jaxon growled.

“Cool,” Aaron replied, taking a sip of his beer. “I’m glad you made it.”

“Me too,” I said.

“Well, have fun, and I’ll catch you later.” Aaron wandered off.

“You didn’t talk to him,” I hissed.

He shrugged. “So?”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Jaxon, Jaxon, Jaxon. Like I said—”

“These things don’t just happen. You make them happen.”

“Yeah.” He had been listening.

Jaxon snagged my hand. “I am.”

“How?” He’d literally just let Aaron walk away. What exactly was he doing? I wasn’t sure about this new plan of his, especially because he wouldn’t loop me in.

“I just am.” Jaxon looked around. “You want to leave?”