Really nice.
I close my eyes. Let the sensation wash over me. Let my mind drift to the only place it wants to go. I pretend it’s Jaxon’s mouth on my skin. His breath warming my neck. His body surrounding mine.
And for that brief, indulgent moment, I sink into the fantasy. I exhale a moan and Baseball Boy takes that as encouragement to amp it up a bit.
He wraps one arm tighter around me, pulling me close, anchoring me there. The other hand slides lower—down the curve of my back until it finds the round of my ass.
He cups it, bold and unbothered, fingers flexing slightly as he pulls me against him.
That’s when I feel the hard press of his erection against my hip, unmistakably eager.
My breath catches.
It’s not that I didn’t know where this was heading. It’s that I didn’t expect the spark of panic threading through the heat.
I’ve never done anything like this before.
Never kissed someone like this. Never danced with someone so close I could feeleverything.
And the idea of doing it here, now… with a boy whose name I still don’t know… while my long-time crush is standing thirty feet away—watching?—
I open my eyes. “Um,”
“I’m sorry. You’re just—so fucking beautiful.” He adjusts his arms around me and keeps swaying. “How about some fresh air?”
I nod, tapping Bree on the arm as he holds my hand, pulling me toward the backdoor. Bree and her pair of admirers follow.
The backyard is lit in pockets—strings of bulbs winding along the wooden fence and the occasional cell phone flashlight flickering on someone’s face. The party has bled outside, groups scattered around in mismatched patio chairs and upturned milk crates, drinks in hand.
And Jaxon is out here too. Well this is kind of perfect.
He’s across the yard, leaning against the railing of the back porch with one hand in his pocket, a red cup in the other. He’ssurrounded by a few guys, including my brother. And his eyes are right on me.
“Cass,” Baseball Boy sits in one of the metal chairs surrounding a round table. He grins and pats the empty space on his lap, legs spread wide like he’s justdaringme to say no.
I hesitate just long enough for it to feel coy, then lower myself into the space like I was always meant to be there.
My tight green dress rides up like it knows we’re putting on a show.
It was barely appropriate when I was standing. Now, seated sideways across his lap, one leg draped over his, it’s a borderline scandal.
When I glance up, I swear Jaxon’s jaw is tight.
Tense in a way that wasn’t there five seconds ago.
My lips curve. Just slightly.
I turn toward Matt again, letting my fingers toy with the edge of his collar, nails brushing his skin like a casual afterthought.
We look like an actual couple. His hand doesn’t leave my thigh. He keeps talking, keeps laughing, keeps pulling me closer like I belong there. Every so often, he kisses my neck or my shoulder—soft, slow, casual. A little too comfortable.
And honestly?
He’s cute. Really cute.
If I wasn’t so hopelessly wrapped around the idea of Jaxon Kane, I’d probably fall for this one in a heartbeat.
Across the yard, Jaxon shifts.
