“A few weeks,” I finished smoothly, giving her a look that saidplay along.“It started out as casual, but she just couldn't stay away from me.”
She glanced up at me, eyes sharp with warning, and I winked at her.
Nerissa’s grin was feral.“About damn time one of you idiots brought home someone hot and intimidating.”
Ari lifted his glass in dramatic agreement.“And smart.Law school?Damn.If Jax screws this up, I’m next in line.”
My jaw clenched before I could stop it.
Savannah noticed.
Her lips curved—just slightly.
She liked that.
“Jax won’t screw anything up,” she said, her voice smooth and sweet and deadly enough to make Ari blink.“He knows what happens to men who disappoint me.”
Jesse let out a sharp laugh.“Damn, Cage.She’s scarier than you.”
“She’s not scary,” Ari argued.“She’s—”
“She's mine,” I cut in, giving him a look.
Ari put his hands up.“Relax, man.I’m not trying to get murdered today.”
Savannah smirked into her drink.“Good choice.”
I leaned back in my chair, watching her—really watching her—as she relaxed into the rhythm of the table, the banter, the teasing.Watching the way the lights painted her skin in warm gold, watching how easily she charmed my entire circle without even trying.
I shouldn’t have enjoyed it that much.
But damn it, I did.
We eventually settled into comfortable chatter and decent food.Ari animatedly started telling us about when he was doing an escape room and got trapped.Jesse pretended he wasn't involved and Nerissa teased them both.It was the first (and last) time they did a double date together.Thank God I wasn't a part of that.Who wants to be trapped in an escape room?
Savannah chimed in occasionally with smart comments, sharp humor, tiny smiles.I could see the tension leave her shoulders as the night went on.Maybe I was just using it as an excuse to keep looking at her.
The way she tucked a stray curl behind her ear.
The way she bit her bottom lip when she was trying not to laugh.
It all added to her beauty and charm.
Reaching low, I pulled on the wooden bar of her chair and reeled her closer to me.Right between my legs.She gasped and I leaned in, voice low so only she could hear.“You doing okay?”
Her breath hitched—barely.“I’m fine.”
“Just checking.”I brushed my lips against her cheek, and it made her draw back immediately.“Tsk tsk, and I thought we were making progress, trouble.”
She cut me a glare that only made me want to smirk harder.
“I just wasn't expecting… that,” she murmured.
“Uh-huh.”
“Don't start with me, Cage.We don't need practice.”
“Oh, say my name like that again.I kinda like it,” I teased, fingers brushing the bare skin of her upper arm.She went stiff as a board again.I tilted my head and her gaze lifted to mine, something unsteady there for a heartbeat before she looked back to the group.
