NERISSA
Girl, it’s barely anything!
The corset just… pushes up a little.
Besides, you need to stand out today.
I took another slow sip of water.
SAVANNAH
I don’t need to stand out.
I need to survive.
Three dots.Then—
NERISSA
You’ll do both.
And who knows, you might get a pleasant surprise from your boo ??
I rolled my eyes so hard it nearly hurt.
SAVANNAH
He's not my boo and you know it.
I leaned back slightly, my eyes drifting to the rain-streaked windows, ignoring the warm feeling settling in my chest.None of it mattered when it came to him.
Not his laugh.
Not the way he looked at me.
Not the way my body reacted whenever he put his hands on me.
I shut that door firmly.
This was a performance—a strategy, a finite arrangement with an expiration date—nothing more.Our paths were too scarred to consider anything more.
Not that I was considering it or anything.
“There you are.”
The voice came from behind me, and my spine straightened at the low, familiar tone.
I turned, and there he was.
Jaxon stood a step away, rain-darkened hair pushed back from his face and a white button-up stretched tight across his shoulders and chest.His tattoos were on display today with sleeves rolled to his forearms, almost adding to his dangerous allure.He finished the look with light jeans and boots, an effortless combination that on anyone else would look just fine.Jaxon Cage was anything butjust fine.
Before I could brace myself, he closed the distance.
One hand wrapped around my waist in a quick, tight hug and his lips brushed the side of my neck as he murmured, “Hey, trouble.”
The contact sent a shiver straight down my spine.
It was subtle and infuriating.
