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Confusion settles deep in my bones, but instead of brushing him off the way I did Axel, I tilt my head and mouth,you okay? “I don’t know why he’s mad. Maybe something happened.”
“Yeah,” Jase chuckles. “Iarrived.”
“No.” I shake my head and look up to meet his kind eyes. “Raul and I aren’t like that. He brought his own date tonight. In fact, we often exchange horror stories and laugh about the ridiculousness of dating in a small town.” Ignoring Axel’s heated stare, I allow my shoulders to bounce in soft laughter. My ultimate revenge is to give him none of the attention he’s so obviously craving. “Pickings are slim,” I murmur. “As you know.”
“Can’t relate.” Bravely, he leans in and presses a feather-soft kiss to my jaw. “I’m in the dating world,” he pulls back and meets my eyes, “and I’m happily escorting you tonight.”
My cheeks warm, not because I’m particularly attracted to or flattered by this man. But because he’s so sweet, so complimentary.
Which is a direct contrast to the bullshit Axel threw at me in the closet.
And yet…
“Ms. Sullivan?”
I spin with a gasp and find Axel just two feet away. His hand extended, like he thinks I’ll dump my date and follow him.
His hair is a little less kempt, compared to before we went into the closet. His pocket square, gone, and its absence noticeable enough to make my thighs tremble.
“Axel…” my throat burns dry, but I clutch to Jase’s arm and stand my ground. “If you’d like a meeting, I suggest you call during business hours. I’m a little busy right n—”
Irritated, he grabs my hand and tugs until our chests clash and my breath explodes onto his shoulder. Then he has us on the dancefloor, swaying to the music the live band plays.
Temper flares in my stomach as I attempt to pull away. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Business meeting?” His hands remain proper. One wrapped around mine, and the other on my hip. We’re in the real world now, with Nicole and Preston dancing just ten feet away, and Juniper, watching us all with hearts in her eyes and a doll-like pout pushing her lips forward. “We’re business associates now? Is that what you told him?”
“I told him the truth,” I retort. “That you have a vested interest in Juniper’s Bakery. That we’re friendly and you’re a decent guy.”
“What about the fact your ass is red because of my hand?” he counters. “Or that your pussy is still hot and wet. Did you tell him that?”
“Axel…” I swallow so my throat bobs. “You need to stop.”
“That I’ve yet to wash my fingers.” He brings our joined hands a little closer until I see them in my peripherals. “Wanna taste yourself?”
“Want me to kick you in the nuts?” I smile and allow him to spin me out in time with the music, then pull me back in and place his hand on the small of my back. The position a little more daring. A little more mischievous. “We did what we did. Now it’s over.”
“You did what you did… while on a date with someone else?” He tilts his head and studies my eyes. “Not the innocent Hannah Sullivan I remember.”
I choke out a laugh and try again to shake my hand free. “For you to recall an innocent Hannah means you never knew me at all.”
I stop moving my feet, ending our dance, and take a step back. “I’m busy, Axel. And I already told you that we’re done for tonight.” I tug my hand from his and take another step away. “It was good to see you again.” I speak loud enough, those who listen in will hear only a pleasant exchange. “I hope you enjoy the party.”
Stepping around the man whose touch makes my body vibrate, and whose stare makes my thighs wet, I make my way back to a patiently waiting Jase and wrap my arm in his.
He’s too submissive to pull me around the way Axel did. Too gentlemanly to pout or stomp his feet about our date being interrupted.
He’s completely and entirely safe.
Which is the exact reason I chose him for tonight.
“I’m so sorry about that.” Slowly, but clear in my intentions, I bring him to the dancefloor and rejoin Preston and Nicole and all the other couples who sway to the soft music. “Years of familiarity has left Axel void of his manners. He’s a nice guy.” I step closer and press my cheek to Jase’s shoulder. “He really is. But he’s been away, and now that he’s back in town, for however long he’ll be here, he’s hurriedly trying to catch up on pressing work matters. But,” I pull back and meet my date’s eyes with a smile, “if I wanted to spend my evening talking with him, I would’ve requestedheescort me tonight. Since I did not…”
“Lucky me.” He slides his hand around to caress my back. I swear, somewhere in the recesses of my mind, Ihearthe crunch of Axel’s gnashing teeth. “Have you finished work for the evening?”
“Technically.” I close my eyes and let the music be my companion. Jase is a warm body. A firm set of shoulders to lean against. “I’ve delivered the food, and it’s making its way around the room as we speak. So yeah, in the most basic sense of the word, I’m done. I’ll stay and keep an eye on things. Make sure no one dies of food poisoning.” I snigger. “But beyond that, this is my friend’s birthday party. And call me crazy,” I open my eyes and watch the beautiful couple dance. “But I like seeing them together. Kinda gives me hope, ya know?”
“Hope for what?” His words are gentle. Curious, but not probing or harsh. “What do you want from life, Hannah?”
