Present…
WHO THE HELL ARE THESE leeches and where the hell is Averie?
The blonde woman needs to stop touching me. My stomach turns at every toss of her ugly face. She laughs to the ceiling as though each word I’ve uttered is no less than hilarious. All I gave her was the fucking time on my watch, and she busted into a fit of giggles.
My head is pounding merely having to look at the dark-haired woman standing next to her. She’s licked her lips in my direction more than three times. If I had ChapStick, I’d offer her to keep it.
Where the fuck is Averie?
The blonde steps in closer, settling her hand on my arm. With her mouth a breath away, she whispers, “I’m Jacquilin.”
I say nothing. Speech would leave my mouth open, giving her an opportunity. I’ve never met someone as coarse.
Where. Is. She?
When the heavy bathroom door swings open, and Averie doesn’t make a move to step out of it, I debate whether to kiss her stupid or strangle her for making me wait.
Then her eyes narrow at the vamp still clinging to my arm. I pull away. A sign of my own desperation.
Once Averie catches on that I’m in need of rescue, her eyes peruse my body as we all still stand five feet away. She leans her long body against the doorjamb, casually taking a seductive stance. The women quiet, turning to see who or what’s captured my attention. Their stupid made-up smiles fall.
“Hey, honey,” Averie calls, her voice low and raspy, her beautiful blue eyes to mine.
Averie holds her posture straight and prowls toward me in the highest heels I’ve ever seen her wear.
All through dinner, she watched my every move. She watched as I talked to Mason through his impending toast. She lingered closely as Holly made another play, much like the one from today, but this one more advancing. Averie found this funny. I did not.
I watched Averie and Amelia laughing together, a sight I don’t think I’ve ever seen. I lingered as Katherine and her girls formed a huddle and hugged as they recalled childhood memories.
I also watched Averie drink wine as though it was water.
“You’re kidding me,” the blonde says, not appreciating what she sees coming.
Once Averie’s made her way to our group, her hands slip beneath my suit jacket before traveling up my chest. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and brings her mouth inches from mine.
Her eyes turn molten and she whispers playfully, “Miss me?”
Tilting my head to the side, I wait. If she kisses me, I’ll let her. Anything to stake a claim. To send a message to the harlots who are gaping in shock and surprise. Not only would they get publicly shamed for hitting on me, but attempting this under Averie’s nose.
“Averie, baby,” I greet. Wrapping an arm around her waist, my mouth opens and Averie’s tongue enters slowly.
I’ve missed the taste of her; her soft lips and gentle caress. I’ve ached for the smell of her skin against mine.
Abruptly, Averie pulls away and narrows her eyes. Turning my head, I cast a quick look around to the hall to see our audience has left.
“Jaxson,” she calls, surprised at my invasive stare.
Her eyes close and she takes a breath.
My hands set course down the sides of her body, my thumb grazing against the swell of her chest.
“I need you,” she utters, her eyes open and alert in a way I know she means this.
Taking her hand, I lead us out to the party room with hurried steps. Fighting to keep her going, I don’t look back. Mason’s standing with Katherine and my mom near the bar. He has a beer in one hand, the tips of Katherine’s fingers in the other.
He scowls at our connection before his gaze meets mine. Then he smiles. Yes, smiles.
I hadn’t expected that.
Once we walked down the long hallway, the hotel room door falls open, I step inside and all but toss Averie in next.