Chapter 22 Tablecloths Were My New Best Friend
Jaxon
ARIYO
When did we agree that I was adult enough to be alone in the studio?
Because I can assure you
I'm not
JESSE
Just don't burn the place down
JAXON
Or have an orgy in the place
Rissa will eat you alive
ARIYO
I make no promises to either
But I will lock up… you know, responsible adult in training and all
JAXON
Proud of you man
Do you need help with that baby bib too?
ARIYO
Fuck you
I snorted quietly to myself, thumbs hovering over the screen of the group chat.
ARIYO
Anyway I'm coming over
My game needs me
JAXON
Yeeeah about that
Not home
ARIYO
…where are you
I leaned my head back against the couch cushion, glancing up at Savannah’s living room ceiling—the clean lines, the recessed lighting, everything in the place calm and intentional. It smelled faintly like her, too. Something soft. Expensive. Addictive.
JAXON
Out with Savannah
The typing bubble came and went. Then—
ARIYO
Fine I’ll go to Jesse’s
JESSE
Not home either
ARIYO
Are you kidding me
JESSE
Out with Mercedes
ARIYO
Bro this is bullshit
Everyone's booed up and now I've got nothing to do
I laughed under my breath.
BENJI
I'm happily single
Just saying
ARIYO
Yeah but you're busy making millions in Richville
What happened to friendship?
What happened to loyalty?
JESSE
You’ll survive
Three dots appeared instantly.
ARIYO
You don't know that
What am I supposed to do now?
JESSE
Try reading a book
I've heard that's all the hype these days
A pause.
And then—
》JESSE DAUCETT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CHAT.《
I barked out a quiet laugh, scrubbing a hand down my jaw. My thumbs hovered over the keyboard, ready to fire off something that would piss Ari off even more, but then I heard the soft sound of heels on wood.
I looked up.
And forgot how to breathe.
Savannah got to the bottom of the stairs looking like something out of a dream.
Her dress was burnt orange, almost golden, giving her an ethereal, elegant glow.
It clung to her like it had been made for her body and hers alone, ending a few inches below her knees.
Her straight hair flowed effortlessly behind her back, and her lips—
Jesus Christ.
“I'm so sorry,” she started, facing the round mirror as she fiddled with some gold jewelry. “Nerissa was helping me and we just couldn't decide on the dress, but I think this works. I just need to put these on and I'm ready. Oh, and my—”
She paused when she noticed me staring.
“What?” she asked cautiously.
I didn’t answer.
Couldn’t.
My eyes wandered down her figure slowly—from her heels, up her legs, over the curve of her hips, the elegant line of her waist, the rise of her chest, until I reached her eyes again.
“Nothing,” I said finally, voice rougher than I intended.
Clearing my throat, I stood and slipped my phone into my pocket without looking away from her.
“Is it too much? I—”
“No, you look… breathtaking.”
She inhaled sharply, no doubt seeing the intensity in my eyes. Good. I stepped closer, drawn in by something stronger than logic.
“Let me do that,” I murmured, nodding down to the necklaces in her hand.
She hesitated for half a second, then nodded and handed them over. Electricity zapped through me the second her fingers brushed mine, but I ignored it and stepped behind her. We locked eyes before I looked down to unravel the chains.
She shifted her hair, giving me better access to her neck and her perfect skin.
One by one, I looped both necklaces around her neck before clasping them shut.
Then I dipped my head to brush my lips across the exposed skin, loving the way she shivered under my touch.
My fingers found her waist, gently pulling her back flush against my chest.
“Jaxon,” she said softly. “We have to… we're late.”
“Yeah,” I admitted. “We are.”
But I didn’t stop.
I left a trail of kisses across her neck and shoulder, feeling the heat build between us. I mean, we’re already late, right? What difference will another hour make? My thumb brushed lightly against her side, feeling the subtle rise and fall of her breathing.
I needed her now. If we were both going to suffer through the bitter parts of tonight, the least I could do was kick the night off with a bang.
No pun intended.
Especially if I'd have to sit through a dinner with her ex. When I left earlier, I figured her reluctance had something to do with that asshole, and I wanted to walk into that room with my mark on her—wanted to show him and everyone else that she was mine.
“How about we go upstairs and be very late?”
She laughed and pulled out of my grasp. “Cut it out. Nerissa's up there fixing the mess she caused!”
Her voice got elevated as she shouted the words over my shoulder.
“I heard that!”
I chuckled at Nerissa's response and shook my head at the two of them.
“You were meant to!” Savannah sang back before returning her gaze to mine. “And I'd much rather not give her any more material to tease me with.”
Watching her walk away from me was just as good, especially when she stretched to get her coat. Was this how an obsession started? Because if it was, I think it's safe to say I was dangerously obsessed with my fake girlfriend.
Fuck, this was getting deep.
Rolling my shoulders back, I moved toward her and watched her fuss with her long coat.
“You'll be happy to know I didn't ride the bike here.”
She shut her eyes and sighed deeply. “Music to my ears.”
I rolled my eyes and slapped her ass playfully, making her yelp. “Come on. Let's go before I drag you upstairs and forget this dinner.”
Warm lighting filled the ballroom of the Carrion Hotel, with gold bouncing off crystal chandeliers and polished floors. Round tables dressed under white tablecloths were scattered across the room and soft music drifted through the space, layered with low conversation and the clink of glassware.
Did it surprise me to see a white piano in the middle of the room? Not even a little bit.
Savannah’s hand tightened in mine just slightly as a man at the entrance greeted us.
“Good evening,” he said, scanning his tablet. “Name?”
“Savannah Bristow,” she replied smoothly.
He scrolled, nodded. “Table twelve. Front left. Dinner has already been served, so follow me to your seats quickly and we will usher in two plates.”
I let Savannah in first, nodding thanks to him and stepping inside behind her. Heads turned our way as we walked, but I didn't care much about that. My attention was solely on Savannah. I'll have you know it took incredible restraint not to look at her ass in that dress.
We were led to a round table toward the front—close enough to the head table that there was a clean, uninterrupted view of Lori and Chase’s setup, but far enough that it didn’t feel like we were in the spotlight.
Five other guests were seated, including Mama V, clearly enjoying whatever was splayed across their plates.
“Here you are.” The man gestured down to the two empty chairs. “Dinner will arrive momentarily. Enjoy your evening.”
“Thank you.” Savannah smiled at the host.
We greeted the others at the table, but the energy was… neutral. Nothing more than a polite smile, and that was enough to tell me they weren't exactly happy we were there. Then she let go of my hand to move around the table and wrap her arms around her grandmother.
“Hi, Grandma.”
Mama V sat radiant in a deep emerald dress with a dramatic gold necklace that matched her personality. I can see where Savannah gets her love for gold jewelry.
“There go my baby.” Mama V beamed, holding her tight. “And she brought the tall glass of fine with her. What're you standin’ over there for? Come give me a hug.”
I chuckled deeply and shook my head, walking over to her and leaning in. “Evening, Mama V.”
She squeezed my arm. “You clean up real nice, Jaxon.”
“Only trying to match your radiance, Mama V. Had I known you'd look like this, I would've worn my tux.” I winked at her.
She laughed, slapping my arm playfully. “Sweet talker, you are. Don't tease me, boy.”
I laughed then glanced back at Savannah, noticing her stiff posture. My gaze followed hers, landing on the grand table in the center of the room. Smugness was written across Lori's face, and I smothered the irritation building inside me.
Then Lori's smile widened and she leaned over to Chase sitting beside her. She whispered something to him before deliberately smashing her lips to his.
Rolling my eyes, I closed the distance between Savannah and me, wrapping my arm around her waist.
“Ignore her,” I whispered, nibbling on her ear.
She took a breath and spun around, giving me a small smile. “It doesn't matter.”
But it did.
I saw it in the way she moved stiffly around the table and took her seat. The way her eyes drifted back to the front more than once. The way her jaw flexed subtly before she smoothed it out with a sip of water.
Operation “Take Savannah’s Mind Off Her Bitchy Cousin and Sad Excuse of an Ex” underway.
Two steaming plates landed before us before I could get a word in, though. The serving portion reminded me of why I hated billionaire parties.
“You'd think they’re keeping all the food for themselves back there,” I murmured to Savannah.
She laughed softly, knocking her thigh against mine under the table. “It's just the right amount. Quit being greedy.”
“Oh, trouble, if there's one person who's greedy in this relationship, it's you.”
I shot her a knowing look, my lips tilting up into a smirk. And with the hitch in her breath, I knew her mind went to the same place mine did.
Her hand shot out to slap my arm, glancing around the table before narrowing her eyes at me. “Cut it out.”
I chuckled at her whispering and leaned over to brush a kiss to her lips. “How about you make me?”
“I can make you do a lot of things,” she murmured against my lips.
“Is that right?” My hand found her thigh under the table and squeezed. “Because I remember being able to make you do a lot of things, too. Like when I got on my knees and—”