Chapter 23 Eyes On The Mirror
Savannah
Icouldn’t feel my legs.
Or maybe I could—but every nerve in them was still humming from what he’d done under that table.
My skin burned as I moved through the crowd, murmuring quiet apologies as I slipped past bodies and chairs. Applause erupted behind me, people rising to their feet for the singer near the front, but the sound was muffled. Distant. Like I was underwater.
All I could think about was his hand on me.
The way his fingers had moved with confidence. Precision. Like he'd been waiting for the chance to claim me.
I needed air.
I needed space.
My pulse thundered between my ears as I pushed through the ballroom doors and into the quiet hallway. The sudden silence wrapped around me like cool air, but it did nothing to calm the fire low in my stomach.
Nothing.
I spotted the restroom sign and made a beeline for it, my heels clicking sharply against the polished floor.
Inside, the luxurious bathroom was empty.
Thank God.
I exhaled shakily and walked toward the counter, my reflection coming into view under the soft lighting. My lips were parted. My cheeks flushed. My eyes… wild.
I paced once. Twice. My fingers threaded through my hair, and I forced breaths down my lungs. Then, when I finally got a grip on reality, I planted both hands on the marble countertop, gripping the edge as I leaned forward.
“Get it together,” I muttered to myself, hating how breathless my voice sounded.
Not to mention the way my body throbbed with the memory of his touch, heat pooling low, stubborn and impossible to ignore.
Okay, Savannah, breathe.
You are a grown woman.
You are in control.
You are not losing yourself over a man.
Cursing, I turned on the faucet, letting the cold water run over my fingers, hoping it would quell the fire within me. Hoping it would wash away the lingering sensation of him.
I splashed water on my cheeks and stared myself dead in the eyes.
“You’re fine. You’re in control.”
Lies.
I wasn’t in control—not when it came to him, not when one look from him could turn my thoughts to static. With one touch, I was putty in his hands. He knew just how to unravel every cord keeping my wits together.
And God did he unravel them.
A few minutes longer and I'd be coming right there at the table.
What the hell was I doing?
Taking a breath, I kept my gaze down as I washed my hands, focusing on the sensation.
The grounding.
Until the bathroom door opened.
The soft sound hit me like thunder and had me tensing under the running water.
The last thing I needed was an audience to my internal meltdown.
I didn't need one of Lori's little friends seeing me like this—or worse, bridezilla herself.
I lifted my gaze slowly, fully intent on grabbing a hand towel and heading back out, when I froze.
Jaxon.
He was standing by the door, hands tucked in his pockets and his sleeves rolled up.
Tattoos were never a turn on for me, but the slight of ink slipping underneath that white shirt was doing something dangerous to me.
Not to mention the fire burning in his eyes.
There was this heat buried beneath his eyes that had flames licking at my skin.
He didn’t say anything—he didn't need to. His eyes locked onto mine in the mirror, dark and hungry and completely unapologetic. Time held its breath for us, trapping us in that moment where nothing and no one else existed.
I moistened my lips as my heart began to slam against my ribs. It pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears.
He stepped forward.
Once.
Twice.
Each step unhurried. Certain.
Predatory.
I turned slightly, watching his every move, my fingers tightening against the edge of the counter.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes dragged across my figure—a slow sweep that added fuel to the fire—before meeting my gaze again.
“You left.”
I swallowed, watching him get closer. “I needed some air.”
“Air.” A faint smirk came across his lips. “I imagine that must be hard when you're seconds from coming.”
“Could you not be so…”
“So what, trouble?” Jaxon whispered as he stood in front of me. His hands moved from his pockets to the counter, successfully caging me in.
He lowered his head slightly, his eyes dropping to my lips. I licked my lips and that dragged his gaze down. It was a good thing, too, because I was too busy looking at his lips.
He was so close.
Close enough that I could feel the heat of him hitting my chest.
Close enough that I could breathe in his intoxicating cologne.
I pressed a hand to his chest, trying to keep the space between us, but all I could feel was his rapid heartbeat against my palm.
“Savannah,” he said quietly.
My name sounded different on his tongue. I couldn't tell if it was because I got so used to his little nickname for me or if it was the thick desire in his voice.
“You're the most irresistible woman I've ever come across. Fuck, I knew you were trouble the second I saw you.” He breathed a laugh, pressing his forehead against mine. “I've wanted you more than I've ever wanted anyone.”
My lips parted, the honesty in his voice cracking something open inside me.
My fingers curled against his shirt, and I pulled back to look into his eyes.
The words wrapped around me like a soft blanket while my brain scrambled for logic—or restraint.
Anything that resembled the version of myself I used to be.
But all I could feel was him.
All I could hear was my heartbeat. All I could think about was how badly I wanted this, too.
His eyes searched mine, like he was giving me time to stop him—to stop this. My tongue darted out, wetting my lips, and he had his answer.
Seconds later, his lips were smashed against mine. It wasn't gentle or cautious; it was all-consuming. He kissed me like he'd been holding back for far too long. I moaned when he tugged on my lip and deepened the kiss, his taste flooding out my own.
One hand moved around my waist, pulling me flush against him as he kissed me senseless.
My arms looped around his neck, melting into his touch.
I shifted my hips and the outline of his bulge pressed against my stomach.
He nudged in between my legs and my core clenched at the new sensation.
If logic had a say, it would tell me not to rub myself against his thigh.
Too bad logic left the conversation minutes ago.
My fingers curled in his hair and tugged, trying to get him closer.
A burning desire took over every fiber of my being.
I was drowning in everything that he was.
I couldn't escape him even if I wanted to.
His hands moved down my body, and his touch hummed a tune that electrified my body, mind, and soul.
I whimpered when he pulled away from me, and embarrassment wasn't even a factor anymore.
“Jaxon, wait,” I murmured when he tugged at the straps of my dress. “Anyone could walk in.”
Even in the crook of my neck, I could feel him shake his head. “Locked the door. Trust me, no one is seeing you like this but me.”
Then he dove into the kiss again, stealing any other argument I may have had. His hand trailed under my dress and his fingers had me shivering as they moved up my thigh. I gasped when he slid two fingers into my panties and across my clit.
“Mhm, still wet for me,” he whispered against my lips.
Jaxon swallowed my moan as he pushed those fingers inside me and swirled around my clit.
My eyes fluttered close and I threw my head back, basking in the sensation of the pleasure building back up.
He unzipped my dress a little, just enough to tug at my bra and release a nipple.
When he bent low and sucked, the sweetest shiver rocked through me and a moan left my lips.
It was too much and not enough.
I wanted him.
Needed him.
“Jaxon,” I moaned, grinding on his fingers.
A tug of the bud had me clenching around his fingers and he smirked against my skin. When he pulled away, his eyes locked with mine and he licked his lips.
“So fucking beautiful,” he murmured.
“I want…”
“Tell me what you want, trouble.” His fingers teased a rhythm—fast, slow, fast, slow—as the air stood still around us. I writhed in his arms, desperate for any source of relief to this torment. And when he pulled out of me, I groaned and dug into his shoulder.
“Jaxon,” I whined.
“Greedy,” he replied with a chuckle and a peck on my lips. His dark eyes landed on mine, and he dragged those two fingers to his lips and sucked my juices clean off them.
That really shouldn't have been as sexy as it was.
“Turn around, baby. Eyes on the mirror.”
Neither should that, but the words had my core clenching with a need only he could solve. I bit my lip at his sinful gaze and angled myself to the mirror. His arm wrapped around my waist and he kissed my neck, just below my ear. Then he was bending me forward.
“Bend over for me. Hands on the counter. Yeah, just like that, trouble.”
With his palm splayed across my stomach, he arched me back and spread my legs. As he bent me, he left heated kisses down my bare spine that had my eyes fluttering. My dress was barely hanging on, straps sliding down my shoulders and half unzipped.
Pushing my dress up, the cool air hit my skin before his palm did. He grabbed a fistful of my ass, and a groan left my lips when he spanked me.
“Jax, just…”
“What do you want, trouble?”
I huffed a breath and pushed back against him. “You know what I want.”
“Oh yeah? Why don't you tell me?” His arm tightened around my waist. “Because I need the words, Savannah. I need to know that wanting you isn't just one-sided.”
We locked eyes and for the first time, I saw hints of vulnerability beneath the desire. He was showing me his cards, letting me know how serious his words were. I kept his gaze as his hand went to his pants and watched him unbutton them.