Page 79 of Second Chance Mates

The strap of my dress falls down my arm, and Jax uses this as an opportunity to work his way to my collarbone and over my shoulder. I let out a small whimper of pleasure because his lips are like pure fire against my skin.

A spark taps in my head, and everything becomes tighter, louder, and heavier. I’m out of my depth here. This needs to slow down before I trigger myself.

“Jax,” I say softly.

He instantly removes himself from my shoulder and glances at me with deep-rooted concern. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head to reassure him. “Nothing,” I admit. “Just a bit overwhelmed.”

He slides the strap of my dress over my shoulder and offers me a peaceful smile. “Then we’ll stop,” he says quietly. “Never be afraid to tell me anything. Okay?”

“Okay.” I bite my lip. The skin is sensitive from where the memories of his mouth have been. “We should get back to the wedding.”

“You’re right.” He nods.

I jump down from the ledge with the help of his hands on my waist. “Like I said, I’m not leaving your side,” he whispers in my ear and squeezes my fingers at the same time.

I’m flushed with a thousand different emotions, but contentment is at the forefront. My entire expression screams—I’ve had the life kissed out of me—but I’m convinced he kissed life into me instead.

27

AVA

“Okay, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for the first dance. Lucy and Sebastian, please find your way to the dance floor.”

A loud cheer erupts throughout the room. My eyes latch onto Lucy as she bounds towards the dance floor excitedly. Sebastian soon follows, both grinning at each other like they’ve won the lottery.

In their eyes, they definitely have.

Lucy wraps her arms around Sebastian’s neck as the music starts, and they gently sway to the beautiful song playing over the speakers. I watch in awe at their admiration for each other. After a while, people begin to join them with their partners, family members, and friends.

Jaxon’s hand slides into mine gently as he tugs at my fingers. “Dance with me?”

“Yeah,” I whisper. “I’d love to.”

He leads us over to the dance floor with the others, and our bodies mould together to move to the music. I place my hands over his shoulders as his arms wrap around my waist. My head softly falls onto his chest, and I smile to myself at this peaceful moment.

Jaxon hugs me closer, dipping his head down to leave a kiss to my crown. My eyes focus on Lucy and Sebastian across the dance floor. The way they look at each other, laugh with each other, be with each other—it’s magical.

Every moment they share is so raw and emotional. Real.

It’s like the world has slowed down just for them, to allow them to devour this moment for a little while longer. It’s more than heartwarming; it feels life-changing to see their love in the most honest form.

Whatever they have, I want.

They must love each other more than anything in this world.

“They do.” Jax’s voice interrupts my thoughts, which causes me to jump.

I look up at him and his pretty blue eyes that are analysing me. “In my head again,” I say breathlessly. “Those lessons aren’t working.”

If I’m being honest, I haven’t thought about my shields because of how secure I am in his arms. Protecting your mind is a lot harder than I thought, but Jaxon reminds me it’ll get easier—soon, it’ll be something my body does by default. But right now, I don’t mind if he hears them.

“You were projecting hard.” His hand cups my cheek. “You might want what they have, but trust me, ours will be in a league of its own.”

I forget to breathe for a second as I take in his words. I expect to be overwhelmed, but I’m not. Instead, I’m flooded with reassurance, reminding me I’m in safe hands and not just the physical kind.

My head snuggles into his chest once more, and he holds me tight. Both of us understand we don’t want to let each other go. I can’t quite grasp how we got to this point in our…relationship? But I can’t fight what feels right, even if I’m still finding my feet.

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