Page 91 of Second Chance Mates

She takes my hand and gives me a supportive smile. “You’ve got this. Come on. Let’s go.”

“Okay.” I nod as she tugs me towards the kitchen.

I immediately start panning around the room, my eyes settling on people I haven’t met before. Lucy was in charge of the guest list. I merely helped with decorations and food orders.

My head stops turning when it lands on Jaxon. His back is towards me, but he’s facing a woman who I’ve never seen before. Her hair is cut into a short bob, and she has gleaming eyes. She rests her hand on his forearm, but he pulls away as soon as she makes contact.

My stomach churns, and I don’t know why. Lucy seems to sense the tension in my body. “Hey, it’s nothing. They’re just talking,” she says softly.

Exactly, they’re just talking. So why the hell do I feel like this?

I learnt my lesson before. I have to control my emotions.

The last thing we need is a catfight at a birthday party.

I turn and force a smile in her direction. “I know.”

“Just go over. He’s dying to see you, Ava. Knock him dead.” She winks.

She gives my hand a squeeze before dropping it, and I straighten my spine for fake confidence. I make a beeline towards them.

Just put on a brave face, I tell myself.

“Hey,” I call when I appear beside him.

Jaxon’s eyes flick to mine, and he takes a moment to analyse my face before they move down my body. “Holy fuck,” he whispers to himself.

My cheeks burn so painfully at those two words. His eyes literally turn black as he looks over me again, in which he takes his sweet time, devouring me with his intense gaze.

“Ava, you look incredible.”

He places a hand delicately on my warm cheek and brings our lips together in a featherlight kiss. Oh, goodness. This is everything I need right now. I’m flooded with reassurance.

We pull away, but he keeps us close as he beams at me. I smile back when a set of unwanted eyes lands on us. The girl he was talking to is watching us like a hawk.

I’m convinced she’s trying to hide the daggers she’s aiming at me, but her expression is all over the place. I move away from Jax and hold out my hand. “Hi, I’m Jax’s mate, Ava. And you are?”

I didn’t know something so sickly sweet could come out of my mouth. She glances down at my hand and shakes it sloppily. “Maddy.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, twisting my head.

She drops my hand and flashes us both a tight smile. “Have a good night.”

We watch her walk away, and I shoot imaginary lasers into the back of her head. Jaxon stares back at me with a knowing smirk. “Who are you, and what the hell have you done with my Ava?” he says teasingly.

“I just wanted to say hi.” I let my lashes brush my cheekbone in an innocent gesture. “I thought it would go down better than what I made Rachel endure. I’d like to keep my eyeballs. Did you see the length of her fingernails?”

Jaxon barks out a laugh and cups my cheek again. “If I knew better, I’d think you were jealous.”

“Not jealous, just staking my claim,” I admit.

His eyes blow up in flames. “Goddess,” he hisses and dips his head to mine. “Is it bad that seeing you like this turns me on?”

My whole body betrays me by jolting at his words. The heat between my legs spreads, and I whimper silently. Goddamn this heat. I can barely survive this torture.

Instead of responding, I clear my throat and attempt a covering smile. “Happy birthday again. We promise to tidy up in the morning. It’s going to be a mess.”

He grunts and runs his lips over mine. “Couldn’t give a shit about the mess when I’ve got the best birthday present ever.”

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