Page 41 of Savage

I forced a smile, suddenly feeling uncomfortable as I didn’t know Jenna as well as my other cousins. She’d always been the quiet, timid type, hidden away in the background.

She pursed her lips, her tone serious. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Wynter. The way he did at the party that time when you weren’t looking. I know want when I see it. There’s a definite chemistry between you even though you both try to hide it.”

I shrugged, wanting to change the subject. “You think Jaxon wants me? Birth must have loosened a few cogs in your brain, Jen.”

“I mean it, Wynter. It was the same between Nixon and me in the beginning. He likes you but he doesn’t want to like you. He’s fighting it but he’ll fail in the end. You’re a good-looking girl and nice. What’s not to like?”

I couldn’t believe that we were discussing the possibility of Jaxon and me being an item. Her words were causing chaos in my brain and so I shrugged. “I’m too boring for someone like Jaxon.”

“You’re not boring at all. Don’t you think he’s attractive? You must fancy him.”

I glanced toward the door, if he came in and heard something, I would die where I sat. “Yes, I suppose so. He’s good-looking and has a great body but the guy’s forgotten how to smile. He isn’t my type at all.” I stated, a bit too firmly. It was at that moment that her words about chemistry penetrated that wall that I must have created and I realised she was right. I did like Jaxon more than I wanted to admit. Shit. Now what?

“And what would be your type?” Jaxon’s voice bled into the room like a sliced artery and my entire body stiffened. Fuck. How much had he heard? Damn, the situation was so not fixable.

Dread filled my entire body; I had to do some damage control and fast. If Jaxon knew I did have some type of feelings for him he’d crush them under his foot. The guy got off on torture and I had probably just given him an entire set of fictional thumb screws.

Lifting my chin, I pushed to my feet and turned to pin my gaze on his perfect face. I purposefully schooled my features into an expression of calm. “None of your business?” I stated in the most confident voice I could muster.

He sauntered over and stopped before me, his stance rigid, Nixon behind him. “You’re going to play that card when I just heard you talking about me.”

I huffed, folding my arms across my chest. A protective gesture. I glanced briefly at the floor willing it to open and suck me in before facing my demons. The giant Jaxon-shaped one. “My type would be the opposite of you basically,” I challenged with a curl of my lip. I kept it light.

“Bullshit. She’s been all over me like a rash Jenna.” Jaxon said with a mischievous wink.

“So, what, I think you’re good-looking but that’s it. You’re still a giant dick.”

Jaxon mirrored my stance and folded his arms, flicking an amused glance across at Nixon who had moved further into the room. “This is what I’m talking about Nix, Wynter has an unhealthy obsession with my dick.” He was so tall and broad and perfect. Muscles seemed to protrude from everywhere. The word dick made me want to look there, but I managed to refrain.

Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I stared straight through him, “Give me strength.” Looking at him directly with him being so close was doing odd things to my pulse.

What the fuck had Jenna unearthed?

“See how she doesn’t deny it,” Jaxon batted back with a flick of his wrist.

Nixon released a sigh and walked past us both toward the bed, shaking his head. “You two should just fuck and get it out of your system.” He said this under his breath but the message was clear.”

“Nixon, language; the baby,” Jenna hushed, scolding her husband.

“Sorry love.” He smiled with a cheeky grin.

There was an awkward silence, Jaxon and I purposefully not looking at each other and both watching the doting pair. Talk about a cat among the pigeons!

We were saved when the door suddenly burst open and Amy and Mason walked in. Thank fuck for small mercies. Well, one small and the other not so much as I eyed Mason’s big body.

Amy was so excitable, like a whoosh of fresh air as she almost skipped into the room, hugging us all and chatting about the traffic. Mason was carrying gifts and nodded his greeting. He was extremely handsome, just like his brothers. It appeared the younger two Boyd and Seth were not with them.

We must have been there for well over an hour. All positioned around the main event which was of course Jenna and her daughter. The banter flowed well and I felt comfortable joining in. I kept my eyes off Jaxon but could sense him close. There was a definite atmosphere between us. One created by the interference of my cousin.

Eventually, a nurse came in and told us off for the noise. She also stated that it was hospital policy that patients were only allowed two visitors at any one time.

As we all readied ourselves to leave, Amy tugged me to the side. “I haven’t seen you for ages. Do you want a lift back with Mase and me? We need to go by yours anyway?” she offered. Relief soared in my chest followed by a tiny shred of regret. That would ensure there were no uncomfortable conversations in the car with Jaxon. The mood between us both was now rather odd. It was like Jenna had unleashed something that had always been there but had been left unsaid. Now it was out there orbiting the space around us.

“I’ve come with Jaxon, Amy. Maybe we could meet up in town at the weekend?”

“We’re away at the weekend, come on. You don’t mind if she comes with us do you Jax?”

“Sorry?” Jaxon cut in as he came to stand beside us.

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