Page 77 of Shattered Rhythm

His brows rise in challenge, and I give in.

“I want you, Jaxon.”

“Good fucking girl,” he says before gripping my throat gently, pulling me to him, and fusing his lips to mine.

They’re soft, so soft, and he kisses me slowly, as if we have all the time in the world. My hands wander to his shoulders, the back of his head. His short hair is just long enough to pull, so I do, and he groans, deepening the kiss. His hand on my throat squeezes me for a second before it falls away, and he grips me on both sides of my hips, pressing me down on him. The bulge that is straining his jeans gives pressure to the most delicious area, and I grind into him.

He stops the kiss just to whisper a quick “Fuck,” then he’s back on me. The grip on my hips is nearly bruising, but I don’t mind, as it feels fucking fantastic. His hands are so large, his fingertips press into the top of my ass cheeks. His mouth wanders to my ear, where he bites my lobe.

“You’re perfect,” he whispers, then I can’t think straight anymore when he changes to open-mouthed kisses along my neck.

“Jaxon,” I murmur, and he chuckles into my collarbone.

“Tell me, sunshine, what do you need?”he asks.

Everything, nothing, anything.

“I…”

A knock on his door has me jerking away from him, eyes wide.

“Jaxon, we need to get going. We want to be at the studio when Liv gets in,” River says through the door, sounding muffled. Jaxon lets out a sigh but looks at me with a smirk. I try to stifle a laugh by biting my bottom lip.

“Coming!” he yells over my head. He leans down, biting my lip where it was just nestled between my teeth. “Don’t bite what’s mine,” he rumbles playfully, and my heart flutters in my chest. He takes hold of my hips and lifts me off his lap before standing and reaching out for my hand. “Let’s go, sunshine. We don’t want the twins to miss your rehearsal.”

I laugh.What a jerk.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE

Ryder

River and I are waiting at the door when Chase comes out of his room.

“Morning,” he says while pulling his curls into a bun on top of his head.

“Good morning,” River replies, but I don’t answer. I’m still angry with Chase, though not as much as I am with Jaxon, but still. Chase would never go against Jax, and right now, that’s what he needs—someone to knock some sense into him. Chase needs a reality check himself while we’re at it, because this dumbass is in this right along with us, and he needs to finally realize it. I don’t know how long I can handle this situation. My baby is hurting, I’m hurting, fuck, we’re all hurting because Mr. Tanner is a dumbass and Mr. Miller is a fucking chicken.

I huff, and River looks at me critically. Just as I’m about to tell him that we should go without Jaxon, the door opens, and I hear the sweetest sound. Liv is laughing as she comes out of Jaxon’s room, holding hands with him.

“Am I fucking dreaming?” I ask River, and he just smiles.

“Nope.”

Liv turns her head and smiles at us, a cute blush grazing her cheeks.

“Good morning, guys,” she says, and I think my mouth is hanging open.

“Well, hello gorgeous,” Chase says with a smirk. “Did you spend the night?”

Fuck, I didn’t even think about that,but it’s not jealousy I feel. I would be fucking relieved if they figured their shit out and we could finally start being happy. Liv laughs and shakes her head.

“No, I just came over to yell at Jaxon,” she says. I chuckle.

“Oh, that’s a nice morning activity, I can say from experience,” I joke. Liv laughs again, and Jax gives me a disapproving look.

“Anyway, I need to get going. I want to get some time in the studio before Chase has all his classes,” she says, moving over to give Chase a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you later,” she whispers to him, and I have to hide my smile at his dumbstruck face.Next, she’s turning to me, leaning in for a kiss on the cheek too, but I turn my head and capture her lips with mine. It’s just a short kiss, but I needed it, and the warmth in her eyes tells me she did too. Liv steps in front of River, and he pulls her in to a hug, kissing her on the lips as well.

“See you later, beautiful,” he says when he lets go of her. Liv turns and waves at Jaxon before stepping out the door and closing it behind her.

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