Page 24 of Operation: Ogre

“That you yelled in Mummy Mocha? Oh, I’m embarrassed about that.”

I flushed.

“About you picking Hamlet for a project I don’t care about? Not at all.”

My shoulders sagged, and my gut uncoiled, making me feel quite weightless. “Good. Still, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

It wasn’t, but I was glad that he wasn’t mad at me. Giving him a small smile, I headed toward the cafeteria again. I was still holding his hand. I could probably let go, but… I shot Jaxon a glance, only to find that he was already looking at me. Unable to help it, I smiled brightly at him. Yeah, I didn’t need to hold his hand. I wanted to, though. I wasn’t going to think about why, because we were just friends, and instead, just kept holding him.

His hand did engulf mine rather wonderfully. His skin was warm and super soft. His grip wasn’t too tight, though it wasn’t loose either. Honestly, his hold made me feel safe and calm, like I could get through anything, do anything.

My eyes returned to Jaxon yet again. No. I really didn’t want to let his hand go.

The rest of the week passed so slowly, like a damn snail taking a Sunday walk. I’d smiled and tried to act normal, but every time Jaxon had done something nice, my heart had leaped in my chest, sending my pulse racing. It had been a very confusing week. Carter and Sam’s words circled in my head continually, and all of the treats, smiles, and gentle touches were enough to have me wondering.

But I couldn’t wonder. Jaxon liked Aaron. That was all there was to it.

By the time the weekend rolled around, I felt like it had been an entire year while I had aged ten. I was dragging. All I wanted to do was lie on the floor and read. That was it. Maybe cuddled up with Jaxon, not that it would happen, but that was what I wanted to do, not go to a party. Why had Jaxon agreed to go? I mean, he’d said it was up to me, but how the hell was I supposed to say no when this was an opportunity for Jaxon and Aaron to connect? Except that reason alone made me want to say no.

When we got into our room after class, I dropped my bag and collapsed to the floor with a loud groan. I starfished out and planted my face against the worn-down carpet.

“That’s filthy,” Jaxon commented, stepping over me.

“Fuck you,” was all I said, and he laughed. The deep rumble sounded like rocks rolling down a cliff and sent an equally powerful quake through my body. I’d heard the sound hundreds of times before, and yet it was met with such an unfamiliar sensation, an awareness that I equally liked and hated.

I really couldn’t deny it, could I? I mean, I had tried. Repeatedly. But this week had made something very clear to me. I had a crush on Jaxon.

Fuck my life.

Huge hands clasped my waist and made me gasp as I was lifted off the ground like I weighed nothing at all. I squeaked, “Jaxon, put me down. I am not travel-sized.”

Another deep chuckle rumbled. “You basically are. To me at least.” He sat down and plopped me onto his lap.

My cheeks lit on fire. What the fuck? Yes, we often cuddled, but he never initiated it like this.

Jaxon slid his arms around my waist, one hand spanning my waist, and rested his chin on my shoulder. “Are you sure you want to go tonight, baby?”

Nope. Now I was on fire. This was actual heat. That “baby” thing was new. He’d randomly started a couple of days ago and hadn’t stopped, even when we were alone. Jaxon was giving me hope, and he really needed to stop. I couldn’t hope. Not for this. Not for us. It was too much for that unnamed panic that kept clawing out of the box I’d shoved it into.

I swallowed, but my voice was far higher-pitched and strained than I would like when I said, “We have to go.”

“No, we don’t.”

“Aaron will be there.”

“So?” he asked. “Why does that matter?”

“Are you being serious right now?” I started to get off his lap, but Jaxon held tight, keeping me firmly in place. I sighed. “The plan. You can’t have forgotten the plan.”

“I haven’t, but maybe I’ve decided to tweak it a bit.”

I glared at him, not that he could see it. “Then you should’ve told me. I have this whole thing planned out.” The ideas were literally on the board. I’d added more over the week, different ideas to force the two of them together. He could’ve added his tweak, but no. Apparently not. Jaxon was no help. Literally. Whenever we’d actually run into Aaron, Jaxon hadn’t even cared. Instead of flirting, he’d been completely focused on me. So damn annoyingly attractive, but not according to the plan that was on the board, all clearly labeled.

“I don’t think you’re quite ready for the change I’ve decided to make.” His fingers played with the hem of my shirt before sliding under it and teasing my skin.

Shivering, I asked, “How drastic can it be?”