Maybe it was good because Penn and I bonded over being the unwilling stars of viral social media humiliation. Or maybe it was the ticking clock and our complete surrender to it. But when he’d said it was all about him first, I hadn’t expected him to drop to his knees and slip between mine.
For a moment, I’d braced for my ex’s move—take what you want, leave her cold. But no. Penn had taken pleasure in pleasuring me. Either he’s one of a kind, or I’m in some peppermint fantasy.
A door opens behind me, jerking me back to reality. “Morning, Jaylynn.” I shift, and the tray wobbles dangerously. Jaxon’s gaze drops to it. “Oh, shit. Let me help.”
Relief floods me as he takes it. “Thanks. Just let me get the door.”
I slip the key in, conscious of the nightgown I’d been hoping could pass as a casual dress. I nudge the door open with my foot, hand reaching for the tray. “When did you get in?” I ask, trying for breezy, though one of his teammates is very much in my bed. Penn and I are faking a relationship, so I guess Jaxon will soon find out.
“Late last night. I’m only here for the weekend. Games right up until the twenty-second.” He keeps hold of the tray. “Hey,” he says, voice dipping a notch, “I’m sorry about…well, you know.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“Mom said you’re running the festival this year.”
I nod.
“It’s going to be amazing.” His smile is warm, reassuring. I hope he’s right. I need this to go flawlessly. And when I think of Penn, somehow wrangling himself onto the float as Santa, a grin tugs at my mouth.
“I can take that,” I say, trying to wrestle the tray from Jaxon without sending our breakfast airborne.
“It’s fine, I’ll carry it in.” Before I can argue, he’s balancing it effortlessly on one palm and nudging the door open. “How many people are you feeding?” he teases, then freezes mid-step. “Oh. Hey, Penn. Shit, sorry. I didn’t realize.”
I’m still half in the hallway when Penn’s low, sleepy voice drifts out. “It’s okay. Need a hand with that?”
Dear God, please don’t get up. He’s still naked.
“No, uh, I got it,” Jaxon says quickly. I don’t know why my cheeks are burning. We’re consenting adults, for crying out loud.
“Didn’t realize you were back in town,” Jaxon says.
“Yeah. Just laying low.” His voice has that edge—awkward, careful. Is it because of the Santa fiasco? Because he’s naked in my bed? Or something else entirely? Why do I sense that it’s something else entirely?
I push into the room. Penn’s gaze locks on me. “Breakfast,” I announce a little too brightly, my cheeriness about as subtle as a marching band at eight a.m.
“I’ll just get out of your way.” Jaxon moves past me. “See you guys later.”
“Beer tent!” I blurt out like an idiot. “Be there or be square.” Oh my God. Did I just channel my grandfather? From him, such a saying is charming. From me, I sound like the town weirdo.
“You bet,” Jaxon says, and slips out.
The door clicks shut, and my eyes dart back to Penn. “Sorry about that.” He watches me, brow knit, then pulls his knees up, resting his hands there. “Coffee,” I say, because that’s safe ground, and start pouring two oversized mugs.
He takes his. “Thanks, Jay.”
I set the plates on the little table. “Hope you’re hungry. I went overboard.” I glance back. He’s staring into his coffee like it holds the secrets of the universe.
“Everything okay? I know that was awkward, but… we are pretending. Jaxon is going to find out we’re a couple.”
He shakes his head. “Yeah, you’re right.”
Then he throws back the sheets and stands, stark naked, morning glory on full display.
Well. Hello.
“I’ll just make a quick trip to the bathroom,” he says casually, leaving me gripping my coffee like it’s a lifeline.
I watch his very fine backside disappear into the bathroom, but a knot twists in my stomach. Call it intuition, but something tells me there’s… something between him and Jaxon. And not the good kind of something.