by C R Riley
When he selected the table upstairs, he did so because it backed up against the wall. Blocking him from getting approached from behind. He expected his friends to sit in the chairs next to him, leaving the other seats open for the ladies. When they spread out around the table, it took all he had in him not to leave. The thought of him seated so near a stranger, one that was unaware of his sensitivity to physical contact, bothered him tremendously and spiked his anxiety.
All he could do was stare at the crowd below. All while he hoped and prayed his coldness deterred the last woman from choosing the chairs next to his. What he didn't expect was that her selecting the chair right in front of him would force him to focus on her. Usually, it was easy for him to overlook or not notice a woman at all. But Johannah was not an unnoticeable woman.
Johannah wore her hair in a longer pixie style that framed her face perfectly. She was a brunette, with streaks of blond highlights throughout it. There were just enough of them to draw attention. And the way her hair bounced when she moved, told him she wasn't a woman to plaster her lovely hair in place. Meaning the sparkle that radiated off of it was natural.
That style of hair was popular in his world amongst women. Even those who had longer hair tended to wear it up. If he had to guess, he'd assume it was so they looked more powerful, rather than sexy. And until tonight, he would have had to agree that the style did just that. Not that women needed to appear powerful and less attractive to be taken seriously in the business world. At least he didn't believe they should need to do that. After all, he didn't like following those rules, just look at him. Jaxon was the opposite of what others believed a successful businessman should look like. So, he saw no reason a woman couldn't wear her hair long and have the same outcome.
Johannah certainly offered him a new perspective on his views about all that. Shorter hair on a woman could absolutely come across as sexy on the right woman, and she was that woman. Powerful and sexy, trapped in a tall slender curvy body, one he couldn't help but notice. A woman who understood she could use both to her advantage.
Men noticed her right away, swarmed her the instant she stepped foot onto the dance floor. She didn't seem to appreciate the attention like her friend Kendra did. If a man was overly aggressive in his pursuit, she quickly let him know that it was unwise to assume all women liked that. He wasn't sure how she got them to back off so easily, but she did with only a few words and body language. She danced with several men but never hung on them like so many others were doing. In fact, she didn't touch them at all. Other than maybe taking their hand briefly while they swayed or spun around. Even kept an appropriate distance when slow dancing. All while she upholds verbal communication with her partner. Making Jaxon believe that was her way of keeping things casual. And she never danced with any man more than three songs to keep it light. Which all seemed to work out for her, until one man decided he wanted more, started tilting his head toward hers. It didn't take long for her to block him and then step away.
Jaxon was about to hurtle the top railing of the second floor when he witnessed it playing out. He essentially rose to his feet in protest. Why he wasn't sure, since he had no claim on this woman at all. Plus, never in his life had he ever desired to do something so bold. Forgo all his fears to make sure a woman didn't receive an unwelcome advance.
He is pleased when he observes her retreating for the stairs after she made her point. It has been a few hours since they all descended to the floor below. Only making limited appearances as a group to rehydrate and rest. He'd listened to them chat, even joined in when asked a direct question.
Mostly, though, he watched Johannah as she interacted with his friends. How she could flirt with both men, not interfering with the rapport they had going on with the other ladies. Even how she kept an eye on him, doing her best to get him to relax. She teased him about being the best looking, anti-social man she had ever met. Even got him to cachinnate a few times when she shared about some of the guys she had encountered on the dance floor. Tried to challenge him, to prove he had a better game than all those other men hitting on her did.
But Jaxon couldn't chance it. Couldn't work up the nerve. He wasn't able to throw his body amongst the sea of strangers where he wouldn't be unable to avoid getting touched. That thought alone had his palms sweating. Thankfully, Johannah never pushed him. Only suggested he didn't know what he was missing when they all disappeared again.
This time she is making the trip back alone. And for some strange reason, that pleases him more than it probably should. His friends are busy occupying the other two women. Or at least Austin is. He is doing his best to secure the attention of Paige. The two of them have danced only with each other and seem to be hitting it off rather nicely.
Both Kendra and Geoff seem to mingle with the entire room. Making sure the other noticed when they danced with someone else. Definitely a game they both like playing, but one he sensed was dangerous. They appear to feed on each other's jealous behavior once they came together again. Letting those jealous notions encourage them to express their attraction for each other. He recognized where that was likely to lead later.
This time when Johannah sits down, she drops into the seats next to him. Sliding the chair slightly away first. Ensuring she isn't sitting right on top of him, but he can still very much sense her presence.
"So, tell me Jaxon." Johannah takes a sip of the water she snagged on her way to the table. "Is your plan to just stare at me all night or do you eventually plan on making your move? I figured if I danced with enough men down there, you'd get tired of watching. Frankly, I'm beginning to wonder if maybe it's my imagination and all. I swear, every time I glanced up, I caught your eyes on me."
Jaxon is taken back a few by her boldness. "I haven't been staring all night."
Johannah snickers and that sound has Jaxon closing his eyes, so he can put it to memory. He never wants to forget what that sounds like. And that's when his world tilts off its axel because of what happens next. It should have sent him into a panic, given that he wasn't expecting it. Yet, for the first time in twenty-five years, he has a very different response.
He slowly opens his eyes and focuses on the feminine hand resting on his forearm. Right now, he should be experiencing the need to move and retreat. His stomach should revolt and his head should be pounding. The heat from her touch should be so powerful that it makes his skin burn. Making it feel as if it is on fire, forcing him to yank it out from under her touch.
But none of those reactions are happening.
Instead, all he feels is her soft skin against his. A touch his body seems to accept without question. It's a nice warm sensation with a profoundly different kind of heat. A welcome heat that warms his blood while it awakens something deep inside him.
How that is possible is beyond him. Which can only explain why he responds the way he does.
After slamming down the drink, he has been nursing all night, Jaxon stands and seizes her hand in his. Something else he has never done before is hold a woman's hand like this. The sensation of it captured in his has his heart pumping harder than he imagines is healthy. He is suffering from the hammering it is doing against his chest, making him feel more alive than he ever has.
Jaxon doesn't say a word to her. He starts leading them to the stairs, dragging her behind him. Thankfully, she follows without questioning or putting up a fight. He isn't sure what he would have said or done had she been hesitant.
Bumping into a few bodies along the way has him very mindful that they aren't alone. He is most definitely agonizing from the unwanted contact. Although at this moment he couldn't care less about how all that will affect him later once he is alone. Right now, he is more interested in the effect Johannah is having on him.
He has never once taken a chance and danced with a woman, not once. Right now, that is exactly what he plans to do. Even though he knows it could be a very horrible idea. Jaxon shoves his way through the crowd, not letting up on the grip he has on her hand. No
r does he glance back to establish how his behavior is influencing her.
"Excuse me," Jaxon repeats as he tries to make get through. "Pardon me. Could you all give us some space, please?" He requests to a few others, using a tone that grabs their attention.
They seem to recognize him and move only for that reason. It doesn't bother him they are staring, as long as they move. At the moment, all he wants to do is figure out what is going on between Johannah and him.
Why is her touch so different from any he has ever come into contact with before? She's not the first woman to place a hand on him, although none of them have ever caused him to react like this.
The beat changes as soon as they get settled in on the dance floor. Jaxon finally rotates to face Johannah. He closes his eyes again because he is unsure of what to do now. It's not like he has ever done this before, although he has watched so many others get their groove on. It can't be that difficult, right? He starts overthinking his decision until he experiences her hands land on his hips. That move captures his attention and lures his eyes to meet hers.
"Move like this," Johannah delicately applies pressure to each side, while shifting her own. "Let your body feel the music."
Jaxon does as she suggests, and then immediately misses her touch when she drops her hands. He concentrates on the beat to Rockabye, the way it makes his body thud. Her body sways to the beat and he wishes he could focus on it because it is truly amazing.
Instead, the panic builds again. He suddenly realizes how close he is to the other bodies that are all around him. While no one is bumping into him at the moment, he is certain they will soon. Possibly even reach out and touch him like they are doing to others close by. He noticed earlier how they often did that while he surveyed from above. His head shifts about frantically until her fingers direct his face back to her.
"Stop worrying about everyone else. Watch me. Focus on me." Johannah orders, and since she is taller than most, it's easy for him to appreciate only her. "You've never done this before, have you?"
He nervously agitates his head. "Crowds. Others so close. Freaks me out." Jaxon pitches forward so she can hear him.
Her fingers settle on his arm as she speaks directly into his ear. Her hot breath does something unexpected to him. "We don't have to do this, you know. You have this look of panic on your face."
"I want to," Jaxon reaches out with his other arm and wrap his hand around her elbow.
This is all so new and exciting to him, so he isn't sure if she is moving closer or if it is his imagination. However, he soon realizes she has shifted forward because he has dragged her closer. The heat from her body is so close that it is doing things to him he has never dared to fantasize about before. His hand slides to her back, at the same time hers travels up his arms and to his shoulders.
They dance like that for a while. Her hands resting on his shoulders, while his hand is secured against the small of her back. He is deeply engrossed at that moment with her. Almost forgetting about everyone else around them.
Until his other hand is snatched up and fire swiftly travels up his arm. It burns instantly, so he tries to shake it off, except he can't seem to remove his hand from the stronghold.
Twisting his head so he can glare at the woman with long red hair that has a death grip on him. "Do you mind?"
Johannah gently glides her hand down his arm. Instantaneously putting the fire out with her caress. "I'll take that, thank you. Go find your own man to harass, this one is mine." She states while dislodging the woman's hand from his.
The redhead receives the message, leaves to go find a more willing soul. Glancing back once, as if jealous of Johannah.
"Better?" The astonishing woman in his arms asks.
Jaxon nods once as he watches her position his other arm behind her. Yeah, that is better for sure. Why didn't he think of that in the first place?
"So, you don't like being touched, do you?" The question slips out of her lips without judgment.
"No." Jaxon tightens his hold on her and she freely steps closer. Now there is barely any space between them at all. "I never have, really. My mother was the only person I ever allowed to touch me at a young age."
A sweet, thoughtful smile grows across her face. "Does that mean you've never danced before? I mean seriously, you've always just watched until now."
"Johannah, there are a lot of things I've never done before," Jaxon admits. He then suffers from the contact of two familiar hands as they slap his back.
"Dude, what are you doing?" The concern in Austin's voice comes across loud and clear. "Are you okay?"
Jaxon doesn't move, he only pivots his head until he can encounter his friends' eyes, gauging the scene. He can't help but grin at the shocked expression he finds there.
"Yes. I'm fine. Johannah was getting bored with all those other guys." He even makes a joke, which seems to have Austin beaming.
Geoff responds for them both. "Dude, you never let anyone put their hands on you. You understand our concern, right? Sorry Jo, but this is kind of making me wonder if you Roofied our friend."
"Unless she slipped it in my drink magically, then no. And before you asked, no, I'm not drunk or high either. It's just her, so bug off." Jaxon warns his friends. "Leave, before I react to that smack that I can still feel blistering my back."
The guys don't leave; instead, they dance behind him. Making sure others don't bump into him. Jaxon can sense them back there, but he is familiar with their presence, so it doesn't bother him. He has learned to tolerate those two around him like that.
"Johannah, what you do to me." He whispers as he leans in closer to her. "Where have you been? Who are you? What are you doing for the rest of your life?"
Johannah starts to step back, so he tightens his arms around her. "Please, please don't leave me while I am so exposed like this."
And those words seem to be the magic ones.
Instead of backing away, she shifts closer as she slides her arms around his neck. Her cheek rests on his shoulder while her breath warms his neck. The imprint of her in his arms like this is something he never realized he needed until right now.
Chapter Four
The spray of the warm shower washing over her body does nothing to help Johannah settle down. Jaxon kept her out on the dance floor until the last call. After a while, he relaxed but never took his hands off of her. He was constantly stroking her back, arms, or hands. It didn't matter if the song was upbeat or slow; he did his best to keep her close. Never allowing her to wander farther than his arm's length.
The expression on his friends' faces entertained her and her friends. The men couldn't stop staring at the two of them or each other. It sounded as if his response to her was totally out of character. Something they hadn't witnessed before.
After the initial introductions, Johannah began to perceive Jaxon in a different light. She saw a man trapped by his inner demons. Could spot them in his eyes each time he looked at her. Therefore, each time she got the chance to talk to him throughout the evening, she had done her best to test if she could help. How she wasn't sure, but something about Jaxon intrigued her.
She has never been the kind of woman to toy with a man's emotions. Didn't see the point. If a man wasn't brave enough to approach her, then he wasn't lucky enough for her to care. Of course, there have been exceptions, which had been the case with Jaxon. It was as if he didn't have the choice but to stay behind while they all went off to dance. At first, she felt sorry for him, although that didn't last long. He didn't want or need someone feeling sorry for him. He needed someone to understand.
Two hours of dancing with a bunch of boring men did nothing but make her wish Jaxon were out there with her. She finally had had enough when one of those strangers dared to suggest she join him in his suite later. That was so never going to happen. For one, he didn't interest her at all. He was conceited and believed he was God's gift to all women. Then there was the fact that she didn't sleep around. Not her style at all.
The only man she came close to giving into was her long-term boyfriend of three years. Two years into the relationship, she was almost certain he would be her last. After an evening out on the town, things got a little hot and heavy at his place. And then when he asked her to stay the night, she'd seriously thought about it. The only reason she hadn't stayed was the fact she had a busy day that next day. Johannah had an interview with the Secret Service, so she needed to focus on her game. She got the job and a year later he broke up with her because of that job.
All her relationships since have been far and few between. Her last was over six months ago. It had only consisted of five dates and a very nice kiss. She thought they had potential. That is until she spotted the guy out with another woman who had a much less demanding career.
After the man on the dance floor invited her to spend the night in his room, she had had enough. Johannah decided it was time for her to make a move. Maybe she couldn't get Jaxon onto the dance floor, which she was fine with. But perhaps she could at least get him to open up to her. Something she had enjoyed getting him to do during each of her trips upstairs.
All night she had been talking and flirting with him. The man had a hidden sense of humor that slipped out every so often. He made her laugh more than once, and not necessarily on purpose. Plus, the way he watched her constantly made her very aware of the fact that he was attracted to her.