**Jax**

I blew out a nervous breath as I stopped near Piper. I held my hand out in invitation and raised a brow. Without a word, she took my hand, and that small amount of trust she gave me in that moment was all the encouragement I needed.

"Took you long enough," she said.

I rested my hand on the small of her back and led her onto the dance floor. Her skin was as warm and soft as I'd imagined, and heat spread from my palm up my arm. ...