جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

The sunlight streaming into Brielle’s bedroom felt different that morning. Maybe it was because her body still hummed from the night and morning she’d spent wrapped up in Jaxon Reed. Maybe it was because her lips still felt swollen from kissing him until she forgot where she ended and he began. Or maybe it was because every time she closed her eyes, she saw the way he looked at her afterward… like she was the only thing in the world worth worshiping. Whatever the reason, the glow stayed with her while she showered, while she dressed for work, while she brushed her hair and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked soft. Warm. Lit from inside. Her coworkers said “You look happy today,” and she tried miserably to hide the stupid smile that insisted on creeping up her face. She blamed him. Every time her mind drifted, it went straight back to the feeling of his arms around her, the sound of his sleepy laugh in her ear when she stole another kiss, the way he whisper

Even after weeks of falling into each other, after every kiss that turned into another and every night that melted into a morning Brielle still felt that rush in her chest every time she saw Jaxon waiting for her after work. Today was no different. She stepped out of the shop, smoothing her hair, trying not to smile too widely. Jaxon stood beside his truck, leaning back against the door like he had been counting the seconds until she came out. His tie was loosened, sleeves rolled up, eyes warm the moment they landed on her. “There she is,” he murmured, pushing off the truck and walking toward her. She barely had time to drop her bag before he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her slow, deep, lingering. The kind of kiss that made her toes curl and her thoughts blur. “Jaxon,” she breathed against his mouth, pretending to scold him, “we’re still in public.” “Not for long,” he whispered, kissing her again, gentler this time, like he could devour the whole day off her lips.

The living room lights were low. just the soft amber glow of the lamp in the corner, washing the walls in warmth. The kind of light that hugged shadows close and turned every breath into anticipation. Brielle wasn’t sure when she’d ended up half beneath Jaxon on the couch, but she knew exactly how it happened. They’d been talking. Laughing. Teasing. Then something shifted quietly, powerfully. Now her back was pressed into the cushions and Jaxon hovered above her, his breath brushing her cheek, his hand warm against the side of her waist. He wasn’t touching her fully yet, but his body was close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him. The kind of heat that seeped into her bones. The kind that made her shiver. Jaxon’s voice dropped to that low, rough tone he only used when he was seconds away from losing control. “Brie…” The single word slid over her skin like a touch all on its own. Her fingers curled in the fabric of his shirt, pulling him down just a little w

“We should… probably get up,” Brielle finally said, though she didn’t move an inch. “No we shouldn’t,” he countered instantly, pulling her hips closer and burying his face against her shoulder like he was trying to physically fuse them back into the bed. “I vote we stay right here forever.” She laughed softly. “I have to work.” He groaned dramatically. “Why?” “Because that’s what responsible adults do.” Jaxon lifted his head just enough to press a slow, lingering kiss to the edge of her jaw. “I liked last night better. No responsibilities. Just you.” Her heart fluttered so hard it stole her breath. “Come on,” she said gently, though her voice wavered. “If you keep kissing me, we’re never getting out of bed.” His grin was wicked. “That’s the idea.” But eventually after several more “just one more” kisses that very nearly derailed the morning entirely they disentangled themselves, still brushing against each other, still giving in to soft touches every chance they got.

Brielle had slept curled against Jaxon the entire night, safe under the weight of his arm, safe in the soft exhale of his breath against her hair. He was her calm after everything. He was the warmth she reached for without thinking. But the world outside didn’t stop just because they were wrapped up in each other. The following morning, she kissed him goodbye soft, lingering, reluctant and headed to work. Her body still hummed with the memory of his closeness, her skin warm where his hands had been, her heart fuller than it had been in years. She walked with a glow she couldn’t hide. But the moment she rounded the corner to the shop entrance, the glow broke. Kayla was waiting. Leaning against the brick wall, arms crossed, lips curled in a smile that wasn’t a smile. Her eyes were sharp. Red-rimmed. Unhinged. Brielle stopped several feet away, heart tightening not with fear, but with anger. Pure, steady anger. Kayla pushed off the wall slowly, sauntering toward her like a sto