Page 135 of Shadows of Obsession
We sat like that for a moment longer, the evening sounds surrounding us, the creak of the porch swing, the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Everything felt perfect, suspended in time, a moment I wanted to capture and keep forever.
Then Jaxon's arms tightened around me as he rose from the swing in one fluid motion that caught me completely off guard. I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck and clinging to him as my heart raced at the sudden movement. The warmth of his body seeped through our clothing, enveloping me in a cocoon of safety and love and quiet desire.
"What are you doing?" I asked breathlessly, my eyes wide with a mix of surprise and excitement, my legs wrapping around his waist as he held me effortlessly.
A deep, rumbling chuckle emanated from his chest, vibrating against me in a way that made heat pool low in my belly. He gazed down at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief and adoration, and with that particular look that meant he had plans for us.
"Taking you to our room," he replied, his voice low and filled with promise. "To celebrate."
With a playful wink that sent a shiver down my spine and made my breath catch, Jaxon carried me through the doorway. He used his foot to gently push the door closed behind us, and the soft click of the latch seemed to echo in the quiet of the cabin, a reminder that we were now truly alone in our shared space.
As Jaxon ascended the stairs, I marveled at the strength and gentleness of his embrace, the way he held me as if I were the most precious treasure in the world, despite knowing my weight, knowing I wasn't some delicate flower. But he made me feel delicate. Cherished. Protected without being controlled. This is what it should feel like. What it always should have felt like.
The rhythmic sound of his footsteps against the wooden steps and the soothing beat of his heart against my ear filled me with a sense of contentment and belonging unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Each step felt symbolic, climbing toward our future, toward this life we were building together.
When we reached the bedroom—our bedroom, with my books on the nightstand now, my clothes in the dresser, my presence unmistakably woven into the space—Jaxon carefully lowered me onto the bed. The soft mattress welcomed my body like a gentle caress, and I sank into the plush comforter that smelled like fabric softener and us
Fresh linens blended with Jaxon's warm, masculine scent, filling my senses as I settled against the pillows.
As he hovered over me, his weight supported on his forearms, his eyes filled with a mix of love, desire, and something deeper that made my breath catch. My hands traced a slow, sensual path down his chest. I felt the firm planes of his muscles beneath his T-shirt, the way they jumped under my touch. My fingers left a trail of heat in their wake, igniting a fire deep within both of us I could see reflected in his darkening eyes.
"I could get used to this," I murmured, my voice low as I laid back fully and stretched my arms above my head. The movement arched my back slightly, and I watched Jaxon's gaze track the motion, appreciative and hungry in a way that made me feel powerful and desired.
Pride and adoration shone in his eyes as he drank in the sight of me, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip in an unconscious gesture that made my pulse race. His heart was visible in his expression, the knowledge that I was his, just as he was mine. That we had chosen this. Chosen each other.
"Good," he replied, his voice rough with emotion and desire as he leaned down to press a kiss to my collarbone. "Because I don't plan on getting tired of it."
I stirred from my slumber, the first golden rays of the morning sun filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow over the bedroom. The light painted soft, hazy patterns across the walls, promising another beautiful late-summer day.
As my eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep, I became aware of the solid warmth beneath my cheek, Jaxon's bare chest, rising and falling with each steady breath. His arm encircled my waist, holding me close in a protective embrace that had become as familiar as breathing.
A contented smile played on my lips as I traced a finger lightly along his chest, reveling in the feel of his smooth skin, the definition of muscle beneath, the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat against my palm. I could have stayed like that forever, wrapped in warmth, safety, and love.
But the day was calling, and I had horses to care for, cabins to check on, a business to run.My business. Still can't quite believe it.
Reluctantly, I extracted myself from the bed, moving carefully so as not to wake him. The morning air was cool against my skin as I slipped out from under the covers, raising goosebumps on my bare arms. I padded softly toward the bathroom, my feet silent on the hardwood floor.
The hot water of the shower cascaded over my body, soothing muscles pleasantly sore from last night's activities. Steam billowed around me, fogging the mirror and filling my lungs with humid warmth as I washed away any lingering traces ofsleep. The vanilla scent of my body wash, now permanently stationed in our shower, made me smile.
When I stepped out, I wrapped myself in a plush towel still warm from the heated rack Jaxon had installed last week. I felt refreshed and energized, ready to face whatever the day would bring.
When I made my way back into the bedroom, still wrapped in the towel with water droplets clinging to my shoulders, I found Jaxon sitting up in bed. His back rested against the headboard, his dark hair adorably mussed from sleep, and his eyes, still slightly heavy-lidded but very much awake, followed my every movement.
I could feel the weight of his gaze on me as I moved toward the closet. Appreciative and warm, filled with the kind of desire that never failed to make heat pool low in my belly. A delicious shiver ran down my spine despite the lingering warmth of the shower.
With my back turned as I selected clothes for the day, jeans and a tank top practical for barn work, I couldn't help but chuckle softly. There was something playful in the air, something light and happy that made me feel bold. "Like what you see?" I asked, a teasing lilt in my voice.
"Always," Jaxon replied without hesitation, his voice still rough with sleep but filled with undeniable affection and heat that made my cheeks flush.
I heard the mattress dip as he rose from the bed, his footsteps soft as he came to stand behind me. Then his strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against his solid bare chest, he placed a tender kiss on my temple. His lips lingered against my skin, and I felt his breath stir my damp hair.
"Why are you up and dressed so early?" he murmured against my ear, his breath tickling and sending a pleasant tingle down my spine that made me shiver in his arms.
I shrugged within his embrace, turning my head to catch his eye. "I don't know, I just woke up and figured I'd get going." The truth was, I'd been filled with this restless energy lately, this need to be productive and useful, to prove to myself every day that this life was real, that I deserved it. "I was thinking about making breakfast at Connor's to surprise him. Want to come?"
Jaxon's eyes lit up at the prospect of sharing a meal with our family, because that's what the three of us were now. Family. "Absolutely," he answered without hesitation.
Reluctantly, he loosened his hold on me and stepped back toward the bathroom. "Give me ten minutes?"