Page 72 of Shadows of Obsession

I looked up at Jaxon, his words pulling me out of my thoughts. The idea of being in a vehicle with Jared made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

"I... I'm not sure, Jaxon." My voice came out lower than I intended. "The idea of being in a small space with him makes me uncomfortable."

I shifted in my seat, pulling my knees up to my chest, trying to make myself smaller. The thought of being trapped in the Jeep with Jared, his eyes on me, that calculating look he always had, made my skin crawl. I knew I simply couldn't endure it.

Jaxon nodded, and I saw understanding in his eyes. He got it. He knew his brother made people uneasy.

"I get it," he said, his tone gentle in a way that made my chest ache. "But I'd feel a lot better if you were with me. I'm not really comfortable leaving you here alone, even though the other guys will be outside. I'd just worry too much."

He reached over and lightly touched my hand. The warmth of his skin made me want to cry, the sudden kindness overwhelming for reasons I couldn't fully explain.

I hesitated, biting my lower lip. I could see the worry in his eyes, the genuine concern. He wasn't just saying it; he really was worried about leaving me here.

"I don't know," I said softly, my voice trailing off. "It's just... he's not exactly someone I feel safe around." That was the understatement of the century.

Jaxon leaned forward, his gaze steady on mine. "I know. But what if we take your truck instead of the Jeep? Jared can sit in the back, away from you. You wouldn't have to be near him." He paused, searching my face. "What else could I do to make you feel more comfortable?"

His voice was almost pleading, and I realized how important this was to him. He needed to know I was safe, to not worry about me while dealing with his brother. He'd already done so much for me.

I sighed, nodding slowly. "If we do that, he stays in the back the whole time," I said finally. "The whole time."

Relief washed over Jaxon's face, and he smiled. "Absolutely. He stays in the back, and we get in and out of town as quickly as possible. I just don't want to leave you here alone."

I gave him a small smile, appreciating his concern. It wasn't ideal, not even close, but it felt good to know that Jaxon was looking out for me. Even if it meant dealing with Jared for a while, I could handle it for his peace of mind. I could do this for him.

After we finished eating, Jaxon excused himself, saying he needed to shower and wash off the smoke and ash from the fire. I nodded, watching him head upstairs, then turned to clean up the kitchen.

I gathered the dishes from the table, rinsing them under warm water before loading them into the dishwasher. The sound of running water and the quiet hum of the house helped ease my mind, gave me something to focus on besides the image of that cabin burning.

I wiped down the counters, sweeping crumbs into my hand before tossing them into the trash. Despite everything, the kitchen felt oddly comforting. The soft glow from the under-cabinet lights, the distant creaks of the house settling. It made me feel at home in a way that surprised me.

When the kitchen was tidy, I headed upstairs to get ready for bed. My muscles ached from the tension of the evening, and all I wanted was to curl up with a book and forget about fires, and Jared, and all the things that made me anxious.

As I walked down the hallway, I passed the bathroom door just as it opened.

I stopped short.

Jaxon stepped out, a towel wrapped low around his waist, droplets of water clinging to his broad shoulders. We almost collided, both of us freezing, eyes locking in surprise. The sight of him was arresting.

My eyes widened as I took in the sight of him. I couldn't help it. My gaze trailed down from his damp hair to his defined chest, following the lines of muscle down to where the towel hung dangerously low on his hips.

Water traced paths down his skin, and I found myself following their journey with my eyes, heat flooding my cheeks. I commanded myself to stop staring immediately.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice teasing.

I snapped my gaze back to his face, finding him smirking at me. The knowing look in his eyes, the amusement dancing there, made my stomach flip. He had caught me staring.

"Uh, no. I mean yes, I'm... I'm fine," I stammered, backing away. My voice came out higher than normal, breathless. "Just, um... was going to my room."

I shifted to the side and hurried down the hall, avoiding his gaze, my face burning.

Jaxon's low chuckle followed me, echoing softly down the hallway, making me blush even harder as I closed the door behind me and leaned against it.

I couldn't believe how I'd just reacted, like some teenager seeing a boy shirtless for the first time. But the image of him in nothing but that towel was impossible to shake: the defined muscles, the water glistening on his skin, the way he'd looked at me with that smirk.

I pushed off the door and settled into my reading nook with a book, trying to distract myself. But my thoughts kept drifting back to him, the concern in his eyes, his gentle touch, the way his voice softened when he spoke to me.

It was so unlike anything I'd experienced with Daniel.