Page 82 of Shadows of Obsession

My fingers traced soothing patterns over his biceps and chest, following the gradual release of tension in his muscles. I could feel him unwinding beneath my touch, the rigid lines of strain melting away until only calm remained.

With a shuddering breath, Jaxon gathered me close in an all-encompassing embrace, burying his face in my hair as he simply held me. His arms wrapped around me completely, one hand splayed across my back, the other cradling the back of my head.

This closeness, this intimacy, it was more than physical. It felt like something fundamental had shifted between us, as if we'd crossed an invisible threshold. There would be no going back to friendship, to polite distance, to boundaries that once kept us safe.

And I didn't want to go back.

The warmth of his body pressed against mine was grounding, anchoring. I could feel his heartbeat gradually slowing to match my own, could feel his breathing even out. My arms slipped around his neck, and I tucked my face into the curve where his shoulder met his throat, breathing him in.

"I've got you," he murmured against my hair, his voice rough but steady. "I'm not going anywhere."

I nodded against his shoulder, my eyes slipping closed as I let myself simply exist in the moment—safe, wanted, held.

For the first time since Daniel, I wasn't afraid of this kind of closeness. I wasn't afraid of what it might mean or where it might lead.

With Jaxon, I only felt whole.

CHAPTER 24

Anna

"Is it safe to come in yet?" Harper's voice echoed through the den, breaking the intimate moment between Jaxon and me.

Jaxon chuckled softly, the warm rumble of his laughter vibrating against my neck where his face was still nestled. The sound sent pleasant shivers down my spine, his breath warm and tickling against my sensitive skin.

Suddenly, I was lifted. His strong arms slid beneath me with effortless strength. A small gasp escaped me at the unexpected movement. Jaxon cradled me securely as he stood, sweeping me to my feet like I weighed nothing. His hand cupped my face, the calloused pads of his fingers rough but tender against my flushed cheek. His other hand came to rest at the curve of my hip, holding me snug against the solid wall of his chest.

I could feel the heat of him through our clothes, could breathe in his scent—something distinctly masculine. Leaning in, he brushed a feather-light kiss against my temple, his lips leaving a scorching trail in their wake that made my eyes flutter closed. I wished I could stay there forever.

We stood entwined in that quiet, intimate embrace, cocooned in each other's presence. The rest of the world faded away, until the sound of approaching footsteps reached us from outside.

Harper's slender figure appeared in the doorway, and my cheeks burned even hotter. One of her delicately arched brows lifted as she took in the scene before her. Me wrapped in Jaxon's arms, both of us looking thoroughly kissed and disheveled.

"Yeah, I knew there wasn't any talking happening in here," she said dryly, folding her arms across her chest as she leaned against the doorframe. A teasing pout curved her lips. "Just so you know, everyone else has been gone for twenty minutes now. But I was nice enough to give you two some alone time."

I realized twenty minutes had passed in what felt like seconds.

Jaxon grinned unrepentantly, making no move to put any distance between us. "Thanks for the warning, Harper," he replied easily, his rich voice light despite the interruption.

I felt his gaze drop to me, and I knew he was taking in my flushed cheeks, the way I instinctively leaned into the solid strength of his frame. Even with Harper watching, I didn't want to move away from him.

Harper's eyes danced with barely contained excitement as she pushed off the doorframe and plopped down onto the sofa cushions. "So, I take it this is the official start of girls' night, then?" she asked impishly, grinning from ear to ear. "Normally it takeswaylonger to get to the juicy boy talk, but I think we can jump right in this time. Don't you, Anna?"

I heaved an exaggerated sigh, resigning myself to the inevitable barrage of questions and teasing Harper was about to unleash. I started to pull away from Jaxon's embrace, intent on joining her, only to have him catch my hand in a gentle but insistent grip.

His fingers sent sparks dancing across my sensitized skin as he tugged me back against him. I looked up at him with wide, questioning eyes. I wondered what he was doing.

My unspoken thought was answered before I could voice it. With casual confidence, Jaxon leaned in and claimed my lips in a scorching kiss that obliterated every coherent thought. His free hand drifted up to cradle the back of my head, holding me firmly in place as his mouth moved over mine in unhurried, thorough exploration.

Oh my God.

The kiss was deep and claiming, completely unapologetic about the audience we had. I melted into him, my fingers clutching at his shirt as the world tilted on its axis.

When he finally released me, I was dazed and breathless. My lips tingled, my heart hammered, and my knees felt distinctly unsteady.

Jaxon's eyes danced with playful fire as a wicked smirk curved his mouth. "Talk about that," he said huskily, glancing past me at Harper. I registered the boldness of his challenge to Harper.

Giving my fingers one final squeeze, Jaxon stepped back, his expression perfectly casual. "I'm going to go clean up the yard," he informed us, as though he hadn't just set my blood simmering with that searing kiss.