Page 83 of Shadows of Obsession

With a parting wink that made my stomach flip, he turned and headed for the kitchen, the patio door sliding shut behind him.

I stood frozen, cheeks flushed and heart racing as I stared at the door he'd just exited. The boldness of his move, paired with that easy, understated confidence, left me feeling an intoxicating blend of surprise, desire, and bone-deep warmth. He had intentionally kissed me like that in front of Harper.

When I finally managed to turn back toward Harper, I found her practically vibrating with excitement on the sofa, eyes wide with delight.

Her reaction was instant and utterly unrestrained. Her whole face lit up as she leapt off the sectional and bounded across the room toward me. She grabbed my hands, bouncing on the balls of her feet, radiating unfiltered joy.

"Holy shit, Anna!" she squealed, a grin stretching from ear to ear. "Did that really just happen? That was, like, straight out of a freaking romance movie!"

Unable to resist the infectious energy rolling off her, I dissolved into laughter, my cheeks heating to an even deeper shade of pink. As my initial shock melted into giddy warmth, I let myself bask in the moment, letting Harper's boundless enthusiasm wash away the stress of the past few days. I realized this was real, actually happening.

Abruptly releasing my hands, Harper took a small step back, crossing her arms over her chest with a sly grin. Tossing her long redhair over one shoulder, she cocked her head in mock nonchalance that fooled no one.

"So?" she prodded impishly. "Are you going to tell me everything, or do I have to get down on my knees and beg? Because you know I'm absolutely not above begging if it means getting the juicy details."

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, fighting a losing battle against the giddy smile tugging at my lips.

"I promised I'd tell you if anything happened, didn't I?" I said with a theatrical sigh, deliberately playing up my put-upon tone for her benefit.

A breathless little giggle escaped me as I stole a quick glance toward the kitchen door Jaxon had disappeared through moments before. My skin still tingled with the ghost of his touch, his kiss. My pulse fluttered wildly as I dropped onto the plush sectional with a soft whump, the cushions embracing me.

"But I definitely didn't think he'd just... you know, do that right in front of you!"

Wasting no time, Harper plopped down beside me on the sofa, turning so she faced me fully. Her eyes were wide with unrestrained curiosity as she leaned in conspiratorially close. The scent of her floral perfume mingled with the lingering aroma of the cookout smoke, grilled meat, and warm summer air.

"Honestly?" She let out a breathy laugh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind one ear. "I didn't see that bold move coming either. But I could tell something intense was brewing between you two. It was only a matter of time before it came to a head. The sexual tension was palpable!"

She nudged my knee with hers, grinning impishly. "So come on, don't leave me hanging! What's the full story here? When did this even start? And, most importantly..." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, dark eyes sparkling. "Is our brooding stud seriously invested, or is this more of a casual 'thing'?"

Unable to resist her infectious enthusiasm, I chuckled, shaking my head. For a moment, I was at a loss for where to even begin unpacking the tangled mess of emotions that had taken root between Jaxon and me. I needed to figure out where to start.

"It's... complicated," I admitted finally, shrugging helplessly. My brow furrowed as I searched for the right words to capture the whirlwind of the past few weeks.

Harper groaned dramatically. "Don't give me that!" she objected, rolling her eyes with theatrical flair. "You know 'complicated' is my favorite kind of story." She poked a teasing finger into my ribs, grinning unabashedly. "So spill it, girl! You know I won’t let up until I get every tiny, delicious detail. Might as well get it all out now."

I drew a deep, steadying breath as a small, genuine smile tugged at my lips. The warmth of Harper's friendship wrapped around me like a blanket. She would never judge—only listen, offering support and an open heart. I knew she deserved to know, and I needed to tell someone.

Slowly, faltering at first, I began to tell her how Jaxon and I had started to grow closer over the past few weeks. The more I spoke, the more the words began to flow. With each confession, tension drained from my shoulders, replaced by a quiet sense of relief. Soon, my story spilled out in a breathless rush.

By the time I'd shared every juicy detail, Harper and I had settled deeper into the couch, the mood light and easy once more. We queued up a marathon of chick flicks, a bowl of buttery popcorn and a chilled bottle of white wine between us. The scent of butter mixed with the floral notes of the wine, and Harper crunched happily beside me.

We laughed loudly, poking fun at the movies' most over-the-top moments and swapping stories about our most awkward dates. The room glowed with the soft light of table lamps, their warm hues casting playful shadows that danced across the walls.

The evening's rhythm shifted when Jaxon slipped in quietly, phone in hand. I caught the faintest sound of his camera as he snapped a candid photo of Harper and me huddled together on the couch, wine glasses raised, laughing at something ridiculous on-screen. The soft click was barely audible over the movie's soundtrack.

His entrance brought an easy, grounding energy that turned the already friendly atmosphere into something even warmer, like a quiet family gathering where everyone knew one another's stories and could simply be.

Jaxon settled into the corner of the sectional, stretching his legs comfortably in front of him. He seemed only half-interested in themovie, his attention flicking between the screen and his phone, the faint blue glow lighting his face in the dim room. Harper, who had been talking nonstop, her words growing more animated with every glass of wine, finally began to quiet down. Her laughter softened into an occasional chuckle as the alcohol's mellowing warmth took over.

I took advantage of the lull to scoot closer to Jaxon, shifting along the couch. The cushions dipped beneath me as I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to assume too much or make him uncomfortable.

But Jaxon didn't hesitate. He slid an arm around my waist, his touch warm and sure, and guided me smoothly across his lap until I was nestled between his legs. The movement was effortless, instinctive, like we'd done it a hundred times before. It felt entirely natural.

I adjusted slightly, resting my head against his chest. My hair brushed against his jawline, and his familiar scent wrapped around me. The steady rhythm of his breathing lulled me, the gentle rise and fall of his chest creating a soothing cadence that made my eyes flutter closed.

When I glanced up at him through my lashes, his eyes were soft, his mouth curved in a small, content smile. The tension and uncertainty that had shadowed him earlier seemed to have melted away, replaced by a quiet ease that wrapped around us like a warm blanket.

Jaxon tightened his hold, resting his chin lightly atop my head. The gesture was simple, but it carried the weight of a thousand unspoken words. His solid warmth surrounded me—protective, steady, real.