Page 84 of Shadows of Obsession

I sighed, melting into him as the day's anxieties slipped into the background. The movie played on, its dialogue and music fading into a distant hum. All that mattered was the sound of his heartbeat beneath my ear, steady and strong.

"Anna..."

Jaxon's voice was a low whisper, tugging me back from the edge of sleep. His lips brushed against my hair, his breath warm, sending shivers across my skin despite the cozy comfort surrounding us. The touch was tender, almost hypnotic.

I blinked slowly awake and noticed the TV screen had gone dark, reflecting only faint shadows. Harper was gone. I hadn't even heard her leave. I wondered how long I had been out.

"Harper went up to bed a few minutes ago," Jaxon murmured, his tone quiet and intimate in the stillness. He shifted slightly, slipping one leg off the couch and helping me to my feet. My legs wobbled after being curled up for so long, and his hands at my waist steadied me.

The gesture was gentle but full of care, and it made my chest ache in the best way.

As we climbed the stairs, Jaxon dimmed the lights behind us, his movements unhurried and quiet so as not to disturb Harper, who was staying in Connor's room for the night. The steps creaked softly beneath our feet. I was acutely aware of his presence close behind me, the warmth radiating from his body, the steady rhythm of his breathing.

At the top of the stairs, we stopped outside the guest room. Jaxon's thumb brushed along my cheek, the roughness of his calloused skin tender against mine. He pressed a soft kiss to my temple, and warmth bloomed there, lingering even after he pulled away.

"Goodnight," he whispered.

But as he turned toward his room, something inside me resisted the distance. My fingers tightened around his hand, holding him there, a silent plea not to go.

"Anna—" Jaxon began, confusion flickering in his eyes as he turned back to me.

"Come to my room, Jax," I said softly, my voice steadier than I felt. My heart raced, but I didn't want to take the words back.

I gave his hand a gentle tug, urging him to follow. For a long moment, he just looked at me, his gaze searching my face, as if trying to understand everything I wasn't saying aloud. Then, almost mesmerized, he let me lead him down the hall, his eyes never leaving mine.

When we reached my door, I leaned against it, my pulse hammering so hard I was certain he could hear it. My breath caught as I met his gaze, silently asking if this was okay, if it was too fast.

Without a word, Jaxon reached behind me and twisted the doorknob, the metal cool beneath his fingers. He pushed the door open and stepped forward, his presence filling the narrow space between us. The hallway seemed to shrink around us, air thick with quietanticipation. He guided me gently inside, and the soft click of the door closing behind us sounded impossibly loud.

Inside, the air felt charged. The soft glow from the bedside lamp cast warm light across the walls, creating an intimate cocoon that seemed to shut out the rest of the world.

Jaxon stood a few feet away, his gaze steady but conflicted, desire and hesitation warring quietly behind his eyes. The space between us pulsed with unspoken energy that made my skin prickle. I could sense he wanted this, but was holding back.

I took a slow, deliberate step toward him, my heart pounding in my throat. Each movement felt like crossing a fragile line, but I didn't look away. His eyes held mine, grounding me, giving me courage.

Jaxon raised a hand to my cheek, his touch gentle but deliberate. As his fingers traced the curve of my jaw, a shiver ran down my spine, my breath catching. His touch was warm and familiar, even though we'd only just begun… whatever this was.

I leaned into his hand, my body relaxing as if drawn by some quiet magnetic pull. This closeness felt right, as though it was exactly where I was supposed to be. My hand rose to rest on his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heartbeat through the thin fabric of his shirt. It was strong and reassuring, a rhythm that matched the nervous excitement fluttering inside me.

Jaxon closed the gap between us, capturing my lips in a soft, tender kiss. It was hesitant at first, almost questioning, but soon it deepened, growing surer, more fervent. I melted into him, my hands roaming across his chest, my fingers slipping under the hem of his shirt to find the warmth of his skin. The warmth felt incredible.

His body was strong yet comforting, the hard planes of muscle grounding me in the moment, chasing away the last traces of fear. This was fundamentally different from Daniel. There was no possession here, no demand. Just invitation and choice.

Jaxon groaned softly, pulling me closer, his hands finding my waist. The low sound sent a thrill through me, pooling heat low in my belly. I wrapped my arms around him, drawing him deeper into the kiss. His touch was gentle but confident, his grip firm enough to convey desire without overpowering me.

When he lifted me by my thighs, I gasped against his mouth. He carried me to the bed with a smoothness that told me he understood the delicacy of this moment—no rushing, no assumptions, only care.

He set me down on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping beneath my weight, and crouched to meet my eyes. His expression was open, sincere, his hands resting lightly on my knees.

"Listen," he said, his voice low and steady in the quiet. "I want to stay the night, but I don't want to rush things. I just want to be with you, even if it's just to sleep."

The fact that he was offering me a choice, even now, was incredibly moving.

Warmth and relief flooded through me, equal parts gratitude and trust. I nodded, a soft smile curving my lips. "Okay," I whispered, my voice calm, sure.

The understanding between us felt like a promise. To move at a pace that felt right for both of us. As Jaxon helped me to my feet, the tension in my shoulders eased, replaced by quiet peace.

I walked to my dresser and pulled out a pair of loose cotton shorts, the fabric soft and worn from countless washings. When I glanced back, Jaxon's gaze followed me, watching every movement with quiet intensity that sent a blush creeping up my neck.