Page 11

J ax

Jax arrived at Lauren's apartment building with a paper bag from his favorite late-night deli in one hand and a bouquet of simple wildflowers in the other. The flowers had been an impulse purchase from an all-night grocery store, something he couldn't remember doing for a woman... ever, really. But Lauren seemed like the type to appreciate wildflowers over roses—less conventional, more natural.

He felt uncharacteristically nervous as he waited for her to answer the door. Three days away had given him too much time to think, to second-guess, to wonder if the connection they'd shared at the casino night and after was as significant to her as it had been to him.

The sound of the door opening pulled him from his thoughts, and then Lauren was there—still in the simple black pants and green sweater she'd worn to the arena, her blonde hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, her face lighting up when she saw him.

"You're early," she said, her smile easing his nerves instantly.

"Couldn't wait," Jax admitted, holding out the flowers with what he hoped wasn't obvious awkwardness. "These made me think of you."

Lauren accepted the bouquet, genuine pleasure warming her expression as she brushed her fingers over the colorful wildflowers. "They're beautiful," she said. "How thoughtful."

"I also brought sustenance," he added, lifting the paper bag. "Nothing fancy, just sandwiches from Mancini's. I figured you might not have eaten."

"You figured correctly," Lauren confirmed, leading him toward the elevator. "I went straight from the clinic to the arena. Dinner was a protein bar from the vending machine."

"I was surprised to see you at the arena," he said. "Good surprised," he added quickly.

"It was unexpected," Lauren agreed. "But when Officer Daniels mentioned they were short on security dogs, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for the shelter's service program." She glanced at him curiously. "Kane surprised me by wanting the team to meet the dogs."

Jax felt a flash of self-consciousness. "When we were discussing Oliver's anxiety management, I mentioned how animals can help with stress regulation. I think it was just perfect timing. We were thinking about getting Chenny a dog. Maybe Charlie."

"That would be great," Lauren said. "If Coach Vicky allows Charlie to travel with the team."

"As long as he stays away from her shoes."

"I'll put these in water," Lauren said, taking the flowers to the kitchen while Jax set the food on the dining table. "How was the road trip?"

"Two wins, one loss," Jax replied, unpacking the sandwiches. "Detroit's always tough, especially with their goalie on a hot streak. But we managed to take four points out of a possible six, which keeps us in playoff position."

Lauren nodded, retrieving plates from a cabinet. "The pressure of the playoff push seems to be affecting everyone."

"It is," Jax acknowledged, accepting the bottle of water she offered. "The dogs helped."

"Yeah, they did. It's tough with Liam out. Sven's doing his best, but he doesn't have Liam's experience. The team's having to adjust its entire playing style to compensate."

"Including you?" Lauren asked perceptively.

Jax nodded, settling into a chair at her small dining table. "My minutes are up. Coach has me playing a more defensive role, less of the traditional enforcer position."

"How does that feel?"

"Challenging," Jax admitted. "Good challenging, mostly. It's different using my size strategically rather than intimidatingly, if that makes sense."

"It does," Lauren said, taking the seat across from him. "It's like the difference between a guard dog that barks at everything versus one that's trained to respond only to genuine threats."

The analogy made Jax smile. "Always with the animal comparisons."

"Occupational hazard," she replied with a matching smile. "Besides, they're often apt." She unwrapped her sandwich, the conversation pausing briefly as they both took their first bites.

"So," Jax said after a moment, "service dogs at hockey games. Think it could become a regular thing?"

Lauren's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "The security supervisor seemed interested in establishing an ongoing partnership. It would be incredible for the shelter program—the exposure, the training opportunities, the potential for adoptions. More dogs in the public eye. What's not to love?"

"Not to mention the players who clearly benefited from the interaction," Jax observed. "I've never seen Ethan that calm after a game. Usually, he's bouncing off the walls."

"Animals have that effect," Lauren agreed. "They don't care about your stats or your contract value. They just respond to how you treat them in the moment."

"Like Penalty," Jax said, thinking of the kitten who now greeted him at the door each evening, neither knowing nor caring about his performance on the ice.

"Exactly like Penalty," Lauren agreed warmly. "How is our patient, by the way? When he's not destroying expensive shoes."

"He's getting more adventurous. Tried to climb the bookshelf yesterday. Nearly gave me a heart attack."

Lauren laughed, the sound warming Jax from the inside out. "That's actually a good sign. It means he's gaining confidence in the leg. Just make sure he doesn't overdo it."

"I've been thinking about getting him a companion, actually," Jax admitted. "Mr. Collins mentioned that bonded pairs often do better when their owners have irregular schedules."

"He's right," Lauren said. "It can significantly reduce stress-related behaviors. Did you have a specific cat in mind?"

"There's a three-legged tortoiseshell at the shelter," Jax said. "Been there six months. Everyone passes her by because of the missing leg, but she's got personality for days. Reminds me of someone else."

The implied comparison wasn't lost on Lauren, a flush rising to her cheeks. "Are you comparing me to a three-legged cat?"

"Stubborn, independent, beautiful, and tougher than she looks?" Jax countered with a smile. "If the shoe fits..."

Lauren rolled her eyes, but her smile remained. "You're impossible."

"So I've been told," Jax agreed amiably. "Usually by coaches and referees, though, not by beautiful veterinarians."

The casual compliment deepened the color in Lauren's cheeks, and Jax admired the way it contrasted with her blonde hair. She truly was beautiful, especially like this—relaxed, in her own space, her guard lowered.

"I missed you," he said suddenly, the admission slipping out before he could measure it. "These past three days. Is that strange to say?"

Lauren's expression softened, vulnerability replacing her usual composure. "No," she said quietly. "I missed you too."

The simple confirmation eased something in Jax's chest, a tension he hadn't fully acknowledged until it released. Setting aside his sandwich, he reached across the table, his hand open in invitation. After only a moment's hesitation, Lauren placed her palm against his, their fingers intertwining.

"This feels so surreal," she said. "I can't believe we've only known each other a month."

"Are we going too fast? Too slow?" Jax asked, genuinely wanting to know. He'd spent most of his adult life keeping people at a distance, focusing on hockey to the exclusion of meaningful relationships. The intensity of his feelings for Lauren after such a relatively short time both exhilarated and terrified him.

"I don't know," she admitted honestly. "Both? And yet..."

"It feels right anyway," Jax finished, squeezing her hand gently.

Lauren nodded.

"You're a professional hockey player in the middle of a playoff push," Lauren pointed out. "I'm a veterinarian with trust issues and an overbooked schedule. On paper, this makes no sense."

"And off paper?"

"Off paper, I can't seem to stop thinking about you. Or wanting to be with you. Or wondering what happens next."

The admission, so honest and unguarded, struck Jax with its significance. Lauren didn't strike him as someone who opened up easily, who admitted vulnerability readily. That she would do so with him felt like a gift he wasn't sure he deserved but was determined to honor.

Rising from his chair, he moved around the table, tugging her gently to her feet. When she stood before him, her head tilted back to meet his gaze, Jax reached up to cup her face with both hands, his touch reverent.

"What happens next," he said softly, "is whatever we want to happen. At whatever pace feels right. No pressure, no expectations. Just us figuring it out together."

Lauren's hands came to rest on his chest, the warmth of her touch penetrating his thin henley. "That sounds remarkably reasonable for a man who hits people for a living," she teased, though her eyes remained serious.

"I'm full of surprises," Jax replied, his voice dropping to a low rumble that made Lauren's breath catch. He leaned down, his lips hovering just above hers. "Want to discover a few more?"

Lauren's fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, tugging him closer. "Show me," she whispered against his mouth.

Their lips met in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened, weeks of building attraction igniting between them. Lauren's arms slid around his neck as she rose on tiptoes to meet him more fully, her body pressing against his. Jax's hands moved to her waist, then lower, cupping her ass and lifting her slightly.

Lauren made a small, surprised sound against his mouth, then laughed softly as he lifted her completely, her legs wrapping around his waist.

"Too much?" he asked, pausing to look at her face.

"Not enough," she countered, her fingers threading through his hair as she claimed his mouth again.

Jax walked them backward until Lauren's back met the wall, giving him leverage to press his body more firmly against hers. The friction pulled a groan from deep in his chest, his arousal evident against the seam of her pants.

"I want to see what's under these clothes," Lauren murmured against his neck, where she'd been placing hot, open-mouthed kisses. Her teeth grazed his skin, making him shudder.

"Same," Jax breathed, reluctantly lowering her back to her feet. "Bedroom?"

Lauren took his hand, leading him down the hallway to her room. She switched on a small lamp. The room reflected her—understated, elegant, with personal touches like the photographs on the walls and an overstuffed reading chair in the corner.

Turning to face him, Lauren reached for the hem of her sweater, a hint of challenge in her eyes. "You first," she said.

Jax grinned, appreciating her boldness. "If you insist," he replied, reaching behind his neck to pull his shirt off in one fluid motion.

Lauren's eyes darkened as she took in his exposed torso—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, defined abs, and a trail of dark hair disappearing beneath his jeans. But it was the marks of his profession that seemed to capture her attention—the bruises, the scars, the evidence of the physical toll his career demanded.

"My turn to look at the battle scars?" he prompted when she continued staring.

Lauren blinked, a blush rising to her cheeks. "Sorry," she said, reaching out to trace a particularly vivid bruise along his ribs. "Does this hurt?"

"Not right now," Jax said truthfully. "I'm very pleasantly distracted."

Her fingers continued their exploration, trailing over a scar on his shoulder. "And this one?"

"High stick, three years ago. Twelve stitches."

"And here?" Her touch drifted to a raised line near his collarbone.

"Beer bottle. Bar fight when I was twenty-one and stupid."

Lauren raised an eyebrow. "Do all these stories involve blood and poor decisions?"

Jax laughed softly. "Most of them, yeah."

"They tell your story." Lauren said, her fingers now tracing the hard ridges of his abdomen.

"I'd like to hear yours," Jax murmured, his hand catching hers and bringing it to his lips. He kissed her palm, then turned her hand to place another kiss on the inside of her wrist, where her pulse jumped beneath his touch.

"Later," Lauren replied, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Jax stepped closer, his hands finding the hem of her sweater. "May I?"

At her nod, he slowly lifted the garment, his knuckles deliberately grazing the soft skin of her stomach as he did so. Lauren raised her arms, allowing him to pull the sweater over her head.

The sight of her in a simple black bra, her fair skin flushed with desire, made his breath catch. "Beautiful," he murmured, his hands settling on her waist, thumbs stroking the bare skin just above her waistband.

"Your turn," Lauren said, her voice husky as her hands moved to the button of his jeans.

Jax watched, heart hammering, as she unfastened his jeans and slowly lowered the zipper. Her knuckles brushed against his erection through the denim, a touch so light it might have been accidental if not for the mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Tease," he accused softly.

"You haven't seen anything yet," Lauren promised, hooking her fingers in his belt loops and tugging him toward the bed.

They sat on the edge of the mattress, facing each other. Jax reached behind Lauren, his fingers finding the clasp of her bra. With a deftness that belied his size, he unfastened it, then slowly slid the straps down her arms.

"God," he breathed as the garment fell away, revealing her breasts. He loved that her pale pink nipples that hardened under his gaze. "I want to kiss every inch of you," he told her, his voice rough with desire.

"I'm not stopping you," Lauren replied, a tremor in her voice betraying her own need.

Jax leaned forward, his lips finding the hollow of her throat. He pressed soft kisses there, then along her collarbone, working his way down to her breast. When his mouth closed over her nipple, Lauren gasped, her fingers threading through his hair.

He lavished attention on first one breast, then the other, alternating between gentle suction and teasing flicks of his tongue. Lauren's breathing grew increasingly ragged, her hands restless in his hair, on his shoulders, urging him closer.

"Lie back," Jax whispered against her skin.

Lauren complied, scooting back on the bed and lying down. Jax stood, shucking his jeans and socks, leaving himself in only boxer briefs that did nothing to hide his arousal. Lauren's eyes widened slightly at the sight, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.

"Like what you see?" he asked, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

"Very much," she confirmed, her gaze traveling over him with frank appreciation. "Though I'd like to see more."

"All in good time," Jax promised, his hands moving to the waistband of her pants. "These need to go first."

Lauren lifted her hips, allowing him to slide both her pants and underwear down in one smooth motion. He took his time, trailing his fingers along her legs as he removed the garments, pausing to press a kiss to the inside of her ankle, her calf, the sensitive skin behind her knee.

When she was fully naked before him, Jax simply looked at her for a long moment, taking in every detail—the gentle curve of her hips, the small constellation of freckles across her stomach, the neatly trimmed patch of blonde hair between her thighs.

"You're staring," Lauren said softly, though she made no move to cover herself.

"Can you blame me?" Jax replied, his voice husky with desire. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

A blush spread from Lauren's cheeks down to her chest. "Come here," she said, reaching for him.

Jax moved onto the bed, positioning himself beside her rather than on top of her. His hand traced a path from her throat, between her breasts, down to her navel, his touch light but deliberate.

"Is this okay?" he asked, his fingers pausing just above where she wanted him.

"More than okay," Lauren assured him, her hips lifting slightly in invitation.

Jax's hand dipped lower, his fingers sliding through her folds, finding her already wet for him. "Jesus, Lauren," he groaned, circling her entrance without penetrating. "So ready for me."

"I've been thinking about this," she admitted breathlessly, her hips moving subtly against his hand. "About you touching me like this."

The confession sent a fresh wave of heat through Jax. He increased the pressure slightly, his thumb finding her clit while his finger slowly pushed inside her.

Lauren moaned, her head falling back against the pillow. "Yes," she gasped. "Just like that."

Encouraged, Jax added a second finger, curling them to hit the spot that made her breath hitch. His thumb continued its gentle circles, alternating pressure and speed as he watched her reactions.

"You're so responsive," he murmured, leaning down to kiss her neck, her collarbone, the swell of her breast. "So perfect."

Lauren's hands weren't idle, one gripping his shoulder while the other slid between them to palm his erection through his boxers. Jax groaned against her skin, momentarily losing rhythm as her fingers squeezed him.

"I want to taste you," he said against her ear, his breath hot on her skin. "Will you let me?"

Lauren's eyes flew open, darker than he'd ever seen them. "Yes," she breathed, the single word laden with need.

Jax kissed his way down her body, pausing to pay homage to her breasts once more, then continuing lower. He took his time, savoring the softness of her stomach, the sharp intake of breath when he nipped at her hipbone, the way her thighs trembled as he settled between them.

The first broad stroke of his tongue made Lauren cry out, her fingers tangling in his hair. Jax hummed his approval against her core, the vibration pulling another moan from her lips.

He was methodical in his exploration, learning what made her gasp, what made her thighs shake, what made her tug at his hair with increasing urgency. When he focused his attention on her clit while sliding two fingers back inside her, Lauren's back arched off the bed.

"Jax," she gasped, her internal muscles clenching around his fingers. "I'm close. So close."

"That's it," he encouraged, curling his fingers to hit that perfect spot while his tongue continued its relentless attention. "Let go, Lauren. I want to taste you when you come."

His words pushed her over the edge. Lauren cried out, her body bowing as pleasure crashed through her. Jax didn't let up, working her through the orgasm until she tugged weakly at his hair, oversensitive.

He placed one last gentle kiss on her inner thigh before moving back up her body, taking his time to press his lips against her stomach, between her breasts, the hollow of her throat. When he finally reached her face, he brushed a strand of hair from her flushed cheek.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion as he took in her glowing face. "Especially like this."

Lauren's hand came up to cup his jaw, her thumb tracing his lower lip. "That was..." she began, still catching her breath.

"Yeah?" Jax asked, genuine tenderness in his eyes as he studied her reaction.

"Mind-blowing," she finished with a soft smile, pulling him down for a lingering kiss. "These need to go," she declared, tugging at his boxers.

Jax lifted his hips, allowing her to pull the garment down and off. His erection sprang free, thick and heavy against his stomach. Lauren's eyes widened slightly, her hand wrapping around him with a gentle exploratory squeeze that made him hiss through his teeth.

"My turn to taste," she said, sliding down his body.

"Lauren, you don't have to—" Jax began, but the words died in his throat as her mouth closed over him, hot and wet and perfect. "Fuck," he groaned, his head falling back against the pillow.

Lauren took her time, exploring him with the same thoroughness he'd shown her. Her tongue swirled around the head before she took him deeper, her hand working what wouldn't fit in her mouth. Jax watched, mesmerized by the sight of her blonde head moving between his thighs.

When she pulled back to run her tongue along the underside, following a prominent vein, Jax felt his control slipping. He gently tugged at her shoulder.

"You need to stop, or this is going to be over embarrassingly fast," he warned.

Lauren released him with a final kiss to the tip that nearly undid him completely. "We can't have that," she agreed, moving back up to straddle his thighs. "I had plans for this."

"Oh yeah?" Jax asked, his hands sliding up her thighs to her waist. "What kind of plans?"

"The kind that involve you inside me," she replied, reaching between them to guide him to her entrance. "But first—” Lauren leaned over to open the drawer, giving Jax a perfect view of her breasts. He couldn't resist lifting his head to capture one nipple in his mouth, sucking gently as she searched.

"Distracting me isn't helping," Lauren chided, though she made no move to pull away.

"Multitasking is important," Jax replied against her skin.

Lauren finally retrieved a condom, tearing the packet open with her teeth—a move that Jax found unexpectedly hot. She rolled it onto him, her touch firm but gentle.

"Ready?" she asked, positioning herself above him once more.

"I've been ready since I first saw you yelling at me in your clinic," Jax admitted, his hands steadying her hips as she began to sink down onto him.

They both groaned as she took him in, inch by deliberate inch. Jax fought the urge to thrust up, letting Lauren set the pace as her body adjusted to his size. When she was fully seated, she paused, her hands splayed on his chest, her eyes closed in concentration.

"You okay?" Jax asked, his thumbs tracing circles on her hipbones.

Lauren nodded, her eyes opening to meet his. "More than okay," she assured him. "Just give me a second. It's been a while, and you're not exactly small."

Jax grinned at that, unable to help the surge of male pride at her words. "Take all the time you need," he said, one hand rising to cup her breast, thumb brushing over her nipple. "I'm enjoying the view."

Lauren began to move, slowly at first, rising up until he nearly slipped free before sinking back down. Jax let her control the tempo, his hands alternating between her breasts, her hips, her thighs, touching her everywhere he could reach.

As her confidence grew, so did her pace. Jax met her halfway, his hips rising to match her downward motion, driving himself deeper with each thrust. The sight of her above him—head thrown back, breasts bouncing with each movement, a flush spreading across her chest—nearly undid him.

"You're so beautiful," he told her, his voice rough with exertion and emotion. "So fucking perfect, Lauren."

Her rhythm faltered at his words, her inner muscles clenching around him in a way that made him see stars. Jax took advantage of the moment to flip their positions, rolling them so Lauren was beneath him without breaking their connection.

Lauren gasped, her legs wrapping around his waist to pull him deeper. "Don't stop."

Jax established a new rhythm, deeper and more controlled. He angled his hips to hit the spot that made Lauren's breath catch, her nails digging into his shoulders. When her movements became more erratic, he reached between them, his thumb finding her clit.

"Come for me again," he urged, feeling his own release building at the base of his spine. "I want to feel you come around me."

The combination of his words, his touch, and the relentless pressure inside her pushed Lauren over the edge. She cried out his name, her body arching beneath him as waves of pleasure washed through her. The pulsing of her inner muscles around him triggered Jax's own release. He buried his face in her neck, groaning her name as he came harder than he could remember.

For several moments afterward, neither moved. Jax remained braced above her, careful not to crush her with his weight, their bodies still joined, their breathing gradually slowing.

He took care of the condom in the adjoining bathroom, then returned to find Lauren watching him with unabashed appreciation. She'd pulled the sheet up to cover her lower half, but her breasts remained exposed, a sight Jax didn't think he'd ever tire of.

"See something you like?" he asked, deliberately flexing as he crossed back to the bed.

Lauren rolled her eyes. "And here I was, about to commend you on your humility."

Jax chuckled, sliding back into bed beside her. "Sorry, Doc. Professional athlete. We're not known for our modesty."

"True," Lauren conceded, curling into his side as his arm wrapped around her. "Though I'm learning you have plenty of other redeeming qualities."

"Oh yeah?" Jax prompted, trailing his fingers lightly up and down her arm. "Like what?"

"Well, you're surprisingly gentle for someone so large," Lauren began, her hand coming to rest on his chest, directly over his heart. "You're patient. Attentive." Her voice softened. "Kind."

The simple assessment touched something deep in Jax. He'd spent his career being valued for his size, his strength, his willingness to fight. To be seen beyond that—to be valued for qualities often overlooked in his profession—felt unexpectedly significant.

"You make it easy," he said quietly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

They lay together in peaceful quiet, skin cooling in the night air, the events of the evening settling around them. Jax felt more relaxed than he had in months, the constant pressure of the season, the expectations, the physical toll all temporarily forgotten in the warmth of Lauren's bed.

"Stay," Lauren said softly, the word more request than demand.

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away," Jax assured her, tightening his arm around her shoulders. "Though I should warn you—I'm a cuddler."

Lauren laughed, the sound vibrating against his chest. "I suspected as much. Big tough hockey player with a soft center."

"Don't tell anyone," Jax said with mock seriousness. "I have a reputation to maintain."

"Your secret's safe with me," Lauren promised, her eyes already beginning to drift closed. "Just like you're keeping mine."

"What's that?"

"That despite all my logical objections, all my careful boundaries," she murmured, sleep beginning to claim her, "I'm falling for you, Jax Thompson."

The quiet confession stole Jax's breath. He watched as Lauren's breathing evened out, sleep claiming her before he could formulate a response. But as he held her against him, feeling the steady beat of her heart, Jax realized he was already well past falling.

He was already there.

LAUREN

Lauren awoke to the unfamiliar but not unwelcome sensation of warmth against her back, a heavy arm draped protectively over her waist. Sometime during the night, they had shifted positions, with Jax curved around her, his large frame engulfing her smaller one in a protective embrace. His steady breathing against her neck indicated he was still deeply asleep.

Carefully, so as not to wake him, she checked the time on her phone. 6:15 a.m. She needed to be at the clinic by eight, but the thought of leaving the cocoon of warmth and safety they'd created was surprisingly difficult.

Lauren allowed herself a moment to simply exist in the unfamiliar intimacy, to acknowledge the rightness she felt despite the unexpected turn her life had taken. Jackson Thompson—enforcer, gentle giant, man of surprising depth—had somehow breached the careful walls she'd built around her heart, and she didn't mind at all.

With reluctance, she began to extricate herself from his embrace, only to feel his arm tighten slightly around her waist.

"Where you going?" he mumbled, his voice gravelly with sleep.

"Work calls," she whispered, turning in his arms to face him. "Some of us don't have the luxury of sleeping in after road trips."

Jax's eyes opened, dark and warm as they focused on her face. His hair was mussed from sleep, his usually controlled expression soft and unguarded. Lauren thought he had never looked more appealing.

"What time is it?" he asked, making no move to release her.

"Early," she admitted. "But I need to shower and check on a patient before my first appointment."

Jax nodded, reluctantly loosening his hold. "Responsible as always."

Lauren smiled at the gentle teasing in his voice. "One of us has to be."

His answering smile was interrupted by a massive yawn that he made no attempt to hide. "Sorry," he said afterward. "Four games in four nights catches up with you."

"You should go back to sleep," Lauren suggested, brushing her fingertips along his jawline, enjoying the rasp of morning stubble against her skin. "I need to get ready anyway."

Jax caught her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her palm that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. "If you insist," he conceded, though his eyes remained on hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

"I do," she said firmly, though her reluctance to move was becoming increasingly problematic. "You need your rest. Big game next weekend."

At the mention of the game, something shifted in Jax's expression—a shadow of the responsibility he carried, the pressure of the last game of the regular season. "Philadelphia," he confirmed. "Wilson will be gunning for me one last time."

The reminder of Brady Wilson—the Phantoms' player whose cheap shot on Ethan had triggered Jax's viral fight—sobered Lauren immediately. "Will you..." she began, then hesitated, unsure how to phrase the question.

"Fight him?" Jax supplied, understanding her concern. "Not if there's any way to avoid it. But if he takes runs at Ethan or Oliver again..." He left the implication hanging.

Lauren nodded, appreciating his honesty even as it reminded her of the violence inherent in his profession. "Just be careful," she said finally. "I've grown rather attached to that face."

A slow smile spread across Jax's features, warming his eyes. "Have you now?"

"Don't let it go to your head," Lauren warned, though she couldn't quite suppress her answering smile. "Your helmet barely fits as it is."

His laugh was deep and genuine, the sound wrapping around her like a physical embrace. "There she is," he said fondly. "The sharp-tongued Dr. Mackenzie I met that first night."

"She never left," Lauren assured him, finally forcing herself to sit up. "She just expanded her assessment based on new evidence."

"And what does your assessment conclude now?" Jax asked, his playful tone underlaid with genuine curiosity.

Lauren looked down at him—this complicated man who fought on ice but treated injured animals with infinite gentleness, who intimidated opponents but slept with a protective arm around her all night.

"That you, Jackson Thompson, are far more than your stat sheet suggests," she said honestly. "And that I'm very glad Penalty found you in that parking lot."

Something softened in Jax's expression, vulnerability briefly visible in his usually guarded features. "Me too," he said simply, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "More than I can say."

The moment hung between them, weighted with unspoken emotion, until Lauren reluctantly broke it by rising from the bed. "I really do need to shower," she said apologetically.

"Go," Jax encouraged, settling back against the pillows. "I'll be here when you're done. Unless you'd rather I leave?"

The question carried no pressure, just a genuine desire to respect her space. It was this, perhaps more than anything, that cemented Lauren's response.

"Stay," she said. "There's coffee in the kitchen. Make yourself at home."

As she gathered clothes and headed for the bathroom, Lauren looked back at Jax Thompson in her bed, in her home, in her life. It felt right.