"Always have, Mads," I murmur into her hair, the words a promise, a vow. "Always will."
She nestles closer, her body relaxing completely against mine, tension melting away until she's boneless in my arms. I hold her a little tighter, a silent promise in the pressure of my arms, in the kiss I press to her temple, in the way my hand splays protectively across her back.
As she drifts off to sleep, her breathing evens out, her body growing heavier against mine. I stay awake a little longer, savoring the weight of her against me, the soft sound of her breathing, the way she fits perfectly in my arms. It’s like she was made to be there, like this is exactly where we're both supposed to be.
And maybe it is. Maybe all those years of waiting, of watching, of wanting—maybe they were just leading us here, to this moment. To each other.
I don't know what happens next. I don't know if she'll wake up tomorrow with her guard back up, regretting this, pulling away.But right now, with her in my arms, I can't bring myself to care about tomorrow.
Right now is enough. She is enough.
More than enough.
She's everything.
35
MADISON
Jaxon’s arm is still wrapped around me when I wake up, his breath tickling my ear on every exhale. I could stay here for hours, perfectly content, but coffee is calling my name.
I carefully wiggle out from under his arm and grab his discarded shirt from the ground, tugging it on as I make my way to the kitchen.
Right as I’m pulling a mug out, the front door shuts softly, and I jump as in walks Lyla.
“Where the hell did you end up last night?” I ask her, popping in the coffee pod and pressing start. One of my very favorite scents hits my senses as it starts brewing.
“I could ask you the same, but it would more so be “who” did you do last night?” Lyla fires back. With how she’s looking this morning, she must’ve had one hell of a night. “Montgomery’s truck is sitting in the same spot it was when I left last night.”
I grab the peppermint creamer from the fridge while my coffee finishes brewing; I make sure to add enough so I can barely taste the actual coffee.
“Well?” she presses. “Was it good?”
My cheeks heat a little as I take the first sip of my coffee. I can’t help the smile that takes over my face.
She squeals. “I knew it!”
“Knew what?”
Both of our heads snap towards the shirtless man standing in my bedroom doorway, trying to wipe the sleep from his eyes. His brown hair sticks up in every direction, and all he’s wearing are sweatpants hanging low on his hips, and my mouth instantly goes dry.
“Yeah, I stand by my statement. Like a fucking tree,” Lyla cackles. “I’m heading to shower before you two go at it on the island. Don’t contaminate my food space!”
Her door shuts before Jaxon even makes sense of what just happened.
“I have zero clue what just happened,” he confirms, his voice still thick with sleep.
Setting my coffee on the counter, I walk over to him, his eyes taking in the shirt I’m wearing, as well as my lack of any other clothes. They heat instantly, matching the feelings I’m sure are evident in my own.
“She thinks we’re going to fuck in the kitchen.” I shrug nonchalantly.
“I think the bed works better.” He grabs me by the waist, lifting me. My legs wrap around his middle while my arms wind around his neck, securing me to him as he turns around and walks back into my room, kicking the door shut as he goes.
I can’t help but laugh as he throws me gently onto the mattress. He lays over top of me, careful to keep his full weight from crushing me. Brushing my hair out of my face, he plants a soft kiss on my lips.
“You know, for a second there, I thought you’d snuck out of your own place to avoid an awkward morning after conversation.” He tries to keep his tone light, but I can see the truth in his eyes.
"Jax, please. If I were sneaking out, I wouldn’t have headed straight for the coffee pot. I’d have at least grabbed my keys first," I say, trying to lighten the mood.
