I clear my throat. "That's what happens when you sleep the whole way, Sleeping Beauty."
She lets out a soft laugh, then fumbles for her seatbelt before I step out and walk around the car, opening her door.
She blinks up at me, then takes my offered hand, her fingers curling around mine as she lets me pull her up. And just like that, that tension—the thing that's been building between us—is back. It's thick. Heavy. It wraps around us like a second skin, making every little movement feel important.
I should let go of her hand.
I should, but I don't.
Her breath catches slightly, her fingers twitching in mine before she quickly pulls away, rubbing her hands over her arms.
I follow her up the walkway to her apartment, the night air cool but not nearly enough to settle the heat simmering under my skin. I feel her beside me, aware of her every step, the way she's keeping just a little too much space between us, like she feels it too.
When we finally reach her door, she turns to me, and for a second, we just…stand there.
Watching. Waiting.
Her lips part like she wants to say something, but nothing comes out. Her fingers tighten around the edges of her cardigan, her weight shifting from one foot to the other.
She's nervous.
"Thanks for taking me, Jax," she finally says, her voice softer than usual, more careful.
I swallow, my pulse thrumming a little harder than it should as I take a step closer to her. "Thanks for coming."
She nods once, then looks down, exhaling through her nose like she's trying to steady herself. I step closer to her, not knowing exactly how far to push tonight. The need to kiss her, tofinallykiss her, is starting to overpower any other thoughts in my mind.
Bringing my hand up, I tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her breathing is unsteady, her lips barely parted, and I swear, I can feel the warmth of her exhale against my jaw.
My other hand twitches at my sides, aching to reach out and thread both hands into her hair, to kiss the ever loving shit out of her perfect lips.
As if she can hear my thoughts, her eyes flick down to my mouth—just for a second.
It's barely anything, but it’s also everything. I shift slightly, my chest brushing against hers, the warmth of her body seeping into mine like it's meant to be there.
She doesn't move away, doesn't stop me.
That’s the moment I know.
She wants this too.
The realization crashes over me, stealing my breath, sending a surge of want, deep and undeniable, roaring through my veins.
I'm about to close that last inch when the door to her apartment flies open.
"Well, hell to the ooo, what do we have here?" Lyla's voice is pure mischief, and I don't even have time to react before Madison jumps away from me like she just got caught doing something illegal.
Her face burns red. "Nothing! Goodnight! Bye!"
She flees inside before I can even process what the hell just happened. I blink, my chest still tight, my pulse still pounding from the moment that was so close to happening.
Lyla leans against the doorframe, spoon hanging out of her mouth, a pint of ice cream tucked in her arm, eyes practically dancing with amusement.
She takes the spoon out with a smirk. "Damn. So close."
I exhale, running a hand down my face. "You really have the worst timing."
"Or maybe the best," she quips, taking another bite.
