Relax, princess. I'll give you a real one later

Relax, princess. I'll give you a real one later
Amara’s POV

Jaxon’s car rumbled beneath us as he pulled out of the school parking lot, one hand lazily gripping the steering wheel while the other rested on the gear shift. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, making everything feel warm, golden—almost too perfect.

I tried to ignore the way my heart sped up just being near him.

“So,” he drawled, flicking his gaze toward me, “did anyone give you trouble about the mark?”

I huffed, crossing my arms. “No. But thanks to you, Lily wouldn’t shut up about it all day.”

Jaxon grinned, clearly proud of himself. “Good. I like knowing people see it.”

I rolled my eyes, looking out the window. “You’re so possessive.”

His hand suddenly left the gear shift, fingers trailing along my thigh. My breath hitched.

“You like it,” he murmured, voice low, teasing.

I swallowed, refusing to meet his eyes. “You’re delusional.”

Jaxon chuckled, giving my thigh a gentle squeeze before returning his hand to the wheel. “Whatever you say, princess.”

But the smugness in his tone told me he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

At the spotlight the light turned red, and Jaxon tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, turning to look at me. His golden eyes were sharp, filled with something unreadable.

I shifted under his gaze. “What?”

“Come here,” he said, his voice softer now.

I blinked. “What? Why?”

Instead of answering, he reached out, cupping my chin between his fingers, tilting my face toward him. His thumb brushed my lower lip, slow and deliberate, making my breath hitch.

“I don’t like how far away you’re sitting,” he murmured.

My heart pounded. “Jaxon, we’re in the middle of traffic—”

But before I could finish, he leaned in, brushing his lips against mine—just the faintest tease of a kiss. Not enough. Not nearly enough.

I exhaled shakily, my fingers curling into my lap.

And then—honk!

The car behind us blared its horn, snapping me out of the daze.

Jaxon smirked, completely unbothered as he put the car in gear and started driving again.

I gaped at him. “Did you just—”

“Almost kiss you?” He flashed a grin. “Yeah. I did.”

I smacked his arm. “You jerk!”

He just laughed. “Relax, princess. I’ll give you a real one later.”

I turned away, face burning, but I couldn’t stop my lips from curving into a small smile.

I hated how much I wanted that real kiss.

Jaxon didn’t take me straight home.

Instead, he turned onto a back road, winding up a hill until we reached a secluded spot overlooking the entire city. The view was breathtaking—golden rooftops, winding streets, everything bathed in the warm hues of sunset.

I turned to him, suspicious. “Why are we here?”

He shut off the engine, leaning back in his seat. “Thought you’d like it.”

I frowned. “Since when are you the romantic type?”

Jaxon smirked. “Since you.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but his fingers were already tilting my chin up again, forcing me to look at him.

This time, there were no interruptions.

Jaxon leaned in slowly, giving me every opportunity to pull away. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.

His lips met mine, soft but insistent, teasing but demanding. A slow burn spread through me as his fingers slid into my hair, pulling me closer.

I melted against him, my hands gripping his hoodie as the kiss deepened. He tasted like coffee and something distinctly Jaxon—something I knew I could get addicted to.

When we finally pulled away, I was breathless.

Jaxon rested his forehead against mine, his thumb stroking my cheek.

“See?” he murmured, lips brushing against mine again. “Told you I’d give you a real one.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding.

Yeah.

I was so screwed.

My breath was still uneven as I sat there, lips tingling from Jaxon’s kiss. The world outside the car was quiet, the soft hum of the evening air wrapping around us.

Jaxon leaned back against his seat, his golden eyes watching me with lazy satisfaction. “You okay there, princess?”

I shot him a glare, though it lacked any real heat. “Don’t act so smug.”

He chuckled, reaching over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I can’t help it. You really liked that, didn’t you?”

I huffed, crossing my arms. “I tolerate you.”

Jaxon smirked. “Yeah? Then why are you still sitting so close?”

I froze, realizing I hadn’t moved an inch. We were still leaning into each other, my body instinctively drawn to his like a magnet.

He was so unfair.

Before I could respond, Jaxon shifted, suddenly undoing his seatbelt. In one fluid motion, he reached across and did the same to mine, the click of the buckle making my heart jump.

“What are you doing?” I asked, suspicious.

His grin widened as he pushed open his door. “Come on.”

I frowned. “Where?”

He didn’t answer, just got out and walked around to my side. A second later, my door swung open, and he held out a hand.

I hesitated.

“Trust me,” he murmured, his voice softer now.

Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.

So I placed my hand in his.

Jaxon’s fingers curled around mine, warm and steady, as he helped me out of the car. The moment my feet touched the ground, he didn’t let go. Instead, he tugged me forward, leading me away from the vehicle and toward the edge of the lookout point.

The view stretched out before us—rooftops and glowing city lights, the sky a deep shade of indigo with the first hints of stars appearing.

I let out a soft breath. “It’s beautiful.”

Jaxon didn’t respond. When I turned to look at him, I found him watching me instead of the view.

I swallowed hard. “What?”

His fingers played with mine absently. “You don’t even realize it, do you?”

I frowned. “Realize what?”

He reached out, brushing his thumb against my cheek, his touch featherlight. “How beautiful you are.”

My heart stopped.

The teasing edge in his voice was gone. This wasn’t him messing with me, wasn’t him being his usual cocky, insufferable self.

This was real.

My breath hitched as Jaxon’s hand slid down, tracing the curve of my jaw before settling against the nape of my neck.

“You drive me crazy, Amara,” he murmured.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Then his lips were on mine again.

This kiss was different from the first—slower, deeper, filled with something unspoken. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him, and I melted.

I clung to his hoodie, my fingers twisting in the fabric as I kissed him back just as desperately.

The world around us faded, the only thing that mattered was him. His touch, his warmth, the way he kissed me like I was the only thing he ever wanted.

When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless.

Jaxon pressed his forehead against mine, his grip on me still firm like he had no plans of letting go.

“I think I’m falling for you,” he admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

My chest tightened.

Because the truth was, I was falling for him, too.