Did Jaxin brand you or something?

Did Jaxin brand you or something?
Amara’s POV

I barely made it into my room before collapsing onto my bed, pressing my fingers against my still-tingling lips.

What the hell had just happened?

Jaxon had kissed me before, teased me before—but this? This was something else. This was dangerous.

And the worst part?

I wanted more.

I groaned, burying my face in my pillow.

Get it together, Amara.

But no amount of scolding could stop the way my heart raced at the memory of his hands on my waist, his breath against my skin, the way he had looked at me like I was his.

I exhaled sharply, sitting up and running my hands through my hair.

There was no way I was going to be able to sleep.

My phone buzzed.

I grabbed it quickly, my pulse spiking when I saw Jaxon’s name.

Jaxon: Are you in bed?

I hesitated before typing back.

Me: Maybe.

His reply came almost instantly.

Jaxon: That’s not a real answer, princess.

I bit my lip.

Me: Yes, I’m in bed. Why?

Jaxon: Good. Now close your eyes and imagine me next to you.

My breath hitched.

Before I could even process his words, another text came through.

Jaxon: Because that’s exactly where I wish I was right now.

Heat flooded my face.

I should have ignored him. Should have turned off my phone, buried myself under the covers, and forced myself to sleep.

But instead, I found myself smiling—an actual smile.

I hesitated, then typed back.

Me: You’re insufferable.

Jaxon: And yet, you can’t stop thinking about me.

I rolled my eyes, my heart pounding.

Me: Go to sleep, Jaxon.

Jaxon: Sweet dreams, princess.

I stared at my screen long after the message came through, my fingers gripping the phone tighter.

I was so screwed.

The Next Morning

I barely got any sleep.

I blamed Jaxon entirely.

As I stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying my hair, my bedroom door suddenly swung open.

Before I could react, strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me against a firm, warm chest.

My breath hitched. “Jaxon—”

His lips brushed against the curve of my neck. “Morning, princess.”

I shivered. “You can’t just break into my room.”

He chuckled, his fingers gripping my waist. “I want to see you.”

I turned my head, glaring at him. “That doesn’t mean you can sneak up on me!”

His smirk was infuriatingly smug. “Would you prefer I knock? Maybe bring you breakfast in bed?”

I groaned. “You’re impossible.”

Jaxon just hummed, lowering his head to nuzzle my neck. “And yet, you love it.”

Before I could argue, his lips parted—and then I felt it.

The slow, deliberate scrape of his teeth against my skin.

I gasped. “Jaxon—”

He bit down, not too hard, but just enough to send a rush of heat through me.

My knees buckled.

Jaxon’s grip tightened, holding me up as his tongue flicked over the spot, soothing the bite.

“You’re mine,” he murmured against my skin. “And now, everyone is going to know it.”

I swore my entire body caught fire.

I whirled around, smacking his chest. “You did not just do that!”

Jaxon grinned. “Oh, I definitely did.”

I rushed to the mirror, my eyes widening at the sight of the fresh love bite blooming on my neck.

“Oh my god,” I groaned, touching it. “I have to go to school, you idiot!”

Jaxon leaned against my dresser, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Good. Let them stare. Let them know.”

I turned to glare at him. “You did that on purpose.”

His golden eyes gleamed. “Of course I did.”

I was going to kill him.

But first, I had to survive the day without completely losing my mind.

And somehow, I knew Jaxon was going to make that very difficult.

I scrambled to cover the very obvious love bite Jaxon had just branded onto my neck. My fingers frantically searched my vanity for anything—foundation, a scarf, anything to make it disappear before I had to face the world.

Meanwhile, the smug bastard just leaned against my dresser, arms crossed, watching me with pure amusement.

“You’re wasting your time, princess,” Jaxon drawled lazily. “That mark isn’t going anywhere.”

I shot him a glare through the mirror. “You are so dead.”

He just smirked. “Funny, because last night, you didn’t seem to mind me all over you.”

Heat flooded my face. “Jaxon!”

He chuckled, completely unbothered by my frustration. “Relax, princess. You look hot with my mark on you.”

I groaned, grabbing my concealer and aggressively dabbing it over the bite. But no matter how much I applied, the stupid mark still peeked through.

Jaxon wandered over, casually plucking the concealer from my hands. “Come on,” he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You don’t need to hide it.”

I swatted his hand away. “Easy for you to say! You don’t have to walk into school looking like a claimed woman.”

His smirk widened. “That’s exactly the point.”

I gasped. “Oh my god, you wanted people to see this?”

Jaxon hummed, dragging a finger down my neck, his touch slow and deliberate. “Why not? Saves me the trouble of having to warn every idiot at school to stay away from what’s mine.”

My stomach flipped.

I should have been mad. I should have smacked him.

But the way he was looking at me? Like he owned me? Like he loved knowing I wore his mark?

It made my knees go weak.

I quickly turned away, grabbing my scarf and throwing it around my neck. “Not happening.”

Jaxon chuckled but said nothing as I stormed past him, heading downstairs.

The Car Ride to School – Jaxon’s POV

I watched Amara fidget with her scarf the entire ride, her fingers desperately adjusting it every few seconds.

It was adorable.

“You know,” I mused, keeping one hand on the wheel as I reached over and gently tugged at the fabric, “you’re overreacting.”

She smacked my hand away. “I hate you.”

I chuckled. “No, you don’t.”

Her glare was weak, her lips twitching like she was trying so hard not to smile.

I grinned. “You like that I marked you.”

Her face turned an adorable shade of pink. “Shut up.”

I smirked, shifting gears as we pulled up to a red light. My gaze flickered to her legs—she was sitting cross-legged, her thigh peeking out beneath her skirt.

Without thinking, I reached over and grazed my fingers against her exposed skin.

Amara jumped.

Her wide eyes snapped to mine. “Jaxon—”

I smirked, keeping my fingers there, my touch light. “What? I can’t admire my girl?”

She swallowed hard, shifting in her seat. “We’re in the car—”

“So?”

Her breath hitched when I traced slow circles against her knee.

The light turned green, and I grudgingly removed my hand, but not before leaning in and murmuring, “I’ll continue this later.”

Amara looked thoroughly flustered, her hands clenched in her lap.

I chuckled, loving the effect I had on her.

She was so mine.

At School – Amara’s POV

The second I stepped out of Jaxon’s car, I knew I was in trouble.

Eyes immediately landed on me.

Whispers started.

And the worst part?

Jaxon looked pleased.

His arm casually draped around my shoulders as he walked me toward the school entrance, completely unbothered by the stares.

“Why are people looking at me like that?” I whispered, my stomach twisting.

Jaxon’s smirk was downright sinful. “Take a wild guess, princess.”

My fingers tightened around my scarf. “Oh my god.”

And then—

“Damn, Amara!”

I froze.

Ryder and Caden stood near my locker, their gazes locked onto my neck.

Or rather, the very obvious mark peeking out from beneath my scarf.

Ryder whistled lowly. “Did Jaxon brand you or something?”

Caden froned, his sharp gaze shifting to Jaxon. “Seriously, dude?”

Jaxon just smirked. “What? She liked it.”

My face flamed. “I hate you!”

Jaxon grinned, tightening his hold on me. “You love me, princess.”

And the worst part?

I couldn’t argue with that.