And yet... she's still sitting in my lap

And yet... she's still sitting in my lap
Amara’s POV

I wanted to disappear. Right then and there.

Jaxon, of course, was absolutely loving this. His arm stayed draped around my shoulders, his fingers casually playing with the ends of my scarf like he knew exactly what he had done.

Ryder leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, his grin way too amused. “So… did Jaxon finally claim you, or did he just get really hungry last night?”

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. “I hate all of you.”

Caden didn’t look nearly as amused. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable. “It’s not funny,” he muttered, his sharp gaze flickering toward Jaxon. “You should have more control.”

Jaxon smirked, pulling me closer. “I don’t want control when it comes to her.”

My breath hitched.

Caden’s jaw tensed. “She’s not a possession, Jaxon.”

Jaxon’s smirk faltered just slightly, but he didn’t let go of me. Instead, his grip tightened.

I quickly intervened before things got tense. “Okay, enough. We’re not doing this.”

Ryder grinned. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

I glared at him. “Shut up.”

Jaxon leaned in, brushing his lips against my ear. “You’re so cute when you’re flustered.”

My entire body went warm.

Caden sighed, rubbing his temples like he was already done with this conversation.

And I?

I was so screwed.

Lunch Break – Outside

I was determined to have a normal day.

Determined to ignore the lingering heat of Jaxon’s touch, the way his mark still tingled against my skin, or the way he had practically devoured me with his gaze all morning.

But Jaxon?

He had other plans.

We were outside, sitting at one of the benches, when he casually pulled me onto his lap.

I yelped. “Jaxon—!”

His arms wrapped around my waist, locking me in place. “What?” he murmured, nuzzling my neck. “This is comfortable.”

Caden groaned. “Seriously?”

Ryder laughed, shoving a handful of fries into his mouth. “Damn. Jaxon’s really lost it.”

I struggled to get up, but Jaxon refused to let me go.

“You’re staying,” he murmured, his fingers tracing slow circles against my waist. “I like you right here.”

I shivered. “People are staring.”

“Good,” he smirked. “Let them.”

I smacked his chest. “You are so infuriating.”

Jaxon caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. “And yet… you love it.”

I wanted to argue.
Wanted to shove him away.

But when he slowly kissed my knuckles, his golden eyes dark with something dangerous—

I realized I was completely losing this battle.

I should have pushed him away. Should have scolded him, reminded him that we were in public, that people were watching.

But when Jaxon kissed my knuckles, slow and deliberate, his golden eyes never leaving mine—

I forgot how to breathe.

His grip on my waist tightened just slightly, pulling me impossibly closer. “You feel good like this, princess,” he murmured, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of my wrist. “Right where you belong.”

My stomach flipped.

Caden sighed heavily. “Can you not do this at the lunch table?”

Jaxon smirked. “What? Does it bother you?”

Caden’s jaw clenched. “You’re treating her like—”

“Like mine,” Jaxon finished, his tone dripping with possession. His fingers traced absent patterns against my thigh, sending heat straight through me. “Because she is.”

I swore my heart stopped.

Ryder let out a low whistle. “Damn. He’s serious about you, Amara.”

I couldn’t speak. My brain was still trying to process Jaxon’s words, the way he held me, claimed me like he had no intention of letting go.

“Jaxon—” I started, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turned me slightly, his nose brushing against my cheek. “Hmm?”

I swallowed hard. “You… you can’t just say things like that.”

His smirk softened just a little. “But it’s true.”

I didn’t know how to respond.

Did I want to be his?

The way my heart raced, the way my body melted into his hold told me everything I refused to say out loud.

Before I could dwell on it, Jaxon’s fingers suddenly brushed against the edge of my scarf.

I grabbed his wrist. “Don’t.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Still trying to hide it?”

I shot him a glare. “Yes, because unlike you, I don’t want the entire school knowing I have a giant love bite on my neck.”

Jaxon smirked. “I could always give you another one.”

I gasped. “Jaxon!”

Ryder nearly choked on his soda, laughing. “Damn, man, you’re relentless.”

Caden looked like he wanted to murder someone. “You’re impossible.”

Jaxon just grinned, completely unbothered. “And yet… she’s still sitting in my lap.”

I opened my mouth to argue—

But the warning bell rang, cutting me off.

Jaxon’s arms tightened around me briefly before he finally let me go, his lips brushing my temple as he whispered, “I’m not done with you yet, princess.”

And just like that, he walked off—leaving me completely breathless.

I was so in trouble.