Chapter 157: Paige

Chapter 157: Paige
The house is quiet, save for the distant crash of waves against the shore. The soft rustling of trees outside filters through the open balcony doors, the warm night breeze carrying the scent of salt and earth into the bedroom. I’m lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to let it sink in. This is home now. Our home.

Jaxon’s in the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the space for a moment before it shuts off. I hear him moving, the slow, deliberate sound of his footsteps. It makes something tighten in my stomach, this awareness of him, of the fact that we’re finally here. Safe. Together.

I shift under the linen sheets, the fabric soft against my skin. Everything in this house feels different than what I’m used to—lighter, freer. The ceiling beams, the cool air, the stone walls, even the way the bed feels beneath me. I don’t know if it’s the place itself or if it’s just the fact that for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel like I have to run.

The bedroom door creaks slightly as Jaxon walks in. I turn my head and my breath catches, my pulse kicking up just a little.

He’s shirtless, just wearing a pair of loose sweatpants that hang low on his hips, his body still damp from the shower. His tattoos look darker in the dim light, the muscles of his chest and arms flexing slightly as he towels off his hair. He looks at me, his gray eyes heavy, his jaw tight.

Something shifts in the air between us.

I swallow, my fingers clenching around the edge of the blanket.

I’ve seen him like this before. I’ve been close to him before. But this… this is different. There’s no danger lurking in the shadows. No imminent threat. No reason to hold back.

And I don’t think I want to.

Jaxon tosses the towel onto a chair before walking toward me, his movements slow, predatory. My heartbeat is a steady, heavy thud in my chest as he reaches the bed, stopping right in front of where I’m lying.

He tilts his head, studying me. "You’re staring, princess."

I blink, my face heating, but I don’t look away. "So are you."

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly. "Hard not to."

My pulse stutters.

He lifts the blanket, sliding into bed beside me, his body radiating warmth. I shift slightly to face him, and he mirrors the movement until we’re close, our faces only inches apart.

His fingers trail along the strap of my tank top, a light touch that sends shivers across my skin. "You tired?"

Yes. No. Maybe.

I don’t answer, and his fingers trace lower, skimming against my collarbone, slow, deliberate.

"You should sleep," he murmurs, though his voice is rougher now.

"I don’t want to," I whisper.

His hand pauses. His eyes flick up to mine, dark, unreadable, but I know what’s beneath that—control. That same control he’s been forcing on himself since we got out of the hospital, since he decided I was too fragile to touch.

I’m not fragile.

And I don’t want him to hold back anymore.

I reach out, pressing my palm against his chest, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm of his heart. "Jaxon."

His jaw tightens. "Paige."

I don’t say anything else. I don’t need to.

Because I can see the second something in him breaks.

His hand moves, sliding beneath my jaw, fingers tilting my face up as his lips press against mine. The kiss is soft at first, almost careful, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. It deepens, turns hungrier, his other hand gripping my waist, pulling me closer.

I gasp against his mouth, my body molding against his like it was meant to fit there. His fingers dig into my skin, and I can feel the restraint in the way he’s touching me, like he’s still holding back. Like he’s afraid to push too far.

I pull away just enough to whisper, "I can take it."

A low sound leaves his throat, and then his lips crash back onto mine.

And this time, he doesn’t hold back.

His tongue slides against mine, and I can’t help the soft moan that escapes my lips. His hand moves lower, tracing along the curve of my breast, his thumb brushing against my hardening nipple through the thin fabric of my tank top.

"Fuck, Paige," he groans against my lips, his hand moving lower, fingers slipping beneath the hem of my shorts. I gasp as his fingers find my clit, rubbing slow circles against the sensitive bundle of nerves.

"Jaxon," I gasp, my hand moving to grip his wrist, holding him in place. I can feel the tension in his body, the effort it’s taking him to hold back.

"I’m not fragile," I remind him, my voice breathless.

His gaze flicks up to mine, dark and intense. "I know," he says, his voice rough. "But I still want to be careful with you."

I nod, understanding. "Just don’t hold back too much," I whisper, my hand moving to grip the back of his neck, pulling him back down for another kiss.

His fingers continue to work their magic, sending waves of pleasure through my body. I can feel myself getting closer, my body tensing, my breath coming in short gasps.

But before I can reach the edge, Jaxon’s hand moves away, leaving me panting and frustrated. "Not yet," he says, his voice low.

He shifts, moving to kneel between my legs, his hands moving to grip the hem of my tank top. I lift my arms, letting him pull the fabric up and over my head, leaving me bare from the waist up.

His eyes move over my body, taking in the sight of my breasts, my nipples hard and aching for his touch. "Fuck, you’re beautiful," he murmurs, his hand moving to cup one breast, his thumb brushing against my nipple.

I gasp, arching into his touch. "Jaxon, please," I beg, my hand moving to grip his wrist, urging him to touch me more.

He grins, his hand moving to my other breast, giving it the same attention as the first. I moan, my body writhing beneath him, desperate for more.

His hand moves lower, fingers slipping beneath the waistband of my shorts. I lift my hips, letting him slide the fabric down and off my body, leaving me completely naked.

His eyes move over my body, taking in the sight of my cast-covered leg, the bruises that still mar my skin. "Are you sure about this?" he asks, his voice rough.

I nod, my hand moving to grip his wrist, urging him closer. "I’m sure," I whisper.

He moves to kneel between my legs, his hands moving to grip my hips, pulling me closer. I can feel the heat of his cock, pressing against my wet pussy.

"I’ll be careful," he promises, his eyes locked on mine.

I nod, trusting him completely. "I know," I whisper.

He moves slowly, sliding into me with a groan. I gasp, my body stretching to accommodate him, the sensation of him filling me sending waves of pleasure through my body.

He moves slowly at first, his eyes locked on mine, watching for any sign of discomfort. But I can see the hunger in his eyes, the need to move faster, harder.

"Fuck, Paige," he groans, his hand moving to grip my thigh, holding it in place as he starts to move faster.

I moan, my hands moving to grip his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin as he moves faster, harder. I can feel myself getting closer, my body tensing, my breath coming in short gasps.

"Come for me, Paige," he groans, his hand moving to grip my hip, holding me in place as he drives into me.

I cry out, my body shattering into a million pieces as I come, my core clenching around his length. He groans, his own orgasm following close behind, his cock pulsing inside me as he fills me with his release.

He collapses on top of me, his body slick with sweat, his breath coming in short gasps. I can feel his heart pounding against mine, the sound of our ragged breathing filling the room.

"Fuck, princess," he murmurs, his lips moving against my neck. "That was…"

"Amazing," I finish for him, my hand moving to grip the back of his neck, pulling him down for another kiss.

He grins, his lips moving against mine. "Amazing," he agrees. "But we’re not done yet."

I raise an eyebrow, my hand moving to grip his cock, still hard inside me. "Oh?"

He grins, his eyes dark with desire. "Oh, we’re just getting started."

And as he starts to move inside me again, I know that he’s right.