Chapter 32

~**Michelle**~

“Hey, are you okay?” Jaxon asked as he handed me a mug of something warm that smelled earthy and soothing. I took a deep breath, letting the scent fill my lungs, and caught him smiling from the corner of my eye.

“It’s green tea. It’s supposed to help the body relax,” he muttered, sitting next to me on the couch. He kept a respectful amount of space between us, but his presence still felt steady and grounding.

“Thank you,” I murmured, my voice soft, unfamiliar even to me. It felt strange to hear myself sound so small.

Jaxon had already helped me gather a few clothes and toiletries, but most of my furniture and belongings were still at my apartment. I wasn’t officially moving out, not yet—not until the police gave me an update.

The break-in still remained in my mind, like a shadow. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. My home, my safe space, had been invaded. With everything happening—work, Jake, and now this—it felt like my life was unraveling one thread at a time.

I should have known something was wrong when he stopped texting. His silence had been ominous, but I’d convinced myself it was nothing. Now, I wasn’t so sure.

The police had promised to check the CCTV footage to figure out who had broken in. They said there were no signs of forced entry, which meant whoever it was had a key. The thought of that—a stranger with access to my apartment—sent a shiver curling up my spine.

“Hey, drink up. It’s going to get cold,” Jaxon said gently, pulling me out of my thoughts. His voice was low and calming, like a warm blanket on a cold day.

I glanced at him, then raised the mug to my lips. The tea was hot, slightly bitter, but comforting in a way I hadn’t expected.

“Are you sure you want me here? I mean, I’m intruding on your privacy. I could go stay with Bar—” I stopped when he turned to me, his intense gray eyes locking onto mine.

“I’m okay with you staying here, Michelle,” he said firmly. “Besides, don’t you think staying with Barbara might put her at risk? If whoever broke into your apartment is after you, it’s safer here. They’re not getting in here.” His confidence made me feel safer, even though I wasn’t sure if he was right.

He was logical. Practical. I knew staying here made sense, but it didn’t make me any less aware of him—the warmth of his presence, the way his calmness made the chaos in my mind quiet down.

I swallowed hard, staring at the mug in my hands. I wasn’t sure if it was the fear or the proximity, but something about being here with Jaxon made my pulse quicken in a way I couldn’t quite explain.

We sat in silence for a while, the quiet settling over us like a soft blanket. Despite everything, Jaxon’s presence was oddly comforting. It was a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

I yawned, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up with me. “Come on,” he said, standing up and offering me his hand. “You need to rest. Let me show you to the guest room.”

I stared at his outstretched hand for a moment, hesitating before finally placing mine in his.

His hand was large and warm, his skin rougher than mine, which felt small and soft in comparison. I noticed the veins running along the back of his hand and was surprised by how much I liked them.

He helped me up effortlessly, and I followed him down the hallway.

“I just cleaned out the room a few days ago,” he said over his shoulder. “Honestly, I didn’t think it’d be used so soon, but I’m glad it can be.”

We stopped in front of a door just a few steps away from what I assumed was the master bedroom. He opened it and stepped inside, flipping on the light. I followed, taking in the room.

The walls were a soft gray, the bed neatly made with a blue duvet that looked inviting. The room had a calming simplicity to it, much like Jaxon himself.

“Hope you like it,” he said, standing near the doorway, watching me take it all in. “I don’t know how long you’ll be staying, but if you want to change the color or anything, feel free.”

I shook my head quickly. “No, it’s perfect. It, uh…” I hesitated, wondering if I should say what I was thinking. “It reminds me of your eyes.”

He paused, his lips twitching into a small, almost shy smile. “Oh yeah?” he asked, and I felt my face heat as I quickly looked away, pretending to study the mug in my hands.

He moved past me, walking toward a door on the side of the room that I assumed was the bathroom. “Give me a second,” he said over his shoulder before disappearing inside.

I heard the rush of water, and a few minutes later, he stepped back out, drying his hands on a towel. “I ran a bath for you,” he said, his voice a little quieter than usual.

I blinked, staring at him in surprise. He glanced down at his hands, and I noticed the faint pink on his cheeks. Was he…blushing?

“The bath oils—I wasn’t sure how to use them, so I just, uh…” He gestured vaguely, looking almost sheepish.

A small smile tugged at my lips. “I’m sure it’s fine,” I said softly, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gesture.

“I hope I didn’t make a mess,” he said, his gray eyes meeting mine. There was something unguarded about the way he looked at me, and it made my chest tighten in a way I wasn’t ready to examine.

“No, really,” I said, standing up. “Thank you. For everything.” My voice was hoarse, thick with emotions I didn’t know how to name.

He nodded toward the bathroom. “Go ahead. Take your time.” He took the mug from my hands as I walked past him, but his voice stopped me at the door.

“Michelle?”

I turned back to him, glancing over my shoulder. He stood there, the mug in his hand.

“Thanks for calling me when you did. I’m glad I was an option.” His words, so simple and sincere, hit me harder than I expected.

I gave him a tight smile before stepping into the bathroom. The steam from the bath rose in the air, and I stared at it for a long moment, trying to process everything.

One thing was certain.

If Jaxon kept doing things like this, my heart wouldn’t stand a chance.