5

Margot

Before my eyes even opened, the soreness in my body told me everything I needed to know about last night. My muscles ached in places I didn’t even realize could ache, and yet, a warmth spread through me—a mixture of satisfaction and disbelief. It was almost surreal, like I’d stepped into a dream I wasn’t sure I wanted to wake up from.

The sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the quiet intimacy of the room. Jaxon’s arm was draped around my waist, holding me close like he had every right to. Even as I blinked into consciousness, I felt his steady breath on the back of my neck and the hard, unmistakable press of his body against mine.

“Good morning,” his gruff voice rumbled behind me, thick with sleep.

I laughed softly, the sound almost foreign to me after so long. “Morning.”

He nuzzled closer, his lips grazing the curve of my neck. “How is it that you still smell amazing? Shouldn’t you smell like… me?” His words carried that mischievous charm that was so quintessentially Jaxon, and it made my cheeks flush.

“Thanks, I guess?” I teased, trying not to sound flustered.

His hand slid down my stomach, and I couldn’t help but giggle as the light tickle made me squirm. He grinned against my skin but paused when I winced slightly. “Sore?”

“A little.” I turned in his arms to face him, his blue eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my stomach flip.

Jaxon sat up, resting on one elbow as his gaze roamed over me. The weight of his scrutiny made me want to shrink into the mattress, but there was something in his expression—something raw and unapologetic—that stopped me.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his voice softer than I expected. “Every inch of you.”

I rolled my eyes to downplay the lump forming in my throat, but he caught my chin and made me meet his gaze.

“Don’t do that,” he said firmly. “Don’t brush it off. You don’t get to argue with me on this.”

I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. No one had ever looked at me like that before—as if I were the only thing in the world worth staring at.

Jaxon’s lips quirked into a small smile, and he leaned down to kiss my forehead. “Come on, let’s get you ready for the day.”

He stood, completely unbothered by his lack of clothing, and grabbed something from a bag on the couch. When he turned back, he held up a dress—a gorgeous emerald green number that looked far too elegant to be for someone like me.

I raised an eyebrow. “Where did this come from?”

“I had it sent over last night.” He shrugged, like it was the most normal thing in the world. “Thought you’d look good in it.”

I unfolded the dress and ran my fingers over the buttery fabric, stunned. “Jaxon… it’s perfect.”

“I know.” His smirk was back, but there was a softness in his eyes that made my chest ache.

Before I could dwell on it, he knelt in front of me and helped me step into the dress. His hands lingered on my legs as he smoothed the fabric, and I couldn’t stop the blush creeping up my neck.

“You look incredible,” he said, his voice low.

“Thank you.” I felt shy under his gaze, but the way he looked at me made it hard to look away.

Jaxon grabbed a pair of sandals—simple but elegant—and slipped them onto my feet before standing to his full height. He guided me to the bathroom, where he pulled my hair into a neat bun with a level of skill that surprised me.

“How do you know how to do that?” I asked, watching him in the mirror.

“Years of practice with my nieces,” he said with a wink.

We brushed our teeth side by side, the domesticity of the moment settling over us like a warm blanket. It was simple, unhurried, and oddly intimate.

As I rinsed my mouth, Jaxon’s arms circled my waist, and he rested his chin on my shoulder. “You sure you can’t call in late? Just for an hour?”

I laughed, even as a pang of longing tugged at my heart. “I wish I could.”

He sighed dramatically, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Fine, but only because you’re too responsible for your own good.”

I turned in his arms and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Thank you… for everything.”

His eyes softened, and for a moment, I thought he might say something, but instead, he just smiled. “Anytime, Bubba.”

As I left the room, my heart felt lighter than it had in years, even as a part of me worried about what came next. Jaxon Heather wasn’t the kind of man to make things simple, and I had a feeling this was just the beginning of a very complicated story.

As I bent over to rinse my mouth, I felt a sharp smack on my backside. The sudden sting made me gasp, and I spun around to see Jaxon grinning wickedly.

“Really?” I laughed, swatting his chest playfully.

He didn’t answer, just wrapped his hands around my waist and hoisted me onto the counter. His strong hands pushed my dress up until his body fit snugly between my legs.

“Are you always this handsy in the morning?” I teased, my arms looping around his neck.

“Only when I wake up to you.” His blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned closer, brushing his lips against mine.

I smirked, running my fingers over the tattoos on his arms. “You’re unfairly attractive, you know that? I love these tattoos.”

“What else?” His voice dropped, his lips hovering near my ear.

I trailed my hands down his arms, feeling the strength beneath his skin. “Your muscles.”

“What else?”

My eyes flicked downward, and I couldn’t help the sly grin that tugged at my lips. “I think that’s it.”

His playful growl sent a shiver down my spine. Gripping my chin gently, he tilted my face up to meet his intense gaze. “What made you cry out last night? What made you beg for more?”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I bit my lip. “You know the answer to that.”

“Say it.”

I swallowed hard and managed to whisper, “You.”

His grin widened, full of confidence. “Damn right.”

I couldn’t help but giggle, pushing him back slightly. “As much as I’d love to stay here all morning, what time is it?”

Jaxon glanced at his watch and groaned. “You’re already cutting it close, Bubba.”

The reality of the clock crushed the mood, and I hopped off the counter in a panic. “I can’t be late! I have to get to my meeting.”

As I rushed to the door, Jaxon caught my wrist and turned me back to face him. “What’s the rush? Be late just this once. I’ll make it worth your while.”

I shook my head, biting my lip as I looked up at him. “I can’t, Jaxon. I have to focus. My business is on the line. If I stay here, I’ll lose all control around you.”

His brow furrowed, and he took a step closer. “So what? We’ll set an alarm next time. You can be a little late.”

“No, I can’t. This is too important.” My voice softened as I placed my hand on his chest. “I want this—God, I want this—but I need to finish what I started first. Two weeks. Just give me two weeks, and then we’ll figure this out.”

His jaw tightened, and his arms crossed over his chest. “You really think I’m just going to sit back and wait? Not a chance, Margot. I’m not done with you. Not even close.”

I hesitated at the door, torn between responsibility and the pull of him. “Please, Jaxon. Just let me do this right.”

He tilted his head, his smirk returning. “No one tells me what to do, Bubba. You can try to stay away, but I won’t make it easy for you.”

I groaned, my resolve crumbling for a moment as I looked at him one last time. “You’re impossible. And way too hot for your own good.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And don’t call me ‘little guy.’”

Before he could take another step toward me, I yanked the door open and darted out, my heart pounding in my chest. The sound of his low chuckle followed me down the hallway, a promise that this wasn’t over—not by a long shot.