The warmth of Jaxon's arms wrapped around her, grounding her in the aftermath of what they'd just shared. Lena felt lighter, yet somehow more tethered than ever before. There was no space between them, no lingering doubt or hesitation. Just the quiet hum of satisfaction and something deeperâsomething real.
Jaxon's fingers traced gentle patterns on her back, absentminded but soothing. He kissed the top of her head, voice husky when he murmured, "Are you still feeling okay?"
Lena let out a breath, pressing her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "More than okay."
His arm tightened around her, pulling her impossibly closer. "Good."
For a long moment, they just existed there, tangled together, breathing in sync. Lena had never felt this safe, this wanted, this completely herself in someone else's presence. It wasn't just about what had happenedâit was about everything before it and everything after.
Jaxon ran a hand through her hair, his touch deliberate, thoughtful. "I meant it, you know."
She tilted her head up slightly. "Meant what?"
He met her gaze, the soft glow of the moon through the window catching in his eyes. "That you're safe with me."
A lump formed in Lena's throat, but she didn't look away. "I know."
His lips twitched into a faint smile before he kissed her, slow and deliberate, as if sealing the promise all over again.
Lena felt herself smile against his lips before pulling back with a teasing smirk. "If you keep looking at me like that, we're never getting any sleep."
Jaxon huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Trouble, Carter. That's what you are."
She grinned, snuggling into his chest. "Yeah, but you love it."
His hand slid down her back, resting at the curve of her waist. "You have no idea."
The room fell silent again, but it wasn't empty. It was filled with something unspoken, something weighty and infinite. And as Lena drifted off, wrapped in the warmth of him, of this, of what they were becoming, she realized she didn't have to brace for the worst anymore.
She just had to let herself fall.